Page 23 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

Across the room, Jinx’s adoptive mom, Petra, rose to her feet and walked forward. “My turn to finish so we can eat. Girls’ Nights Out are sometimes serious, sometimes only fun. But the biggest reason for GNO is not only to connect with the women in your lives, but to take time for yourself. Life isn’t easy, and the world often makes it harder for women. Fill your tanks, ladies. Keep your fires strong.”

Applause broke out across the room, and everywhere, women rose to embrace the ladies next to them.

Petra pulled Jinx in for a hug, and Sasha turned to find herself facing her own mother.

“I’m proud of the woman you’ve become,” Tamara said softly.

“I’ve had great role models.” Sasha forced the words out without her voice quivering before she clung tightly to the woman who’d turned them back into a family so many years ago.

So much wisdom shared that night. So many powerful truths.

Sasha wandered the house for the rest of the evening, nibbling on perfectly fatty and salty snacks, and laughed with the ladies of Heart Falls.

Sweet happiness swelled inside. She was loved, and a part of something much bigger than herself.

Whatever the future held, she was ready to dive right in.

Part II

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth…

* * *

The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost

6

As much as Madison loved her in-laws, having them living with her, Ryan, and their family was a challenge at times. The situation was temporary until a room opened for them at the Heart Falls Seniors Lodge, but for now, sharing a house meant accepting all the good and a bit of bad.

Grandparents who loved their grandchildren and adored getting to help care for them? Win.

Ryan and Maddie giving up their bedroom and sleeping in the living room? Not as much fun.

Challenging, Maddy reminded herself. Which made the tough parts a problem, and she was the queen of problem-solving. Especially this morning.

Part one of her creative solution to the problem—she’d invited their friends Yvette and Alex to join her and Ryan at Buns and Roses to have breakfast and catch up. The meal done, the chatting enjoyed, they’d walked down the block to the hall’s building site to witness the final roofing materials being laid in place.

“I’m going to miss being able to see the forward motion,” Yvette said. The pretty veterinarian leaned into her fiancé Alex’s side as she kept her gaze focused upward. “Every day I drive past, and it’s been so neat to see the changes over the past two months.”

“Still tons of changes to come, but you’re right,” Maddy agreed. “It’s mostly tucked away now for the duration. We’re really pleased with the progress. I’m scared to say it out loud, but if things keep on track, we could be in there for Christmas.”

“Wouldn’t that be amazing?” Yvette said.

“Community gathering then instead of July first for Canada Day?” Alex asked.

“We’re still doing Canada Day,” Ryan shared. “It’ll look a little different than in the past, but it’s still on. We’ll figure out how to make it special.

“Still, we’ll miss knowing what’s happening next in there.” Alex pointed at the hall.