The summer months went by fast. While I guided rafting tours, she spent days enjoying the weather or casually job hunting, trying to decide what she might want to do next. She’d completely freed herself of any prior preconceived ideas she’d had about what her career should look like, and only searched for things she thought might add value to her life.

Being a rafting guide had been fun—up until mid-July, that is. I had finally convinced Frankie to go on one of the tours with me. During an especially violent wave, she got knocked in, nearly giving me a fucking heart attack. Thankfully, she’d remembered everything I taught her and we were able to get her back inside the raft without further incident. When we got back to land, she even had a glint in her eye and said it was fun. I, however, was permanently scarred and refused to let her go again. I couldn’t handle it.

Funny, I used to be the king of pushing people to their limits. Now I was acutely aware of just how fragile Frankie was at any given moment. Maybe I wouldn’t be attempting to convince her to give snowboarding another try this winter after all. I’d feel much better if I knew she was safe and cozy in front of a fireplace somewhere.

“You sure Charlie and Nathan won’t mind us staying there? It’s so weird. It’s like she’s my new boss, and I’m staying in her guest bedroom. I barely know her.”

Funny enough, Frankie had gotten back in touch with Lila. Apparently, what Lila had said about the job at her start-up had really stuck with her. She ended up interviewing remotely and landing it. Now we were headed to Denver for a couple of weeks so she could onboard in person and get to know the team. I was pumped to be back in town for a bit to spend more time with Harrison and my brother.

“It’ll be fine. She’s excited to get to know you better. Nathan’s excited too.”

I glanced over to find her leveling me with a look. “He did not say that.”

I chuckled and stared straight out at the road ahead of us.

Nathan, in fact, had not said that, but that was just Nathan. He had, however, insisted we stay with them when I had mentioned getting a hotel—something that had surprised even me. My brother was growing softer by the second. Perhaps it was the fact that my niece would be here in a couple of months.

Even my mom had up and decided to move to Denver on a whim last month. She’d said she wanted to be near Nathan in case he needed her help. I wasn’t sure how thrilled Nathan was with that idea, but it meant a lot that she was trying. We might not be the most functional family, but we were a family, nonetheless.

I reached over and squeezed Frankie’s hand. “Love you,” I said.