Ruby Lou was fascinating. She might have been in her nineties, but her eyes were bright and her enthusiasm contagious. And her stories hysterical. They had to take several breaks in between filming to let Ruby Lou rest her voice and to allow her to gather her thoughts. But they now had more information on the inner workings of Moose Springs than ever. The interview had gone far better than River could have hoped for. She’d never been on that side of things, having always been the one being interviewed, but the pleasure on Ruby Lou’s face at each question had been worth every second.

River definitely owed Easton big time.

Every so often, Ruby Lou would turn in her wheelchair and take Easton’s hand. Each time, he allowed himself to be patted, nudged, or moved wherever Ruby Lou decided. Stoic affection for grandmothers might be River’s new favorite thing ever.

“He’s a handsome boy, isn’t he?” Ruby Lou said, smiling at her grandson proudly.

Yes. Absolutely. The sanctity and innocence of white towels had forever been ruined.

“Ruby, would you be willing to tell us more of how the town reacted to the resort being built?” Jessie asked. “And, Easton, stop looking like a Dothraki. You’re ruining the shot.”

“A what?”

Jessie was not impressed. “Dude, if you didn’t watch Game of Thrones, you and I are never going to be soul mates.”

“Guess I’ll have to manage,” Easton said.

The two shared a smile. Why hadn’t she kissed him last night? Oh, that’s right. Because it was wrong. Wrong and…torture-y. So torture-y.

Fingers snapped to get her attention. “River?” Bree murmured.

“Hmm?”

“You’re drifting, River.”

“Sorry, Ruby Lou. I was thinking that yes, your grandson is very handsome.” Leaning in, River added conspiratorially, “He’s refusing to let us put him on film, except for his legs.”

“Feet,” Easton rumbled.

“We’re up to his knees at the very least. Maybe you could convince him?”

Ruby Lou’s eyes lit up, catching on to River’s joke. “Of course I could. I’d love to see my flesh and blood in a real movie.”

“It’s a documentary, Grandma—”

“It’s a real movie,” Ruby Lou said firmly. “Don’t you put down the hard work of these nice people. It’s better than playing around on rocks for a living. And you do look like a Dothraki, child. Try not to stand so straight.”

“Burn.” Jessie made a noise of sheer bliss from behind his camera. “Ruby Lou, you are my absolute favorite person alive.”

Ruby continued to talk, but when her stories started to blend with each other, River knew it was time to wrap things up. River took her hands, squeezing them gently in gratitude. “Thank you so much. You were wonderful.”

“Do you think I could see the movie when you’re done with it?” Ruby Lou asked.

“Of course. I’ll mail a copy right to you as soon as it gets out of postproduction.”

“Easton, are you taking this sweet girl up through the Veil?”

Kneeling next to her wheelchair, Easton rested his arm behind her frail shoulders. “I’m taking her to the Veil, Grandma. I haven’t decided if we’re trying to summit yet.”

“In July?”

Consternation crossed his features, and he sighed. “Have you been listening to Ash?”

“Maybe Ashtyn has been listening to me.” She leaned over and patted Easton’s arm. “You’ll be careful.”

“I always am.”

Ruby Lou placed her fingers against Easton’s bearded jaw. “Your grandfather would tell you that you need a haircut.”

With a low chuckle, Easton kissed her cheek fondly. “I’ll think about it.”

She turned to River. “You take care of my grandson, dear. He’s a good boy, but he doesn’t always listen to reason. The mountain is in his blood, and that kind of love can poison you.”

“Grandma—” Easton started, but she held up a hand, cutting him off.

“No, you listen. Both of you. It’s one thing to go up there to see if you can. But it becomes an obsession. Your daddy had the poison, Easton, and you’re getting it too. There’s more to life than how high you can stand on a piece of rock.”

She turned back to River. “If he takes you up there, you make sure you bring him back down. One of these days, the Old Man’s going to be tired of being beaten. He’s a patient one, more patient than the rest of us.”

“We’ll take care of each other,” River promised.

As grandmother and grandson started for the front door, Jessie turned to Bree, who was still fiddling with the handheld. “What do you think? How was the audio?”

“Great.” Bree glanced over at Ruby Lou. “If I didn’t think it would be too tough on her, I’d ask her to do the voiceover for all of the historical background. She has the soul of a born storyteller.”

Right as Easton opened the door for her wheelchair, Ruby Lou sat straighter, turning those bright eyes their way. “I’m not so weak as you think. I could still dance circles around everyone here.”

“The soul of a storyteller and the ears of an elephant.” Easton said. “Grandma, what do you think?”

“Would I get to go to Hollywood?”

“Do you want to go to Hollywood, Mrs. Lockett?” Bree asked.

“I always did want to see that big sign. And put my hand on one of the stars.”

Jessie looked up from where he was breaking down the equipment. “On the walk of fame?”

“No, child, one of the stars. Robert Redford, maybe.”

Easton cringed. “Okay, and that’s my cue to wrap this thing up. Come on, Grandma. Dad just pulled up to give you a ride back home.”

Easton wheeled his grandmother to the door to a chorus of thank-yous from River’s crew, then disappeared outside.

Bree looked askance at River. “Wow, you could not stay focused.”

“It’s Easton’s fault. Did you see him this morning?”

“That man should wear nothing but jeans and water all the time.” Eyeing her speculatively, Bree said, “When I went to check on you last night, I had the feeling I was walking into something.”

“Nothing happened. I was…it was the Growly Bear. I drank more than you did.”