Toby grins and claps me on the back. “Good for you, man. The mountain never steers us wrong.”
I chuckle and rub the back of my neck. “I didn’t even think this was the Call before Leah said somethin’. Now, I can’t believe I didn’t see it.”
“Oh, we knew,” Rhett pipes up. “Cora called it that night at the hospital. You were kind of a bumblin’ mess and you both reacted whenever she had to touch you. I said it was just nerves and you bein’ out of sorts after not seein' each other for years. Cora knew different.”
A surge of warmth blooms in my chest at the thought of Charlie and as crazy as it sounds, I woke up missing her. Even Duck Norris seemed to be a bit sad when he came in for his morning snack.
“How’d you guys do it?” I switch my gaze between Rhett and Toby. “It feels like everythin’ in me wants to race forward, but my brain knows I’ve got to do this right.”
"That's called logic over instinct," Red replies. "Haven't felt the Call and know I won't, but I remember when I first saw my wife, I wanted to snap her up and lock her down then and there. That's not the way datin' and things are done though, especially when you're strangers."
"But Austin and Charlie knew each other years ago. They're not strangers. They just had a littlebreakfrom one another,” Toby adds.
“We kind of are strangers. Well, we were when she came back to town. The more time we spend together, the more I’m learnin’ about what she’s done and where she’s been. She’s different from the girl I knew in a lot of ways, but also?—”
“The same? That’s ‘cause she may have lived a different life from you and seen things you may never see, but her heart and soul are the same,” Rhett says. “Think you knew that when you started scratchin’ yourself raw and not sleepin’.”
They all nod. “How did y’all know I wasn’t sleepin’ well?”
“Have youseenyour woodworkin’ shed? It’s full of unfinished projects and offcuts. You’ve been tryin’ to wear yourself out,” Rhett replies.
“And I’m glad now that you’ve realized the reason for your nocturnal antics, they might stop,” Red adds.
Toby waggles his brows. “Especially if the Tin Man’s gototherthings to keep him occupied at night.”
“Tin Man?” Rhett asks.
“You know, all he wants is a heart?” Toby grins at me. “Though if you’re anythin’ like me, I bet there’s no missin’ the constant palpitations and pulse spikes when Char’s around.”
“You sayin’ you have a thing for Char too, Tobes? Bet Dee wouldloveto hearthat,” I shoot back with a smirk.
He's already shaking his head before I finish speaking. "Hell, no. No offense to Char, but I only have eyesandpalpitations formy Skippy. I don’t evenseeother women now. They’re all just a blur.”
“Good to know.” Red shoulder bumps Toby. “Leave Austin and Charlie be. Let them date and spend more time together without havin’ to worry about the Call and everythin'." He turns his eyes my way. "I'm happy for you, Austin. Enjoy the journey. You know she's your One, and she knows you're hers. There's no time limit on it. You can take as long as you want."
“Yeah. That’s the only thing I haven’t told her,” I say, looking down at my feet.
“What?” Toby splutters.
“Damn, Austin,” Rhett says with a shake of his head.
My head shoots up. "I didn't think it was the right time and place when I'd just admitted to her that I had wanted her for years. Didn't want to add to that by tellin' her a mountain spirit chose her as my soulmate and called her back home. Don't want to scare her off when I’ve just got her back again.”
“He has a point, you know,” Red says, rubbing his chin. “Normally I’d tell y’all to be open with your women, but just like with Toby and Dee, it needs to be done at the right time. Cause if Tobes had told Delilah that she was his One sent by an invisible but definitely real spirit livin’ within the mountain, she would've hightailed it back to Montana."
I look at Rhett who’s nodding. “He’s right. Cora took a while to wrap her head around the whole idea of the mountain’s call.”
“I did the right thing then?" I ask, needing assurance that I haven't screwed this second-chance romance story of ours up before it's even started.
Rhett claps me on the back. “You did fine, Austin. Just keep gettin’ to know each other, spendin’ time together, and when the moment feels right, you’ll know when to share that last piece of the puzzle with her. But not too long. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot to spite your face.”
“I’ve always wondered where that sayin’ comes from,” Toby says, looking rightly confused. “Like why would anyone shoot themselves in the foot?”
We all laugh at him, Red chuckling as she wraps an arm around my brother’s shoulder and pats his arm. “One day you’ll understand Tobes.”
“So, when’s your first date?” Rhett asks.
“I’m seeing her tomorrow. Thought I’d take her to lunch at the diner.”
