25. Huxley
25
HUXLEY
After a whirlwind packing session at Savannah’s, I steer us westward, bound for Seeley Lake and the home I’ve been yearning for—the Starfire Ranch. Sav’s trusty collies, Ranger and Ruby, wag their tails as if embracing their adventure. Also in tow is Savannah’s majestic mare, Misty, whom we’ve just fetched from the stable.
“You’re not bringing any clothes?” Savannah asks with a hint of amusement.
“I’ve got plenty of clothes left at the ranch,” I reply, grinning at the thought of slipping back into my old cowboy gear.
Her lips twist, clearly picturing the transformation. “Can’t wait to see that.”
We arrive at Starfire just as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in strokes of fire and gold. My mom’s reaction is priceless. She’s shrieking with joy, sprinting toward us like a teenager, making me wonder when I last saw her this animated.
I know she’s already smitten with Savannah, not just because Sav’s charm is undeniable, but because she carries the spirit of the ranch in her veins. Knowing Sav has come with her four-legged friends seems to bring out the ‘please be my daughter-in-law’ expression on her face.
Mom’s excitement bubbles over until she smacks my shoulder.
“You should’ve told me first! So I could whip up a proper dinner!”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Cometti,” Savannah steps in. “We’ll rustle up something for everyone tonight.”
Mom’s laughter rings out, warm and hearty. “I can’t remember the last time someone called me Mrs. Cometti. Please, call me Bianca.”
“Sure, Bianca,” Savannah replies, her smile bright and easy.
“You’re a guest. I won’t have you fussing about in the kitchen!” Mom insists, her eyes twinkling. “Actually, Micah’s itching to test his new meat pie recipe. Micah!” she calls out.
“Your brother?” Savannah turns to me, a curious gleam in her eye.
Right on cue, Micah appears over the crest of the hill, his frame broader than the last time I saw him. A sharp gust of prairie wind tugs at his shirt as he walks, emphasizing his bulk. He’s the spitting image of Dad when he was younger, rugged and relentless.
“Hux!” Micah’s voice booms across the distance before he wraps me in a bear hug that could rival any seasoned ranch hand.
I pat out his biceps, his muscles rippling beneath my palm. “Look at you, man. You’ve, like… sprouted up overnight.”
He flexes his arms, showing off a bit for us. “Just trying to keep up with you.”
“How are you?” I ask, stepping back to take a better look at him .
“Yeah, same. Same,” he replies with a shrug, his eyes scanning the horizon as if measuring the day’s work yet to be done.
“Brother, this is Savannah.” I gesture to her. Savannah steps forward with a warm smile, extending her hand.
Micah’s eyes light up with a mix of curiosity and respect as he takes her hand. “Nice to meet you, Savannah. Welcome to the madness that is our little slice of country.”
Savannah laughs, her gaze flicking to me briefly. Micah’s in for a surprise about just how country my girl really is.
“Thank you, Micah,” Sav replies. “Hux hasn’t been shy about you. Only the good stuff, of course.”
A blush creeps across Micah’s cheeks, his eyes lingering just a tad too long on Savannah, clearly taken by her easy manner. “Well, damn, Hux, you’re a lucky man!”
I chuckle, clapping Micah on the shoulder, feeling a surge of pride. “Tell me something I don’t know, brother.”
“Micah, why don’t you help Savannah settle Misty?” Mom suggests, nudging him toward the trailer.
“Sure thing.” He rounds the trailer with Savannah, clearly eager. “Oh my, she’s a beauty!”
“She sure is,” Savannah agrees as Misty steps out, her coat catching the last of the day’s fading light.
Micah admires the mare. Her steps are graceful despite the dimming light. “It’s rare to see a white gal with spots like hers.” He strokes Misty’s cheek. “You’ll love it here, promise.”
He turns to Savannah. “Let’s head on to the stable. She good with other horses?”
“Yeah, she’s quite the socialite. Likes to put the boys in their place,” Savannah quips, her voice carrying over as Ranger and Ruby trot along, clearly smitten by their newfound friendship with Micah.
Meanwhile, Mom and I head inside to settle Savannah’s things in our room. “You’ve been silent as the grave, and now you bring home a star?” she teases, her enthusiasm bright as ever.
“Sorry, Mom.” I wrap my arm around her and plant an apologetic kiss on her cheek. “It all happened so fast.”
“She’s a keeper, Hux. Do whatever it takes, all right?” she warns, but her smile softens the words.
“I will. It’s early days, but I’ve got it under control.”
“At this rate, I can’t rely on your brother to give me grandchildren. No pressure,” she laughs, then leans in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Between you and me, your brother had a bit of a train wreck with his last girlfriend. Don’t bring it up, okay?”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” I affirm, chuckling.
Savannah and Micah make their way to us. As they step through the doorway, Savannah’s smile breaks through the twilight shadows, radiant and wide, as if she’s just been awarded a prize far beyond her expectations. Her eyes reflect a sense of contentment and belonging that she rarely shows.
Dinner turns into a feast as Micah’s meat pie proves a smashing success. Over hearty bites, we discuss the latest updates from Starfire—new fencing, a slight redirection of the river, and the newest addition to the ranch family.
“And we’ve got sheep now,” Micah announces proudly.
“Since when did we start raising sheep?” I ask, imagining the new faces in the pasture.
“Started when Mom threw the idea out. Sheep grazing’s kinda becoming a lost art. But you know the Comettis. There ain’t a challenge we’d back down from,” my brother replies.
I nod, less at the thought of sheep grazing and more at how much he reminds me of Dad. He’s got that same convincing tone Dad used when he was set on something.
Micah continues, “They’re tough critters, can munch on just about any grass we’ve got, and it isn’t just for their meat. There’s the wool, too, if we decide to dive into that market. We’re just testing the waters, but I’m starting to take a shine to them.”
“That’s a bold move. They fetching a good price?” I ask.
Micah’s enthusiasm skyrockets. “Absolutely!”
After we polish off Mom’s fresh berries and cream, a real treat around these parts, we cap dinner with a jug of Micah’s homemade moonshine.
“Dang, that’ll knock your socks off!” I say, nearly choking on the first swig.
Micah chuckles, slapping his knee, while Mom chimes in with a sly grin, “Was just about to warn ya!”
Savannah, tough as old boots, takes a cautious sip and winces. “Feels like it’s about a hundred percent firewater!” she jokes as Micah keeps hooting with laughter.
“Here, let me fix that.” Mom intervenes, watering down our glasses with a splash of lemonade.
Micah, catching his breath, nods over at Savannah. “Hey, Sav, your dogs, Ranger and Ruby—they’re looking like they own the place out there.”
“They sure do, Micah,” Savannah replies, her voice brimming with pride.
“Might just test ‘em out. Help me herd the new flock.”
“Oh, they’ve herded more than just their share of sheep. Count us in. What time we starting?”
“Breakfast at three.”
She nods. Those wee hours ain’t no thing to her.
“Hux? You in?” Micah turns to me.
I pause, my grin wide. “Might be a tad rusty, haven’t played cowboy lately. But hell yeah, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”