Page 133 of Catch
We grab our stuff and make our way over to wait for them.
Ten minutes later, I spot my siblings. My brother’s dressed like me, in jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt, and Cate is sporting a pink track suit and the biggest sunglasses I’ve ever seen. When they notice me and smile, it’s like looking in a mirror. I rush over and we have a group hug that I’ve been waiting ages for. I haven’t seen them in person for months, and I’ve missed them so much.
“What happened to your hair?” Cate asks as she pushes the sunglasses off her face.
I cut it again a few days ago, and I like the shorter mullet. It’s still long enough for Jett to run his hands through it, and that’s all I care about.
“You don’t like it?”
“I do. But it’s a lot different than your usual shaggy mess.”
“Or the buzz cut.”
She snaps her fingers.
“Right, you lost the soccer bet.”
“Yeah, but I gained a boyfriend,” I quip and motion for Jett and Giff to join us. “Harry, Cate, this is Jett and his grandfather Gifford.”
We do all the introductions and make our way out of the terminal.
When we exit the airport, we’re greeted by sunshine and comforting heat. It’s winter jacket weather back in Vermont so this is welcome. Gifford leads us to his massive Ford pickup, and once all our gear’s stowed, we hit the road.
Pictures don’t do the desert landscape justice—everywhere I look there are massive mountains and dramatic red cliffs that glow in the late-day sun.
Halfway through our drive, Jett points out the window.
“Keep an eye out. We’re passing Palomino Valley, near Pyramid Lake. Wild mustangs migrate through this part of the desert.”
Sure enough, as we drive through the area, I can see horses grazing in the distance.
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
“Really cool,” Harry comments.
“Let’s pull over, Pops.”
Gifford pulls off the highway and we step out of the truck to take pictures. The sun is setting, bathing everything in a warm glow, which makes a gorgeous backdrop. I reach for Jett and pull him in close, kissing his cheek and snapping a selfie of the two of us.
“Aw, you guys are so cute together,” Cate gushes.
I glance up and notice Gifford staring at us, his arms crossed. Is he not okay about me and Jett? He seemed happy to meet me. I think. But then again, he doesn’t know me. And he has every right to be protective about Jett.
“We better get a move on,” Giff says. “Your nan’s got dinner ready.”
We pile back in the truck, and twenty minutes later, we pull up to the wrought iron gates of the Silver Feather Ranch. There’s a long, dusty drive to reach Jett’s home, which is exactly as he described it; it’s massive and built of wood and stone with a front porch that spans the entire length of the house.
As Gifford parks the truck, two black and white sheepdogs race down the steps of the house.
“Rusty, Rosie, heel!” Giff calls out.
The dogs come to a sudden halt, but when Jett steps out of the truck, their tails wag furiously.
“My fur babies! Come here!”
Jett crouches down and the dogs race over and jump all over him.
I help Cate and Harry get their bags out of the flatbed and watch as Jett’s grandmother, a slender woman with long white hair, runs out of the house to greet Jett. She and Giffand Jett have a group hug, and when they separate, all three of them wipe their eyes.
