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Joeycalled out, “Florida, coming right up!”
Ithad become a barbecue tradition.Odd-looking state-shaped burgers.ItmadeLilylaugh every time.
HowJoeycould stand outside in the cold for so long was beyond her.Lilysupposed she would eventually adjust to it.Afterall,Breckenridgewas now her home, as well.
Shethought of the people who showed up at the door a few weeks prior.Thewomen from the construction site.Theycame to apologize, not because of any legal action—Lilyrefused to initiate a defamation suit despitePammy'sinsistence—but because they truly felt regretful.Alongwith the paper’s retraction, the local residents had taken to her, inviting her andWyattto various events.Theyeven received a dinner invitation from the baker.
Afire roared in the hearth, emitting a flickering glow onto the high, beamed ceilings.Red, white and blue streamers draped the edges of the table.OldGloryflapped in the mountain wind on a flagpole just outside the glass patio doors.Theywere calling it theFourthofFebruary, another newSomerstradition, with all the fixin’s.Itwas a good excuse to get everyone out for a ski weekend.Theyhad lift tickets for the next few days.Thenthey’d hit theInternationalSnowSculptureChampionships.Lilycouldn’t wait.
Afterseveral months commuting back and forth fromNewYorktoColorado,Lilyoverseeing the completion of the youth center, she informedCartwrightof her dilemma.Thebuilding was finished and ready for occupancy.Allwas well.Withone exception.Herjob was inManhattanbut her heart remained in the mountains.
Onceagain,Cartwrightsurprised her.Hecould not have been more accommodating, offering her a deal she couldn’t refuse—open a satellite office inDenver, where their property portfolio was growing by leaps and bounds.
Itmeant a long drive twice a week, but it was an exceptional proposal.WhenLilyaskedLouif he had anything to do withCartwright’soffer, he gave a slight smile and changed the subject.
“You’vedone wonders with the house,Lily,”Pammysaid, watchingBrodiecrawl across the floor until he reachedBernieand pulled his tail.Thedog simply took it.
Lilyglanced at the decorative pillows, cozy sofa throws, and potted plants placed in strategic places around the room, adding color toWyatt’s—and now her—home.Wyatt’shandmade table, topped with an arrangement of purple irises, was center-stage.Thestunning photograph she’d fallen in love with at theWildflowerFestivalnow hung above the sofa.Breckenridgeon a wintry night.ItwasWyatt’sholiday gift to her.
Still, her favorite part of the place was the backyard with sweeping views of the town.Shecould see the ski gondolas glide by silently in the distance, high above the village, now under a thick coat of freshly fallen snow.
“AllIdid was add a girl’s touch.”
Pammybent down to pick up the baby, adjusting his weird blue socks. “Who’smy best boy?”
Joeycalled from the backyard. “Iam!”
Pammylaughed. “I’mnot always sure he’s joking.”ShekissedBrodiewho gurgled in delight.Thenhe hurled, a perfect hit toPammy’sshoulder.
Lilyjumped out of the way as a couple of expletives escapedPammy’slips.Holdingthe baby at arm’s length,Pammymade for the powder room, her sweater dripping with white goo.
Whenshe returned, she had a cleaned wet spot on her sweater and a tired but content look on her face.Brodie’sarrival was perfectly timed, allowingPammyto spend all her time with the newborn before the summer kayak season kicked off.
Gaylestepped over, taking the freshly-changed baby fromPammy’sarms, her diamond wedding band gleaming like a blinding kaleidoscope of light.Youneeded sunglasses just to look in her direction.
“Whydon’t you give your big baby some attention?”Gaylesaid. “OrshouldIsayhizzoner?”
“Thanks,Gayle.Ithink being elected mayor is starting to get toJoey’shead,” she said, hurrying out to her husband.
Afterdiscussing the possibility with his brother,Wyattnominated him for the mayor’s job.TheBreckenridgecommunity quickly got on board.Withno real opposition,Joeywas nowMayorSomers.
Lilywent into the kitchen to grab some more condiments, passingJillyandRajiscampering out like two lovebirds from behind the bleachers.Rajiswiped at his lips, a slight blush crossing his dark features.
“Havingfun?”Lilyasked.
Jillysaid, “Thistown is beautiful.Maybewe’ll get a home out here.”Shelooked to her fiancé, lovingly.
Rajisaid, “IftheIPOtakes off, you’re on.”
Jilly'sbrow raised. “Ah, theIPO.”
Shemade a beeline toLou. “Mr.Galindo, haveIgot a proposal for you.”
LilyandRajishared anuh-ohlook.Rajiwent afterJilly,Lilycertain he’d never rein her in.
Inthe kitchen,Lilycaught her reflection in the microwave.Herhair was mussed, there was a ketchup stain on her shirt.Herface was glowing with happiness.
Sheheard the front door open.Aspark of excitement hit her.
