Chapter 17 Aspen
Aspen
The house hasn’t felt this full since Joseph and I came here years ago. Back then, grandpa would often have his friends here.
Ace and Blaze move through the kitchen like they belong here.
They actually brought groceries. Steaks for tonight. Ace said he was cooking.
Grandpa is sitting at the table, telling Blaze about cattle prices from forty years ago.
Blaze listens like it’s the most important conversation in the world.
Dylan is outside showing Ace the chicken coop.
Buddy supervises everything.
Havoc stands near the window.
Watching the road.
Always watching.
I pour coffee and walk over to him.
“You’re not even pretending to relax,” I say.
He glances down at the mug I’m offering.
“Habit.”
I hand it to him.
“Joseph used to do that too.”
The words slip out before I can stop them.
Havoc’s expression softens.
“Yeah,” he says quietly.
“I remember.”
We stand there for a moment.
Two people connected by the same man.
Then Ace bursts through the door.
“Truck’s gone,” he announces.
Havoc sets the mug down immediately.
“Gone where?”
Ace jerks a thumb toward the road.
“Drove off five minutes ago.”
Dylan steps in behind him.
“I saw them taking pictures,” he says.
“We need to confront them if they come back,” Ace says.
The room goes still.
Pictures.
Of the house.
Of the farm.
Of us.
Havoc’s jaw tightens.
“Then it’s not random.”
Blaze shakes his head.
“Nope.”
“Someone’s definitely interested in something here.”