“Look, Iz is really desperate, and I’m sure Zane will be on his best behavior. You’ll see.”
I give her a sideways look. “Why does it feel like you’re trying to sell me on him?”
“Because he’s a good guy deep down. I promise.”
“Lucky he’s cute,” I sigh. “Or I might just turn around and go back to New York.”
I’m kidding, of course,
Her head whips around as fast as lightning. “Cute? How do you know?”
Double shit. I have nowhere to go from here, so I just keep on blurting. “Umm. I looked up the website; there’s a family photo,” I say. “He was the only one not smiling and looked a little intense, so I just assumed that was him.”
“Uh, huh.”
“Now you’re uh-huhing me?”
“I know what that look means,” she states.
I gape at her. “What look?”
“Thatlook. He’s easy on the eyes, but Lawless is trouble. Don’t go mistaking it.”
He went from Zane to Lawless in two minutes. Here we go, my bestie in protective mode; she was bound to surface sooner or later.
“Right, but he’s my boss, so we’re all good on that front.”
She taps her chin with her pointer finger. “Then again, it could be perfect. If you fall for him, then you’d get to stay in Alpine Falls. I like that idea.”
I snort. “I’m not staying in Alpine Falls, remember. I’m here for the holidays, come what may after that.”
“Don’t be a spoilsport, let me live out my fantasy.” She pouts. “I always pictured us as old ladies, watching each other’s grandkids grow up together in a small town, just like we did.”
I smile at the memories. “Miracles can happen.” I shrug. “But judging from the lack of men you’re always complaining about in this town, I doubt it’s gonna happen anytime soon.”
“Party pooper.”
I poke my tongue. “Just keeping it real.”
CHAPTER 8
Sadie
Less than twenty-four hours later…
Mindy and I settled into Bailey’s with ease last night. It’s a charming cabin made from western red cedar. The quaint and cozy space has a gorgeous fireplace, ceilings that stretch forever, and beautiful original beams across the entire space. The reddish tones of the wood make it feel ambient and warm. Bailey affectionately calls her little place ‘Cedar Hollow’, and it’s quite fitting.
We ordered some Chinese takeout for dinner, and I unpacked some of my clothes into the closet in Bailey’s spare room. Mindy roamed around happily after I set up her cat bed, some of her toys, and then found a cozy spot in front of the fireplace.
It was nice just relaxing for the evening and chatting about old times, recapping the recent events at work. Needless to say, I slept well and woke up fresh on Wyoming time. Feeling betterthan I have in a long time, I even went for a run this morning before I had my first cup of coffee. Bailey was going to join me, but she had to head out early to get some supplies for the horses. She’s planning on showing me the stables later and how the bunkhouse is coming along.
So, I decide to wander into town while she’s out. We had a crash course on the ATV, and apparently it’s acceptable to ride these into town. After a bit of a wobbly start, I get there in one piece.
My first stop is The Dusty Spur Diner for coffee, and some sweet treats for later.
I loved coming here the last time I visited; it has that old world charm that seems so lacking in many other cookie cutter restaurants these days. The sign itself always gives me a chuckle; a jean-clad cowboy in a red checked shirt holding onto his hat sitting in the saddle of his large brown horse. The spurs are a focal point on his black cowboy boots; the shiny embellishments point out from the heels.
It’s the place to be, according to everyone in Alpine Falls. That and the Butterfingers bakery. I swear I put on five pounds just looking in the window. The Spur serves amazing pastries and delightful home-cooked meals, from fluffy pancakes, chicken-fried steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, to steak burgers, buffalo wings, chilli and cornbread. They also have vegetarian options because I gave up meat five years ago. The homemade pies and bread pudding are well-renowned. Their bottomless coffee is famously thick and strong, and will most definitely keep you perky all day.
