CHAPTER 3

The next morning, a few hours before our flight, I bump into Amelia, my next-door neighbor who never stops talking of aura and energy. She's into Tarot reading, and I'm not a believer. As usual, she smiles jovially, her big green eyes shimmering brightly.

"Morning, Kira," she greets with that extra enthusiasm. "You look specifically beautiful today."

I arch my brows. "Amelia, I'm wearing my pajamas, and I'm holding a bag of trash, are you kidding me?"

She waves her chubby hand sassily. "I'm talking about your inner beauty, dear. I can see luck, luck, luck; you're surrounded with nothing but luck!"

"Huh?" I frown, stifling a laugh, for I swear there's no way I'll ever understand her words. "What luck?" I end up asking.

"Love," she says briskly, excited even. "You'll soon be blessed with love, lots of love. It may even feel surreal, dear."

"Huh?" I laugh, staring at the green eyes on my redhead neighbor.

Can she tell that dudes never visit my house and assumes I'm in need of one?

Seeing my puzzled expression, she laughs hilariously. "Oh, I'm so excited for you, Kira." She almost jumps.

This is . . . disturbing.

"Okay. Well, I'm going on a vacation for a while, so I hope you stay safe," I inform her, hoping to just end this session of whatever the name is.

"Oh, that's it!" she says stoutly, her bigger and bright.

"What is?" I ask, scowling bemusedly.

God, I hope this woman is okay in the head.

"No spoiler, Kira," she insists, sounding earnest. "Just enjoy yourself, dear. And remember, if your head doesn't know the answer, then your heart will." She beams, and disappears, leaving me completely stunned.

What is she talking about? I just shake my head, smiling. Sometimes you just have to take people as they are. With my smile intact, I dispose the trash bag, and slowly climb the stairs back inside.

"Why the bikini?" I ask Sam when I find her putting a disturbing one in my suitcase.

"You may need it," she says, looking so radiant in her quest for fashion emergencies, seated on my bed with my suitcase, clothes, and other stuff.

"Really? And where are we going?" I ask again. "Because I don't think there's an ocean in any ranch."

"Maybe a swimming pool? A river?" Sam shrugs, laughing.

"Help me, God," I mutter with a sigh.

"Or maybe not. Let's just leave unimportant stuff." She changes her mind, and I'm not even surprised. "I don't think there'll be swimming over there, right?" she asks and I sigh.

We spend some time packing, making sure we haven't forgotten anything important for a vacation. I'm not really excited about the trip, but I do like the idea of travelling outside California for a change. Good thing I'm so organized so packing doesn't take forever as Sam is in charge of the department.

We are finally heading to L.A International Airport, for our afternoon flight. My friend arranged everything, including the tickets, so I just follow suit like a shadow, no complaint given.

"So, where in the South are we going?" I ask again. It may sound weird, stupid even . . . but I only know that we're heading to Montana.

This is by far the reckless thing I've ever done. I guess I've reached a limit in my dull life that I desire some adventure. However, I know Sam wouldn't plan the trip without any head up.

"You'll see, girl, calm down!" Sam growls, trying up her hair with a rubber band as we're stuck for security check. "And don't worry, I've got all the information I need about this so it's not a mystery or some horror movie."

"Yeah, right. You've successfully made me feel the creep." I huff some air.

She knows what she's doing, I decide. But do you? My subconscious whispers. I don't care. I've been too uptight so let's face the unknown.

Sam can be quite handy, but I always trust her ability to plan things; something that makes her reliable at times.

Apparently we're flying business class, but I couldn't care less even if it were economy. I only want to hit the sky, and see if I can catch some sleep after my usual sleepless nights. I only ask Sam to wake me up when we land, and she too, makes herself busy with her tablet. I somehow realized that we're actually going to Yellowstone, Montana. I've never been there before but I like the idea. I'm excited even.

The plane finally lands at Bozeman Yellowstone Airport, at least two hours later. Smiling, I feel quite rejuvenated after my long nap. I don't understand how I did it, but I slept almost the entire time. We take our suitcases and proceed to the arrivals' curb, with no knowledge of our next move. At least in my case, I guess.

I ask Sam impatiently, "So, what's next?"

"Wait, Liam said he'd send someone to pick us up." She parades around with her phone. "I just need to wait for his call," she tells me absently while tapping on it.

"Send someone? Just great," I mumble, exhausted in manners.

This is seriously crazy. What am I doing, really? I can't help going back to the part of me that's still conscious.

Sam keeps roaming around, then suddenly smiles, and I see her on the phone a minute later. She's now grinning ridiculously that I can't help but shake my head to the sides.

Sometime later a rugged guy approaches us, dressed up in some cowboy attire that speaks loudly of his originality. He must be the one we've been waiting for. I smile when Sam talks to him, and her excitement is beyond explanation.

"No problem, this is all we have," she says, and it's the only thing I manage to hear.

The guy reaches for our suitcases and he finally takes notice of me. He's dark haired, a bit curly, with a serious kind of personality.

"Hi," he greets me with a curt smile. "I'm Peter. Let me help you with these."

"Kira. Pleasure." I let him do his thing before we all head to the van parked outside. My sight gets highly regaled as I'm immediately captured by the wonderful Montana sky.

So smooth, so blue.

"Loving it already?" Sam teases my smiling face, and I only shrug.