And then I see a turn sign, and I know exactly where I need to be.
I flick the indicators and hit the pedal, going so fast that I practically drift, until I’m gunning it back to Phoenix Falls, leaving the road to the airport in a trail of ice behind me.
Because, honestly?Fuck it.
If it’s not serving my life or the lives of the people who I love, why the hell would I put myself through something that could knock me off kilter again?
Why put myself through all the paparazzi and the wringer of Riley’s fans when I can just send a polite email saying,thank you for your kind offer, but I won’t be able to accept it at this new time in my life?
I loved working on the bar in Nashville and building it into something that Cash would have been super proud of, but now I need to stop living in the past and start living in the present.
My mom is living it up in Montana, my brother is coming home in less than a week, and there is a man who freaking loves me, waiting for me to get back to Phoenix Falls.
And after more than a decade apart, I think that he’s waited long enough.
I turn up the country song on the radio and watch the sparkling snow begin to fall.
Love is all that counts.
And now is all that matters.
Chapter 39
Jason
I stare down at the sheet of paper as I read it for a third time, the last snowfall of the year starting to cascade through the lot.
I brush my thumb over the message, appreciating Sunday’s pretty pink kiss-print, but wishing that we could have done that in person instead of through a note.
I understand why she didn’t want to make a big deal about saying goodbye but, the fact of the matter is, I already miss her like crazy.
I cast a glance over my shoulder, seeing that the guys have this job covered.
And then I look back toward my truck, knowing exactly what I want to do.
If she wants to head to Nashville, fine, but I should at least hold her before she goes.
And I definitely have enough time to catch her at the airport.
I round the hood to the driver’s seat, satisfied with my plan, but then my phone vibrates in my back pocket and I pause to pull it out.
And when I read the text alert, my heart comes to a stop.
I exhale hard and glance skyward.
You have got to be kidding me.
I tap the search-and-rescue contact number and, after two rings, Waylon – the team head – picks up.
“Bear Pass?” I all but growl. “There’s a hiker up fucking Bear Pass?”
The most dangerous mountain in the whole of Phoenix Falls, not only for its steep incline but for the well-known inhabitants that it’s named after.
Waylon sighs quietly, sounding as exasperated as I feel.
“Jace, we’re lucky they even had a sat-phone on them. But it’s low enough down the mountain to not need a plane, and I was hoping you might be close by and able to get the snowmobile up the trail.”
I steel my jaw as I glance back at Sunday’s note.
