by Chloe Lang
“I’m Sam and this is our wife Ethel, Carrie.” Something in his blue eyes told her that he understood how she felt. Or was she just hoping he did. She needed an ally to change this conversation around.
She wasn’t used to people being so welcoming and open. But playing a role was something he had taught her. Pushing down her worry, she put on her best smile. “Nice to meet you.”
“If you’re a friend of Jena, then I’m sure you must be a sweet young girl, too,” Ethel said. “We’re so glad you came to Destiny. I hope you stay long enough to play paintball with me. I’m a champion, you know.”
“Where are you from, Jena?” Patrick asked innocently.
Innocent or not, his question was something she couldn’t answer. She had no real memories to speak of.
Before she could make up some story, Sam said, “Let’s leave these three to their lunch, brother. We’ve intruded enough today.”
She looked directly into Sam’s eyes. He does understand.
“We’d appreciate that, Sam,” Jacob said.
She turned to him and saw in Jacob’s eyes the same thing she’d seen in Sam’s. Understanding. And something else, something she’d never known before. What was it?
She didn’t get these people. They were so different. They actually seemed genuine.
“We can all talk later, Sam.” Jacob put his arm around her shoulders, making her feel safe.
That’s it. That is the other thing in his eyes. He wants to protect me. Never in her life had anyone tried to protect her. She didn’t know what to make of all of it.
“I hope to see you on the battlefield, Carrie,” Ethel said, and then the charming trio went to a table near the front door.
“Carrie, please forgive Patrick for being so curious,” Josh said, letting her know that he, too, was aware of her discomfort. “He’s harmless and loves everybody.”
“I believe you. Those three are so charming.”
“They’re one of the best examples of what living in Destiny can be like,” he said. “And here are two more. Here comes Mom with Dad.”
“Carrie, this is my husband, Hiro Phong.” Melissa placed plates in front of Josh and Jacob. “This is Carrie, Hiro. The young woman I told you about.”
“I’m very pleased to meet you.” Hiro placed a plate piled twice as high as either of the other two plates. “I made this special for you, young lady.” He grinned, making her wonder if he, too, had a part in Josh and Jacob’s smiles. “She is as beautiful as you said, sweetheart.”
Carrie felt her face warm, letting her know that her cheeks were turning red. “Thank you so much. It smells delicious, but I’m not sure I can eat all of it.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” Melissa said. “We’ll pack up the rest for you to take with you.”
“Thank you. You both are so very kind,” Carrie said, though not sure where she would be able to store any leftovers. She wasn’t even sure where she’d be staying tonight, or when she would finally get to meet her brother, which was the only reason she’d come to Destiny in the first place.
“Honey, I have a surprise for you.” Jena’s voice came from the entrance of the restaurant, which was still to her back.
Carrie swung around, realizing she hadn’t kept tabs on the front entrance like she normally would. Why? Because Josh and Jacob’s company had put her so at ease.
Not good. Keep your guard up.
But her self-recrimination faded the moment she spotted Jena and the two men heading her direction. She instantly recognized the man on Jena’s left from the photo.
Matt. My brother.
Despite trying to keep her emotions buried, her heart raced in her chest. She stood, staring directly into her brother’s hazel eyes.
When the trio was next to the booth, Jena grabbed Matt’s hand with tears streaming down her face. “Honey, I found her. This is Carrie.”
“You what?” Matt turned his attention away from his wife to her. For a split second his eyes seemed to widen, but softened quickly.
The memory of him pushing her on the swing returned. The boy of the past had grown into a man over six feet tall. “Carrie? Is that really you?”
“I couldn’t believe it either.”
“Honey, I never stopped searching for your sister,” Jena said. “When I found her in Dallas yesterday, I knew instantly who she was. But to prove it to Carrie, I had Easton fast track a DNA test through the system. There’s no doubt. She’s your sister.”
“And you’re my brother.” Trembling and unsure what she should do next, Carrie extended her hand to Matt.
He didn’t look like a man who often cried, but she saw tears welling in his eyes.
“Oh my God. I thought you were dead.” He didn’t shake her hand but wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in tight.
She melted into his embrace and sobbed, wishing she had more memories of him.
“Carrie, you’re alive. You’re really alive.”
Chapter Five
Jacob couldn’t believe that he had just witnessed such a heartfelt reunion. Carrie was Matt Dixon’s sister, who had been believed dead, killed at the age of three years old.
Like most in town, he knew the story of Matt and Sean’s survival from the fire in Belco, Mississippi. He admired them greatly. How two young boys could escape a madman’s cult would impress anyone. It was a miracle that Matt and Sean were alive.
For all they’d witnessed, it was even more of a miracle they were sane and not in straightjackets. Instead they had turned out to be good men, who were always willing to help others. They were heroes, serving not just the town but also the entire nation on Easton Black’s cyber terrorism task force, Shannon’s Elite Team.
“Do you remember me?” Sean asked, placing his hand on Carrie’s shoulder. “I’m Sean. Sean MacCabe.”
“I–I don’t. I’m sorry.” Her voice shook with obvious strong emotions.
Jacob sensed her defenses returning.
She cleared her throat and smiled. “Sean, you look kind of familiar.”
When she folded her arms over her chest, it made him wonder if she was telling the truth. But why did she feel like she needed to lie? From his own experiences, he could think of a million reasons.
“It’s no wonder you don’t remember.” Sean was just as thrilled that Carrie had been located as Matt. “We were all so young and you were the youngest at only three. Matt and I used to play hide and seek with you. You were never good at hiding and we always found you.”
“I remember. Weren’t you and Matt friends?”
She was fishing for threads of the truth. He was certain she didn’t remember Sean.
“Yes, Carrie. That’s me.” Sean clearly loved hearing her words.
Perhaps that was the reason Carrie lied, to make him feel better. Or was it something else? Something darker?
“How did you survive, Carrie?” Matt asked, holding her hands.
“I don’t remember.”
The truth. Jacob could see it in her eyes. She definitely had no recollection of her escape. He looked over at Josh, who was as transfixed on this reunion as everyone else in Phong’s Wok. He could tell that his cousin, who was more like a brother to him, was attracted to Carrie just as he was. Was Josh also sensing the storm of doubt and fear blowing beneath her false calm? When he caught his cousin’s glance, he knew Josh could.
Aunt Melissa and Uncle Hiro wiped their eyes and stayed fixed in place near the booth. The full attention of every customer was on Carrie and Matt.
Jena turned to her two husbands. “Let’s take Carrie back home and get her settled in.”
Matt kissed Jena. “Thank you, sweetheart. I thought Sean and my surprise was good, but you blew ours out of the water bringing Carrie to me.”
Jena’s eyebrows rose. “What surprise?”
“Might as well tell her,” Sean said to Matt. “You blew it mentioning the surprise already.”
Matt laughed. “I guess I did. Honey, we bought horses for y
ou, Kimmie, and your mom.”
Jena smiled. “You didn’t?”
“We did. Sean and I got two for us, too. Did you notice the three horses outside? The paint is yours, baby.”
“We rode them in with Carrie.” Josh clearly had enjoyed their time with her. “I was so worried we were going to ruin your husbands’ surprise when you drove up today.”
“You mean that pretty paint is mine?” Jena’s excitement was obvious to all. “I want to go see her now.”
“Then let’s go.” Matt had been very excited about surprising his wife and was clearly anxious for her to see her gift. “Jacob and Josh, do you mind coming with us?”
“Not at all.” Jacob also couldn’t wait to see what Jena thought of the mare.
“She’s a wonderful horse.” Carrie’s eyes lit up as they all headed out the door. “Very gentle. You’re going to love her.”
“She’s beautiful.” Jena walked up to the paint and began petting her. “What’s her name?”
“Her registered name is Queen of Red River Mountain, but you can call her whatever you want to, honey,” Sean said. “She’s yours.”
“Does she have a name her former owner called her?” Jena asked. “Jacob, don’t horses usually know their names by her age?”
Jacob appreciated Jena’s concern for her new horse. “Don’t worry about that. If you pick a new name for her, she’ll learn it quickly.”
“I’d rather get to know her better before I name her. Besides, I don’t have any clue what to call her right now.”
Carrie came up beside Jena, looking more relaxed than she’d been earlier. She rubbed the paint’s side. “Why don’t you ride her first? Maybe a name will come to you.”
Being around horses seemed to ease Carrie’s anxieties. Jacob experienced the same thing with the beautiful creatures. During his first visits to Destiny, he fell in love with horses because of his own darkness. Recalling his own troubled childhood, he wondered what demons from Carrie’s past still haunted her.
“Carrie, I can’t wait to ride her, but first, I want to take you home to meet our daughter Kimmie and my mom.”
“Don’t worry about the horses,” Josh said. “Jacob and I will take them back to Stone Ranch. They’ll be there when you’re ready to ride.”
“Do you have another horse for Carrie to ride?” Matt asked. “I would love the entire family to go for a ride soon.”
Jacob saw Carrie’s face light up at Matt’s words. “We’ll make sure there’s a horse for her, too.”
Carrie looked at him and Josh. “Thank you for the wonderful ride today, guys. It was the most fun I’ve had in a very long time.”
“Our pleasure.” Josh tipped his hat to her. “Anytime you want to ride again, just let us know.”
“Shall we?” Jena asked, motioning to the car she and Carrie had arrived in earlier at Stone Ranch.
“Yes, sweetheart.” Matt opened his car door. “Sean and I will meet you two at the house.”
Jena passed the keys to Carrie.
Jacob watched the four of them drive away in the two vehicles.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Josh asked.
“And that would be what exactly?”
“I like Carrie, Jacob. I really want to help her. I can tell that something is not quite right for her, but I can’t figure it out.”
“I’m with you, bro. There’s one person you sent me to when I was struggling with my past.”
“Sam O’Leary.”
“Yes. He helped me, and I’m betting he can help her, too.”
Josh nodded. “Then let’s go talk to him.”
Back inside the restaurant, they walked to the O’Learys’ table.
“Do you mind if we join you for a moment?” Josh asked.
“Please,” Sean said.
Ethel smiled. “That was the most touching moment I’ve ever seen. And that’s saying a lot, since I’m 80-something years old.”
Patrick laughed. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to say 80-something. Sam and I know exactly how old you are.” He grabbed her hand. “And you’re more beautiful than the day we married you.”
Sam took her other hand. “Never more true words have ever been spoken.”
The sweet woman’s smile broadened. “My mother told me to be wary of Irish men’s blarney. I’m glad I didn’t listen to her.” Ethel kissed her husbands on the cheeks and then turned her attention back to him and Josh. “I’m so glad I got to witness Matt’s reunion with his sister.”
“It was touching, but I’m worried about Carrie,” he told the O’Learys. “And Sam, we want you to talk to her.”
Sam leaned forward. “We? You mean you and Josh?
“Yes.”
Sam smiled. “I thought so. You two are smitten with the pretty lass, aren’t you?”
“I sure am.” Josh’s admission was no surprise. “And I can tell Jacob is, too. Right?”
“Definitely.” The truth was he had never been this attracted to any woman before.
“Good for you, boys.” Ethel patted his and Josh’s hands. “I just love performing weddings.”
“Honey, don’t get ahead of yourself.” Sam raised his eyebrows. “They only just met the girl.”
“I know what I know.” She kissed him again. “And you know it, too.”
“That I do. You picked me and Patrick.”
“Or did you two pick me?” Ethel teased. “But let’s get back to Jacob’s request about you talking with Carrie. Like Jacob, I also sensed she was unsettled about something when Matt came in. What about you? You’re the psychiatrist.”
“I did notice something in her demeanor,” Sam said. “But I couldn’t put my finger on it. Even so, I can’t make her come to me. Still, I do have a few tricks up my sleeves. I’m sure I’ll be able to help Carrie.”
Chapter Six
Sitting at the kitchen table, Carrie still couldn’t believe she was in the house of her brother, his wife, and Sean MacCabe, Matt’s childhood friend.
Why couldn’t she remember Sean? She shouldn’t have lied but didn’t want to hurt him. She also didn’t want to let on that most of her memories were gone. Not just when she was three, but also many years after. There were entire blanks that consumed most of her guilty past. But since escaping Willie, all her current memories had remained intact.
With Jena’s help she’d found her brother and one buried memory suddenly had surfaced. Was she ready to face more memories? No.
“You were playing with matches that day, Carrie,” the bastard had told her time and time again. “Lots of people died because of you, including your parents. Your mother and father are dead because of that fire you started. Did you do it intentionally because they didn’t want you?”
Her answer had always been the same, screaming, “Of course I couldn’t do such a monstrous thing on purpose. I loved my parents.”
Then the slap came, stinging her face, followed by his cruel words. “But they didn’t love you, and you wanted revenge. Say it, Carrie. Say you did it on purpose. Tell the truth.”
More slaps from the bastard connected until she finally did repeat his exact words. “I did it on purpose.”
How can Matt forgive me for what I’ve done? Why does he even want me here?
“I can’t wait for Mom and Kimmie to come back from the Knight’s house so they can meet you.” Jena’s mother had left a note they’d found when they’d arrived. Apparently Jena’s mom and daughter had gone to visit Megan Knight, who had a new baby. “I just didn’t want to tell them over the phone. And they shouldn’t be gone long. I want to see their faces when they see you for the first time. Mom knew how hard I was looking for you.”
“Mom was in on this operation, too?” Matt grinned.
“Of course. I had to talk to somebody about it.” Jena kissed him.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Sean asked. “I could’ve helped you with the search.”
“I love you, honey, but I know how well you keep secrets
.”
He hugged Jena. “I’m trained CIA. I do know how to keep a secret.”
“From Matt? I don’t think so.”
They kissed.
Carrie was beginning to believe a relationship with two men and one woman could work. It definitely did with these three. How? What held them together so tightly? What was their bond? Could it be that thing she’d always dreamed about but had never known? Love?
Will I ever find love like theirs? No. I don’t deserve it.
“Carrie, would you like some coffee?” Jena asked her. “We also have tea, juice and sodas.”
“Honey, this celebration calls for champagne.” Sean walked to the wine fridge.
“Nothing else will suffice.” Matt nodded, smiling. “Carrie has come back to us. My God, I still can’t get over it.” He gently placed his hand on her. “You’re here. My little sister. I’ll never forget this day.”
“Me either.” As hard as she’d tried to keep her tears from falling, they rolled down her cheeks as her familiar remorse consumed her. “But how can you forgive me so easily?”
Matt put his arms around her. “Forgive you? What do I have to forgive you for?”
She choked out the awful truth. “For killing our parents.”
“What are you talking about, Carrie? You didn’t kill anybody.”
He doesn’t know. “I started the fire. I was playing with matches.”
“Who told you that lie?” Sean asked.
“Brother Willie told me everything. He told me that our parents didn’t love me so I set the fire on purpose.”
“That bastard,” Matt growled. “He lied to you, Carrie, like he lied to everyone, including our parents. That’s not what happened at all.”
“It’s not? He’s told me that my whole life.” Realization rolled through her that Willie had been twisting the truth to manipulate her. “But he also always told me you didn’t even exist, that you were a figment of my imagination. I never believed him about that. I knew in my heart you were real, Matt.”
“I am real. And so are you.”
Sean looked her in the eyes. “You didn’t kill your parents or mine. Willie did.”
Jena came up beside her and took her hand. “I can’t imagine what kind of life you had to live with that monster.”
