Page 63 of Ember Meadow
Chapter 23
Why Not?
The pointed toe ofmy pink cowgirl boot taps against the hardwood of the Alpine Rose in time with the beat of an old country song. I plaster a smile I hope looks real onto my face as Codie makes her way through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd to the tall table I’m standing next to.
It’s a miracle we even got in tonight. If we’d been ten minutes later, we would be stuck in the line that is now starting to snake around the block past the coffee shop next door. Despite there being a whole town to explore, it seems I’ve been stuck to this block during my time here. There’s a bar, a coffee shop, and a bookstore all within feet of each other.
What else does a girl need?
“Damn, this place is hopping tonight,” Codie says on a laugh. She sets down a beer for her and a whiskey sour for me onto the table. Clinking our glasses together in a quick ‘cheers,’ we turn to survey the crowd.
“Especially for a Tuesday night,” I nod. A whiff of honey catches my nose, putting another smile on my face. This time for real.
I didn’t want to go out tonight. But when Codie offered to pick me up from the ranch, I couldn’t exactly say no. It’s not like I have any excuses not to. But now that I’m here, I’m glad I came.
I’ve gotten comfortable in this place, as much as I don’t want to admit it. It feels homey. I’ve fallen into a routine with work, morning runs, the coffee maker in my cabin, texting Codie about the books we’re reading. Even this little cowboy bar in town.
“How’s your big project coming along? Any new developments since we were there?” Codie asks. Her fringe suede jacket brushes up against the table as she reaches for a toothpick from a little red cowboy boot in the center.
“Just doing the finish work. I should be done with door trim and window sills in the next two weeks, then the crew will be back to help out with the rest. It’s starting to look like a B and B.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do about the floor, though. Miles was working on it, but he hasn’t been back all week. I’ll have to talk to the crew. It might take some extra time.”
Codie’s jade eyes sparkle as she takes another swig of her beer. She has always been so easy to talk to, since that first day we met. Something about the way her eyes crinkle at the sides when she smiles makes you feel like you’ve known her for years. “Well, I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m pretty stoked you’ll be trapped with us for a little while longer.”
“I’m not mad about it, I really like this place,” I laugh.
“What happened with Miles? I thought you guys were getting along pretty well,” she asks.
“We were. Or at least, I thought we were. We spent a lot of time together while he was at the cabin fixing the floors. On the Fourth of July, we ended up at the cabin during the fireworks, and we kind of… kissed.” I duck my head down, hoping she doesn’t see me blush.
“What? You’ve been holding out on me! YoukissedMiles Autry? Oh my god! Was it good? I’ve always thought he’s gotta be a good kisser.” She nudges me in the arm, eyes wide and a huge grin on her face.
“It was great. That’s the problem. I’m not really a stick-around type of gal. I’m getting too attached.”
“It must have been some kiss if you’re already attached to him, hot damn,” Codie laughs.
“Well it wasn’t exactly our first kiss,” I mutter.
“You kissed him before? When?” Her jaw hangs open.
“Four years ago.” I launch into an abridged version of the story of our one night stand. Meeting Miles at the bar in Utah, taking him back to my room, the best sex of my life, leaving in the morning and him never calling. Then, seeing him again at Lone Pine Ranch. Miles immediately hating me, bickering with me over every little thing. How much he’s changed over the years.
She listens the entire time, not interrupting except for a few gasps and chuckles. She’s just as good a listener as Hazel. My heart squeezes when I think about how much I miss her, how I wish she was here to meet Codie.
“I’m kind of glad he left right after we kissed. He must have realized it was a bad idea. Honestly, it’s just what I needed to feel better about leaving. I was getting too attached to him and this place,” I lie.
“Yeah, I guess so…” Codie trails off, looking at me like I just kicked a puppy.
“What’s that face for?” I ask.
“Well, it’s just…” she pauses, her face scrunched in thought. “It just seems like it’s meant to be, you know? You find this guy after four years, and you have a chance to fall in love all over again. And he’s into you too. I guess I’m just a hopeless romantic.”
“My best friend Hazel is a hopeless romantic too,” I giggle. “I’m more of a realist. I’m going to have to leave at the end of the summer. He knows that, I know that. There’s no reason to get involved in something that can never happen.”
“Why?” Codie’s eyes go wide in wonder.
“Why, what?”
“Why do you have to leave at the end of the summer?”
