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replied in a dry whisper. “Going on.”
    For a moment, Gracie realized that Luke’s word choice was disturbing, but then remembered that he wasn’t exactly in a great state of mind. “Can I get you anything, baby?”
    Luke tried to sit up, but he could barely move. “Yeah,” he rasped, “get Jack for me.”
     
     
    Charlotte’s kitchen was right inside the door, and it smelled like his grandmother’s house on Thanksgiving. Carter’s sister sat Jack down on a stool and brought him a large bottle of water.  “I wasn’t sure what else to do, under the circumstances, so I decided that feeding Luke’s loved ones would be a good way to contribute something for you all. Lots of folks around here raise chickens now, so I’ve been cooking up a mess of them for tomorrow.” She peered at Jack. “I don’t mean to be rude, but you look awful. I didn’t think it was possible for you to look awful, but I guess awful for you is still a lot handsomer than most guys. You need to drink all that water.”
    “You always did talk a lot.” Jack leaned back and took several large gulps of the water.
    “We didn’t always talk,” Charlotte reminded him.
    “That was a long time ago,” Jack pointed out while memories of a distant summer flashed through his mind.
    “Everything was a long time ago, now drink your water.” She waited for him to set the bottle down and reached across the table to take his hand. “Look, I can’t imagine what you’re going through. I mean, I know pain and loss, everybody does nowadays, but when Curtis died he took a piece of me with him. You know we had a rocky marriage, but we’d finally worked everything out. My kids need their dad. And I think you need your son. Curtis is gone, but Luke hasn’t left yet. I’m going to make you a sandwich, then you’re going to go check on Luke—“ Jack started to speak, but Charlotte shushed him. “It’s not that kind of wedding night, and even if it was, that part would be over by now. Carter stopped by here an hour or so ago and told me that David was setting up a tent right outside Luke and Gracie’s cabin. That’s where you belong.”
    “You and your brother are both damn bossy,” Jack grumbled half-heartedly. “I can see why you’ve always fought like cats and dogs.”
    “My cats and dogs have always gotten along, but my brother can be a stubborn jerk. He’s usually a stand-up guy though. Here’s a sandwich. Eat the whole thing; you need to keep your strength up.” 
    Jack finished the sandwich and walked his dishes over to the sink. “Thanks, Charlotte. I’m gonna head out.”
    She put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to one side. A lock of blond hair fell across her face, and she pushed it behind her ear. “And exactly where are you going?”
    “Right where you told me to; I’m going to Luke.” Jack wasn’t drunk, but his tongue was slightly loosened from whiskey. “You haven’t changed a bit, except maybe to grow even more beautiful. I have someone in my life, a woman I love, but if things were different—“
    “Just stop. Our timing has always sucked. I’m glad you have someone—her name’s Andi, right? I did a little checking. She sounds like a woman worth holding on to. Losing Curtis is still too fresh for me anyway. We’ll always be friends, Jack. Good friends.”
    Jack nodded and closed the kitchen door on his way out.
     
     
    Gracie roused David, who’d pitched a tent outside the front door of the cabin at some point in the night. David set off to fetch Jack, but his brother wasn’t easily found. After almost an hour of checking various locations, and adding Carter to the search in the process, David spotted Jack walking toward Luke’s cabin. He watched his older brother approach the front door.
    Jack knocked quietly, and Gracie let him in.
    “How is he?”
    “He’s in and out, but he’s lucid when he’s awake. High fever.”
    “How are you?”
    Gracie stood as tall as possible and set her