16. Birdie
16
BIRDIE
Will: Have you finished yet?
Birdie: Somebody is impatient haha. I have five pages left to read.
Will: I have questions…
My answering snort earns a questioning look from my father who's sitting in his recliner chair watching a shark documentary.
Birdie: I would have been disappointed if you didn't.
Will: I'll just wait until you're finished then.
Now I'm imagining him sitting there, tapping his foot impatiently. Why does that thought make me happy?
It's been a week since our date and I'm still on cloud nine. Dad says I look like I'm floating instead of walking. Honestly, I don't think he's wrong.
Due to work, tiredness, and life in general, Will and I have only seen each other once since Wednesday. That was when all the Cooper brothers came into the bar where I was filling in for Eric since it was his wife's birthday. They were there to meet some more of the Eagle Mountain crew for drinks and some games of pool.
When it came time for my break, Will made his excuses and joined me up on the rooftop. He even made Margie blush when he complimented her cooking, such is the way of a charming Cooper male. The bonus this time was the toe-curling kiss goodbye I got that far surpassed the cheek kiss from the last rooftop date.
Now, it's Tuesday night. I'm physically exhausted after volunteering at the homeless shelter for the dinner shift after a busy day working for Dad this morning and Micah in the afternoon. Tomorrow, I'm glad I only have a lunch shift at the grill so I can have some time to recharge. Or maybe even see Will.
"Haven't you already read that one?" Dad says, tipping his head at the copy of Fangirl Seeking Mountain Man in my hand.
"Only a few times," I murmur, my lips curling up into a smirk.
"Did you forget what happened in it or somethin'?"
"Nope. Will and I are buddy readin' this series," I explain.
Dad's brows jump so high I swear they touch his receding hairline—and that's saying something. "You're makin' the man read your romance books?"
My head jerks. "I'm not makin' him do anythin' he doesn't want to do, thank you very much. Will's cousins from Moose Mountain sent the books to him and I said I'd read them with him."
Dad sits there, his expression softening, his eyes warm as they study me. "You really like him, don't you?"
"I do. I can't explain it but there was just somethin' there when I first met him, and it hasn't gone away. It's probably gotten stronger the more time we spend together."
"He's a good man. Just the kind I'd want for you, Baby Bird." Aww damn, there goes Dad making me all mushy inside.
Thankfully, I'm saved–OK, distracted–by Will's text coming through.
Will: Are you done yet?
Birdie: Is that the reading equivalent of are we there yet?
Will: Pretty much haha.
Birdie: OK. Willy-Will, I'm ready for your questions now.
Will: You did not just call me that. I regret telling you now.
Birdie: Sorry, City Boy. I couldn't resist. I promise that'll be the last time… for tonight anyway.
Birdie: So, these questions…
Will: Yes, questions instead of dumb childhood nicknames.
I can’t help but giggle at that.
Will: The mountain spirit in the book, do we know how she picks the soulmates for the brothers? They all seem to be connected to the first heroine so far.
Birdie: That was not what I expected you to ask.
Will: Why? It has been bugging me. We know that the brothers are brothers, so it makes sense that each book moves down the birth order. But is there a reason that all their soulmates are connected too?
Birdie: You know, I've never thought about that. But you're right, there must be. Surely.
Will: See!
Birdie: Wait! It's not that they're all connected on purpose, it's just that the first one starts a chain reaction. Her business partner comes to town and BOOM she falls in love. A fan of the first one's books comes to town, another soulmate opportunity.
Will: That makes a lot of sense.
Birdie: Does this mean you're still enjoying the books?
Will: Sure am. They're not what I expected. A bit like you.
This man and his smooth talking…
Birdie: Oh, do go on, Will Cooper. Are you saying I'm unexpected?
Will: In the best possible way.
Okay, damn. That feels good. Real good. Will thinks I'm unexpected. Little does he know, he's the wonderful surprise that I never saw coming. Maybe that's why I think we're meant to be.
I've never been a 'love at first sight' kind of girl. I'm thirty years old and can unequivocally say that I have never been in love and never met anyone I thought I could love either.
Until now because there's definitely the possibility of that with Will. You'd think that would scare me since the man hasn't been here long, and his future in town isn't set in stone yet. I believe he's where he's meant to be though. Especially after everything he told me on our date about his life back in Chicago and how moving here was exactly what he needed.
That is what I'm holding on to.
Birdie: I just had a thought. What if the soulmates are connected so they can be there for each other just like the heroes are? Does that make sense?
Will: It does. So just as the brothers are there for one another, their soulmates are too.
Birdie: OR maybe, since they're all destined to be together, it's part of the mountain spirit's big picture plan, one that was set in motion centuries ago whenever the prophesy started.
I watch the messaging app tell me he's typing then stopping. Typing then stopping.
Will: This is going to sound super weird, but I think your brain is one of the sexiest things about you.
A gasp escapes my lips and Dad jolts to attention in his chair, almost like he's primed to jump into battle.
"Birdie?" he asks, leaning forward. "What is it?" He sounds almost panicked.
I swivel my head. "I think he likes me, Dad," I whisper.
Dad lets out a huge sigh of relief, staring at me for a spell before he relaxes back in his chair with a chuckle.
"Baby Bird, he'd have to be an idiot not to see what he's got a chance at gettin' with you. Any man worth his weight at all doesn't wait around when they get a chance at that one-in-a-million kind of woman. Your Ma was one and you better believe I didn't mess about the moment I knew she liked me too."
I smile at the mention of Mom. Her photos are still up everywhere around the house. Dad and I have never stopped talking about her. And since her passing, my focus has been on making sure I'm always the woman she wanted me to be. One she'd be proud of.
"I don't even need to ask whether you like him back because it's written all over you," he says warmly. "It's a good look on you."
"Dad…"
"What?" he says, holding his hands up in surrender as he settles back down to watch the television. "I'm just sayin'. If it's mutual, then I don't see a problem."
"There isn't a problem. I just… isn't it too soon?"
He nods at the book still open in my hand. "Do all of those lovey-dovey books you read have people waitin' a respectable amount of time before they know they've met someone special?"
"Well, no…"
"From what you've read out to me on occasion, the men in those stories know exactly who they want and work on gettin' them as soon as they meet 'em."
I laugh. "Dad! That's fiction. Romance for me is an escape, a way to lose yourself in another world and the characters' lives. These books are like warm fluffy blankets that make you feel all good inside."
"But with sex," he deadpans, making me giggle.
"Dad!"
He snorts. "Wasn't born yesterday, Baby Bird. Besides, you're thirty years young. I may be old, but I'm not dumb."
"I know," I say, rolling my eyes playfully.
"OK. So back to the elephant in the room that you're not talkin' about. I know about the Cooper family prophesy because I was there when Ridley told us about it. I thought it might've just been one of his conspiracy theories–"
"He had a lot of those, didn't he," I smile at the memory.
"He did. But this one always seemed a little different. The way he told it, the mountain spirit called soulmates for those connected to the Cooper bloodline as a reward for them lookin' after her land." He stops a moment to think about it, rubbing his chin before I see a lightbulb go off behind his eyes. "Come to think of it, do you remember him sayin' that the ranch needed to stay in family hands with a Cooper always ownin' it?"
"I'd forgotten about that. But yeah, he said someone from the family had to be livin' there. It's one of the reasons he came back, wasn't it? He found somethin' out?"
"Hmm," Dad says, rubbing his chin. "You said Will and his brothers get the ranch after two years?"
"Yeah, that's what he said. They all had to move here and live together for the specified length of time for the property's ownership to be transferred over to them," I explain.
"Wait! Does that mean they don't know that it needs to stay within the family?"
I shake my head. "I don't think so. He only told me about the two-year stipulation."
"Hmm. OK. There goes that theory. I was thinkin' that this was the prophesy at work and that you and Will were meant to be soulmates," Dad says, making my romantic heart soar.
"That's the thing. I do think that. I've been wonderin' about it since I first met him. It's the length of time that gets me. Surely there must be a reason"
"Can't help you with that, Baby Bird. I am a little confused though. I thought Ridley said the soulmates get called to the mountain, not the Coopers movin' here to get rewarded. That's a bit different."
I tilt my head. "He also said the reward is for both soulmates, not just the Coopers. Who's to say that the prophesy can't change as and when needed? Especially since Ridley said the mountain spirit never gets it wrong. She chose his wife for him, and Will's mother for the Captain. Is it that far-fetched to think that I've been chosen for Will?"
"Baby Bird," he sighs with a smile. "You know it's not. Absolutely not. If anyone was deservin' to be a reward for a good man–to be rewarded with the love of a good man–it's you. I've never seen you like this, though. You're…"
"Happy?"
" Calm ."
I cock my head. "I'm always calm."
"No, Baby Bird. You're always busy . If you're not workin', you're mother hennin' me, or checkin' in on Wally any of the older townsfolk in town or helpin' those less fortunate. You never do anythin' that's just for you, not until Will Cooper stepped into your orbit."
"Are you sayin' I'm distracted?" I say, curiously.
"Absolutely not. I'm sayin' that maybe you're finally takin' time for yourself. And I'm over the damn moon about it too. I want you to be as selfish as you need to be, especially if it means you find the happiness and love you deserve, the kind I've always wanted you to find."
"Dad…" I say, my voice cracking.
"Now." He clears his throat. "It's up to you to decide what you're goin' to do about it. Because I do know that Ridley wanted his grandsons to find out about the prophesy naturally. Is that why you're buddy readin' those books with him?"
"Yes and no. I offered to read along with him after they arrived from Moose Mountain. I haven't told him that it's his own family's stories that he's readin', so why would I tell him that he and I could be on that same journey?"
Dad arches a single brow. "You expect him to figure it out himself? I'm sorry, but I'm a man, and I know men like Will because I am on. We're smart, but we're not always that smart."
I sigh. "Part of me was hopin' he would just know , or he'll figure it out."
"And how long do you think you can wait before you get impatient and just blurt it out?" Dad asks, knowing me far too well.
"Honestly? I don't know. We haven't known each other for all that long and no matter how strong my feelin's are for him, I don't want to sway anythin' by tellin' him my suspicions. If it's meant to be, I have to believe it'll happen regardless."
Will: Have I lost you?
Little does he know, I don't think he can lose me.
The question is, what do I do now?
Birdie: Sorry, was just talking to Dad. Now you have my complete and undivided attention.
Will: Is it wrong to say I like that a little too much?
Birdie: Is it wrong for me to like that you like it?
Will: Touche, honey.
Before I can reply, he messages me again.
Will: Can I see you again soon? I can pick you up whenever you're free, maybe bring you back up to the ranch so you can see the progress we've made. Also means you can see our donkey.
Birdie: Your donkey? Are you claimin' him now? I thought you wanted to find his owner.
Will: Have you heard anything from anyone? Because we went door-knocking around town and even went out to places where the Vet said there might be donkeys. Except for the Wilsons. They had a big sign outside their gates saying No Trespassing and No Coopers.
Birdie: No way!
Will: Yep. Wasn't goin' to risk seein' what could happen if we stepped on the property so we left.
Birdie: I don't think they have donkeys. Then again, I told you they don't come into town that much.
Will: Oh well, I think it means we're supposed to keep the donkey.
Birdie: Admit it, you like the jackass
Will: I just spat out my drink and got weird looks from my brothers. And no, I'm not going to say I like him, he might find out and then he'll never leave just to spite me.
There's no stopping the snicker escaping me this time. Dad just smirks as he remains glued to the game.
Birdie: OK. I'll come to see your donkey.
Will: Not my donkey. If he is anyone's, he'd be Suttons. Also… you're only coming to see him? No one else you're missing?
Birdie: Are you feeling needy, Will? Of course I want to see you. It's only been a few days and I'm missing you like crazy. Is that what you wanted me to say?"
Will: Yep! Only because it means I'm not the only one going crazy here.
Birdie: Nope. You're not the only one. I don't think I could ever get enough of seeing you.
Will: Damn, honey. You sure know how to make a man feel good. I feel the same. You know that right?
Birdie: Now I'm grinning like a loon and Dad's side eyeing me.
Will: You're welcome.
Birdie: Are you busy tomorrow? I can drive up after my lunch shift.
Will: I'm a gentleman, Birdie. Let me come get you.
A slow-growing smile curves my lips, pushing aside my worries about the Mountain's Call and telling Will. If it's meant to be, it'll happen anyway , I tell myself.
Birdie: OK. I'll message you when I'm finished at the Grill.
Will: I'll be waiting. Sleep well. I have a book about a reclusive veteran on a mountain to read.
Birdie: Sweet dreams, Will.
Will: They will be because they'll be about you.
Birdie: Smooth, City Boy. Smooth.
Will: Can't help it if it's the truth.
Birdie: And now I'm grinning again.
Will: Good. Just how I like you.