Chapter 26 #5
Mason shot from the house as the fire engine pulled into the driveway and firefighters piled out of the truck.
“What happened?” she asked the boys, peering out the window.
“We don’t know. We finished the chores and when Uncle Dillon went to push the door, it didn’t open. He busted it down with an ax to get us out,” Tucker told her, trembling.
Fear trickled down her spine as she realized the boys might be in danger, too. Placing her arms around them, she gave them a squeeze. Gunny’s truck pulled onto the grass as Gunny, Rucker, JoJo, and Max exited their vehicle. They spoke with Owen while Rucker and JoJo entered the house.
“Oh, honey. How awful. Do they know how it started?” Rucker asked, hugging her.
“No.” Glancing at the boys, she replied, “The barn door got stuck and refused to open. The fire started while Dillon and the boys worked on their chores. Luckily, he took an ax to the door and got the boys and the animals out. It’s all I know.
Do you want to come into the kitchen and help me make lemonade and water for everyone? ”
The two women followed her into the next room, and she took out the large glass containers to hold ice, water, and lemonade.
“I take it, you don’t think it’s an accident?” Rucker asked quietly.
“No. Someone broke into my home, too. It’s how I got cut. Owen wants us to stay here until they get to the bottom of this,” she explained.
“It’s a good time to get the cameras put up.
Sorry, we got a bit of a late start this morning, or we might’ve gotten here earlier.
One piece of equipment arrived late. Elias ordered a ton of items,” Rucker said, taking the lemonade and scooping out the mix.
JoJo grabbed ice cubes to add to each jug.
“Hopefully it’ll deter anyone else from doing any damage,” she said worriedly.
“Jake and Max can stay if you need help. Gunny came to talk to the men anyway,” JoJo told her.
Rucker elbowed her in the side. “Dad has some business he wants to discuss.”
“I have one more day off before I need to return to work. I’m worried about the boys. I can’t send them to school,” she said, biting her nail.
“They suffered a loss. Surely the school will understand. You have all the Wolfe brothers to watch over them. Do you have the weapon Gunny and Jeremiah taught you how to shoot?”
“Yeah. Fat chance of me actually using it. The intruder knocked it from my hand before I even got to use it,” she explained.
“Hmmm,” Rucker said, thoughtfully. “Maybe we need to give you a refresher course on personal safety.”
“Yes, she’ll feel better if she can protect herself,” JoJo agreed.
“Let’s get these out to the men,” Leslie said. “Oh, shoot. I’m watching Mason’s boys. I can’t leave them. They get into everything.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll take it out,” Rucker volunteered.
The two women picked up the jugs and carried them outside. Leslie returned to the living room to check on Mason’s boys and watch from the window.
It seemed like forever before the firetruck left and the men returned to the house.
Leslie, Rucker, and Jojo set out platters of sandwiches and veggie trays Leslie prepared to keep herself busy. She fed Mason’s boys, bathed them, and put them to bed.
“Did you finish your homework?” she asked Tucker and Conner, who brought their plates to the dishwasher.
Tucker gazed guiltily at her. “We didn’t do it,” he confessed.
She tousled his hair. “It’s all right. I don’t think I can keep my mind on homework today, either. We’ll make up for it tomorrow. You and Conner get your baths done. I’m sure the men will want to clean up soon.”
Tucker fetched Conner and the two ran up the stairs.
Entering the kitchen, she sat beside Owen as Gunny leaned forward.
“You know Jake and Max work for me. Sometimes we have clients closer to you. With three of you from the military and Elias’ cyber skills, I may be able to swing some jobs your way,” he suggested.
“Have you made any decisions?” he asked Owen.
“We met with the lawyer today. We have seven days to make our decision,” Owen said, frowning. “We took a vote, and let’s say we didn’t agree.”
“It’s too bad. Jeremiah hoped you might change your minds once you came together,” Gunny said, disappointed.
“Dad didn’t count on us having lives of our own to get back to,” Cade muttered. “His stipulations require too much of us.”
“Yes, he did,” Gunny agreed. “He insisted on it, hoping to remind all of you of the good times you experienced here. Yes, you suffered a tragedy, but you can’t forget all the good times.”
“I don’t know what he expected,” Owen said. “I’m moving back and searching for a place to rent. Even if I took your jobs, it won’t be enough to keep us afloat.”
Gunny scratched his chin. “You know, Jeremiah told me about the resort offer. This place used to drive a nice crowd in the skiing months and provides a great vacation spot. Have you ever considered returning it to its former glory?”
“I checked the cabins when I arrived. They’re in terrible shape. I can dip into my savings, but I don’t have enough to get it resort-ready,” Owen confided. “The labor alone will bankrupt us. Maybe taking the resort’s offer might be for the best.”
“Take some time to think about it,” Leslie implored.
“The boys love swimming in the family pond. Jeremiah turned down people who wanted to camp in the spring. It might be profitable. I work as the night auditor at the resort. This place has much more to offer, and you can supplement your income with Gunny’s offer. ”
Unable to help himself, Owen caressed her cheek with his thumb, and she leaned into his palm.
Cade cleared his throat, reminding him they weren’t alone. He turned to his brother and grinned, leaving his hand on her neck. Leslie blushed and peered at Owen. He didn’t plan to keep their secret for long, and somehow her reasoning went out the window. For now, the boys didn’t need to know.
“Leslie, Gunny, Jake, and Max agreed to spend the night to keep watch and install the security systems. Do you mind if we give Rucker and Jake my parents’ room?
We can give JoJo and Max Cade’s room. Gunny will take Conner’s room.
The boys can sleep together,” Owen asked, picking up the remaining dishes.
“Of course,” she agreed. “I’ll change the sheets and put my things away,” she said, leaving the room.
Heading upstairs, she checked on the boys and made her way into Jeremiah’s old room.
Going into the closet, she found a fresh pair of sheets and replaced the ones on the bed.
Checking the bathroom, she returned to find Owen silently closing the door.
“I moved Conner’s things and changed his sheets. Cade put the two beds together to make one for JoJo and Max,” he said, pulling her into his arms and kissing her. When they pulled back, she sighed and lay her head against his chest.
“Where will Cade, you, and I sleep?” she asked.
“Dillon’s on the first watch with Jake. Cade will take the couch,” he informed her.
“What about us?” she asked again.
“Don’t worry. I have it all planned,” he murmured. “When the boys go down, Elias will check on them. He’s working on retrieving Dad’s autopsy results. He’ll keep an ear out for Mason’s boys when Mason takes his turn.”
“I have to return to work tomorrow night. Usually I work from home, but I’ve stayed out longer than expected. I’ll need to run reports and pick up files.”
“When do you work?” he asked.
“I work nights while the boys sleep. Luckily, I left my computer in my truck, and I can pull the recent records from the hotel’s files,” she said, tilting her head while he nibbled his way down her neck.
“I’ll go with you tomorrow night. I don’t like this,” he said, sighing.
“Whoever did it intended to harm children,” Leslie said. “I don’t want to send them back to school.”
“Then don’t. I’ll take care of the principal,” he offered. “I don’t know if you noticed, but Sheriff Dalton stopped by to make a report. He didn’t consider it arson. He suggested one of the kids started the fire.”
“What?” she exclaimed. “He’s ridiculous. My boys know not to play with fire,” she spat angrily.
“He’s on top of my list of suspects, concerning my dad. Every time, I suggest another theory, the man chalks it up to Dad’s drinking,” Owen said, frustrated. “Now, this business with the barn. My brother and the kids might’ve gotten seriously hurt, and I don’t want to think about anything else.”
“It’s getting late. You’ll be anxious to start in the morning. Let’s get our guests settled, and then you can show me where we plan to sleep,” she said, rising on her tiptoes and kissing him.
“Grab some warm clothes and things for the morning. I have to stay on watch,” he informed her.
Disappointment filled her, but she’d rather remain safe than sorry.
This afternoon felt like a dream. She wanted a second chance more than anything.
But a small seed of doubt made her wonder whether Owen wanted the chance because he felt guilty about the past and what he missed with Tucker.
Brushing the idea away, she gathered her clothes and headed downstairs.