Chapter 24
Blair
The bell over the door jingles as we step inside as the smell of lemongrass and sandalwood fills the air around us. Somehow it eases the tension I’ve been holding onto since we left Bull Mountain Ranch.
I’ve been trying so hard to sort through all of my options since Tabitha offered me her job. First it was shock, then warring emotions about what I want and what I need.
My heart is telling me that Timber Falls is where I’m meant to be.
I’m in love with the man of my dreams, his family have welcomed me in with open arms, and the ranch feels like home.
I’m ever warming up to that damn donkey whose life’s mission is to forever keep us on our toes.
There isn’t one thing I don’t like about living there.
Then there’s the other part of me wondering if all of the blood, sweat, and tears I’ve poured into my life up until this point will all be for nothing if I choose to stay. All my years at med school, my career and highly regarded reputation… will it all be for nothing if I give it up now.
Yet, when I think like that, I feel selfish and ungrateful. Uncle George offered me the chance of a lifetime to come here and use my knowledge and experience to help the hospital improve for their patients.
I even tried a pros and cons list, except when I realized there were double the number of pros than cons–that being leaving my two best friends and my position in Rochester–I knew it wouldn’t help.
I haven’t spoken to Alex and Cate about it either, which never happens. The three of us have always told each other everything. We’re each other’s built in life coach, therapist, and staunchest cheerleader.
Then there’s Sutton. The man I was meant to love, who the mountain spirit chose to be rewarded with me. Even if he tells me all the time that the Call is about both of us, not just him.
All I can hope is that Starchild offers some guidance as to what my future holds and–more importantly–the decision I’m meant to make.
“Hey,” a melodic cheerful voice says as a beautiful blonde sweeps out through the beaded curtain behind the counter. Her eyes widen when she sees us. “Sutton!”
She rushes around the counter and walks right up to us, hugging him first before turning to me with a huge beaming smile. “Blair, it’s so nice to finally meet you in person,” she adds, her eyes twinkling in the overhead lights.
“I had no idea you knew the Coopers. It’s kind of–”
“Kismet? I know,” she says. “Believe me, the last thing I expected Aster to tell me was that a stranger from the internet, who I gave an online readin’ to, would be the next soulmate called to Cooper Ranch.”
“It’s still kind of surreal.”
“Oh, I know that feelin’. Do you know my story? How I stormed in and told Landry that no mountain would ever tell me who to love?” She holds her hand up to show us her wedding ring. “Guess the joke was on me, huh.”
Sutton wraps an arm around my waist as if he knows I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. “The spirit does like to keep us guessin’.”
Star slides her gaze between the two of us. “And to think, your paths already crossed years ago. It just wasn’t your time yet.”
I cock my head. “Did Aster tell you that?”
“Nope.” She pops the p but doesn’t elaborate, which just makes me all the more curious.
“Are you a Seer too?”
She shakes her head. “Not exactly. I do readin’s for people, but I’m not like Leah who can see the future played out in her dreams like a movie, or Kendra at Eagle Mountain who gets visions. Then there’s Gandalf at Bear Mountain who gets guidance from the mountain spirit directly.”
“And Aster, who tells the Mountain’s Call stories before they’ve even happened?”
Star grins at that. “Yeah. She gets the script before the rest of us do. Now, I know you’re dyin’ to know what the cards are goin’ to say.
Sutton, if you want to lock the front door and turn over the closed sign, we can all head on back.
” When Sutton returns to us, she turns around and leads us around the counter and back through the curtain.
“My grandmother and her best friends have their own side business they run from the shop so don’t be alarmed if you see anything on the whiteboard that sounds a bit… odd.”
“Odd?” I mouth to Sutton who just grins.
“They’re amateur private investigators,” he explains.
“Yep,” Star continues. “Everyone around town already calls them the Sunday School Sallies and they always seem to know everybody’s business anyway. Now they just hire out their services too.”
“Your grandmother and her friends do that?”
She chuckles. “Oh yeah. All of them are pushin’ eighty and I swear they could outlast the lot of us. Who’d have guessed that solvin’ small town mysteries keeps you feelin’ young.”
“Hey,” Sutton says, coming to a stop. “I’m goin’ to go and let you and Star have some privacy for your readin’.”
“What? No. You can stay.”
He shakes his head, glancing over at Star who gives him a nod before going on ahead, leaving us alone. “Gorgeous, I know you’ve got a lot of things to think about and even bigger decisions to make movin’ forward. I don’t want you worryin’ about me while you’re weighin’ it all up.”
“But you’re at the center of all of this. I hope you know that.”
He smiles. “I do and that’s why I’m doin’ this.
I want you to go in there with an open mind.
You’ve already given up so much for everyone else to pursue your dream of becomin’ a doctor and make a name for yourself.
Now that we’ve found each other again, it’s time for you to do what’s best for you and do it knowin’ the only place I’m ever goin’ to be is where you are.
I’m always goin’ to be by your side and cheerin’ you on.
I’m golden already, I’ve finally got the woman of my dreams and everythin’ I’ve ever wanted–that’s you. ”
I bite my lip and scan his face. When I realize he’s telling nothing but the truth, I nod. “You’re the man of my dreams too, Sutton Cooper.”
“Good to know,” he replies with a wry smile. “I’ll be waitin’ in the truck for you.” With one last kiss, he lets me go and walks back out into the shop before locking the door behind him.
With my heart now feeling too big for my chest, I take a deep, steadying breath and walk into the back room where Star waits for me.
“Everythin’ OK?” she asks, looking out to the shop before returning her gaze to me.
“Yeah. That man is just…” I shake my head. “I swear he’s too good for this world.”
Star’s mouth tugs up. “Yeah, I think the same about my Landry.” She nods down to the overturned tarot cards laid out on the table in front of her. “Are you ready to find out what your future holds?”
I stare at the cards before taking a seat opposite her. “Ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s see if you can change my life for a second time.”
She laughs. “No pressure or anythin’. I’m guessin’ you’ve got some big life decisions to make?”
“You could say that,” I reply dryly.
Reaching over, she covers one of my hands with hers, her eyes never once leaving mine. “Then let’s see if we can find you some answers.”
“You probably already know what this card is,” she says, tapping her finger on The Lovers.
“I was kind of expecting it, to be honest. You know, given I’ve just found my One,” I reply. “But I don’t know what it represents other than the obvious.”
“OK, this card does have a number of meanin’s.
This card has appeared at the center of the spread.
Usually, this would mean that true love is on the horizon, but since you’ve already found your soulmate, this is sayin’ the love you’ve found will only get deeper, stronger, and more fulfillin’ as time passes.
” I nod. “The Lovers card represents harmony and soul connections. Choices you’ve made from the heart. ”
“Like Sutton and I finding each other again?”
“Exactly,” she replies with a warm smile. “You were always meant to cross paths with Sutton again. Now the feelings you have and the bond you share will only get stronger.”
“OK. What about that one?” I ask, pointing to the next card.
“The Star,” she says reverently. “It always comes after a period of hardship. It signifies healin’ and a brighter future. This ties into our last readin’ where I said there was a fresh outlook and new opportunities on the horizon. Has somethin’ happened along those lines?”
I snort. “You could say that. I’ve been offered a job to take over the hospital in Timber Falls.”
Her eyes brighten. “Wow. That certainly qualifies as a new opportunity. You were only meant to stay for six months, right?”
“I was covering my uncle’s long service leave. I know it hasn’t been that long, but I already can't imagine living anywhere else.”
“Meanin’ you’ve got an important decision to make?”
“Pretty much,” I say with a dry laugh. “Does that card say anything about whether to stay or go?”
“It’s the card of blessin’s and of a future aligned with joy, peace, and fulfillment. This is sayin’ that dreams can be more than just dreams. They can be your reality if you dare to follow what your soul truly desires.”
My heart skips a beat and hope burns bright inside me. I could have everything I want by staying in Timber Falls…
She goes over the other cards before stopping at the last one, tapping her finger against the table. “This is the High Priestess. You should follow your intuition and listen to the truth that your body, heart, and soul knows. All you’ve got to do is say yes, Blair.”
My eyes roam over the cards in front of me.
Not for the first time I wonder how Star knows just what to say when I need it most. The first time was whether to accept Uncle George’s offer.
Now it’s about following my heart and making the right choice for me, one that I know will bring me a life of happiness.
It may not be what I ever envisioned for myself, but then again, do we ever really know what the future holds?
When I lift my gaze back to Star, I find her watching me closely. “I think I’ve given you a lot to think about already, but can I say one last thing?
“Please do.”
“Only you know what you want for your life. Not your family, not your friends, not even Sutton. Just you. The cards I’ve revealed today have a common theme. Your destiny is entwined with love, and no matter what you’re strugglin’ with, only you know your heart’s true path,”
“And the mountain spirit it seems,” I muse.
“Yes, she does like to get her way. Remember, she’s never got it wrong.
Not once. That has to mean somethin’, right?
But at the end of the day, your journey will be one of true love, happiness, and a fulfilled future with the other half of your soul.
” She falls quiet for a moment, as if letting her words sink in.
“You’ve always been about givin’ parts of yourself to everyone else and sacrificin’ your time and your energy for everyone else.
I think it’s somethin’ you can and will continue to do.
Just don’t give up your future happiness when it’s sittin’ there ready and waitin’ for you. ”
I let the gathered tears in my eyes fall, blinking rapidly as I let go of all the worries and stress I’ve been holding onto the last few weeks. “Thank you, Star. Yet again, you’ve told me exactly what I needed to hear.”
She stands and rounds the table to give me a hug, something I welcome with open arms.
“Now, let’s get you cleaned up before you go back to Sutton. I can guarantee he will already sense your mood and if he’s anythin’ like my husband, he’ll be ready to bash the door down to comfort you.”
I cock my head, wondering how she knows that. “Landry does that too?”
That’s when a wide smile transforms Star’s face. “Oh yeah. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”