Page 15 of The Forever Formula
“That was sweet.” I took the plate and walked to the kitchen.
Noah followed behind me. I stood on the other side of the kitchen island and pulled back the foil. A fresh blast of seasoned chicken smell hit my nose.
“Amen for this chicken. I’m starved.”
“Looks like you’ve been busy.” He looked around, taking note of my progress.
“Getting new hardware for the cabinets tomorrow,” I said around a bite of chicken.
Noah looked like he was holding something back. I knew that look.
“What’s on your mind?” I asked him as I dove in for my second piece of the salty chicken that practically melted in my mouth.
He weighed my question, as if he was deciding on how to answer me. “Nothing at all. Just wanted to drop that by. I’ll leave you to it.”
I shrugged, too tired to suggest he stay and hang out. “Thanks again.” I held up a half-eaten piece.
He chuckled softly and shook his head. “See you soon?”
“Hope so.”
7
BRAND NEW START
Rachel
“We’re just about there. You can see the roof of the cabin up ahead.” I gestured as we pulled up the last stretch of winding mountain road toward Grandpa’s place.
I’d picked Megan up from the airport and had tried to be a good tour guide, pointing things out as we drove. I knew how turned around you could get up here, driving up these switchbacks along the mountain.
“What’s that drive like in the snow?” Megan asked, sounding a bit worried.
“Eh, it’s fine. Once you get used to it.”
“Wow, the cabin’s adorable. I can’t believe you grew up here.”
Her eyes lit up as she took in the details—the long gravel driveway, the notched-pine-log exterior, the sharply pitched roof, and stone chimney.
It was a unique place, that was for sure.
“Look at that view,” Megan said next.
Seeing it through my friend’s eyes was like seeing it for the first time again. “Yeah, it’s really something.”
From the porch, you could see for miles and miles—all the way over to Missionary Ride. Clouds hung around the peak, and the sun gave everything a golden glow.
“This is like a million-dollar view, Rach.”
“It is pretty,” I agreed, admiring it through a fresh set of eyes.
We stepped out of the truck and slammed the doors.
Megan looked around, still taking it in. “No, seriously. Have you looked up what this place is worth? I’ll bet it’s millions.”
Honestly, I had never thought about it before. Having never owned property or house-hunted, I didn’t really think about things like that.
“I never have. But it can’t bemillions. Not in this little town.”
