Page 53 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

“And so it begins,” Wendy said wryly as she searched his face. She must’ve liked what she saw because she nodded and shifted her attention to Owen and let David greet Tyler. Owen was trying to decide if he should offer his hand to her when Wendy threw her arms around his shoulders and squeezed the air out of him. Owen laughed and gently returned the embrace.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Wendy said. She pulled back from the hug and peered into his eyes. “Though it feels like I already know you from my conversations with Tyler.”

Owen glanced over at his guy, who was wrapped up in his father’s embrace. “I feel like I know you too.”

Wendy hooked her arm through Owen’s and said, “Let me introduce you to everyone.”

Tyler let out a soft groan as he followed them farther into the living room, and Wendy shushed him again. Four of the Booth kids favored David, but two of them were carbon copies of Wendy. Most of the siblings had started their own families, and the nieces and nephews ranged in age from seven to three months old.

Tyler’s brow furrowed as he turned to David. “Where’s Grandpa?”

“Right here,” came a feisty reply.

Owen turned to see a much older version of Tyler shuffling toward them. Damn, those Booth genes were strong.

“I had to go to the pisser,” the older man added. “Might as well move in there with the way my shoddy prostate acts.”

“Grandpa,” Tyler said, rushing forward to hug him. “I’ve missed you so much.”

The older man smiled but replaced it with a scowl when Tyler stood back. “Not enough to visit me. I’m not getting any younger, you know.” He patted Tyler’s cheek, swept him aside with an arm, and locked a curious gaze on Owen. “This must be the boyfriend I’ve heard so much about.”

The low hum of conversation stopped immediately, as if someone had hit Mute on a remote. It seemed like everyone held their breath while waiting for an answer. Tyler turned and met Owen’s gaze with a peaceful smile spreading across his face. “Yes, Grandpa, this is my boyfriend, Owen.”

The conversation resumed around them, and no one displayed surprise or outrage, though he felt their curious gazes.

Tyler led his grandfather over to Owen. “This is my grandfather, Simon Booth.”

“It’s nice to meet you, sir,” Owen said as he offered his hand.

Simon studied him for several moments before accepting Owen’s gesture. “It’s nice to meet you too. You boys must be hungry after a day of traveling.”

“Yes, of course you are,” Wendy said. “How rude of me.” Her expression and voice were neutral, making it hard to gauge her reaction to Tyler’s news. “Come on into the kitchen so I can warm up dinner for you.” Then, she turned on her heels and headed out of the room.

David offered them a reassuring smile before following his wife, and Owen thought that was a good sign. Tyler’s shoulders slumped as he watched his parents.

Simon shuffled over to him and placed his hand on Tyler’s back. “Did I speak out of turn, son? I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

Tyler took a deep breath, then smiled at his grandfather. “No, sir. You ripped the Band-Aid right off.”

Simon hugged Tyler once more, then said, “Better than peeling it back slowly.”

“We’ll catch up after we eat,” Tyler told him.

Owen didn’t resist reaching for Tyler’s hand as they walked toward the back of the house. The kitchen was twice as large as any Owen had ever seen and epitomized the loved-and-lived-in description Tyler had used. Artwork, photographs, a calendar, and a running grocery list adorned the stainless-steel refrigerator. Cow paintings hung on sunny-hued walls, and yellow gingham curtains covered the window above the kitchen sink. The pop of color interrupted a sea of white cabinetry. Covered pots and an extra-large aluminum pan rested on the stove, dirty dishes filled the sink, and condiments sat on the countertops. Lived-in and loved.

The aroma of succulent barbecued meat and cheesy carbs made Owen’s mouth water. Wendy stood near the stove with her back to them when they entered the room, and David sat at the table with his hands folded in front of him. He glanced at Tyler and Owen’s joined hands before shifting his gaze toward his wife. Wendy took a shaky breath, then shifted into a flurry of activity—pulling down plates and scooping food onto them.

David stood up and said, “What would you boys like to drink?”

Tyler chose tea, and Owen went with water. He’d consumed too much caffeine, and it was wreaking havoc on his frayed nerves. He figured it was a good sign that Ty’s parents hadn’t freaked out when Simon outed him, but Wendy’s silence was concerning. Owen thought he detected a few sniffles coming from her direction.

“Mama,” Tyler said. “Maybe we should talk this out before we eat.”

As hungry as Owen was, the food would taste like cardboard if he didn’t get his emotions under control.

Wendy stilled, then turned around. Her eyes were red-rimmed and glistening with tears. “Why?”

Tyler furrowed his brow. “Why am I bisexual?”