Chapter 28
ETHAN
A MONTH LATER
I’m more than excited for this long weekend to get started.
Excited and nervous as hell.
Jett and I take off on the early morning flight to Nevada, but it’s Thanksgiving holiday week so of course there’s delays. When we finally touch down in Reno, I start to sweat. Meeting the family is a big step, for both of us.
One that I’m still not sure I’m entirely prepared for. I love Jett like crazy, but will his family love me?
I reach for the silver chain around my neck, the one Jett gave me, and feel myself settle. It’s my lucky charm, and I never take it off. Hockey players love their superstitions, but the necklace means way more than that. It’s a promise between me and Jett, one I don’t take for granted.
Jett’s grandfather, Gifford, is waiting for us as we exit the terminal.
Jett doesn’t need to point him out to me because I’d recognize those eyes anywhere.
Gifford’s hair is gray, and he’s sporting a beard, but I realize I’m looking at an older version of my Jett.
He’s wearing dark jeans and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and pair of stylized cowboy boots.
His face is weathered and tan, and when he sees Jett, he opens his arms wide and lets out a loud whoop that has everyone in the airport looking our way. There’s no question I like him already.
“Jett Brunswick Hawthorne, it’s about damn time you got here!”
“Pops!” Jett calls back and runs over to hug his grandfather.
Watching them together makes my heart happy, but it also aches when I think about my mom and dad.
I wish I had a close relationship with them.
Even though I know I made the right decision to come here, it doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about my parents.
I started talking to Jett’s therapist about my situation and it’s helped me deal.
I’m not giving up, but I’m also a realist.
Jett pulls back and motions for me to meet his grandfather.
“Brunswick?” I chuckle.
“Not a word, Ethan. Not a word,” Jett whispers to me with a wicked smile and then turns to his grandfather.
“Gifford,” I call out and offer my hand. “It’s great to meet you in person at last.”
Jett first introduced us via video calls. Gifford didn’t mince words and I was immediately at ease.
“Jett has talked about nothin’ but you for months, Ethan.”
“All good things, I hope.”
“Well, at the beginning it was mainly cussin’—”
I laughed at that while my boyfriend blushed.
“—But lately it’s been nothin’ but praise.”
“I told you to call me Giff,” he replies and shakes my hand.
“Thank you for welcoming me to your home for the holiday.”
“Think of it as yours.” Giff nods. “You waitin’ for more luggage?”
Jet shakes his head.
“Nope, we only have carry-on.”
“My brother and sister’s flight should be arriving any minute now. I guess the delay worked out in our favor.”
“Good timing all around,” Giff offers. “So, Ethan, you ever been to a working ranch before?”
“No sir.”
He glances down at my running shoes.
“First thing we need to do is get you some proper boots.”
“He can borrow one of my pairs,” Jett offers.
“I know you’re a hockey player, Ethan, but I’m afraid there’s no rink in Aura.”
“That’s fine, I didn’t bring my skates anyway. I needed a few days off from the ice and cold.”
“You’ll enjoy the sunshine here, but nighttime is cool in November. No matter, we always have a good bonfire to chase away the chills. And the critters.”
“Pops,” Jett warns.
I start to laugh.
“I’ve been warned.”
“I’m kidding, son.” Giff smiles. “Well, not really, but don’t fret about it. Jett will teach you everything you need to know about the ranch.”
“He’s already filled me in, but I’m sure experiencing it firsthand is the only way to go.”
“The Silver Feather is special and that’s not a line,” Giff insists. “You’ll see.”
“I can’t wait.”
My phone buzzes and I tap on it.
Harry: We’ve arrived, gate 6.
“My brother and sister have landed,” I announce. “Gate six.”
We grab our stuff and make our way over to wait for them.
Ten minutes later, I spot my siblings. My brother’s dressed like me, in jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt, and Cate is sporting a pink track suit and the biggest sunglasses I’ve ever seen.
When they notice me and smile, it’s like looking in a mirror.
I rush over and we have a group hug that I’ve been waiting ages for.
I haven’t seen them in person for months, and I’ve missed them so much.
“What happened to your hair?” Cate asks as she pushes the sunglasses off her face.
I cut it again a few days ago, and I like the shorter mullet. It’s still long enough for Jett to run his hands through it, and that’s all I care about.
“You don’t like it?”
“I do. But it’s a lot different than your usual shaggy mess.”
“Or the buzz cut.”
She snaps her fingers.
“Right, you lost the soccer bet.”
“Yeah, but I gained a boyfriend,” I quip and motion for Jett and Giff to join us. “Harry, Cate, this is Jett and his grandfather Gifford.”
We do all the introductions and make our way out of the terminal.
When we exit the airport, we’re greeted by sunshine and comforting heat. It’s winter jacket weather back in Vermont so this is welcome. Gifford leads us to his massive Ford pickup, and once all our gear’s stowed, we hit the road.
Pictures don’t do the desert landscape justice—everywhere I look there are massive mountains and dramatic red cliffs that glow in the late-day sun.
Halfway through our drive, Jett points out the window.
“Keep an eye out. We’re passing Palomino Valley, near Pyramid Lake. Wild mustangs migrate through this part of the desert.”
Sure enough, as we drive through the area, I can see horses grazing in the distance.
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
“Really cool,” Harry comments.
“Let’s pull over, Pops.”
Gifford pulls off the highway and we step out of the truck to take pictures. The sun is setting, bathing everything in a warm glow, which makes a gorgeous backdrop. I reach for Jett and pull him in close, kissing his cheek and snapping a selfie of the two of us.
“Aw, you guys are so cute together,” Cate gushes.
I glance up and notice Gifford staring at us, his arms crossed. Is he not okay about me and Jett? He seemed happy to meet me. I think. But then again, he doesn’t know me. And he has every right to be protective about Jett.
“We better get a move on,” Giff says. “Your nan’s got dinner ready.”
We pile back in the truck, and twenty minutes later, we pull up to the wrought iron gates of the Silver Feather Ranch.
There’s a long, dusty drive to reach Jett’s home, which is exactly as he described it; it’s massive and built of wood and stone with a front porch that spans the entire length of the house.
As Gifford parks the truck, two black and white sheepdogs race down the steps of the house.
“Rusty, Rosie, heel!” Giff calls out.
The dogs come to a sudden halt, but when Jett steps out of the truck, their tails wag furiously.
“My fur babies! Come here!”
Jett crouches down and the dogs race over and jump all over him.
I help Cate and Harry get their bags out of the flatbed and watch as Jett’s grandmother, a slender woman with long white hair, runs out of the house to greet Jett. She and Giff and Jett have a group hug, and when they separate, all three of them wipe their eyes.
Jett turns to me and offers a bashful smile that wrecks my heart.
Every damn time.
“Nan, this is Ethan, and his sister Cate and his brother Harry.”
“It’s so wonderful to meet y’all. Call me Jules,” Nan announces and offers each of us a hug in turn. “Let’s get your stuff inside and then we can sit down for dinner.”
“Awesome. I’m starving,” I admit, and Harry and Cate groan. “What? I’m being honest. I’m a hockey player. I need to eat. A lot.”
Jules winks at me.
“I like a person who knows their mind and their stomach.”
“She cooks enough food to feed three ranches,” Jett admits. “You’ll probably gain ten pounds by Monday.”
“Good. I need to bulk up for the winter season.”
We’re ushered inside, and Jett’s house is as warm and welcoming as his family. There’s a large living area with terracotta tiles, honey-colored walls, and a wood-beamed ceiling. Two comfy-looking leather couches flank a stone fireplace and bright artwork decorates every wall.
“Jett, honey, you show Ethan to his room, and I’ll get Cate and Harry settled in theirs.”
Jett motions to the left, and I follow him down the hallway. The walls are covered in family photos, and as we walk, it’s like I’m watching Jett grow up in real time.
“Is my room next to yours?”
“Your room is mine,” he says.
I stop short, and I’m pretty sure my eyes are bugging out.
“Your grandparents are okay with that?”
“We’re adults, Ethan. You’re my boyfriend.” Jett pauses. “Plus, their suite and the guest bedrooms are located at the other end of the house.”
“That’s a good thing,” I admit. “You know I can’t be quiet.”
Jett chuckles and the sound makes me smile.
“No kidding.”
Jett stops when we reach the end of the hallway.
“I took what was once my nan’s sewing room and converted it into my bedroom when I was a teenager. I wanted my own section of the house where I could blast music as loud as I wanted and where I could do other things that I didn’t want them knowing about.”
“Like what? Ooh, tell me all your dirty secrets.”
Jett’s husky laugh hits me right in the balls, and I reach for him, taking his lips in a fierce kiss. Yes, it’s a very good thing we’re sharing the same room. I’d be sneaking into his anyway.
He opens the door on the right and motions for me to enter. The space is big, with the same tile floors, warm walls, and two skylights. The king-size bed is covered in a blue-and-white quilt and faces another fireplace. The walls are lined with shelves of books and rowing trophies.
“I love it. But then, I knew I would.”
“Ethan.”
I drop my bag on the floor and pull Jett into my arms.
“Welcome home, baby.”
THE NEXT DAY
Jett
My bedroom is dark, save for the lamp I turned on.