"You have no idea, I promise you," I say, thinking back to my pillow theft.
"It's a shame you're goin' away for that Christmas Cup then. She'll be back and you'll be gone again."
The Sallys decided last week that there wasn't enough Christmas spirit in Spring Haven and the other towns along the range. So they created a friendly inter-mountain competition between the ranches at Bull and Eagle, the homestead at Bear, and the Cooper family at Moose Mountain. Star and I are representing our ranch and will travel to Kinleyville two weeks before Christmas to compete in some challenges to whittle it down to two finalists.
Then, those two towns will have to decorate their Main Street into Christmas wonderlands to be judged by the Seers of all the mountains. Leah and Colton will be back for the Christmas break so she'll be ours, Kendra will stand up for Eagle Mountain, Gandalf and his little prodigy Ryder will be there for Bear, and then Aster herself will be there for Moose.
Once the towns have been judged, a bunch of us are going to travel to Woodward Valley’s Christmas Snowflake Festival to find out who won.
“Maybe I should see if Dee wants to come along to the festival? I say, thinking out loud.
"Already taken care of, brother. Whatever happens with the Cup, win or lose, we're plannin’ a road trip, convoy style, to Moose Mountain. Cora, Lee, Colt, and Dee will drive across to meet us all there afterward so that the ranch is taken care of."
I frown. “Where was I when all of this was decided?”
“Moanin’ to the old-timers proppin’ up the bar about how the Call was takin’ too long and askin’ them how to makeSkippyfall in love with you,” he informs me with a smirk.
“I did not!”
“Yep. You were also lettin’ them buy you drinks and regale you with stories of lost loves and wasted opportunities.”
I blush, embarrassed by Austin calling me out. "Well, it's not like they had any helpful advice," I mutter defensively.
Austin chuckles and takes a sip of his malt shake. "Maybe not, but they were probably onto somethin’ with the whole 'seize the day' concept. Look, I can't say I know what it's like."
"Because you're not interested in fallin' for anyone,” I scoff.
"I'm notopposedto it. I've just got other priorities. The ranch and our family bein’ top of the list."
I study him. "Don't you get lonely though? Don't you want someone to go home to at the end of the day?"
There’s a flicker ofsomethingin his gaze but as per usual when it comes to my quiet, keep things close to his chest brother, it's gone as quickly as it appeared. "And right now, doyouhave that, Tobes?"
I drum my fingers on the table, contemplating his words. “Tell ya what. If nothin’s happened by Christmas, I’ll tell Dee about the Call. Happy?”
“Very,” he replies, looking more than pleased with himself. “Feel free to tell me I’m right anytime now.”
Before I can tell him where to go, Mags appears next to us, a tall red-headed stranger I don't recognize standing next to her.
"Hey, y'all. Just thought I'd come over here and re-introduce y'all to my daughter, Charlie,” she says, her gaze fixed past me and on my brother.
Austin's head jerks up so fast I worry he might've injured himself, his eyes wide as they lock on the vaguely familiar woman.
Charlie's cautious expression puzzles me and suddenly all of my 'Call' worries are forgotten because it appears that my private, usually unruffled older brother has been surprised by this development.
"Austin..." she says softly, recognition, regret, and something I can't quite put my finger on are all there in her expression.
"Charlie..." he replies roughly before schooling his features and holding out his hand. "Nice to see you again."
Mags frowns, her head switching between the two of them looking as confused as I'm feeling. "Do y'all not remember her?"
One look at Charlie tells me thatsheknows, but Austin's face is giving nothing away.
Compelled to step in since my brother has clammed up tighter than a rusty nail, I shake my head and chuckle. "Sorry. I don't remember much from back then."
"Probably 'cause you were a few years behind, Tobes. Anyway, just wanted to stop by and let you know Charlie's movin' back to town and will be livin’ in the apartment over my garage.” Again, Mags is tellingAustinthis information, not the table at large.
Something about that snaps him out of his frozen state. He shoots me a pointed look before pulling out his wallet, slapping some bills for lunch on the table, and sliding out of the booth. He stands next to the women with a nod. "Let us know if there's anythin' we can do to help with the move. Good to see you again, Charlie." Then without another word, he walks out of the diner and toward his truck.
