I guess it’s just more proof that the mountain spirit works in mysterious ways.
24
DEE
“Anyone else notice how Charlie can’t stop lookin’ at Austin and he’s doin’ everythin’ he cannotto look at Charlie, but doin’ it when she’s not watchin’ anyway?” Star whispers from our table at The Cow. We’re all here on a Saturday afternoon to celebrate our engagement at Mags’s urging.
"Glad it's not just me gettin' unresolved issues vibes from those two," Cora adds, glancing Charlie's way again.
It's been a month since our trip to Montana and we're now nearing the start of Spring which is when we'll begin building one of three new cabins on the ranch. The first for Landry and Star, then we'll get our own log cabin--which we're still in the process of designing—and Austin will get his last.
Colt and Lee are due back in a few months and they've said they want to keep Rhett's old cabin, since, in their words, "the bathtub alone is worth fighting for." Which means there’s one less cabin to build.
"Has anyone been able to find outwhattheir history is?” I ask, leaning forward to form our own little ‘wives and future wives of Bull’ gossip circle.
“Nope. Rhett wouldn’t tell me. All he said was that Austin and Charlie were in the same year at high school and were friends. Likebestfriends. Then she up and left and nothin’ more was said about her.”
“Is Greg her dad?” I ask, referring to one of Mags’s ex-husbands. Greg owns and runs the bookstore above the diner. It’s where I go to stock up and exchange my romance books. I’ve said he should just turn his shop into the Spring Haven Library and get the county to pay him for the privilege, but he just shook his head at me and thanked me for my business.
“Nope. Stepfather, although they’re just as close. Charlie’s father was Mags’s first husband.”
“There’s more than two?” I ask, more than a little intrigued.
“Threeactually,” Mags announces from above us, cackling when we all jump apart like kids caught doing something they shouldn’t. “What can I say? Ilovelove, or the idea of it. Findin’ the right prince in a pond full of frogs–or princes that aren’t meant for me–is the hard part.”
“Greg’s lovely,” I say. “He’s definitely no frog.”
She nods. “Greg is one in a million. We just weren’t meant for each other. That’s why we’re better off as friends.”
“Aww,” I reply. “It’s kinda awesome that you two can still be as close as you are.”
“He owns half the dinerandhe lives in his own house at the back of my property. So I guess itisgood he hasn’t annoyed me toomuch considerin’ our lives are still entwined the way they are.” She looks around the group, her expression one of amusement rather than annoyance. “But I’m thinkin’ it’s notmey’all are natterin’ about, is it?”
“Charlie,” Star says. “We’re…curious.”
“Would worry about ‘ya if you weren’t. My girl is lickin’ her wounds after being smacked around the head with the realities of life as often happens. But she’s a strong one and she’ll be back to her feisty, brave self in no time. Did you know she did the Camino de Santiago last year?”
“Really?” Cora gasps. “That’s so cool! I always wanted to do that one when I was younger. Doubt it’ll happen now that I’m all the way over here.”
“What’s that?” I ask. “The Camino de Santiago?”
“It’s a pilgrimage walk in Spain. Lots of people do it to find themselves and challenge themselves to do somethin’ they’ll likely never do again,” Cora explains, glancing over to where Charlie and Greg are laughing and playing darts together. “Did she love it?
“Oh yeah. My girl is someone who doesn’t do anythin’ by halves. She’s either all in or not at all. She’s kinda stubborn and determined like that.”
I study Mags. “You know who she sounds like? You. A chip off the ol’ block.”
She narrows her eyes my way. “Who are ‘ya callin’ old, Dee? I’ll have you know I’m a sprightly, full-of-life forty-nine-year-old woman.”
“You’ve still got a bunch of miles left on the clock, don’t ya, Mags?” Red adds with a chuckle as he hooks an arm over her shoulders. She gazes up at him like he’s the sun and she’s the earth in orbit.Well, huh. Look at that…
Then the moment’s gone when she jabs him in the ribs with her elbow, earning a grunt from the man who laughs while dodging her second attempt. “Liken me to a car again and I might tell these lovely ladies how you got your name.”
“Ooooh,” we all reply in unison.
“What are we all gossipin' about over here, anyway? And why aren't you lettin’ me in on any of it?” Red muses.
I look up at my boss–well, one of them. “We’re wonderin’ what’s goin’ on between Austin and Charlie.”
