It seemed like forever before the firetruck left and the men returned to the house.
Leslie, Rucker, and Jojo set out platters of sandwiches and veggie trays Leslie prepared to keep herself busy. She fed Mason’s boys, bathed them, and put them to bed.
“Did you finish your homework?” she asked Tucker and Conner, who brought their plates to the dishwasher.
Tucker gazed guiltily at her. “We didn’t do it,” he confessed.
She tousled his hair. “It’s all right. I don’t think I can keep my mind on homework today, either. We’ll make up for it tomorrow. You and Conner get your baths done. I’m sure the men will want to clean up soon.”
Tucker fetched Conner and the two ran up the stairs.
Entering the kitchen, she sat beside Owen as Gunny leaned forward. “You know Jake and Max work for me. Sometimes we have clients closer toyou. With three of you from the military and Elias’ cyber skills, I may be able to swing some jobs your way,” he suggested. “Have you made any decisions?” he asked Owen.
“We met with the lawyer today. We have seven days to make our decision,” Owen said, frowning. “We took a vote, and let’s say we didn’t agree.”
“It’s too bad. Jeremiah hoped you might change your minds once you came together,” Gunny said, disappointed.
“Dad didn’t count on us having lives of our own to get back to,” Cade muttered. “His stipulations require too much of us.”
“Yes, he did,” Gunny agreed. “He insisted on it, hoping to remind all of you of the good times you experienced here. Yes, you suffered a tragedy, but you can’t forget all the good times.”
“I don’t know what he expected,” Owen said. “I’m moving back and searching for a place to rent. Even if I took your jobs, it won’t be enough to keep us afloat.”
Gunny scratched his chin. “You know, Jeremiah told me about the resort offer. This place used to drive a nice crowd in the skiing months and provides a great vacation spot. Have you ever considered returning it to its former glory?”
“I checked the cabins when I arrived. They’re in terrible shape. I can dip into my savings, but I don’t have enough to get it resort-ready,” Owen confided. “The labor alone will bankrupt us. Maybe taking the resort’s offer might be for the best.”
“Take some time to think about it,” Leslie implored. “The boys love swimming in the family pond. Jeremiah turned down people who wanted to camp in the spring. It might be profitable. I work as the night auditor at the resort. This place has much more to offer, and you can supplement your income with Gunny’s offer.”
Unable to help himself, Owen caressed her cheek with his thumb, and she leaned into his palm.
Cade cleared his throat, reminding him they weren’t alone. He turned to his brother and grinned, leaving his hand on her neck. Leslie blushed and peered at Owen. He didn’t plan to keep their secret for long, and somehow her reasoning went out the window. For now, the boys didn’t need to know.
“Leslie, Gunny, Jake, and Max agreed to spend the night to keep watch and install the security systems. Do you mind if we give Rucker and Jake my parents’ room? We can give JoJo and Max Cade’s room. Gunny will take Conner’s room. The boys can sleep together,” Owen asked, picking up the remaining dishes.
“Of course,” she agreed. “I’ll change the sheets and put my things away,” she said, leaving the room. Heading upstairs, she checked on the boys and made her way into Jeremiah’s old room. Going into the closet, she found a fresh pair of sheets andreplaced the ones on the bed. Checking the bathroom, she returned to find Owen silently closing the door.
“I moved Conner’s things and changed his sheets. Cade put the two beds together to make one for JoJo and Max,” he said, pulling her into his arms and kissing her. When they pulled back, she sighed and lay her head against his chest.
“Where will Cade, you, and I sleep?” she asked.
“Dillon’s on the first watch with Jake. Cade will take the couch,” he informed her.
“What about us?” she asked again.
“Don’t worry. I have it all planned,” he murmured. “When the boys go down, Elias will check on them. He’s working on retrieving Dad’s autopsy results. He’ll keep an ear out for Mason’s boys when Mason takes his turn.”
“I have to return to work tomorrow night. Usually I work from home, but I’ve stayed out longer than expected. I’ll need to run reports and pick up files.”
“When do you work?” he asked.
“I work nights while the boys sleep. Luckily, I left my computer in my truck, and I can pull the recent records from the hotel’s files,” she said, tilting her head while he nibbled his way down her neck.
“I’ll go with you tomorrow night. I don’t like this,” he said, sighing.
“Whoever did it intended to harm children,”Leslie said. “I don’t want to send them back to school.”
“Then don’t. I’ll take care of the principal,” he offered. “I don’t know if you noticed, but Sheriff Dalton stopped by to make a report. He didn’t consider it arson. He suggested one of the kids started the fire.”
