Bodhi shrugged. “Fine, but Alyssa’s another story. The quake totally wigged her out. She’s from Seattle, so she’s no stranger to earthquakes, and this didn’t help.”
Capri raised an eyebrow. “Alyssa’s here? When did your girlfriend arrive?”
“She got in late last night,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “She joked about not even unpacking, just in case there’s another quake. That way, she can make a quick exit if she decides to bail on this place.”
Capri couldn’t help but smirk. “Not exactly the welcome she was expecting, huh?”
“Nope,” Bodhi answered with a chuckle, though there was a hint of frustration in his tone. “I had to bribe her with promises of a nonstop supply of chocolate and foot rubs just to keep her from bolting. Not sure how long that’s gonna hold her, though.”
Capri offered a small smile. “Yeah, rugged mountain landscapes are not for everyone. This place can be a little unpredictable, but that’s what makes it home.”
Bodhi nodded, glancing toward their beloved Tetons. “Yeah, true—but I’d take Thunder Mountain over Seattle any day.”
Capri glanced back at the crack in the wall. “I’ll grab some supplies and patch this up later today. We’ve got enough on our hands without letting a little crack turn into something bigger.”
“Good call,” Bodhi said, giving her a nod. “I’ll be around if you need a hand.”
“Thanks,” Capri replied, her mind already shifting gears as she thought about what else needed to be done. “I’m going to head into town, see how things are holding up there.”
“Let me know if you learn anything—I’m here to help,” Bodhi said as she started toward her truck.
“Will do,” she called back, giving him a wave before climbing in and heading down the road.
As she drove into Thunder Mountain, Capri noticed the subtle changes the quake had left behind. The town was quieter than usual, the normal busy activity replaced with an uneasy calm. People were out on the streets, checking on their homes and businesses, their faces tight with concern.
She parked near the Rustic Pine and stepped out of her red truck, taking a moment to breathe in the crisp mountain air. Despite the damage, there was a resilience in the town, a determination to keep moving forward no matter what.
She started to walk down the main street, taking in the scene—some buildings had suffered minor damage, nothing catastrophic, but enough to remind everyone just how vulnerable they were.
Her eyes landed on the Town Hall, standing proud despite a few new cracks in its stone foundation. A small group had gathered outside, their heads bent in conversation. Fleet Southcott, the town sheriff, was there, his hands on his hips, a determined look on his face as he spoke to a couple of townsfolk. They were probably discussing the damage, figuring out how to repair what had been broken.
Capri hesitated for a moment, then made her way over. “Hey, everyone. That was quite the quake, wasn’t it?”
Albie Barton, the town’s ever-enthusiastic newspaper reporter, perked up immediately. “Capri! Can you believe it? Finally, some real news! I can already see the front page now.
He lifted his fingers in air quotes. “Thunder Mountain Quakes—Town Rocks, But the Residents Roll With It!”
Capri laughed, appreciating his much-needed sense of humor. “I’m sure you’ll do the story justice, Albie.”
Oma Griffith shuffled onto the scene, her ever-present lawn chair in hand and explaining that she had just come from the cemetery, where she spent the past hours chatting with her dearly departed husband, filling him in on all the latest about the earthquake and how the shaking toppled Noah’s Ark.
“I told him all about it,” she announced to the group with a twinkle in her eye, setting her chair down with a determined thump. “Earl always did love a good bit of excitement, and this event was a doozy.”
Capri’s phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw Jake’s name on the screen. A grin immediately formed.
Unfortunately, his brief message made her heart sink. Just got some bad news. The earthquake has caused an unexpected demand for building supplies. Work’s going to be delayed. I’ll keep you posted.
She stared at the text for a moment, disappointment settling over her. It wasn’t just the delay in the renovations that bothered her—though that was frustrating enough—it was the realization that she wouldn’t be seeing Jake again as soon as she’d hoped. She hadn’t comprehended just how much she was looking forward to his next visit.
With a sigh, Capri slipped her phone back into her pocket, trying to shake off the disappointment. “Guess I’m the one who will just have to roll with it,” she muttered, though the thought of waiting left the words feeling hollow.
Oma Griffith, ever observant, noticed the shadow that crossed Capri’s face. “Something on your mind, dear?” she asked, her voice soft with concern.
Capri forced a smile. “Just got word there’s going to be a delay with some house renovations,” she said, keeping her tone light. “I was really hoping to get things moving, that’s all.”
Albie turned his attention to her. “Renovations?”
She nodded. “Yeah, since Mom has moved and it’s just me now, I thought it might be a good time to update the cabin.”
