"Brother, he's about ready to make an emergency call to Montana to get your One back here early.”
"No. You can't do that. It's her only trip home for the holidays. She's not even goin' back for Christmas. I'll be fine,” he replies, showing me that big ol’ heart of his and proving without a shadow of a doubt that he’s totally gone for our new ranch hand.
"Riiight... and I'm a monkey's uncle.”
He arches a brow, his lips twitching up into a smirk. "You are? Who's the monkey?”
"You’re bein' one right now," I say with a laugh. “Seriously. I know you’re waitin’ for her to come to you, but we can all see the effect it’s havin’. Maybe it’s time to just come clean. We all know it’s goin’ to work out, there’s no need to keep torturin’ yourself.”
“I’mfine.”
Here’s the thing about having already been in my brother's shoes–just minus the matchmaking mountain spirit pulling you together–I knowallabout saying you’re ‘fine’. That’s why I’m calling him out on it.
"You could just tell her that the books y’all read are based on true stories. She’s readin’ our family history and that of the other mountains without even realizin’ it. I’m amazed she hasn’t connected the dots yet herself.” I turn my attention back to my burger while I let that sink in.
Toby sighs. "But what if she doesn't feel ituntilshe knows? I want her to want me for me, not just because the mountain spirit has waved her wand and gone 'You're goin’ to fall in love withthisguy'." Better thannottelling her you love her because you don’t want to hold her back and have her abandon her dreams for yours…There I go, thinking about the big ‘what if’ again.
Toby starts to bargain with me after that, promising to tell Dee once he’s back from competing in a Christmas Challenge Cup. It’s something Star’s grandmother and her Sunday School Sallys friend group have concocted. Two people from each mountain are going against each other to see who has the most Christmas spirit. Toby and Star are going on behalf of Bull.
“Whatever happens with the Cup, win or lose, we're plannin’ a road trip, convoy style, to Moose Mountain. Us brothers are goin’ with you and Star, then Cora, Lee, Colt, and Dee will drive across to meet us there a day later so that the ranch is taken care of,” I explain.
“Where was I when all of this was decided?” Toby asks, frowning.
“Moanin’ to the old-timers proppin’ up the bar at the Cow. Tellin’ them the Call was takin’ too long and askin’ how to makeSkippyfall in love with you,” I reply with a chuckle.
The Secret Cow is the only bar in town, and it’s decorated like an old Western saloon. It’s the place where we all go to celebrate the end of a hard week of work at the ranch and catch up with the townsfolk. “You were also lettin’ them buy you drinks and regale you with stories of lost loves and wasted opportunities.”
"Well, it's not like they had any helpful advice," he mutters.
I snort and take another swipe of my 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,” he throws back at me.If only he knew…
My head jerks because I’m starting to think there’s a rip in the universe or something. Some glitch that has everyone in my life bringing up the past without even realizing it.
Before me, Red, and my brothers settled back on the ranch full time, we all traveled and worked on the rodeo circuit with Rhett while he was a champion bull rider. I was his right-hand man along with Red andthatwas my sole focus. Between that and coming back to Bull Mountain between events, then getting the stud up and running, there just hasn’t been time–or the interest–in putting myself out there. Then again, when you’ve had the best, all you do is compare anyway…
"I'm notopposedto it. I've just got other priorities. The ranch and our family bein’ top of the list."
He tilts his head to study me. "Don't you get lonely though? Don't you want someone to go home to at the end of the day?"
There’s a weird tugging in my chest at his words.Am I lonely? Is that why I’m suddenly thinking about what could’ve been and what I missed out on all of a sudden…
“Doyouhave that right now, Tobes? Or are you scared to reach for it?"
“You’re deflectin’. Don’t think I can’t tell,” he says before he drums his fingers on the table, his expression full of thought now. “Tell you what. If nothin' has happened by Christmas, I’ll tell Dee about the Call. Happy?”
“Very,” I reply. My chest puffs up in satisfaction. Despite all the swirling thoughts going through my head, I’ve at least been able to getsomeoneto see reason. “Feel free to tell me I’m right anytime now.”
But before he can answer, it’s my heart that comes to a grinding halt in the middle of my chest. I don’t even think my body moves.
Because when I look up, I spot Mags walking our way. That’s not the problem. It’s the no-longer-blonde blast from the past that’s beside her. Her hair may now be a rich ruby red, but her bright blue eyes are just as beguiling as the last time I saw them fifteen years ago.
And all I can do is stare.
3
CHARLIE
