“Those your tools?” Mack asked with a nod at the duffle bag.
“Yep.”
“You can set up in the barn. We have a workshop in the back,” Mack said.
“Need any help carrying the rest of the tools?” Logan asked as he peered into the truck bed.
“Yeah, if you could grab the welder, I’d appreciate it,” Jack said.
“Will do. I’m glad a few men signed up for Abby’s art week. I wouldn’t mind playing with a little molten metal myself.” Logan hauled the equipment out of the truck and headed toward the barn.
“Just don’t burn it down,” Mack said.
“Nah, we’ll do the welding outside,” Logan said over his shoulder. “I brought out an extra fire extinguisher just in case.”
“Not the one from the kitchen, right?” Mack asked.
“God no. You think I’d leave your wife alone in there without backup?” Logan asked in a joking tone.
“Is she a bad cook?” Jack asked.
“She’s much better than she was a few months ago.” Mack grinned. “But now she’s into flambéing everything.”
“It’s those damn cooking shows on TV,” Logan said. “Just when we thought it was safe to go back in the kitchen.”
“Man, you’d better never let her hear you say that.”
“So you live here with your wives?” Jack set his bag of tools on the bench.
“Yep. There are six of us and a few kids running around,” Mack said.
“One big happy family,” Logan added. When they reached the back of the barn, he set the welder down on a bench. “You can leave everything here when you’re not working. We’re so far in from the main road that no one’s going to show up and steal anything.”
“And if someone did show up, we’d just maul him to death,” Mack said.
Jack raised a brow.
“He’s messing with you,” Logan said. “What kind of bear are you?”
“Grizzly,” Jack responded. He pulled his shoulders back with pride.
“We’re grizzlies too,” Mack said.
“Are all of your brothers shifters?” Jack asked.
“Yep. Some of our wives are too,” Logan added.
“How long have you been an artist?” Mack asked.
“I don’t know if I’d put a title on what I do,” Jack said. “I’ve been working with metal for a few months now. My bear loves it. I think he’s drawn to the fire.”
“It’s primal as shit,” Logan said. “Is this your full-time gig?”
“At the moment, yes. I was an investment banker for years until I wised up. Life’s too short to be chained to a desk.”
“Agreed,” Mack said. “That’s one hell of a change in career.”
“A few years ago, I was in a plane crash,” Jack said. “I was the only person who survived.”
“Damn,” Logan said.
“When I got out of the hospital, I vowed that I’d try as many new experiences as I could. I quit my job and I’ve been roaming from adventure to adventure ever since.”
“There’s something to be said for freedom,” Mack said.
“I intend to explore everything life has to offer. This week is just one more notch in my belt.”
“You ever think about slowing down and staying put anywhere?” Mack asked.
“Hell no. I don’t want to be tied down to anything or anyone. When I get bored, I just move on to a new experience.”
“Well I hope you’re inspired by what we’ve got for you,” Mack said. “Follow me.”
Jack strolled past rows of horses. Maybe he’d get to ride a few while he was here. He hadn’t spent time on a ranch since last year’s cattle drive in South Dakota. It would be good to hang around cowboys for a while. The Grant brothers seemed like solid people, the kind of men who shot straight and didn’t have ulterior motives.
As they rounded a bend in the fence line, Jack stopped in his tracks. A mountain of twisted metal jutted out every which way. Everything from old bicycle wheels to aluminum siding lay in a giant heap. His pulse kicked at the possibilities.
“All this is for me?” he asked, unable to keep the childlike wonder from his voice.
“Yep. Last year I helped my wife clear out her dad’s house. You wouldn’t believe some of the stuff we found. Some of this is a little charred. Her old barn burnt down. But there should be some stuff you can work with,” Logan said.
“This is incredible,” Jack said. “I can’t wait to get started.”
In the distance, a bell rang.
“Chow’s ready,” Mack said. “Madison will ring it when meals are ready. We do three squares but there are always extra snacks available. You don’t want a hungry bear shifter roaming around.”