I chuckled as I parked next to the farm truck Judson and Keegan liked to use while at home. “His paddock is right over there.” I pointed toward the donkey who was quieting down now that he knew it was the vehicle I’d rented for the occasion.
I’d returned the initial rental I’d had as soon as I had someone to drive me to a rental place for a drop off and then back to the ranch. This one I’d had delivered, because hell, Wren could afford it and it was for him.
“He has to be old by now,” Wren mused as he took off his seatbelt.
I had no idea how old donkeys could get, but I knew he’d been around for a while, so anything was possible.
“No need to take the bags out of the car. We can grab them later once we go to the cabin. Unless you want to change, of course.” I got out of the SUV and stretched my legs a little.
Jenn stepped onto the porch, moving much like her old self before the heart attack. “Wren!”
I got a brief glimpse of Wren’s expression before he was up the steps and hugging her close. “Mama H.”
Abigail looked at them over the hood and smiled. “He was getting antsy in the last few days,” she said quietly. “It’s clear he misses these people.”
“He really does. They’re his family.”
“Jenn, this is Abigail. She’s the other tagalong I have wherever I go.” Wren gestured at her, smirking a little.
“Behave.” Abi went to them and shook Jenn’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Harrington.”
“Oh, just call me Jenn. It’s good to have you.” Before she could continue, Juanpablo began to bray again, and we turned to see adust cloud approaching. “That’s probably Bodhi,” Jenn said in a pointed tone.
Abi smiled tightly. “I could use a restroom,” she said quickly.
“Of course. Nick, he’s working the kitchen for a bit, has some snacks ready, and we’ll make coffee.” Jenn held the door open for Abi, and they escaped. Traitors.
Before Wren could say anything, I walked to the bench where Payton and Aria often put their shoes on, and sat down. I wasn’t going to leave him alone to have this conversation or whatever it would be.
He sighed. “Ville….”
“Okay fine,” I said, getting up. “I’ll be right inside that door instead.”
He chuckled and rolled his eyes, then squeezed my forearm in passing before walking down the porch steps to meet Bodhi in the yard.
I did as I’d said I would, and went inside, but stayed by the cracked open front door. I didn’t even take note of who was there, but I had a feeling they’d all understand.
The truck stopped and a door slammed. Juanpablo quieted. I moved so I could see through the crack.
I could tell from Wren’s body language that he wasn’t doing well. He was tense and upset, and I could see that even from just a view of his back. Bodhi got out of the truck. For a couple of seconds, neither of them moved. Then as if someone released them, they hugged long and tight, Bodhi burying his face in Wren’s curly hair.
I couldn’t hear what, if anything, was being said, but then Wren stepped back, wiped his face with the back of his hand.
“Okay. Enough of that,” he said. I saw the moment he put on a mask of sorts. His posture changed, and Bodhi’s expression fell.
Wren turned on his heel and headed toward me, so I stepped back out of the way. Keegan, who had clearly been spyingthrough the living room window, sat back on the couch and grinned briefly, before turning his attention to the book next to him.
Wren stepped inside and immediately went to give Keegan a hug. Then he made the rounds through everyone else. It seemed that just about every member of the family, except Emery who was working, had made a point to be here to welcome Wren home.
They didn’t see one another that often, but they were all still his family and something inside him started to settle.
Jenn called out my name from the kitchen, so I went to see what she needed.
“Yes?” I asked, smiling at how healthy she looked now.
If I didn’t know, I wouldn’t have been able to tell she’d had a health scare so recently.
“I was just talking with Abigail about the sleeping arrangements,” she said, pushing a mug of coffee my way.
