by Ciana Stone
“Thanks, Grady.” Brody stuck out his hand.
“Anytime, bro.” Grady took his hand briefly then tipped his hat to Trina. “See you soon.”
“That was nice of him,” Trina commented as she waved to Grady.
“He’s a good guy.”
“So, what do we do now?”
“Grab our clothes and head over to Sanctuary. Or…” he grinned. “Get clean in the lake, go grab some food from town and then head for Sanctuary.”
“Clean!” She raised her hand.
“You don’t mind bathing in the lake?”
“If it means another chance to see you naked, I’m in.”
Brody laughed and scooped her up to swing her around, delighting in the way she surrendered and threw her arms out wide, laughing as they spun. Just when he thought he loved her with everything in him, she found a way to coax more from him, wiping the irritation and worry of a burned house from him and turning the day into something to smile about.
*****
Brody gave a wave to the recruits as he headed away from the training center. He and Trina had been staying in the cabin Grady had provided for the last week and the days were taking on a routine he found oddly pleasant. Were it not for the strain from the implant in Trina's neck, life would be darn near perfect.
Trina didn’t yet know, but Brody had accepted a position at the center. He wasn’t going to be allowed to return to active duty and a desk job was out of the question as was running ops. It would drive him insane to see others head out into the field while he stayed behind.
This way, he could be active and keep his commission. He hoped she would be happy about his decision. The last couple of days her moods had been all over the place. Well, to be honest, it wasn’t all her moods. Sadie was constantly hammering at her, wanting out and it was taking all Trina had to keep Sadie contained.
Last night she said she was going to talk to Deacon again. She needed someone to agree to help her with her plan. They nearly got into a fight when he told her that just wasn’t going to happen. As it turned out, they didn’t fight. The result was much worse.
She cried.
And he felt like a world class jerk.
Relationships were hard. He was finding that out.
Today, however, her sunny disposition was restored, and she was once again excited to get to work at the animal rehab center. Etta had agreed to let her work there and to say she’d taken to it like a duck to water was pretty apt.
As it turned out, Trina had an affinity for animals. All of them. She loved them, and they reciprocated. She had fallen in love with four wolf pups someone had brought to the center. Their mother was hit by a car and the pups were barely old enough to be weaned.
He used her digital code to open the fence surrounding the building and headed around the side toward the back where he figured she’d be. Brody had no more than turned the corner when he saw her.
Trina was flat on her back on the ground with four wolf pups climbing all over her, yipping excitedly. Their tails wagged so hard and fast it nearly unbalanced them. She had one on her chest, licking her face, another gnawing at the face licker’s leg and the other two vying for a place so they could get in a lick.
She was giggling like mad, her hands moving from one pup to the other to stroke or caress. Brody couldn’t help but grin at the sight.
“Having fun?” He asked as he drew near.
Trina rolled over onto her belly, spilling pups. “Brody!”
She jumped up to run to him. He caught her as she leapt onto him, wrapping her legs around his waist as her arms curled around his neck.
“I missed you.” She whispered just before she kissed him.
He held her up with his hands beneath her firm rear and returned the kiss enthusiastically. Trina was like an addiction, and one he had no desire to break.
The yapping of wolf pups and them jumping on and trying to crawl up his legs, had him ending the kiss sooner than he would have preferred. “You guys are demanding little shits.”
“They are,” she agreed as she slid sexily down his body to a standing position. “But so cute I can hardly stand it.”
“Yeah, they’re cute.” He knelt and scooped up one of the yappers.
“Etta said I could have one.” She blinked her eyes at him. “If you agree, so….”
“You want a wolf as a pet?”
“Yes, please. Pretty please.”
“You’re not ready to take it home yet, though, are you?”
“Oh, no. Not yet. But when she says it’s okay could we have one?”
“Which one?”
“How about that pretty baby gnawing your thumb?”
Brody chuckled. “I think he needs a chew bone.”
“I agree. Maybe we can get some next time we go for groceries?”
“Sure. Which will probably be tomorrow. I don’t even know if we have anything to fix for dinner.”
“Oh, that’s no problem. Mathias invited us to dinner. Deacon and Mica are going to be there.”
“Deacon?”
“Okay, my father.”
“You have a problem calling him that. Why?”
“I’ll tell you when we get home.”
“Is it that serious?”
“It is to me.”
“Okay, well, I’m ready to head home if you are.”
“Yep. Just need to put these guys back into the kennel.”
“I’ll help.”
It only took a couple of minutes. Trina logged out and they headed for the cabin where they were staying, walking along hand-in-hand.
“So?” Brody asked.
Trina looked over at him. “When Wiley brought me back, after you were hurt, a truth was revealed.”
“What kind of truth.”
“About me. And him and Deacon. Does it strike you as odd that I’m not empathic like Deacon, but have the same kind of ability Wiley has?”
“No. To be honest, I haven’t thought about it. Why?”
“Because I know now that Wiley was with my mother before Deacon. They were lovers when she met Deacon and continued to be. And I was born seven months after Deacon and my mother were married.”
Brody stopped dead in his tracks as it hit him. “You mean, you think Wiley’s your father?”
“I know he is.”
“How can you know that?”
“When he healed me. I felt it. And I asked Etta to have a DNA test done.”
“How long will that take?”
“I don’t know. She said it would require a more in-depth analysis since they’re brothers. But I already know.”
“Or think you do.”
“I know Brody.”
“Okay, so that’s why you don’t like calling Deacon Dad?”
“Yes, partly, but also, it’s been a really long time since I saw him, and it just feels strange.”
“Then you should tell him.”
“About the DNA test?”
“Well—I don’t know, weren’t you going to?”
She shook her head. “No, I wasn’t going to tell either of them.”
“So, you don’t want Wiley to know he’s your father?”
“No. Not really. I mean what purpose does it serve? We’re family and that should be enough, shouldn’t it?”
“Works for me, Red.” He started walking again. “So, are we supposed to bring anything with us to this dinner?”
“Mathias said bring whatever we want to drink.”
“Okay, we have some beer in the fridge.”
“And water. And iced tea.”
“Do you not ever drink?”
“I never have. I mean Sadie has, but it makes her mean and I’d be afraid that if I drank she’d come out.”
“How’s that working? I hate to keep asking, but I am concerned.”
“I’m handling it. But she’s getting stronger and it’s getting tougher. I really need Deacon and Wiley to agree to help with my plan. And I need someone to figure out a way to
get this thing out of me. I feel like a walking time-bomb.”
“I don’t want to upset you, babe, but I just don’t think they’ll agree. And Etta said the experts she consulted are trying.”
“Why?”
“Why to what?"
"Why won't they agree to help with my plan?"
FFor several reasons. First and most important, Sadie’s still part of you and who’s to say she’s not wise to what you plan? And if she is, then she won’t fall for it. Second, there are just too many things that could go wrong, and you could end up dead and none of us could live with that.”
“Then what am I going to do?”
“I don’t know, Red, but we’ll figure it out. Just hang on a little longer.”
“I’m trying Brody.”
“I know.” He paused long enough to lean down and kiss her softly. “I love you, Red.”
“And I love you, Brody. Always and forever.”
He smiled and hugged her to him then released her. “Last one to the shower rinses in cold water!”
Laughing and tussling, they covered the remainder of the walk home. Brody hoped she couldn’t tell how worried he was, but he could see the strain it was putting on her and knew they had to act and soon, or there was a very real chance they were going to lose her.
Chapter Twenty
“She’s really beautiful, isn’t she?” Trina asked softly as Deacon and Mica walked out onto the back deck.
“Yeah, but she doesn’t hold a candle to you, Red.”
Trina smiled at Brody then stood. “Hi, Mica.”
“Trina, hi.” Mica gave her a hug. “I hear you’re working at the animal rehab over at Sanctuary.”
“Yes, Etta was nice enough to let me help.”
“Are you enjoying it?”
“I love it. Oh, and I didn’t know you made her and JJ’s wedding rings. They’re incredible. You’re so talented.”
“Well, thank you, but it seems there’s a lot of talent around here.” She looked at Deacon.
He smiled at her and then held out his hand toward Trina. In it was her sketchbook. “You left it at the rehab on the top of the wolf kennel.”
“Oh, thank you.” She accepted it and stepped in close to stand on tiptoe and give him a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ve been dying to look but didn’t want to invade your privacy.” Mica said.
“Oh, you could have looked. It’s just things I’ve drawn.”
“Can I?”
“Sure.” Trina handed her the sketchbook and Mica opened it.
“Oh my God, Trina, these are amazing.”
“Let the rest of us see.” Mathias’ voice had them looking toward the door. “Let’s sit.”
Everyone took a seat at the picnic table. Mica sat at the end with the sketchbook held up, so everyone could see. Brody was flat out amazed. There were drawings of animals, of the ranch, the cabin, of Etta and JJ walking hand-in-hand, of Deacon smiling down at Mica, of Wiley sitting on a fence rail, of Mathias standing at the edge of the lake, looking across the water.
And there were drawings of him. He was stunned to see himself in her eyes. “You’re amazing, Red. I had no idea you could do this.”
“Wasn’t one of your personalities an artist or photographer?” Deacon asked.
“Yes, Sadie. That was her cover when she worked for the CIA.”
“So, the talent was yours all along.”
“I guess so.” She smiled at Deacon. “There’s one in there I particularly like of you. Past the drawings of the house.”
Mica flipped through the pages and gasped. “Oh my God, Deacon, did you see this?”
“Well, now I know you’re talented, because I never look that good.”
“It’s how I see you.” Trina said, and when he appeared surprised, she continued. “You were always larger than life. Big and strong and when you were home I felt so safe, like nothing bad could ever hurt me.
“You were the one who gave me my healing word.”
“I was?”
“Yes. Remember when I was about five and was having really bad dreams and scared of the demons that lurked in the dark?”
“Yeah, I remember. You didn’t want to go to sleep.”
“I was scared the dreadful things would come for me. That night I had a horrible dream and I must have screamed because you came in, picked me up and told me to tell you what scared me. Once I had, you asked me if I wanted to know the secret to making all the terrible things go away and I said yes.
Trina reached across the table, offering her hand to Deacon. He took it and she said. “You kissed me on the forehead, smiled and said. “It’s easy Rosebud. Just look that bad stuff right in the eye and say the magic word.”
“I asked what it was, and you whispered in my ear. Do you remember what you said?”
Deacon smiled. “Begone.”
“Begone.” She repeated. “That’s the magic word. It has been since that night it became the word that takes away whatever afflicts someone.”
Deacon gave her hand a squeeze. “You turned out to be a remarkable woman, Rosebud.”
“I haz good genes.” She teased and every laughed.
Trina gave Deacon a wink, released his hand and stood. “What can I do to help, Mathias?”
“How are you at scrubbing potatoes?”
“Quite adept. Lead the way.”
She gave Brody a kiss, rounded the table to give Deacon a smooch on the cheek and then followed Mathias but stopped at the door and spoke over her shoulder. “More hands make the work go faster.”
“Subtle hint?” Brody asked.
“No, I just never had a family dinner before and it seems like the whole family should take part in all of it.”
Brody was the first on his feet. “Tell me what you want me to do, boss.”
Within moments everyone was in the kitchen, prepping food, setting the table, laughing and talking. Brody pulled Trina off to the side to steal a kiss. “You look like you’re having a blast.”
“I am. And Brody, I was wrong.”
“About what?”
“About Deacon. I do believe Wiley’s my biological father, but Deacon’s my Dad, too. I realized that just a little while ago. He loves me, and he did his best, so please don’t ever tell him.”
“No worries Red. My lips are sealed.”
“Except for kissing. You know I love those long slow kisses, and that thing you do with your tongue?”
He laughed and picked her up to hug her. “Hey, you two, quit making out in the hall.” Mathias called out.
They rejoined everyone in the kitchen. “I have some news.” Mathias said, and everyone went silent.
“You know Mica and I put the smith up for sale, right? Well, we sold it. We sign the papers at the end of the week.”
“Congratulations,” Brody said.
“That’s not the best part,” Mathias said and looked at Deacon. “Wiley’s partly responsible. He put me in touch with the buyer. Lincoln Shaw.”
“Linc?” Surprise was evident on Deacon’s face.
“Who’s Lincoln Shaw?” Brody asked.
“At one time I’d have answered trouble, but hopefully by now that’s changed,” Deacon answered.
“Why trouble?” Trina asked.
“Linc’s our brother—half-brother.”
“You have a half-brother?” Mica put her hands on her hips. “You have a half-brother and never mentioned it?”
“I never even thought about it.”
“But he’s your brother!”
“Half-brother.”
“Can you tell us about him?” Trina asked. “Please, Dad?”
Deacon leaned back against the counter. “My father died when I was six. Wiley was only three. After that things weren’t the same. We didn’t have as much food, and my mom was always gone. She fixed ladies’ hair at the local beauty salon and worked six days a week, but it was a struggle.
“A month before I turned seven, she came home and said she want
ed our permission to keep company with Mr. Shaw, the man who owned the local insurance agency and the town barbershop.
“We weren’t thrilled, but we didn’t give her any grief about it. They got married six months later. I wasn’t even nine when Linc was born. He was one wide open kid—never stopped moving and was completely fearless.
“Wiley and I didn’t have all that much to do with him to be honest. There was too much age difference. As soon as I graduated, I enlisted. Three years later, Wiley did the same and we both pretty much lost touch with him. And each other.
“He was one of those guys who seemed to attract trouble. And women. And because of that more trouble. His father convinced him to join the service when he graduated high school. Rather than go into the Navy like Wiley and I, he joined the Army.
“He ended up a Ranger, married and divorced several times and from what I understand, when he said goodbye to the Army, he was still attracting women and trouble.”
“Have you met him?” Trina asked Mathias.
“Not yet.”
“Can I meet him?”
No one answered. “He is my Uncle, isn’t he?”
“Yes.” Deacon answered.
“Okay then. I want to meet him.”
“And you will,” Brody joined the conversation. “Just as soon as he’s had time to settle in.”
“Right.” Deacon added.
“And I’ll go with you when that time comes,” Mica added. “Seeing as how he’s my brother-in-law.”
“Oh oh,” Mathias laughed and nudged Deacon in the shoulder.
Deacon smiled and shook his head. “Absolutely. In fact, I’ll drive you both.”
“What a guy,” Mica teased.
Trina just smiled then turned to Brody. “Now I have to get him to help me. We can make this a home, don’t you think? We have a whole family here, Brody. Dad and Uncle Wiley and Mica and Mathias and now Uncle Lincoln. I have to find a way to be me. Just me. Without Sadie and Catherine.”
“I promise you that we’ll work something out, Red.”
“But when?”
“Soon. But I’m asking you to give us time to come up with something that stands a better-than-average chance of succeeding without killing you. Will you do that?”
“I will. But you need to make it fast, Brody. Sadie’s getting stronger and I can’t hold her back forever. She’s wearing me down and if she takes over, I’m scared it will end me.”