Chapter 44
Real World: Jackson Hole
Finn
“You invited her to dinner tonight?” I asked from the bathroom doorway, toothbrush in hand, barefoot with my jeans unbuttoned and hanging low on my hips. No use in pretending modesty at this point.
“I thought it might be good for all of us to meet in a casual setting first,” Alex looked over from where she was deciding what to wear. “She seems really nice. Smart. She asked me about my job and about Sherlock.”
“What else did you two talk about?”
“Professional ethics, mostly,” she shrugged, deciding on a bright green blouse and her white cropped pants. “She couldn’t accept the comped room your folks arranged, so I helped Lou sort that out.”
Of course she did. I spit my toothpaste out and rinsed my mouth. “What did she think of you?”
“I think she liked me. She called me a smart woman,” she finished getting dressed, checking herself in the full-length mirror. “Are you nervous about dinner?”
“Should I be?” Elena had been my therapist for months now, but having her here—watching me in my environment, meeting Alex, assessing how I functioned outside of video calls—that was different.
Alex turned to look at me. “She’s here to help you, Finn. That’s it.”
I nodded, but tension settled across my shoulders anyway.
“Sweetheart, if you want to cancel, we can cancel,” she pulled my gray button down from the hanger and held it out to me. “But it’s really helpful for me to know things ahead of time. It makes me feel calmer.”
“I know it does,” I took the shirt, buttoning it and rolling up the sleeves before tucking it into my jeans. What she’d told me this morning about her ADHD, about needing directness and plans—I got it now in a way I hadn’t before. “It’ll be good.”
She smoothed her hands down the front of my shirt before scratching under my chin with her fingertips. “Elowyn did a good trim job on you. You look significantly less homeless now.”
“Can’t have Elena think I’m completely falling apart,” I huffed, leaning into her grounding touch. I’d asked my sister to at least trim my hair and beard when she cut her boys’ hair, and she’d been happy to oblige.
“I think she might already know or she wouldn’t be here,” Alex winked, earning her a laugh from me and then a kiss. “Let’s go.”
The restaurant was busy—most tables full, the warm lighting and low hum of conversation creating the perfect relaxed atmosphere. Elena was already seated in a corner when we arrived, looking comfortable in dark jeans and a soft blue sweater.
“Alex. Finn,” she stood to greet us, her smile genuine and warm. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“Thanks for coming,” I nodded, grateful for Alex’s steady hand at my back.
We settled into our seats around the circular table, me between Elena and Alex.
“This is lovely,” Elena glanced around. “I can see why your family is so proud of this place.”
“The food’s incredible too,” Alex said, opening her menu. “They grow most of the vegetables here on the ranch, and the beef is all grass-fed from their own herd, chicken comes from here, too. I think the fish is local as well, right Finn?”
“Sure is,” I passed her a grateful smile for trying to make this easier on me.
“Farm to table,” Elena nodded approvingly. “I’m impressed by how self-sufficient this operation is.”
The server appeared to take our drink orders, and we settled into the comfortable rhythm of deciding what to eat. Elena chose braised short ribs, Alex went with Coq au Vin, and I ordered the ribeye.
“So,” Elena said once the server had left, “how does it feel to be showing Alex where you grew up? This is your first time here together, isn’t it?”
My posture relaxed slightly—safe territory. “Yeah, first time. It’s been...” I glanced at Alex, then back at Elena, “different than I expected.”
“Different how?”
“I thought it might feel smaller, you know? Coming back after all these years of being away. But it doesn’t.” I looked out the window toward the mountains. “Still feels as big as it did when I was a kid. Maybe bigger.”
“And Alex, what’s your impression of ranch life?”
Alex laughed. “I’m definitely not built for it. Finn keeps offering to teach me ‘ranch skills,’ but I think we both know I’m better suited to running my company than herding cattle.”
“What have you managed to show her so far?” Elena asked me.
“The important stuff,” a small smile played at my lips. “Which trails are best and easiest for hiking, how to avoid getting trampled by guests who think they know how to ride.”
“And Maggie,” Alex added. “Don’t forget introducing me to Maggie.”
“Oh, I think Maggie took the introductions upon herself,” I chuckled, relaxing more as I covered her hand with mine for a moment.
Elena raised an eyebrow. “Maggie?”
“My family’s dog,” I explained. “She’s decided Alex belongs to her for now.”
“Except she’s got her eye on you now too,” Alex nodded at me.
“She does.”
“Smart dog,” Elena smiled. “Animals often have excellent instincts about people. What else?”
My smile widened slightly. “Been teaching her to fly in my granddad’s Cub too. She’s getting pretty good at it.”
“Oh?” Elena’s eyebrows rose.
“It was my idea,” Alex answered quickly. “It just looked like it could be fun. Finn told me he wasn’t supposed to, but I insisted. I needed something for my mind to focus on while I...”
She trailed off and I squeezed her knee under the table.
Elena waved her hand as if dismissing the concern. “We can talk about all that later. I’m less concerned about his license, and you appear to be a very competent woman.”
“Alex is one of the smartest people I know.” My hand covered hers again. “It was important to find her something to get her mind off work for once.”
The server returned with our entrees—we waited until he left again.
Elena cut into her short ribs, considering. “How many lessons have you had so far?”
“Maybe a dozen or so?” Alex glanced at me for confirmation. “We’ve been going up most afternoons.”
“And you’re comfortable instructing from the back seat?” Elena asked me directly. “Given your medical considerations?”
I took a deep breath. “Teaching is different than being a passenger. I know exactly what maneuvers we’re practicing, when we’ll turn, when we’ll climb or descend. The unexpected movements are what get to me most.”
“That makes sense,” Elena took a sip of her wine. “And Alex, how are you finding the learning process?”
“Terrifying and incredible at the same time,” Alex admitted. “The first time Finn handed me the controls, I thought there was no way I could actually do it. But he’s a really good teacher. Patient, clear instructions, never makes me feel stupid for asking questions.”
“She’s a natural,” I said, and I couldn’t keep the pride out of my voice. “Landed on her first try like she’d been doing it for months.”
“That’s impressive,” Elena looked between us. “It sounds like you’ve both found something meaningful in those lessons.”
“It’s the best part of my day,” Alex said honestly. “Everything else just falls away when we’re up there.”
Elena set down her fork, her expression shifting to something more professional but still warm. “Since we’re all here together, maybe this is a good time to talk about what the next few weeks will look like. Alex mentioned wanting to understand expectations and methods.”
I straightened, ready for whatever parameters she was about to set.
“I’ll be here through the end of the month,” Elena continued.
“My approach with you, Finn, is going to be a bit different than our video sessions. I want to observe how you’re functioning in your actual environment.
How you manage stress triggers, how you interact with family, what your daily patterns look like. ”
“Observing me,” I said carefully.
“Observing, yes. But also working with you.” She took a sip of wine. “I’m not here to judge or evaluate whether you’re ‘doing it right.’ I’m here to help you build better coping strategies for the situations that challenge you in the real world, not theoretical ones we discuss over video.”
“What does that look like practically?” Alex asked.
“Individual sessions with Finn, probably every other day or so. We’ll talk through what’s been happening, process any difficult moments, work on specific skills.” Elena looked between us. “But I’ll also want to observe Finn in different contexts. Family dinners, ranch work, things like that.”
My stomach tightened slightly at the thought of being watched while trying to live my life, but I nodded anyway.
“And Alex,” Elena turned her attention to my girlfriend, “you’ll be part of some of our conversations. Not as a patient, but as Finn’s partner. There will be things that affect both of you, strategies that work better when you’re both aware of them.”
“Like what?” I asked.
“Grounding techniques when you feel a panic response starting. Ways to communicate when you’re hitting your limit before it becomes a crisis.
How to recognize the difference between actual danger and your nervous system remembering danger.
” Elena’s voice stayed matter-of-fact, professional but not cold.
“Some of this Alex already does instinctively, like yesterday morning when you were processing everything that happened. But having a shared language for what’s happening in the moment makes it easier for both of you. ”
Alex nodded slowly, her hand still in mine.
“I also want to spend some time specifically observing you doing things you’re good at,” Elena continued, looking at me.
“You mentioned teaching Alex to fly. I’d like to watch one of those lessons if you’re comfortable with it.
See you in instructor mode, how you handle the responsibility, how you manage the technical and safety aspects. ”
Hated that. Being watched while teaching was different than just teaching. “Why?”