Soaring with Fallon (Big Sky 4)

“Oh, no,” I say, laughing. “I bet he smelled good after that.”

“It was horrible,” she agrees. “But, he has a kind heart.”

“He does,” I say with a nod and look over to where Noah’s playing horseshoes. Gray has joined them, and they’re all laughing at something. “I’d say you raised two incredible men, Susan.”

“That might be the best compliment a mother can receive,” she says, watching me closely before she turns to Autumn. “Now, let’s talk wedding. I want to hear everything, and please know, dear, if you need me to, I can come up during the winter to help out. It would be a pleasure.”

I listen for the next thirty minutes about cakes and flowers, dresses and parties. Autumn is intelligent and sweet, and I know her wedding is going to be absolutely beautiful.

“I’m being summoned,” Susan says as she stands from the table and waves at her husband across the yard. “It’s been so nice chatting with you both.”

She hurries away, just as Cara and Jillian join us.

“Are you both overwhelmed?” Cara asks, a smile touching her eyes.

“A little,” Autumn admits. “But in a good way.”

“A lot,” I reply with a laugh. “But everyone is super nice. It’s just—”

“It’s a lot to take in,” Jillian says and nods. “Trust me, Cara and I have known the King family all our lives, and even we feel overwhelmed sometimes.”

“Oh, good,” I say with relief.

“We want to invite you both to go out later this week for a sip and paint,” Cara says. “It’ll be the four of us and Lo.” She looks around. “I don’t know where she went.”

“I think she’s feeding the baby,” Jillian says.

“What’s a sip and paint?” Autumn asks.

“We’ll drink wine and paint pictures with the help of an instructor,” Cara says and smiles. “I’m too old for dancing at the bar, you guys. I hate to admit it, but I am.”

“You’re not too old,” Jillian says with a laugh. “You’re too tired. But we still want a girls’ night out.”

“I think that sounds fun,” I reply and nod. “I’m in.”

“Me, too,” Autumn says. “I’m all for trying new things these days.”

“Perfect,” Cara says. “I’ll text you both with the time and address tomorrow.”

Noah approaches just as Gray reaches Autumn. Noah pulls me to my feet and into his arms for a big hug.

“Are you about ready to get out of here?” he asks.

“Yeah,” I say softly. “But only if you are. I can stay if you’d rather.”

He smiles down at me. “I’m ready.”

It takes us a half hour to say our goodbyes to everyone, but when we’re finally in his SUV driving toward town, I let out a long sigh and lean my head against the window.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“I’m totally okay,” I reply honestly. “Just exhausted. People drain me. It’s why I spend so much time alone. But I really liked everyone, and I had a great time.”

“You can tell me if you hated it,” he says, a smile tipping the corners of his lips.

“I didn’t hate it at all,” I reply with a chuckle. “Truly, it was fun. Seth was cute with his girlfriend.”

“He’d better be using condoms,” Noah says, surprising me.

“Do you think he’s…?”

He looks at me and then back to the road. “Oh, yeah. He is. He’s seventeen, and so is she, and they think they’re in love. But if he brings a baby home, his dad will not be okay.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I say with another sigh. “I think Zack looks like the kind of guy who would be disappointed in his son and then swoop in and do whatever needed to be done to help.”

Noah nods. “You’re right. But let’s not find out.”

“Fair enough.”

“Did my mom drill you?”

“No,” I say, smiling at the thought of Noah’s sweet mom. “She was so nice to both me and Autumn. Hasn’t she met your brother’s fiancée before?”

“She has, but only once because they met in the winter, and Mom and Dad spend most of the winter down south. So I’m sure she was happy to get to talk with both of you.”

“I like your parents.” I yawn. “How’s my eagle?”

Noah looks at me, clearly surprised by the change in subject, but he smiles. “He’s doing well.”

“I’m going to have to check in on him soon.”

“We can arrange that.”

We pull into Noah’s driveway. It’s hot today, but not as hot as it has been, so I’m not necessarily in a hurry to go inside.

“Want to sit on the porch?” I ask.

“Sure, let’s go around back.” He takes my hand and leads me to the back deck. I sit in one of the deep, comfortable chairs and pull my knees up to my chest. “Would you like something cold to drink?”

“A water would be great.”

Noah goes inside and returns less than a minute later with two bottles of water. He passes me one, then sits next to me and takes a long drink.