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He would make that trade any day of the week.
The one thing he wished he could change was his brother. He’d spoken to him the night before, and they’d talked a long time about God, about Lucy and Matt, and about all the things that had been going on. Truman still begged him to come back to Colorado, but Raine suspected that deep down, Truman knew he wouldn’t. Raine missed his brother and their camaraderie, but sometimes people had to make different choices in life.
The ceremony ended, and Pastor Henry pronounced Matt and Lucy husband and wife. Raine clapped with everyone else and couldn’t help but smile a little wider when Lucy and Matt kissed. Maybe that could have been his life.
He would never know.
Later, the dinner ended, the toasts were made, and the dancing started. Raine was surprised when Oliver, the guy who owned the surf shop on Main Street, sauntered over to his table and introduced him to his fiancée. She was from Snow Valley, Montana.
Then the strangest thing happened: his fiancée asked if he was by himself. Even though Raine knew she was asking if he had a date, the question seemed to highlight his loneliness. “I don’t have a date, no.”
Oliver’s fiancée said, “Oliver, tell him about Sarah.”
Raine was confused, and Oliver cleared his throat and gave him a pointed look. “Sarah is from Snow Valley, and she belongs to the family that founded Snow Valley. She’s a Snow. She’s good friends with my fiancée, and she’s staying with us until we get married.” He waved a hand in the air. “It’s a complicated thing, but Sarah’s an amazing person. She was married for three years, and her husband passed away in a car crash.”
Raine didn’t know what to think, but he was intrigued. His interest was piqued further when a tall, curly-haired redhead with the longest legs he’d ever seen walked toward him.
Oliver turned and nodded to Raine. “Sarah, this is Raine. He’s lived here for a few months. He bought a house on the other side of South Port, on the beach.”
Sarah gave him a slow smile. “Hi.”
It was awkward, but Raine could handle awkward. He put his hand out. “Hi. Nice to meet you. Are you tired of being a third wheel? Feel free to come hang out with me for a bit, because I’m all alone.”
Her smile widened. “I’d like that.” She sat at the table, and Oliver and his fiancée discreetly left.
The band started playing, and Lucy and Matt had their first dance. Raine didn’t notice much else, because he was having one of the best conversations of his life with this pretty redhead, who was staying in South Port for an unspecified amount of time. Maybe things would work out.
Pastor Henry and Lily walked toward the dance floor. Pastor Henry winked at Raine as he took Lily into his arms.
Raine remembered what Pastor Henry always told him.
God has a plan. Don’t worry.
As he stared into the ocean-blue eyes of this beautiful redhead, he thought that maybe God did have a plan after all.
Later that night, Raine waved as the “just married” car took off. He was happy for Lucy and Matt. Sure, he was sad for himself, but Lucy would always be a friend. He had done right by her.
He walked toward his car, reflecting on the jovial mood that had surrounded the Stone family and again tonight. This was his second wedding in two months of living here. Crazy.
His car was parked a ways away. Quite a group of people had shown up. As he walked, his phone buzzed, and he saw it was a message from his brother.Dude, I’m right in front of you in a Jeep. Feel like going on an adventure?
His heart raced and he looked up, spotting a red Jeep. He laughed and rushed toward the passenger side, opening the door and getting in. “What are you doing?”
Truman laughed, and they embraced.
Raine pulled back. “I thought you said the beach wasn’t your thing.”
His brother shrugged. “It’s not. But you know what is? The mountains. And after you told me these things about the conquistador gold and the Stone family and their father and how they don’t want to hunt for the gold anymore … Well, I made an executive decision.”
Raine was confused. “What’s that?”
“We’re going to Wyoming, brother. That gold will be our gold.”
“Wait,” Raine said, putting his hand on the dash and kicking open the door. “I can’t.”
“Brother, the woman you told me about just got married. I think all of your plans have been blown up. Come with me, and let’s start a new deal.”
Raine hopped out of the Jeep and then turned back to his brother. “Listen. Don’t do this, Truman. Just stay here with me.”
