Owen doesn't look like he agrees, but he doesn't argue either. I'm not sure what that means. And now their verbal tennis match seems to have morphed into some kind of silent conversation. More difficult to follow, sure, but no less terrifying.
Eventually, they break eye contact and Maverick looks back at me. "Thank you for bringing this to our attention."
I know a dismissal when I hear one, and that's certainly one.
"It was nice to finally meet you, Owen. I hope the next time is under better circumstances." I extend my hand and wait for Owen to take it. It takes him a few moments, but he finally returns with a firm shake. With a nod I turn around and head back out the way I came. I also tell Annalee goodbye before leaving and get a friendly wave in return.
Then I head a couple of doors down and meet the third Baker sibling for the day.
Chapter Twenty-Five
GRACIE
It's obvious I'm not the only one sick of being cooped up in the house today. Everly is in rare form, and I'm pretty sure if I don't get us out of the house, there's going to be bloodshed.
Mine, not Everly's. That little girl scares me some days.
"How about we go see Owen and Annalee."
Everly has been asking about my brother and his fiancée ever since I took her to meet them. And it would appear now would be a good time to give her what she wants.
"Yay! Owen, Owen, Owen."
The little girl continues to chant as I pack a bag and get her shoes on. Except it takes twice as long as usual because Everly is too busy swinging her feet around for me to get them on in one shot.
Lesson learned. Wait until after I get her ready to tell her about visiting my family.
Eventually, I manage to successfully get both shoes on her feet. Grabbing the bag in one hand and her hand in the other, I walk us to my car.
Everly jumps in before I get the door fully open. Clearly she is very excited to see my brother. Who would've thought he would be the one Everly flocks toward. I thought for sure Annalee would've won that prize.
The drive to my brother's work is quick. Just like everything else in this town is. I manage to find a spot just out front and glance to my right. Ang mentioned earlier that's where he would be today, so maybe after visiting my brother, Everly and I can go there. I don't tell her yet, though, for fear she would start chanting Daddy instead.
"Oh, hey, Gracie," Annalee greets me as soon as we walk through the door. "And hello, Everly. I didn't expect to see you two today. Not after Angelo came in earlier."
I stop dead in my tracks. "Excuse me?" I look straight into Annalee's eyes. "Ang was here?"
"Yeah. He stopped in not too long ago to speak to Owen. I figured he wanted to officially meet him already."
I bite my tongue since I already know that isn't why Ang stopped by at all. "Annalee, will you do me a favor and watch Everly for a few minutes while I go speak to my brother?"
"Oh, sure." It's obvious Annalee can see something is wrong when she slowly moves from behind the desk to come greet me with a hug, but she's polite enough not to call me out.
I get Everly settled and then march straight through the glass door in search of my brother. It's not hard to find him. He's the one in the middle of an argument with Maverick about what I assume is me.
"That's not what she would want," Maverick calmly tells my brother.
"I don't give a shit what she wants. It's what I'm going to do."
”You don’t give a shit about what who wants, Owen?" I walk straight up to him and push on his chest. "Me or Annalee?Because I can assure you, whatever you’re talking about won't fly with either of us."
"Why the hell didn't you tell me about Jeremy?" he fires back.
"Because I knew this is how you were going to respond, you big oaf."
"Of course I'm going to be pissed. He bruised you." Owen gently grabs both of my arms and inspects them like he expects to find the bruises he's talking about. He won't, though. I made sure those damn things were long gone before I came to see him.
Pulling my arms away, I slap at his hands. "Stop that. The bruises are gone."
