“We agreed to remain honest. You believe he gave in to his demons. I’m telling you, Jeremiah worked too hard trying to get you back to the mountain, all of you. There’s no way he fell off the wagon,” she said heatedly. “You haven’t seen him in ten years. He changed, Owen. He became the father he wished he was with all of you.”
“I guess I can’t imagine him any other way,” Owen admitted.
Leslie stood and went inside the closet. When she returned, she held a journal. “This one’s for you,” she said, handing it to him. “In my letter from your dad, he asked that I give this to you at the appropriate time.”
Opening the leather-bound book, he noticed his father’s handwriting.
Owen,
You returned home from Germany today. Gunny kept me posted on your progress. He gave me your address and I debated whether to announce myself or watch you from afar. I drove to your cabin and sat in the woods, waiting to see you recuperated for myself. Two hours later, you drove up, grabbed your crutches, and made your way in the snow to the door. You fell a few times because of the ice. You swore, ranted to the sky, and pushed yourself to get back up. You don’t know how many times I wanted to rush and help you to your feet, but I knew you’d scoff at me and push me away. I don’t blame you. But when you finally made it to the door, you smiled. I knew no matter what, you’d find a way or die trying. You no longer needed me. You’re a leader of men, and I’m proud of you.
Love,
Dad
His dad watchedhim return home? Tears threatened as he continued to flip the pages, reading sections of old memories.
Owen,
I wish you’d return for your own sake. Leslie misses you. She refuses to speak your name. It’s not healthy. Tucker scared us when he got sick. We took him to Denver's children’s hospital. Leslie cried inher sleep, begging for you to come. I’m asking Gunny to reach out to you. She needs you more than you’ll ever know and more than she’ll ever admit. Come home, son. I didn’t change because of Tucker and Conner. They give me the will to stay sober. You and your brothers became my strength. I need to make this right. It’s my greatest wish to have my boys back here together.
Love,
Dad
“See?Does this sound like a man who’d take a single drink?” she demanded.
Owen turned and peered at her. Anger flashed in her gaze as she tried to convince him.
“I believe he tried his damndest,” he admitted honestly, still not completely convinced.
“Come back downstairs. We must get the cameras set up and go through the files. I want you to review the legal paperwork and tell me if you see anything odd or something which might contradict what my father told you.” Helping her to her feet, Owen led her back downstairs.
As they stepped into the kitchen, Rucker turned and asked, “Did you tell him what you told us about the capsule?”
Sighing, she shook her head. “I forgot.”
“What capsule?” Mason asked.
Leslie explained the story about Conner’s assignment.
“Mrs. Johnson made us do the same thing,” Cade said, laughing. “I dug Owen’s up and turned it in again.”
Wyatt scowled. “You might’ve said something. I dug it up, too. She gave me a zero on the assignment.”
The men chuckled and then grew serious.
“Do you know where Conner buried it?” Owen asked.
“Yes, we took it up the trail together,” she explained. “I’m sure there must be something inside it.”
“We need to finish the cameras. Tomorrow morning, we’ll go for the capsule,” Owen told his brothers. Everyone filed out to work on the security system while Leslie and JoJo started dinner. Rucker went to help the men since Dillon left, and Max guarded the cave.
When they finished, Elias crossed off the areas on the map, and they discussed where to place them on the mountain.
“Tomorrow morning, we’ll make the trek up to the capsule. Maybe it’ll give us an idea of who’s involved,” Owen said, twirling spaghetti on his fork.
“We have six days to decide what we’re doing,” Cade announced. “What if we don’t figure this out?”
