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“This!” Milo hollered. “This baby is mine.”
I came around the curve and found him standing in front of a ‘69 primer white El Camino that had seen better days. The rear end lifted, but the front end sat at an odd angle. Landon got under the middle to look underneath, then gave me the thumbs up. “Write the VIN number, Milo. They’ll know which truck we’re taking.”
“Okay, Pops.”
“Mine!” John yelled next, standing next to a ’67 Chevy Nova. The car looked decent. Not too shabby interior either.
I nodded. “Good find.”
That left Owen, who looked completely lost. He scratched his head while he stared around the lot of older vehicles. I waited. Giving him a moment to find his footing. All of this was new. At least Milo and John understood what today meant. Owen had no clue. I glanced at Landon, who was keeping Milo and John occupied, allowing me to help the newest member of our family.
“It’s all so new, right?” I said, coming up beside Owen. “Going from a scary situation to coming out here, looking at cars that don’t run. Wondering what the heck is going on and why people are being so nice to you after being so afraid. Add to it, you’re trying to settle into your new home and school. A house full of dogs and sometimes older siblings. It’s difficult. But we’ll get there.”
“I don’t even...” Owen exhaled. The sadness in his tone tore me apart. “Having something for myself doesn’t seem real.”
“Posey says, pinch yourself if you ever feel like something isn’t real,” I murmured. “All of this will get better as you heal and keep swimming. I promise.”
He nodded.
I wasn’t sure if he believed me or not, though I hoped he did. “So, what would be your dream car be if you could have anything here?” I walked with him through the mud and weeds. Over the old hubcaps, and pieces of metal and tire chocks. For being early afternoon, there was a slight, frosty breeze signaling fall was finally settling in. “What do you think might be fun to rebuild?”
Owen glanced out over the field. “How about that one?” He pointed to a rusted ’67 Camaro. There was some body damage, rotted out tires. The windshield cracked, and the interior had seen better days, but the frame was sturdy.
The car had potential.
Like Owen.
“You have good taste, kid. Very good taste.” I patted him on the shoulder. “All right, go write the VIN. Last six digits will do, if you can see them.”
Owen nodded, heading to the car at the same moment Landon joined me. Behind us, the boys were excitedly chatting about all the things they wanted to do with their cars and how long it would take to finish. Meanwhile, Owen had this look in his eyes. I’d seen it before with Jackson the minute he found the Comet. A sense of freedom. Peace. Maybe this was my purpose. Giving kids like Owen, independence. That first, deep breath kids like Owen exhaled when they understood they were safe, and their lives weren’t over.
That made this worth it.
“All right, guys. Let’s head back, then we’ll figure out the best way to transport all these cars to the shop. I know we’re about to do some great things together. I can’t wait to see how each of your projects turns out.” I wrapped my arm around Owen’s shoulder.
After we dropped the cars at the shop, Milo and John joined Landon in the pickup while Owen rode with me in the in the Maverick. None of them knew where we were going or what we were doing.
Exactly as I wanted it.
The boys only turned sixteen once. We’d done this for Destiny and Anders. Now it was Milo, John, and Owen’s turn. We pulled up to Mack’s ranch house and the parking lot was already full of cars. Kids were everywhere, running around like sugar-high rugrats. Others stood around the fire pits, staying warm.
Mingling with our family and friends was also the football team, since Milo was the quarterback, and some of the band kids who came too, since Rory was part of the percussion line. There were some cheerleaders, and parents we’d known since Destiny and Anders’ had been in school enjoying the late afternoon.
Mack and Ireland had turned the front grazing field into a small Fall Fair. There were different booths for games, carving pumpkins, and face painting. Farther back in the pen, some of Mack’s horses were being used for lead rides. The smell of smoked meat and sweet confections clung to the air along with the spice of apples and oranges.
Pride filled my chest.
Ireland and Posey came up with this for Milo and John, without realizing we’d have Owen. With a few simple additions, they’d included Owen, like he’d always been there. Owen tensed beside me. I remembered the first day I came out here. Saw all the people. Sure, I knew all the guys, but this... Nothing compared to the overwhelming anxiety of being around so many people.
“You’re going to do great. Everyone here is our friends and family. They’re all good people. We wouldn’t consider them family if they weren’t. Take your time. Meet as many people as you want or none of them. It’s up to you. The house is yours to use, too. If you need a minute to catch your breath.”
“Do you do this often?” Owen’s gaze tracked everything.
“Holidays, birthdays, whenever we feel like hanging out. Mack has a lake behind the paddock if you like to go fishing. You can ride the horses, and there are ATVs in the garage, but you have to use a helmet if you want to get on.”
Owen pinched himself, then rubbed his arm. “Wow.”
“I know this is a lot to take in, but you’re a Banks’ now. That means what’s ours is yours.” I parked in an open spot and shut off the Maverick. “Once you get to know us better, you’ll see.”
