“Nice lady,” Mags says.
“Friendly.”
“Veryfriendly," she adds before looking around the one-room, open-plan cabin.
I look around too, still astounded at the ‘last minute redecoratin’’ Pinky told us she’d been inspired to do. The entire place is different shades of pink. If there’s a different hue in existence, Pinky has used it. “Not sure I’ve ever seen suchbrightdecor.”
Mags rubs her chin, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “I don’t know. I’m feelin’ tickled pink just bein’ here.”
Just like that, the tension in my shoulders eases. Mags must sense it because she tilts her head and looks me over. “How ‘bout this? We get the bags and freshen up then we go to the grocery store. And I’ll?—”
“How ‘boutthis? After we get backyoucan sit your butt on that there couch and I’ll make us dinner. Yes, that’s agreatidea, Mags. Best idea I’ve heard all day. Let’s do that,” I say, pinning her with a stare and holding it even after she’s finished glaring at me. “This is a vacation, remember?”
“But—”
“Nope. Call this my turn. If you want to get bossy with me tomorrow, have at it. Tonight’s all me,” I stand there and wait for her to argue.
Instead, she just shrugs before her lips twitch. "OK, fine. But can we do it soon because I like pink as much as the next girl, but there's a limit. A trip to the store will give us a break from all of,” she waves her hand in the air, “this.”
“Deal, let’s go.”
“Good, because I swear I’m slowly turnin’ into Mountain Barbie and I’m not sure I like it.”
After enjoying a meal of pork chops I made for us, and Mags insisting on cleaning up afterward. we retire to the couch, the fire roaring and bathing the room in a soft orange glow.
“OK, I’ll admit it. Youcancook, Redmond. I guess that means I can share the load with you durin’ this trip,” she says, sipping on the hot chocolate cradled in her hands.
I snort and lean back into the couch with a satisfied grin. "Mighty generous of you, Mags. Maybe I should give up ranchin’ and put out my own shingle in town. Give you some competition.”
“Don’t gettoococky now, Red,” she says with a well-deserved eye roll. “I’m not sayin’ you’re a Michelin star chef or anythin’. Hell,I’vebeen cookin’ for decades and there ain’t no way you’d get me makin’ anythin’ fancy with garnishes and the like.”
“Thank god forthat.”
She narrows her eyes. “You sayin’ I couldn’t?”
“Hey now, I didn’t say anythin’ likethat. You make comfort food. It’s not just a meal, it’s an experience. It’s like comin’ home. The bonus is, you make a livin’ from it and do it well. That’s somethin’ you don’t mess with. You just keep doin’ what you’re doin’ and you won’t hear any complaints, least of all from me. Yeah?”
The sound of her laugh warms me more than the fire ever could. “Fine, fine. You win this round.”
I shoot her a smirk. “Food is love, Mags. Especially when it comes from your kitchen. When you serve it up, it’s drippin’ in it. That’s why we all come back.”
“Naw, and here was me thinkin’ it was the hospitality.”
I pin her with a stare. “You damn well know you’ve got a good thing goin’ there…”
She tilts her head, quirking her brow curiously. “Is there a but comin’?"
“Nope. You make folks feel at home, like they belong. And that’s a rare gift, darlin’. That’s why you’re always busy. Probably why you haven’t taken a break in years either.”
“You’re good for my ego, Redmond.”
A snort escapes me. “You don’t have an ego, never have and never will. I just want to make sure that you know you’re appreciated, and not just by me and Wy. It’s by everyone.”
Mags looks at me and nods, her eyes boring into mine before she turns back to watch the fire.
Comfortable silence falls between us, reminding me of one of the things I like the most about our friendship. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we don't have to, and they're both moments I cherish. There's no pressure when we’re together, we’re just two friends enjoying each other's company. Which is why I can't stop thinking about what Leah said.
"Even if you did develop feelin's for someone new, that doesn't mean you love or cherish Anna any less."
