Page 3 of Coming Home Country
Hopping out of my rental, I gazed upon Aspen’s showroom, the big pane glass windows featuring sketches she’d drawn by hand of Rust Canyon’s signature storefronts.
I was so proud of her for chasing her dream.
We’d both attended SoCal University for undergrad, but she’d stayed there to gain experience in her chosen field of architecture before obtaining her master’s. I, on the other hand, moved to Chicago for law school and got my position with Brooks and Andrews right after graduation.
Aspen embraced our roots, her mission to bring a slice of our cozy country hometown to the suburbs. The first residential development featuring one of her Main Streets had opened last month, only forty-five minutes from where I lived. Her frequent trips to Chicago allowed me the chance to get to know Mac and watch her vision materialize from concept to reality.
As I pushed inside the door to her office, a tiny bell sounded above my head.
“Be with you in a minute!”
I smiled when I heard my best friend’s voice call out from somewhere in the back of the space.
I doubted she had any prospective client showings the week leading up to her wedding, so she probably figured I was someone poking their nose in to say hello. Which wasn’t too far off from the truth, though she likely wasn’t expecting me to pop up before the wedding party get-together on her family’s ranch tomorrow.
“Bex!” Aspen’s screech was so high-pitched that I cringed, worried I’d suffer permanent hearing damage. “You’re here!” She barreled into me so hard I stumbled back a step, barely able to remain on my feet.
She was a few inches taller than me, so I got a faceful of her free-flowing strawberry-blonde waves as she wrapped me up in a hug so tight I could swear I heard a rib crack.
“Need to breathe,” I joked, strained laughter bubbling up from my constricted chest.
“Sorry.” My bestie pulled back, her blue eyes glassy. “Just can’t believe you’re really here.”
I huffed out a wry laugh. “Yeah, well, that makes two of us.”
Her lips twisted to the side. “You okay?”
“Depends on your definition of okay. Didn’t make it past Main Street before it all came rushing back.” My eyes slid closed as a fresh wave of pain crashed over me.
“Oh, Bex.”
I waved her off, my lower lip trembling as I blinked furiously. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” Blowing out a breath, I met her concerned gaze. “You’re the only person in this world I would set foot in this town for, you know that?”
Her lips twisted into a sad smile. “I know.”
Clapping, I changed topics. “I know you gave me a rundown weeks ago, but what does the itinerary look like?”
Aspen shook her head. “We can worry about all that tomorrow.”
“I need to keep busy.” When she stared at me, unsure, I begged, “Please.”
A heavy exhale shook her entire body. “Okay.” She tugged me toward a couch off to the side of the room, where we sat down, and I whipped out my phone to take notes.
Maid-of-honor mode officially activated.
Using her fingers, she ticked off the list of activities. “Tomorrow’s the wedding party bonfire on the ranch. Sunday, your mom is hosting my bridal shower at the church. Monday, we’ve got the scavenger hunt.” Her light laughter floated in the air as she explained, “That one was at Mac’s request. Then, on Tuesday, we’re doing the final dress fittings. Wednesday is the trail ride, camping out overnight optional. Thursday, we’re hitting the Watering Hole for the joint bachelor/bachelorette party.”
Nodding as I typed, I mused, “Of course, Friday is the rehearsal dinner, with the wedding on Saturday.”
“Yeah, the boring parts.” I could hear the smile in her voice.
I grasped her hand, my voice growing thick. “Nothing boring about marrying the man you love.” I was glad at least one of us would get to do that.
Clearing my throat, I pocketed my phone. “I have to say, I think we’re missing a real opportunity here.”
Aspen quirked an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
“You’re marrying a firefighter.”
