Falling Together (Pinecrest, Montana #3)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

GEORGIA

“We need more drinks.”

“How can we need more drinks?” I huff, staring at the empty bar. The reception is in full swing. Everyone is dancing and having a great time.

Everyone except me.

Joey and I got put in charge of the reception and making sure everything was perfect. But since she has a significant other, I told her to go enjoy the night.

Which means I’m left dealing with this mess.

“The ranch is at capacity. With everyone stuck inside because of the snowstorm, no one left, which means all those baseball parents are drinking at the bar.”

“Which means the bartenders came in here to grab more supplies.” I blow out an exasperated breath.

Think, Georgia, think.

I’m not up at the main lodge often, but I do know of a secret stash in the barn.

“I think we have a few bottles of prosecco in the kitchen,” Rex says. “We were saving them for tomorrow, but I think I should be able to head into town and grab replacements at the liquor store once the roads are clear.”

“Good. Do that and then I’ll go see what we have out in the barn.”

“Why do you have liquor in the barn?” he asks, quirking a bushy eyebrow at me.

“No reason.” I shrug a shoulder.

Having switched out my heels for cowboy boots earlier, I head toward the barn along a path that was shoveled earlier. With so many people going back and forth between the buildings, it doesn’t surprise me this got done.

At least I won’t have to worry about my dress getting wet. Although nothing will help it at this point.

If only a blizzard hadn’t dumped a foot of snow on Pinecrest, leaving more than a dozen middle-school baseball players and their parents stranded.

A few of the ranch hands are in the barn, tending to the horses. I wave to them, heading to the office where I know a few bottles of bourbon are kept. Sam keeps them on hand for whenever he feels like a celebratory drink after a good day.

Those drinks were needed when Verne was still alive and the ranch was dwindling in guests and money, and the good days were few and far between. Now that Kade revived the ranch, it seems we have nothing but good days.

I find the cabinet and pull out three full bottles. Perfect. Between this and the prosecco, we should be able to last the night.

I've already had two glasses, so I won’t drink anything else to let everyone else have fun.

A light snow is falling. With the string lights hanging between the trees, it makes for a romantic night. Too bad I don’t have anyone to share it with.

Shouts cut through the silence. Glancing around, I notice a group of kids running around the open fields. It’s all the warning I have before a snowball hits me square on my arm.

Bottles of bourbon fall from my arms as I try to catch them before tumbling over, but it’s no use. I land face first in a snow drift.

I push up, snow covering my face and dress.

“Are you kidding me?” I shout.

Could this night get any worse? First I end up with spaghetti all over my dress and now snow is in every crevice possible.

Way to not bring a coat, Georgia.

The laughter fades away as I glance up trying to find whoever did this. Not like anything would happen. Just add it to the list of things to go wrong tonight.

At least the snow cushioned the liquor bottles because those are still intact. With cold fingers, I pick them up and hoof it back inside, nearly knocking into Joey when I open the side door to the dining room.

“What happened to you?” Her eyes are wide, looking me over from head to toe. “And why are you wet now?”

“Because I got hit with a snowball and fell into a snow bank.”

The side of her mouth quirks up as she bites her lip. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry.”

“Stop it,” I grumble. “You’re trying not to laugh.”

She brushes a short strand of blonde hair that escaped my bun behind my ear. “You’re not having the best night, are you?”

I look down at my now wet dress, complete with spaghetti stain. “I will be in about an hour when I can get out of here.”

Considering that we had to move everything inside for Rylee’s wedding, the whole night went off without a hitch. I’m happy that my best friend got married and is having the time of her life, but I’m ready to call it quits. I only need one more accident to hit the trifecta.

“Why couldn’t we have banned all these kids from running around inside?”

Joey laughs. “Sorry, G, but they’re teenagers. They wouldn’t listen even if we did.”

“Is this what you have to look forward to with Max?” I ask.

“Oh, fuck no. My child will be much better behaved than that. No spilled spaghetti.”

I pass over the bourbon bottles to her. “Will you take this over to the bartender? I’m going to go to the bathroom and see if I can dry out a bit before they make their big exit.”

“Want me to go with you?”

I look behind her where Sam is waiting for her. I shake my head.

“No, go dance with your guy. I’ll be okay.”

“You sure?” she asks.

I peck her cheek. “I always am.”

I dart off toward the bathroom in the lobby before she can stop me. At least with it getting later, not as many people are out and about. Meaning I can dry my dress in peace because it’s empty in here.

The sweet smell of tobacco and leather from the reed diffuser perfumes the air as I shove my dress under the dryer.

God, it really has been one of the worst nights for me. I’m glad my best friend got married and we were able to celebrate her, but I’m ready for this day to be over.

All of my best friends are in relationships and disgustingly in love. Meanwhile, I’m fine without it.

All I need are my horses, and I’m good.

Once my dress is as good as it’s going to get, I head back into the party. Rylee is standing on the edge of the dance floor taking it all in.

“I didn’t miss anything, did I?” I sling an arm around her shoulders.

“Nope. I’m so sorry your dress got ruined.”

“It doesn’t matter.” I look down at the material. “Not when you’re so happy.”

She wraps an arm around my waist. “I’m glad you stood up there with me.”

I smile at her. “Even from the front row.”

“Hey.” She nudges me. “I still wanted you to know how much you mean to me.”

With the snow, everything was moved inside. Candles lined the aisles, with the French doors overlooking snowy fields. It was perfect. Everyone sat with their partners while I looked on from the front row.

“I love you.” My eyes get watery. “I’m so happy all of you found your person.”

“You’ll find someone,” she says.

I wave her off. “You know I’m good with my horses.”

She casts an eye at me. “The perfect guy will land in your lap. You won’t even know it.”

“Really?” I point to my dress, laughing. “Too soon.”

“Sorry.” She laughs with me. “I didn’t even mean to.”

“And on that note, I’m going to go see Serena.”

“Really?”

I shrug. “Why not? I could use some luck to turn this night around.”

“Hoping to get lucky?” She waggles her brows at me.

“Why, yes, because my dress is going to make all the guys hit on me.”

She kisses my cheek. “Go get some luck then.”

Serena is set up in a corner, hunched over a small table. Her normal wild curls are sleek and straight. Without her glasses, her blue eyes look smaller, but no less bright.

“You’ve come for a reading?” She’s shuffling her well-worn deck.

“Why not? My night hasn’t been the best.”

“Maybe I can help change that.”

Deft fingers shuffle the cards, with two flying out and landing on the table. Her eyes widen a fraction. I glance down at it, not having any idea what it means.

“The fool? What’s that?”

“Well, reversed it means a bit of recklessness and risk-taking.”

“Risk-taking? Me?” I snort. “I don’t do much of that.”

I can’t remember the last time I did anything risky. I don’t like taking risks. I like staying inside the lines of my life. It’s easier that way. Less chance of getting hurt.

“It’s what the cards are telling me. Are you sure there’s not a risk that you want to take that you’re worried about?”

I shake my head. “Not that I’m aware of.”

“You want to know what I think?” Serena leans closer to me.

“What’s that?”

“I think it’s a different you in some spectrum guiding your answers. Who knows?” Serena shrugs a shoulder. “Maybe it’s a future version of you telling yourself to be a little reckless.”

“I’ll keep that in mind in case anything comes up.” I smile at her. Me? Doing something reckless? That’s laughable. “What’s the other card mean?”

“The Two of Cups symbolizes pure love and harmony.”

“How do those two go together?” I ask.

“It can symbolize a warning in a relationship. Usually it means your expectations of what you want might be misaligned with your partner’s.”

“Well, considering I’m single, I think I’ll be okay.”

Serena gives me a warm smile. I don’t know her all that well, but she’s always been kind to me when I bump into her. “It means love might be headed your way. You just need to be open to receiving it.”

“Thanks, Serena. I appreciate it.”

“Good luck, Georgia. I have a good feeling for you.”

I smile at her as I grab a glass of prosecco from the restocked bar. After my night, I’m reconsidering my two-drink limit.

“Why do you look so confused?” Joey asks, coming over to me and grabbing a water bottle from the bartender.

“I just saw Serena.”

“Ahh.” She nods. “What’d she tell you?”

“I got a card that means recklessness and risk-taking behavior, but also one that means love and partnership.”

“Ooh, love? I hope that for you, but recklessness?” Joey snorts. “I’m sorry, you? Never going to happen.”

“Hey.” I nudge her in the side. “I could if I really wanted to.”

“I love you, babe, but that’s like saying the sun won’t come up tomorrow.”

“Have you gotten a reading from her?” I ask.

“Not tonight, but the first one she did for me was all about chaos coming into my life.” Her gaze finds Sam. “She wasn’t wrong.”

“I’d say dating your dad’s best friend is definitely chaotic.”

“I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. I love that man.”

A dreamy look washes over her face before Rylee and Presley come over to join us.

“What are you girls doing over here?” Presley asks.

“Georgia here was telling me about her reading,” Joey answers.

“Ooh. What’d you get?” Rylee asks. “Anything good?”

“Not really.”

“She told me I’ll be happy. I can’t disagree with her there.” Rylee beams.

“Georgia here got a reckless card,” Joey tells them.

Both of them burst out laughing.

“Hey!”

“I’m sorry, Georgia, but you’re the most responsible person we know,” Presley says.

“It’s not a bad thing,” Rylee confirms.

“Just you wait.” I point a finger at each of them. “One of these days I’m going to do something to shock all of you.”

Three pairs of blinking eyes stare back at me.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Joey deadpans.

“Yeah, I won’t hold my breath.” Presley laughs.

“We love you just as you are, Georgia,” Rylee says. “You don’t have to change just to fit some tarot reading.”

“Ugh. Fine. But I could if I wanted to.”

I’ve had enough reckless people in and out of my life. People that didn’t care about any responsibility they had when it came to me. It shaped me into who I am today. But…maybe a little bit of risk-taking couldn’t hurt.