Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I frown at her. “What did you tell me?”
“I told you you’d end up with those three hunky firemen.”
“Did you? I remember you telling me to stay open.”
She nods, satisfied. “And it’s a good thing you took my advice.”
I shake my head and laugh. “It was good advice.”
I don’t bother telling her that I didn’t intentionally try to stay open. Getting together with those hunky firemen seemed inevitable, much as we all tried to get in our own way.
She reaches for my hand and squeezes it once. “I’m so glad it all worked out.”
“Me too.” I smile back at her, then take a sip of my coffee. “How are you feeling this week?”
Kira smooths her hand over her rounded midsection. “Ready to pop.”
“It could be any day now.”
“Sooner than later would be great,” she says.
“Are the guys all ready for the baby to arrive?”
Kira starts giggling. “A few days ago, I went downstairs when they were having one of their work meetings, discussing clients, who’s doing what, and so on. After they finished talking about a big project in the city, they brought up their next order of business, which was baby preparations.”
“They’re having meetings about it?”
“They’re treating it like a tactical mission. They’ve been plotting timelines, planning the delivery, and stocking supplies. I wouldn’t be surprised if Atlas made a PowerPoint of some sort.”
We’re still laughing when Ruth arrives with our lunch.
Our conversation goes quiet for a couple of minutes as we dig into the food. Meanwhile, I savor the everyday bit of Moon Ridge life that goes on around us.
Nearby, a trio of women are discussing their latest knitting projects, two older men are talking about car repairs, and back in the corner booth, Mae and Ed are sharing a milkshake.
It’s exactly this kind of peaceful normality that makes me so glad life is back to normal—no, actually, life is much better than normal these days.
Right now, T.J. is out on a hike with Buck, Weston, and Calder, and tonight, the five of us are going to curl up on the couch, watch a movie, and eat popcorn. Life is very good indeed.
“Who’s that?” Kira whispers, directing my attention to the restaurant’s entrance.
I glance up, expecting to see someone I know, because even though I’m a relative newcomer, I’ve lived here longer than Kira, and I meet a lot of people through the school. But I don’t recognize the woman who’s just come in.
She looks to be in her late twenties and is wearing well-worn hiking boots and a faded field jacket that looks like it’s seen more trails than closets. A canvas bag hangs from one shoulder, and when she comes closer, heading to a nearby table, I see a topographic map sticking out of the top.
I look at Kira and shrug.
The woman orders coffee, then spreads her map over the table.
When Ruth returns a minute later, she sets the cup on the part of the table that’s clear. “You passing through?”
“Maybe,” the woman says. “Do you happen to know any local guides who have experience with the mountain passes?”
Ruth’s expression shifts, not enough to be unfriendly, but enough that I notice. “Well,” she says slowly, “there are the Wilder brothers.”
The stranger waits, pencil poised above the map. “Wilder brothers?”
“Triplets up on the ridge,” Ruth adds, as if it explains everything.
Across from me, Kira’s mouth twitches.
I lower my voice. “Should someone warn her?”
Kira glances toward the woman, then back at me. “About the mountains or the men?”
A few days later, when my phone rings from an unknown number, I almost don’t answer, but something tells me I should. “Hello?”
“Elena? This is Atlas.”
My chest immediately fills with a hopeful excitement, especially since Kira is a couple of days past her due date. “Hi, Atlas. Is Kira okay?”
“She’s good. In fact, I’m calling to give you the wonderful news. Kira had the baby this morning. Her name is Felicity.”
“Aww, Felicity. I love that name. They’re both doing well?” I can tell they are by Atlas’s voice, which is proud and happy and has an uncharacteristic tinge of nervous excitement. I know from experience the kind of impact a baby can have on a man, even one who doesn’t often show a softer side.
“They’re both fine. Healthy baby girl. Kira’s resting now, but she said she’d like to see you if you’re free.”
I laugh softly, already tidying the papers I was working on into a stack. “I’m free. I’ll see you soon. Do you need anything?”
“Everything’s under control,” he says, sounding more like the Atlas I know. “We’ll see you later.”
When the call ends, I sit there for a second with my hand curled around the phone and my heart swelling with a strange, tender little ache.
A baby. New life always feels miraculous, but with everything Kira survived to get here, this feels like something even bigger. She deserves every bit of joy a baby brings.