“They’re here!” she sings, grabbing my hand and pulling me to the front door. As soon as it opens, a real smile bursts out on my face for the first time in weeks.
Codie, Morgan, Erin, and Nicole stand on the porch. “Hey ladies, welcome to my crib,” I joke, opening the door further so they can shuffle inside.
“Wow, Katie! This place looks amazing,” Codie says, pulling me into a hug.
I introduce Hazel to the girls, and just as I suspected, they hit it off right away. We walk through the cabin on a quick tour, all of them poking their heads into each room and telling me their favorite parts.
“Do you have any openings in November? I know it’s close, but my family visits at the beginning of the month and I really think it’d be extra special to stay here. Also, I never want to leave. Like, ever,” Morgan says, collapsing onto the oversized leather couch.
“Seeing as I haven’t listed it anywhere yet, yes. I have a lot of openings.” I’m proud of this place on my own, but seeing other people enjoy it as much as I do really makes me feel accomplished.
“You’d better be booking some dates for yourself, Katie.” Codie sits in a chair across from the couch, sloshing a glass of wine from the box they brought over. Giggling friends, boxed wine, a cozy fireplace. There’s not much that could make this moment more perfect.
“I’ll come visit, but probably not here. I can stay in town while I’m checking up on the cabin.” I lean against the couch, plastering a smile on my face. I’d love to come visit and stay here. I stay at the other rentals with Hazel for shits and giggles sometimes.
But this place is different. I didn’t do this on my own. Miles was here every step of the way. Fixing things, helping me paint, frustrating the hell out of me, kissing me on the porch. There are too many memories.
The doorbell rings again and Erin gets up to let in whoever else has arrived. I pull myself together, taking a deep breath. Soon, this place will be filled with people wanting to talk about the cabin.
My gaze catches on Hazel across the room. She’s already looking at me, with concern in her eyes. I can practically read her thoughts asking me what’s wrong. I shoot her another smile and her eyes narrow.
More and more guests arrive, and I’m starting to wonder if all of Jackson Hole is here to see the cabin. Someone put the record player on at some point, the living room filled to the brim with people chatting.
Some of the ranch hands are already chatting up Hazel in the kitchen. I roll my eyes and walk towards the front of the house. I’m not surprised in the slightest, Hazel is drop dead gorgeous. If anyone can handle rowdy cowboys, it’s the cowgirl herself.
I make my way to the living room to check up on the supply of wine, beer, and snacks that people brought to share. The hallway is so crowded, I don’t even want to know how many people Codie invited. Luckily, no one is straight-up partying or drunk, so the cabin should hopefully stay intact.
A familiar laugh booms throughout the living room over the chorus of voices. I whirl towards the sound, familiar chestnut hair poking up over the crowd next to the fireplace.
Parker.
Pushing my way past shoulders of people I’ve never met, I hear a group of girls asking each other where the booking link is for this cabin so they can come back. A smile forms on my lips. Codie’s plan seems to be working. Convince me to invite a ton of people over and they’ll all want to book the cabin for their vacations.
I should probably get this place listed on the vacation rental websites soon.
“Katie!” Parker yells as soon as he can see me.
“Hi, Parker,” I smile. He drapes an arm around me when I finally reach him, a cold bottle of beer in the other hand.
“The place looks great. Sure wish I had an excuse to stay here sometime,” Parker says.
“I’ll miss it, that’s for sure,” I nod.
“Look, I know you’re heading back to Idaho soon, but don’t be a stranger. We’re all gonna miss you around here. Especially Miles.”
I feel him before I see him. A familiar warm breeze sends goosebumps up and down my entire body. There’s a prickling feeling on my neck. My eyes dart around the room looking for Miles until a familiar deep voice rumbles on my other side.
“Don’t be gettin’ all sentimental, Parker. She’s not gone yet.” Miles’s low rasp travels up and down my spine, sending a shiver through me that I’m sure Parker can feel. His arm drops off of my shoulder the second he notices Miles.
Parker laughs. “I’m allowed a little sentimentality, Miles, our girl is leaving for good.”
“I live three hours away, don’t be so dramatic,” I elbow Parker lightly in the ribs.
Parker’s short attention span is captured by someone else in his circle. He turns to the side, leaving Miles and I staring awkwardly at each other.
“Hey, Mac.” The corners of his lips twitch upward, as if he’s resisting a smile.
“Autry,” I nod.
