Chapter 2
2
C harlie Grace arrived home to a quiet house. Her dad was already in bed and Jewel was spending the night over at Gibbs’ house. Her ex-husband’s yellow lab had puppies and Jewel was enamored. Her daughter had already named all of them and was determined to talk her into letting her bring at least one home with her.
“Sorry, baby,” Charlie Grace had told her. “We have enough animals to feed. You’re just going to have to spend time with the puppies over at your dad’s house.”
The click of the bedroom door closing behind her offered a momentary retreat from the chaos of the day. As she slipped into her nighttime routine, she realized she hadn’t heard from Nick all day. Typically, he texted at least once a day, if not multiple times. She opened her phone and checked to be sure she hadn’t missed a message, but the screen remained stubbornly blank.
With a sigh, she plugged her phone into the charger and slipped into her favorite flannel pajamas, the kind a woman chooses when she’s divorced, home alone, and her boyfriend is out of town.
As Charlie Grace climbed into bed, she found herself staring at the ceiling, her thoughts circling around how lucky she was to have found Nick. His life as a production designer often pulled him back to Los Angeles, where the demands of his career were rooted in a world so different from Thunder Mountain. Even though he’d sold his house and moved closer to be with her, the travel remained constant—a reminder that, no matter how much he loved her, part of his heart belonged to his work.
With a restless sigh, Charlie Grace sat up in bed and reached for her laptop on the nightstand. If sleep wasn’t coming easily, she might as well distract herself. Flipping open the top, the familiar glow of the screen filled the room as she logged in and navigated to her social media.
Nick’s social media was filled with snapshots from the Oscars—a glittering world far removed from her rustic life on the ranch. There he was, smiling in his tuxedo, standing alongside stunning actresses draped in couture gowns that shimmered like starlight.
Charlie Grace had never cared much for Hollywood’s glitz and pretense but seeing him surrounded by so much beauty and sophistication stirred an old insecurity deep inside her. What could a woman in dusty boots and flannel shirts really offer a man accustomed to red carpets and designer dresses?
Charlie Grace thought of her parents’ marriage, a union that had weathered its share of storms—a few bad ones—but always held firm. Her mother and father had faced financial struggles, health scares, and the exhausting demands of raising a child with an independent streak, yet their commitment to each other never wavered.
She’d been young when her mother died but remembered there was something steady and reassuring about the way they loved—built not on grand gestures but on countless small acts of loyalty and care. Her dad’s soft chuckle when her mom teased him about his favorite chair, the way her mom drew his hot bath every night even after decades together—it all spoke of a bond forged through time and trust.
Charlie Grace had always longed for that kind of relationship, one that could stand the test of hardship and change.
She and Nick had been together for about nine months now. They’d first crossed paths when he stayed at the ranch as a guest, their shared love of photography sparking an instant connection. That spark had grown into a deeper connection, a bond that felt both steady and exhilarating.
Nick was everything she hadn’t found in her past relationships—confident, adventurous, and brimming with passion for life. He made her feel seen in a way no one else ever had. Her former boyfriend, Jason, had been dependable but uninspired, his presence fading quietly into the background of her life. And her ex-husband, Gibbs? He had a knack for excuses and a wandering eye that made loving him feel like chasing the wind—futile and exhausting.
Her track record with love was far from perfect, but that didn’t stop her from longing for something lasting. The idea of a true partnership—someone to share the quiet evenings and life’s big moments—had always tugged at her heart. And now, with Jewel growing up so quickly, the thought of growing old alone loomed larger than ever.
As much as she valued her independence, the idea of facing the years ahead without someone by her side unsettled her. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to wonder—could Nick be that person? And perhaps the bigger question—could she let herself believe in forever again?
Reva leaned against the kitchen counter, the faint laughter of her girlfriends still echoing in her ears as she rinsed the last of the martini glasses. The evening had been a perfect blend of banter, heartfelt confessions, and a sprinkling of ridiculous jokes that left her smiling long after the door closed behind the last of her friends.
Truth was, she cherished these women like sisters, their bond forged through decades of shared laughter, heartaches, and triumphs. They had seen each other through every season of life—first loves, shattered dreams, weddings, and babies—and no matter how busy or complicated things became, they were her constant, her safe place. To Reva, they weren’t just friends; they were family, the kind she chose and would fiercely protect, no matter what.
The sound of the front door creaking open made her pause mid-motion, a smile already forming. The familiar rumble of Kellen’s voice and Lucan’s gleeful giggles spilled into the entryway, filling the house with a warmth she hadn’t realized she’d been missing all evening.
“We’re back!” Kellen called, carrying a very sleepy, but still wriggling, Lucan in his arms.
Reva set the glass down and turned toward them with a smile. “Did you have fun at the hockey rink, buddy?”
Lucan’s face lit up as Kellen set him down, his little legs wobbling with excitement. “Mama! I skate! I go fast!” he said, running while holding his arms out like airplane wings.
“And Daddy hold me! I not fall—‘cept one time.” He scrunched his nose in concentration, then broke into a giggle. “Ice so slippy!”
“It was awesome,” Kellen confirmed, grinning. “This kid’s got a future on the ice. He’s likely to have a slapshot that’ll knock your socks off.”
Reva ruffled Lucan’s dark curls and kissed his forehead. “I’m so glad you boys had fun. You’re amazing, Lucan. But I think it’s time to get you ready for bed. What do you say?”
Lucan yawned dramatically and rested his head against Kellen’s knee. “Tuck me in, Mommy.”
Contentment washed over Reva as they headed upstairs together. After a quick bedtime story about a daring moose and his snowy adventures, Reva pulled the blankets up to Lucan’s chin and kissed his cheek. “Sweet dreams, my little champion.”
“Night, Mommy. Night, Daddy,” Lucan mumbled, already drifting off.
In their bedroom, Reva tugged off her earrings and set them on the dresser while Kellen peeled off his sweater, tossing it into the laundry basket.
“Thanks for taking our son out tonight,” Reva said, disrobing. “I think he really needed it. He has so much energy and being cooped up in this house all winter hasn’t been easy.”
“He wasn’t the only one who needed it,” Kellen teased, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “How was your girls’ night?”
“Good,” Reva said, pausing as she reached for her moisturizer. “But I’m a little worried about Capri. She’s signed up for this snowmobile race next weekend, and you know how unpredictable the mountains can be this time of year. Avalanches, hidden obstacles—she’s fearless to a fault.”
Kellen stepped closer, placing his hands on her shoulders and squeezing gently. “Capri’s a grown woman, Reva. She knows the risks, and you can’t keep her from living her life.”
“I know,” Reva admitted, her voice tinged with reluctance. “It’s just…I feel like I’ve always been the one to keep us all together, to look out for them when they can’t see what’s coming.”
Kellen raised an eyebrow as he sat down on the edge of the bed. “Always? Even back in your rebellious, Doc Martens-wearing, late-to-class high school days?”
She laughed softly, sitting beside him. “No Doc Martens for this group. Only hiking boots or Tony Lama cowboy boots.” She paused thoughtfully. “Except for me, Nike Air Force 1 was my shoe of choice.”
Kellen smiled, his eyes softening. “Guess even back then, you were marching to your own beat.” He tilted her chin toward him with a gentle hand. “And now you’re the heart of this family. But you can’t be everything to everyone, Reva. You’ve got to trust your friends to take care of themselves sometimes.”
She sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder. “You’re right. I know you’re right. I just…can’t help it.”
“Good thing I married a woman with such a big heart,” Kellen murmured, his lips brushing her temple. “Now, let’s see if I can distract you from saving the world for a little while.”
Reva laughed as he eased her back onto the bed, his hands warm and insistent on her waist. “You always have a personal agenda, don’t you?”
“Only when it comes to you,” he said, grinning as he leaned in to kiss her.
Lila turned onto her quiet street, her shoulders heavy with the weariness of a long day at the clinic. The temptation to skip tonight’s girlfriend gathering had tugged at her earlier, but she knew better than to even suggest it. Reva would have none of that—these nights were sacred, a lifeline they all clung to in the rush of their busy lives.
The snow clung stubbornly to the curbs, piled high from last week’s storm, but the clear sky gave her a momentary sense of calm. The sight of her little house at the end of the block was always a welcome reprieve. She glanced up at the front porch as she approached, her headlights sweeping over the steps.
Someone was there.
Her heart skipped a beat. She slowed the truck, eyes narrowing, then her stomach dropped as recognition hit.
Camille?
Slamming the truck into park, Lila yanked her keys from the ignition and hurried out, the icy wind cutting through her coat. Camille sat on the top step, bundled in a thick down parka, her knees pulled to her chest. Her head was bowed, but Lila didn’t miss the telltale shake of her shoulders. She was shivering.
“Camille!” Lila’s voice rose above the crunch of her boots on the snow-packed driveway. “What are you doing here? Why are you sitting outside? Where’s your key?”
Camille flinched at her mother’s voice, looking up with a faint, apologetic smile. “I couldn’t find it,” she said, her voice hoarse and trembling. “I…I thought I had it, but…I didn’t.”
Lila frowned, climbing the steps two at a time. Up close, Camille’s cheeks were flushed from the cold, her eyes shadowed and tired. “How long have you been out here?” Lila demanded, wrapping her arm around Camille’s shoulders and pulling her close. “It’s freezing!”
“Not long,” Camille mumbled, though her stiff body suggested otherwise.
Lila glanced around, confused. “Where’s your car? And why didn’t you call me?”
Lila didn’t waste another moment waiting for answers. She fumbled with her keys, fingers clumsy in her gloves, and threw the door open. The rush of warmth hit them like a wave, and Lila quickly ushered Camille inside.
“Sit down,” Lila instructed, her tone clipped as she helped her daughter out of her parka. She hung it on the hook by the door, glancing over her shoulder to see Camille sink onto the couch, her shoulders slumped. Something was wrong. That much was clear.
“You could’ve called me,” Lila said as she moved toward the kitchen to start the kettle. Her voice softened slightly, though her worry bubbled just beneath the surface. “I would’ve come home right away. Why didn’t you call?” she repeated.
“I didn’t want to bother you,” Camille replied, her tone faint and uneven. “And my car is back at school. I caught a ride with…a friend.”
Lila paused, hands gripping the counter, before turning to face her daughter. “You never bother me. You know that. Now, what’s going on? Why are you here? Why aren’t you at school?”
Camille hesitated, her gaze fixed on her hands, which were fidgeting nervously in her lap. Lila’s heart clenched. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, until Camille finally looked up.
“I needed to talk to you,” she said, her voice cracking.
Lila crossed the room, sitting down beside Camille. She reached out, placing a hand on her daughter’s knee. “Okay,” she said, keeping her voice steady. “Then talk to me. What’s going on?”
Camille took a shaky breath, her eyes glistening. “I—I’m moving home.”
Lila blinked, the words not quite registering. She felt the floor tilt beneath her, though she tried to keep her expression calm. “Moving home?” she repeated slowly. “What do you mean? You’ve only been at the university for a semester. I thought things were going well.”
“I thought so, too,” Camille admitted, her voice a whisper. Her hands twisted together until the knuckles turned white. “But…things got complicated. I—I couldn’t stay.”
“Complicated how?” Lila pressed, her mind racing. Camille had seemed fine during their last phone call—busy with classes, making friends, settling into campus life. Now, looking at her daughter’s pale, drawn face, she realized how much Camille had kept hidden.
Camille swallowed hard, her gaze darting to the floor. “Mom,” she began, her voice trembling. “There’s…there’s something I need to tell you. Something important.”
Lila’s breath caught. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but the weight in Camille’s tone told her it wasn’t going to be easy. “Whatever it is, you can tell me,” she said softly, squeezing her daughter’s knee.
Camille’s eyes filled with tears, and she let out a shaky exhale. “I’m pregnant.”