Star: Maybe it’s a sign of good things to come for you.
Mags: Are you saying that you’re never too old to fall in love again?
Star: Yep! There’s hope for you yet, Mags!
If this had been two weeks ago, I might've been offended by that. Now I don't need hope. I've got Red. He’s all I need.
Star: So, for what do I owe the pleasure? I thought you and Red would be at the rodeo in Palmer living it up with all those cowboys.
Mags: Well, I'm looking out over the mountains, drinking my coffee, and loving life. How about that?
Star: I’m so glad. I knew this trip would be good for you. Have you given any more thought to what we talked about during your crystal reading?
Life is what you make of it. But I’m thinkin’ you’re enterin’ a time when you can start thinkin’ about yourself and what youwant. The first step is not thinkin’ your life is half over and believin’ that it’s just beginnin’. It starts with listenin’ to your own heart and honorin’ your own needs and desires. You’ve spent so much of your life takin’ care of others, it’s time you start takin’ care of yourself too.”
Oh yeah, I think I’ve acedthattest. I’ve finally got everything I wanted—with themanI want everything with.
Mags: Sure have. I have a feeling everything's going to be good from now on.
Star: That’s amazing, Mags. I’m so happy for you. Sorry, I’m just in the middle of something. Let’s catch up when you get home, yeah?
Mags: It’s a date. Lunch with the girls and a book club meetup sounds good.
Puzzled by Star’s lack of a reaction—or much of anything—I decide to open up the Bull Mountain group chat again, quickly snapping a photo of the gorgeous view before sending it.
Mags: Life is SO hard on vacation…
Rhett: It looks it. Hope you’re having fun and are excited to see me and Austin later.
Mags: Sure am. When are y’all getting in?
Rhett: Soon. Not far away now.
OK… that’s kind of vague, and very unlike Rhett.
Mags: Did Red tell you about us seeing a bird that looked exactly like Duck Norris?
Cora: Hey, Mags. Rhett and I saw a doppelgänger for Dickward at Denali when we went too. Maybe there’s a whole gang of dastardly ducks.
Rhett: Heaven help us all!
Just the thought makes me giggle.
Mags: Any other news? Y'all have been rather quiet this week.
Toby: That’s because you’re on vacation, Mags, my favorite diner owner that ever existed. That means you DON’T want to get bugged by messages from home. Duh.
Mags: Toby… what have you done to my diner?
Toby: What? Why me? It was Landry and Austin, not ME.
Austin: Don’t bring me into this, Tobes. I was just the innocent referee…
Mags: Can SOMEONE please tell me?
Charlie: Don't worry, Mom. They just had a little hot dog eating competition at the diner and Toby pushed past his limit. Would you believe that the Sunday School Sallys got involved and Miss Frankie almost out-ate Landry?
Of all the things I was imagining, Toby Graham pushing his hot dog limit is not the worst thing that could’ve happened. It’s not even the worst thing Toby has ever done.
