He froze, suddenly looking uncertain. “Do you think he’s still mad at me?” Henry had been so worried that Cal would be angry with him over the lie he’d told. I’d tried to reassure him, but he still didn’t seem convinced as he sucked his lower lip into his mouth and stared at me with wide eyes.
I pointed to the door. “Maybe you should go find out?” Henry didn’t move. I heard the door slam on Cal’s truck. “Better hurry. Once he comes inside, you won’t have another chance to get him alone until after dinner.”
With lead feet, Henry made his way to the back door and stepped out onto the porch. From the window, I could see Cal carrying an openbox. My son, always quick to lend a hand, saw him struggling and called out, “Hi, Cal, do you need some help?”
Cal appeared to stagger. I couldn’t hear what he said but Henry shot off the stairs and trotted over to him, his hands out to receive the bag Cal pulled from the box. Together, they walked back inside, Henry chattering away like they were the best of friends.
Laura appeared by my side, smoothing her hand over her hair before shaking her apron. “Looks like he’s not upset with Henry,” she said, and I hummed in response.
“Did you expect him to be?” I asked.
“Not really.” At the entrance to the ranch, we could see Brian’s SUV headed our way. “Looks like everyone’s here,” she added. “Jake’s wrapping up chores, but I’m sure he heard the vehicles.”
On the porch, I could hear Henry excitedly telling Cal about the volcano he made in class. Their boots hit the steps and I gave myself a quick look in the mirror before opening the screen door.
“Mom, Grandma, look! Uncle Cal brought me a horse puzzle—and one of the horses looks just like King. And he got you guys flowers. Aren’t they pretty?” Henry shouted as he led the way into the house waving the bag Cal had given him.
“Oh, well, isn’t that lovely,” Laura said.
Cal lifted one of the bouquets out of the box he was carrying and handed it to her. “I wanted to say thank you for inviting me to dinner.”
Laura clutched the bouquet to her chest, and I could see tears glistening in her eyes. “It’s been a long time since someone gave me flowers. Thank you, Cal.” Laura placed her hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. When she stepped back, I could see Cal’s cheeks were tinged with pink and there was a softness around his eyes. Imade a mental note to make sure Henry brought her flowers for her next birthday.
He reached into the box and pulled out the other bouquet, which he handed it to me. “And for you. Also a thank you, plus a peace offering.”
I took the proffered flowers, touched that he would think to do so. I couldn’t remember a single time Luke had ever given me flowers. Not even when Henry was born. Sure, I’d received flowers from Laura and Marshall along with a sizable bouquet from the mayor’s office, but Luke? Never. I pressed my nose against the fragrant blooms willing myself not to get teary eyed.
Behind Cal, Jake and Brian stomped up the steps. “Did you bring us prezzies too, Cal? Did you?” Jake teased and Cal chuckled.
“Well, it just so happens that Hastings had a large display of the microbrew we were drinking at the Roundup,” he said.
“4 Noses?” At Cal’s nod, Jake clapped him on the back. “Well, come on in, bro. Let’s crack some open.”
“Not in your work clothes, you won’t,” Laura said. “Jake, go get changed first.”
Brian laughed behind him. “Better hurry up, because we are starting without you.”
“Aren’t you on duty or something?” Jake whined, but Brian just shook his head.
“Not tonight. Alvarez is in charge, which means I can have a beer or two,” Brian declared. Sofia Alvarez was Brian’s chief deputy and one of my closest friends. She had a good heart and a very low tolerance for BS, which made her an excellent friend, even if it often got in the way of her dating life. It also didn’t help that she wore a badge and carried a gun and had a penchant for bad boys.
Laura placed her hand on my shoulder. “Why don’t I put these in vases while you keep the boys from getting into trouble.” I handed the bouquet to her and followed everyone into the living room. Henry had already cleared the coffee table and was separating out the pieces of the puzzle the way I’d taught him.
He rolled to his feet when he saw me and brought me the box lid. Cal had bought him a puzzle with a herd of wild horses on it—and Henry had been right that the horse in front looked like King. “It’s seven hundred and fifty pieces,” I commented. “You sure you’re up for it?”
“I can do it, Mom, I’m not a baby,” he declared going back to separating the pieces.
“You’re definitely not a baby,” I said even though I wanted to disagree. Henry would always be my baby but I also knew he’d resent me telling him that.
Jake could be heard stomping down the steps just a minute later. He headed over to his brothers and grabbed one of the beers. He’d taken a fast shower and hadn’t bothered to comb his hair. It was currently sticking up, making him look much younger than twenty-six. He collapsed onto the couch and went to put his feet up but Henry stopped him before he knocked the puzzle pieces.
Brian elbowed him. “You shouldn’t put your feet up on the table anyway,” he chided Jake who gave him a side eye.
“Yeah, yeah.” He twisted the cap off the bottle and took a sip of beer, smacking his lips. “Man, this hits the spot. Thanks for bringing it over.” He lifted his bottle toward Cal who gave him a quick head tip.
In the dining room, Laura had set the flowers on the sideboard and she was finishing up setting the table. She had a small smile on her face and she kept casting glances toward all three brothers who were sharing tasting notes about the beer and talking about the Broncos. Cal confessed to being a Cowboys fan and the twins both startedribbing him. Cal took it with a grin, pointing out that the Cowboys had won more Super Bowls.
I was half helping Henry with his puzzle while I listened to their chatter. I couldn’t help thinking of how Luke would’ve reacted to his brothers’ teasing. My husband would’ve resented the ribbing and become angry and petulant. He probably wouldn’t have said too much in front of Laura, but I would hear about it later and if I didn’t one hundred percent take his side, he would have given me the cold shoulder until I found a way to make peace.
