Mags giggles. "Oh yeah. She'll be up there tryin' to tell us what to do andnotto do by way of instant back aches or somethin’.”
A smile tugs at the corners of my lips. “I like the idea of her watchin' over us. Right now, she's probably cursin’ me for lettin’ her baby go fishin' on what she'd call a tin can boat in the middle of the Bering Sea."
“That itchy nose you think is allergies? Nope, that’s just Anna annoyin’ you for fun," she says before she turns the tables on me. Her eyes look up to mine. "What about you, Red? Areyouhappy?”
Before I can respond, Wyatt jogs back, his treasured digital camera in his hand and a huge grin on his face.
"I decided we need to document this moment. The two of you gettin' out of Spring Haven for the first time in forever."
Mags and I look from Wy to each other. “Maybe she talks to us throughhimtoo,” she says.
Wy switches between us, his expression one of confusion and a little bit of worry. “Did you two lose your minds while I was gone? What are you talkin’ about?”
I hook my arm around his neck and pull him into me. “Nah, kid. Just talkin’ about the best half of you.”
Wy’s eyes soften and understanding fills his gaze. “Well,shewould want us to take a photo.”
Mags’ snorts. “He’s right. OK, Graysons. Let’s huddle up and get this photo done because we’ve still got a way to go before we get to Anchorage.”
Wy sets up the camera on a nearby rock and adjusts the angle, telling us he wants to get the view in the background. After setting the time, he quickly runs to join us, standing between me and Mags as we all link arms. Just as the flash goes off, a warm breeze picks up and sends a swirl of fallen leaves up in the air making me think that Annacouldbe here after all.
Five photos later Wy's happy with what he got but refuses to show us.
“I’ll send them through to you later,” is the only response I can get out of him before he grabs my keys and walks back toward the truck.
"Do you thinkheis doin' OK?" Mags asks as we watch him go. "I remember Charlie bein’ scared out of her mind when she first went out on her own."
“Yeah. Maybe he’s just gettin’ a little nostalgic like his old man.”
“See, I’m glad you’re acceptin’ your age now, Red.” She pats my shoulder and shoots me a knowing grin. “They say it’s the first step.”
I look up to the sky. “Why, Anna.Whydid you stick me with a smart-mouthed best friend?”
“Hey! Be nice. I’m your passenger princess for the next two weeks, remember.”
“Hmm. Yes. Note to self–stay in Mags’s good books for the rest of the trip,” I mutter, making sure I say it loud enough for her to hear.
“Y’all are goin’ to be the death of me, I swear,” she laughs.
Walking back to the truck, it hits me that I didn’t answer her question. But there’s also a reason for that. Iamhappy, I just don’t know whether I’m happyenough... or whether this is as happy as I’m ever going to get. I don’t know what’s missing from my life now tomakeme happy either. Maybe once I figure that out, I'll stop feeling off-kilter.I hope so, anyway.
“C’mon slow pokes. Time to hit the road!” Wy calls out from behind the steering wheel.
Mags and I look at each other. “Kids, huh?” we say at the same time before we both burst out laughing. And we don’t stop till we reach the truck.
8
RED
I wake up at the crack of dawn after spending the night tossing and turning every which way.
It wasn’t just because today’s the day we put Wy on a plane to start this new adventure of his, I also had a very strange dream about the mountains, goats,ducks–and for the first time in years–I dreamed of Anna.
Giving up on getting any sort of rest, I quietly make my way out of the room I’m sharing with Wyatt and make my way downstairs.
I grab a takeout coffee from the gas station next to our motel then take a seat on a bench facing the rising sun, hoping to steal a moment of peace for myself before what I know will be a hard, emotional day.
That dream still bugs me, and I remember there’s someone in my life that knows exactly what it’s like to have strange dreams with hidden messages. If anyone can help me work it out, it’s her. Checking the time to make sure it’s nottooearly, even for ranchers, I dial her number and lift my phone to my ear.
