Dustin looked awed. “What happened after you hit Black Diamond?”
“I called your father, of course,” Tucker told him seriously. “Figured I had made it that far and no way would anybody send me away. I deserved to stay.”
Walker chuckled. “Oh, boy. This isn’t going to end well.”
“Thirteen-year-old me didn’t think so,” Tucker agreed. He took another look around the circle, meeting everyone’s eyes in turn. “Your dad came to the bus stop and picked me up. What’s more, your mom was with him. Walter and Deb drove me straight to a restaurant, and we went and had a meal together. The first since I left home, because I hadn’t planned that well.”
Ginny was fascinated. “I don’t remember you coming for an extra-long summer visit.”
“That’s because the next thing they did after that was put my ass back on the bus. But they didn’t send me on my own. Walter rode with me, because he said I obviously couldn’t be trusted to make grown-up decisions, so I got baby treatment the way I deserved.”
“Ouch.” Luke grimaced.
Caleb looked as if he remembered it all too well. “The wrath of Dad. He didn’t get mad, but boy, did you know you were out of line.”
Tucker nodded. “I went from feeling as if I was ten feet tall to a toddler being sent to timeout after a tantrum. He escorted me all the way home—still have no idea how he simply took off a couple of days like that on an instant’s notice. Only, here’s the part I want to tell you. The entire time on the trip home, we talked. He talked about the ranch. He talked about his best friend, Joseph. He talked about his hopes and dreams, and he did it as if I were an adult. As if I hadn’t just screwed up big time and acted absolutely childish.”
Tucker’s arm around her waist tightened a little. Ginny curled her arms around him and gave him a squeeze. Giving him back a bit of strength so he could finish.
He smiled at her. “Your dad talked about each one of you. His kids, who he was so proud of for so many reasons. Some of you were good at one thing, some of you were good at another. He said he knew the day would come when it would be you taking care of Silver Stone, but that was okay. Because you knew about working together. About trusting each other and being there for one another.”
Caleb nodded. “He wasn’t a lone wolf, our dad. He relied a whole lot on Mom, too.” He curled his arm around Tamara, and she smiled.
Tucker slid his hand down until his fingers linked with Ginny’s. “Ginny told me today how much she missed them. I know we all do. Not just today, but every day. But—and I don’t know if this helps—but when I look around, I still see them here. In the work that you do, and the way you support each other.” He squeezed Ginny’s hand. “In the way you love each other. It’s a pretty amazing legacy your parents gave you, and it’s absolutely still true today.”
Ashton nodded. “Amen.”
On their left, Luke reached out a hand to Tucker. Only when he took hold, Luke pulled him into a tight embrace, patting him on the back. “You’re right. It’s a damn good legacy they left us. And a damn good story.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell us about that trip before now,” Walker said the moment before he too hauled Tucker into a hug.
The entire gravesite party turned into a rotating series of embraces.
Ginny found herself being held extra tight by Tamara before her sister-in-law pulled away and shook a finger, gently chiding in a soft voice so no one would overhear. “I recognize the look in your eyes over the past couple of weeks. That’s the same look my sister Karen gets when she’s struggling with something. Listen to what your guy just said about how the Stones work together as a team, okay? If you’ve got something you need help with, I’m here for you. We’re all here.”
Enough with the tears. Ginny smiled. “Thanks. I will,” she said decisively. “Only I can’t guarantee that everything I share will make sense.”
Tamara blew a raspberry. “You need to hang around me and my sisters more. Lisa thrives on turning gibberish into words.”
“I have noticed this about her,” Ginny said dryly.
A whole bunch of hugs later, everyone mounted up and left.
Ginny found Dustin standing beside her.
He still looked on the edge of tears, but he also grinned sheepishly. “Thanks. I came this morning to clean things up a little and…” He swallowed hard. “I’m glad you got everybody together. It was the right thing to do.”
Tucker slid into position behind her.
Ginny gave Dustin another quick hug. “It just kind of happened, but I’m glad it did.”
Dustin glanced up at Tucker, hesitating then speaking a little on the gruff side. “That was a good story you shared. Thanks.”
Tucker curled his arm around Ginny then dipped his chin in response. “The flowers were a nice touch. I’m glad they were here. It means a lot you took care of things like that.”
Her youngest brother’s eyes widened. “How did you know it was me?”
Tucker shrugged. “Ashton’s teaching me how to read minds.”
Dustin jerked upright then snickered. “Right.”
Tucker patted him on the back then turned him toward the horses and pushed him gently. “Let’s go. I think you still have some jobs you need to finish this afternoon.”
“Yes, sir.”
The response came so quick and natural, Ginny had to hide a smile.
The warmth inside her was back. It lasted all the way until they got the horses to the barn and everyone headed home or returned to work.
Ginny caught Tucker by the hand and pulled him toward her. “I know you probably have some jobs you need to finish this afternoon, but come to my place when you’re done? I’ll make supper.”
He nodded. “I’ll be there in a couple of hours if that works for you.”
They both took off in different directions.
The first thing Ginny did when she got home was hop into the shower, steamy water all around her heating her up until every bit of tension washed right away.
Then she made another tea, mixing a couple of different combinations together before curling up on the couch and once again lifting the journal into her lap. Once again opening to a random page to write.
I don’t know how to do this right, but I suppose that’s part of the journey.
* * *
Every day we have to take the adventure as it comes, and while sometimes the road is not one we want to travel, today I learned a very important lesson.
* * *
The companions with us on the journey are vital.
I think that’s some of what you tried to teach us, Mom. About picking friends at school who were the rock-solid type and not ones who would only lead us in mischief. I think that’s why you and Jacquie Hayes got along so well. You knew how to fight about what was important so that you could learn from each other.
* * *
Dare and I don’t always agree. We don’t always like the same things—although she’s totally going to get a kick out of the fact that I’m writing in this thing. Considering she’s the one who’s been journaling since she was sixteen…