Chapter 26
The next morning, Owen poured a cup of coffee and placed it on a tray with scrambled eggs, toast, and a yogurt.
Taking it upstairs, he gently opened the door to his parents’ room to find the bed empty.
Setting the tray down, he checked the bathroom and grew concerned when he didn’t find Leslie and her IV hung from the side of the bed. Where did she go?
Glancing around the room, he noticed the stack of clean clothes he put on the chair last night no longer sat there. Leslie always loved to wake before sunrise. He smiled as he guessed where she might’ve gone. Returning to the kitchen, he poured coffee into a thermos and grabbed two mugs.
Heading out the back door, he took the trail to his left and followed the path.
When he came around the curve, he spotted her, wrapped up in a blanket.
His breath hitched at finding her sitting in their favorite spot overlooking the mountain.
Wyatt carved a bench for them because everyone knew where to find them.
His heart raced as he realized he made a mistake all those years ago.
Avoiding startling her, Owen made some noise and walked in front of her. She put a finger to her lips and pointed down the path. Two elk grazed as the sun peaked over the mountain.
“You almost missed it,” she whispered.
She took his breath away. Yesterday, she appeared close to death’s door, and today, she glowed in the early rays of the sun.
“Good morning,” he said, handing her a cup and pouring her coffee.
“Thank you,” she said, adding cream and sugar while watching the animals.
Sitting beside her, he poured some of the hot brew into his mug and gazed over the mountain. A sense of belonging filled him.
Sipping her coffee, she held it with both hands, warming them.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone you left? I brought you breakfast only to find you gone,” he whispered, watching the elk gaze in their direction.
“The boys know where I go when I stay here. Besides, they won’t wake for another hour or so,” she said softly.
“Can we talk?” he asked, watching her wearily.
“It’s a long time coming. I’ve imagined how this conversation might go. Here we sit, and it’s not like anything I anticipated,” she admitted quietly.
“Did you envision shooting me or hitting me upside the head with another tree branch?” he asked worriedly. “I didn’t check the locker before I came here. Do I get a head start before you start shooting?” he teased, trying to take the sting away.
She smiled and laughed at the memory of her chasing him with a big stick. “What do you want, Owen?”
“Cade reminded me of how I always told him actions speak louder than words. I owe you an apology and an explanation, Leslie. I love you more than anything. When I proposed, I meant every word I said. After the funeral, I overheard my brothers blame me for Mom’s death.
I knew this small town thrived on gossip.
A part of me knew I wanted to marry you and start our lives somewhere else, far away from my alcoholic dad and the responsibilities of the Wolfe Family.
I thought by leaving, I gave you an out.
I ran away instead of facing the aftermath of my actions. ”
Leslie sniffed, holding back her tears.
Owen knelt in front of her, taking the cup from her hand and setting it beside her. Grasping them, he gazed up at her. “We can’t go back. I can’t undo my actions. I want Tucker to grow up with his dad.”
“What about Conner?” she interrupted.
“I’m not separating the boys,” Owen said, hearing the relief in her sigh.
“I’ve asked the lawyer to come to the house.
It’ll be safer for all of us. Once we know those options, I’d like to talk to you about moving here.
I’m not asking for the boy’s sake, but for mine.
Will you give me time to prove to you I won’t run again?
We were changed by our circumstances, but there’s not a single day I haven’t thought about you.
You invade my dreams. Will you give me a chance to prove I’m not the same man who took you for granted?
I want to make memories with my little brother, my son, and especially you. ”
Leslie cried as she wrapped her arms around him and sobbed. “You never lost your talent in persuading me.”
“I’d like us to take things slow. We can get to know each other again,” he said. “I want you to tell me about Tucker and Conner. And I want to know everything I missed.”
“A minute ago, you said you loved me,” she hiccupped. “I still have feelings for you, but I don’t know about trusting you again.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Owen assured her. “Trust will come with time. It’s earned, and I’ll keep showing up until you believe me.”
Cupping her face, he saw the girl he proposed to in her eyes.
Yet a softer, wiser, and more experienced woman sat in front of him.
Leaning in, he tilted her head as his mouth claimed hers.
His tongue swiped along her lip, and she moaned as she opened wider.
Pulling her closer, he deepened the kiss.
Memories flooded him, reminding him of how good she felt in his arms. The vanilla scent of her perfume drifted to his nose, letting him know he returned home.
When they pulled back, he smiled and said, “Wow.” Kissing her nose, he reluctantly let go of her.
She smiled as he sat beside her and pulled her close.
“Tell me about the pregnancy?” he asked.
“Tucker came on his own time, and he reminds me of you. The first few months I struggled between Mom’s death and caring for a newborn, but then your dad showed up and made things better for us.”
“How did he live? Obviously, the resort closed. Did he have a job?” he asked.
“I never asked. Sometimes, groups came to hike, and he acted as their guide,” Leslie said, leaning against his shoulder.
Owen stroked her hair. “How did he pay for things for Conner?”
“I gave him most of Tucker’s old clothes. Conner never went without. I assumed he used the money your parents saved from the resort all these years,” she said, placing her hand in his sweater pocket.
Owen chuckled. “Because of his mismanagement, it barely survived. It’s too bad. The resort has potential.”
“What will you do when you move here?” she asked.
“I’ve taken on some security work and worked as a bodyguard for some dignitaries,” he said. “I’m sure I can do the same thing here.”
“I’ll have to return to work soon,” Leslie said. “I used my vacation time to care for Conner.”
“You’re good to him,” he said, kissing the top of her head. Ever since he touched her, Owen craved more contact.
“He’s a good kid and very bright. Kids pick on him at school because of his father. He doesn’t understand,” she told him quietly. “Someday, we’ll have to explain everything to them.”
His thumb brushed her cheek. “We have time. I’m not sure if I understand the man you describe.”
“Will you take me to get some things from the house? At some point, I’ll need to clean up the mess.”
“What mess?” he asked.
“The man tore my house apart and slashed all my furniture. I’m sure he searched for something,” she said, trembling as she recalled the night of the attack.
“It’s all right,” Owen assured her. “I won’t let anything happen to you. As soon as we get the boys fed, I’ll take you down. Hopefully, I’ll hear back from the attorney, and Charlotte’s friends will pick up dad’s body.”
“I hate we have to do this with Jeremiah. The boys need closure,” she murmured.
“I think it’s time we all have it,” Owen said. His gaze fell to her mouth and she peered up at him as she cupped his cheek, giving him a gentle kiss. The emptiness inside him disappeared as she ran her fingers in his hair and they stared at the older versions of themselves.
“Leslie and Owen sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G,” Cade sang, making them separate. Owen scowled and scanned the trees, finding his brother.
“Don’t you have something else to do?” he asked.
“Dillon made breakfast, the boys woke up, and set the table. Mason told me to come get you. It seems I don’t need to finish the rest of the rhyme, you already have the baby.”
Owen rose and held out his hand to Leslie. “The more I’m around them, I know why I left,” he muttered under his breath, making her giggle.
They walked hand in hand until the house came into view. Leslie let go of his hand.
“Do you mind if we keep this between us? I don’t want to confuse the boys, especially when we don’t have a plan.”
“Got it,” Owen said, feeling a bit disappointed, but he understood.
“Mom,” Conner lit up at seeing her. His arms wrapped around her waist as they entered the kitchen. “How do you feel? I made you a special pancake and Uncle Mason made bacon.”
“It sounds great,” she said, smoothing his unruly hair. “Why don’t you get out the milk and juice?”
Conner rushed to do her bidding while Owen pulled out her chair.
“I forgot to ask how you feel. Do you have any pain?” he asked her.
“It’s sore, but manageable. Charlotte mentioned she’ll come today and check it. I’m feeling much better,” she said, holding his gaze. Letting him know she didn’t refer to her injury.
“Me, too,” he murmured, aching to lean down and kiss her again. Aware of several pairs of eyes on them, he took her mug and refilled it with fresh coffee.
“Can you stir the eggs? Nathan and Noah will wake any moment,” Mason asked Owen, who took the spoon from his hand.
His phone rang, and he glanced down to find the sheriff’s office calling.
“Hello,” he greeted, wondering what they called about this early in the morning.
“We understand you’ve requested a private autopsy. Do you have reason to believe your father didn’t die the way Dr. Harrison concluded?” Sheriff Dalton asked.
“Have you met my brothers, sheriff? They’re like a pack of vultures and get jealous of what the others have. Why do you ask?” Owen said, motioning to his brothers to listen to the call. Leslie caught Conner and Tucker’s attention, telling them to stay quiet.