“Distance makes the heart grow fonder.”
“In this case, I want it to clear my brain so I can think about the situation logically instead of getting sidetracked with naked thoughts about him.” She blew out a breath. “Have you smelled him tonight? Maybe it’s the whiskey talking, but I could eat him right up.”
“It’s the whiskey. He smells like Cooper plus cookies. And when have you ever thought logically about a guy?” I teased.
“I know, right?” She chuckled, but then sobered. “Seriously, ever since I went on this sabbatical from men, I’ve felt pretty damn good. No more insecurities, no more self-doubts, no more concerns about if what I’m doing or saying will cause a fight later. It’s been really freeing.”
“And lonely,” I pointed out. I knew that from experience. I’d been on an involuntary sabbatical from men more often than not since having children.
She scowled. “And lonely.”
I poured some lemon-lime soda pop over my whiskey slush. “I’m sure your cousins will be able to keep your mind off the bossy bonehead for a while.”
“I talked to Claire earlier. Gramps wants her to help him tear down the General Store’s rotting back deck and build a new one. She said she could use my help putting up with Gramps and his peanut gallery while we work.”
I put away the whiskey slush and soda pop. “You always enjoy working with your hands.”
“It’s relaxing.”
“What about the work you’ve been doing for Freesia at the old boarding house?”
“She’s going to be in Nevada until after New Year’s. Everything we’ve been doing is just for looks. There’s nothing structural that needs my attention.”
“I think you need to go then,” I said.
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Are you going to be okay while I’m gone?”
“Probably not. I’m sure I’ll pine for you hourly.”
She laughed. “Besides pining, will you be able to keep your nose out of danger until I get back? I wouldn’t want to miss out on any ghost hunts or monster parties.”
“I’ll do my best to wait for you before I run hell-bent into trouble again.” I raised my glass toward her. “Here’s to clearing your head.”
She clinked her almost empty glass against mine. “With any luck, I’ll be able to shake free of these sticky feelings and come back here a stronger and better woman.”
“I’d settle for better looking,” I joked, heading for the living room with drinks in hand.
She poked my ribs as I passed her, almost making me spill the drinks.
As I settled back into my chair in front of the puzzle, I glanced at Cooper. He was watching Natalie, who’d moved over by the window to stare out into the night. The longing on his face made my chest ache a little for him. If Natalie succeeded in her goal of conquering her libido, then he was going to be grouchier than a pissed-off wolverine for a long time to come. Maybe somebody should whisper in his ear about where she was going and why.
No, I needed to keep out of this, no matter how tempting it was to play cupid.
The front door opened and shut. I waited, expecting to hear my kids’ voices.
“Is there any cherry pie left?” a familiar, deep voice called out.
I jumped out of my chair. “Quint!”
Natalie whirled from the window, a grin plastered on her face. “He made it!”
We raced to the foyer, both of us tackling my brother as he shrugged off his canvas winter coat.
After we gave him a moment to breathe, he looked around. His dark hair was a little longer than usual, curling around his collar, but his hazel eyes were bright and full of laughter and love, same as always. “Where is everyone?”
I told him, ending with Susan heading to Denver.
“Why Denver?”
Natalie and I frowned at each other.
“It’s a long story,” she said.
I pulled Quint toward the living room. “I’ll explain it later. Come say hello to everyone else. I don’t think you’ve met Cornelius.”
A half hour later, the snowcat had returned and my mom and Aunt Zoe were spoiling my brother with hugs and cherry pie in the kitchen. Reid had taken my place at the puzzle table while Dad, the kids, and Natalie watched John Candy play the lovable Uncle Buck on the television. They’d finally burned out on Christmas shows.
Doc closed his book and wiggled his finger at me to come hither, leading the way to my old bedroom. He closed the door behind me. “Reid and Coop need to head back to Deadwood in the morning. They’re taking the snowcat.”
I nodded. “I wondered how long they could stay away before being called back to duty.”
“I’m thinking about going with them so we can get your Honda off the side of the road. I can follow Reid’s plow down Strawberry Hill.”
“What about the snowstorm?” The flakes had stopped falling down in Rapid City, but that didn’t mean the storm wasn’t still dumping in the hills.
“It’s stopped up there, too. Coop checked in with the facilities crew. They’ve been plowing through the holiday to clear the main roads. Strawberry and most of US 385 should be in pretty good shape by morning.”
“Those poor guys didn’t even get to enjoy Christmas.”
“Coop said they were offered triple pay for their time.”
“Oh, good.” Extra money at Christmas always helped to cover the credit card bills that rolled in come January.
“Do you want to stay down here with your parents for another day or come back to Deadwood with us?”
“Let me talk to the kids and Aunt Zoe, see what they want to do.”
“Don’t forget about Elvis.”
“Ha! That chicken stays with Addy. I’m off chicken duty for now.” I sat down on the bed. “I think Natalie will want to go with you guys. She told me today she’s heading down to Arizona as soon as she can get home and packed.”
“Arizona, huh? Is she running to or from something?”
“From.”
Doc nodded, catching my drift. “That’s going to burn.”
“I know. I’m tempted to say something to him.”
“Violet, do you really—”
“But I
