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Sage was the only one of Jake’s children to opt for college. She was in her final year at the University of Montana in Missoula. She was a talented musician and singer getting a degree in musical composition and theory. But Jake wasn’t sure what she was going to do with her degree. As far as he knew, she had no desire to leave the ranch again once she graduated. He hated having two of his children gone. His only comfort was that they were both in the same city. And even though they seemed to be constantly at odds. He knew they’d be there for each other if a situation arose requiring it.
After crossing under the arch, they drove a mile to the house. The dogs came to attention and jumped off the porch when they saw the SUV approaching. When the vehicle stopped and Jake stepped out, the dogs surrounded him, barking, yapping, and jumping up on him.
He laughed. “Okay, you guys. I know. I missed you too.”
He rubbed the ears of each of the five dogs, Rosie, Daisy, Ira, Decker, and Mick, then headed for the porch with them on his heels. His father,Jacob, was sitting in his favorite chair.
Jacob started to get up, but Jake held out a hand. “Stay put.” He went to his father and hugged him. “Hey Dad.”
Jacob looked at him. “Hey Dad? Where the hell have you been?”
Jake laughed and leaned against the railing. “I hope someday soon I’ll be able to tell you. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on with you?”
Jacob shrugged. “It’s nothing. I’m getting stronger every day.”
“Good to hear. And you’re following Dr. Curtis’ orders?”
He nodded. “Sure. Of course I am.”
Jake rubbed his chin. “Hmm. I’ve heard reports to the contrary.”
Jacob scowled. “These young kids don’t know what they’re talking about.”
“You need to get better, Dad. I can’t run this place by myself.”
J.T. stepped onto the porch. “Excuse me?”
Jake laughed. “Alongside you, of course. But we still need the old man.”
J.T. nodded. “Yes. We do.”
When Sawyer came up behind J.T., Jacob nodded toward him. “One good thing came out of all of this. The wayward son is back.”
Sawyer patted Jacob’s shoulder. “Don’t get too used to it, Granddad. Now that Dad’s home, I’ll be heading back soon.”
“Hmm. I figured as much. But don’t rush offtoo fast. Your father just got home.”
“I won’t.”
Sage sat on the arm of Jacob’s chair and kissed his cheek. “And the O’Connell family is together again.”
Yes they were, but Jake needed some time to process the last several hours. He pushed away from the rail and headed for the door. “And this family member is in desperate need of a shower. I’ll see you all at dinner.”
He went into the house and crossed the huge living room, then went up the staircase and ran his hand along the wooden banister he’d slid down when he was ten. It all went well until he reached the bottom and fell off, breaking his arm. His grandmother hadn’t been too happy about him disobeying the no banister rule. But once she realized he was really hurt, she drove him to the clinic in town, then got him a root beer float at the drugstore soda fountain.
Jake continued up and went down the hall to the bedroom at the end of it. The room was the original master bedroom. But when he got married, he’d added on a master suite downstairs. He’d stayed there with his wife Rachel until she died. After that, he couldn’t bring himself to sleep in the room he’d shared with her. Jacob had been staying in the room for the last ten years.
He stepped into the bedroom and again felt oddly nostalgic. Nothing had changed. It hadbeen dusted and straightened up. He left in a hurry for his trip, leaving a bit of a mess behind. He was still having trouble wrapping his head around the fact he’d been gone for five months.
Five months?“Where the hell were you, Jake?”
He sat on the bed and tried to clear his mind. He really hadn’t had much time to think about all of this. There was no time in the hospital. Even after the kids left him for the night, there were too many distractions. But now, in the quiet of his room, he could think. Maybe it’d come back to him.
Nothing.
He stood and went to his dresser to open the top drawer. He took out a small wooden box he’d had since he was a kid and opened it up. His wedding band was inside of it, along with Rachel’s two rings. He missed her. He missed her every day, and he knew he always would. But now he felt like there was something else. Something he couldn’t quite get a grasp on. But whatever it was, it left an emptiness he felt could consume him if he let it. Even though he couldn’t remember the last five months, he knew something profound had happened to him.
He looked at the two framed pictures on the dresser. One was of him and Rachel on their wedding day. They were both twenty. So young. Too young. By the time they were J.T.’s age, they had three kids.
