Jack considered that subject as they drove the quiet country road with the radio blaring, the way they used to when they were teenagers. Soon they reached the turnoff with its two giant poles and crossbeam marking the entrance to the ranch.
Jack swung the truck onto the dirt road and braced himself for the jolts as the truck bounced its way over the ruts. “Hey, Nick, what would you think of paving this road?”
“Tonight? I think we’d need a lot more beers for that, bro. Plus we’d have to steal a grader and a paver, and some asphalt, and—”
“Not tonight, numb-nuts. But soon. Before it snows.”
“I think you’d be wise to wait until after the wedding. Hot tar and bridal bouquets don’t really mix, if you know what I mean.”
Jack blew out a breath. “Yes, after the wedding. How many beers did you have at the bar, anyway?”
“One. I was mindful of my duties as the best man.”
“Just wondering, because you’re in rare form.”
“It’s been an interesting night.” Nick paused. “I felt him there at the bar with us, Jack.”
A shiver ran up Jack’s spine. “It was just memories. That’s the first party we’ve thrown there since he died, and you were probably remembering his sixtieth birthday bash.”
“Well, sure I was, but… you know me. I don’t believe in that stuff. Dominique tried to talk me into the idea that there were actually ghosts.”
“There aren’t. It’s pure imagination.” Or so Jack told himself.
“I’m not so sure anymore. I don’t know if Gabe mentioned it, but Morgan swears she saw a ghost in there after closing time on July Fourth.”
“So there you have it.” Jack took a rut too fast and had to grip the wheel to keep the truck on the road. “Women love the idea of ghosts, so Dominique and Morgan are going along with Josie’s claim that they’re around.”
“So you didn’t sense something, as if Dad was there tonight?”
Jack didn’t want to answer that.
“You did, didn’t you?”
“It was my imagination.” Jack drove past the ranch house looming in the darkness and onto the road that led to the Rock. “Dad loved that bar, so naturally I think about him every time I go in there, especially when there’s a crowd and something special happening, like tonight.”
“You know what? I’ve decided to believe that Dad’s ghost comes to the bar now and then. It makes me feel… better, somehow.”
“Yeah, you always were the sentimental sap of the family, Nick.”
“And you always were the hard-ass of the family, Jack.”
“And I wear that label proudly.” Or at least he had until Josie had accused him of building impenetrable walls around his heart.
They didn’t speak again until Jack had parked next to the flat piece of granite that probably had no powers whatsoever. Jack liked the spot, though, even if he didn’t believe much in the local superstition that a person could find clarity by sitting on the rock.
The moon played hide-and-seek with the clouds, and each time it peeked through, it made the streaks of white quartz sparkle. Jack had loved that sparkle effect as a kid, and he still thought it was pretty. Members of the Shoshone tribe didn’t visit this site very often anymore, although they had permanent right-of-way to it even though it was technically on Chance land.
Nick climbed out of the truck and walked over to the rock carrying the six-pack. “Gabe’s missing out. He only has two nights left to be single and crazy.”
“Yep, he’s the first one to fall.” Joining Nick on the rock, Jack sat cross-legged on the granite. It always surprised him that the rock retained so much warmth after the sun went down. He popped the top on the beer Nick handed him. “I guess you’ll be next.”
“Dominique doesn’t want to get married until she’s tied up all the loose ends back in Indiana.” Nick took a long swallow of his beer. “She still hasn’t decided whether to sell her photography studio back there or let somebody else run it. She’s not having good luck finding the right person.”
“But everything’s good with you two, right?” Jack hadn’t shared a few beers with Nick in way too long.
“It’s good. I hate that she’s not here all the time, but we both knew that being together would take some time and maneuvering.”
Jack continued to drink his beer, which tasted great. “I think Dominique’s doing the right thing, taking her time. I have to say, I never expected Gabe and Morgan to move this fast. I hope it’s not too fast.”
“Are you kidding? Have you seen his face when he talks about her? Hell, if Dominique lived here full-time, I’d be agitating to get ‘er done immediately, too. Don’t worry. They’ll be very happy.” Nick lifted his beer can. “To Gabe and Morgan.”
Jack touched his can to Nick’s and polished off the can. “Hand me another beer, Nick. This was a great idea.”
“I have those once in awhile.” He gave Jack another beer. “Oh, while we’re at it, let’s drink to Emmett and Pam.”
Jack choked on his beer. “They’re getting married?”
“No, but they should. Or just live together. I don’t give a crap about the legal part of it, but Emmett’s dragging his feet like an idiot.”
“He has his pride.”
“Pride isn’t going to warm his bed at night.” Nick opened his second beer and raised the can. “Here’s to Emmett figuring that out.”
Jack clicked his beer can against Nick’s, but he wasn’t thinking about Emmett. Almost two beers into this session and his tongue had loosened up. “Josie told me I need to give up calling Sarah by her first name.”
“She wants you to call her Mrs. Chance?”
“No, dummy. You know what she means.”
Nick gazed at him, his expression difficult to read in the dim light from the moon and the stars. “Yeah, I know. Josie’s right.”
“Hell, Nick, how can I start doing that after all these years? It’ll be damned awkward.”
“It’s damned awkward now,” Nick said quietly. “If you think she’s used to hearing Sarah when she wants — and deserves — to hear Mom, then you’re stupider than I thought.”
Jack stared at the shadowy bulk of the Tetons. “I don’t know if I can do it.” He sat in silence, finishing the beer.
“Want another one?”
“No. I need to think this through.”
“Suit yourself.” Nick opened a third beer. “Was that Josie’s main complaint? That you won’t acknowledge Mom as your mother?”
Jack straightened. “Hey, I acknowledge her! I remember her birthday, and I get her something nice at Christmas, and I order flowers on Mother’s Day.”
“Yeah, you really dance around Mother’s Day. The card always says just Jack. Unless I’ve missed it, you’ve never once physically said Happy Mother’s Day either in person or on a card. Face it, Jack, you don’t acknowledge her as your mother.”
Jack swore softly under his breath. He already knew Josie was hurting because of him. He hated to think that he’d been causing Sarah pain all these years, too.