"Oh!" I perk up. "I have a whole list. London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Greece?—"
"Tokyo," Grayson adds, his hand settling on my knee. "Thailand. The architecture, the culture?—"
"Australia," River says, his arm around my shoulders. "New Zealand. The South Island has incredible hiking."
"Great Falls," Seth says against my neck.
We all turn to stare at him.
"Did you just say Great Falls?" I ask slowly. "As in... Great Falls, Montana?"
"Yeah." He looks confused. "It's only two hours away and I've never been. They have that waterfall viewpoint?—"
"Seth." River is fighting laughter. "Bea just listed countries in Europe. Grayson wants Asia. I'm talking about literally the other side of the world."
"Billings is supposed to be nice too," Seth offers hopefully.
I'm laughing so hard I can barely breathe, and Seth tightens his arms around me. "You precious landlocked man. Your idea of adventure travel isBillings?"
"What's wrong with Billings?" But he's smiling now, sending affection-amusement through the bond.
"Nothing's wrong with Billings," I gasp. "It's just—have you ever left Montana?"
"I went to North Dakota once," he says defensively. "For a safety conference."
"North Dakota," Grayson repeats flatly, but he's grinning.
"Williston. Very nice people. Good breakfast buffet at the hotel."
"We're taking you to Europe," I declare. "Your horizons need expanding."
"I like Montana," Seth protests, but his happiness floods the bond.
"We all like Montana. But there are other places." I kiss him. "We'll go to Great Falls. And then we're going to Rome."
"And Tokyo," Grayson adds. "I want to see his face when he tries real sushi."
"I've had sushi," Seth argues. "The grocery store in Pine Valley?—"
"That doesn't count," we all say at once.
His phone buzzes. He checks it and frowns. "Tessa Lang. She's panicking about New Year's decorations."
"When is Tessa not panicking?" River mutters, his hand rubbing circles on my back.
"She says everything's wrong and she needs help at the square." Seth's already standing, pulling me up with him. "I should go."
"We'll all go," I say, grabbing my coat. Grayson helps me into it, his hands lingering on my shoulders.
The town squareis picture-perfect in the falling snow. Christmas lights twinkle, holiday music drifts from the diner, and right in the middle of it all is Tessa Lang on a ladder, yelling into her phone.
"No, I said gold andsilver, not gold and bronze—" She spots us and waves frantically. "Oh thank god. Seth, I need you!"
Seth's already moving—full deputy mode engaged. "Tessa. Get down from that ladder before you break your neck."
"I can't get down, the banner will fall!"
"The banner can fall. You can't." His voice is firm but kind—the voice that makes people listen. "Down. Now."
