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There sat Soren, staring grimly ahead. Beside him, an enormous ceramic goose occupied the passenger seat, safely secured for the journey.

I started laughing so hard tears came to my eyes. I had to hand Grant my drink. “He looks furious,” I said when I recovered.

“He was very careful with it,” Jack said. “Slowed down for every bump.”

“Did Marge like it?” I asked.

“She did,” Grant said. “She made Jack bring it inside. And then she physically accosted him.”

“For real?” Beck asked.

“She gave me what I would call an overly long hug,” Jack said. “I could smell her perfume on my shirt all the way home.”

That set us off again.

“The funniest part was when Vera said they fought about politics, which is why she was sending the goose over,” Grant said. “We still have no idea why that was the peace offering.”

“Or what their political disagreements are,” Jack said. “Thankfully.”

“For sure,” Grant said.

“Grant, what did she say about Marge?” Jack asked. “About her hair?”

Grant grinned, leaning forward slightly. “She said, and I quote, ‘Marge still has feathered hair she dyes with one of those platinum colors, so that should tell you everything you need to know.’”

“What does it tell us?” Beck asked.

“I think she meant to imply her sister was a little on the trashy side,” Grant said.

“Oh, bless her heart,” Ivy said.

“The entire day was hilarious,” Jack said.

“Only in Montana,” Grant said.

“To Montana,” Knox said, raising his glass.

“To Montana,” we all echoed back.

28

LUCI

December 31

New Year’s Eve Bonfire & Toast

Clear · Frigid · Sky full of stars

Supper: Prime rib · Twice-baked potatoes · Champagne at midnight

At ten minutes to midnight, Grant set our mostly empty glasses of champagne on a table beside the sofa, then held out his hand.

“Dance with me?”

“I’d love to.” I put my hand in his.

One of the ranch staff had been playing DJ all evening from a table near the front desk. He’d just put on a slow song, bringing a few couples back onto the floor. We’d moved the chairs aside earlier, although the children had gradually returned several of them to places where nobody expected to find them.