I rolled my eyes but smiled. “Not research, Bree. Just documenting.
“Damn friend,” she said.
“I just want to be prepared in case we do meet again. He will know exactly who she is and that she is loved.”
“That little girl is your twin,” Bree said. “And she is loved. Whatever else happens is extra.”
“I know,” I whispered.
She studied me for a beat, then leaned forward like she was about to start trouble — which she was.
“So… I got an idea.”
I sighed. “Lord.”
She ignored me. “You tired. You busy. You still in love with Mystery Mountain Dick. So instead of sitting here spiraling for another year… go find him.”
I tilted my head at her. “Bree?—”
“No, listen.” She held up a finger. “Calling the resort didn’t work. They basically told us to mind our broke-ass business. But going back… that’s different. That’s your territory. Your little freaky Hallmark moment.”
“It’s been a year.”
“And? Some men love routine almost as much as they love bad decisions. That gives you at least a 50/50 chance.”
“What if I go and he’s not there?”
“Then you just got a week of peace, snow, and sleeping in. Congratulations. You win anyway.”
I stared at her, really thinking about it.
“And what about Nikole?” I said. “I’m not dragging my baby up a mountain in the cold. I barely wanted to be up there by myself.”
“I’ll keep her,” Bree said.
I snapped my head around. “For a whole week?”
She scoffed. “Girl, yes. It’s a baby, not a Bengal tiger. I love her. My mama loves her. Miss Carla will be here. We got a whole village, so go.”
“You sure?”
She stared at me. “Noelle. You need a break so bad you twitching. Book the damn trip. You go up there and he’s not there, you still rested. You go and heisthere?” She shrugged.“Then you get to tell that man to his face he got a daughter. Boom. Closure.”
The thought alone scared me but I knew it was something in had to do for my baby. I opened my laptop and pulled up the year-old email Bree sent with the Winter Haven website link. She scooted closer like we were plotting a heist.
“You looking?”
“Yeah.”
When the dates popped up, her eyes widened. “Oh bitch, the EXACT week? See? God likes drama. Book it.”
I hesitated only a second, then filled in my real name.Noelle Sterling.
“Done?” she asked.
I hit confirm and let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d holding, “It’s done,” I said.
Bree screamed like she won a game show. “YES! I’m so proud of you. I’m already planning outfits for your recon mission.”
