This is when my brain glitches. What am I supposed to say? I stay on the ranch and read books or work on the Zen garden. Ihelp my brothers and Wyatt with whatever needs doing around the land. I cook and try new recipes using local meats and produce because it soothes me.
Then I remember what she said at dinner.
“Apparently there’s a fresh outlook and new opportunities on my horizon so this is me embracing the moment.”
Sutton: I’m open to anything. Do you want to do the tourist thing? Or maybe a hike? Somewhere NOT well known?
Blair: I haven’t been hiking in years. I’m talking way back when I was a teenager. It sounds fun though.
Sutton: Do you have boots to wear?
Blair: No, but I’m sure I can find something that will work.
I shouldn’t doubt her–she’s a highly successful adult woman after all–but her reply doesn’t fill me with confidence.
Sutton: Sounds like we have a plan. I’ll ask around and find out what trails are best for beginners.
Blair: I haven’t been called a beginner in years.
Sutton: I was meaning me. It’s been a while. I’ve been meaning to get out and explore the place more.
Blair: Let me guess, life got in the way for you too?
Sutton: Yeah.
Blair: Then it sounds like we both need to get out more. Starting Sunday.
“You’re smilin’ again. It’s creepy,” Jude says, cocking his head. He must see something because suddenly his eyes jump wide and he sits forward in his seat, his book all but forgotten on the seat next to him.
“You’re talkin’ to a girl, aren’t you.”
“A woman, actually.”
He waves his hand in the air and scoffs. “You know what I mean. Who is it? Someone at the hospital?”
“You could say that…” I say slowly.
“C’mon. You never tell me anythin’. You know you can though, right? It’s always been you and Case against the world but I’m always here when he’s not,” he says sincerely.
“Yeah, Jude. I know. OK.” I take a deep breath and decide I need to tellsomeone, just to get it all out. “So, I had no idea until she arrived but–”
He stays quiet for a beat before his eyes light up. “It’s Blair, isn’t it? She’s your One. Iknewit would be you. It just made sense that once Case found Isla that you’d be next in line.”
“There’s a bit more to it. I’d seen her before, back in Boston when I was an undergrad,” I explain.
“You alreadyknoweach other?”
“I…noticedher at college. That’s all.”
His eyes widen before crinkling at the sides. “Ah. You had a secret crush.”
“Somethin’ like that. I never talked to her though. Never really knew her or anythin’.”
“And now she’s here in Timber Falls, where you justhappento be too,” he says, almost to himself. “She’sdefinitelyyour One, Sutt. That’s awesome.” He gets up and moves to sit on the couch with me. “I’m happy for you. If any one of us deserves to feel thelove of a good woman and to have someone look out for them like you look out for everyone else, it’s you.”
“Why doIneed lookin’ after?”
He looks at me like I’m an idiot. “There’s a difference between knowin’ your family will always have your back and havin’ someonechooseto do it. Why do you think Will and Case are so ooey gooey with their Ones?”
