Reclaiming by Gabrielle Demonico Page A

towards them was an older man with a full salt and pepper beard and a head of hair to match. As he walked in their direction, Daniella noticed that he did so with a bit of a limp.
    “Yes, we did,” Jett began. “Owen?”
    The old man nodded. “That’s what they call me. You David and Jo’s boy? The one in trouble with the law?”
    “Yep, afraid so.” Jett replied.
    The old man stopped a few feet away. “Nothing to be afraid of up here. ‘Cept of course mountain lions and maybe a bear or two.”
    Daniella ’s eyes shot towards Jett.
    “Bears huh?” Jett replied. “I didn’t think that there were bears this far south.”
    “Yes sir,” Owen said. “Good foraging ground this. Plenty of fresh meat for them. It’d be hard for any bear to turn his nose up at it.”
    “I see,” Jett replied as he nodded. “This is Daniella.” He said as he gestured in her direction.
    Owen nodded. “Pleasure.”
    Daniella smiled at him as he greeted her. It was plain to her eyes that although he might be old, he could handle himself out here and that … was no easy feat. Upcountry living wasn’t for the faint of heart and wasn’t something Daniella could relate to at all . The forest would make short work of someone like her, no question about it.
    But not Owen.
    Though the passage of years shrouded it a bit, it was plain to her that he must have once been a strong man, perhaps a logger or ranch hand. That wouldn’t be unexpected for a man of his years. After all, it was only within the past decade or so that the way in which most folks earned a living in these parts changed.
    He was a fighter, she noticed it in the way he looked at her. Underneath the leathered skin and wrinkled brow, brilliant blue eyes sparkled back in her direction. In many ways they mirrored the color of the beautiful turquoise amulet that hung around his neck.
    “Max! Diego!” Owen shouted as he focused his attention on the dogs. “Come! Leave them be.”
    The dogs turned away from their welcoming committee duties and wandered back up a well worn foot trail that lead to Owen’s home.
    “Alright now,” Owen said as he turned his attention back towards them. “I would suppose the two of you are about ready for chow. It’s a good hike up here. Am I right?”
    Daniella and Jett nodded.
    “Good,” the old man said as he turned and started to head up towards the house. “Food’s about ready.”
    They made their way up the steps and into the cabin. Max and Diego took up sentry positions at either side of the front door. Owen limped ahead of them, opened the front door and entered. With each step they took, the pine floor groaned underfoot.
    “This here is my place,” Owen said. “It ain’t much but it’s all a man of my years requires. Have a seat,” he said as he motioned towards a simple oak table near the kitchen.
    A delightful scent caught Daniella ’s attention. “That smells incredible.”
    Owen chuckled. “Yep, rabbit stew. Best in the county. My wife’s old recipe, God rest her soul.”
    “Oh,” Daniella replied with sympathy in her tone.
    Owen grabbed bowls from the cupboard. He placed them on the counter and said, “She’s gone years now. Don’t get yourself worried about it.”
    “Alright.” She replied.
    Jett sat down in one of the chairs. “So… Owen… How long have you been here?”
    As he spoke, the old man stirred the meaty contents of the pot. Without turning back towards Jett, he replied, “Oh, been about twenty five years or so I would suppose. Any spoons on the table?”
    “I don’t see any,” Daniella replied. “Do you need me to help you with anything?”
    “No, you go on and sit.” He said as he gestured towards them. “Make yourselves comfortable.”
    As Daniella took her seat, Owen lifted the pot off the stove and headed towards the table. He placed it in the center and motioned for Daniella to pass her bowl. After he ’d filled all of them with stew he took a seat and they began to