Soaring with Fallon (Big Sky 4)
“Get in your car and follow us,” I suggest.
“Excellent idea,” Jeff says, climbing into the backseat of Mom and Dad’s SUV. “Let’s go, boys.”
Gray and I make our way down the fresh road and around a bend where another cottage has just been built.
You can’t see it from Jeff and Nancy’s, but it’s only a five-minute walk away.
We get out of the truck as Dad pulls in behind us and they step out of the car, shock all over their faces.
“We did a thing,” Gray says, gesturing to the white cabin in the woods. It’s small, with a covered front porch, and black shutters. “This way, you have your own place to come in the summers.”
“Boys,” Mom whispers, covering her mouth with a shaking hand. “This is too much.”
“It’s your home, too,” Jeff says, clapping his brother on the shoulder. “You have as much of a claim to it as I do.”
“We both know that’s bullshit,” Dad says but looks at Jeff with a smile. “But thank you.”
“We have all the space in the world,” Nancy says, looping her arm through Mom’s. “And just wait until you see what Gray did inside.”
“Gray built it?” Mom asks.
“Along with Zack,” Gray says and nods. “It’s not fancy—”
“It’s perfect,” Dad says, his voice rough, as they step inside ahead of us.
There’s an open living space with a small sitting room, dining area, and a white kitchen with a little island.
To the right, a hallway leads to two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
“Oh, boys,” Mom says, looking everywhere at once. “This is just fabulous.”
“And you’ll still be close,” Nancy reminds her.
“It seems a shame that it’ll sit here empty most of the year,” Dad says, taking it all in.
“We have plenty of people around to check in on it,” Jeff reassures, waving him off. “And this little piece of land was sitting empty anyway.”
“Thank you,” Mom says, giving us all hugs. “It’s just so beautiful.”
“You’re welcome,” Gray replies. “Now that you’ve seen this, you should ask Noah about his girlfriend.”
I glare at my brother in surprise just as Mom turns to me with a gasp.
“What?” she demands. “Where is she?”
“Not here,” I reply. “And I’ve just barely started seeing her.”
“Oh, I really like her,” Nancy says, making Mom scowl. “She’s just the sweetest thing. And so pretty, too.”
“Nancy’s met her, and I haven’t even heard of her?”
I glare at my brother. “I’m going to smother you in your sleep.”
Gray just laughs as Nancy tells Mom all about Fallon while Dad and Jeff step out the back door to the patio that butts up to the woods.
“When do I get to meet her?” Mom demands.
“Sunday,” I say, praying that bringing Fallon around my big, loud family doesn’t scare her off. “She’ll come to the party on Sunday.”
“She’d better,” Mom says, giving me the mom look. “And where is Autumn?”
I turn to Gray with a grin. “Yeah, where’s Autumn?”
“In Billings, but she’ll be here on Sunday, too.”
“Good.” Mom turns to Nancy. “My boys have girls, Nan. When did we get this old?”
“I have a million grandkids,” Nancy reminds her. “Trust me, you’re preaching to the choir.”
* * * *
“You are beautiful,” I say to Fallon. It’s early evening, and I’ve decided to take her out on a date. We may be living together, but this is still new, and she deserves to be courted.
She grins over at me and reaches for my hand, giving it a squeeze. I’m driving us to town for dinner and a movie. It’s casual, but that seems to be our jam.
“Do you mind swinging by my place?” she asks. “I’d like to see how they’re coming along.”
“No problem.” I turn toward her rental. The windows in my SUV are rolled down, and we’re enjoying the warm air. One thing about Fallon, she’d rather have the fresh air than the A/C, and I love that, especially this time of year when it’s hot outside, and it smells like trees and summer.
Jenna and Christian are walking to their car just as we pull in behind them.
“Good timing,” Fallon mutters as she pushes out of my vehicle and smiles at Jenna. “Hey, guys. Is that a condemned sign on my door?”
“Yeah,” Jenna says with a sigh. “I was about to call you, Fallon. Hi, Noah.”
“Hey,” I reply and nod at Christian, who nods back. “What’s up?”
“Mold,” Christian replies. “I’m sorry, Fallon, but they found more leakage in the crawlspace under the house, and a lot of black mold.”
“I’m so relieved that ceiling fell in,” Jenna adds. “As much of a pain in the ass as it is, it could have saved you from a lot of medical issues. I’m so, so sorry.”
Fallon plucks at her lip, listening and staring at the house. “Should I find another place? Do you have another place for rent, Jenna?”
“It’s summer, and I’m full right now,” Jenna replies. I can see the distress on her face, she truly feels awful about the situation.