12. Cutter
CUTTER
I pull my old truck into the parking lot of Willow Tree Inn, waving at Sullivan, who is pulling weeds from a flowerbed out front. Sadie kisses my cheek and then hops out of the vehicle, heading inside to check on Gabby.
The two have been texting and calling each other for the last few days.
Unfortunately, Gabby’s car had more damage than initially thought, though she hasn’t made much of an effort to find a ride back to Denver.
Interesting. Sadie told me Gabby was feeling out of her element in this small mountain town, but she sure doesn’t seem to be in a rush to leave anymore.
I step out of my truck and walk over to Sullivan. He wipes his hands off on his jeans and offers to shake my hand. I take it, though I pull him in for a hug. It surprises me as much as Sullivan, though he doesn’t make it awkward.
“Good to see you, too, Cutter.”
“Yeah,” I say once I’ve taken a step back. “I wanted to thank you again for your help the other day. You put yourself at risk for a guy you barely know and two complete strangers.”
“I wouldn’t say I hardly know you,” he points out. “We just haven’t seen each other much over the last few years.”
He doesn’t say it, but we both know he’s talking about my move up the mountain. “I needed some space,” I say with a shrug.
Sullivan claps me on the shoulder in a warm, friendly gesture. “It’s good to have you back, Cutter.”
“Thanks,” I tell him before clearing the emotion from my throat. He’s not just talking about being back in town. I’m back, maybe not to my “normal” self, but that was never going to happen. Sadie has taught me that loss changes people, but doesn’t have to define us.
“So, uh, I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” Sullivan hedges. “You and Sadie are together, right? Like, together , together.”
I grin at his question. “We’re not in high school, but yes, I like like her. In fact, I love her.”
“Well, shit,” Sullivan says in disbelief.
“I think the word you’re looking for is congratulations,” I joke.
“Right, no, yes, of course,” he’s quick to correct himself. “I, uh… the thing is…” Sullivan blows out a breath and shoves his hands into his pocket. “I was wondering how you two are going to make it work. I mean, how can you be with someone who’s employed by Top Spot Realty?”
“Sadie isn’t working for them anymore,” I answer confidently.
“Does she know that?”
“Of course.” The more I think about it, I realize we never actually discussed it. “I mean, I think so. We’re definitely on the same page about her moving here.”
“You asked her to move in?”
“Well… no, not exactly. I just assumed…”
“Hey, I didn’t mean to cause any drama,” he’s quick to say. Sullivan holds his hands up, palms out in a sign of surrender.
“No, I know. We’ve been locked up in my cabin, enjoying each other these last few days, but I guess we didn’t plan out what happens next.”
“You can keep the enjoyment up at your cabin, thanks,” he deadpans. I elbow him and he chuckles.
Something catches my eye on the sidewalk out front.
Sullivan senses it, too, both of us turning in that direction.
A young woman with ice-blonde hair is waving at us.
I furrow my brow while my friend tips his chin up.
She approaches us, though she looks over her shoulder as if checking to see if anyone is following her.
“Hey,” the woman says, giving us her best smile. Much like my Sadie, she has a convincing smile that covers up her secrets. “Sorry to bother you guys. I’m kind of lost.”
“How’d you get lost in Hope Mountain?” Sullivan jokes.
She laughs at herself, though her cheeks burn bright red.
“I’m not very good at directions,” the woman admits.
“Plus, I haven’t really traveled much outside of the…
um, I mean my home. Well, not that it’s been home for a long time, but…
never mind. I haven’t traveled much in general.
” Sullivan and I exchange a look at her stilted explanation.
“Where are you headed?” I ask.
“As far away as I can get,” she mumbles under her breath.
I’m sure she didn’t intend for us to hear it.
“Uh,” she clears her throat and tries again.
“I’m hoping to get to Jackson Ridge. I’m starting a new job, moving into a new place, and finally living life to the fullest,” the woman declares.
“As soon as I figure out how to get to Jackson Ridge, of course.”
Sullivan pulls out his phone and shows her where we’re at and which highway she’ll need to take to get to the small, southern Colorado town.
“Thanks so much. Seriously. I thought I was doing okay with my map, but clearly not.”
“Map? Like a fold-out map? Doesn’t your phone have GPS?” Sullivan asks.
“It probably would if I had one.” The woman looks away, fiddling with her purse in a nervous gesture. “Okay, so, I’ll just be on my way. Thank you so much for your help.”
“Wait, what’s your name?” I ask. I make a note to check in with some friends I know down in Jackson Ridge to make sure she gets there okay. Not in a creepy way, I’m just looking out for someone who seems to be getting out of a tough situation.
The woman looks over her shoulder again, and Sullivan and I follow her gaze. There’s no one behind her but she lowers her voice just in case. “I’m Camden. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction.”
As quickly as she appeared, Camden retreats down the sidewalk toward a rusted out piece of shit car. At least Jackson Ridge isn’t too far away. Her car should make it there okay.
The front door to the inn opens, revealing my beautiful woman in a new sundress we bought as soon as we got into town this morning.
As much as I loved seeing Sadie in my clothes, she needed a wardrobe of her own, especially if she was going out in public.
Yeah, I’m a possessive fuck when it comes to Sadie, and I don’t want anyone seeing how sexy she looks wearing my shirt and nothing else.
“Who was that?” Sadie asks as she steps up next to me.
“Camden. She’s headed to Jackson Ridge to start her new life,” I answer, looping my arm around her waist.
“There seems to be a lot of that going aroun. Starting a new life, that is. I get it.” I hope she means she wants to start a new life here, with me. “Now, where are we off to next, chauffeur?”
Her green eyes twinkle with her signature sass, and I can’t help but lean down and taste her sweet smile.
When we break apart, I notice Sullivan has busied himself with the weeds again.
I’ll have to give him a call later so we can finish our conversation about Gabby.
I can’t be sure, but I think there’s something between them.
When he helped her out of her car during the storm, they seemed to share a moment.
“Come on, sweetheart,” I tell Sadie. “I’ll show you a few of my favorite spots here in Hope Mountain.”
We get in the truck and I weave my way through the streets of the tiny but charming mountain town. I want her to see how special this place is. Maybe then it won’t be so difficult to convince her to leave Denver and start her life right here with me.
I drive by Cherry’s Soda Fountain Shop and point out the sign in front of the charming town staple. “Best chocolate malt in the state,” I tell Sadie as she looks out the window.
“Really?!”
“Self-proclaimed,” I admit. Sadie giggles, the joy in her laughter loosening the vice-grip around my chest.
We continue down Main Street, where I show her the outdoor amphitheater tucked away in Hope Mountain Public Park.
We don’t get a lot of well-known performers, but the town takes great pride in showcasing its talent every Friday during the spring and summer months.
The rotation of local musicians, up-and-coming comedians, and even the occasional theatrical performance keeps this place interesting.
Not every act is a winner, but it gives people something to talk about either way.
“Over here is Margie’s Cafe,” I inform Sadie, pointing up ahead. “It’s the only coffee shop in town, but I checked with Margie and she said she’d stock up on hazelnut syrup in her next order.”
Sadie turns to look at me, her eyes studying my face while I try to keep my cool. I didn’t realize how nervous I was about having this conversation with her. “That was really thoughtful,” she whispers, placing her hand on my forearm.
I don’t say anything as I pull into the final destination - my favorite secluded spot by Maverik River. I hop out of the truck and open Sadie’s door, helping her down and leading her over to the water’s edge.
“It’s beautiful here, Cutter,” she says, looking over the sparkling water and lush, green vegetation.
I step up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist. She leans against me, letting me hold her and rock her back and forth. Warm sunlight pours over us as the soundtrack of birds, rippling water, and rustling leaves fills the air.
“Is everything okay?” Sadie asks, turning to look at me over her shoulder. “You seem… I don’t know. Sad. Anxious, even. Did I do something wrong?”
“No, not at all,” I reassure her. “I am nervous, though.” My sweet girl spins around in my arms, her emerald eyes laced with concern.
“We didn’t get a chance to talk about our future.
I know it’s a lot to ask, but I… I mean, if you want to…
I think you’d like Hope Mountain. The stores, restaurants, and parks are only part of it.
I want you to love this town as much as I do.
Maybe enough to quit your job and move here. ”
I look away from Sadie and rub the back of my neck. That wasn’t as eloquent as I’d have liked, but I hope she can see my heart and my intentions. My girl doesn’t leave me hanging for long.
Sadie places her hand over my heart, a familiar gesture that grounds me and reminds me to be present in this moment. Her lips form a sweet smile, and her green eyes soften.