She knocked on the door. “Owen, you still awake?”
He opened it for her. “Sure. Come on in.”
He left her to sit at his desk and stare at his open laptop.
She eased into a corner chair. “I figured you’d be three sheets to the wind by now. Today was a great day, seeing all those people here to welcome you home.”
Preoccupied, he nodded but said nothing.
“Don’t worry, Owen. Your idea is a good one, and before you know it, this will be the place to go for therapy.”
He glanced up from his laptop and smiled. “You’re right. I am beat. I think I’ll go to bed now, so I’ll shut this thing down.”
She sensed he was trying to get rid of her. “Suit yourself. I hope you get some sleep so you can join me and Gramps for church tomorrow.”
As she headed for the door, she noticed some print photographs on the side table and stopped for a moment. She lifted the pile to thumb through them. “This is you and Leif.”
“Yep.” Owen hovered near as if he would snatch the photographs from her.
“Who’s the girl?”
“His sister.” Owen gently relieved her of the photographs. “She was killed.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Terra watched Owen. Maybe the party today had exhausted him and he wasn’t able to put on a good show for her, but he appeared troubled. She would give anything if she could help him through this.
“I’m glad he was here for you today. He looked different tonight than in those pictures.”
“Of course he did. In the pictures, his sister was still alive.”
That wasn’t what she’d meant. Terra couldn’t quite put her finger on it, then ... yes ... she saw it now.