Page 32 of Wild Highway (Runaway 2)

I frowned and followed her downstairs, making our way through the rear exit where she’d parked her truck. “So who’s going to be at dinner?”

“The usual suspects. Carol and Jake. JR and Liddy.”

I nodded, remembering Easton’s parents. “I always liked Liddy.”

“She’s a sweetheart. And then the guys. Just family tonight. That’s the rule.”

The Greers and Katherine. Just family. I was happy that she’d found one. But where did that put me? “Should I be going? I feel like I’m intruding.”

“You’re not. And besides, it’s too late now.” She laughed as she drove. “If you don’t show up with me, Carol will just come and collect you herself.”

We bounced along the gravel road, driving toward the mountains that had greeted me each morning this week. When a house came into view beside a grove of aspen trees, my mouth fell open. “Wow.”

“Pretty, right? Carol wanted to coordinate the house with the lodge, so they went with the same look.”

The dark wooden siding along with the stonework out front was rustic yet classy. The house was warm and inviting but too big to be considered cozy. It was the castle for a Montana working couple who’d earned their retirement.

A line of dirty vehicles crowded the long gravel driveway, and before we were even parked, the front door opened. Carol’s white hair caught the fading sunset’s light, tinting the soft strands pink.

“I only have five bottles of wine,” she said, waving us inside. “Save two for the rest of us, will you?”

Katherine and I both laughed as we stepped across the threshold. Then we were mobbed.

“Welcome back.” Jake hugged me first, then pulled Katherine into his side, pinning her there.

Next came JR who clapped me on the back. “I’m Jake Junior. Or JR. Not sure if you remember me or not.”

I smiled. “Of course, I do.”

“Heard you’re our newest employee.”

“That’s right,” I said. Easton was standing in the living room, close enough to overhear. I shot him a smug grin. “Today was the first day of many.”

He scowled and took a long drink from the beer bottle in his grip.

“Hi, Gemma.” Liddy took her husband’s place for a hug. “It’s so nice seeing you again. Welcome back.”

“Thank you for having me.”

“Hey, again.” Cash extended a hand from where he stood beside his mother.

“Hi, Cash.” I shook his hand, taking in the similarities of the Greer men now that they were in the same room.

Easton had inherited his father’s and grandfather’s black-coffee eyes, while Cash had gotten Liddy’s hazel irises. But that seemed to be the only thing she’d passed to her sons. Otherwise, with their strong jaws and dark hair, Easton and Cash were yo

unger versions of Jake and JR.

“Come on in and sit.” Carol escorted us all to the long dining room off the kitchen.

Above the table, a bright glass chandelier illuminated the room. The table was a deep stained walnut, the top satiny smooth and each place set with a glossy cream plate.

“Liddy. JR. Cash. Katherine.” Carol pointed to the assigned chairs as she fired names.

I held back a smile that she’d paired Cash and Katherine together. Then my heart dropped. Because there were two seats left beside each other.

One for me.

One for Easton.