“For all of one night?”
“Maybe more. Depends on what else I’m required to do.”
“You could marry him and live there the rest of your life.”
“No, I couldn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m smart enough to know that I’ve romanticized the place.”
“Hard not to. You’re in the business of promoting it.”
“Yep. But living in a tiny village and trying to carve out a satisfying career like what I have now would be tough if not impossible. I won’t give up everything for a man. I’m grateful to our parents for teaching us that.”
“You know what? This is all Dallas’s fault.”
That made her laugh. “No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it is! He’s the one whohadto move to a tiny rural fire department and wassoexcited to live in cowboy country. If he’d stayed in Trenton like a normal person, none of this would have happened.”
“I guess he did start it. And look at how happy he is. Trent, too. They’re both eating up this ranch life. So are Mom and Dad. I haven’t seen them laugh and joke this much in years.”
“Which makes us odd women out.”
Sara turned her head to gaze at her sister. “I won’t fold if you won’t.”
“I’m not leaving Trenton.”
Sara reached a hand across the space between the two beds. “Pinkie swear?”
“Pinkie swear.” She hooked her little finger with Sara’s. “That said, you’re still fecked, sis.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Maybe Sara was right that he’d needed sleep. Kieran had intended to stay up until Rance came home from the Buffalo, but he’d only had enough energy to send Granny several texts with pictures attached.
He'd told her that Lucky had the one of their mother’s grave and would send it to her soon. After that he couldn’t keep his eyes open, so he’d gone to bed.
Next thing he knew it was morning, but this time he woke up on his own, even before Rance. For a moment he lay there listening to the birds and gazing out the window at the tall pines not far from the cabin. He’d always had trouble imagining fairies back home, but he could feel them here.
Dressing in his jeans and a T-shirt, he went out to the kitchen and took the liberty of making coffee. Either the noise or the smell woke Rance. A floorboard creaked in the other bedroom, the one with a couch in it.
Every time Kieran glanced at that couch he felt guilty, but Rance insisted it was comfortable. Since the arrangement was the only way Kieran had a decent place to bring Sara, he’d make sure his host knew how much the sacrifice meant to him.
Rance appeared wearing sweatpants and nothing else. He scratched his chest and yawned. “Sorry about Thunder crappin’ out on us, buddy.”
“It might have been a blessing. Sara told me I needed sleep and I guess she was right.”
“I think so. You were conked out when I came home.”
“And woke up on my own this time. Fancy a cup?”
“Sure.”
He poured two mugs and handed one to Rance. “Do you have a workout room somewhere?”
“I do.” Rance took a sip. “I enclosed my back porch a while back and that’s where I have my bench. Want to use it?”
