“Good decision,” Billy said before he downed the second shot.
“You know what I don’t understand, why you give a shit.”
Billy motioned for the bartender again, this time holding up only one finger. Jace waited while Billy downed his third shot. Now they were even.
“I owe you.”
“What for?”
It took Billy a while to answer. Usually, he didn’t have much to say, and when he did, he took his time saying it.
“Renie and I woulda ended up together no matter what. But what you did, that day, took balls. I’ll never forget it, and I’ll likely never repay it.”
“I didn’t tell you anything you didn’t already know. Looking back on it, I was a damn arrogant jackass for calling you.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Billy was studying the last couple of drops in the shot glass. Jace wondered if he was going to order another. “All that matters is you cared enough to do it. You’re a better man than I am, and for that, I owe you.”
“You don’t owe me nothin’.” Jace turned to walk away, but Billy grabbed his arm.
He waved his other hand in the direction of the casino. “I’ve been part of this rodeo circuit for a hell of a lot of years. You don’t see any cowboys walkin’ up, offerin’ to buy me a drink. You know why that is?” Billy didn’t wait for Jace to answer.
“It’s because I kept to myself. I know these guys, but even after years of travelin’ to the same places, week after week, I would betcha not a single one of them would call me a friend.” Billy looked straight at Jace. “But I’d call you a friend, a damn good friend.”
“I appreciate you sayin’ that, Billy—”
“I’m not finished. I don’t know what the hell is goin’ on with you, but whatever it is, you’re not thinkin’ straight.”
“It’s not important.”
“Not important? Only one thing it can be, then. Bree’s got you in a tizzy. Wants you by her side day-in-day-out, that it? Yep, that’s how it is when you’re in love.”
“Nothing could be further from what’s happening. Whatever was going on with Bree and me, isn’t any longer. She’s decided to go to Idaho for Christmas. You see, she and I planned to spend it together this year. I don’t think you make a spur of the moment decision to cancel holiday plans when you’re in love.”
Billy shook his head. “You got it all wrong, partner.”
18
Red was quiet on the drive back from the airport. Bree didn’t mind; she didn’t feel like talking either. It was cold and snowing, and she hadn’t been able to get warm since she got on the plane that morning. Her body involuntarily shuddered, and she wrapped her arms more tightly around herself.
“What’s in the box?” he asked after more than an hour on the road.
“Things that belonged to Zack. Letters mainly, and I found a journal.”
“I see.”
“I started to read the letters the day the box was delivered, but I stopped. I hope you don’t mind me coming here to do it.” Suddenly she felt like a huge imposition.
“I appreciate the company,” Red smiled.
Bree smiled back, and then lost herself in the beauty of the Sawtooth Mountains. Their craggy spires, covered with snow, reached into the blue Idaho sky, as though they were yearning to grow taller still, to touch heavens that remained always out of reach.
“I didn’t ask if you had plans for the holidays.”
“I get my share of invitations from the ranch manager and his family, and some of the boys you met at the Stanley bakery.”
“Do you accept any of them?”
“Not so far.”