48. Skyler

The road from Boulder to Nederland winds through the mountains. A clear, rushing river races alongside us as I take the turns in smooth swoops. I’ve got the windows down, breathing in the clear, mountain air. I’m silently congratulating myself for upgrading to the Range Rover over the compact car they tried to offload on us at the rental place. If this SUV is this much fun to drive in the mountains, I’m wondering what it’d be like to be on a motorcycle.

I glance over at Reese. She’s looking cute and cuddly in jeans and a fuzzy white pullover that exposes a tempting slice of her tummy. I’ve got a white Henley on and dark jeans. To the outside observer, it looks like we coordinated. If I chose to change once I saw what she planned to wear, that’s purely coincidental.

She’s got her eyes closed and even though she insists she’s not hungover, there’s a pained furrow between her brows.

She’s got her face turned towards the open window, letting the cool breeze caress her face, tease at her hair. I didn’t know it could get that big and voluminous. She growled all morning about her frizzy hair, but I think it looks adorable. I reach out, running my hand through the soft waves, letting my fingers massage the back of her neck.

She sighs, turning her face towards mine with a gentle smile.

My thumb circles over the stiff tendons in her neck. “How are you feeling?”

She squints at me, looking exasperated. “Fantastic. Couldn’t be better.”

I chuckle. “Mm-hmm.”

She glances over her shoulder, at the Subaru following close behind us. “Why didn’t Mitch ride up with us?”

I shrug. “Probably trying to reserve the ability to flee separately.”

She nods, smoothing her hand over my thigh. “Has he met Uncle Don yet?”

“Nope. Until a few months ago, I’d never seen the man in my life.”

She peers up at me. “But you still recognized him across a bar. That’s just crazy.”

“When you see him, you’ll understand. He’s a carbon copy of my dad.”

We pass through a long tunnel. Reese reaches over, honking my horn with a big grin.

I laugh, batting her hand away. “What are you doing, goofball?”

She shrugs. “My dad always does that whenever we pass through a tunnel.”

The Rover passes through the mountain tunnel, emerging into the blinding sunshine. We round a few more curves and then a valley opens up ahead of us. A shining lake, bright blue like the sky, sits at the base.

Uncle Don’s cabin is perched on an overlook. I park outside and Mitch pulls up behind us.

I stare up at the glitzy cabin, not sure if I’m ready for this. Or if it was a good idea.

But then Uncle Don is stepping out, his partner right on his heels.

“How was the drive?”

He strides closer, taking my hand in his firm, callused grip.

“It was good.”

Uncle Don’s gaze is drawn to Reese, so I reach around and usher her forward. “This is Reese Olson.”

“Lisa Elliot’s daughter?”

“It’s Lisa Olson these days.”

Reese grins. “But, yes.”

Uncle Don smiles at her. “You look just like her. Lisa was a year ahead of me in school.”

He glances up at Mitch. “And you must be Mitch.”

Mitch gives him a mild smile, offering his hand. Uncle Don hesitates, like he’d rather hug his nephew, but he takes Mitch’s offered hand instead. He turns back to his partner, a lanky guy with jaw-length auburn hair. “This is my partner, Cliff.”

Cliff sweeps forward, ushering Reese ahead of him while he gushes over her wild hair. Uncle Don follows on their heels, and I look back at Mitch.

We exchange brief, uneasy glances. Slapping Mitch on the shoulder, I gesture for him to go ahead.

The first thing I notice about Uncle Don’s cabin is the view. The entire east wall is glass. As I step closer, I realize that’s not glass, but open air leading to a long patio that literally hangs out over the cliff. They’ve pushed the glass panels wide open, letting the brisk mountain air flow through the space.

Everything is modern and minimal, from their massive kitchen to their sitting area.

I feel a slight twinge of envy and realize that Uncle Don and I have similar taste. He’s by the fridge, offering Mitch a wide selection of beer. Cliff and Reese are standing on the balcony, leaning up against a glass barrier that makes my heart beat a little faster.

Cliff moves back into the kitchen, and I join Reese on the balcony. I reach out and curve my arm around her side. She looks up at me. “What would it be like to live out here, in the middle of all this?”

“Spectacular.”

She nods, resting her head against my chest.

Envy and frustration pulse in my chest. It’s not often that I find myself wanting things. I resigned myself to my fate years ago. It’s easier to just coast along, not looking up.

But I’ve looked around and I see things I want, a life I want.

And I know I can’t have it and that feels like shit.

Reese peers around my side. “Is that a hot tub?”

Blending seamlessly with the modern angles, a hot tub bubbles temptingly in the mountain chill.

She looks up at me with a big grin. “They’ve got it all.”

Love. Freedom. Independence.

Seems like they do.