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After I took the kids to school, I kept myself busy by doing some laundry and cleaning the kitchen.Then I sorted through my bathroom stuff and purged all the creams and salves and fancy potions that I don’t use and set them aside to donate.
I’m just about to go out of my mind with anticipation when my phone finally rings.
“Hey, baby doll,” Mom says.“We’re here!”
“Oh, my God, I’m so happy.Where, exactly, are you?”
“At the condo, getting settled in.This town isadorable.I can definitely see why you love it so much.”
“You guys stay there,” I reply as I sling my crossbody handbag over my head and grab the keys to my car out of the bowl on my dresser, along with a few peppermints.“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” she promises me.“I can’t wait for you to get here.”
“On my way.”
I hurry out to my car and start it, then pause.Depending on how long I’ll be, I might not have time to come out to the ranch and switch cars to get the kids, so I turn off the engine and hurry over to the Suburban.
Before I pull out, I shoot Remington a quick text.
Me: I’m going to the condo to see my family.They just got here!Don’t worry, I’ll still get the kids from school.
I send off that message and then pull through the gate and onto the highway.
I went to Seattle a few months ago for Drew and London’s engagement party, but other than that quick trip, I haven’t seen my family since late last year.I saw my dad for a couple of hours recently, but that doesn’t really count.
I drive through Bitterroot Valley and make my way to the ski village, where the condo is.There’s a code there to get through the gate, and then I park in visitor parking.
When I knock on the door, it’s opened wide, and my mom immediately tackle hugs me.
“My baby,” she says, holding on tight.God, she smells good.Do all moms smell like home?Because that’s what she smells like.She kisses my cheek and then pulls back to look at me.“You look…great.”
“Thanks.”
Zoey and Dad both take turns hugging me, as well, and we end up in the kitchen, as usual, where it looks like someone already delivered some groceries.
“Your father was hungry when we landed,” Mom explains as she sets out crackers, cheese, and fruit.
“Of course, he was,” I reply and smile at my dad.“He’salwayshungry.But I’m a little hungry, too.I need to take you to the BBQ place in town.In fact, that’s where we should have dinner tonight.”
“That sounds good,” Mom says, and once everything is spread out on the counter for us to pick at, she sighs and stares out the floor-to-ceiling windows to the mountain beyond.“It’s just flat-out gorgeous here.I can picture it in my head, what it’ll look like all snowy and pretty.”
“It’s seriously great in the winter,” I agree.“But it’s cold.Like,cold.”
“We’ll have to come in the winter,” Mom decides.“And thiscondo!London told me it was fancy and more than comfortable, and she was right.This place looks like it should be in a magazine.”
I’ve always loved how my mom gets excited about beautiful things, as if she and my dad couldn’t buy one of these for themselves.
It probably stems from where she came from.Mom was a foster kid and was dirt poor.She definitely doesn’t take anything about her life with Dad for granted.
“I’m gonna try out that huge tub in my bathroom tonight,” Zoey announces as she reaches for a grape.“It’sinsane.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll show you all of Bitterroot Valley, and, if you’re up for it, Remington’s mom would like to have you all out at the ranch for dinner.The whole family will be there.I think you’ll like them.”
“I totally want to see your ranch,” Zoey replies.“And maybe a cute cowboy.It’s a yes for me.”
“Same,” Mom echoes, just as there’s a knock at the door.“Minus the cute cowboys, of course.I can’t wait to see the ranch.”
Dad saunters over and opens the door, and there’s…Remington.Standing tall and hot in the doorway.
