Page 38 of The Wayward Son

Jade held up a hand. “But we never broke in. There was a window in the pantry that didn’t lock.”

J.T. shook his head. “There’s no window in the pantry now.”

“They probably sealed it off.”

Jake sighed. “To keep young ruffians from going inside.”

Sawyer grinned. “We were never ruffians, Dad. We just liked finding places where we could be alone.” He thought about what he said. “Because we liked being…we weren’t…”

Jake laughed. “I know what you weren’t. I never worried about the two of you in that regard.”

Sage spoke up. “Of course not. They were just kids. And they were best friends. Which always kind of bothered me. I can admit now that I was jealous.”

Jade put a hand on Sawyer’s arm. “I wasn’t able to let anyone else get close to me.”

Sage nodded. “I get that now. He was the one person you trusted. And you picked a good one.”

Sawyer smiled. “And then, eight years later, she showed up at my door in a wedding dress.”

Jacob held up his hands. “Hold on. I need to hear that story.”

Chapter twelve

"Well, I am a rancher's son."

After a wonderful dinner and another hour of conversation in the living room, it was time to call it a night. Sawyer was visibly tired from the long day, despite having had a nap in the truck, and he was ready for bed. Sage invited Jade to stay with her since she had lots of room and would love the company. Jade seemed excited at the prospect of some girl-time with Sage. And the two of them left the house giggling like they were fifteen again.

Sawyer walked them to Sage’s SUV.

“Okay, ladies, don’t get too crazy.”

Jade smiled at him. “You either. Get some sleep.”

“That’s the plan. And if it snows tonight, which I’m pretty sure it will, don’t drive in it.”

Sage scowled at him. “I’ve been driving just as long as you have. I know what I can and can’t drive through when it snows.”

“I’m just saying, be careful.”

“We’ll see you tomorrow.”

He smiled at Jade. “Have a good night. Thanks for driving today.”

“Of course. Would you have driven yourself if I hadn’t come?”

“Probably.”

He closed her door, then watched as Sage drove toward her house. The road was on the ranch property, so if it snowed, it wouldn’t be plowed. They had a plow blade on an older pickup, but the road to Sage’s house was narrow and had fences on both sides of it. Jake never wanted to risk taking out the fencing just to clear the road.

So far this year, Sage had been snowed in twice. It didn’t slow her down much, though. The first time she stayed put for two days until she could drive out. The second time, she walked out and spent the next three days at the ranch house. That second storm also kept Sawyer from leaving for Missoula, which he really didn’t mind. He spent the time working out in the gym he’d put together in the barn. This time, he didn’t care what the weather did. He wasn’t planning on going anywhere, anytime soon.

He'd always liked the snow. But in Missoula or any town, it could be a pain. Here on the ranch, it meant things slowed down for a few days.

He went back into the house and said goodnight to everyone, then J.T. walked him to the barn and went up to the loft with him.

They went inside and J.T. smiled. “How about a beer before bed? It’ll help you sleep.”

“I don’t think I’m going to have too much trouble falling asleep. But a beer sounds good. In fact, I think I have a bottle of tequila in the cupboard.”

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