Elias interrupted. “Gunny called. He and a couple of his men, and Rucker will arrive tomorrow with the security equipment. He said he has something he wants to talk to us about.”
“Great, we’ll get a lecture from our old man’s military buddy,” Wyatt said. “I’m thrilled you brought me here for a lesson on how I’m ruining my life. The Wolfe men can kiss my ass.” Rising from his seat, he stomped from the room.
“What do you plan to do about him, Owen?” Cade asked.
“No,” Mason interjected. “We relied on Owen formost of our lives. It’s not fair to ask him to keep caring for us. We’re adults. Yeah, we got dealt a shitty hand, but it’s time we take responsibility for ourselves.”
“I’m checking on Leslie,” Owen said. “Dillon, go to the ATM and take out enough cash to cover your little blackmailer. She seems to know what she’s doing.”
Elias waved his hand to get Owen’s attention. “I’ve recovered the notes on Dad’s autopsy. I’m searching for the rest of them. Pages appear missing, and I’m digging farther back.”
“Good job, Elias. We’ll review them once I’m assured Leslie’s out of the woods.”
Owen turned and went upstairs. It felt right for Leslie to occupy his parents’ room. She belonged here as much as they did. From Conner’s remark, it sounded like his dad tried to convince Leslie to move from the dilapidated house. Did she turn him down because of pride or for another reason? Somehow, he suspected Leslie refused because of him.
CHAPTER 24
Leslie satup in bed and gave her boys a cheerful smile despite her aching body and throbbing arm. Owen came for them after all.
“Come sit on the bed and tell me what happened,” she told them as she patted each side of her.
“I don’t wanna hurt you,” Conner murmured as Tucker climbed on the other side of her.
“It’ll hurt me more if I don’t get a hug from you,” she said softly. “Did all your brothers come?”
“Yeah,” Conner said, smiling as if Christmas came early. “I’m an uncle, too,” he gushed. “The best news came when Owen told everyone he’s Tucker’s dad. It means he carries Wolfe blood in him, too.”
Leslie peered at Tucker. “How do you feel?”
“Owen said I can call him Dad if I feel comfortable,” he whispered. “He said if he knew about me sooner, he’d have come.”
Leslie stiffened in anger.How dare he blame her. “You can take your time,” she advised him. “Anyone can become a father. It’s an honor to earn the title of Dad. Be sure when you use it, you’re doing it for the right reasons.”
“I will,” Tucker agreed. “We’re ordering pizza for a celebration. Owen asked Cade to bring you back some soup.”
“What happened at the cave?” Leslie asked, beating herself up over falling asleep while the boys needed her.
“We took your phone. You burned up with a fever and we needed help,” Tucker explained. “Owen called me and told me not to worry. Then he showed up with my uncles. I’m glad you’re feeling better, Mom.”
“Me, too,” she murmured, kissing the tops of their heads.
“Hey, you two, Dillon’s ordering the pizza and wings. Why don’t you tell him what you like on yours? Elias might need help with the chores in the barn,” Owen said, leaning against the doorframe.
They scooted from the bed and ran down the stairs.
“Don’t run,” she and Owen said at the same time, making her chuckle.
Owen closed the door and approached her, making her nervous.
Sitting in the spot Tucker vacated, he took her hand.
“I spoke with Tucker. He told me you told him I didn’t come because I served our country. Why didn’t you tell him the truth?” Owen asked softly.
“What good would it do? When I realized you never planned to return, I made preparations for the baby. I didn’t expect my son to get teased by kids. Some of their parents went to high school with us, and two ended up pregnant before they graduated. Yet they still found Tucker fodder for gossip.”
“I imagine you took some flak, too,” he murmured. “Having a baby by yourself must’ve been scary.”
“It didn’t compare to the nights I worried about you getting killed, never knowing Tucker,” she admitted. “Or wondering what I did to deserve you walking away without a word.” She gazed at her lap, unwilling to meet his gaze.
