Epilogue
Six months later, Owen carried Leslie into the water of their family pond. Tucker and Conner swung from the rope, splashing in glee. Cade grilled burgers on a portable grill while Dillon set the table.
“How does it feel?” he asked.
“Cold, but good. I’m happy to have the cast off. You know I can walk now, right?”
“It’s way more fun to carry you,” he murmured, kissing her. “Uncle Cade asked the boys to fly home with him. There’s some kind of video game event next weekend, and he wants to take them.”
“What will you do with no one in the house?” she teased.
“I’m making love to you until you howl again,” he said, laughing.
“Don’t make fun of my howl,” she pouted.
“I’m laughing at how fast the nurses and doctors ran inside thinking you stayed in pain,” he said, chuckling.
She scratched the stubble along his jaw. “I love you, Owen Wolfe.”
He kissed her and glanced up to see Wyatt tossing a football to Conner and Tucker. Dillon turned the meat on the grill as he spoke with Mason, who tried unsuccessfully to get Nathan to hold a fork. Cade pulled out bottles of beer and scanned the pond, holding one up for Owen.
Giving his brother a chin lift, he motioned they’d come out of the lake in a few.
Recalling the last entry from his dad’s journal.
Owen,
Today, I went to the pond. I miss seeing you all here, enjoying the long summer days. I see you watching over the Wolfe pack. I can rest knowing you’ll lead them to the right path. I was never a leader, son. The mountain needed you. Whenever you need me, I’ll be there waiting in the wind.
Owen stepped out of the pond and placed Leslie gently in a chair Wyatt made especially for her.
He took out the box with a lone wolf carved into it.
Walking to the other side of the lake, he opened it, releasing his father’s ashes.
“I forgive you, Dad. Rest easy. We won’t stop until we find the person who hurt you.
Don’t worry about us. We’re the Wolfe pack. ”