Rafe's house sat on considerable acreage outside the city of Austin, a rambling piece of land dotted with oak, mesquite and mountain cedar. Enough land so his neighbors were a good distance away.

"Close enough for business, far enough away for privacy," he told her.

The house, a long, low rambling ranch-style made of limestone and adobe, had big picture windows that reflected back the late afternoon sun while ancient oaks shaded the house from excessive heat. The ...