“Nah, she takes me every day. When Dad dropped me off, he told her not to come for a few days. It made her mad. They argued outside on the porch. Then, when she brought me home, I found him,” Conner whispered.
“Do you know what happened to him?” Elias asked gently.
“No,” Conner said, picking up his napkin and putting it in his lap. “Mom told me to turn my head away, and she cried when she called the police. I heard her tell one of her friends the ambulance people told her he suffered a heart attack.”
Sensing the conversation felt too heavy for the young boy, Owen changed the subject. “What kind of dessert did you pick? I’m getting chocolate cake. When Elias and my brothers got to pick, we always chose different ones and then shared.”
“I’m your brother,” Conner said. “And Elias. We can share three kinds,” he exclaimed.
Elias chuckled and gazed at Owen, both recalling one of the few good memories of their childhood. He didn’t understand why his dad left Conner with Leslie or why they fought. It seemed the young boy thrived under his father’s and Leslie’s care. Questions formed in his mind, and it seemed like the only person who knew the truth had brilliant green eyes and brown hair. Exactly like the woman he dreamed of for the past ten years.
CHAPTER 6
Conner leanedback in the truck seat and rubbed his stomach. “I never ate this much in my entire life. Mom won’t believe me when I tell her about the size of my steak. It’s a good thing we got Tucker and her one. Then she’ll have to believe me.”
Elias chuckled. “It’s a good thing you saved part of it, or you might not have eaten dessert. What’s your favorite?”
“I liked the strawberry shortcake. The lemon thing tasted yucky, but the chocolate one is my favorite,” Conner exclaimed.
Owen drove them home and parked the truck. He saw Leslie in the window speaking to someone. Her gaze drifted downward, and he assumed she spoke with her child. Elias helped Conner carry the bags, and they walked up the porch steps. Owen knocked and waited.
When she didn’t answer right away, Owen stepped back and peered into the window where he saw her last. Leslie ushered her son down the hall and called, “I’m coming.”
Opening the door, she smiled at Conner, allowing him to enter, but stopped Owen. “You’ll call me tomorrow about the times?” she asked.
Owen searched her eyes, wondering why she appeared panicked.
“Mom, Owen bought you and Tucker steaks and dessert. Can I give this to him?” Conner asked, excitedly.
“He’s in the shower,” Leslie said. “Thank you for thinking of us. Why don’t you put it in the fridge, and he can have a few bites when he gets done?”
“I’ll help,” Elias volunteered, sensing Owen wanted time alone with Leslie.
She stepped aside, letting them come in.
“You didn’t have to bring us dinner. We already ate,” she said quietly.
“Then you can have dessert,” Owen suggested. “Conner went to a lot of trouble picking out your strawberry shortcake. It’s the least you can do since you sent him to the most expensive steakhouse in town and told him to order the biggest one. Don’t you agree?”
A sly grin appeared on her face before she recalled her blank expression. “He deserves a bit of spoiling after the last few days.”
“He’s a good kid. Conner used very polite manners. Thanks for explaining about Dad. He didn’t seem traumatized. I have some questions for you. Do you have time?”
“It gets hectic about now getting two boys to bed and ready for school. Of course, I’m not letting Conner return yet, maybe next week. What kind of questions?” she asked, glancing at him.
“How did he die? Conner mentioned Dad, and you fought, and he left the boy with you. Why did he do it?” he asked, firing questions rapidly. Owen grew more curious when her hand shook as she adjusted the neck of her shirt, covering a bruise. His eyes narrowed at her, and his voice went low. “What are you hiding, Leslie?”
Her face went pale, but her lips firmed in a tight line as she stepped away from him. “It’s time for you to go. I’ll meet you once I've settled the boys. Mrs. Robins can watch Conner with her kids since she homeschools. Tomorrow, she’s taking them on a field trip. It’ll be good for Conner to get away from all this.”
“We have a meeting at ten with the funeral home,” he said. “Why don’t you stop by after you drop the kids off?”
Nodding, she gazed into the kitchen, listening to Elias razz his brother. “Conner, it’s time to take your shower.”
They returned to the living room, and Elias gave him a high five. “See you later, bro.”
Conner grinned and turned to Owen, holding his hand out. Owen shook it.
“Thank you for dinner. Can I come visit you tomorrow?”
