Page 61 of Home Changes
“Came back to take care of my pops. Sit with me?”
“I can do that.” Gregg sat down, and Corrie came out. “Hi, Gregg, the usual?”
“Yes, please, ma’am,” Gregg said and took off his cowboy hat. “You done with the military?”
“Yep. Retired. You?”
“I work for Mr. Marshall as a ranch hand.”
“Not with your dad anymore?” Seth asked as he took a sip of his coffee.
“My dad killed my mom and fucked us up, bad. He’s dead. The old ranch was plowed under. Good riddance.”
“Holy hell.” Seth set his coffee cup down. “I’m so damn sorry, dude. I knew things were bad out there …”
Gregg shrugged. “Bastard mentally and physically abused all of us. Christian the most. He escaped. Married. Has a son.”
“Really?” Seth cocked his head.
“Yeah.” Gregg looked him in the eye. “His husband is a good man. I don’t tolerate anyone saying anything about either of them.”
Seth smiled at his friend. “I wouldn’t. Not my place nor my business.”
“What are you doing here? Your pops okay?” he asked after Corrie put a platter-sized caramel roll and a coffee before him.
“Sarah is with him right now. I’m keeping an eye out for a certain truck.”
Gregg stopped with his coffee halfway to his lips. “Been briefed. Seen it?”
“Edna did yesterday morning. Deputies are keeping it casual, but we haven’t seen it again. Everyone is watching.”
“I’m off today. Come in on my off days for this.” He nodded to his plate. “I could stay if you’re needing help.”
“I wouldn’t mind the company.” Seth leaned back in the booth. “You realize you’ll have to tell me the whole story, right? About your mom. I thought she left.”
“You always were a nosy son of a bitch,” Gregg said before shoving a forkful of caramel roll into his mouth.
“That’s what friends are good at.”
Gregg huffed and asked around his food. “You staying?”
“Yeah. Allison and I have the start of something special. Dad is going to need care for quite a while. Or at least I’m hoping he will. Alzheimer’s.”
Gregg nodded. “Knew that. You going to take that job at the ranch?”
Seth cocked his head. “How did you know about that?”
“Ranch manager said Mr. Marshall had words with you. Figured you must have a military skill he needs.” Gregg looked at him. “And I didn’t say that.”
“Best kept non-secret in town.”
Gregg pointed his fork at Seth. “That,” he said.
“Start talking, Koehler,” Seth said as he poured another cup of coffee from the carafe that Corrie had brought out.
Gregg sighed and leaned back. “Well, Christian and I are the only ones left.”
“What? What happened to Clint?”
