Page 29

CASE

The drive to Anchorage has been long but good so far. Sutt and I have been taking turns driving.

Along the way, I’ve been sending photos and updates of our trip to Isla, wanting to share with her the sights of the trip through my eyes. Most importantly, a photo of the infamous ‘Duck Norris’ who lives at Bull Mountain Ranch.

Isla: Aww the poor thing. He only has one leg.

Case: He’s also cross-eyed. But here’s the thing, he’s a menace.

Isla: He’s far too cute to be causing trouble. Look at him. That duck wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Case: He wouldn’t hurt it. From what I hear, he’d probably catch and release it just so he could catch it again. Wyatt says he has a reputation for stealing baked goods.

Isla: You’re joking! He’s a thieving menace duck, too? That’s awesome. Maybe you need some birds up the mountain too.

Case: I think Chickens are in our future, not a duck though. Not if it turns out like this one.

Isla: Chickens could be fun. Fresh eggs. Baby chicks. Keep it up and soon you might have a petting zoo and a Christmas tree farm.

Case: Funny you say that. Duck Norris has his own pack of animals forming too. He has a goat, a dog, and a pig so far.

Isla: Why am I imagining that group of misfits and laughing?

Case: Because they’re the most unassuming bunch until you hear the stories about their antics.

Isla: Are you disappointed that you only have Grumps the donkey and not your own bunch of misfit animals?

Case: Ah no. Grumps is enough of a handful right now.

Isla: Are you back on the road now?

Case: Yeah. We’re an hour or so outside of Anchorage. Just had a pit stop at a gas station off the Glenn Highway and swapped over so Sutt could drive the last stint.

Isla: I bet you can’t wait to see your parents in person again.

Case: Cap is out at sea, but Mom’s cooking Kodiak Casserole for us.

Isla: Aww she’s cooking your favorite home-cooked dinner.

Case: Of course, you remember that. I hope you know that there’s nothing you don’t know about me now.

She doesn’t reply straight away, and I know it’ll be because of our conversation on her doorstep about the Call.

Sutt nods down at my phone. “Everythin’ OK?”

“I hope so,” I say quizzically.

His brows dip. “What are you talkin’ about?”

“I told Isla about the Call at the end of our date the other night.”

Pride fills my twin’s eyes. “That’s good, Case. I knew you would eventually, but I know you’ve been worried about it.”

“Not worried, per se,” I shoot back, earning a brow arch for my troubles. “OK, maybe a little. I just couldn’t leave town without her knowin’ how I feel about her. How she’s–.”

“Your One?”

“Yeah,” I reply. “A part of me knew there was somethin’ special between us when we met, but since I thought we wouldn’t see each other again, I didn’t let myself feel it.

Then there she was, sittin’ on a stool at the Lair and since then, I’ve felt it more and more.

There’s no doubt in my mind, Sutt. Our paths were meant to cross. ”

“Why are you worried? Did she not take it well?”

“I asked her to read one of Aster’s books.”

His head jerks. “You think that’ll work?”

“Worked for us, didn’t it?” I shoot back. “The thing is, not once have I been scared about the depth of my feelin’s for Isla. In my soul, I know she’s mine and I’m hers. I don’t even see anyone else anymore. It’s just her, always her.”

I absentmindedly rub the back of my neck, my muscles tight and sore for some reason. To be honest, they’ve been that way ever since we left Timber Falls.

Sutton’s gaze narrows on my arm before returning to the road. “Do you realize that your last low was before we went to Moose Mountain?”

“You keepin’ track, Sutt?” I tease.

“Always have, always will where you’re concerned, Case.”

“You know you can just ask me how I’m doin’, right?”

He chuckles. “Yeah, but I don’t want to be that person who’s always askin’.

That gets annoyin’. You’re a responsible adult and you still have your online therapy sessions.

” He shoots me a side glance before returning his eyes to the road.

“That’s not what I was gettin’ at. I’m wonderin’ whether havin’ Isla in your life is turnin’ out to be a different form of medication for you.

Since you reconnected, you’re happier, optimistic, lookin’ forward rather than lookin’ back.

I’m not sure if you realized but you just got through the last of Winter here and now Spring, and you seem to be copin’ fine with it all. ”

“Huh,” I say, slumping back in my seat. “I hadn’t thought about it but you’re right.”

A smirk curls the side of his mouth. “I usually am. I’m the right twin, after all.”

I snort. “Is that your way of sayin’ I’m the wrong one?”

The bastard shrugs. “You said it, not me.”

“Ass.”

“Sometimes,” he replies, laughing now. “Seriously, Case. I’m happy for you.

I just want you to know that.” I nod. “But let’s get back to the original question though.

Do you think she’s goin’ to stop seein’ you because you believe she’s your soulmate?

Anyone can see that you two only have eyes for each other. ”

“She doesn’t believe in the Call, Sutt. She said there’s no way somethin’ that happens in books could ever be real. She believes in soulmates, just not the part about the mountain callin’ them as a reward.”

“Hmm,” he hums before falling quiet. Unnervingly so.

It’s something he’s done for as long as I remember.

He thinks then overthinks, running over every single scenario and option in his head and doing it quietly.

His tell is when his right brow twitches.

Then again, apparently my left one does the same when I’m confused. Or so Mom tells me.

To fill the void of silence, I continue.

“The way I see it, she might read the book and see that what we feel for each other–and all the physical manifestations of the Call–aren’t just unique to us.

It’s a sign that the mountain has chosen us for one another.

” A dull ache starts pounding behind my eyes.

I lean my head back against the seat and shut them to see if it helps while Sutton talks.

“What did she say when you gave her the book?”

“Nothin’ at first. She did say she’d read it, though. That’s somethin’,” I say.

“It’s a start, for sure.” He nods at my phone. “What did she say in her text messages to worry you then?

I shake my head, still keeping my eyes closed. “She just went quiet when I said she now knew everythin’ about me.”

He frowns, something he seems to be doing a lot around me. “And you think she thought you were talkin’ about the Call?”

I sigh. “That’s the thing. I was .”

“OK. I’m no expert but?—”

“You kind of are, Sutt,” I shoot back, earning a smirk.

“My advice would be to not mention it again. Not until you get back, or until she brings it up. Give her time and thinkin’ space to read the book and process it.

Either she’ll believe you’re soulmates brought together by the mountain—or at least believe that you think that. What’s the worst that could happen?”

I wince. “I could freak her out completely?”

“Not goin’ to happen. You two are meant to be together. Hey, are you OK?” His eyes narrow my way.

“Got a headache. It has come on out of nowhere,” I tell him.

“Yeah, I know. I can feel it too.”

I slowly turn my head his way and open my eyes carefully. “You do?”

“Yep. Thanks for that by the way. Love it when the universe likes to remind us that we’re twins and feel things the same.

” He frowns before rolling his head from side to side as if to ease the tension in his neck.

“Back to Isla, do you really think she’s goin’ to break up with you over this? You said she was it for you.”

“There is and never will be anyone else. She’s the one, Sutt. My One.”

“There you go. You laid your heart out. It’s no wonder you’re all up in your head about it.

You showed her your soft spot, and you’re waitin’ to see whether she’s goin’ to protect it.

That’s why you’re on edge.” He reaches over and taps my leg.

“For what it’s worth. Isla is a good woman.

Her mom is great too. You’ve got to have faith, brother. Just remember one thing for me.”

“What’s that?”

“You can’t change or control it now, especially not while we’re away from home.

Whatever happens, happens.” I open my mouth to ask if he thinks there’ll be things to navigate.

“And before you ask. I don’t think it’s goin’ to be bad.

I think you’re hundreds of miles away from your One and you’re doubting yourself. ”

“I’m sure as hell not doubtin’ her, Sutt. She’s amazin’.”

“Exactly,” he says as if I’ve just had an ‘a ha’ moment without realizing it. “How about I distract you with some news of my own?”

“What’s that?” I ask, my interest piqued.

“Got an email this mornin’ offerin’ me a job at the hospital.”

“Wow. That’s great, Sutt. I didn’t even know you’d applied.” It’s my turn to narrow my eyes at him. “You keepin’ secrets from me now?”

“We said we wanted to do somethin’, remember? Maybe even get a job in town? Besides, I didn’t apply as such. They reached out and asked if I’d be open to workin’ a few days a week. Seems they don’t have many therapists around these parts.”

“That’s great. It can be like your own little Timber Falls project.” I shoot him a grin. I’ve got my tree farm, you’ll have the hospital.”

“Don’t forget my Zen garden.”

I roll my eyes. “Like you’d let us forget that,” I tease.

“I think it’ll be good for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love workin’ at the ranch. It reminds me of all those summers we spent there growin’ up. It feels like–”

“Home,” we say at the same time, grinning at each other.

Sutton’s eyes–the mirror image of mine–crinkle at the sides. “I miss it, you know.”

“The work? Or meetin’ new people. I guess you do need to leave the ranch if you want to meet your One, brother?”

He snorts. “Yep, you’ve got me. It’s got nothin’ to do with usin’ my trainin’ to help others. It’s all about findin’ a wife.” There’s no missing the sarcasm in his voice.

I put my hands up. “Hey, now. I’m not judgin’.” I grin. “A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.”

“You’re a dork, Case. But I love you anyway.”

Rolling my eyes, my phone vibrates on the seat next to me making my stomach tighten. I’m nervous about what she might have said.

“You goin’ to check that or just jump to the worst-case scenario in your head instead?”

I slowly turn his way. “It’s annoyin’ how well you can read me. You know that, right?”

“That’s pretty much all the time, Case.”

I point a finger his way. “See, annoyin’.”

“Just read the message, Case. No point torturin’ yourself over somethin’ that’s probably nothin’.”

Isla: I’m glad the only thing you were holding back was that you believe in fairytales, Case. If you had a secret crochet habit, I’d have been pissed.

Case: How is it that I’ve gone from worried to smiling, all in the space of one message?

Isla: It’s my special talent. Don’t be worried, curious. I’m just processing–and reading–just like you asked me to do. Drive safe so you can come back to me.

“Was I right?” Sutton asks.

“Yeah. She’s processin’ apparently.”

“That’s good. See,” he says, reaching over and playfully shoving my shoulder. “See, nothin’ to worry about.”

“She said processin’, Sutt. Not acceptin’.”

He snorts. “Aren’t I the twin with anxiety and you’re the one with seasonal affective disorder? Don’t go stealin’ my diagnosis. Stick with your own, buddy.”

I swivel my head his way. “Is this therapist humor, Dr. Cooper?”

“Depends,” he hedges. “Is it distractin’ you from worryin’ about nothin’?”

“Maybe.”

“Then, dear brother, my job is done. I will say the communication between you two is very commendable. Open, honest. Very little filtering. I approve,” he says with a grin before nodding to the glovebox.

“I think you should grab some Tylenol though. Somethin’ tells me we’re goin’ to need it until we’re back home. ”

“Why’s that?” I ask, frowning at him.

“The Call, Case. The Call.”