The Lost and Found (18 page)

We arrived in Boise just before one o’clock, and decided to get something to eat before we went to the airport. After we finished eating, I glanced at my phone and saw we still had some time to spare so I talked Josiah into taking me to Barnes and Noble. He was content to let me peruse the shelves; he held my hand, or kept a hand at my waist, a finger in my back pocket. He let me know when we had a half hour until her flight arrived. I made my choice and purchased two books.

We waited for Gracie at the baggage claim, and I couldn’t help but remember the first time I’d seen Josiah standing here. I glanced up at him over my shoulder; he stood behind me, his arms wrapped around me; his eyes were already on mine. Josiah grinned, his thoughts in accordance with mine.

He leaned down slowly and pressed his lips to mine; one hand was splayed across my stomach, his fingers gently clutching, the other moved up to cup my cheek; his thumb brushed over my lip. He meant it to be simple, soft, a tender reflection of his inner feelings, but as his mouth, warm and firm, moved gently over mine, I reached up and pulled his head closer to me and he deepened the kiss. Without lifting his mouth he turned me to face him and tugged me closer.

“Um… excuse me. Come up for air, Sage. At least to say hi…” came a voice near my shoulder.

Josiah growled a little, warning the intruder to back off. I recognized that voice though, so I reluctantly pulled away from him and spun around to be grabbed and pulled into Gracie’s embrace.

“
Holy crap
! I’ve really missed you,” she said.

I held her at arm’s length to get a good look at her. Then I pulled her back and held her tightly. Tears were falling and I just couldn’t seem to stop them. “Gracie, I’ve missed you
so
much. It’s so good to see you. I can’t believe you’re here…”

“Uh-huh. You’d still be attached to lover-boy there, if I hadn’t interrupted you. Security was getting ready to call the fire department.”

I laughed at that and was able to stem the flow of the tears before I performed the introduction between Josiah and Gracie. I could see her evaluating him; she didn’t bother to hide the fact that she was scanning him from head to toe, deciding exactly what she thought. As much as Gracie enjoyed a cute face, a nice body, she didn’t let those things blind her to their faults. She wanted to see how Josiah and I were together, how he treated me, if he was making me happy. I knew she’d reserve final judgment until she’d seen what she needed to see.

We gathered her bags, and Gracie didn’t travel light. In addition to her carry-on, she had three additional bags, one of which she said was shoes.

“A girl needs shoes, Sage. Just because you’re out in the sticks, doesn’t mean you should stop wearing shoes.”

I grinned at her and Josiah took my hand; we headed out to the car. Gracie took the backseat, choosing to sit right in the middle, just to be able to keep an eye on Josiah and me I’m sure. We stopped for dinner and then headed back to the ranch.

For most of the drive I sat with my back to the door, so I could talk with Gracie better; Josiah rested his hand on my leg, as that’s what he could reach. Occasionally I’d catch him glancing at her in the rearview. I could see he was puzzled by our friendship.

Gracie and I were day and night different. I’m quiet, have a slender build, and though I have my own sense of style, I’d never be in the same ballpark as Gracie. She was loud, in both her voice and personality. Her rich chestnut hair was cropped to her chin and was as straight as could be. Her makeup was always perfect. Her fashion sense was generally right out of the latest magazines.

I’d puzzled about it myself a few times. Gracie and I were different, but somehow, we just clicked. We fit. And as I helped her lug her over-packed and heavy bags up to my room, I had to remind myself how much I loved her.

It was well after midnight before we finally fell asleep. Gracie told me she would wait until her second night here before she’d make me dish on Josiah. I felt a small amount of relief at that statement.

The next morning we surprised everyone by making French toast. It was something Gracie and I used to do when she spent the night, and it just seemed fitting. Besides it was nice to give Sally some time off from kitchen duty.

Josiah came in, his eyes seeking mine before he even reached for coffee. I was a little confused by the look in his eye. He studied my face, looking for something and somehow seemed relieved to find it there. Before he even went to the coffee pot, he walked right up to me, and in front of everyone he took my face in his hands and kissed me. Vaguely I heard the catcalls, the whistles, the clapping hands. Then I heard Gracie.

“So… this is a thing with you? The kissing? It’s like it never ends. How do you all deal with it?”

I grinned because I knew she was only kidding, but I caught a look in Josiah’s eye. Like he was worried I might take her teasing comment to heart, like I might change my mind about him. It made my heart clench — I needed him to know that would never happen. I squeezed his hand and laughed at Gracie and said, “Jealous much?”

“I am.” She sighed theatrically.

I grinned up at Josiah and asked if he was hungry. He kissed my forehead and went to get his coffee.

Josiah

GRACIE WAS NOT WHAT
Josiah had been expecting. She was the opposite of Crimson in so many ways. He wondered about their friendship, how it worked out. He didn’t have any close friends; he was dependent on himself alone. And he was a little worried about her. What her impression might be of him, what her influence might be with Crimson. Gracie looked like she came with a high price tag. And maybe she’d look down on someone like him, think her friend could do
so
much better. Josiah wouldn’t disagree with her on that point; Crimson could do much better, but he didn’t plan on encouraging her in that thinking.

On the drive home from the airport, Josiah could feel Gracie’s eyes on him. She sat in the back seat, behind him, just watching. He didn’t feel condemnation from her, or even judgment, but she was definitely taking his measure. He decided that even if she did try and steer Crimson away from him, he wouldn’t go down without a fight. Josiah decided to wait and see what the morning brought. Crimson and Gracie would have had an entire evening together, to talk and discuss their relationship.

When he entered the kitchen the following morning, his eyes sought Crimson’s, searching for any changes in their pale-brown depths. He felt the relief melt through him, like hot honey, as the only thing he found in her eyes was the same warm heat she always had for him. He was so relieved that he forgot everyone else around them, forgot the boys, forgot Billy. He stepped up to Crimson, took her face gently in his big hands, and kissed her soundly.

It was the sound of loud jeering that brought him back into reality. Blinking, he lifted his mouth from Crimson’s and gave her a satisfied, wolfish grin, hoping she wouldn’t be upset by his public display of affection. Crimson reached out and took his hand, gave it a squeeze, reassuring him and causing his heart to swell in affection and pride. Josiah kissed her forehead and then headed for the coffee pot, feeling much relieved and on top of the world.

Later that morning he told Crimson to take the week off while Gracie was there visiting. He wanted her to have ample time with her friend.

Crimson Sage

JOSIAH RECRUITED ROB AND
Adam to be his helpers so that I would be free to spend my time with Gracie while she was in town. I was relieved in a two-fold way. I was thankful to spend that time with Gracie, and it was nice not to have Rob hanging around all day long, too. Gracie and I stayed in the house for the most part, baking and watching movies, reading books, or just talking.

On her third afternoon here, it began snowing lightly and she had a wild hair to go out in it. So we bundled up and walked around for an hour or so. I showed her the barn, the horses, my car. I could tell that despite the fact that Salmon was remote and the ranch even more so, Gracie was enjoying her stay. She took several deep breaths, relishing in the cold, fresh air.

We were standing on a small knoll; the ranch house was about a hundred yards in front of us. I’d just finished telling her all I’d learned about my past. Gracie knew me so well, knew I didn’t want to hash it out anymore, knew I just needed acceptance.

“It’s so quiet out here,” she breathed.

“It takes some getting used to.”

“I like it. I didn’t think I would. I thought I’d feel too exposed out here, too isolated. But, I don’t.” She was quiet for a minute then said, “I’m glad you’re here. I hated it at first, hated you’d moved so far away from me. But I think this place is good for you.”

“I’m glad I came, too. Glad Billy invited me.”

“Glad you met Josiah.”

“Yeah, I’m glad about him, too.”

Gracie chuckled, as though what I said was an understatement. And I guess, really, it was. I was way more than glad. I was euphoric. I was at peace. I was energized. I was in love.

“I hear hot chocolate calling… and maybe brownies,” she said, and so taking my hand in hers we headed back to the house.

Gracie and I went to bed a little earlier than our normal after-midnight time, the night before Thanksgiving. Of course we stayed up and talked. Gracie had fallen in love with Daisy, being a dog lover herself, and had asked Ethan if she could sleep with us for one night. Ethan had reluctantly agreed, but Daisy seemed fine — especially as Gracie made sure to bring some of Daisy’s treats to my room. And I had to admit, there was something rather comforting about having a dog in the room with me.

“So… Josiah,” she started.

We were lying side by side in my full-size bed, bundled under three thick blankets. The snow was still falling and the moon was a shadowy glow peeking in the window. The snowflakes brushed lightly against the frosted glass; we could hear it on the roof as well.

I turned my head to look at her and waited for Gracie to finish her thoughts on Josiah. I found my defenses rising — I didn’t want her badmouthing him.

“He’s not what I expected,” she admitted quietly. “Not your usual type.”

“No, he’s not,” I agreed.

“There’s something rather
untamed
about him.”

“I know. And I’m sure he could be very untamed if he wanted to, but he’s always been careful with me. He’s never made me feel anything less than completely confident in him.”

“You sleep with him yet?” she asked after a minute of silence.

“I haven’t changed that much.” I rolled my eyes silently; amazed it had taken her this long to ask.

“Still clinging to your innocence, huh? Gonna be a virgin and all when you get married?”

“That’s still the plan.”

“And, he’s cool with that?”

“We haven’t talked about it.”

“Say
what
? That boy? That hot
stud
who can’t keep his eyes or hands off you or his tongue outta your mouth.
That
boy hasn’t tried to get in your pants?”

“Gracie. Please. Josiah isn’t like that.”

“So, is he a virgin?”

“I don’t know… we haven’t talked about it.” I leaned up to look at her. “This is something important to me — for me. I don’t know how Josiah feels about it… I don’t know what his beliefs are. I…”

Daisy had been lying on the rug beside the bed when she suddenly jumped up and growled softly. I turned to look at her; she was staring at the door. We watched the door for a moment; I put my hand on Daisy’s head, to calm her so I could hear. After a brief moment of silence, we distinctly heard the bottom step near my door squeak. Daisy began growling again and ran to the door.