Page 91 of Owen

“Come home.” Camilla pauses momentarily. “Please.”

I peer up over his shoulder.

At a loss for words, Owen stays silent as he continues to stare at his phone.

Camilla’s voice cuts through the silence and Owen’s thoughts. “I need your help to organize the funeral.” Her voice is matter-of-fact, showing no real emotion. Owen appears to be the only one in the family who was born with a heart.

“I’ll come with you,” I say with authority, urging him to respond.

Owen agrees with a nod. “I’ll be there this afternoon,” he stutters.

“We’ll drive,” I assure him.

“I… I’m in England, Camilla. I will come, but it will take us a few hours to get there.”

A soft sigh of relief sounds down the phone. “Thank you, Owen. I’ll meet you at the house.”

Owen tenses.

A knowing Camilla tries to justify the reason for meeting there. “Dad didn’t sell your car or pack up your stuff. It was all lies he fed to Lincoln and Jacob to try to persuade you to come home. You can stay in your own house with Jade and Poppy.” She adds, “I hate our family home as much as you do, and I would never make you stay in it again.”

How does she know about us?

“Thanks.”

“I bumped into Lincoln. He told me you found your happiness,” she says, answering the unasked question. “You did the right thing, Owen. Marrying Evangeline would never haveworked. Gideon and I—” A beat passes. “I should never have married him. For reasons I don’t understand, Mom was cruel, Owen, but Father was dead inside. I’m proud of you for sticking up for yourself.”

Owen’s hand finds mine, the one that’s resting over his heart, and he gives it a squeeze.

“I know this may mean nothing, but I’m happy for you.” Camilla sounds genuine.

Although she can’t see him, Owen nods, his shoulders sagging as if relieved. “I appreciate that.”

“I’ll see you in a few hours.” She suddenly sounds formal again. “Bye, Owen. Please drive safe,” she finishes.

The line goes dead and Owen sighs again, one that comes out in a rush.

“I’m here for you.” I move around to his front and straddle him, lacing my arms around his neck.

He cuddles me back, holding me as if I am his life buoy. “I have to go home.”

“I’m coming with you.” Leaning back, I hold his face to make him look at me. “I won’t let you do this alone.” And I won’t let him withdraw from me. “We do this together.”

“Poppy?”

“Mom will come. Aunt Babs, too. They can look after her.”

“What about work?” His selflessness knows no bounds.

“We don’t have a display for two weeks; I will submit vacation days and get the time off.” I’m the boss and this is an emergency.

“Thank you.” He kisses my neck and nuzzles into it. “I have to call Lincoln and Jacob.” His lips brush my skin. “And Gregor. I have to call him first, and his parents. Shit, I forgot to ask Camilla if Uncle David knows his brother is dead. Regardless ofwhat happened between our families, I know Gregor’s mum, my Aunt Flora will be upset.” He goes into action mode.

“While you jump in the shower, I will pack and make a few calls, okay? Then you can call them.” He needs a clear mind to break the news. A shower always helps to make me feel better, so I send up a silent prayer that it helps him, too. “Gregor will most likely want to come for the funeral. He can follow us in his car.”

He nods, his chest filled with sadness. I can feel it.

“Are you okay?” Of course he isn’t, but it’s the only thing I can ask given the circumstances. I remember how heartbroken I was when my dad died. It tore me to shreds. I was confused, and everything felt impossible.

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