hefted another bag onto his shoulder. “You know, the twenty-third pass of the field in the spring when you’re finally able to stop until the first cut? He’d tell us ‘quiet contemplation is good for a man. Gets the blood pumping to ponder for a while about all the things he can accomplish’.”
There was another twinge of remorse. Gabe loved hearing stories about his grandfather, but it was usually Uncle Mike or Uncle Randy who shared them. Gabe had wondered if there’d been a bit of judicious editing going on.
“Did my dad get along with Grampa Royce?” The question surprised Gabe as much as Mark.
The other man lowered the bag on his shoulder a little less vigorously, seemingly lost in thought. “They didn’t not get along,” he said slowly. As if he was choosing his words carefully. “Ben liked to do things his own way. That didn’t always fit well with your grandpa.”
Gabe worked silently for a moment before Mark spoke again.
“Your grandfather, like all of us Coleman men, wasn’t always right. Some of the times, what Ben wanted wasn’t out of line.”
It was the fairest, kindest thing Gabe had heard anybody say about his father in a long time. He met Mark’s gaze. “Thank you for that.”
Mark looked uncomfortable. And Gabe really didn’t want to start in on another conversation that would make him uncomfortable as well, so he changed the topic. “Want to stay for supper?”
“I’d like that. Thanks.” The sheer happiness on the other man’s face made Gabe feel bad for not having issued an invitation sooner.
When it was time to call it a day, Gabe gestured to the shower room they’d added when they’d built the new barn. “You can get cleaned up in there. Side cupboard will hold some T-shirts that should fit you. The cousins have left clothes here over the years, so it’s a bit of a free-for-all. I can grab you a shirt once you come in the house.”
“Will do.” Mark held out his hand.
It wasn’t the usual end-of-the-day ritual, but at the same time it made sense. Gabe reached out and offered a solid handshake. “It was good working with you.”
Once again Mark’s appreciation shone through. “I’m glad. Me too.”
Gabe wandered over to the house, a little bit of nostalgia messing with the what if’s in his brain.
Which meant he was all the way into his and Allison’s bedroom, headed for the shower, when he paused, turned around, and went back to look. “Allison? I was going to ask if you could set the table for one more, but you’ve already set it for five.”
She whirled from the stove where she was stirring something that smelled amazing. “Laurel and Dana’s thing got cancelled, so I told them to join us.”
“Oh, shit.”
Allison’s eyes widened. Both of them glanced over at Micah, who was tossing toys back into the playpen as Ariel happily threw them out.
“Sorry. Both for the swear and the fact that I invited Uncle Mark to join us for dinner.”
“Oh, shit.”
Allison slapped a hand over her mouth. Gabe snickered.
Then she shrugged. “It was going to happen sometime. At least this is a safe setting.” She gave him a quick glance. “Still, shower fast. I do not want to deal with this by myself, and Laurel said they’d be here in under ten minutes.”
The temptation to linger under the hot water was there, only Gabe wouldn’t do that to Allison or to his mom. He was dressed and ready to greet them when they arrived.
Dana accepted his hug then headed for the most important people in the room, scooping Ariel out of her playpen and pressing kisses all over her face.
Rafe grinned as he caught Laurel against him. “Nice surprise.”
Her cheeks were flushed when he brought her back to vertical.
Gabe was about to warn them all about the final guest when a knock sounded on the door.
“I’ll get it.” Laurel danced over, pulling it open. “Oh. It’s you.”
It was only because Gabe was watching that he saw his sister-in-law blush beet red, which was a thing he only saw when she’d been caught in a lie.
Uncle Mark’s deep chuckle sounded. “Mind if I come in? It’s a little cold to let the breeze in.”
Laurel snapped to attention. She glanced over her shoulder as if looking for assistance. Her gaze darted over Dana then landed on Gabe.
He took pity on her, marching forward and holding out a hand. “Uncle Mark. Come in. We’ve got a few more for dinner than I expected,