Charlie: Hmm. Well, I'll keep looking for it. I just thought you should know…
Mags: Hopefully it’ll turn up. I want to open it with Red. It’s time.
Charlie: It’s definitely time. I’m sure we’ll find it. Austin even thought Doofus the Duck might’ve stolen it back again.
Normally that would make me laugh. Right now, I can’t think about anything other than the letter.
Mags: Thanks, Charlie Bear.
Charlie: How’s the storm? Rhett and Austin were checking the weather reports since they’re leaving today to meet you two in Palmer.
Mags: We’re snowed in but safe. Red says we’ll still make it to the rodeo on Friday.
Charlie: Then you’ll be home. I know we used to go years between visits, but I’ve gotten used to having you around. The house seems empty without you.
Mags: Hmm. I guess I’ll have to decide what to do with the house.
Charlie: We can move in until our cabin on the ranch is built, then you could rent it out. At least we’ll still be close.
Mags: Wouldn’t want it any other way. Love you, Charlie Bear.
Charlie: Love you too. Say hi to Red for me and tell him I said about time!
Mags: Will do. See you on when we get back.
Charlie: Can’t wait. Bye.
“Everythin’ OK back home?” Red asks.
“Yeah,” I say distractedly. Why didn’t I just read the damn letter months ago?Yearsago? “She told me to tell you it’s about time.”Or was she tellingmethat?
He closes his book and puts it down on the floor next to the couch before turning me in his arms so I'm lying on my back and he's covering me. "Can't say she's wrong," he replies with a small smirk, “but I guess that just means we've got a hell of a lot of catchin' up to do."
He gives me more of his weight and suddenly my mind is wiped clean of anything except him and me and wondering whether his idea of 'catchin' up' is the same as mine. Lucky for me, as soon as his lips touch mine, I don’t have to wonder again.
Unfortunately, the shower in the cabin isnotbig enough for two–hell, it's barely big enough for Red–so after letting me go first, he kisses me and disappears into the bathroom.
I move to my open duffel, grab a pair of underwear, and slide them on before doing the same with my bra. Shivering, I wrap myself back up in my towel and bend down to find warm clothes to put on, except when I rummage through my bag my fingers catch on something that feels a lot like paper.
Running my fingers over it again, my chest seizes in my chest, my heart stutters so much it feels like it’s stopped when I pull the item out. My suspicions are confirmed when I see my name written in Anna’s unique penmanship on the same missing envelope from home.
Staggering backward, I take a seat on the edge of the bed and stare at the letter in my hand. My body feels frozen in a way that has nothing to do with the temperature, my mind stuck on the fact that it’shere instead of back home but alsohowit ended up in my bag.
That's how Red finds me when the bathroom door swings open minutes later, and he strolls out with a towel slung low around his hips. His relaxed expression changes to one of concern as soon as I meet his eyes.
His gaze goes to the letter in my hand before snapping back to my face.
“Mags?”
“I don’t… I just found it here. It’s meant to be at home in between the cookbooks,” I say nonsensically.
Standing over me, he leans in, and I hear his breath catch. "Is that Anna's handwritin’?"
My heart pounds in my chest, my mouth dry from fear and anticipation. I nod, unable to speak and too scared to lift my head.
Red carefully takes the envelope from my hand, examining it before his index finger goes under my chin and presses up so that our eyes can meet.
“What is this, darlin’?” he says softly, his face unreadable.
