Ruby Lou’s eyes lit up, catching on to River’s joke. “Of course I could. I’d love to see my flesh and blood in a real movie.”

“It’s a documentary, Grandma—”

“It’s a real movie,” Ruby Lou said firmly. “Don’t you put down the hard work of these nice people. It’s better than playing around on rocks for a living. And you do look like a Dothraki, child. Try not to stand so straight.”

“Burn.” Jessie made a noise of sheer bliss from behind his camera. “Ruby Lou, you are my absolute favorite person alive.”

Ruby continued to talk, but when her stories started to blend with each other, River knew it was time to wrap things up. River took her hands, squeezing them gently in gratitude. “Thank you so much. You were wonderful.”

“Do you think I could see the movie when you’re done with it?” Ruby Lou asked.

“Of course. I’ll mail a copy right to you as soon as it gets out of postproduction.”

“Easton, are you taking this sweet girl up through the Veil?”

Kneeling next to her wheelchair, Easton rested his arm behind her frail shoulders. “I’m taking her to the Veil, Grandma. I haven’t decided if we’re trying to summit yet.”

“In July?”

Consternation crossed his features, and he sighed. “Have you been listening to Ash?”

“Maybe Ashtyn has been listening to me.” She leaned over and patted Easton’s arm. “You’ll be careful.”

“I always am.”

Ruby Lou placed her fingers against Easton’s bearded jaw. “Your grandfather would tell you that you need a haircut.”

With a low chuckle, Easton kissed her cheek fondly. “I’ll think about it.”

She turned to River. “You take care of my grandson, dear. He’s a good boy, but he doesn’t always listen to reason. The mountain is in his blood, and that kind of love can poison you.”

“Grandma—” Easton started, but she held up a hand, cutting him off.

“No, you listen. Both of you. It’s one thing to go up there to see if you can. But it becomes an obsession. Your daddy had the poison, Easton, and you’re getting it too. There’s more to life than how high you can stand on a piece of rock.”

She turned back to River. “If he takes you up there, you make sure you bring him back down. One of these days, the Old Man’s going to be tired of being beaten. He’s a patient one, more patient than the rest of us.”

“We’ll take care of each other,” River promised.

As grandmother and grandson started for the front door, Jessie turned to Bree, who was still fiddling with the handheld. “What do you think? How was the audio?”