12. Red
12
RED
Leah Barnes is many things. Smart, beautiful, and the best partner and soulmate to Colt. But she’s also the Bull Mountain Seer, which makes her a menace in my eyes. I’m also starting to think she’s part-sorcerer too because why me? Why now? Why do I have to hear the Call and why is every part of my being telling me that Mags is my One.
When we left Justice and the wildlife center, I drove us to Ninilchik while Mags slept. A few hours later, we arrive at the cabin I've rented for us while we’re here.
Reaching over, I gently shake her shoulder, trying not to startle her. “Wake up sleepyhead. Time to check out our home for the next few days.”
She slowly blinks away, stretching her arms out in front of her before shooting me a warm sleepy smile. “Are we here already?” she says with a yawn.
The night I first met Anna, Mags was her married wing woman. When Anna and I got married, Mags was in between marriages number two and three. Anna used to tell me how soft-hearted and kind her best friend was, and how she had a romantic heart under all of the sassy exterior.
What I remember most though is that Anna’s biggest wish was for Mags to finally find a man who would see and protect her, someone who'd love her wholeheartedly, openly, and as fiercely as she always loved others.
After Anna’s passing, Mags’s sole focus was on helping me and Wyatt. She didn’t care that I was a mess, and he was lost. That I got angry, then sad, then shut down completely. Or that I buried everything down to make sure that my son had a mom and a dad in me since I was all he had left.
I snapped at her, cried on her shoulder, ranted, and raved. You name it, I did it. Yet she was unshakeable.
All Wy and I had was each other, Mags, and the rodeo. So after a few months at home, we bid Spring Haven and Mags goodbye, and went back on the road together while Mags stayed behind. Every chance we got, we’d come back home to visit, and it would be like we had never left. The long and short of it is, I would not be the man I am today without this woman.
But right now, as she stretches out in the passenger seat of my truck, her hair tousled from sleep and a content smile on her face, it’s like I’m seeing her for the first time all over again. The lines on her face tell stories of laughter and tears, the freckles dusted across her nose are like constellations in the night sky, and her eyes...those eyes that have seen it all and never lost their spark. Those eyes spear right though me.
So yes, here I am, wondering if Leah Barnes has put a spell on me. All of a sudden, every time I look at my best friend, I'm having very non-best friend thoughts about her. In fact, I'm starting to feel like a teenage boy with an unobtainable crush. And that just confuses me even more.
Before I can give that anymore thought, Mags leans forward to look out the windshield. “You sure this is the place?”
I pull up the instructions on my phone to double check. “Yep, the map says this is it. Maybe we should keep goin’ through those trees?” I say as I inch the truck forward, driving down the narrowing driveway for another few minutes before coming to a stop in front of a rustic cabin nestled among tall trees that look older than the two of us combined.
“This is cute. I’m surprised you chose it,” she teases.
“I’ll try not to be offended by that. But at least the outside matches the photos online. Doesn’t matter about the inside, as long as it’s got a bed and a hot shower, I’ll be a happy man.”
Mags spins in her seat. “Is that all you need these days? A bed and a shower?”
I grin. “I’ve slept in far worse places, believe me. Hay in the back of a horse trailer, sittin’ on a barn floor surrounded by animals and manure, so anythin’ better than that is fine by me.”
“Easy to please, then,” she replies with a smirk.
Arching a brow, I look her over. “So that’s how it’s goin’ to be, huh? Offer my best friend the best road trip of her life and she gives me cheek.”
The woman’s grin widens. “I’ve always given you cheek. That’s one of the reasons you keep me around.”
“There’s more than one reason, darlin’.”
She winks. “It’s because I can cook, right?”
“You damn well know there’s a hell of a lot more to you than that,” I growl before I can stop myself.
“Oh.” Her body jolts and I know I’ve caught her off guard.
“And to prove it, for as long as we’re on this road trip, you’re not doin’ it.”
She frowns, scrunching her nose up. “Doin’ what?”
“Cookin’. Worryin’. Anythin’ you’d do at home if you were there right now.”
Rolling her eyes, she sighs. “Red…”
“Nope. This is your vacation too. I may have booked it all and there may be some meetin’s I have to go to, but you haven’t been out of town in years , darlin’. That’s just not right.”
“To be fair, since you’ve been off the tour, you’ve been on the ranch for over two years now.”
“I’ve been to Eagle.”
She huffs out a frustrated breath. “For work.”
“And Woodward Valley for the Snowflake Festival.”
“For the battle of the mountains, not exactly a vacation.” She waves her hand over my way. “Next?”
“I—“ Damn. She’s right. A wry laugh escapes my lips. When I meet her eyes again, I find them full of amusement too.
“Honestly, Red. I don’t mind cookin’. It can be quite relaxin’ sometimes.”
“Yeah, when you’re not doin’ it for the whole town. Wy may have asked you to come but I want you here with me, Mags. I want you to relax and have a good time. Help this old man remember what it’s like to have fun without worryin’ about my ranch or my kid.”
“ Oh… ”
“Yes, oh. It’s a vacation for the both of us, Mags, and I’m not about to let you forget it either.”
This time her eyes flash with something else and I know I’m getting to her. “I’d forgotten how bossy you can get.”
I snort. "Might pay for you to remember then because unless you start relaxin' and start to enjoy yourself, I’m goin’ to get real bossy.”
She crosses her arms over her chest, copying my stance and meeting me dead in the eye. “Really?”
I lean in, bringing me closer. “Yep,” I say, popping the p for effect.
Mags tilts her head, her lips twitching as she does it. “I’ve just figured out why all of them back home think we’re together.”
My head jerks. “Why?”
"Cause we sound like an old bickerin' couple,” she says with a giggle.
I chuckle because she’s not wrong, but her laughter is also contagious as hell. That’s when there's a knock on the truck window. I turn my head and come face to face with a pink-haired, older lady with a goofy grin and kind brown eyes.
“Who’s that?” Mags asks, undoing her seatbelt.
“Goin’ by the hair, I’m guessin’ that’s the cabin’s owner called Pinky.”
“You two need anythin’, you just holler over the back fence. You hear?” Pinky offers after showing us around the inside of the cabin.
“Yes, ma’am,” I reply, nodding and ushering Pinky toward the front door. Pinky is a talker, and she’s been pointing out different things around the place and gabbing about every damn thing we could ever need to know about the entire town for over thirty minutes now.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the hospitality, but I didn’t get a nap on the way down here and it’s approaching supper time. Drivin’ and the fresh mountain air makes this old man tired as hell.
“Well, now. Don’t let me keep you two lovebirds any longer.” She winks at Mags. “I remember how it is. A romantic getaway away from home. If you know what I mean.”
“Oh, we’re not—I mean, we’re just—” Mags stutters as Pinky’s words sink in.
“Thanks, Pinky. Much appreciated,” I say, stepping in. “We’ll come and see you if we find ourselves in need of anythin’.” Right now, I’m willing to do and say anything if it means being able to sit down and take it easy for a spell.
“Good. It’s my pleasure. I guess I’ll see y’all in a few days when you’re set to check out.” Then with a final wave and a grin, Pinky is gone and it’s just Mags and I staring at each other in silence.
Her lips twitch, and then I snicker. She snorts, and I chuckle. Soon enough, we're both cackling.
“Nice lady,” Mags says.
“Friendly.”
“ Very friendly," she adds before looking around the one-room, open-plan cabin.
I look around too, still astounded at the ‘last minute redecoratin’’ Pinky told us she’d been inspired to do. The entire place is different shades of pink. If there’s a different hue in existence, Pinky has used it. “Not sure I’ve ever seen such bright decor.”
Mags rubs her chin, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “I don’t know. I’m feelin’ tickled pink just bein’ here.”
Just like that, the tension in my shoulders eases. Mags must sense it because she tilts her head and looks me over. “How ‘bout this? We get the bags and freshen up then we go to the grocery store. And I’ll?—”
“How ‘bout this ? After we get back you can sit your butt on that there couch and I’ll make us dinner. Yes, that’s a great idea, Mags. Best idea I’ve heard all day. Let’s do that,” I say, pinning her with a stare and holding it even after she’s finished glaring at me. “This is a vacation, remember?”
“But—”
“Nope. Call this my turn. If you want to get bossy with me tomorrow, have at it. Tonight’s all me,” I stand there and wait for her to argue.
Instead, she just shrugs before her lips twitch. "OK, fine. But can we do it soon because I like pink as much as the next girl, but there's a limit. A trip to the store will give us a break from all of,” she waves her hand in the air, “this.”
“Deal, let’s go.”
“Good, because I swear I’m slowly turnin’ into Mountain Barbie and I’m not sure I like it.”
After enjoying a meal of pork chops I made for us, and Mags insisting on cleaning up afterward. we retire to the couch, the fire roaring and bathing the room in a soft orange glow.
“OK, I’ll admit it. You can cook, Redmond. I guess that means I can share the load with you durin’ this trip,” she says, sipping on the hot chocolate cradled in her hands.
I snort and lean back into the couch with a satisfied grin. "Mighty generous of you, Mags. Maybe I should give up ranchin’ and put out my own shingle in town. Give you some competition.”
“Don’t get too cocky now, Red,” she says with a well-deserved eye roll. “I’m not sayin’ you’re a Michelin star chef or anythin’. Hell, I’ve been cookin’ for decades and there ain’t no way you’d get me makin’ anythin’ fancy with garnishes and the like.”
“Thank god for that .”
She narrows her eyes. “You sayin’ I couldn’t?”
“Hey now, I didn’t say anythin’ like that . You make comfort food. It’s not just a meal, it’s an experience. It’s like comin’ home. The bonus is, you make a livin’ from it and do it well. That’s somethin’ you don’t mess with. You just keep doin’ what you’re doin’ and you won’t hear any complaints, least of all from me. Yeah?”
The sound of her laugh warms me more than the fire ever could. “Fine, fine. You win this round.”
I shoot her a smirk. “Food is love, Mags. Especially when it comes from your kitchen. When you serve it up, it’s drippin’ in it. That’s why we all come back.”
“Naw, and here was me thinkin’ it was the hospitality.”
I pin her with a stare. “You damn well know you’ve got a good thing goin’ there…”
She tilts her head, quirking her brow curiously. “Is there a but comin’?"
“Nope. You make folks feel at home, like they belong. And that’s a rare gift, darlin’. That’s why you’re always busy. Probably why you haven’t taken a break in years either.”
“You’re good for my ego, Redmond.”
A snort escapes me. “You don’t have an ego, never have and never will. I just want to make sure that you know you’re appreciated, and not just by me and Wy. It’s by everyone.”
Mags looks at me and nods, her eyes boring into mine before she turns back to watch the fire.
Comfortable silence falls between us, reminding me of one of the things I like the most about our friendship. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we don't have to, and they're both moments I cherish. There's no pressure when we’re together, we’re just two friends enjoying each other's company. Which is why I can't stop thinking about what Leah said.
"Even if you did develop feelin's for someone new, that doesn't mean you love or cherish Anna any less."
I know she’s right. That doesn’t mean I’m ready to open my mind up to it. More importantly, my friendship with Mags is not something I’m willing to lose. Not now, not ever.
“You know,” Mags starts, her voice soft and contemplative, “this road trip was a good idea. I know I was worried about leavin’ the diner and bein’ away for so long, but now that we’re here, I’m not sure what I was worried about.”
“Control freak,” I cough into my fist, earning a kick to the foot.
Mags chuckles. “Takes one to know one. But at least I can appreciate a good meal I didn’t have to cook, the fresh mountain air makin’ me feel alive, and a much–needed break from life back home.”
“I’d say that sounds like the recipe for a mighty fine vacation—even if there is still some work I have to do while we’re here.”
When a big yawn escapes her, I know it’s time to call it a night. I jerk my head back toward the only bed in the cabin. “You’ve got the bed, I’m takin’ the couch.”
“Red…”
“No arguin’, sweetheart. Already told you I can sleep anywhere, and I’ve definitely bedded down in much worse places. A sofa bed is a luxury as far as I’m concerned.”
"Only if you're sure…"
“Sure as a cowboy wears his hat,” I reply, earning a wry grin.
“OK. Thank you. We can switch out tomorrow night.”
"Nope. The bed's yours for our stay. My mama raised me to be a gentleman.”
As she unfolds her legs and pushes up onto her feet, another yawn escapes her. “OK. I’m goin’ to get ready for bed. We’ll both be up early in the mornin’ anyway. The rodeo never sleeps, remember.”
He winks. “The rodeo does, it’s the cowboys kickin’ up their boots that don’t.”
“Do you miss it? Life on the road, I mean?”
I shake my head. "I’ve got a good thing goin' back home. The ranch is almost back to lookin’ like she should. The mountain is too. And if my meetin' with Rod the rodeo owner goes well, then we'll have a few more stud bulls comin' our way as well as more buyers for our calves too. I also like my hometown. My best friend lives there, don't you know."
She bites her lip and I realize she’s nervous. "So, you haven’t thought about leavin’ now that you’re an empty nester?”
“You tryin’ to get rid of me now that my boy’s gone, Mags?”
This time her smile is softer, warmer, and I care to say, a genuinely happy one. “Nah. You’re stuck with me just like I’m stuck with you, Red. Wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Later on, when I’m lying on the sofa bed, trying to fall asleep, out of everything that’s happened on this trip so far, there’s only one thought that keeps going through my brain. It’s not about leaving Spring Haven, it’s not about Wy and wondering how he’s going. It’s that I want my life to stay exactly how it is right now, and I can’t imagine a life without Mags by my side.
More importantly, I don’t want to.