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“I can’t believeI ran into you guys.” Erin grins hugely after hugging both London and me. We’ve spent the day wandering through just about every shop in town, and when we were leaving the last one, we almost smacked right into Erin. “What are you doing now?”
“Actually, I think I’m hungry again,” London says with a laugh. “But I’m not sure what we should grab.”
“I know,” Erin announces. “Are you in the mood for barbecue? Because there is thebestplace just down the street.”
“I’m down for that,” I agree, and the three of us set off walking. Just as she said, there’s a place called Rocky Mountain Smokehouse at the end of the street, and from the delicious aromas coming from inside, I’d say it’s a winner. “You’d better join us, Erin.”
“Oh, I’m definitely in. I’mstarving.”
We’re led to a booth by the windows, and Erin slides in across from London and me, accepts the menu, and hums happily under her breath while she peruses the options.
This is the perkiest I’ve seen my cousin inyears.
“What have you been up to, Erin?” London asks as she sets her menu aside, obviously ready to order. “We haven’t seen much of you lately.”
“I know. I’m sorry that I haven’t been hanging with the fam much, but I justhadto soak in this town. It’s adorable.” She sets her own menu aside just as the waitress walks over to take our order. “I want the three-meat platter, with a half-rack of ribs, the roasted chicken, and brisket. No beans, please.”
I blink at her and then laugh. “You definitely have your father’s appetite. I’ll actually have the same, but I want the beans.”
London orders a full rack of ribs, with all the sides, and then we’re left alone once more.
“We’re obviously all hungry,” London says with a grin. “So, what have you learned about Bitterroot Valley, Erin?”
My cousin bites her lip and looks up at me, then over at London. “I think it feels like home, to be honest.”
I narrow my eyes on her, and she hurries to continue.
“Drew, I told you not long ago that I want out of Seattle. I love my family, especially my dad, but living in his shadow ishard.I would never say that to him, of course. It would just hurt his feelings, and I can’t do that. But it doesn’t make it less true. I hated college, and I don’t know what I want to do for a living, but I do know that it’s not in Seattle. I want a small town, where no one cares who my parents are or who my uncles are or who my cousins are married to.”
“It’s a lot,” I agree with a nod. “Our family isn’t easy. It’s fun, but it’s not easy.”
“I can respect what you’re saying, Erin,” London says. “My dad is bigger than life, too, and it wasn’t a walk in the park. I’ve worked hard to make my own mark.”
“Yes, exactly. I know I might sound spoiled, and I don’t mean to. Thanks to the luck of birth, I have an incredible family. A lot of privilege. But I want a quieter life. This little town, tucked into the mountains, with its quirky shops and friendly people, already fits. So, I don’t think I’ll be going back to Seattle.”
I blink at her, stunned. “Come again?”
“You heard me.”
“I thought you were going to say that you’d go home and pack your stuff and make arrangements to moveafteryou told your parents about your plans.”
“What do I have to go back for?” she demands, leaning forward, her face set. “I have a few things in my room at the compound, and that’s it. I’ll talk to my parents over the phone.”
“Yeah, that’ll go over well.”
“I’m in my mid-twenties,” she reminds me. “I’m not a kid. I can do as I please andlivewhere I please. I have some money saved, and it’ll be enough for me to get a place here.”
“You have a trust fund,” I remind her.
“I’m not using it,” she says, shaking her head. “I don’t want to do this on my dad’s dime, like I’m a teenager who’s decided to be adventurous and pretend to do it alone.”
“Don’t be stupid,” I reply before London can stop me. “It’s not aboutpretending. That money is yours, set aside for you by your parents so you would never have to struggle.”
“Maybe the struggle makes it more worth it.” Erin shrugs a shoulder, and her eyes light up when our meal is served. “Holy shit, this is somefood.My dad would love this place. I’ll have to bring him here when he comes to visit me.”
“He’ll be here by next weekend, trying to haul you back home, after he finds out that you’ve decided to move here.”
“He can try,” Erin says, not looking concerned in the least. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt more at home than I do here, and I’m not leaving on Sunday with the rest of you.”
