JAX: Just checking. Making sure you’re real and this isn’t some cruel dream.
SLOANE: This is real.
JAX: Good. Because I’m losing my mind over here.
SLOANE: In a good way?
JAX: In the best way. The chickens are very excited to meet you.
SLOANE: Just the chickens?
JAX: I mean, I’m also slightly excited.
SLOANE: Only slightly …
JAX: You got me. I’m fucking thrilled. I’ve been pacing the porch since your call.
The image of him pacing makes me smile so wide my cheeks hurt.
Thirty minutes out, the snow starts falling. Light at first, then heavier. But not dangerous. Just beautiful, like the universe is adding to the moment. My hands are shaking on the wheel. Not from nerves about driving in this weather. From anticipation. I’m about to see him. After weeks of texts, phone calls, and keeping things surface-level. After a drunken confession and a sober one. I’m about to see Jax.
Fifteen minutes away, I pass the sign for Silver Valley. Population 3,247. This is going to be my town. My home.
I drive through the main square, and it’s exactly as charming as all the photos. Small shops decorated for Christmas. Lights strung across the street. A big tree in the center with people taking photos. I can see our business. The gift shop and coffee house. The windows are dark now, but I can imagine what it’ll look like when we open. When it’s ours.
My phone buzzes.
JAX: Are you close?
SLOANE: Five minutes.
JAX: Okay. Okay. I’m going to try to act normal and not like I’ve been waiting for this moment forever.
SLOANE: How’s that going?
JAX: Terribly. I’m a mess. Fair warning.
SLOANE: Good. Me too.
I follow the directions to his farm, my heart pounding harder with each turn.
And then I see it.
The Reid Farm sign.
The long driveway.
The farmhouse with smoke coming from the chimney and lights in the windows.
And Jax.
He’s standing on the porch, exactly like he said. In jeans and a flannel shirt and a jacket, his hands shoved in his pockets, his breath visible in the cold air.
Watching for me.
I pull up next to his truck and put the car in park with trembling hands.
This is it.
