As they stood there in the quiet kitchen, the kettle’s whistle fading into the background, a sound from upstairs broke the moment—Camille’s footsteps on the stairs.
Lila pulled back, wiping at her face. “That’s her,” she said, her voice low.
Whit nodded. “Do you want me to go?” he offered.
Lila looked at him, her heart swelling with gratitude and something deeper, something steady and certain. She reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly as Camille’s hesitant figure appeared in the doorway.
“Hey,” Camille said softly, her eyes darting between them.
“Hey,” Lila replied, her voice steady now. “We were just talking about you.”
Camille froze, her expression uncertain, but Whit’s warm smile and gentle nod seemed to ease some of her tension. “We’re here for you, Camille,” he said simply.
Lila glanced at him, the weight of his words settling over all three of them. As Camille stepped further into the kitchen, Lila realized they weren’t just navigating a new chapter—they were building something stronger, together.
As the coffee steamed in her hands, Lila’s thoughts caught up with the moment.
I’m going to be a grandmother.
The words echoed in her mind, strange and surreal, like trying on a coat two sizes too big. Her grip tightened on the mug as a mix of awe and panic swirled inside her. She bit back the urge to say anything, to fill the space with her usual wit. Instead, she let the realization settle in.
And for the first time in a long while, she wasn’t sure whether to laugh, cry, or do both at once.
5
Days later, Capri pulled her Dodge D150 Adventurer ‘Lil Red Express into the parking lot at the base of Devil’s Staircase. The truck, gleaming in its signature red with chrome stacks, looked every bit as proud and polished as its owner. Capri cut the engine and hopped out, her boots crunching on the packed snow. Despite the crisp morning air, her breath puffed steadily as she moved to the trailer hitched behind the truck.
Bodhi was already there, tugging at the straps that held Capri’s snowmobile in place. His lanky frame was bundled up against the cold in a faded REI jacket and snow pants that had seen better days. “You weren’t kidding about babying this truck,” he said, casting an admiring glance at the Dodge. “It’s cleaner than my kitchen.”
Capri smirked. “Don’t go comparing my truck to whatever disaster zone you call a kitchen. This beauty deserves respect.” She climbed up to assist him, unhooking the straps with quick precision. Together, they eased the snowmobile down from the trailer. The sled gleamed as brightly as the truck, its polished surface reflecting the white expanse around them.
The parking lot buzzed with activity. Other racers were unloading their own sleds, laughing and joking as they prepared for the grueling backcountry race ahead. The rumble of engines echoed off the canyon walls, mixing with the occasional cheer or bark of a dog. Capri took it all in, her adrenaline already starting to hum.
She turned her gaze to the Devil’s Staircase trailhead, the course’s infamous starting point. The course loomed ahead, winding up a narrow path that seemed to claw its way toward the sky. From this vantage, it looked almost innocent, a gentle incline cushioned by freshly fallen snow. But Capri knew better. Just past that first deceptive stretch, the trail would rear up with a thousand-foot elevation gain over a single brutal mile.
The Devil’s Staircase was the kind of place that could break you if you weren’t careful. Nestled deep in Teton Canyon on the Idaho side of the mountain range, it was often overshadowed by the more famous Alaska Basin and Table Mountain trails. But what the Devil’s Staircase lacked in renown, it made up for in raw, untamed beauty. She could see the jagged edges of the canyon walls cutting sharply into the pale morning sky; their rugged lines softened slightly by snow. Somewhere up there, unique vistas waited, views she’d never forget if she could manage to reach them.
“You ready for this?” Bodhi asked, breaking into her thoughts.
Capri glanced at him, her dark eyes flashing with determination. “Born ready.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “You’re crazy, you know that? Racing Devil’s Staircase? Half these guys won’t even finish.”
“Then it’ll just make it that much sweeter when I do.” She pulled her helmet out of the cab and snapped it into place, her voice muffled but no less sure. “Let’s get this beast warmed up.”
Bodhi gave her a mock salute and stepped back as Capri straddled the snowmobile. The engine roared to life beneath her, a powerful sound that sent vibrations humming through her legs and chest. She gave it a quick rev, a grin spreading across her face.
This was her domain—challenging, unpredictable, and demanding her full focus. The kind of place where she could lose herself and find herself all at once. Capri tightened her grip on the handlebars, her pulse quickening as she stared up at the challenge ahead. Devil’s Staircase was waiting, and she couldn’t wait to meet it head-on.
As she maneuvered her snowmobile toward the line-up area, a flash of movement caught her eye. Turning her head, Capri saw Charlie Grace’s old pickup rumble into the lot, joining other spectators from town. The familiar sight of her friend’s truck made her pause, a smile tugging at her lips. In the cab, Capri could make out Lila and Reva squeezed in next to Charlie Grace, all bundled up in winter coats. After parking, they climbed out. When they spotted her, all three women waved enthusiastically, their gloved hands flapping like flags against the backdrop of the snowy canyon.
Capri waved back, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the engine’s heat. It meant something to see them here, braving the cold to support her. Despite their worry and dire warnings, they showed up. And that was enough to steady her nerves and bolster her confidence. With a nod to herself, Capri refocused on the race ahead. It was time to prove what she was made of.
Bodhi held up a handheld radio to his mouth, pointing to her helmet.
Capri nodded and switched on the radio receiver in her helmet.
“Go get ’em,” Bodhi urged with a wide grin. “You got this.”
