Page 2 of Fall at Once

I’d spent less time in Cozy Creek while I was with Ross, and I regretted it. Gigi wasn’t fond of him. She was always cordial andwelcoming, but she felt he wasn’t the one for me. Turns out she was right.

With a reach, I grabbed my handbag from the passenger side floor and dug around for my cell—thank god I had a signal. I’d never make it if I had to walk.

I checked my navigation app. I was ten or so miles away from Gigi’s neighborhood, and it was all uphill. I looked down at my feet and the beautiful black stiletto-heeled boots adorning them, holding back a wince. In these heels? No thanks.

Speaking of Ubers, I tapped to open the app, frowning when I saw none were available. I’d call for a tow truck next. But first, I had to talk to Gigi and let her know where I was. She was probably already starting to worry, and I didn’t want to upset her. I tapped her contact number on my phone.

“Hello, honey. Are you running late? Is everything okay?” I could hear the smile in her voice, and even though this situation was the crappiest ever, I smiled back.

“This day is turning out bad already, Gigi. My car broke down by that big ‘Ten Miles to Cozy Creek’ sign. I will definitely be late getting to your place. Calling a tow truck is next on my list, but honestly, I’m so over this car. It can stay here and rot for all I care, the freaking pink monstrosity. Freedom car, my ass.”

I glanced out the window, and for a moment, my annoyance faded away as I took in the sight unfurling before my eyes. Goodness, it was pretty up here. The sun was high in the late afternoon sky, leaving the forest dark and intimidating, while the mountains clung to the remaining vestiges of sunlight. Theleaves had turned into myriad bursts of ochre, scarlet, yellows, and burnt oranges, mixing in with the lush, spiky peaks of evergreen. September in the Colorado mountains was a sight to behold.

“Why is fall so pretty when everything is literally dying?” I asked Gigi, apropos of nothing.

“It’s the way of the world. Things have to die to make room for the new. It’s kind of like your breakup with Ross. It’s time to start over.”

“Ugh, metaphors can be so annoying,” I joked.

“And as for your breakdown. You need to call the Huber, honey,” she tutted.

“Huber?” I purposefully over-enunciated that first syllable, hitting it hard to make sure I had heard Gigi correctly. “Is this one of those weird small-town quirks that I will have to get used to?”

“Uber doesn’t run up here unless you get one at the airport or in the city and start there, but that would have cost you an arm and a leg. I’ll call one of the Huber guys to come get you and call for a tow, too. Tow trucks take forever around these parts, and I don’t want you stuck on the side of the road all night. It wouldn’t be safe. You’re far too cute to spend the night on the side of the highway.”

“I have clearly missed out on the excitement of using the Huber enterprise on my previous visits to town.”

“You know what? Never mind. I’ll call Cole. He’s on his way back to town. I’ll see if he’s close by. Hold on.”

Silence filled the line, and my eyes got big as I contemplated the ramifications of what she was about to do.

Cole?I’d met him a few times. He used to be just one of the three Sutter brothers who lived across the street from Gigi. They were way older than me, always throwing footballs and baseballs around in the street. Who cared about three dumb boys? Not this girl.

But I had spent less time at Gigi’s as I grew out of childhood. Between college, work, and Ross, there wasn’t as much time for lazy weekends and long holiday breaks at her house.

I’d only seen Cole once or twice in the last few years, and I absolutely did not creeper peep on him while he was working out in his garage from the guest bedroom at Gigi’s house. Okay, I totally did, and it was worth it. The man was gorgeous and way out of my league for too many reasons to count.

She clicked back. “We’re in luck. He’s nearby. Watch for a big white SUV with ‘Cozy Creek Fire Brigade’ stenciled on the side.”

“Oh, okay, thanks, but I can?—”

“While I was at it, I called a tow truck for you, too.”

“But, Gigi, I can take care of my?—”

She cut me off. “Don’t you worry about a thing, honey. I appreciate you coming to stay with me, and I will help you however I can. Please let me.”

“Okay, help away. Thank you.” I let it go, deciding to accept her help. It was nice to have someone taking care of me for a change. It felt comforting and warm to be fussed over. “Of course. I’m happy to be with you. Family helps family and all that. Plus, wedon’t spend enough time together, and this will give us the perfect chance to catch up.”

“Pity it took a sprained ankle to get you to take some time off work. It’s been far too long since you came up here to stay for anything more than a dinner.”

“You know how Mom is. We’re always go, go, go at the office.” My mother owned a public relations firm in Colorado Springs, and my two older sisters and I worked for her. I was in charge of the business’s event and party planning aspects. It was exhausting, but I enjoyed it. Making people’s special days the best they could be was the highlight of my job.

Working with my mother and sisters was fun, but I often felt they were far more ambitious than I was. I desperately needed a break and was thankful I had enough savings and my mother’s approval to take all the time I needed. She hired a temp to replace me for as long as it took for Gigi to get better.

“I know,” she muttered. “She was always such a big dreamer, and I’m as proud as can be, but would it kill her to come visit her mother?”

“As long as Dad still lives in town? Yes, I think it actually might.” I huffed out a sarcastic laugh.

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