“Yep,” I say again. “We’re in a city where no one–wellhopefully, no one–knows us. We can make fools of our ourselves and have fun without worryin’ about anythin’ or anyone. C’mon, Red. We said we wanted new experiences, and this here is our chance to have one. What do you say? I’m game if you are.”
That's when he floors me, turning his head and meeting my challenging stare straight on. "Right now, I think I'd give just about anythin' a go with you, darlin', and that should scare the pants off me. But somehow, with you, I feel braver than ever before."
My entire body stills at his words, if ever there was a sign that Red is on board with whatever this is between us, that was it. He’s heard the Call. This isn’t just in my head. This is happening. What I don’t know ishowit’s happening orwhen. But right now, I don’t care.
“We should… I mean…” I stumble over my words, but Red–as always–is there to save me.
“C’mon, darlin’. Let’s go find a song to sing terribly. There’s no point goin’ in half-cocked now.” Before I can conjure up a response to that, he’s out of the truck and opening my door.
And as if he can read my mind, before we walk into the bar, he stops and places his hat on my head. This time, I welcome it.
“Is that who I think it is?” I ask, catching sight of Randy Barnes and another man I don’t know walking toward us.
Red looks over before jerking his chin up and moving to his feet, holding out his arm. “Of all the places in Anchorage, you had to choose the same damn bar as us. How are you, Randy?”
Randy is Lee’s dad and was Colt’s mentor at Eagle Mountain Ranch before he moved to Bull. Lee followed him two years later after they reconnected and completed their own mountain’s call.
“Fancy seein' you here," Randy says, taking Red's offered hand and shaking it before letting it go and looking to me. "Mags. Did he drag you out too?"
“Nope,” I reply with a grin. “This was actually my idea. Red and I are on a road trip to expand our horizons.”
Randy's brows lift sky-high. "And you’re choosin’ to do that in an Anchorage karaoke bar of all places? You know there are things you could do that are a little closer to home, right?"
Red chuckles. “We dropped Wyatt off at the airport a week ago. He’s now out at sea on a crab fishin’ boat of all things.”
“He’s flown the Bull Mountain coop then?” Randy asks with a smile.
“Sure has. Told us all last year that he wanted to make it happen. He got the call a few weeks back.” Red’s chest is puffed out and a proud grin takes over his features.
“That’s a big move for a kid.”
“An almost eighteen-year-old kid.” Red sits down again but this time he slides around the circular booth toward me, making room for Randy and his guest.
Before taking a seat, Randy lifts his hand to catch the server's attention before ordering a round of drinks for our table. "Watchin’ your kids grow up doesn't get any easier. Luckily we've got some young' uns back home that keep me busy. Don't have to think about our big girl being engaged to a rancher of her own and livin' onyourmountain, Red.” Randy replies, turning to the man next to him. “Red’s from Bull Mountain Ranch and Bull Stud. That’s where our daughter Lee lives with her soon-to-be husband Colt.”
“Ah,” the man replies.
"Shoot, where are my manners? This is Will Cooper. He’s a son of an old family friend. Him and his brothers have recently inherited Cooper Ranch in Timber Falls from their grandfather. I've known the family for years, and since I was in town on business, I thought we'd catch up."
Red leans forward to shake Will's hand before I do the same.
“Sorry for your loss,” I say.
Will nods. “Appreciated. We hadn’t seen our grandfather for quite a few years due to him escapin’ the rat race for the woods years ago. He was a bit of a recluse and kept to himself, so we didn’t know he was sick until I was contacted by his lawyer a few months back. Had to wrap up things back home before booking a flight and headin’ up here.”
“Back home?” I ask.
“Chicago. I’ve got my own construction business there. Well,hadis probably more accurate now.”
Red nods. “Have you been to Alaska before?"
“Yep. When we were kids, Mom and Dad would ship us four boys up here to live with Pop every summer. Then he came back to the Lower 48 with us for a few years but didn’t like bein’ away from his mountain. Now the four of us brothers have to live at his ranch together in order to fulfil our grandfather’s wishes. Somethin’ about gettin’ in touch with our roots again. At least it’s come at a good time because I find myself ready for a change.”Definitely sounds like there’s a story there.“Lucky for us, Mom and Dad live here in Anchorage now, so we won’t be so far away from them anymore.”
“I think we all come to a crossroad at least once in our lives’,” Red says, sneaking a glance my way. “If you’ve been to Timber Falls before then you must’ve passed through our hometown of Spring Haven. If not, you’ll have to visit on your way.”
Will turns to Randy. "Is that the place with the world-famous corned beef hash you were tellin' me about?"
“Seems the reputation of my food precedes me,” I reply.
