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“Great. Thanks.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” I said. “We had a fun weekend three years ago. No big deal.”
“Right. Sure.”
“Night, Grant. See you tomorrow.” I put the key into the lock and twisted, opening my door.
“I bet there’s a shoe store in town,” Grant said from behind me. “We could go there tomorrow. Get you some boots.”
I hesitated, hand on the door, not looking at him. As much as I wanted to say no, my mouth didn’t agree. “That would be great. But we’re supposed to go on a trail ride in the morning.”
“Afternoon, then? Maybe after lunch?”
I stole one last look at him. He looked like a dream come true standing there in the light from my porch, snow catching in his hair. My fingers twitched, wishing I could pull him inside and … and what?
Don’t go there, I warned myself. Don’t set yourself up for hurt.
“Sure, I’m game,” I said oh-so-casually. “See you in the morning.”
I walked into my cabin and shut the door, leaning against it to catch my breath to the sound of Grant’s boots walking across the small porch and down the stairs.
I brushed my teeth and put on warm flannel pajamas, thinking about Grant. Why had he suggested we go into town together when he’d seemed so reticent to spend time with me? It was a mixed message, but I found, to my great surprise, that I didn’t care. If we spent time together, maybe he would see that all of this worry about Jack was unnecessary.
At least I thought it was. My brother was a complex man, particularly when it came to family. Watching our father leave and having to step up to fill a man’s shoes had left an indelible mark on him.
Tomorrow would be here soon enough, I thought, yawning as I climbed into the warmth of a down comforter. Despite my questions, I fell asleep fast and hard.
3
GRANT
December 2
Trail Ride Through the Property
Heavy snow fall
Supper: Chicken pot pie · Winter greens
We spent the first morning at the ranch on horses, meandering along a winding path up the mountain. It started snowing heavily not long after we headed out. Knox and Madeleine somehow got separated from the pack, so we ended up cutting the ride short. All was well in the end. They were safe and sound back at the barn. I wasn’t sorry to end the ride early. Horses weren’t a part of my childhood and, frankly, they scared me a little. Firstly, they were gigantic, and those nostrils and teeth were not to be ignored.
By the time we’d had lunch and showered, it was nearing two. I’d arranged with Finley for the ranch van to take us into Blue Fern. She’d also told me where to go for boots. Apparently, the hardware store sold them. There was no shoe store in Blue Fern.
I swung by Luci’s cabin on the way to the parking lot. Wearing a thick jacket and red cap, she bounded out the door in her usual graceful way, breaking into a smile that made my breath catch.
“All set?” I asked.
“I sure am.”
We walked in silence out to the van. I was suddenly tongue-tied, mostly because I knew it was weird that I’d suggested shopping in town after I’d told her Jack didn’t want me anywhere near her. Two sides of myself were in a battle, and I didn’t know who was going to win. The man loyal to the man who was like his brother? Or the man in love with my best friend’s sister?
It was Thad Moon who drove us into town, chatting all the way, pointing out landmarks or things of interest, which weren’t many unless you were really into snow-covered fields and a background of looming mountains against the gray sky. Snow had ceased falling while we were eating lunch, but several inches had accumulated on top of what was already there, creating a peaceful winter postcard. I was finding it easier to breathe here in big sky country. I’d slept like the dead last night, despite my racing thoughts about Luci.
In the van, I asked Thad about his family. “There are five you? All boys?” I asked.
“That’s right. Atticus is the oldest. He’s retired from high-tech and married to Annie Armstrong.”
“The actress?” Luci asked.
