I DON’T ASK WHERE WE’RE GOING. I just get my borrowed coat, and wind my thick, warm scarf around my neck until it’s under my chin. It’s so snug that it could probably hold my head up on its own. I lace up my boots. It takes forever, and when I’m done, I feel a little like an overstuffed penguin, preparing to waddle across Antarctica.

There’s a lightness between me and Gabe, as if we’re slowly lifting away years and layers of anger. Disappointment.

I know I have to ask him about the phone call, but I wait. Not now. Not yet.

Gabe clicks his tongue and Teddy comes sauntering out of his room, treating us to a long, luxurious stretch that ends with her lying on her stomach on the floor, as graceful as any two-legged yogi.

“We’re not lounging today,” he tells her. “Come on.”

She gives a little huff and rises, arching her back as she continues her morning stretch.

“If I’m ever late, it’s because of her,” Gabe says.

I give Teddy a pat on the head and she wags her shaggy tail with slow contentment.

“I think she’s perfect,” I say.

“Oh, she’d agree,” Gabe says. “Ready?”

I get my first look at Cooper, Montana, in the daylight. The town is almost aggressively charming, with double-stacked buildings lining narrow streets, everything made of brick and stone. There are colorful wooden shutters on second-floor windows, delineating the apartments above the stores.

It’s cold—a fresh, bracing cold, which seems at odds with the bold sunlight and cloudless skies. At some point last night, it snowed and the light makes the ground sparkle. My ears have already begun to hurt from the chill, so I pull the hood of Katie’s coat up to protect them.

Just as I do, a man walks by wearing jeans and a flannel shirt. The sleeves are rolled up.

“Morning,” he says.

“Morning,” I say.

“Morning,” Gabe says.

Even though I can feel the chill through my jeans, I suddenly feel overdressed and out of place.

“Isn’t he cold?” I ask.

Gabe, who is wearing an unzipped coat over his sweater, shrugs.

“He’s probably running an errand,” he says. “No point in putting on a lot of layers if you’re just running to the store.”

I feel a little better.

“I guess we’re not just running to the store,” I say.

Gabe grins at me. “Not quite,” he says.

“Are we meeting Ollie?”

“He’s got other things to do today,” Gabe says.

As far as I can tell, the only reason Ollie is in Montana is to spend time with Gabe, but I’m not about to make a fuss on his behalf. If Ollie wants Gabe, he can come get him.

Until then, he’s mine.

“I thought I’d show you around,” Gabe says. “Just the two of us.”