Page 1 of Falling Together

Chapter One

GEORGIA

“We need more drinks.”

“How can we need more drinks?” I huff, staring at the empty bar. The reception is in full swing. Everyone is dancing and having a great time.

Everyone except me.

Joey and I got put in charge of the reception and making sure everything was perfect. But since she has a significant other, I told her to go enjoy the night.

Which means I’m left dealing with this mess.

“The ranch is at capacity. With everyone stuck inside because of the snowstorm, no one left, which means all those baseball parents are drinking at the bar.”

“Which means the bartenders came in here to grab more supplies.” I blow out an exasperated breath.

Think, Georgia, think.

I’m not up at the main lodge often, but I do know of a secret stash in the barn.

“I think we have a few bottles of prosecco in the kitchen,” Rex says. “We were saving them for tomorrow, but I think I should be able to head into town and grab replacements at the liquor store once the roads are clear.”

“Good. Do that and then I’ll go see what we have out in the barn.”

“Why do you have liquor in the barn?” he asks, quirking a bushy eyebrow at me.

“No reason.” I shrug a shoulder.

Having switched out my heels for cowboy boots earlier, I head toward the barn along a path that was shoveled earlier. With so many people going back and forth between the buildings, it doesn’t surprise me this got done.

At least I won’t have to worry about my dress getting wet. Although nothing will help it at this point.

If only a blizzard hadn’t dumped a foot of snow on Pinecrest, leaving more than a dozen middle-school baseball players and their parents stranded.

A few of the ranch hands are in the barn, tending to the horses. I wave to them, heading to the office where I know a few bottles of bourbon are kept. Sam keeps them on hand for whenever he feels like a celebratory drink after a good day.

Those drinks were needed when Verne was still alive and the ranch was dwindling in guests and money, and the good days were few and far between. Now that Kade revived the ranch, it seems we have nothing but good days.

I find the cabinet and pull out three full bottles. Perfect. Between this and the prosecco, we should be able to last the night.

I've already had two glasses, so I won’t drink anything else to let everyone else have fun.

A light snow is falling. With the string lights hanging between the trees, it makes for a romantic night. Too bad I don’t have anyone to share it with.

Shouts cut through the silence. Glancing around, I notice a group of kids running around the open fields. It’s all the warning I have before a snowball hits me square on my arm.

Bottles of bourbon fall from my arms as I try to catch them before tumbling over, but it’s no use. I land face first in a snow drift.

I push up, snow covering my face and dress.

“Are you kidding me?” I shout.

Could this night get any worse? First I end up with spaghetti all over my dress and now snow is in every crevice possible.

Way to not bring a coat, Georgia.

The laughter fades away as I glance up trying to find whoever did this. Not like anything would happen. Just add it to the list of things to go wrong tonight.