by Chloe Lang
“I have some connections that will speed the results. We can have them by tomorrow. Don’t you want to know for certain if Matt is or isn’t your brother?”
“Of course I want to know, but I’m so afraid.”
What if the DNA test proved the Matt in the photo was her brother? What then? Go to meet him? But what would he think of her if he knew everything that had happened since the fire? And what if Jena’s Matt was not her brother? Then she’d be back in the same situation. No, not the same. An even worse situation feeling more lost than ever.
Jena once again reached across the table for her hands, but this time she didn’t pull back, longing for everything Jena believed to be true. “Carrie, trust me. Give me just one day. That’s all I’m asking.”
Against her better judgment, she said, “I’ll do the DNA test. I really need to know the truth.”
* * * *
Sitting on the edge of the bed next to Jena in the hotel room, Carrie watched her open the envelope with the test results.
No turning back now.
She’d thought about hitting the road for Philadelphia last night after leaving the diner, but she’d promised to follow Jena to her hotel, and a promise was a promise. Even after saying good-night to Jena and heading to her apartment, she’d considered not returning. Better to pack and get on the highway, never to look back. Why open up Pandora’s box on her past? What good could come of it? Were there reasons her mind had locked away her memories for so long? Reasons that were darker than she could imagine?
But she couldn’t leave. Not now. Jena had given her Matt’s photo. She’d stared at it all night, getting only a couple of hours of sleep.
I’m not a coward. I’m going to face this no matter what.
She felt her heart beating fast in her chest. “I still don’t know how you were able to get DNA results back so fast.”
Jena smiled. “I have access to resources that are quite extensive. Now breathe, Carrie. You’re holding your breath. I am certain what the papers will tell us. You are Matt’s sister. So relax.”
“Easier said than done. You’re as nervous about this as I am.” Carrie already liked Jena. She could even imagine them being friends if her world was more normal. But her world was never normal. “Your hands are shaking.”
“It’s only all the coffee I drank.”
Carrie grinned. “Just coffee? Hardly.”
Jena laughed. “Fine. Let’s both take a couple of deep breaths to calm down.”
Jena inhaled deeply, and she followed her example. It did seem to settle her nervousness a little.
“Here we go, Carrie.” Jena glanced down at the papers in her hand.
Holding her breath once again, Carrie’s anticipation shook her from head to toe. “So? What does it say?”
Before answering, Jena wrapped her arms around her.
Was the news good or bad? She wasn’t sure. Jena seemed to be the type of person who would give a hug in celebration or to comfort. Which was it?
The answer came from Jena, whose eyes were filled with tears. “I finally found you. Nice to meet you, sister-in-law.”
“It’s true? Matt is my brother?”
“Yes.”
Oh my God. “What now?”
“Now, I take you back to Colorado with me.”
Feeling herself tense up a little, she said, “Jena, I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. Shouldn’t you tell Matt about me first?”
“It’s a wonderful idea. Besides, I want to surprise him. How hard would it be to get a few days off for you?”
“Not hard at all.” She laughed, unable to hold back her excitement. “I was planning on quitting today anyway.” Speaking the truth felt so good.
“That makes me happy. What do you think about me canceling my flight and us taking the road trip together? I can buy the gas. Plus it will give us a chance to get to know one another more. There is so much I want to tell you.”
“About Matt?”
“About Matt and Sean, my daughter Kimmie, and my mom. I want to tell you about everyone in our wonderful town, which is quite unusual for most people but the best place to live in the world in my opinion.”
“Who’s Sean?”
“We have the whole drive to talk, Carrie.” Jena smiled. “Destiny, Colorado, changed my life. I have no doubt it will change yours, too.”
Chapter Two
Josh Phong stood beside Matt Dixon’s new horse, instructing Matt on how to put on the saddle, while his cousin Jacob did the same with Sean MacCabe. Both Appaloosas were exceptional examples of the breed. Matt and Sean’s wife’s horse, a beautiful paint mare, was already saddled and ready to go for the surprise. Another new horse and one pony were in stalls. All of them were gifts for the men’s family members.
“You need to always stand on the horse’s left side, place the saddle pad on its back, on the withers.”
Holding the pad, Matt turned to him. “What are the withers, Josh?”
Josh and Jacob laughed.
“I still can’t believe you are both from Texas and don’t know a thing about horses,” Jacob said with a smile.
“We actually drive cars in Dallas, Jacob.” Sean grinned. “But I do own a pair of cowboy boots, if that helps.” He lifted a pant leg, revealing one of them.
“I know you have a lot of work to do teaching us, guys,” Matt said. “But we really want to do this.”
“For Jena and for Kimmie,” Sean added.
Josh could see how happy these two men were. They had a beautiful wife, a precious daughter, and a wonderful mother-in-law. They were the perfect Destiny family and everyone loved them. “We’re happy to do it for a piece of Janet’s delicious apple cake.”
Jacob shrugged. “That’s great if we can keep Gary from eating it all before you come over.”
“Gary and Jena’s mom have been dating for how long?” Jacob had run into Gary many times. He was Doc and Mitch Ryder’s uncle.
“Quite a while,” Matt said. “I bet he gives Janet a ring before the end of the year.”
Buzz. Buzz.
Matt pulled out the device that all the members of Shannon’s Elite carried, something they called an ROC, a blend of a cell and a tablet—but so much more.
“It’s Easton Black, Sean.” Matt spoke into the device. “Hey, boss. Yes. Uh-huh.” Matt sighed. “We’re out at Stone Ranch with Josh and Jacob. Sean and I can be at TBK in fifteen minutes.” Matt put his ROC away.
“What’s so urgent?” Sean asked, also a member of the local CIA cyberterrorism team.
“Cindy Trollinger has been spotted in Denver. Black has called everyone in.”
Josh’s gut tightened. Trollinger was Destiny’s number-one enemy. Like her dead brother Kip, she was determined to destroy the town. She blamed its citizens for her brother’s death and wanted revenge.
“Jena is supposed to be here within the hour,” Sean said, pulling out his ROC. “Our surprise is ruined. Can’t reach her, Matt. I’ll try her cell.”
“She’s driving. I’m sure she has her ROC and cell turned off. You know how she is about safety,” Matt said, turning his attention from Sean to him and Jacob. “Guys, I hate to leave you, but—”
“Go.” Josh placed his hand on Matt’s shoulder. Matt and Sean were good men and had done so much for Destiny. He admired them, glad to have their friendship. “We’ll take the horses out and get them exercised. You have work to do.”
“She’s not answering her cell either,” Sean said.
Matt handed Josh the saddle pad. “If Jena shows up here, please tell her to come straight to TBK. I’m sure Black will want to use some of her special skills in tracking down Trollinger’s exact location.”
Without another word, Matt and Sean ran to their truck.
“I hope they catch Trollinger before she hurts anyone else,” Jacob said.
“We all do.” He remembered all the havoc and heartache the deranged woman had caused. One of Shannon’s Elite had lost their life because of Tro
llinger.
As Matt and Sean drove away, Jacob asked, “Should we keep Jena’s horse saddled up? They all could use some exercise.”
“Good idea.” Josh was glad they were working these horses. It helped keep him from worrying about what Trollinger might be up to. “We can let the other horse and pony out in the pasture. We’ll exercise them when we get back.”
“Get back from where?”
“We can ride over to Lover’s Beach and switch off from horse to horse. See how they do in town with traffic.”
His cousin laughed. “Traffic? In Destiny? You’ve got to be kidding.”
He smiled, remembering Jacob had grown up in St. Louis and Los Angeles, but spent his summers here in Destiny. Jacob’s childhood had been filled with pain, so much so that he’d changed his last name. Now they were both Phongs, even though Josh’s mom was Jacob’s blood relation, not his dad.
“Maybe Destiny doesn’t have a rush hour, but any horse in this county has to learn how to act in town. I’m sure that Matt, Sean, and Jena will ride them to the Wok for lunch once in a while.”
“I bet you’re right. Most of the ranching families do.” Jacob cinched up the straps of the saddle on Sean’s Appaloosa.
They walked the horses out of the barn just as a ten-year-old red Chevy drove up. Jena popped out of the passenger side, and a beauty with long, dark hair got out of the driver’s side.
“Josh, who is that gorgeous woman with Jena?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out right now.”
“Hi, guys.” Jena walked up with the newcomer right behind her. “Where are Matt and Sean? They sent me a text to meet them here.”
“They just left, Jena,” he told her. “I’m surprised you didn’t pass them.”
“Carrie and I came up County 66.”
Her name is Carrie. “Jena, Easton Black called. Cindy Trollinger has been spotted in Denver. Matt and Sean wanted us to tell you to head straight to TBK.”
Carrie stepped up and petted Matt’s horse. Her face was filled with appreciation.
“You’ve been around horses before?”
She smiled. “I have. Yes. I just love horses.”
Josh felt his heart jump out of his chest. “Then you must have a nice seat.”
Carrie frowned. “A what?”
“I–I mean a nice seat in the saddle. You know. You can ride, right?”
Jacob laughed. “Forgive him. He doesn’t know how to act around someone as beautiful as you.”
“And you do?” he shot back at his cousin, trying not to act like a fool.
Jacob grinned. “At the moment, better than you.”
Jena turned to Carrie. “I wasn’t expecting this. My surprise is ruined.”
“That’s exactly what Sean said a few minutes ago.” He knew how perfect Jena was for Sean and for Matt.
Jena’s eyebrows shot up. “Why would he say that? I didn’t tell anyone I was bringing Carrie to Destiny.”
He looked over at Jacob, hoping he would help him out of this mess, but his cousin just shrugged. “I don’t want to spill the beans.”
“Josh Phong, don’t pull that with me.” Jena’s tone was sharp. “What’s this about?”
“They have a surprise for you, but I don’t want to ruin it.”
Jacob smiled, turning his attention back to Jena’s friend. “Nice to meet you, Carrie. I’m Jacob and this is my cousin, Josh.”
“Carrie, I hate to do this, but I have to go. I’ll drop you off at my house and get back with you as soon as possible. My mom can get you settled in.”
“Sure. That’s fine.” Carrie continued petting the horses.
“Carrie, why don’t you stay with us?” he said, more in control of himself than a moment ago. “Jacob and I were about to go on a ride.”
“All three are saddled up. Two riders and three horses?” Her eyebrows rose. “It’s like you were expecting someone else to arrive. Were you?”
Not wanting to give any clues to Jena about her surprise, he said, “Joe just called and said he can’t be here. So we need another rider.”
“Joe?” Jena looked perplexed.
“Oh, you know Joe. He lives in Clover.” Trying to dodge another bullet, he turned back to Carrie, holding out the reins for her to Matt’s horse. “What do you say?”
Her eyes lit up and she nodded. “Yes. I would love to go on a ride. Jena, the keys are in the ignition.”
“Thanks.” Jena gave her a hug and then got in the car.
When Jena drove off, Carrie jumped up in the saddle like she’d been doing it her whole life.
Maybe she had.
“Where to, fellas?”
Chapter Three
The Colorado sky was a bright blue. Not a single cloud could be seen. A few peaks still had snow, though most didn’t since it was early August.
“What do you think of Colorado?” Riding beside the gorgeous woman, Jacob couldn’t stop stealing quick glances at Carrie.
“This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Josh rode on the other side of her, also staring. “Even though I’ve lived here since I was born, I still am in awe at all the things I get to enjoy each and every day—majestic mountains, tall trees, rushing waterfalls, clear lakes, and all kinds of wildlife. It’s all here.”
Carrie smiled. “A little piece of heaven on earth. I’m surprised we can ride three horses side by side down this road. What if a car comes up on us?”
“Listen to her, Josh.” Jacob laughed. “She’s worried about Destiny traffic just like you were earlier. Don’t worry, Carrie. If by some chance someone does come up on us, they’re used to people traveling by horseback. They’ll slow down and we can move to the side to let them pass.”
“He’s right,” Josh said. “No one is in too big of a hurry here. We take our time to enjoy the scenery.”
“I don’t know about that, cousin. Remember when Jaris got his sight back? He drove that pickup down Main at nearly thirty miles per hour.”
“Thirty miles an hour is speeding in Destiny?” Carrie grinned.
They told her the story about how Jaris’s sight had suddenly returned.
“Jaris and Chance are lucky to have Kaylyn as their wife,” Josh said.
He couldn’t agree more. “Those three are so happy together.”
“You two seem to know everything about everyone in Destiny.”
“Not just us,” Josh said. “In our town, everyone has each other’s back. We’re one big family.”
“Sounds like privacy might be difficult here.” Carrie’s demeanor darkened.
Jacob sensed she had secrets—like he once had—and didn’t want them getting out. “No worries, Carrie. Everyone respects one another in Destiny. I used to live in St. Louis, and I didn’t even know my neighbor’s name. It was all different for me when I moved here.”
“Why did you come to Destiny to live, Jacob?”
Hearing her say his name thrilled him. “Josh’s parents are my aunt and uncle. Since I was a kid I spent my summers here with them. I fell in love with Destiny.”
She smiled. “Looking around, I can see why. What’s that mountain called?” She pointed to the biggest one.
“That’s Blue Arrow Peak,” Josh told her. “There’s some trails that you can take on horseback that will get you all the way to the edge of the snow cap.”
“Really?”
“Yep. I’ve gone up the trail many times, and it is a beautiful ride. At the top, you come out on a place that lets you see for miles and miles. A great place for a picnic.”
Josh, who was normally a smooth operator with women with at least a dozen or more pickup lines, was being so open and honest with Carrie. It was nice to see.
Jacob knew exactly why his cousin was reacting to Carrie the way he was. She was so charming and warm, though he continued to sense thick, tall walls guarding whatever troubled her so deeply.
“Listen to us, Jacob. We’re doing all the talking.
We should let Carrie tell us something about herself.”
“There’s not much to tell. How about we race to that bridge up ahead?” She didn’t wait for them to answer, but kicked her horse into full speed.
Josh looked surprised. “What just happened? Did I say something wrong?”
“Carrie is hiding something and if you start prying, she’ll shut down. I know. I used to be like her. Remember?”
“I’ll never forget what you went through.” Josh sighed. “We better catch up with her. She’s way ahead.”
When they reached Carrie, she was sitting in the saddle by the bridge’s sign. “Looks like I won.” She laughed. “What took you so long?”
“You cheated,” he said, relishing how happy she seemed in this moment. Whatever pain she carried, she controlled it well.
“What’s the story on the name of this bridge? Silver Spoon Bridge is very unusual.”
Before Josh could give the real reason for the bridge’s name, he said, “It was named after Mr. Spoon, who wore silver cufflinks every day.”
She giggled. “I know you’re pulling my leg, Jacob.”
“Me? I would never do that.”
“Trust me, I always know when someone is telling the truth or not. I have a keen knack for that.”
“So do I, Carrie.” It was a trait that he’d developed after suffering so much. In his heart he knew she’d dealt with her own trials, though he wasn’t sure what it was.
“I’ll tell you the real story,” Josh said. “One of our most influential and beloved families in Destiny is the O’Learys. They are billionaires and many years ago donated a big portion of the proceeds to build the original bridge. This is actually the second one. The first one was blown up by a woman named Trollinger, but that’s another story for another time. Anyway, the O’Learys thought the name would let anyone coming to Destiny know how lucky they were. Like getting their own silver spoon in their mouths. Hence the name.”
“That’s a better story, and I can tell it is the truth. See, Jacob?” Carrie teasingly shook her finger at him, like she was a teacher scolding a schoolboy. “Fibbing doesn’t do anyone any good.”