It only took twenty minutes for me to reach the pull-off, and then another fifteen to hike up to the ridge that would give me the best vantage point. I took a deep breath as I reached the top, letting the cool air and the stillness of nature center me. I gazed down at the meadow below. The tension seeped from my shoulders as I took in the herd.
After a few minutes of scanning and counting, I let out a long breath. Everything was fine. My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was only because I stood atop the ridge that the call had come through. Five minutes down the trail, and I would’ve had zero service.
Walkerflashed across the screen. I tapped accept. “Hey, man. What’s up?”
“Hey. Where you at?”
“I’m standing in one of my favorite places on Earth.”
Walker chuckled. “You’re either up at Pine Meadow or at the saloon surrounded by women. But since it’s a workday, I’m guessing the former.”
I sat down on a log, extending my legs. “You’d be right. We had some complaints about gunfire up here, so I was just checking it out.”
Walker’s tone sobered. “Everything okay?”
“All looks good. Don’t mention anything to J, I don’t want her to worry.”
“I won’t. She’d be up there in a flash, and she’s already running herself ragged these days.”
I made a sound of agreement in the back of my throat. “So, what’d you need?”
“Well, I was hoping to tell you in person, but time’s gotten away from me.” He paused. “I’m gonna ask Taylor to marry me.”
I stared out at the horizon, letting my gaze go unfocused. “That’s great, man. I’m happy for you.”
“That’s it?”
I let out a chuckle. “What were you expecting, exactly?”
“I don’t know, some bitching and moaning about losing your wingman. Maybe something about how I’ll be missing out on all the other women out there.”
A grin pulled at my mouth. “Walker, just because I don’t want to settle down doesn’t mean I think you shouldn’t. Taylor is a catch. How you conned her into falling head over heels with your ugly mug is beyond me. But if you let her get away, I’d be the first to tell you that you were a fucking idiot.”
Walker cleared his throat. “Lucky to have you, man. You know you’re my brother in every way that matters.”
I swallowed against the burn. “I know. And same goes.”
“Will you be my best man?”
I smiled against the wind. “She’s gotta say yes first.”
Walker let out a laugh. “She will. I’m asking tomorrow night. I want all our friends and family there afterward.”
“You just tell me where to be and when.”
“I’ll text you the details when I have them all ironed out. Tuck?”
I watched as the stallion heading the herd below tipped his head back in a long whinny. “Yeah?”
“You’re gonna find this one day.”
I forced a chuckle. “Gotta be looking to find it.” The horses below started to run, in formation but wild and free. Just as it should be.
6
Jensen
“Arthur,you’re going to have to mellow out your game if you want to keep playing at the Kettle.” I ushered my favorite patron toward the front door of the shop. I was totally lying. I would never kick Arthur or the rest of his bridge cronies out, but as heated as their games sometimes got, I worried that one of them might have a heart attack one of these days.
