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The moment to ring in the New Year has arrived, and I’ve got a decision to make.

Tonight is the big party at Rhodes Ranch that Brad organizes every year. It’s been the most natural thing ever to remain here since Christmas Eve, to be with Brad, to help work with him around the ranch. But there’s a big question mark hanging over us about whether I’m gonna find that I’ve overstayed my welcome and need to disappear out of Brad’s life after all.

We have to talk about it, and I’m fundamentally not good at talking.

A tiny part of me feels awful that my whirlwind holiday romance has left my youngest sister somewhat abandoned in Crimson Ridge.

Mind you, Clara keeps texting me to say she’s fine at the bed-and-breakfast on her own. I’ve asked if she wants to come visit Rhodes Ranch or bunk in with us here at the cabin, but she’s insisted that she has never been happier to have a cozy fire and a choice of two king-size beds to sleep in. Of course, the fact that my credit card is paying for her room and all expenses has nothing to do with it, I’m sure.

I suppose it’s the least I could do since she offered to come along with me.

In my head, I can’t even call this a vacation … because I truly don’t want to consider the prospect of leaving. There was a very real possibility when I punched the details for Crimson Ridge into my GPS that I was making a one-way voyage.

A notion that should feel more terrifying than it does.

In fact, nothing about this feels awkward or wrong. There’s only a warm, glowing sensation filling my chest to bursting, like all of that radiance and sunshine Brad exudes have filled me up from the inside and brought me to life.

However, one thing hangs over us like an ominous storm front approaching. Thoughts of my other sister, and the fact that I haven’t told her the truth, occupy my mind. Do I want to be sneaking around with Brad? Hell no. There are times when you just gotta take the risk and make the right move. Here and now is one of those moments.

Before I can successfully overthink it, my phone is in my hand, and I’ve brought Izzie’s name up on the screen.

Here goes nothing.

My grip tightens as I bring the ringing phone to my ear, a complete scramble of words ricocheting through my mind in anticipation of my sister answering.

“Flinn. Hey,” she says flatly.

“Hi, Iz.”

“Are you with Clara?”

“No, it’s just me.”

She blows out a breath. “Good. I kinda can’t be bothered dealing with another family pile-on. I don’t need the two of you ganging up on me.”

“That’s not why I’m calling.” I scuff my boot in the snow.

“Well, me and Karl are headed out shortly, so I don’t have long for whatever this is.”

“Okay …” I clear my throat. Goddamn, it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest. “You know how Clara and I decided to take a road trip together …”

“Yeah.” She sounds bored.

“We’re in Crimson Ridge.”

“I’m supposed to know where that is? Sounds like Hicksville.”

“That name doesn’t ring any bells?”

“No? Why should it?”

My teeth clench at how little she ever cared about Brad or his life.

“Crimson Ridge. It’s where Rhodes Ranch is.” I guess I’m diving into the deep end.

Silence.

“Izzie, I’m at Brad’s place.”