“Jake, meet Owen. We used to play together when our dads got together,” she said.
Jake shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m sorry to hear about your father.”
Owen acknowledged the comment before he turned to Rucker. “Where’s Gunny?”
“He’s in the bar. JoJo and Max volunteered to help him get supper on the table. You arrived in time.”
“Ha. According to Gunny, if I’m not early, I’m late,” he said as he grabbed his bag from his truck.
“Hope you’re hungry. I guess he thought a couple of your brothers might come with you,” she said, leading him to the bar.
“Elias will meet me tomorrow afternoon,” he informed her as Gunny came out of the kitchen.
“You’re late,” Gunny said, placing the platters on the table next to him, shaking Owen’s hand, and pulling him into a manly hug.
“It’s nice to see you again, Gunny.”
“I’m glad you came,” he said, sounding relieved. “I didn’t want to have Jake and Max haul your ass down here. How did your brothers take the news?”
“They’re assholes, except Elias. He’s the only one who didn’t hang up on me,” Owen said sheepishly.
“They’ll be here soon enough,” Gunny said, picking up the platters and taking them to a large table in the back.
Owen didn’t have the heart to tell him no one else planned to come.
“Why don’t I show you to your room while Dad and JoJo get dinner on the table?” Rucker suggested.
“Thanks,” he felt relieved he didn’t have to stand around making small talk. After all, he spent most of his time on the mountain alone, going months without seeing a soul. Today marked the first time he spoke to anyone in four months.
He followed Rucker upstairs and into one of the rooms. “I placed clean towels in the bathroom across the hallway for you. I gave you the blue ones. One ofthe bathrooms has a plumbing issue, and we’re sharing until the part arrives.”
“I’ll be sure to use the blue ones,” he said as he set his bag on the bed. “Thanks for putting me up tonight.”
“I’m sorry about your dad. He visited Gunny about a month ago. I’ve never seen him upset before. Gunny took him to his office, and when they came out, he seemed better, but something seemed…off.”
Owen peered at Rucker. His father rarely showed his emotions. Her words didn’t make sense.
“Did Gunny say why he seemed upset?”
“No. You know how it is. What one brother says to another remains confidential,” Rucker reminded him. “Wash up and come downstairs. I’m sure Gunny will answer all your questions.”
“Yeah. Thanks, Rucker. I appreciate the info,” he said before she left him.
Owen walked across the hall to the bathroom. Splashing water on his face, he gazed at his image in the mirror. Ten years went by in a flash. It seemed like a long time to hold a grudge, but the Wolfe family were known for their stubbornness. The memory of the night his life fell apart rushed forward.
The boys trampled down the stairs as Mom called them down for breakfast.
“Come on, Elias, you know your dad will make you run the mountain if you're late again. Mason, you’dbetter have your homework in your bag. Dillon, help Wyatt with his shirt, or he’ll stretch it out trying to get it over his cast. Oh, Owen, can you be an angel and set the table?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said sullenly. “Mom, I need to tell you something.”
Holly Wolfe stopped, turned off the stove, and put down the spatula.
“What’s the matter, Owen?” she said, sitting in one of the kitchen chairs and smoothing the hair away from her son’s eyes. “You need a haircut.”
“I went out with Leslie on Saturday. We went to the movies. When we walked out, I saw Dad across the street,” he confessed, knowing his mom knew what he referred to.
“I see,” she said quietly. “Did he notice you?”
