“Ten minutes till midnight,” Boone announced, checking his watch. “Another year gone.”
“Good riddance,” River said, but his voice lacked thebrittle edge it had carried for so long. He sat with his legs stretched toward the fire.
Johanna studied River over the rim of her mug of cider. The change in him since Christmas was subtle but real. He still cracked jokes, still fidgeted, still talked too fast sometimes. But the desperate energy had calmed. He no longer seemed ready to shatter at any moment.
“You don’t mean that,” Jonah said. “This year brought you here.”
River’s mouth quirked into a half-smile. “True. The ending’s not bad.” He raised his mug toward the center of their circle. “To Valor Ridge, home of second chances and questionable Christmas decorations.”
“To Valor Ridge,” they echoed, mugs clinking in the firelight.
“Guess I’ve got you to thank, Doc,” River continued, his eyes finding Johanna’s across the flames. “For not giving up on me when I was being a complete ass.”
She felt her cheeks warm, and not just from the fire. “You did the work, River.”
“Yeah, but you sat on that cold garage floor for hours.” He shrugged, eyes dropping to his mug. “Nobody’s done that for me before. Just... waited.”
The admission hung in the night air, honest in a way River rarely allowed himself to be. Boone cleared his throat, uncomfortable as always with raw emotion.
“Speaking of work,” Boone said, “we should talk about expanding the dog training program. Got a call from the VA hospital in Missoula today. They’re interested in what we’re doing.”
“Already on it,” Jonah replied, sitting up straighter. “I’ve drafted a proposal for a formal K9 therapy program. Spreadsheets,budgets, the works.”
Johanna smiled to herself as they launched into ranch business, Jonah’s enthusiasm spilling out in rapid-fire ideas while Boone occasionally grunted approval. Beside her, Walker watched them, pride softening the lines around his eyes. His vision for Valor Ridge was taking shape, brick by brick, man by man.
“What about you, Jo?” River asked suddenly, cutting into her thoughts. “Got any New Year’s resolutions?”
She took a sip of cider, buying time. “Nothing formal.”
“Come on,” River pressed. “Everyone’s got something they want to change.”
Her eyes flicked to Walker before she could stop them. He was watching her, waiting for her answer, his face unreadable in the shifting light.
“I want to be braver,” she admitted finally. “Stop letting fear make my decisions.”
Walker’s hand twitched on the armrest between them, so close to hers that she felt the movement rather than saw it.
“That’s a good one,” River nodded, his gaze bouncing between her and Walker. “Speaking of brave...” He set his mug down, leaning forward. “So are you two just gonna stare at each other forever or what?”
The question hit like cold water. Johanna froze, mug halfway to her lips. Beside her, Walker went completely still.
“What?” Walker’s voice came out rough.
“You heard me.” River’s tone was casual, but his eyes were serious. “Come on. We all know. Boone and Jonah probably have a bet going.”
“We do,” Jonah admitted cheerfully and took a drink of his cider.
“How much?” River asked, interested.
“Twenty bucks on...” He trailed off, catching Walker’s glare.
Boone shrugged, unrepentant.
Johanna’s face burned. She stared at the fire, unable tolook at any of them. Particularly Walker. The air between them felt charged, heavy with possibilities and fears she’d carried for years.
“Life’s short,” River continued, his voice softening. “Stop wasting time.”
He stood, brushing pine needles from his jeans. “Come on, guys. Let’s give them some space.”
