Page 2 of Rose's One Night to Forever
“I am, but I have other plans as well.” Chance leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I’m moving.”
“Interesting. London? Berlin?” Cody tilted his head. “New York?”
“Heart Falls.”
Cody coughed and frowned. “You’re shitting me.”
Dear Lord. “Your expressions never fail to make me laugh. No, brother, I’m not taking the piss, as we would say in Ireland.” Chance paused to let out a peal of laughter. “God, your face.”
“You’re full of surprises today. Moving to Heart Falls.” Cody glanced around then back at Chance. “Did you somehow pull me into one of your fantasy pictures? Are we living on the edge of reality, surrounded by the myths and legends of ancient Ireland?”
“I tell you I want to move back to Canada and closer to you, and you think I’m winding you up?” Chance shook his head. “You have no idea how much I look forward to the change.”
Cody dipped his head. “Okay. I didn’t mean for that to come off as not wanting you around. I’m shocked, though. It’s not what I expected, but having you here would be great.”
“I’ll share more as I figure it out myself. In the meantime, tell me what you’ve been up to. And show me your couch so I have a place to sleep tonight.”
His brother rose to his feet, glancing at his watch. “I can do one step better than the couch. You can have your own cabin for the night. I know they’re not fully booked right now.”
Chance was led to a cabin a few doors down, and Cody pointed out salient parts of the ranch as they walked. Catching up felt good.
They emailed and messaged occasionally, but living on different continents had made the past few years more hit-and-miss for communication. Chance had missed the daily exchanges they’d enjoyed when young.
“I’ll try to get free for dinner,” Cody offered, “but, like I said, today is hell. I’m working the afternoon and evening, and I’m on call tonight.”
“Oh, you’re grand,” Chance said. “I’ll need a suggestion for dinner, though.”
Fifteen minutes later, after a few more quick exchanges and explanations, Cody was gone.
Amusement and contentment settled in Chance’s gut. This was going to work out fine. He tucked his hands in his pockets and took himself for a stroll. Wandering the place his brother called home.
His memories drifted to the past. They’d had a few rough moments between them right after Chance’s father had fallen in love with Cody’s mum—online dating, of all things—and brought the two boys together into one family. Mostly because back then, the age difference meant Cody had followed Chance around like an eager puppy.
Chance had been more interested in teenage exploration of his new Canadian home in Toronto, and having an eleven-year-old kid begging to accompany him on dates was not on his sixteen-year-old agenda.
Still, they’d both grown up, and they’d grown into a solid family. The years since had meant changes, good ones for the most part, but now it was time for the next step.
His stomach growled. Chance dressed as casually as possible from the options he had with him. He left off his suit coat and tie, pulled on a light jacket, then headed to town.
This was all her sister’s fault.
Rose Fields lifted the longneck beer and sipped while she took another peek around the dance floor, examining her options.
Okay, maybe standing in her hometown local bar while ogling men wasn’t specifically Tansy’s fault, but after twenty years of being sisters through adoption, blaming each other for imagined sins was more than habit. It was…
Well, family, Rose supposed.
A handsome cowboy approached, smiling with deep approval as he checked her over. “Hey, darling. Want to go for a spin?”
Tommy was a great dancer, and usually she’d have been thrilled to say yes. But he worked at Silver Stone ranch, which meant he was all wrong for tonight’s agenda. Too familiar, too local.
Too not-good for a one-night stand.
Rose shook her head and lifted her drink. “Just started my beer. I’ll give you a shout later.”
He winked. “Sure thing, beautiful.”
The pulsing beat of the music echoed around her. It filled her ears and set her toes tapping. Even as she examined the crowd for someone who was just right, her thoughts drifted back to the reason she was in Rough Cut by herself in the first place.
