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How is Mr. Bryson?
I grinned to myself. Shirley was the best assistantever. She was more like family. She genuinely cared about Cole, which made me love her even more.
We are having the BEST time.
Cole is going fly-fishing today! Can you believe it?
I want to see him in those wader boot things, lol!
Audrey and I are going horseback riding. I’m so excited!
Be safe! Bundle up!
I checked the temperature out there. It will only be 40 degrees this morning!
And please have the most wonderful time!
I am sitting here in Boston, thinking happy thoughts for both of you. I hope this is the most romantic trip ever!
She included about five thousand heart emojis.
For the second time that morning, my eyes welled with tears. Shirley was like a mom to me—she’d checked the temperature in Jackson and wanted me to stay warm. Could she beanycuter?
I hadn’t even had a coffee yet, and I’d already almost cried twice. But Shirley was the best. She’d accepted me from the beginning and continued rooting for me. It made me feel welcome, which in turn made me feel like a million bucks. That was the magic of someone’s kindness. Shirley didn’t know me, but she’d given me a chance. For a girl like me, that felt like a pretty big gift.
Shirley’s kindness led me to think about Cole. Cole was also the best. He’d accepted me from the beginning and continued to show up for me. Sure, Cole had been cold after I ran out on him. He’d made some empty threats, too. But he’d thawed pretty quickly and been nothing but remarkable ever since. What was it he’d said last night?“There’s only one world, Jenny.”Maybe that was true. Perhaps I could remain with the safety and warmth of the Coles and Shirleys of the world. My auntie Theresa and Cole’s father threatened me from the periphery, but again, I ignored them. Wyoming Jenny was blessed. Whatever waited back at home could do just that—wait.
I hustled downstairs and found Audrey sitting alone at a table in the empty dining room. “I don’t think we’ll have to wait for service,” she joked. She looked lovely as ever in a cashmere turtleneck sweater, jeans, and boots.
“You look so classy,” I told my friend.
“Thank you, Jenny.” She grinned at me, eyes sparkling. “I don’t know how much credit I can take, though. It’s pretty easy to look classy in a thousand-dollar sweater.”
“Ha! True,” I agreed. “But you look happy, and I’m so happy for you.”
Audrey’s eyes sparkled. “I feel like I need to pinch myself. Everything that’s happened since I met James is like a fairy tale. I do feel… Happy.”
I squeezed her hand. “Nobody deserves that as much as you. And it makes me, your BFF, happy to hear it.”
The server brought us menus and coffee; luckily, everything on the entree list was recognizable. We each ordered French toast with berries and more coffee. Audrey looked tired but somehow also energized. “What did you get up to last night?” I asked.
“Oh, you know, engaged-person kind of things.” She winked at me. “How about you and Cole? You two seemed pretty romantic in the hot tub.”
I had another sip of coffee before I answered her. “It’s kind of hard not to be romantic. It’s stunning here. And it’s a wicked nice hot tub.”
Audrey gave me a level stare. “And it’s Cole.”
I groaned. “Oh, all right,” I snapped. “And it’s Cole. Are you happy?”
She grinned again. “If you are.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, I’m happy. It’s just… complicated.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
I sighed, yearning to tell her the truth. “It’s like I told you before,” I said instead. “Cole and I are from two different worlds.”
She started to argue, and I held up my hand. “Woah, Audrey. Here’s the thing. Like I said when I first saw you, you’re classy. It doesn’t matter how much your sweaters cost. You were only ever working as an escort because you needed to keep your brother in his group home. You’re a saint.”