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Hattie.

Before I left, she was the one I was closest to. A real friend. Like finding a unicorn these days. I’ve spent every day since I left searching for a friend who was half as genuine—or whose stupidity detector was half as accurate—but I’ve always come up empty.

I can’t pretend I don’t know she was the one I hurt the most.

And I have no idea how to fix it.

“Bull got your tongue or what?” Finn asked. “Will that work?”

“Yeah, I’ll make it work, buddy,” I’d said. “And hey—congratulations, man. Seriously.”

“Dude. I’m marrying up. She’s out of my league so I have to move quick or else she’s gonna run for the hills,” he joked before we said our goodbyes.

I look down now and realize that I’ve absent-mindedly unfolded the paper, turning it around in my hands.

I miss them all so much it aches.

I stare at the crumpled scrap of paper, and the words I scrawled on it a few days after that phone call.

Make it Right

Rip McCauley

Dan Mitchell

Walt’s Hardware

Silverwood High School

Holbrook Family

Hattie

I’d trained for years to become a professional bull rider, but right now? Trying to grip an eighteen hundred pound animal with my legs feels easier than this.

I click off my hazards, draw in a breath, and look at the sign one more time.

“Welcome Home to Silverwood”

Home.

Here goes nothing.

Chapter One

Hattie

The air in downtown Silverwood crackles with a sort of expectant electricity—or maybe I’m just really glad I don’t have to go to work for the next two weeks.

For the first time in eight years, I’m taking time off. From my real job at least. I’ll probably be working harder than I have all year, but it’s the “get to” kind of work and not the “have to” kind.

I want to be a “get to” kind of girl.

The Silverwood Resort is one of those really cool places tourists visit when they want to go ziplining or get a tour guide to take them into Glacier National Park. It’s also one of the premier wedding venues and event centers in the whole state of Montana.

And I’m in charge of those weddings and events. That’s my “have to” job.

I didn’t grow up with dreams of living in my hometown, or working as an event director or wedding coordinator. I don’t know if I ever had big dreams at all. Once upon a time, I thought I’d travel the rodeo circuit, racking up titles and trophies and making a name for myself. But things happen. Things that put everything into perspective.