“Gunner said he should be. He said that his dad probably needs to retire from the Army. His mom is doing everything she can to talk to him about it. The fact that she got him to go to the ranch for a few weeks blows my mind. ”
“Well, it’ll be good for both Gunner and his dad. They need to work on repairing their relationship, especially with Gunner being married now. I don’t think his dad wants to miss out on having grandkids someday. ”
I looked up and smiled at Jeff. The smile he gave me in return melted my panties.
“I sure as shit wish Josh and Heather weren’t here,” Jeff said as he wiggled his eye-brows up and down.
Giggling, I glanced toward the house. Heather was carrying out another box while Josh was on her heels, asking her to put it down.
“Maybe we should make Heather ride with Josh again,” I said looking back at Jeff.
He threw his head back and laughed.
“If she wants to come out to the ranch, she either has to drive her car or go with Josh. I have the truck packed full of shit. ”
I had to laugh. Heather had just gotten her car back from the dealership. There was no way was she planning on driving out there again.
I looked over at her as she started to walk up to us.
“Ellie is on her way back,” I said to Heather.
She came to a stop with a confused look.
“Gunner’s father had a heart attack, but he’s okay. ” I explained.
Heather’s face turned white as she brought her hand up to her mouth. She leaned over, like she was going to be sick.
“Heather. . . honey, are you okay?” Shit. I didn’t even think about what I was saying. I suddenly remembered that Heather’s dad had a heart attack while driving and that’s what caused their car wreck.
Heather spun around and ran right into Josh.
“Hey, what’s wrong? Heather, look at me, princess. What’s wrong?” Josh asked, concerned.
Heather just broke down and cried. Josh pulled her into his arms, and she completely lost it. This was the first time that I’d ever seen her cry about her parents. Trying to figure out what was going on, Josh looked over at Jeff. Jeff mouthed her parents to Josh.
Jeff walked up to Josh, leaning in to whisper to him. Jeff must have told Josh about Gunner’s dad and Heather’s dad. Josh closed his eyes. Then, turning around with Heather still in his arms, he started to walk with her into the house.
“Jeff, I honestly believe that is this is the first time that girl has cried since her parents have died. She’s been holding it in for so long. I knew that one of these days, the damn was going to break. ”
Just then, Jeff’s cell phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and answered it without even looking at who it was.
“Oh, hey, Rebecca. ”
Jeff mouthed sorry to me. I turned and walked toward the house. The last thing I wanted to do was have to listen to him to talk her.
“Um… well, we’re kind of getting ready to take a load of stuff out to the ranch. My truck is packed up, so, I can’t help you with that. ”
Before I walked in the front door, I turned to look at Jeff. He was watching me, so I just gave him a smile before I headed into the house. Since there was not furniture left anywhere in the house, Josh and Heather were sitting on the floor in the living room.
I sank down on the floor next to Heather. She seemed to have calmed down. I reached for her hand, and she smiled at me.
“Where’s Jeff?” Heather asked.
“Talking to Rebecca. ”
“Bitch!” Josh and Heather said at the same time.
We all started to laugh when the front door opened as Jeff walked in.