“He’ll never be perfect, but he’s much better with Kira in his life. She reminds him if he steps out of line.” Mitch smiled.
“I didn’t believe there was a woman in this world able to tame him.”
“When we meet the right woman, she is everything to us. Sometimes we resist, but it never lasts,” Daren said and grinned at Sara.
“Hmmm, I don’t recall much resistance.”
They all chuckled and Mitch, Daren, and Todd walked toward a hallway. Sunn, Chandler, and Lann waved good-bye as they headed out the door.
Todd had knots in his stomach and wished he hadn’t eaten so much. His head whirled and his heart hammered in his chest from the information he’d been given and what he might find out.
Mitch motioned him into an office at the end of the hall. Todd fell into the nearest chair.
Daren put his hand on Todd’s shoulder. “It’s a lot to take in and especially when you thought you had no family at all. Nanna is going to be upset when she hears you grew up in foster care. We have a number of childless couples who’d loved to have raised you.”
He sat in the chair nearest Todd and stretched his long legs out. Mitch went around the desk to sit in his chair.
“I asked Ellen and Jack to come over after lunch. They’ll arrive shortly,” Mitch said. “Ellen will test your blood and it will definitely tell us if you are a member of our family. Her husband, Jack, is one of our doctors. I’d like you to talk with him and let him exam you. We have a lab and an exam room downstairs. Daren and I already accept you, but I think you need this to accept us.” Mitch looked across at Todd.
“Thanks for understanding. I do. For years I gave up believing in family. Then Lann told me he had a friend who I resembled. I fought the idea of meeting you all. Hope is something I gave up on many years ago.”
“What I can’t understand is why your mother didn’t send you to us.”
“What makes you think my relationship to you is through this woman you call Nanna?”
“Because Nanna’s great-great-grandfather and his brother were the first of us to come to America from Europe. He wrote to the rest of us and told us of the available land near where he had settled. Our leaders came, checked it out, and bought the land. Then the rest of us moved from Europe. Well, except a few.”
“This gets complicated,” Daren remarked.
“Nanna’s great-great-grandfather was blond with aquamarine eyes. He and his brother looked much alike and both had the same eye color. Every generation or so some member of the family gets this unusual eye color. Nanna’s daughter was skipped, but one of her children got Nanna’s eyes, as we call them.”
Daren leaned forward. “We suspect your mother was part of the other brother’s family. He must have settled and had children. After many years they may not have known about their ancestors or other relatives.”
Mitch nodded. “That would explain you not being sent to us. Your mother probably didn’t know she had relatives who would help her.”
Daren glanced around at a knock on the door. “Come on in. I think his brain is about to implode with all the information we’ve poured into him. He must be ready to get away from us.”
Jack stopped in the doorway. “Damn, he’s got Sahale’s eyes.
Ellen nodded her head. “Sahale is my other husband,” she explained. “If you’re ready I’ll take you to the lab. Jack can join us in a few minutes and check you out physically.”
“I’m ready. I want to know if they’re right.” He motioned toward Mitch and Daren.
“Then come with me,” Ellen said.
* * * *
Jack sat down in Todd’s seat when they’d gone. “He’s going to be a shock to Nanna. Sahale has gone to get her. He’s telling her we’ve found someone we believe might be part of our tribe.”
“She’s quite old. Can she handle the shock, Jack?”
“Nanna’s soft, but tough when needed. I sense she’ll be pleased. Nanna loves family, both from her Native American side and the part of us she got from her great-great-grandfather.”
“Daren, wait in the living room area for her. Bring her here when she arrives,” Mitch said. “Jack, you’d better get downstairs. Call me after the exam and before Nanna meets him.”
* * * *
Ellen had drawn his blood. He watched her as she worked and waited for her husband to come examine him.
“This must have your head spinning,” Ellen said. She sat in the chair beside him.
“I feel like I’m in a dream and any moment a prankster will yell out, ‘it’s not true.’ Then I’ll wake.”
“We’ll have the answer for you soon. I have DNA on all our people. It was a job we finished only recently. I’m checking to see which family your DNA most resembles. Although I’ve no doubt it’ll be Nanna and her daughter’s.”
“Who is this Nanna they all talk about in glowing terms?”
A soft smile crossed Ellen’s face. “She’s wonderful. We all love her. She has mystic powers she inherited and some she learned from her Native American family. My husband, Sahale, is much like her.”
Jack knocked on the door. “Ready for me?”
“Yes. By the time you finish, I hope to have an answer for Todd.”
Jack opened a door to an exam room and ushered Todd inside. During the exam, Jack asked about Todd’s special abilities.
When Jack realized he’d seen Todd play football, he whooped. “I told Sahale at the time that I’d never seen anyone run that fast except one of ours. We wondered then if you were part of our tribes. Some of our people have left and lost contact with us for one reason or another.”
“Lann noticed my superior night vision and how I could keep up with him. I’ve always known I could overhear things the other kids didn’t. In some ways that wasn’t good.”
“Your reflexes are excellent as ours.” Jack listened to his heart. “Did the doctor make any comments when you had a physical to play ball?”
“He thought he heard a murmur in my heart, but he said it was faint and not important. He signed me off to play. Thank goodness. My scholarship paid for my college.”
“Lann told Mitch you were a rich entrepreneur. He was amazed how well you’d done after being a foster kid.”
“I determined I’d never have to depend on anyone and football gave me the opportunity to get the education I needed. I never looked back, until now.”
Jack leaned against the counter behind him. “I don’t need my wife’s results to know you are one of us. Our hearts are a tad different and your doctor noticed but didn’t know how to explain it. He must have figured after four years of football in high school, you’d manage all right in college. It was a gamble, and he was right.”
There was a knock on the door. “Come on in, darlin’.”
Ellen smiled at Todd. “Are you ready for the answer?”
“Tell me.”
“We were right. You are part of Nanna’s family, probably from her great-great-grandfather’s brother’s side. Mitch called me. Nanna has arrived and is curious as to why he asked her to come to the main ranch. Jack and I will go with you upstairs.”
“Can you give me a second?”
“Sure. We’ll be in the lab when you’re ready.”
Todd took a deep breath when they closed the door. His head spun. He wasn’t sure how many more surprises he could manage in one day.
He got off the stretcher and paced in the small room. He had a family, a huge family who were aliens, or else they were crazy.
Maybe I’m nuts for believing them. Still, I’d sensed a difference in myself from others. It made me leery of the other children, and they often stared at me. Consequently, my life has been lonelier than it might have been.
When I stepped off the plane today, my heart lurched, and I suspected Lann was right about me. But I wasn’t sure I wanted him to be. Do I belong here or will I be lost in the crowd again?”
Chapter Twelve
“I’m ready,” Todd said on c
oming out of the exam room. Jack, Ellen, and Todd rode the elevator up. Jack called Mitch before they went to his office.
“Shall we bring Todd to you?” Jack asked. “You’re sure she’s ready? Okay, we’re upstairs and will be there momentarily.”
Jack faced Todd. “Nanna, as we all call her, is very special to our tribes. She’s much older now, but would set anyone straight who called her old.” Jack smiled. “I love her like she’s my grandmother. She is Sahale’s and you have the same intensely bright, aquamarine eyes they have. I’m anxious to see what Nanna says.”
At the door, Jack went in first. Ellen and Todd stood out in the hall. Todd heard Jack’s voice.
“It’s good to see you, Nanna. I’ll sit here beside you and tell you what we’ve found. I’m sure Mitch has explained to you about Todd Carrigan.”
“Yes, he has.”
Todd heard a quiver in the soft voice. Then Jack spoke again.
“Todd is a descendent from your family. We checked his DNA and ran blood work. I agree with Mitch that he is probably from your great-great-grandfather’s brother’s side of the family and that’s why his mother never called us for help. She must not have known of us.”
“I’m ready to meet him.” Nanna said.
“One more thing. He has your eyes.” Jack turned toward the doorway. “Ellen and Todd, join us.”
All eyes were on Nanna and him when he went in the room. She was a tiny woman with white hair, and her aquamarine eyes shone with tears. Her face had gone pale.
“Are you all right, Nanna?” Mitch asked.
She nodded her head. “Come closer to me, Todd.” Her small hand reached out to him. He knelt at her chair. “You may call me Nanna as everyone does. Many years ago when I was a child, I heard stories about my great-great-grandfather. He had been respected by my tribe. They accepted him.”
She leaned forward and patted Todd’s face. “His brother wanted to explore more of this wonderful country and, as I was told, he left. At first, he sent letters back, but gradually they declined. From what I understood the last time he wrote, he said he’d stopped moving around and settled in California. I am so sorry you grew up among strangers who didn’t give you the love we could give.”
Todd cleared his throat. “How do you know I wasn’t cared for well?”
“I see and feel the hurt deep inside you.” She put her hand over his heart. “And yet you have grown into a strong, successful man.”
Whenever she touched him, light seemed to flash in the darkness of his soul. She soothed the ache he’d carried for years.
As though she read his mind, she said, “You will come with me to my home and together we will rid you of your sadness and darkness.”
“I’m not sure I want that.” He grinned at her. “I might lose my tough business image.”
“No, your strength is innate. But without the sadness you can love more freely. You have someone you hope to marry.”
“How do you know these things?” Todd wrinkled his forehead.
“You came to me in a dream. I didn’t see you clearly, but I felt your sadness, confusion, and hurt. I saw the child you’d been and knew you needed me. When Mitch called, I was certain you were the one I had to help. Will you trust me and stay with me a few days?”
Todd thought of Sunn. He didn’t want her and Chandler to go back home without him, but he knew she needed to open her office. Nanna waited patiently for his response.
“I want to speak with my friends who came with me. They’ll need to go back before me.”
“Talk with them. I’d like to leave in the morning to go home.” Nanna looked at Mitch. “Mitch is good to me. He has me transported back and forth in the helicopter. It won’t take us long to get there.” Nanna stood. “I am ready to see my daughter and her children. After dinner, Jack, you can come get me. I want to see Sahale and visit with you and Ellen.”
“You are really coming to see your great-granddaughter,” Jack said. Jack glanced at Todd. “Our daughter loves Nanna and Nanna is teaching her many invaluable lessons as she did for Sahale and me.”
“Humph, you two were rascals. Minda, who is named after me, will never be as difficult to train.”
“True, Nanna. We were always getting into mischief.”
Ellen hugged her husband. “I fear to think how you’d have turned out without Nanna’s guidance. Let’s take Nanna to see her daughter. Todd must be anxious to find his friends.”
Todd was anxious and not sure what to tell them. When the rest left he faced Mitch. “What can I tell Sunn and Chandler?”
“Chandler has been a longtime friend of Lann’s. I expect he has figured out some of our secrets. You may explain all you know to him, but until you know for sure Sunn will marry you, you must just tell her we are your family. Not much more.”
Todd nodded and started out the door. “I’ll call Lann and have him pick you up. You three will stay in one of the guest cabins tonight. And be careful with Nanna. If she looks tired, make her stop and rest.”
“Don’t worry. I feel a connection between us already. I’ll watch out for her.”
Lann had dropped Sunn and Chandler at the cabin. “I hoped to get a chance to speak with you alone. How did it go?”
“It’s been a bit mind-boggling.” Todd explained what had happened and that he wouldn’t return with them to Texas tomorrow.
“I’m glad you’re staying a while. After you visit with Nanna, take another day or so and meet Nanna’s daughter and her family.”
“I might.”
“Here’s the cabin. Good luck. I’ll see you in Texas if I miss you tomorrow.”
Todd opened the door and Sunn ran to him. He wrapped his arms around her and bent his head to kiss her.
“You look pale,” she said.
“I’m exhausted.”
Chandler walked up beside them. “Did you find out whether you are a member of their family?”
“I am. They confirmed it with DNA.”
“They’re a great group of people. You can be proud to be a part of them,” Chandler said. “I’ve known Lann for a number of years.”
“And we met a doctor Chandler had operated on not long ago. He’s well and back to doing surgery himself. We met him and his friend and their wife who is head of the group that Lann led before moving to Texas. Apparently there are three groups, or tribes, as some of them call themselves,” Sunn said. “It’s very fascinating.”
Todd sat in nearest chair and pulled Sunn onto his lap. “I have some news.” Chandler sat across from him, and they gave him all their attention.
“Tomorrow you’ll be flying back to Texas. Sunn, I’m sure you want to open your office and Chandler plans to look for an office and staff. I’m staying here a few more days to meet more of my family.”
“It’s a good idea,” Chandler said. “You’ve been given surprising information in a short period of time.”
“What do you think, Sunn?” Todd looked down at her lovely face. Her light-blue eyes sparkled with tears. “What’s the matter?”
“You may want to stay here and make this your home. You’ve never had family. I couldn’t blame you if you did.”
“Then you care whether I return or not?”
She threw her arms around his neck. “I guess I do.”
He rubbed her back. “Don’t cry, darlin’. This is a get-to-know-you visit. I may have to travel sometimes for business, but my home is my ranch in Texas.”
“But you’ll want to come here and stay and get closer to your family.”
His finger brushed the tears off her cheeks. “When I do, I’ll bring you, and Chandler if he wants to come.” Todd lifted her in his arms. “I’m going to take you to bed and love you.”
Chandler stood and looked out the window. “Are you coming with us?” Todd asked.
“Lann’s returning to get me. I’m going to his brother’s house with him.” Chandler studied them both. “You two need to spend some time together. I suspect you’ve been throu
gh a lot today. I arranged to have dinner somewhere else.”
“You can stay, Chandler,” Todd protested.
“No, I’ll have her all to myself until you get home. It’s good to have that special time. Enjoy.” He glanced out the window. “There’s Lann. See you two later.”
Todd stood hesitantly with a frown on his face. Sunn took hold of his chin. “Look at me.”
Her demanding voice made him smile. “I’m looking.”
“Chandler and I discussed this. It’s fine. Don’t worry about him.”
He hugged her closer. “Then I won’t.” He strode across the small living room.
“The bedroom on the right is the biggest, and the bath is right off of it,” Sunn said. She reached for the doorknob and pushed open the door.
* * * *
Todd sat her on the side of the bed. She jumped up and told him to sit. “Go ahead. Do as I say.”
There was a faint glimmer of humor in his eyes. He sat and pulled off his boots. But he kept his eyes on Sunn. She started for the shade on the window.
“Leave it open. No one will peek in at us. The window faces the prairie.”
She hesitated and stood between the window and the side of the bed for a minute or two. “Be daring, darlin’.”
His gaze moved from her face down her body, and an intense hunger flared inside her. He had an air of self-confidence that made his sexual magnetism stronger.
After reaching out and turning on the radio to a station she’d discovered played romantic music, she slowly walked toward him. Sunn stopped when she stood in front of his knees. He watched her warily. When her fingers went to her blouse and she began to unfasten the buttons, he smiled.
“Do you need any help?” he asked.
“No, this is for you.” She let her blouse slid off her arms to the floor. Then she reached to the back and undid her bra. She twirled it over her head and threw the bra aside. It landed on the chest of drawers.
When Todd put his arms out, she stepped backward. “Not yet. I’ll tell you when you can join me.”
Seducing Our Lady's Heart [Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 10
