Mick caressed her face gently. The yearning throbbed with every nerve, begging for her touch to continue.
Instead, she turned to call for Pilot, and the removal of her warm presence left him cold. Already his future was lonely and barren.
Pilot wiggled out of the barn door and made a beeline for Willow, who opened the cab of the truck. Pilot hopped in and settled in the middle of the bench seat as Mick made his way to the passenger’s side. They pulled onto the road for the silent drive back to the motel, their fingers overlapping in Pilot’s fur. The dog loved their tender touch and fell fast asleep.
As they neared town, Mick looked down at Pilot, who was beginning to snore. He wanted to leave himself and Willow with a lighter memory. Something that would make them both smile as they thought about their parting. “I remember the first time I met Pilot. I could not understand why he got to ride in the front seat while I had to sit in the bed of the truck.” He smiled. “I kind of get it now.”
Willow glanced at Mick and returned his smile. “You were a stranger then. You’re not a stranger anymore,” she said. “You belong here now, in the front seat with him and me.”
Her words were like a balm for Mick. Did he belong here? Could he belong here? Was it possible to become an insider in this beautiful, rugged place? Oh, how he longed for that, but it was too late now. Forces he could not control were pushing him along the track he had chosen long ago.
Willow pulled into the parking lot of Bev’s motel. “Have you told her that you’re leaving?” she asked as she motioned toward the office.
Mick nodded. “Yeah. She knew this day was coming, so she wasn’t upset. She just wished me happiness.”
Willow put the truck into neutral and pushed in the brake. “Well, I won’t walk you to the door, if you don’t mind,” she said.
“It’s probably better that way.” Mick moved out of the truck, where he stood looking at Pilot and Willow. “I’d like to take a picture, if you don’t mind.”
Pilot woke and turned to Mick, Willow smiled for the camera, and Mick snapped the picture on his phone. “Out of all the beauty I’ve found here, this is the loveliest,” he said. “You and Pilot sitting in Clementine.” He paused. “Thank you for everything. I promise you I’ll be in touch.”
Willow’s smiled widened. “Oh, I have no doubt,” she laughed, as she dangled the keys of the Jag.
Mick was struck with the lyrical sound of Willow’s laughter. It had offered him solace on his first night in Sunrise Creek, and it offered him the same now. He gazed at her and said nothing.
She turned serious. “Good luck, Mick,” she said. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
Mick wanted to reach out and touch her, to span the distance of the bench seat between them. Instead, he settled for ruffling Pilot’s fur before giving her a slow nod and shutting the door.
With every fiber of strength Mick could muster, he moved away from Clementine and watched as Willow put the truck in reverse and pulled away. He caught her last glance in the rearview mirror before she disappeared from view. The sound of Clementine’s engine faded in the muffled, snowy afternoon.
He was left with nothing now but a picture and a heart full of memories, along with Simone and the curious, laughing stare of Bert from across a snow-covered street.
Chapter 18
The sound of Curtis’s truck reached Willow before she could see him in the drive. He had arrived home last night after midnight, texting her along the way to tell her he would see her first thing in the morning. Bending down, Willow ruffled Pilot’s fur. “He’s home,” she whispered.
Pilot looked at her, but he didn’t follow her to the window, where she stood as Curtis pulled close to the house. Willow watched, unseen, as he fiddled with his phone for several minutes before stepping out of the truck, his mirrored sunglasses reflecting the light of the snow and morning sun. She let him survey the land. He did this every time he came home, but she couldn’t tell if it was with appreciation for his home or a critical eye to decide what needed to be changed.
Willow pushed that thought away and opened the door, pulling her jacket around her in the late morning breeze. Her dad came from the barn, and Willow hung back to watch as her father’s face lit up. Suddenly, he looked years younger as his step picked up and he extended his hand toward Curtis.
Curtis broke into his boyish grin as he moved to greet Chet.
Willow’s heart warmed at the sight of the two men she had known all of her life coming together. Curtis belonged here—on this land. It fit him like a favorite flannel shirt. It didn’t matter how long he was away. The minute he stepped onto this piece of Motana, it was as if it welcomed him home.
Willow sighed and smiled at the homecoming as she made her way down the steps.
Curtis whipped off his sunglasses, and Willow read pure delight in his eyes as he hurried to her and picked her up in a crushing but familiar embrace. His blond hair tickled her nose and she smelled the freshness of his clean skin and the scent of sage on the wind. Curtis.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered urgently in her ear before putting her down. He placed his arm around her shoulder. Willow cuddled in close against Curtis’s warm chest while her father grinned.
Willow looked around and noticed Shorty’s conspicuous absence, and her heart dropped. Shorty would not want to greet Curtis, which would suit Curtis just fine.
Willow glanced toward the bunkhouse. With Curtis home, the conversation of Shorty’s employment would come soon, and it would mean fireworks, even in the snow.
* * *
Several hours later, the flame crackled in the fireplace and Curtis was sprawled on the couch. Willow handed Curtis a mug of her homemade hot chocolate and sat next to him with her own mug. Curtis pulled her close, and Willow melted into him. Her father had gone to bed early, leaving the two of them alone. In spite of Willow’s earlier misgivings, she was happy to see Curtis. His presence eased her mind, especially when it came to her father, and the old hope of a promise stole back into her heart.
Curtis took a sip of the cocoa. “Sweet nectar,” he said. “No one in Texas knows how to make a decent mug of hot chocolate, or coffee, for that matter.”
Willow smiled. “I’m glad you like it. It’s not as good as Ruby’s, but she won’t tell me how she makes hers, so I’m always fiddling around with the ingredients to see if I can make it like she does. So far, I’m running a distant second place.”
“It’s still better than anything in Texas,” Curtis said. “How is Ruby?”
“She’s fine. She’s running the Jumpin’ Bean, and it’s doing well. Now that winter has set in, business has slowed, as you can imagine. Most of the tourists have gone home. Sometimes I think she should get out of here and go to school. She’s so smart and would do well in whatever field she chose.”
“Getting out of here isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” Curtis said. “I find the longer I’m away, the more I miss it. There’s nothing like this valley.”
“I know. It’s why I don’t leave. I’ve never felt the need to go and explore.” She paused as a tingling of desire to see the Pacific Ocean wafted toward her on some unknown frequency. She grew serious. “Although, I sometimes wonder if maybe someday I’ll regret that decision.” She took a sip of cocoa to cover her doubts.
Curtis nuzzled her neck. “I’m going to make sure that you don’t,” he whispered in her ear.
Willow softened into Curtis’s affection, but couldn’t feel quite at home in his arms. Even though it had only been a few months since she had last seen Curtis, it felt like a lifetime ago. The earlier afternoon happiness at their reunion had faded for Willow, like bright fall leaves turning a dull brown.
Had Mick’s appearance made the difference, or had she and Curtis been drifting apart without even realizing it? What had he said on the phone? He had allowed his schooling in Texas to put more than miles between them.
Willow brushed her concerns aside. She and Curtis just ne
eded some time to rediscover each other. Glad anticipation filled Willow as she thought of spending time with Curtis. Finally, they’d be able to fill their present moments with one another and the hope of a contented and blessed future.
Curtis sat up before taking another sip of chocolate. “So, why don’t you tell me about this New York city slicker?”
Willow turned to face Curtis, keeping her voice even. “There’s not that much to tell, really. He got stranded on Three Dog Road, and I was on my way into town. I pulled over and took him to your uncle’s. Bert fixed his Jag, and he’s on his way to Seattle with his girlfriend.”
Curtis looked incredulous. “In this weather? Bert told me that this guy’s Jag will never make it over the mountains.”
“No. The Jag is here, in the shop. He asked us to winter it for him. His girlfriend flew out from New York to get him, and they flew out of Missoula yesterday.”
“Ahhh. So the car is here? Can we look at it?”
A surprising discomfort arose in Willow. The Jag was a piece of Mick, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to set it up for judgment from Curtis. She hesitated for a moment before standing. “I guess so.”
Curtis reached for her hand, and Willow entwined her fingers with his as they walked into the clear but frozen night. Stepping into the shop, she flipped on the bulb, their fingers still entwined. The silver Jag gleamed under the bright shop light, and Willow had to stop herself from running her fingers along the long lines of the car.
Curtis caressed the fender and peeked inside the driver’s side window. “Wow! It’s gorgeous and completely clean inside. The guy’s a neat freak. What was he doing out here in this car with winter coming on?”
“I don’t think he understood the risk.” Wariness seeped into Willow. The less she said about Mick, the better.
“It’s that kind of idiocy that gets people killed.” Curtis’s voice turned cool.
Willow measured her response as her earlier discomfort grew. “We can all be idiots when we’re out of our comfort zone, Curtis. I’m not sure I’d fare all that well in New York City.”
“Well, you’d certainly be better prepared by doing your best to figure out the lay of the land before starting out on a foolhardy road trip. At least he’s in another big city now, where he belongs. When is he coming back to get the car?”
Willow chose her words with deliberation. “When the weather breaks and he can drive it over the Rockies, I suppose. It wasn’t really discussed in detail, because there’s no way to know.”
“Well, hopefully I’ll be home for good by then.” Curtis put his arm around Willow’s shoulders and pulled her close.
Willow went to Curtis but began pulling him from the shop, hoping this would be their last conversation about the car and Mick. The Jag was a part of Mick, and Willow wanted to keep her memory of him precious and pristine.
Willow glanced into the night sky and once again got lost in the strings of starlight. Her thoughts drifted toward Mick and their shared moment of reverence over the grandeur of stars in the darkness, transporting her to the memory of his embrace and the joy they shared in the briefest of intimacies. She tore her thoughts away from Mick and focused on Curtis. Mick was in Seattle now, and Curtis was home with her. She would have to try to limit her thoughts of Mick and focus on building a future with Curtis.
A new but familiar ping of sorrow bounced around in her heart like a pinball. She needed to quit making assumptions around Curtis. If Mick’s presence had taught her anything, it was that she needed to stop buying into everyone else’s expectations. With Curtis’s warmth surrounding her and his arm pulling her close, it was easy to forget that there wasn’t any spoken arrangement, and that, outside of a few summer visits, everything she and Curtis shared was in the distant past. Did she even know him anymore?
His harsh words around Andrew McPherson and Mick’s poor choices were foreign to her. There was a time when Curtis would’ve been forgiving of Andrew’s mishaps around Joshua, his brother, and more understanding of how someone could get caught unaware in a Montana winter.
Willow brushed her concerns off. She and Curtis just needed some time. Walking through the front door, they made their way back to the couch.
“Listen, Willow. There’s something I’ve been wanting to run by you,” Curtis began as he sat up.
Willow’s heart beat up into her throat. Was Curtis finally going to propose?
“It’s about Shorty. I really believe we should let him go.”
Willow held up her hand as disappointment and irritation caused a small eruption of anger to throb in her belly. “Let’s not discuss this tonight. You’ve only been home for a few hours. Can’t we just enjoy our time together?”
Curtis took in a deep breath as a look of honest sincerity came into his eyes. “You know that I just want what’s best for you and the ranch, right?”
Willow softened. “There are many ways for this ranch to run, Curtis, and all of them involve Shorty. Now, let’s talk about something more pleasant.” She willed her breathing to return to normal. “How are your folks?” she asked, watching Curtis.
His jawline relaxed. “They’re good. They’re happy I’m home, too.”
Willow settled into the cocoon offered by Curtis as she molded herself against his chest. His arms enfolded her, but she couldn’t find comfort as they watched the fire in silence.
They sat for several minutes before Curtis rose from the couch and threw another log on the flame. Turning, he held out his hand to Willow. “Wanna dance?” He pulled his phone out and began playing their favorite song.
Willow’s heart ticked up a beat at the happiness of their song as she reached up to take Curtis’s hand, grateful for the distraction from their earlier conversation about Shorty.
Quietly, they moved around the furniture on the hardwood. As the song came to an end, they continued to sway. The feel of Curtis’s cheek against hers and her hand cradling his neck while his arm pulled her close by the waist brought back their history in soft but golden memories as her body yielded to his.
“Willow,” Curtis whispered as he moved close and placed his mouth on hers. Willow closed her eyes and nestled inside Curtis’s arms. Everything about Curtis was familiar, including the soft kiss they shared.
Willow opened herself to Curtis’s kiss and parted her lips as he deepened the exploration of her mouth.
No matter how much time passed between them, Curtis’s kiss always brought her back to him and the comfortable easy memories that swept through her like a honeyed Montana summer. Remembrances of her mom and dad working the ranch and their tender family life filtered in on recollections of how she and Curtis melded together as one, even when they were children.
Tears came to Willow’s eyes as she remembered looking out the window to see her father and Curtis working while she cared for her mom. Other memories of how she and Curtis worked the ranch after her mother died, when her father could hardly muster the desire to keep living, much less work, gently meandered to the surface of her memory.
It was Curtis who’d saved her family. His presence was both soothing and reliable, steering her from the abyss of her own bottomless grief. His anchored steadiness kept her from falling into that big pit of loss that threatened to swallow her whole after her mother died.
Curtis deepened his kiss, bringing Willow back to the present moment. She loved their history, but she wasn’t sure that could be recreated. Pulling away, she placed her hands on his chest. “Curtis.”
He took her hands into his. “I know,” he said. “We promised each other we’d wait.”
Willow nodded.
“Hey, why are you crying?” Curtis wiped away Willow’s tears.
“I’m just remembering how things were when my mom was alive.”
Curtis nodded and pulled Willow into an embrace. “Before your mom got sick, we had the time of our lives, didn’t we?”
Curtis understood. Comfort flooded through Willow. “We were so blessed, and we did
n’t even know it.”
“I know, babe. But the blessings don’t have to stop there.”
Willow sighed. She was torn between irritation over Curtis’s choice of endearment and hope from the golden possibility he presented. Was this an offer? Confusion settled in Willow like a blanket of snow as a new thought came to her. Did she want this to be a proposal?
Willow held her breath as Curtis pulled her back to him and they swayed together in time with the music. There was no offer. Just a sweet dance with old memories. Familiar disappointment puddled in Willow’s heart, but it didn’t carry the original sting.
Maybe instead of recreating something from their memories, they could make something new. One thing was certain. When it came to Curtis, it was time for Willow to quit living in the past. She needed to know what they could offer each other now before defining their future with any kind of promise.
Chapter 19
Willow sat in Ruby’s sunroom, gazing across the water. The house was quiet, as both young women nursed a mug of Ruby’s famous hot chocolate. The afternoon had turned wet and the sound of rain tapping the window made Willow snuggle into the cozy throw that covered her lap.
“How is it having Curtis home?” Ruby asked, taking a sip of chocolate.
Willow dropped the wariness that had followed her since Curtis’s return. Her words were now laced with honesty. “I’m not sure yet. It’s been a week since he arrived, and there’s so much about him that’s familiar and wonderful, but …”
Ruby gave her friend a knowing look. “But what?”
Willow sighed. “I don’t know, Ruby.”
“It’s Mick, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Well, no. No. It isn’t Mick.” How could she explain to Ruby her newfound hesitation around Curtis, when she didn’t even fully understand it herself?
“I don’t know why not. The man was gorgeous with all of that brown curly hair and deep brown eyes.” Ruby leaned forward. “And he really liked you, Willow. The whole town knew it.”
Diamonds And Denim (Country Brides & Cowboy Boots) Page 13
