Charlie: Well, you said I'd love it and it’s a small cabin in the middle of nowhere. Means it must be romantic. What did you think I meant?
Mags: Oh. Yeah. You’d love it. It's pretty private and not what you'd expect to find on the Kenai Peninsula.
Charlie: I’ll tell Austin to keep it in mind. Maybe I can tag along with him on his next ranch-related trip, and we can sneak away for a night or two.
Mags: Now who’s being romantic? I got to hand feed a moose the other day.
Charlie: What?!? I’m jealous. The moose around here are too scary to get close to. Where did you do that?
Mags: Red’s old rodeo friend Justice works at this wildlife center on the way down here, so we stayed a while and did the tour.
Charlie: Wow. I think I owe Red a drink when y’all are back
Mags: Why?
Charlie: Because he's getting you to have fun and relax AND feed a moose!
Mags: I have fun all the time, thank you very much. Don’t you start in on me about relaxing. Red’s been telling me the same thing.
Charlie: He’s not wrong. You needed a break and Wy leaving meant you could kill one bird with two stones, or whatever the saying is…
I giggle under my breath, earning another curious look from Red.
Mags: Two birds, one stone, sweetheart. Are you coming off a night shift?
Charlie: How’d you know?
Mags: Miss you, Charlie Bear.
Charlie: Who are you and where is my mom? You haven’t even asked about the diner?
Mags: I'm on vacation apparently. I didn't think I was ALLOWED to ask about MY diner.
Charlie: But you’re just dying to know, aren’t you?
Mags: Charlie Bear, so help me…
Charlie: The building is still standing. The booths are still full. All of your staff are still employed, and Dad hasn’t lost his mind… yet.
Mags: Well, that’s a relief. Maybe I will start enjoying this vacation now.
Charlie: Keep it up Mom and I’ll make sure Red extends your trip another week.
A sneaky glance across the cab at my now crooning best friend has me thinking that wouldn’t be such a bad thing…
Mags: OK, you win. I’m going to go now but say hi to Austin and everyone else.
Charlie: Will do, Mom. And have fun, doctor’s orders. Love you.
Mags: Love you too.
I'm still smiling as I lower my phone to my lap, the warmth spreading in my chest the polar opposite to the crisp Alaskan air rushing through the window. Red glances my way, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he does it.
“How’s Char?”
“She’s good. Cheeky as always, but good,” I reply.
“Wonder who she gets that from, huh?” Feeling childish, I poke my tongue at him, getting a grin in return. “And the diner? There’s no way you didn’t ask about it. I know you too well.”
