Rolling her eyes, she sighs. “Red…”
“Nope. This isyourvacation too. I may have booked it all and there may be some meetin’s Ihaveto go to, but you haven’t been out of town inyears, darlin’. That’s just not right.”
“To be fair, since you’ve been off the tour, you’ve been on the ranch for over two years now.”
“I’ve been to Eagle.”
She huffs out a frustrated breath. “For work.”
“And Woodward Valley for the Snowflake Festival.”
“For the battle of the mountains, not exactly a vacation.” She waves her hand over my way. “Next?”
“I—“ Damn. She’s right. A wry laugh escapes my lips. When I meet her eyes again, I find them full of amusement too.
“Honestly, Red. I don’t mind cookin’. It can be quite relaxin’ sometimes.”
“Yeah, when you’re not doin’ it for the whole town. Wy may have asked you to come but Iwantyou here with me, Mags. I wantyou to relax and have a good time. Help this old man remember what it’s like to have fun without worryin’ about my ranch or my kid.”
“Oh…”
“Yes,oh.It’s a vacation for the both of us, Mags, and I’m not about to let you forget it either.”
This time her eyes flash with something else and IknowI’m getting to her. “I’d forgotten how bossy you can get.”
I snort. "Might pay for you to remember then because unless you start relaxin' and start toenjoyyourself, I’m goin’ to getrealbossy.”
She crosses her arms over her chest, copying my stance and meeting me dead in the eye. “Really?”
I lean in, bringing me closer. “Yep,” I say, popping the p for effect.
Mags tilts her head, her lips twitching as she does it. “I’ve just figured out why all of them back home think we’re together.”
My head jerks. “Why?”
"Cause we sound like an old bickerin' couple,” she says with a giggle.
I chuckle because she’s not wrong, but her laughter is also contagious as hell. That’s when there's a knock on the truck window. I turn my head and come face to face with a pink-haired, older lady with a goofy grin and kind brown eyes.
“Who’s that?” Mags asks, undoing her seatbelt.
“Goin’ by the hair, I’m guessin’ that’s the cabin’s owner called Pinky.”
“You two need anythin’, you just holler over the back fence. You hear?” Pinky offers after showing us around the inside of the cabin.
“Yes, ma’am,” I reply, nodding and ushering Pinky toward the front door. Pinky is a talker, and she’s been pointing out different things around the place and gabbing about every damn thing we could ever need to know about the entire town for over thirty minutes now.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the hospitality, but I didn’t get a nap on the way down here and it’s approaching supper time. Drivin’ and the fresh mountain air makes this old man tired as hell.
“Well, now. Don’t let me keep you two lovebirds any longer.” She winks at Mags. “I remember how it is. A romantic getaway away from home. If you know what I mean.”
“Oh, we’re not—I mean, we’re just—” Mags stutters as Pinky’s words sink in.
“Thanks, Pinky. Much appreciated,” I say, stepping in. “We’ll come and see you if we find ourselves in need of anythin’.” Right now, I’m willing to do and say anything if it means being able to sit down and take it easy for a spell.
“Good. It’s my pleasure. I guess I’ll see y’all in a few days when you’re set to check out.” Then with a final wave and a grin, Pinky is gone and it’s just Mags and I staring at each other in silence.
Her lips twitch, and then I snicker. She snorts, and I chuckle. Soon enough, we're both cackling.
