Page 39 of No Turning Back
Kate nods, reluctantly tearing her gaze away from me to the view again. “Okay, yeah. I’d trade brunch for that.”
Just then, Sam and Aiden stagger in, hauling my dresser between them like it’s filled with bricks.
“Hey, Sam,” Kate says, still only half paying attention. “You gonna open the ranch up?”
Sam sets his end down and leans against the dresser, catching his breath. “Been thinking about it. Get some horses, maybe some cattle.”
Kate’s eyes brighten. “You could totally open a bed-and-breakfast out here. I mean, I’d kill to wake up to this view in the winter.”
Sam shrugs, the corners of his mouth twitching. “There’s already one a few miles back. Called Alderidge Place.”
Kate spins toward him, scandalized. “What? How come I’ve never heard of it?”
Sam spreads his hands helplessly. “Beats me. It’s beautiful too.”
Kate whirls on Aiden like this is somehow his fault.
Aiden, bent double and gasping, manages, “I’ll look into it. If I ever catch my breath.”
Kate rolls her eyes. “It’s just a dresser.”
Aiden glares, still panting. “You try carrying herlibraryup a flight of stairs.”
I hug one of my pillows to my chest. “Hey. That library is sacred.”
Kate waves a hand toward me, exasperated. “See what I put up with? You and Sam should open that B&B. Let Aiden and I be your first guests. We’ll give you a five-star Yelp review.”
I shake my head, smiling. “I think I’ll stick to my day job.”
Kate groans dramatically, flopping onto the bed. “Bummer. I was already planning my winter getaway.”
Aiden straightens with a grunt, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Trust me, the only getaway you’re planning is me getting away from carrying any more of these boxes.”
Sam smirks, nudging the dresser into place. “Better pace yourself. We’ve still got the couch.”
Aiden lets out a strangled groan and collapses onto the nearest chair.
I laugh, hugging the pillow tighter. “I thought we could keep the couch in the living room. Maybe get rid of that bear-drenched mess you’ve got down there.”
“Hey,” Sam says, mock-offended. “That couch has been passed down through generations.”
“Exactly my point,” I shoot back. “It’s older than me. And it smells older than me.”
Aiden groans from the chair. “Please burn it. If I have to sit on that thing one more time, I’m not responsible for what happens.”
Kate snickers. “Honestly, I thought it was some kind of ironic statement. Like, ‘Welcome to my rustic bachelor pad. Behold: couch slash wildlife crime scene.’”
Sam rolls his eyes, but I can see the corner of his mouth twitching. “Fine. We’ll burn it.”
“Deal,” I say, grinning.
Kate perks up. “Ooooh, bonfire tonight? I’ll bring marshmallows.”
Aiden groans into his hands. “You people are sadists.”
The laughter fills the room, warm and easy, and for a second it feels like the walls themselves are loosening, like the house is exhaling after being tense for so long.
Kate claps her hands. “Can we actually have a bonfire tonight? I’ll bring marshmallows.”
