Chapter Twenty
News of Connor's return had spread to the members of the Shenandoah Clan. Evie was surprised when they all turned up the next day. Yes, the entire clan showed up on their doorstep. And to welcome their lost son, they all decided an impromptu barbecue was in order.
Evie watched the men set up tables and chairs as she helped the women prepare the sides. She was surprised because she thought most clans were small, but the Shenandoah clan, along with its human members, had to have been at least a hundred strong.
"How do you manage so many Lycans?" Evie asked Jackson. "New York is the biggest clan on record, and there are only about two hundred fifty Lycans registered."
"We like to keep to ourselves," Jackson said. "We do the bare minimum with the High Council. Enough to keep ‘em happy and away from us. Most of the Lycans around here, they couldn't live in the cities or in big communities with humans. Their wolves are too difficult. Probably because we've been living in isolation for too long. We would cause too much trouble if we lived among a large human population." He nodded to the wide, rolling hills of the valley. "But, here, they have lots of space to roam. They can even work on the farm. Hard work helps keep them steady and distracted, plus they can shift safely if they need to."
Evie bit her lip. Jackson's words stuck in her mind. Maybe that's why Connor hated New York so much. It was in his DNA to hate the crowds and the smell and the feeling of being cooped up.
"So, are you Connor's mate?" Jackson asked out of the blue.
“I …” What was she to him? “I’m not sure.”
“Well, shit. He better make you his or someone else might want to snatch you up.” He gave her a wink and a flirtatious smile, which made her chuckle. It was strange how the two men looked so much alike, yet so completely different. On Jackson, that smile seemed to fit, yet, if Connor attempted to flirt like that, it would only be awkward. Awkward and completely adorable.
“I’m joking,” Jackson said. “But it must be nice. To have someone to care for.”
“What about Austin’s mom?” Evie saw Jackson’s face fall for a second before he put up a cool mask. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t an appropriate question.”
“No, it’s fine.” He shrugged. “We’re not together anymore. She took off when he was a baby. Said she couldn’t hack being a mom.” He straightened his shoulders. “Well, I gotta go take Dolly to the store and grab some meat. We’ve got to feed a hundred hungry people, so I’m gonna load ‘er up with ribs and burgers.”
“Dolly?”
He jerked his thumb to the Black Dodge Ram, which he had driven to the backyard to bring the tables over. “My truck.”
“You named your truck Dolly?” Evie asked with a giggled. “After Dolly Parton?”
“Yeah. What’s so funny?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
***
One night at the Shenandoah Clan farm turned into a few days. Evie and Connor called his siblings back in New York to tell them the news. Needless to say, they were happy to let him have a few days off.
"Oh my God!" Meredith exclaimed over video chat as she waved to Lily and Jackson. They were outside on the back porch, crowded around Evie’s phone. "Twins? This is so cool!"
“Two of you?” Quinn said, his face filling the screen as he yanked the phone from Meredith. “There’s two of your ugly mugs in this world? Tragedy!”
Normally, Quinn's insults would have rankled him, but this time he let out a chuckle. "Wait ‘till you see this. Austin, c'mere!" he called. "Come say hi to your Uncle Quinn and Aunt Meredith."
Austin trudged forward and peered at the screen. “Hi.”
"Shut the front door!" Meredith squealed. "He's like a mini-you! So adorable! I wanna squeeze him and kiss his little cheeks!"
Connor gave her a wry smile. “We’ll see about that.” Austin definitely deserved the label troublemaker. The little shit couldn’t seem to not get himself in trouble. Just yesterday, his principal called Jackson in for another meeting about his son’s behavior. Something about trying to set the football field on fire. Austin wasn’t even old enough to be in the high school where said football field was located.
“You’re multiplying! Someone call the CDC!” Quinn said from off camera. “Ow, Selena, quit it!”
“We’ll have to come visit,” Meredith said. “Maybe Daric and I can pop in sometime.”
"We'll be back in a few days," Connor said.
"Take your time, get to know your family," Meredith said. "We'll take care of things here."
"I appreciate it," Connor said. He said goodbye to them, then hung up.
“Nice family,” Jackson said.
“Most of the time,” he replied.
"I'll get dinner started," Lily said. "Pot roast and mashed potatoes tonight." She waved goodbye to them and disappeared into the house.
“I’m going to go and help Lily with dinner,” Evie said. “Want to come with me, Austin?”
"Sure, Aunt Evie." The boy took Evie's hand, and they walked back into the house.
Connor turned to Jackson. With the barbecue the other day and with Jackson being busy around the farm, Connor hadn’t had time alone with his twin until now. “Did you want to show me some more of the farm?”
“Sure, let’s go.”
Jackson led him off the porch and to the back of the house. They began to stroll across the field, past the small fishing pond and the barn. Jackson explained it was a working farm, and they kept horses, livestock, chickens, and even some alpacas (for their high-quality wool). They also grew vegetables, hay, and grain. The farm was completely self-sustaining and off the grid, using a combination of solar and wind energy for power. Most everyone in the clan pitched in, whether it was working with the livestock, harvesting grains and eggs, spinning wool, or selling produce at the market.
“We’re not rich,” Jackson explained. “But we do all right.”
“Cowboy Lycans,” Connor commented.
“There are lots of different Lycans all over the world,” Jackson said. “Why not cowboys?”
"I didn’t mean anything by that, it’s just that I've never had the chance to see other clans." The silence that followed was deafening. Connor looked at his twin, the similar face still so jarring to him. His eyes, however, filled with an emotion he couldn't quite peg. "Jackson." He placed a hand on the other man's shoulders.
There was more silence until Jackson opened his mouth. "I often wonder what it would have been like."
“What?”
“If it were me.”
Connor knew exactly what he was saying. “No. Don’t think that.”
“But it could have been.”
"Jackson, listen to me." He tugged at his brother so they were face to face. "Yes, it could have been you. But it wasn't. And now that's all and done. And we're all here. I wouldn't have it any other way."
“You could have been Alpha.”
"But I'm not." He ran his hands through his hair. "I could never do this. Take care of everyone. Of Lily and Austin. And run this farm. And I don't want to. I'm not here to take it away from you."
“Then why are you here?”
The question, as well as the look in Jackson's eyes, jolted him. Like he knew what he was hiding. "Fine. I'll tell you." Jackson was his brother. His twin. He could trust him. So, he told him the rest of the story and the stuff he had left out. Told him about the red-haired man.
When he finished his story, Jackson kicked a rock and let out a curse. “Shit. Well, we’ll do what we can to help you. I’m sure Momma still has the records from the detective. In fact, I’m pretty sure he still lives in town. We can talk to him tomorrow.”
"Thank you," Connor said. "That means a lot." He didn't have much hope at this point. It sounded like the Lone Wolves who took him had covered their tracks well. Heck, even Archie couldn't track them down. But he would take what he could get.
Jackson flashed him a smile. “So, I do have one more thing I wanted to show you. Something you’ll really thank me for.”
“What?”
“You’ll see.” Jackson led him back to the house and then around to the front where their trucks were parked. He opened Dolly’s tailgate and pointed to the pile of canvas on the bed.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a truck bed tent and a mattress.” He sighed when Connor glanced around, a blank look on his face. “Seriously? It’s for you and Evie. It’s supposed to be a clear night tonight and not too chilly.” He sighed. “I know staying in the house isn’t ideal, especially with two Lycans who have super hearing.”
"Oh." Now he understood. Though Lily had put them in the same room, finding time for frisky fun was difficult. There were always people coming and going, plus, with his mother under the same roof, it was too weird. The last time they had had sex was … he smiled to himself and glanced at Jackson's truck. Better keep that to himself.
“Feels weird having sex in the same house as your mom, right?”
"You screw girls on that thing?"
"Huh? Hell no. Well, not in the camping tent, but that Dolly's seen plenty of action." Jackson chuckled. "Go ahead and use it tonight. Put it on your Jolene—it still creeps me out that you named her that—then drive her out to the middle of the property. I'll tell you the best spot for stargazing … among other things. You and your blue balls can thank me later. "
“Thanks, Jackson,” Connor said with a chuckle.
“No prob, brother.”