“No event, aside from it’s a stupendous day, and I take pleasure in being with you.”

Her smile softens, and he or she reaches out for my hand after which turns her face to the solar setting behind the mountains.

“We all the time handle to catch sunsets,” she murmurs.

“It’s our time of day.” I pull her hand to my lips and kiss it. “There’s no higher method to finish the day than with you.”

“You’re further sappy as we speak,” she says. “However I prefer it. What’s for dinner?”

“I don’t know. Let’s see what Mother made.” I open the cooler and grin. “Fried hen, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad, and it appears like some type of cobbler for dessert.”

“Wow. This feast with that view? Priceless.”

And scrumptious.

There’s not a morsel left once we’ve completed consuming. We’ve simply completed loading every part up into the truck, because of the flashlights on our telephones, once we hear the decision of some coyotes someplace on the ranch.

“That’s wildlife,” Summer time says with large eyes and hurries to leap into the truck, making me giggle.

Earlier than beginning the truck to go away, I attain over and tuck her hair behind her ear.

“Thanks for as we speak.”

Her gaze whips over to mine in shock. “You may have it backward. Thanks for as we speak. I had a good time, and I all the time love being out right here in your property. Particularly, your spot on the lake. It’s simply so lovely out right here, Chase. When will you begin constructing the store?”

“Tomorrow morning, very first thing.”

That has her blinking in shock. “You progress quick.”

“We’re already into September, and the snow may determine to fall anytime. I determine I’ve six weeks, tops, of dependable climate, so I’d wish to get it began straight away. I’ll be out right here on most of my days off, however hopefully, you’ll be able to be a part of me generally, when you’re up for it.”

“I can’t construct something.”

“No, however you’ll be able to assist in different methods, and that’s solely if you wish to. And when you don’t wish to, no downside.” I identical to having her shut by, it doesn’t matter what she’s doing.

“I’m certain I can discover methods to be of service.” She takes a deep breath and leans her head again on the seat. We’re simply sitting right here, at midnight quiet, having fun with one another. I don’t know why, however I’m not prepared to move again to city fairly but. “It’s so nonetheless out right here. I guess there aren’t any loud fireworks on the Fourth of July or New 12 months’s Eve.”

“No, we’ve by no means accomplished that out right here. Hearth hazard. It could suck if we had a forest fireplace erupt, particularly if it may be averted.”

“Has it ever occurred earlier than?”

“We’ve had lightning strikes that changed into fires,” I verify with a nod. “I used to be a child, however I keep in mind it was scary, solely about three miles from our home, and we had most of Bitterroot Valley out right here serving to to maintain the fireplace at bay. It took three weeks to place it out.”

“Wow. That’s intense.”

“Therefore, the no-fireworks rule. Truthfully, we by no means missed it.”

She sighs fortunately, and I can see that her eyes are getting droopy. After a protracted hike and a full abdomen, she needs to be exhausted.

“Let’s head house.” I begin the truck and drive us by the property and out to the freeway.

We’re about midway into city once I see a automobile pulled to the facet of the street with its hazards on. And once I decelerate as we go, I see that they’re not merely pulled over.

They’ve hit a tree.

“Shit.” I flip round in the midst of the freeway and instantly attain for my cellphone to name the station. “That is Wild. I’ve an accident on Freeway 98, roughly seven miles exterior of city, eastbound. They’ve hit a tree. Purple Ford Explorer, Montana license plate 48-92631.”

“Copy that,” the dispatcher says in my ear. “I’ve officers responding. Do you want an ambulance?”

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