“See,” Nanna said and motioned for Ellen to look outside. “The deer have come back. They know Sahale. They recognize him as a friend.”
Ellen saw Sahale on his way to the barn walk close to the deer. They raised their heads then resumed drinking.
“He has a good, kind soul. Animals have always been receptive to him. But enough about my grandson. Sit. I will pour you a cup of tea.”
She stood for a second longer at the window, enjoying watching the deer, and then walked to the table and sat. Nanna placed a steaming cup in front of her and a plate with a slice of cake. Ellen leaned down and sniffed.
“Banana bread. It smells like my mother’s.” She took a bite. “And tastes like hers. I thought she was the only one who could make it just so.”
Nanna sat and sipped her tea. “You are close to your mother?”
Ellen nodded, as she’d just taken a sip of the cinnamon-orange-flavored tea. “To both my parents,” she answered.
“Yet, you don’t see them often. You have withdrawn from them.”
Stunned, Ellen sat her cup down. “How did you know?”
“Things come to me.” She shrugged as though it was nothing unusual. “Tell me about yourself. I know that my grandson feels a bond already with you, and Jack also. They are dear to me.”
For a second, Ellen saw a flash, a hint of warning in those eyes so like Sahale’s. She took another bite of the banana bread and a sip of tea.
Nanna laughed. Ellen looked at her puzzled.
“You are stubborn and determined to be in charge. You will be a trial to Sahale and Jack until you know that you no longer need the walls you hide behind. You must learn there was a time, a long time that you needed them to hide behind. Now, the walls are not necessary. If you persist on keeping them, they may cause you to lose what you’ve been waiting for.”
“What do you mean?” Ellen frowned at her.
“You are a smart woman, but there is much to learn yet. When the time comes you must let go and trust, or you will lose it all. Now tell me about your life.”
Confused and frustrated, Ellen did as she said. She told her about growing up in Tennessee. “Most of the time I had my head stuck in a book. From an early age books of all kinds interested me, especially anything to do with science and research. Mother had difficulty in getting me to learn to cook and sew and clean house.” She smiled at the thought. “My mother is a formidable woman like you, Nanna.”
“I will meet her.”
“After graduation from high school I signed up for community college.”
“But you didn’t finish.”
Ellen didn’t bother asking how she knew. She just nodded. “Brian Garraloga came home that summer. He’d been a neighbor until he went off to college and law school. He came home in May planning to take his law exam in July. I was eighteen and he was twenty-five.”
“You fell in love?”
“Yes. He was handsome, dressed in suits or slacks and shirts. Nothing like the local young men. Most of them didn’t own a suit, or want one. He swept me off my feet.”
“Your parents weren’t happy.”
“No. They wanted me to finish college before marriage. If he loved me, they said he’d wait. But all those hormones were raging and neither of us wanted to wait, and so we eloped. My parents resigned themselves to accepting and loving us. His father was furious and hated me from the start. We lasted two years, got a divorce. I got a master’s degree in biology and studied chemistry as well as an undergraduate. Then I went to work. That about sums it up.”
“Ah, there is much left out, I think.”
“I don’t discuss my marriage with anyone.” Ellen stared into Nanna’s eyes, determined to be the last to look away. But she didn’t find someone trying to battle wills with her. She saw her own sadness reflected back at her, and a kindness that brought her to tears.
“Come here, little one.” Nanna opened her arms.
Ellen laughed through her tears. “Little one?” She went to her, though, and knelt in front of the tiny woman. Her arms went around Ellen and she brushed her hand over her hair and spoke in the soft language of her forefathers. Ellen sobbed. She wet the front of Nanna’s apron and still couldn’t stop.
“Let it all out, little one. The tears will wash away much of the hurt and pain. Time and care and love will rid you of the rest.”
Feeling drained, Ellen raised her head and wiped her eyes. She got off her knees and went back to her chair. Nanna took her cup and refilled it.
“Drink your tea. I think then you’ll be ready to let me work with you to find the memory you’ve buried deep. The one that makes the bad man want to kill you.” She sat back across from Ellen. “I told Sahale there was a darkness in you. There is, but it is not you. It is the shadow that has haunted you since your divorce.”
“My former father-in-law.”
“Ah, you know who, but not fully why. If you will let me, I’ll help you dig out the reason.”
Sahale knocked on the screen door. “Is it all right if I come in?”
“Yes.” Nanna motioned him inside. “Ellen will feel more comfortable if you sit in the corner of the room when we begin.”
“How did you know that?” The words spilled out of Ellen’s mouth. “I guess I need to stop asking and just believe.” Her gaze met Nanna’s. A sweet smile curved Nanna’s mouth.
Nanna turned to Sahale and put her hand over his heart. “She will make you and Jack a good wife. You will be happy and there will be many children. I will teach the oldest girl the recipes for my teas. Your mother knows them, but they must be handed down through the female line.”
“Slow down. I haven’t decided if I’ll marry them,” Ellen protested.
Nanna chuckled as she went into her living room. “Come in here, children, by the fireplace. Sahale, you sit in the corner so as not to be a distraction, but she’ll know you are there. Little one, you sit facing me.” She drew two chairs to face partly the fire and partly each other.
“Are you ready to begin? I will hypnotize you, but you will not say or do anything you don’t want to. My method is much like a deep meditation. My hope is to have you open your mind and remember what brought on your fear. Many of my words will not be recognizable to you. Listen to the tone, the sound, and the rest will follow.”
“Let’s get it over with,” Ellen said. She saw the slight smile curve Sahale’s lips.
“Look at the fire, Ellen. Watch the flames.” Nanna began to chant in a soft, melodious tone.
Ellen stared at the bright flames flickering in the fireplace. Her eyes felt heavy and her body sank further into the chair. A sense of peace and quiet flooded around her.
“Go back, Ellen, to the last days of your marriage. Were you happy?”
“No. Brian had been upset last night. My period started. I can’t conceive a child. He has lost interest in me and comes home late from work.” Ellen rubbed her chest. “My heart hurts.”
“Is Brian home tonight?”
“I woke and reached across the bed. His side was cold, as usual.” Ellen made the motions as though she was rubbing her hand across the sheets. “But I hear his voice downstairs. He must be on the phone. I’m determined to confront him once and for all.” She stopped talking and saw herself slipping out of bed. Barefooted, she walked out of the room, and then heard the second voice. Her father-in-law. She gasped.
“What is it, Ellen? You are safe. Sahale is here. He will protect you from any harm.”
“My father-in-law has far-reaching arms. No one can protect me.” She continued, “I stopped not quite at the rail. Where they couldn’t see me. They were arguing. Brian never argued with his father.”
“Can you tell me what they said?”
“Brian was saying he was going to be in Congress. He wouldn’t have any part of his father’s underground business.”
“Mr. Garraloga yelled that the business had put him through law school and got him elected. He said Brian would do as he was told
.” Ellen shook and put her hand to her mouth.
“Breathe, Ellen. You are safe. What happened?” Nanna’s soft words slid inside Ellen’s head, urging her onward.
“He, Mr. Garraloga, heard something. I must have moved, took too deep a breath. I don’t know. I ran into the bedroom and got under the covers. Footsteps sounded on the stairs. I tried to calm my breathing, to pretend to be asleep. They’re at the door.
“‘See, she’s sound asleep. She never wakes when I come in late,’ Brian said.
“Mr. Garraloga didn’t leave. He stood there, his eyes burning a hole in my back, for what seemed hours. Finally, at Brian’s insistence they went back downstairs.”
“Does anything happen in the next few days?” Nanna persisted in a gentle voice.
“I went to a meeting the next afternoon. One of the committees he and Brian said I must be on. When I came home and unlocked my door, Brian’s father was waiting.
“My heart jumped into my throat. I can see in his eyes he knows I overheard them. He gets out of the chair and comes to me. I can’t move.”
Ellen pulled back in her chair and put her hands up to her throat. Nanna took her hands.
“That’s all for today. Wake up, Ellen, refreshed and calm.” She stood between Ellen and the fire and clicked her fingers.
Sahale took long strides across the polished wood floor to her side. He picked her up and carried her to the sofa, where he sat holding her tight. “You’re all right, sweetheart. I’m here. No one is ever going to hurt you again.”
“I’m sleepy.” She lay her head on his shoulder. “Did I remember anything of value?”
“Most of it. Nanna said that was enough for now.”
“But Mitch is expecting the answer this evening.”
Nanna came to her side and ran her hand over her hair. “Quiet, little one. I will ride back with you and Sahale. We will work another time late this afternoon after you rest. We will have Mitch’s answers for him.”
“Will you stay with Jack and me, Nanna?” Sahale asked.
“That is best. Your mother’s house would be another new place to her. She has been to your home.”
It was not a question, but Sahale said yes anyway. “If we’re going to do all this before six, we’d better leave now. Ellen can sleep in the backseat while I drive and you keep me company, Nanna.”
“Get my overnight bag out of my bedroom, Sahale.”
He sat Ellen up. She woke and opened her eyes. Nanna sat beside her and patted her hand. Sahale started to the bedroom. He glanced back. “You knew you’d be coming back with us,” he said to Nanna.
“Of course.”
Chapter Ten
Ellen slept the whole way back. Once or twice she’d been aware of mumbling and moved restlessly, but a few soft words from Nanna and she’d returned to a deep sleep. When the truck stopped, she woke feeling relaxed and rested. “I’m hungry.”
Sahale and his grandmother laughed. “A piece of banana bread and tea isn’t much substance for how hard you’ve worked,” Nanna said. “I will cook a good, hearty meal for you and my boys. In the meantime Sahale and Jack must have some fruit to satisfy your immediate hunger.”
“If not, we’ll get some.” Sahale helped his grandmother and Ellen out of the truck. Nanna took Ellen’s arm and walked into the house.
“I see you are still keeping the place neat and clean.”
“Nanna knows Jack is a little messy and doesn’t mind clutter,” Sahale said, and smiled.
“An understatement,” Jack said, walking in behind them.
“Jack.” Nanna put out her arms and Jack bent down to give her a hug. “Your presence brightens our home, Nanna.”
“Ah, this is the charmer, Ellen. Watch out for him.” But she spoke the words with a smile and a twinkle in her eye.
“I started early and finished early,” Jack explained.
“Since you’re here, I’m going to run by the animal hospital. I’ll be back shortly.” Sahale waved and left.
“Well, Jack, tell me, does that bag you are holding have any fruit in it?”
“Yes, it does. I stopped at the community store. I sensed we might have company.”
“Good boy.” She had him empty the bag. After washing an apple, an orange, and some grapes, she fixed a plate for Ellen. “Eat this and come talk to me while I cook. Jack, you can sit here with her.” She pointed to two of the kitchen chairs.
Nanna went to the refrigerator and took out ground meat, onion, and green peppers. Then she took spices from the spice rack. “I’m going to make spaghetti. I love Italian food.”
“We’re all dining at the big house tonight, Nanna,” Jack said.
She frowned. “Well, we can freeze it, and you will enjoy it later.” She continued to putter around the kitchen.
Ellen looked at Jack. He was watching Nanna, a loving smile on his face. He turned his gaze on her. “You are all right?”
“Yes.” She studied Nanna until she looked at her. “You knew I’d dream and see the rest of the story.”
“I’d hoped so. For some, it works that way. You are highly receptive. Do you want to tell us?” she asked, and turned to stir the browning meat.
“Some of this is a repeat of what I told Sahale and you, but it was much clearer in the dream. I’ll start back at the day I came home from the committee meeting. One of the numerous meetings I was required to attend. When I got home, I unlocked the door and stepped inside to find my father-in-law sitting in my living room, smoking a cigar.” Ellen scrunched her nose. “He knew I hated smoking, and especially cigars. My heart was beating fast. I asked what he wanted.” She stopped to take a breath. Jack came to her side, picked her up, and held her close.
“Take your time, and remember he can’t reach you here.”
“I know, but I’ve held it in for a long time.” She licked her dry lips.
Nanna handed her a glass of water, and then went back to her cooking, throwing in spices, tomatoes, onion. Watching her work and held snugly in Jack’s arms, her heart slowed.
“He got up from the chair and came across the room in a few quick steps. His fingers gripped my throat. I remember looking into his eyes. They were the darkest blue I’d ever seen. It was like looking into a dark well. He tightened his hands around my neck and pulled me up on my tiptoes.
“‘I know you heard us talking. You heard what my son said about my business. You're a smart girl and you can put two and two together. You don’t fool me, missy. I should kill you. That would solve all my problems, maybe. Right now I'd prefer not to have the police snooping around. So this is what we are going to do. My son needs a wife that will help him go far. Not you,’" he whispered in a guttural tone.
“I was gasping for breath and my legs ached from trying to balance. He told me my husband had found someone else. That he’d been seeing her for months and she was pregnant, not a barren cow like me. He threw me into a chair and towered over me.
“He was like the most frightful monster I’d ever seen. He smelled evil. I was so young, and didn’t have much backbone at the time. He’d made me cry, and he laughed.”
Ellen turned and glared at Jack. “This is why I won’t become subservient to any man, no matter if I did love him. Not ever again. I worked hard to become self-reliant and strong.”
Jack started to speak, but Ellen saw Nanna shake her head at him.
“Can you go on, dear? Or do you need a rest?” Nanna asked.
“No rest. I want to get through it and be done.”
“That’s my girl,” Jack said.
She ignored his comment. “My father-in-law told me to move out that day. To go wherever, he didn’t care. I hadn’t noticed his briefcase. He opened it and put divorce papers in front of me. They had Brian’s signature on them.
“I protested, saying I wanted to speak with Brian first. Mr. Garraloga leaned down close to my face.
“‘Maybe you don’t understand. If you try to contact or come near my son, or say a word about u
s or what you heard—you will die. There’ll be a tragic accident.’ He leaned even closer, the anger and hate shining in his eyes. ‘Believe me, I can make it happen. We will all say what a wonderful woman you were. It was such a tragedy you had to die at an early age.’
“He put the pen in my hand. By that time I was numb and heartbroken. I signed the papers, went upstairs, and threw a few clothes in a suitcase. He waited for me. He’d called a cab. It was parked at the curb. When he followed me out, he locked the door and held out his hand for my key.” Ellen looked down at her hands. Jack rubbed her back. “I had one suitcase, my purse, and fifty dollars in my pocket. I knew without asking my name had already been taken off our joint bank accounts and credit cards.”
“How did you get home?” Nanna asked when Ellen had stopped speaking.
Ellen raised a tearstained face to her. “I had the driver take me to a Western Union office. I called my father. He wired me the money to come home. My parents were wonderful. They didn’t ask questions. They helped me get into college, where I met Sara and then Morgan. Gradually, I rebuilt my life. But I was a different person. I’d lost any innocence that I’d had left that day, and my trust in people, with a few exceptions.”
“Jack, take her to her cabin. She needs to rest. See that she takes a warm bath.” Nanna reached in her purse. “Fix her a cup of this tea, and stay with her until she sleeps.”
Jack had stood and held Ellen in the circle of his arms. He took the package of tea bags from Nanna. Nanna hugged Ellen. “You will begin to heal.” She kissed Ellen’s forehead and stepped back.
Strength came back into Ellen’s legs as they walked to the truck, but Jack kept his arm securely around her. He helped her in and went around to the driver’s side. It only took a few minutes before they were at her door. Again, he stayed at her side.
“I’m going to be all right. I feel stronger.”
“I know, but let me spoil you.” He led her into the bedroom. “Undress. I’ll run the water in the tub, and then get your tea.”
Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Seduce Their Woman [Wyoming Warriors 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 9