She arched a brow. “You bailed me out a hundred bucks when I tried to score that dress for prom night?”
I laughed it off. The envelope in my hand had at least a grand.
She waved a hand, as if knowing what I was going to say. “Think of it as an inflation-adjusted payment, with generous interest.”
I hesitated, but she didn’t wait for me to argue.
“And may I suggest your first purchase be a phone?” she added. “Strictly for accountability purposes, of course.”
I gave her a sideways smile, and she answered with a hug, squeezing me before turning for the door.
“Hey,” I called out. “Think I can borrow some of yourclothes?” I gestured to my ill-fitting jeans and shirt, throwing in my most pitiful look.
“I don’t know, Maya. You might stretch them out with all that big attitude.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not dresses. Youdoown jeans and a T-shirt, right?”
“Oh! My A-line pink dress would go perfectly with your hair.” She smirked.
“Sheryn, no.”
“All right, fine! Jeans, yes. But the top? Youhaveto look cowgirl chic, or you’ll disgrace Katy’s masterpiece.” She nodded at my hair, then motioned for me to follow. “Come on. I’ll grab you something.”
She started walking, then paused mid-stride. “Actually, after that, wanna see the wedding venue? Claire, Elia’s wife, has a couple of hand-bouquet designs in mind, and I need help choosing.”
“Of course.”
“I promise I’ll leave you alone tomorrow.” She wiggled her brows. “Give you some me time before the dress fitting.”
I bumped her with my shoulder. “I don’t mind helping, drama queen.”
It wasn’t a lie.
But it gave me one day.
One day to end it right, no matter how it’d begun.
2
NOAH LUCAS
The Lazy Moose was buzzing with wedding preparations. The place I’d grown up in was familiar yet altered. A few lanterns hung from the barn rafters, someone had chalked out rows where chairs would go, and the frame of a floral arch stood bare in the distance, waiting to be dressed.
I leaned against Big Joe, taking it all in before anyone spotted me. Oak trees aren’t common in Montana, but this old guy had held his ground since the farm was built, weathering storms and generations alike. My brother Elia was the fifth Lucas to call this land home, and BJ was still standing.
This should’ve been my home too.
I was a Lucas. Even if most folks had forgotten.
In their minds, there was only Elia.Brother? What brother?
I pushed off the tree and strode toward the main house, crossing open ground. Damn. It’d be a beautiful wedding, whoever was getting hitched.
The wind stirred through the pines, and as I passed the barn, a few horses nickered.
God, I’d missed this. The dirt, the work, and the way life out here had a rhythm that didn’t require board meetings orfake smiles. There’s no watching the stock market like an insomniac hawk. Just the kind of hard that made sense.
“Noah!”
