Leslie set down a cooler she filled with sandwich fixings, fruit, and drinks. Dillon carried blankets and towels. Cade pushed a wagon filled with water guns and toys.
The sun shone down on them as they jumped into the cool spring water. Conner yelled as he swung from the rope and dropped into the pond. Owen swam under the water, coming up behind Leslie as they watched Tucker plunge into the water right after Conner.
“You did a great job raising him. I’m glad he and Conner have each other,” Owen said, holding her.
“Thank you. They’re good boys. I’m proud of them. They did a good job today,” she said as they watched Wyatt swing off the rope, splashing the two boys. They laughed as Elias screamed like a ninny as Cade pushed him into the water.
“Your father wanted you to have this,” Leslie said, leaning against him as she watched the men and kids play in the lake.
Owen wondered if his dad ensured he got a second chance with Leslie, too.
“Ten bucks says I can sneak in behind Cade and push him in,” Owen said before diving under the water. He crept close to his brother, and Cade turned at the last minute, wrestling him. Both fell into the water, making everyone laugh.
Later in the afternoon, they packed everything up and headed home. Tired from swimming, the twinsnapped in the stroller, and Tucker and Conner fell silent on the walk down. The brothers seemed lost in thought after recreating a favorite childhood memory.
Owen clasped her hand as they followed the trail down.
“I don’t want to hide us from the boys,” he said. “I want you to move in with me when I find a house.”
“Owen,” she said. “The boys won’t understand.”
“They know more than you think they do. We’re already staying in the same house, and Conner has come to your room twice and found me sleeping beside you. I ran from us before and hiding us feels wrong.”
“All right. Can you give me a couple of days to think about it? I must consider them first.”
“As long as you agree, I have no problem with it,” he said, making her laugh.
“You don’t think they’ll change their mind after today?” she asked hopefully.
“No,” he said, quietly. “My brother’s made up their minds. They don’t want a family again. They don’t want the mountain.”
CHAPTER 32
Friday morning,the lab where they took the rocks called Owen.
“They want us to come there,” he told the group. “Tonight’s our last night together before I call the attorney and tell him we plan to sell next year. What do we want to do?”
“I found some cool stuff in the cabins while I fixed one for Dillon. Do you want to check them out? I finished a couple of chairs.” Wyatt grumbled.
“Why didn’t you tell me you set up a cabin?” Dillon punched Wyatt in the arm. “I’ve slept outside on the swing.”
“Owww, Owen, don’t you have something to say? He hit me,” Wyatt grumbled.
“Next time, hit him harder for whining,” Owen replied. “If we leave now, we can be back before lunch. Everyone think of something to do and we’llvote on it. And we’ll definitely be checking out those chairs, little brother. You have a talent there.”
Wyatt grinned and put his head down, seeming embarrassed by Owen’s praise.
Approaching her, Owen made no bones about hiding his feelings for her as he gave her a kiss. The boys and men gagged behind them, making her giggle.
“I’ll be back soon. I want us to talk to the boys this evening before bed. Maybe they’ll want to ride with me to pick up my belongings,” Owen said. “Do you plan to go back to work this weekend?”
“If I don’t, I’ll lose my job,” she reiterated.
“We’ll figure it out,” he said, kissing her head. “Think of me while I’m gone.”
“I’m gonna be sick,” Dillon said, gagging. “They’re getting so sweet my teeth ache from watching.”
Owen slapped him upside the head as he walked by, heading to the truck. “Then avert your eyes.”
