Page 29 of Rust and Bloom

For the first time in my life, I want normal.

I want to exist without performin' it.

I want Sunday dinners that nobody photographs and morning coffee that doesn't need a caption.

I want to settle into bein' happy without turnin' it into content.

The restaurant's emptied out around us. When we first walked in, there were maybe a dozen other tables occupied. Now it's just us and one couple by the bar, speakin' in hushed tones over wine.

The waitress keeps glancin' our direction like she wants to start closin' procedures but doesn't want to rush us. I can't blame her. Places like this live and die by the summer tourist season, and once October hits, they're either battenin' down for winter or cuttin' back to weekend service only.

Jackson's beautiful, but it's not built for year-round life. Not real life, anyway.

Legion's tellin' some story about Ratchet and a carburetor, and Colt's laughin' in that easy way he has when he's genuinely entertained instead of just bein' polite. The tension from earlier has melted completely. They're not brothers yet, but they're not enemies either.

When Colt signals for the check, I see my opening.

"Actually," I say, settin' my napkin down, "Legion was just tellin' me he wants to learn how to fly fish. Maybe you could come by tomorrow and teach him?"

Legion gives me a look that's equal parts amusement and disbelief. We both know he has zero interest in standin' in cold water wavin' a stick around, but he doesn't contradict me.

"I mean," he says slowly. "Sure. Why not. Yeah. Fly fishin'. It's always been on the bucket list."

Colt is not stupid. He knows this is all my idea to get the two of them alone. Whether he knows I'm doin' this to orchestrate their return to Montana… not sure. Probably. But he doesn't make a big deal. "Sure. I'd love to teach Legion how to fly fish. I take it you would like us to fish on your river?"

I tsk my tongue at him. "My river. It's your river too. And why not? Ely Springs and the Snake are right there in the backyard. There's not a chance in hell you won't catch somethin'."

Colt smiles. "Correct. We will absolutely bring home dinner. The Snake is perfect this time of year. Browns are active, and the crowds are gone."

"Excellent," I say before Legion can think of a reason to back out. "What time? Don't make poor Destiny wake up early. How about we try for noon?"

Destiny is just now realizing my social scheduling skills are impeccable and this appointment is now in the date book. She doesn't balk at all.

She simply smiles at me. "We'll be there And I'll be hungry."

"I will treat you to brunch."

We stand to leave, Legion tossin' cash on the table while Colt argues about it halfheartedly. Outside in the parkin' lot, the mountain air cuts sharp and clean, carryin' the promise of snow that's still weeks away.