Page 21 of Fresh Tracks
GRACE
FLUSTERED
After grabbing my tea,I find a seat at Cowgirl Coffee in front of the fireplace in the backroom. While getting drinks at The Chairlift or Frisky Fox after a day on the slopes is fun, sometimes I just want to relax a little and this is exactly what I needed today. I called it a day at lunch, but Josie wanted to keep going. We’ll still meet up later.
I figured I would come into town, treat myself to a tea here by the fire and do something I've been putting off for the last three weeks. I set my Nalgene bottle down next to my tea, set my laptop up on the coffee table, and pull up job listings.
I’ve enjoyed these last few weeks. Kayleigh was right, it was good to take some time for me. I know I should at least start to see what else is out there for me, even if I’m not ready just yet.
“Oh my god, I missed these!” An all too familiar voice catches my attention.
No. No. No.
“I know, Ronni,” my brother's deep, unmistakable voice rumbles out his nickname for Veronica, “which is why we’re stopping here first before we evengo back home.”
They weren’t supposed to be home for another week from their honeymoon ski road trip.
This would be my luck. As always, karma gives and karma takes. Noted.
I do my best impersonation of the shrinking woman and sink down into my seat. My brain quickly ticks through all the excuses I could give them about why I'm here. Maybe they won't even notice I’m here.
“Grace?!” Veronica’s voice calls from behind me. I guess it was optimistic to think she wouldn't notice my brightly colored hair, even under my beat-up, old baseball hat.
I turn and put on a shaky smile. “Hey! You guys are back early.”
I start to stand to give them a hug, but before I’m even out of my chair, Tanner leans over, places a kiss on top of my head, and they plop down on the loveseat across from me.
I keep my smile on and take a deep, cleansing breath.
I can do this.
I know deep down, I'm glad to see them. I just wish I had a little more warning.
“What brings you guys back early? Got tired of skiing already?”
Tanner chuckles, his chest rising and falling. "Fat chance of that. You know it’s impossible to keep her off the mountain.” He looks to his wife and it's impossible to miss just how smitten they really are with each other.
“Hey, I’ve got to make up for lost time. We’re just passing through. Wanted to get our favorite coffee and grab a few things from the cabin.” She rests her free hand on Tanner’s thigh, taking a sip of her iced coffee with the other before continuing. “We were up North in Big Sky this morning and heading down to Salt Lake this afternoon. Planning on skiing around there for the next few days before we make our way to Taos.”
I hum to myself and nod. “That’s a solid plan. You should make it there for dinner if you don't stick around here too long.”
Tanner nods, but I see a look I’m all too familiar with creep in. It’s that questioning, big brother look — a much more intimidating version of the one Collin gave me last night.
Last night it was my pseudo brother, and today Tanner is laying it on even thicker. I can feel his gaze burrow into me.
“Yeah. On that note,” he starts, setting his coffee down and leaning his elbows on his knees, “we were planning to call you once we left here and see if you were free for dinner.”
I shrug, flare my palms up at my sides, and put on my best, innocent little sister smile. “Well, look at that. We could have dinner here, in Jackson.”
He raises an eyebrow and I see him fight off a laugh. “I meant dinner in Utah, which is where you live.”
Well, shit. I guess he's not going to drop it. Maybe I should get this over with and tell them. It felt good to tell Collin and Walker last night.
Here goes nothing. “So?—”
I’m about to lay it all out when a hand rests firmly on my shoulder. Across from me, V’s eyes go wide and her lips part in a big, uncontrolled smile. From behind me I hear yet another voice that’s becoming all too familiar, even if I’ve known it for years from the radio. “There you are, Rainbow. I’ve been looking for you.”
Fucking TJ.
