Page 48

Ronni

The Stowaways

I flop down on my couch, exhaling as the events of the last two days flash through my mind like a slideshow. Forty-eight hours ago, I was the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I was in Jackson, waking up with the man of my dreams, living in a cocoon of security, sheltered from the stresses of my life.

Now, I’m back in the midwest. I crushed my presentation I left it all for, only to quit the job I’ve worked at for pretty much my entire adult life.

Fuck, Ronni. You really did it, you really channeled your inner Tanner Chapman.

I feel an unhinged smile forming on my face. I still have no idea what I’m going to do next, but for once, the uncertainty is welcome. I think… I’m actually excited about the unknown. I can start fresh, do what I want, on my own terms.

As I try to calm my nerves, I look at my large checked bag on the coffee table in front of me. It’s been such a whirlwind. I’m normally the type to unpack the second I get back, but now I’ve been home for a day and still haven’t stopped long enough to unpack and do laundry.

I unzip my checked roller bag. I let out a small sigh. Lizzy did a shitty job packing for me, it’s a mess. She didn’t even bother to use my packing cubes to keep stuff organized.

After pulling out a few things, my heart stops.

There’s a roll of beautiful brown leather, held shut by a small leather tie wrapped around it. I run my fingers down it, feeling the smooth leather, my fingers trembling as they reach the horseshoe with a TC branded into it.

I unfurl the roll on the couch cushion next to me. My hand involuntarily jumps to cover my gaping mouth as I fight back tears.

There are two knives tucked into their pockets in the roll. At first, all I can see are the handles. The handles are a gorgeous, translucent resin, tinted teal. Floating in the teal resin of the handles are dried cayenne peppers, honeycombs, pieces of cinnamon sticks, and coffee beans.

I pull the larger knife from the roll, holding it out in front of me, admiring the way the handle fits perfectly into my hand. It’s a long, K-tipped blade chef’s knife. The Damascus steel blade is flawless, the alternating layers of light and dark steel look like tiger stripes. I place it back in its pocket, pulling the smaller one out to admire it.

As I pull it out, a note tucked behind the smaller one falls out. My heart is pounding. I’ve been so laser focused the last day and a half that I haven’t texted or called Tanner back. Well that, and I’ve been afraid to.

I realize I’m holding my breath as I open the note.

Ronni,

I know you always said you’d like a set of your own. I made these just for you. I hope these are to your liking. I think they’re the most beautiful ones I’ve ever made. Fitting for you the most beautiful, kind, strong person I know.

When I made these, I used some of Starlight’s old horseshoes I found in the barn. I always remembered how happy you were when Grandpa would let you ride her. I hope you can think about being happy like that whenever you use these…

And I’m sorry. I’m sorry I said what I did. I’m sorry I didn’t come to the airport. I never wanted to hurt you. I’ve loved you as long as I can remember and always will. I hope you can find a way to still trust me and forgive me.

Love,

Tanner

I stare at the note, watching a tear land on it, pooling over his handwriting before it runs down to my fingers.

I need to leave. I need to be with him.

I can feel the tears streaming down my face now.

I grab my phone to call Collin. He picks up on the first ring. Thank god.

“Hey lil sis, you doing ok? How was the presentation?” he asks, surprisingly calm.

I rush around the house in a flurry, grabbing things to throw back into my bag. “I’m coming back. I need to be back in Wyoming. I need to see Tanner.”

“Woah. Hold up. Slow down. What happened?” I can hear the concern in his voice, as I try to fight back the tears.

“I quit. I killed the presentation yesterday, but today… I just couldn’t fucking take it. I quit and walked out.” I hear a brief chuckle before he talks again.

I think I hear Lizzy now in the background, asking what’s going on before he replies smugly. “Well, it’s about fucking time. I’m so proud of you.”

“I’m looking at flights now. I’m going to come out. I can’t stay here. I need to be there. I need to be with Tanner.” I say.

“I take it you found the stowaways then?” His tone is so smug now, I can picture his shit eating grin.

“You little shit. I thought that was Lizzy. Can you pick me up at the airport today or tomorrow? If I can’t get a flight, I’m just going to drive tonight. I just…” I can’t fight back the tears. “I just need to be with him.”

He pauses for a second before speaking. “V. Calm down. It’s going to be ok. Get some rest today, we’ll get you back out here. Please, just don’t leave yet. You’re exhausted and-"

Nope. Fuck this. I can’t bear another second without him.

Screw flying, I’m leaving now.

I need to see him. I need to be with him. “I’m leaving Collin. I’ll put you on speaker in the car.”

I throw the knife roll into the open bag and hastily zip it shut. I walk out the door, locking it behind me before frantically rushing to my car in the driveway.

I throw the bag in my trunk before getting in the driver seat. God, I just want to be back in Wyoming. Back with him. Back in my safe place.

I start to back down my driveway when I look in my rearview mirror. God fucking damnit. Of course my delivery shows up now, blocking my driveway, parked practically inches from my car.

No one is fucking slowing me down from getting back to Tanner. No one.

I throw the door of my car open, trembling with rage ready to ruin this delivery driver’s day if they don’t get out of my way.

They’re getting out of the delivery van, still behind their door as I step in their direction. Fuck. I can’t wait to never see this toxic place again. I walk out the doors into the cool winter air with the warm sun on my face, feeling like a new me.

I feel my heart stop. My legs no longer working as the driver turns around.

It’s not a delivery van. It’s a Sprinter van. A slate gray Sprinter van.

It’s him .

Here.

Over a thousand miles away from Jackson. In my driveway.

My rugged mountain of a man, Tanner.

“I’m sorry, Ronni. I just ha-,” he starts to talk, Rex hopping out to be by his side.

I take the last hurried steps to him and collapse into his broad chest, holding him close. His scent, that familiar earthy leather and pine, surrounds me. His warmth, the sound of his heart beating in his chest, all of it making me feel safe and at home. I never want to let go of him again.

“Why did you come?” I manage to say through my sniffles, the tears slowing down. “How did you get here so fast?”

“I’m an idiot, Ronni. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I know you work hard, I know your career is important to you. I didn’t mean to upset you or insult you. I hated seeing you like that though. I should have just been there to help you, however you needed it. I just need you to know that I love you . That I’ll do anything to be with you. That I do trust you and you can trust that I’ll always be here for you, that I’ll always fight for us. Even it means driving twenty-four hours straight with Rex to come make sure you’re ok.”

His deep voice brings so much reassurance. It’s only been two days since I last heard it and I still didn’t realize how much I missed it.

“Well, I appreciate that Tanner. You’re right, you were an ass,” I say, one side of my mouth starting to form a smile as I sniffle. “But also, you were right about my job. I don’t need that place. I don’t need to keep things in my life that bring me down. I need the things that lift me up and make me better, like you.”

“What are you saying?” he asks, tilting my face towards his, those evergreen forests peering into my soul with a questioning look.

“I quit today. Can we please just go back to Wyoming?”