Page 78 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

Holt glanced over, a half smile forming on his lips. “I guess the town heard we were coming home today.”

The surprises continued once we were inside. Our refrigerator had been stocked with labeled containers, someone had swept the pine floors, and the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg permeated the air. A wooden crate sat on the counter, overflowing with toys and games for Luna.

“My family, the crew from the Goat, and several other locals pitched in—including Mrs. Lopez of course,” Holt explained.

I swallowed hard, trying to form words, but they stuck in my throat.

Holt and I followed Luna upstairs to her bedroom, which she inspected as though she’d been away for months instead of days. “It looks the same,” she said, sitting on the edge of her bed.

I glanced over at Holt, who stood in the hallway, looking at something on his phone. “I should head to the ranch,” he said, looking up at me.

A sudden unease hit me at the thought of him leaving. “I understand,” I said, wishing he didn’t have to go but knowing he’d already given us so much of his time.

When I stood to say goodbye, he opened his arms and I rested my forehead on his chest. “I didn’t realize how tired I was.”

“Sleep if you can. I’ll let myself back in quietly when I return.”

Before he left,he tucked Luna into her bed, promising that, when she woke up, they’d work on their stories again. While she didn’t say, “Promise?” like she usually did, she lifted her hand and Holt wrapped his pinky around hers. He gave me a quick kiss goodbye, then went downstairs, where I heard him talking to my dad.

Since my room was right across the hall from Luna’s, I left both doors open, then fell onto the bed. My dad was staying in the guest room on the first floor, and since he was familiar enough with my house, I didn’t worry about him finding whatever he needed.

I’d drifted off, but my phone’s vibration jolted me awake. Miguel’s name lit up the screen.

“Hey,” I said in a gravelly voice.

“You home yet?” he asked.

“We are, and all I can say is you’re a godsend, Miguel. Thank you for making our homecoming so wonderful. How are things at the Goat?” While I’d checked in with him once a day while we were in Denver, our conversations didn’t last more than a couple of minutes. Each time, he assured me everything was fine, and it had been enough for me. “I’ll be by later, okay?”

“The Goat isn’t going anywhere. Come in whenever you’re ready.”

After thanking him again and hanging up, I checked on Luna. She was sound asleep, like I soon hoped to be. Hearing my dad looking for stuff in the kitchen, I decided to check on him too. I found him gathering ingredients to make chilaquiles.

“Do you need me to run to the store?” I asked.

“No,mija. Holt said he’d pick up whatever I needed when he returns later.”

“He’s a good man,” I said, resting against the counter.

My father’s eyes met mine. “He loves you and Luna very much.”

I raised a brow. “He cares about us. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it love.”

He pulled out a chair at the table. “Sit before you collapse on me.”

I didn’t argue. I wasn’t sure I had the energy to walk up the stairs again.

“He feels the same as I did about your mother. I fell in love with Mary Grace the first time I saw her.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but he held up a hand.

“There’s nothing to argue about, Keltie. If you don’t feel it yet, you soon will.”

“I—” Before I could say more, I heard Luna calling for me. I kissed my father’s cheek, then raced up the steps and sat beside her on the bed. “I’m here, sweetheart.”

“Mommy, do you think Mr. Holt could be my daddy?”

I’d say her question surprised me, but it didn’t. Given how close they were, I’d expected her to ask sooner.

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