Page 78 of His Secret Wish

“What happened?” Again, Mason’s voice was even and steady.

“Things were going great, or at least I thought they were, and then Yaya died.”

“Oh, Jesus, Owen, I’m so sorry.” Mason clapped a hand on Owen’s shoulder. “That had to make things rough.”

“It did, although I think the cracks were already there. I was just too blind to see them. Again.”

Mason nodded and went back to his previous position. The fact he didn’t say anything made it easier to get the rest of the story out.

“I could feel she was drifting away from me again, and I panicked. Told her I loved her and that I wanted to try again.” His voice was rough, like he’d swallowed a handful of the scratchy hay strewn on the floor.

“I take it Izzy didn’t take it well?”

Owen shook his head. “Told me she didn’t love me and that I needed to move on. Get a new life.” His voice cracked, his eyes burning.

“I’m sorry.” Mason’s voice was quiet this time, full of sincerity.

Owen nodded and wiped his eyes, hoping like hell Mason hadn’t seen his tears.

They sat like that in the silence for a long time, until the sun was simply a sliver on the horizon. Somehow, he felt lighter, like actually talking to someone about his shit was helpful, or something. Maybe communicating how he was feeling was actually a good thing. Who knew?

Mason bumped his shoulder against Owen’s. “You want to get a beer?”

Owen pushed to his feet. His entire body ached, and he felt like he could sleep for a thousand years. “Yeah, I’d like that.” He stretched, groaning at the pull of his muscles. “Let me grab a shower and change my clothes, and then we can go.”

Mason stood. “Sounds good. I’ll go and let Grace know I’m headed out. Meet you in the kitchen?”

“Yeah. That sound like a plan.” Owen gave his brother a quick smile and then headed out of the stable and across the gravel to the house.

He’d just pulled his boots off when Mama came around the corner.

“Hello, sweetheart.” She pushed up on to her toes and pressed a kiss on his cheek.

“Hey, Mama.” He gave her a one-armed hug. “I’m sorry I worried you this weekend. That wasn’t my intention. I just had some stuff to deal with.”

“Of course,” Mama smiled up at him, although there was still concern in her gaze. “I just want you to be okay.”

He kissed her forehead. “I’m working on it, I promise.”

“Glad to hear it.” She took his hand. “You did miss Simon and Noelle’s beautiful wedding.”

He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that, too. But in my defense, I didn’t know it was actually happening.”

She laughed, the sound light and airy. It made something shift inside him, and his lips quirked up.

“There he is.” She said the words quietly, almost to herself. And then she shook her head. “Everyone sure was surprised, that’s for sure.”

“No doubt.” He pulled his hand out of hers gently. “I’ve got to go though. I need to grab a shower, and then Mason and I are going into town for a beer.”

Her face lit up even more. “That’s great. I’ll let you to it.” She turned and headed back down the hallway.

He was halfway up the stairs when she called his name. He stuck his head over the banister. She was headed back this way, a large envelope in her hands.

“This came for you.” She held out the envelope.

He took it. “Thanks.”

“Okay, get going.” She made a shooing motion. “You smell like that barn.”