Page 57 of The Lucky Heart (Jamison Valley 3)
It was Christmas Eve, and one of our long-running traditions had been to spend it together. These last couple of years I’d been back in Prescott for the holidays, and though I was happy to be with my family, I’d also missed that special time with my best friend. Our typical night had always included drinking and eating our body weight in junk food while watching musicals and singing along at the top of our lungs.
“My Christmas Eve plans are sad,” she said. “I’ll be drinking alone. Watching Chicago alone. Missing you terribly. Alone.”
“Here’s a crazy idea. Hop on a plane and come visit me. There’s usually an early morning flight to Bozeman. I’ll drive over and pick you up. We’ll have the entire hour drive to talk and then you can meet my family at Christmas dinner.”
She sighed. “Wish I could, really. I’d even brave the weather but I need to be in Seattle. I’m so close to breaking through with my source that I’d hate to miss my window because he decided to spill while I was in Montana.”
I pouted. “Okay.”
“Keep me company for a while? Tell me what’s new.”
“Well, I, uh, quit—”
“Shit! Felicity, I have to go. My source is calling.”
“Be careful!” I shouted, but she’d already hung up.
I didn’t like this. Not one bit. I had a bad feeling about this story of hers.
Sabrina had never left me so in the dark before. Usually I’d get little tidbits or her overall idea. Her silence on this one likely meant that she was into something dangerous.
I dropped my phone in a cup holder and kept driving toward Silas’s ranch. On a whim, I had decided to deliver his Christmas present.
Earlier tonight, Mom and I’d had dinner with Jess, Gigi and the kids. After we’d left the farmhouse, the two of us had exchanged gifts and sipped a glass of wine before she’d gotten sleepy and I’d gone home. But the second I’d stepped through the door of my dark and empty house, I’d grabbed Silas’s gift and spun back around to my car.
We hadn’t seen each other since he’d taken me to the Quonset two days ago and my surprise visit was a risk. My nerves were bouncing like magic jumping beans but I really wanted to see him. No, I needed to see him.
I’d been replaying his words from the other day on loop and overcomplicating them, just as he’d predicted. Were we dating? Were we keeping this thing a secret? What was this thing? I had no clue. By spending a little time together, maybe I could get a better feel for our unlabeled relationship. The text messages we’d been exchanging just weren’t cutting it for me.
And even if things went south tonight, I’d at least get the chance to enjoy the scenery. The moon and stars were bright and the fresh snow we’d gotten earlier was sparkling like fairy lights across the plains. It was like driving through the scene of a movie.
I loved Montana.
Crossing under the arched entrance to the ranch, my nerves spiked but a smile tugged at my mouth. With all that had changed over the years, it was nice to see that the sign hadn’t. It was just as iconic as I’d remembered.
Two huge logs stood tall in their stone bases. Across them was another log, equally as large, with Lucky Heart Ranch stamped into its center. Hanging from the beam was a metal sign swinging from two thick chains that depicted the ranch’s brand: a simple heart.
It wasn’t fancy, but it was romantic. I always thought it deserved a slogan.
For those who cross under this sign, may your hearts be lucky in love and in life.
Past the sign, a long, gravel lane lined with tall trees led to the Grants’ house. I rattled over a cattle guard and rolled slowly through the enormous gravel lot that connected all of the ranch buildings.
At the far end was the huge wooden barn. To its right was a massive hay shed. To its left sat the Grants’ house. Just like all of the other buildings here, the house itself was oversized. I’d only ever been inside once but had been impressed with vaulted ceilings and vast spaces. It was so different than the old, cramped trailer where I had grown up.
I pulled into the ranch’s gravel lot and parked next to Silas’s truck by the barn. The night was still and quiet and my new knee-high winter boots crunched on the fresh snow as I walked toward Silas’s apartment on the back side of the barn. When I heard voices coming from the main house, though, I switched directions and climbed the Grants’ front porch steps.
I reached out to knock on the door but stopped short when I realized that it wasn’t just voices I’d heard; it was shouting between Silas and his dad, Elliot.
“You’re really going to dig your heels in on this? Even when it’s going to cost us thousands?” Silas shouted.
“It’s my decision!” Elliot yelled back. “I’ve been doing this for a hell of a lot longer than you and don’t need you questioning everything. I’m the one who taught you about running this ranch, for Christ’s sake.”
“Stop!” a woman’s voice interjected “Both of you. It’s Christmas Eve and you promised to get along.” I assumed that voice belonged to Olivia, Silas’s mom.
The shouting stopped and the thud of footsteps came my way. I tried to back up but was still close to the door when it flew open and Silas stormed out.
“Ahh!” I stumbled backward when his chest collided with mine.
