Page 102 of Heart & Hope

She starts pacing. “Harry is gonna kill me.”

And I realize right here, this is not the usual calm-and-collected Ruby Robbins. This event is personal to her.

To us.

She has stakes in this one.

Anxiety etches its way onto her face. I turn to her and grab her hands, caressing her knuckles with my thumbs. “Breathe, beautiful.”

And like that... the student becomes the master.

Or whatever the hell they say.

Anxiety can kiss my Wrangler-covered ass.

“This has to work, Reed.”

I nod. “It will. But right now, I need you to take in some air and look at me. Name three things you see.”

“Green eyes.” Her voice is breathy. “Square jaw, and—” She closes her eyes. I squeeze her hands. When her eyes snap open, she opens her mouth to speak, but the sounds of tires on gravel sees both of us turn.

A light grey Suburban rolls up to where we stand. I give them a wave and lean into her, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. “Told you. You did good, baby.”

She releases a huffy breath and forces a smile.

Good girl.

The driver, a middle-aged man with salt and pepper starting to show in his otherwise dark hair, steps out of the car and stretches his back, looking around as his partner climbs from the passenger’s side.

“Oh, wow.” Her blue eyes and straight brown hair whip about in tandem as she spins, looking every which way.

I step up to the man and extend my hand. “Reed. See y’all found us alright.”

He shakes my hand, firmly. “Tim. Bloody great to meet you, mate. Some place you have here.”

His accent is strong. Australian.

Ruby introduces herself to the woman, taps the tablet awake, and checks them in.

“You’re welcome to park here, but if you wanna, there’s parkin’ by your cabin. Number one, first one on the right by thestream.” I point out the first white cabin to Tim and he nods, climbing back into the car. When he rolls past, I wander over to the women, who are deep in conversation about Montana and all its wonder.

“Hi, I’m Reed.” I extend a hand to the woman.

“Denise. Gosh, it’s so pretty out here. I’m so excited we were able to nab a cabin! This place is going to be bloody popular; good for you.”

“Well, thanks. What brings you to Montana?”

She leans a little, eyeing her husband as he pulls the bags from the trunk of their car. “You could call it a midlife crisis, I suppose. Not mine, though. But that can stay between us, hey?”

Ruby chuckles. “Mum’s the word. Nothing like a trip around the world to give you some time, space, and perspective.”

“Oh, you nailed it, love. But I can’t complain, beats the North Queensland summer, hands down.”

“Wow, you will have to tell me about home. You are signed up for the dinner tonight, so I will see you there. But if there’s anything you need, shoot me or Reed a text, okay? Our numbers are on the welcome info right inside the front door on the small table,” Ruby says, excitement lining her gorgeous brown eyes.

“Righteo, thanks, you two. I better help unpack before I hear about it.” She offers a smile and walks toward the accommodations, snapping pictures on her phone as she goes. Traveling around the world. That’s been on my bucket list since I graduated high school. Maybe one day.

When Denise disappears through the screen door, Ruby squeals. She’s doing a little dance, the tablet firmly clutched in one hand. I chuckle and crowd her against the yard fence. Her excitement peters to a grin.

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