Page 158 of Major Love

And then I see a turn sign, and I know exactly where I need to be.

I flick the indicators and hit the pedal, going so fast that I practically drift, until I’m gunning it back to Phoenix Falls, leaving the road to the airport in a trail of ice behind me.

Because, honestly?Fuck it.

If it’s not serving my life or the lives of the people who I love, why the hell would I put myself through something that could knock me off kilter again?

Why put myself through all the paparazzi and the wringer of Riley’s fans when I can just send a polite email saying,thank you for your kind offer, but I won’t be able to accept it at this new time in my life?

I loved working on the bar in Nashville and building it into something that Cash would have been super proud of, but now I need to stop living in the past and start living in the present.

My mom is living it up in Montana, my brother is coming home in less than a week, and there is a man who freaking loves me, waiting for me to get back to Phoenix Falls.

And after more than a decade apart, I think that he’s waited long enough.

I turn up the country song on the radio and watch the sparkling snow begin to fall.

Love is all that counts.

And now is all that matters.

Chapter 39

Jason

I stare down at the sheet of paper as I read it for a third time, the last snowfall of the year starting to cascade through the lot.

I brush my thumb over the message, appreciating Sunday’s pretty pink kiss-print, but wishing that we could have done that in person instead of through a note.

I understand why she didn’t want to make a big deal about saying goodbye but, the fact of the matter is, I already miss her like crazy.

I cast a glance over my shoulder, seeing that the guys have this job covered.

And then I look back toward my truck, knowing exactly what I want to do.

If she wants to head to Nashville, fine, but I should at least hold her before she goes.

And I definitely have enough time to catch her at the airport.

I round the hood to the driver’s seat, satisfied with my plan, but then my phone vibrates in my back pocket and I pause to pull it out.

And when I read the text alert, my heart comes to a stop.

I exhale hard and glance skyward.

You have got to be kidding me.

I tap the search-and-rescue contact number and, after two rings, Waylon – the team head – picks up.

“Bear Pass?” I all but growl. “There’s a hiker up fucking Bear Pass?”

The most dangerous mountain in the whole of Phoenix Falls, not only for its steep incline but for the well-known inhabitants that it’s named after.

Waylon sighs quietly, sounding as exasperated as I feel.

“Jace, we’re lucky they even had a sat-phone on them. But it’s low enough down the mountain to not need a plane, and I was hoping you might be close by and able to get the snowmobile up the trail.”

I steel my jaw as I glance back at Sunday’s note.

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