Page 93 of Falling

“You missing our girl?” I ask Dolly. “We’ll get on the road soon. See if we can make good time.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

REAL TALK

RUBY

Callum standing there watching me leave with Delphine and Irene on either side of him and then Dolly bopping up behind him…it’s an idyllic image that will stay ingrained in my mind throughout the day…and I suspect forever.

A flash of yellow catches my eye and I glance at the sticky notestuck to my bag.

Be careful, Sunshine.

I love you.

C

I swallow back tears and try to hold myself together around Scarlett.

“Callum said it’s been a rough night. You okay?” she asks.

“I don’t even know where to start,” I say.

I clear my throat when my voice is all wobbly, and she reaches out and squeezes my hand.

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t feel like it,” she says. “And if you do, I’m here.”

“Thank you. And thank you for the teddie.” I glance over at her and laugh while I’m wiping the tears off my face. “You probably don’t want to talk about that either since it’s your brother, but thank you.”

She laughs, pounding her steering wheel. “I love it.” She shakes her head. “No, I can handle it. My brothers are way more uptight talking about that kind of thing than I am. And you’re welcome. I thought it might be something you’d like.”

She laughs again, and I feel lighter.

We pull into the parking lot of the Landmark Mountain Lodge & Ski Resort, and it’s even more beautiful up close. I feel bad that Callum isn’t the one showing it to me—he’d wanted to and we just ran out of time. I swallow the lump that’s been stuck in my throat since I left him.

Everything feels so uncertain. It’s such a drastic nosedive from the elation I’d been feeling before last night. I reallydon’t want to leave Callum. I don’t want to leave Landmark Mountain.

We get out of the SUV and walk toward the grand doors.

“I’m sorry George couldn’t get free sooner,” Scarlett says.

“Oh, I’m just relieved he can take me at all.”

“Would you like to look around or do you need to rest? I have a suite open if you need to just chill or sleep, or we can eat in the restaurant…oh, and there’s a spa and a great gift shop. One of my best friends works in the gift shop—Holly. I don’t think you’ve met yet.”

I’m so tired that I’d love nothing more than to crawl into bed, but I know I’d spiral, and I don’t want Scarlett to think I don’t appreciate her doing this for me. I’ve wanted to hang out with her more, so this is my chance.

“I’d love to see the place, maybe get something to eat too. But don’t feel like you have to entertain me the whole time. I’ll be fine sitting in one of those chairs by the window and reading. It’s beautiful in here and the time will pass quickly. Do whatever you need to do.”

“Yay,” she says, lifting her hands in a little cheer. “I am all yours. It’s the perks of working with Jamison—he can cover when I need him to and I rarely take a day off, so …” She turns when someone calls her name. “I spoke too soon,” she says under her breath. “Come meet Albert and Vera.”

“Why hello, Ruby.”

I turn and Pappy stands there smiling down at me. He’s tall and distinguished and so sweet. He got teased a lot at Thanksgiving about all the attention he gets around here, and I can see why. He’s the cutest, kindest old man ever.

“Hi, Pappy!”

He holds out his arms and I think he is going to squeeze my hand, but I go for a hug instead. He’s wearing a softcardigan and smells like peppermint. I close my eyes and soak in his goodness.

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