Chapter 10
TEN
The dogs ran ahead on the familiar trail snaking through the forest around Elias’ house. Elias watched Penny sniff at a columbine at the side of the trail. Chuck followed close behind, his nose to the ground. The air was alive with the sound of birds—the sharp cawing of ravens, robins’ morning songs, and the high-pitched whirring of hummingbirds as they darted unseen through the trees.
Wren walked at Elias’ side. Their hands brushed as they walked.
“Tell me about growing up here,” Wren said. “I bet you were a rule-follower.”
Elias couldn’t hold back his laugh. “No. Not in the slightest.”
“Really?” Wren’s hazel eyes sparkled as she tilted her head. She nudged a small rock off the path with her foot, her hair cascading over her shoulder in the sunlight. “But you’re former military, and I’ve seen you in action. You’re very disciplined.”
“Yeah, that all came later. I was hell on my parents as a teenager.”
“So what changed you?”
Elias whistled softly to get Chuck’s attention, steering him away from a bush that had caught his interest. He took a deep breath, settling into his story. “It’s not something I’m proud of.” He shook his head as his gaze drifted to the towering pine trees surrounding them, swaying in the breeze. “I was seventeen, it was summer, and my friends and I were partying pretty hard, one last summer together before senior year. So, one night, it was my turn to bring the booze, and my fake ID got confiscated by the guy at the liquor store.”
Wren giggled. “Whoops.”
Penny hesitated at a fork in the trail. “To the left today, Pen. Go left. Short walk.” Penny looked back over her shoulder, then started down the left hand trail.
Wren shook her head. “She’s just so smart. So, what did you do then?”
“Well, to my mind, I had no choice but to raid my dad’s liquor cabinet.”
“Oh no.”
“Yeah. And, being the dumbass that I was, not only did I raid it, but I took the most expensive bottle of bourbon in there. And, on top of that, it was a gift from his best friend.”
Wren covered her mouth with both hands. “Which makes it irreplaceable,” she said through her fingers.
“Yeah.” He nodded. “So I took it to the bonfire party way back in the woods on Bear’s parents’ property. They lived on acres and acres of land, had no idea what we were up to back there. My friend Ben was the only one who paused before drinking the bourbon and looked at me. He asked how I could afford it and I just shrugged and said, ‘Five-finger discount.’”
“Ooof.”
“Yeah, telling you, I was bad.”
“So how long did it take for your dad to find out?”
Elias sidestepped a tree root growing out of the path, guiding Wren around it as they continued around a bend and back toward his house.
“It took exactly no time. We all spent the night at Bear’s since we were in no shape to drive. When I got home the next day, I had the worst hangover, so I went straight to bed right after I called in sick to my summer job. My dad knew the way dads do exactly when I’d fallen asleep, so he waited to knock on my door right then. I sat straight up in bed, hoping I wouldn’t puke all over myself. And being young, dumb, and full of come, I was ready to deny everything.”
“Of course.”
“But my dad, he just smiled at me and sat down on the bed. ‘Hey, son,’ he says all friendly, ‘I was going through my liquor cabinet last night.’”
“Oh no. Friendly means you’re in real trouble.”
Elias chuckled, watching as Penny darted after a squirrel that quickly disappeared up a tree. Chuck lumbered after her, barking in excitement.
“Ain’t that the truth? So, he says, ‘I’m missing a bottle of bourbon.’ And that’s all he says, right? Doesn’t accuse me, doesn’t yell, just smiles like we’re talking about the weather.”
“What did you do?”
“I just shrugged and I started to lie down again. And he says, ‘You haven’t seen it?’ And I told him nope. ‘I’m hoping you can help me look for it, because it’s gotta be around here somewhere,’ he says. Then, he gets up and opens the shade until the light’s just pouring in.”
“Serves you right!”
Elias laughed as they watched Penny circle back to them, her energy never seeming to wane. Chuck stared up into the tree as if the squirrel might just fall out of it.
“Yeah it does.” Elias chuckled again. “So I groaned and tried to keep the contents of my stomach inside. ‘You sure you haven’t seen it, son?’ he asks again.”
Wren whistled to get Chuck’s attention. He lumbered back to her side.
“And you still denied taking it?”
“Told you I was terrible.”
Wren clucked her tongue. “The worst. So he made you get up and look for the bourbon during the worst hangover of your life?”
“Oh no, my dad did something way worse than that. He went back to the window and pulled the shade back down. ‘I can see you’re feeling poorly,’ he says. ‘I’ll let you sleep and I’ll just look for it myself. Feel better, son.’ And he has the biggest look of disappointment on his face.”
Wren winced as they stepped over a furrow made by a twisting stream of water, her expression mirroring the pained look Elias imagined he’d had back then. “Oh, God. So did you fess up the next day?”
“Nope.”
“Oh, Elias.”
“Yeah, I know. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. I had it all twisted up in my head by then. You know, how dare he act like he didn’t know? That shit. He never brought it up again. Never accused me, never flat-out told me he knew I’d taken it. But that disappointment in his eyes lingered.” Elias shook his head, the memory heavy on his shoulders.
“But my pride wouldn’t let me fix the situation. I kept on being a jackass all summer. I stayed out late, came home in the last dark before dawn or went straight to my job, just so that I wouldn’t have to look my dad in the eye. Senior year started and there were no parties to go to every night. Things got real. Well, except for Waylon and me. Waylon, he was still wild, still getting in trouble. And I went right along with it.” Elias chuckled ruefully, shaking his head as Penny barked at a passing chipmunk that chittered angrily back at her.
“So, what changed you guys?”
“Ben. He was the one who talked some sense into us finally. Said we needed to get serious or we’d never go anywhere, never amount to anything. It hits different when it’s your friend telling you that and not your parents.”
“Yeah, you’re absolutely right.”
“I decided I needed more discipline, so I enlisted as soon as I could, right after graduation. Me and Waylon both. And, well, all my friends eventually did, too. All that playing when we were kids, pretending we were soldiers and sailors. We made it real.”
Wren slipped her hand into his. “Were your parents surprised when you enlisted?”
“Yeah, I think they were. Also, relieved that I’d decided to actually do something with my life. I became a medic with the 75 th Ranger Regiment. I loved the Tactical Combat Casualty Care training and became a first responder.”
“Wow. That had to be intense.”
“Yeah. But I never lost anyone. I’m proud of that.”
Wren glanced up at the sun filtering through the leaves. The dappled light danced on her cheeks. “I bet your dad is, too.”
Elias chuckled as he shook his head. “My dad,” he said fondly. “So, on my first leave, I sat down with my dad at the kitchen table on the last night. It took me that long to gather the courage to apologize to him. Before I said a word, I set a replacement bottle of bourbon on the table.” Elias chuckled. His house came into view and the dogs ran ahead. “And you know what my dad did?”
Wren’s eyes sparkled. “What?”
“Before I could even open my mouth to apologize, he looks me square in the eye and says with a smile, ‘Hey! I see you finally found it.’”
Wren smiled so wide, the skin around her eyes crinkled. “Wow.”
“Wow is right. That’s my dad. All was forgiven.”
Wren squeezed his hand. “I like your dad.”
“I like my dad, too.”
Elias insisted on carrying all her gear—even the drone—to the truck and loading it up. When he came back in to wrangle the pups into their room, he found she’d already taken care of that for him.
As if she’s done it a million times . He was struck again by that feeling of rightness .
“They didn’t give you any grief?” he asked.
“Oh, they gave me plenty. Talk about sad, mournful eyes.” She imitated them—mouth turned down and big, blinking eyes. “But I told them you’d be back in time for dinner.”
Just me?
His gut actually clenched.
Dude! Get a grip. Don’t be so needy .
“Ready?” he asked, turning away, but not before he caught her sucking in her cheeks.
“Yeah. Sure.” Her voice sounded a little flat. Then she smiled. “Penny told me she’s docking your kibble though for leaving so early.”
Was Wren glad to be leaving, or did she want to stay? Mixed signals . Or was he just reading too much into her reactions?
Get. A. Grip .
He grinned at her joke as he held the front door open. “I’m sure I deserve it.”
They got to the rec center just before ten. He noticed the rest of his brothers’ vehicles in the parking lot when they pulled in. He hated being the last one there, but he loved the reason for it.
Elias pushed open the door to the rec center, holding it for Wren to enter first. The sounds of the rec center hummed in the background—overhead music, a mixture of chatter, distant laughter, and the thud of basketballs hitting the floor.
His brothers stood around the reception desk. Gabe, Bear, Waylon, Ben, and Shane were all there, listening to Stephanie. The receptionist and yoga teacher was usually a force of nature with a sly smile or a quick-witted comment, but she looked uncharacteristically serious. When she glanced over at Elias and Wren, her expression changed to a welcoming smile. Gabe, Shane, and Ben looked curiously at Wren walking beside Elias. Bear nodded to her in greeting. As for Waylon, the man looked shocked.
“Looks like we’re late to the party,” Elias said, injecting some lightness into his voice.
“Looks like you brought a plus-one,” Waylon said. Elias shot him a warning look.
But Wren looked unfazed. “Hey, Elias’ bar-friend! If I’d known you’d be here, I would’ve brought a beer and a Pine-Sol chaser.”
Elias snorted as Waylon’s mouth dropped open. No one—absolutely no one—ever left that smartass speechless.
Stephanie was the first to laugh, breaking the group’s shock-induced silence. “She’s got your number, Waylon. When did you share a beer? Peh-tooie!”
“I couldn’t get past smelling it in the pitcher,” Wren said, then added, “Over at Cocktails and Chicken Strips.” She gave Waylon a huge smile and stuck out her hand. “I’m kidding. It was good beer, just way too fancy for this simple Pbr girl. Thanks for giving me your bar seat though, so I could talk to this guy.” She bumped her shoulder against Elias. “Nice to actually meet you.” Waylon shook her hand, still speechless.
“Everyone else, this is Wren Stapleton,” Elias said. “Wren, you’ve met Bear already.”
Everyone took their attention off Wren and turned it to the big man as if to say really dude? You never said anything . Elias pointed one by one at the rest of his brothers. “And this is Gabe, Shane, and Ben. And Waylon, officially. And this is the lovely and talented Stephanie, who is the heart and soul of this place.”
She nodded at the men as they each greeted her. She extended her hand to Stephanie, her smile warm. Elias thought Wren hid her surprise well. Stephanie was in her seventies and probably not who she’d expected as a yoga teacher.
“Elias was telling me you teach yoga here and that I should sign up for one of your classes. Nice to meet you.”
Stephanie took her hand, giving it a firm shake. “Nice to meet you too, dear. Gotta say, Elias has good taste.”
Wren’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she kept her smile. “Good taste in yoga instructors, obviously,” she said, gesturing at Stephanie.
Stephanie’s gaze flicked to Elias and he noted the look of approval before she looked at Wren again. “I’m not talking about myself, dear. If you could convince the big galoot to take one of my classes, I’d be shocked. What do you say we get you signed up as a member while these guys go take care of business? First week’s free.”
Gabe placed his hand on Stephanie’s shoulder. “You sure you don’t want to…” He tilted his head toward his office.
Why would Stephanie sit in on our meeting? Elias wondered. Unless this has something to do with her? Angered, adrenaline shot straight to his heart at the thought of anyone messing with Steph.
“I’m good, boss.” Stephanie patted Gabe’s hand. “I’ve got a new friend here to talk to.”
Gabe smiled then looked at Wren. “Careful. That means you’re in for an interrogation.”
Stephanie rolled her eyes. “I’ll behave.”
Elias gave Wren a gentle nudge with his shoulder. “You good here?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” Wren replied casually, though her eyes flicked to the group, clearly curious about them. “Go play with your friends.” That got her another laugh from Stephanie.
“We’ll be just be a minute.” Elias grabbed her hand and squeezed it as he leaned in and kissed her.
He turned to join the other men as they headed down the hall toward Gabe’s office. They joked and ribbed each other, but when the office door closed behind them with a definitive click the atmosphere in the room shifted.
Gabe didn’t waste any time. “Stephanie asked me for help finding someone.” He looked back and forth between Elias and Waylon standing next to each other. “Evan Roy, the guy you and Waylon saved that day at the clinic.”
Elias recalled the day vividly. They’d gotten the call that a man at the rec center had suffered a possible heart attack during one of the public health clinics they held once a month. Heart attack was putting it lightly. Elias glanced sideways at Waylon who nodded.
“He was in rough shape,” Waylon said. “Didn’t think he’d make it.”
“It was a miracle he survived,” Elias added. They’d taken him to the hospital in Longmont while still trying to get his heart restarted. Longmont had stabilized him and the last Elias had heard, he’d been transferred to a bigger hospital specializing in cardiac care.
Gabe’s tone carried a weight that made everyone listen a little closer. “Evan was a regular at the clinic. Used to bring homemade fudge in for the staff even though he couldn’t eat sugar himself anymore. He came to Sue’s daughter’s soccer games. Sue’s one of the clinic nurses,” he added, looking at the rest of the men. “Always brought Stephanie flowers on her birthday. Real peach of a guy.”
“Sounds like more of a friend than a patient,” Shane said.
“Some get that way,” Elias said.
“Especially when you loan them your scrubs top,” Waylon murmured under his breath.
“Fuck off,” Elias murmured back.
“Got something to share with the class?” Gabe said, looking annoyed.
“Sorry,” Elias said.
Gabe continued. “They all visited him in the hospital and made sure that when he was discharged, he had help at home.”
“No family?” Ben asked.
“Nope. When he came back to the clinic the first time, everyone threw a little party for him with sugar-free cupcakes.”
Gabe picked up a thin stack of paper off his desk and handed it to Ben, who took a sheet and passed it on to Elias. Gabe had printed out a photo of Evan and his stats underneath—age, address, height and weight, brief background. Evan smiled out from the photo as he posed between the two nurses who helped save his life. Gabe and Stephanie flanked the three of them. Everyone held plates of cake. Evan looked like a scarecrow and Elias guesstimated that he’d lost at least thirty pounds since the heart attack.
When the sheets were all passed out, Gabe continued. “Evan came back a couple more times, but he didn’t show up at the last clinic. And he’s not answering his phone. Sue and Fran, she’s the other nurse, stopped by his place yesterday and it looks like he’s not there. They said there was a big Dumpster in the driveway full of furniture.”
Bear frowned. “Hate to say it but, sounds like he died.”
“Nope. When he was in the hospital, Evan gave Sue power of attorney in case that happened. She’s checked all around, too. He’s not dead, just missing.” Gabe sighed. “Of course Stephanie’s worried too. She says it’s not like him to just disappear, especially after everything he’s been through. If he was moving, he would’ve told them.”
Elias crossed his arms over his chest. “He have any enemies?”
Gabe shook his head. “Not that we know of. Like I said, peach of a guy. However, he was a bit of a gambler.”
“Maybe lost a bet and had to leave town quick?” Ben suggested.
Gabe shrugged. “It’s a possibility. Evan liked his sports, liked going up to Central City and placing bets. So who knows? That’s why Steph asked for our help. If he’s in trouble like that…” Gabe trailed off.
Elias felt a chill settle in the room. He might need muscle backing him up went unsaid but every man in the room understood.
“That’s why we’re meeting. We need to figure out the best way to track him down and offer our assistance if needed. If something’s wrong, he might not have much time.”
Shane tapped his copy of the photo. “I can get Watchdog on it, too. See if he’s hired a real estate agent for the house, what he’s got in his bank account, where he’s spending his money. Or if he’s stopped spending money altogether, know what I mean?”
Gabe nodded, a grim expression on his face. “They’ll be devastated if he’s deceased.” He looked down at the photo in his hands. “I’ll be pretty damn upset, too.”
“We’ve got your back on this, brother,” Bear said. “Like we did with Rochelle.” As he spoke, he signed the words for Gabe in ASL. They’d all been learning the language, since Gabe’s injury on his final mission left him with serious hearing loss.
Gabe smiled and gave Bear a chin lift. “I appreciate it.” He looked toward the closed office door. “Thanks for coming in on a Sunday morning, guys. I know you’ve all got stuff to do today, so I’ll let you go. Speaking of Rochelle, she should be finished with her self-defense class by now.”
As everyone filed out, Waylon clapped his hand on Elias’ shoulder, holding him back behind the rest. A smirk played at the corner of his mouth.
“So, Lion, you want to explain why Wren is still around? It’s Sunday, brother. You’re breaking protocol.”
“Protocol?” Elias fought his annoyance and kept his expression neutral.
“Yeah, you know the one. Get in, get out, don't let ’em get too comfy. Instead, you spent the whole weekend with her.” He gestured at the door. “And how the hell does Bear know her?”
Elias set the photo of Evan aside and crossed his arms, his gaze shifting to the door of Gabe's office, wanting this conversation to end. “Not the whole weekend. She worked yesterday.”
“So you left her place late Friday night, then what? You picked her up Saturday and were like, ‘Hey, let me introduce you to my friend Bear for shits and giggles’?” Waylon kept a light tone, but there was an undercurrent in his voice Elias didn’t like. What the ever-loving fuck was up with him?
“That was part of her job, meeting Bear and Ellie,” Elias said. “She’s gonna do some photography work for them and I provided the introductions. That’s all.”
Waylon studied him, the lingering humor in his eyes fading into something more serious.
“Don’t bullshit me, Elias. Last I saw you was Friday night, heading out the door with your hand riding just above her ass. Figured you’d take her home, show her a good time, then come in here this morning bitching that we have to work next Friday so it’ll be two weeks before you can find a new honey. Instead, you two walked in through the door like you’ve been together forever.”
Is that what we looked like? Elias shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Did it bother him, to look that way?
Or was he bothered because he wasn’t bothered? Because it felt natural. Good.
I should just tell Waylon he’s right, then get the hell out of here. Wren’s probably wondering what the hell is up .
Instead, he answered, “No. I took her back to my place Friday night.”
Waylon’s jaw nearly hit the floor. “Wait a minute. She spent the night at your house?”
“Not the whole night. Like I said, she left to go to work early.” He couldn’t keep the grin off his face. “But she took the scrubs top with her on the way out the door.”
Waylon ran his hand over the back of his head. “So you’re dating a clepto.”
“Dude, she’s not a clepto. It’s just… a thing we have going on. It’s fun.”
Waylon rolled his eyes. “Jesus. You are smitten, brother. What do you even know about her?”
“Plenty.”
“Like what?”
“I…” Elias hesitated. “She’s a photographer.”
Waylon scoffed. “Shit. Even I know that about her.”
“She’s taken photos of famous people that end up on magazine covers.”
“Already covered the photography.”
Dammit . What else did he know about Wren? What did she know about him?
“Ellie likes her a lot.”
Waylon pinned him with a stare. “Did I ask what Ellie knows about her?”
“Fine. Fuck you. I know that she’s...”
Warm. Funny. Intelligent. Fucking adorable. Someone I like taking care of. Someone I could see myself with years from now .
“…Different. She fits me, you know?”
“ Fits you? What, like the top she keeps stealing from you?”
“Again, fuck you.”
“Brother. I’m just looking out for you. You sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Yeah. I do.” Elias held his brother’s gaze. “Now, what the hell is really wrong?”
“Fuck.” Waylon nodded slowly. “Yeah. Okay. If this is the real thing, I’m happy for you, brother. Don’t ever think otherwise. But dammit, first it was Bear and Ellie, then T-Wolf and Rochelle. And Shane’s all hung up over April and won’t even come out to Cocks and Strippers without the whole group. And Ben’s just a big nerd. The meat market’s never been his scene so he’s no good to me.”
“No good to you?”
“Yeah! He doesn’t know how to reel them in.” Waylon gave Elias’ shoulder a good-natured shove. “But you, you’re my wingman, brother. You’re not supposed to get all domesticated, too. Besides, I don’t want to lose my wingman to a life of Sunday brunches and Netflix binges while I’m still out there having fun.”
Oh. I get it now .
Elias shoved him back. “You won’t lose me.”
Waylon grinned, a glimmer of his usual good humor returning. “Yeah, you say that now. But if you coulda seen yourself walking in. Giving her that kiss before we all went back here.” He shook his head. “Like I said, happy for you. Truly. But if it doesn’t work out, you know where to find me Friday and Saturday nights. That’s never gonna change.”
He’s gonna hate me saying this .
“Never? Brother, it’s been how many years since?—”
Waylon crossed his arms, all humor gone from his eyes. “Breaking the other protocol now. We don’t talk about that. About her .”
Elias lifted his hands, palms out. “I know. But I’m just saying?—”
“You aren’t saying a damn thing I need to hear, okay? My life is great, just the way I want it. Love my job, love my house, love my nights out.” He smirked. “Love my freedom.”
Elias picked the sheet of paper back up. “Roger that. I hear you loud and clear.”
I’m hearing that after all this time, you’re still hurting, brother .
“So.” Waylon gestured to the door. “After you. She’s waiting. Better hurry before she changes her mind. Way above your paygrade, I’m telling you.”
Elias couldn’t hold back his smile. “Yeah, she is.”
“Take her someplace nice, huh? Maybe get to know her?” Waylon smirked. “What flowers she wants for the wedding, what colors, shit like that. She’ll appreciate it.”
“Shut up, man.” Elias shoved Waylon ahead of him into the hallway.
“What? You said I get to pick out the flowers and honeymoon and shit. And I look great in a tux. Just mad I didn’t go ahead and buy that one I rented for the last wedding. Now I gotta turn around and rent it again.”
Buy it, brother Elias wanted to say. So that you can wear it the day you get married .
“Or.” Waylon stuck his pointer finger in the air. “I can have your woman steal one for me. Is she wearing your jeans right now? Dude .”
Elias was still chuckling when they got to the end of the hall and he saw her again. Wren stood at the receptionist desk, but now Gabe, Rochelle, and Sandra had joined her. They were all laughing at Stephanie, who appeared to be fanning Rochelle with a thick paperback.
Wren looked like she belonged there. Hell, like she’d been there forever.
In my life.
In my heart .