She saw no way they would be going anywhere anytime soon. Even if Jeremy got his as-yet-unspecified company up and running, their most reliable income was in Moose Creek, along with their best prospect for health insurance. Yet she was afraid to say so. Afraid he would accuse her of taking her dad’s side. Afraid of seeing that look on his face again—the one she’d seen after texting her dad in the snowstorm instead of him.

“I heard Joe Miller talking about the housing market at the store today.” She looked at Jeremy from the corner of her eye. “He’s a real estate agent. He said housing prices have gone up eight percent in Moose Creek over the past couple years and fifteen percent in Ponderosa. Can you believe that?”

Joe had also said wages had not increased to keep up with the change. Jeremy didn’t respond. Instead, he joined in as the cheerleaders led the crowd in a cheer.

On her right, Dad started getting restless as the opposing team moved into the red zone.

“That was a hold,” he shouted. Then he glanced over at her. “I see Jeremy finally learned how to dress.”

She cringed at his tone. Why did he care, anyway? It was true that Jeremy was getting the hang of how to stay warm in Montana, but it didn’t matter tonight. It was a balmy forty-two degrees.

“You won’t have to worry about the cold tomorrow.” She steered the conversation in a different direction.

He nodded. “If the forecast is right, it’s going to be the warmest opening day I can remember, which is too bad. We need cold weather to drive the animals down the mountain, you know.”

“But you’re going anyway?”

“Of course. I just wish your grandpa could go with me.”

A twinge of sorrow squeezed her heart. While growing old was a part of life, it still made her sad to see her grandparents losing their strength and abilities. When she was a kid, she’d thought they could do anything.

Dad leaned forward to catch Jeremy’s eye. “You ever shoot a gun?”

“No, sir.”

“Huh.”

Bea shot Dad a look. “Don’t start.”

He jumped to his feet. “That was a facemask. Come on, refs. Call it both ways.”

“Sit down.”

He acquiesced and looked over at Jeremy again. “You ever play football?”

Jeremy sighed. “No.”

This time Bea jumped to her feet. “I’m going to go stretch my legs.”

“Okay, B.B. Sorry.” Dad raised his hands in surrender. “I’ll stop. I was just trying to make conversation.”

“I’ll come with you,” Jeremy said.

“No, thanks.” Bea scooched around her father’s knees. “I’ve got to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back. And it’s just Bea now, remember?”

“Right. Sorry.” Dad let her pass. “Way to go, Jeremy.”

“What did I do?”