“So, an animal, I hope.” Callie shivers, so I draw her closer. Once we round the other side of the house and the coos come into view, she draws in a gasp. “Gavin, the cows!”
Three of them are copper, their long, straggly hair dotted with white snow, while the black one stands out against theothers. The tall wire fence is dotted with wooden posts. We make our way toward it and wait.
“They’re enormous.”
“They’re cows, Callie.”
She rolls her eyes, nudging me with her shoulder. “I know. We had a cow. But they look so much bigger. Is it the hair?”
“Could be. Or could be they’re heartier.”
“You Highlanders are built different.” She sounds almost wistful.
I shift away from the pen and pin my full attention on her. She’s waved her hair, and even bundled under all those layers, she is still stunning. “Are you doing alright? You know, since learning about losing the internship.”
She seems to consider her answer before speaking. “Yeah. It seemed devastating at first. Just the idea of being stuck with Kayla for five years makes me want to rip my hair out. I realize that’s unlikely, but when there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, things can feel hopeless.”
“I understand.”
She gives her head a little shake. “I’m not sure if I’ll stick with the program, but knowing I have the option to walk away changed everything. I can handle it better now, I guess? I don’t feel trapped.”
“Do you know what you’ll do?” My heart speeds.
“Honestly, no. I’m trying to take it slowly and not make a rash decision I might regret.”
“That’s wise.” I wrap my arm around her waist and tug her close when Betsy approaches, stepping a little closer than Callie was probably prepared for.
“Oh my—wow.” She draws in a breath of awe and leans against me, reaching out to pet Betsy, who is really only here hoping we’ve brought her a snack. When she realizes we’re empty-handed, she’s going to leave. “Gavin, she’s so sweet.”
Callie runs her fingers through Betsy’s hair while the coo sniffs for a carrot.
“Will you take our picture?” She pulls out her phone and hands it to me.
I take a snap of her leaning over the fence with Betsy behind her.
“Okay, now all of us.” Callie turns it on selfie mode, but Betsy has given up. She’s moved on to the wooden post, using it to scratch the bottom of her neck. We line up with her in the shot anyway, framing a few of the less friendly coos in the background, and Callie gets her snap.
I don’t want to leave. I never want this week to end. “We should probably head back.”
“Bucket list, check,” she says, putting her phone away.
I take her hand and we walk partway back to the cars before she tugs me to stop, reaches up on tiptoe, and plants a kiss right on my mouth.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll miss you, Callie Winter. Fiercely.”
She sighs, and we head for the car.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CALLIE
It’s Christmas Day,and I can hardly stand in one place for long. I amsoexcited for Gavin to come downstairs and find the gift I made for him. It took a few hours, both Granny and Mom’s help, and waiting until the house was quiet, which wasn’t easy, but I got there in the end.
I hope he loves it and that I didn’t just do something that’s totally going to trigger unhappy memories. Especially since his parents have taken off and we don’t know where they are. But I can’t think about that now. It’s done. It was meant with love. Hopefully he’ll understand that.
Oh my gosh, I can’t breathe.
