phone out of his pocket and made a phone call. She heard him make arrangements with a friend who had a tow truck made to haul big rigs to come and set the Beast upright and tow it to Helena.
âThank goodness I took the insurance.â Casey couldnât stop staring at the rental truck. Sheâd never seen one from this angle before. It was a bit like looking at a surrealist painting, trying to figure out why people were walking on the ceiling.
âRight?â Brock crossed his arms in front of his body. âMy friend Billy will be able to get this right-side up sometime around noon.â
âThank you.â
They stood together, both looking at the truck without anything else to say about it.
âAre you done looking at it?â the ranch foreman asked her.
Casey sighed. âYeah. I guess. The damage is done.â
âThatâs right.â
The rest of the way into Helena, Casey felt sick to her stomach. Taylor was going to be heartbroken and it was her fault. She was the one whoâd had the idea of saving her sister some cash by renting a truck and driving it herself. Taylor had said, repeatedly, that she thought it was best if professional movers brought her things to Montana. But, as she always did, she persisted until she wore Taylor down. And now, all of her belongings were trapped in a toppled rental truck on the side of a desolate Montana highway. Brilliant.
âThis is it.â Brock stopped at the end of the driveway of a little Craftsman bungalow.
With a heavy sigh, Casey nodded her head. âYep.â
âCan I go in and see Penny?â Hannah asked excitedly.
Casey met Brockâs eye before she said, âNot this time, Hannah. Penny has an ear infection.â
âNext time,â Brock added. âIâll call you as soon as I hear something from Billy.â
âText me if I donât answer.â
âConsider it done.â
She stood with the truck door open and mustered a small smile for him. âThank you for everything, Brock. Seriously. Above and beyond the call of duty.â
He tipped his hat to her, and she interpreted that gesture as a youâre welcome and a thank you, too . She got out of the truck and said goodbye to Hannah and her father.
Her sister was opening the door at the same time Brock was pulling away.
âCasey!â Taylor was holding her baby daughter in her arms.
They embraced tightly, as they always did. They were more than sistersâthey were, and always had been, best friends.
âOh, Tayâsheâs even prettier in person.â Casey touched Penelopeâs creamy, chubby cheek. âHi, Penny, you sweet, sweet thing. Your aunt Casey is going to spoil you absolutely rotten! Yes, I am!â
âSheâs so fussy right now because she doesnât feel well.â Taylor kissed her daughterâs warm forehead.
âPoor Penny.â Casey looked at her little niece compassionately.
âIâm so happy to see you, Casey.â Taylor hugged her again. âIâve missed you like crazy.â
Together they walked up the driveway to the front door of the bungalow. âIâve missed you. I hate that we donât live in the same town anymore.â
âMe, too.â Taylor shut the front door behind them. âLet me see if sheâll lie down for her nap. Itâll give us a chance to catch up. She hasnât slept well for a couple of days, so cross your fingers.â
Casey held up her crossed fingers for her sister to see.
Taylor didnât reappear for a while. When her sister returned to the living room, she was talking in a quieter voice.
âOkayâsheâs down. For how long is debatable! Is it too early for wine?â
âNo. Bring it on, sis.â She could use a large glass or two.
Taylor had been diagnosed with the inability to lactate after the birth of her daughter, and the only upside her sister could find was the fact that she had