He waited again. At least she didn’t hang up.
Then she spoke in a faint voice. “Is that the truth?”
“Yes, madam. He’s alive and well.”
“Oh, my goodness. I couldn’t let myself believe her. It hurts me deeply that he had to live without his family all these years.”
“My friend and I would like to come see you and talk more in person. I see from your phone number you live out of state. Will it be all right with you if we come there?”
“Who are you?”
“We’re part of Todd’s family. I don’t think your parents told you about us. They may not have known their family history. You are his mother, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I’ve grieved about his death for years. Please come and tell me about my son.” She gave them an address in New Mexico.
“We’ll be there in the morning.” He hung up. “Ethan phone Lann and tell him we need the jet ready for early tomorrow.”
Ethan ended his call and said, “Lann said to plan on dinner and sleeping at his house. We can leave whatever time we want.”
Daren nodded. “I plan to get there early, rent a car, and go see the woman who deserted Todd.”
“It may have been her only choice,” Ethan reminded him.
“Yeah.”
* * * *
Sunn enjoyed getting back to work, but she looked forward to going home to her two men, soon to be her husbands. She and Chandler had applied for their marriage license during her lunch hour the first day back at work. Tonight they’d call her parents and ask them to return for the weddings.
Elle and Pruet had agreed to come back for the special occasion. Elle had asked for her measurements and shoe size to have her wedding attire ready for her.
She and Todd visited Miss Truda yesterday and Sunn liked her a lot. She had a great sense of humor and the love she had for Todd shone in her eyes. They’d finally talked her into moving to Sunn’s parents’ home.
Sunn explained her parents would be home for a few days during the wedding festivities, but otherwise Miss Truda, as she insisted Sunn call her, would have the house to herself.
“Hello darlin’. What are you sitting there smiling about?” Todd settled in the chair across from her desk.
“I was thinking about our visit with Miss Truda. She didn’t give in until you promised to have more men working on her cabin, so she wouldn’t be an imposition to anyone.”
“I’m glad the two of you hit it off so well.”
“What are you doing in town?”
Chandler found a place he’s thinking of buying for his office. He wanted my opinion on the condition of the building.”
“Is it in good shape?”
“Yes, and in the future if he wants to add partners he’ll have room.”
Sunn looked beyond Todd toward the door. “Where is he?”
“Finalizing the deal. He’s as happy as a clam. You’d think this was his first office.”
“Maybe to him, it is.”
“He suggested we take you to dinner to celebrate. Are you about ready to close?”
“Anne will lock up for me.” She took her purse out of her drawer. “I’m ready.”
* * * *
“Wow, she isn’t poor. What a place,” Ethan said as Daren drove down the long driveway to the private enclave located in the prestigious north side of Santa Fe.
The morning sun shone on the huge stone house and the surrounding mountains. Stone pillars held up the roof around a wide veranda.
Daren rang the bell at the double mahogany doors. The wood detail fascinated him and Ethan. A maid answered the door and led them down a hallway to a large room with many windows facing the mountain range.
A small, blonde woman stood and put out her hand. “Welcome to my home, Hacienda Artemisia. I am Jacinta Vargas. Please be seated.”
“A home of perfection?” Ethan asked after hearing the hacienda’s name.
“To my husband it was. It is lovely, but a bit overwhelming to me. I came from a much less influential family.”
“Do you mind telling us how you ended up leaving Todd in foster care in Texas?” Daren asked. He glanced around. There was a large, white marble fireplace, and exquisite, handcrafted detail throughout the room.
“You must think the worst of me. But no more than I’ve thought of myself for years. How could I leave him and yet how could I not? I was ill. My doctors said I had a fifty-fifty chance to survive. I needed a new liver. I’d gotten run down and got sick. It damaged my liver.”
“And so you left him hoping to come back?” Ethan asked.
“Yes, absolutely. But it took six months to get a liver and another year before I was strong enough to think of going for him.”
She twisted her hands in her lap. “I met my husband at the hospital in New Mexico where I had gone for the transplant. He was one of the board members and we literally ran into each other. We started to date, and he insisted I come live with him during my recovery.”
“And you fell in love and forgot Todd.” Daren’s tone sounded harsh to his ears.
She smiled. “I am glad he has such strong men in his family. But no, I told Estefan about him, and that I wanted him to bring Todd to live with us after we married.” She got up and paced the room.
Daren noted the tightness in her muscles. Whatever happened, she was hurting. Softening his tone, he asked her to tell them the rest.
“My husband was good to me and our daughter. I never knew he didn’t want to raise a son of mine from another man.”
“And so he told you Todd had died.” Daren answered for her.
“I’d never have believed he’d lie to me. But he did. He went away one day to supposedly look for Todd. When he came back, he said my son had died falling on his neck from a tree. I went to bed for days grieving. I couldn’t stop thinking he’d died, believing I didn’t love him since I hadn’t come back.”
“How did you find out the truth?” Ethan asked her.
“Here is Delicia. We’ll have refreshments, and then I will tell you the rest.”
Daren was impatient, but understood she needed the break. He sat by Ethan and ate the canapés and drank the hot, strong coffee.
She sat her empty coffee cup down. “My husband died of a heart attack six months ago. I couldn’t do anything with his things for the first four months. But lately I’ve gradually sorted through them. A week ago I was straightening the desk he used and throwing out old papers. Did you know some desk have hidden drawers?” she asked them.
Ethan nodded. “Usually they’re older desks.”
“This was an antique. My husband found it and loved the way it was made, and the richness of the wood. Anyway, I found such a drawer in his desk. It took me a day to go through keys and find one to fit the lock. There wasn’t much inside, but a diary, a private investigator’s name, and a report.”
Todd’s mother looked out the window staring at the mountain range. When she turned back, there were tears in her eyes.
“He found where Todd was living, but apparently he didn’t want me to know. From what he wrote in his diary it was evident he didn’t want Todd to come here, although to me he said the opposite.” She wiped her eyes with a lace handkerchief. “So he told me of Todd’s death. After I read his diary and the investigator’s report, I immediately began to search for Todd.”
“I’m sorry you’ve been hurt both by your husband’s death and then finding he’d lied to you,” Daren said.
“If Todd wants to meet you, will you come see him?”
“I’d very much like to see my son.”
Daren stood and Ethan joined him. “We have to get back. I’ll be in touch with you regarding Todd’s decision.”
“Thank you. I’ll pray I can finally return to my son.”
“You said you had a daughter.”
“Yes, and I love her very much, but I never forgot the son I left crying at a stranger’s door.”
Back in the car, neither Daren nor Ethan
spoke for many minutes. Then Daren glanced at Ethan. “What do you think he’ll say, and how do we tell him?”
“I have no idea, but I’d report to Nanna first.”
“That’s my plan.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sunn’s parents had arrived a few days before her wedding to Chandler, and then on the next day Elle would join the three of them in her ceremony.
“I’m glad you don’t mind Miss Truda staying with you all,” Sunn said to her mother.
“I like her. She’s witty and a comfortable person to have around. She can hardly wait until afternoon to go see how much progress they’ve made on her cabin. It’s so nice of Todd to build her her own place.
“He’s been trying to convince Miss Truda to let him do it for several years. He didn’t like her being so far away, especially since she’s gotten older.”
“He’s a good man and so is Chandler. You’ll be happy and taken care of, which pleases your dads and me. What dress do you plan to wear for the informal wedding at the Justice of Peace’s office?”
“I have the dress I told you about buying for Chandler’s mother’s tea. It’ll be perfect.”
Sunn’s mom glanced around. “Where are Chandler and Todd?”
“Chandler’s at his new office setting it up with the help of the receptionist he hired. He’s so excited. Todd got a call from Nanna. She’s an older, wise woman he met in Wyoming, and part of his family. He flew there early this morning.
Sunn didn’t tell her mom about Todd’s increased nervousness the past week and how she’d felt a slight withdrawal from him. She worried he might change his mind at the last minute. Sunn swallowed around the lump in her throat and forced herself to keep a smile on her face.
“That seems rather strange when tomorrow’s your wedding to Chandler.”
“I’m sure it must be important. Let’s go for a walk, Mom. I’m starting to get bridal jitters.”
* * * *
Todd didn’t move after Nanna quit talking. He looked from Daren to her and shook his head. “It’s hard to believe her fantastic story.” He looked at Daren. “You believed all of it?”
“Yes, and so did Ethan. You might want to talk with him.”
“No. I trust your judgment. Nanna, I’ve been restless lately and distant to Sunn. I’ve worried her, but my insecurities are trying to come back.”
“I sensed your struggle and knew you’d know no peace until you understood why your mother didn’t come back for you. So I sent Daren to find out what happened. Ethan went with him as a pilot and a friend. Will you see her?”
“Is she in New Mexico? What is her name?”
“I had Ethan fly her here yesterday. Her name is Jacinta Vargas. We talked about her ancestors and why she didn’t go to her parents when she got sick.”
“Why didn’t she?”
“Her mother was the descendent from our people. She’d divorced Jacinta’s father and married a man your mother disliked, so she ran away.
“After she left home, she had a relationship with a man she loved and thought he loved her. When he found out about her pregnancy, he left. She worked up until she had you, and then struggled through the next three years waiting tables and getting little rest. Her illness hit her suddenly and damaged her liver. She was young, confused, and didn’t know what to do.”
“She did intend to come back for me?”
“Yes.” Daren spoke, “I saw the papers she found that told her you were alive. Her dead husband had lied to her.”
Nanna touched his hand. “She’s been mistreated all her life by the men she loved. Her last husband was good to her and left her well off, but he was the worst. He kept you from her, knowing how much she loved you.”
Todd got up and started to walk out of Nanna’s cabin. Daren started after him.
Nanna spoke up. “Leave him be, Daren. Todd, this is a struggle you must deal with yourself. How you decide will affect the rest of your life.”
“May I borrow one of your horses, Nanna?”
“Of course you may.”
He went directly to the barn and saddled a dark-brown mare. Then he rode fast across the wide prairie. When he came to a cluster of trees, by the brook that ran through Nanna’s property, he dismounted and tied his horse to a low branch.
At the creek, he splashed his face with the cool water and leaned his back against the closest tree. Tears flowed down his face. He cried so hard his chest hurt. He was the little boy again begging his mother not to leave him, watching the taillights of the car disappear in the darkness, and then his nightmares began. He wanted to keep the anger he’d held deep inside of him. It was his protection from never being hurt again by a woman he loved.
But I’ve withdrawn from Sunn lately. She’d noticed and yet I couldn’t explain or let go of this knot of resentment. I thought I’d gotten rid of it until I heard how Chandler’s mother treated him and Sunn.
In his head, he heard Nanna’s voice. Let it go. You’re strong and can face whatever happens in the future.
“Can I?” Todd asked out loud. His mare raised her head at his voice. He strode up and down the side of the creek. “Damn it, why did you believe him? Why didn’t you look for me yourself?” All his fury spilled out of his gut like upchucking something bad he’d eaten.
When he was hoarse from yelling and exhausted, he collapsed back against the tree. His insides were raw from his outburst and yet it was healing.
I feel empty of all the old baggage I’ve carried around so long. He waited until his breathing slowed and his throat didn’t hurt before taking out his phone to call Sunn. She answered on the first ring.
“Are you okay?”
* * * *
Sunn sat on the porch and held tight to her phone. Her stomach did flip-flops. Was he calling her to tell her he couldn’t marry her? Maybe he couldn’t tell her in person. Her heart ached with fear.
“Sunn, are you there? I heard you answer, but you haven’t said anything else.”
“I’m here. I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“They found my mother. Nanna sent Daren and Ethan to look for her, and they found her.”
“Oh, is that good or bad for you?”
“I’ve been trying to decide the answer to that question.” Then he let it all spill out. What he’d been told about his mother, who she was, where she lived, and why she’d never found him.
“That’s a lot to absorb at one time and quite a shock.”
“I had to talk with you and be sure we’re still good. I know I’ve withdrawn from you. I didn’t understand why myself.”
“If it happens again, just reassure me you still love me. I thought this call might be to say you weren’t going to marry me.”
“Darlin’, that isn’t going to happen. I’ll be right by your side day after tomorrow at our threesome wedding and by Chandler’s side tomorrow. But since talking with you, my head has cleared. I will see my mother before I leave here later today.”
“I’m so glad. Ask her to the wedding.”
“You’re sure?”
“I want to meet her.”
“I have to call Miss Truda and make sure she understands she’s still my mother in my heart. I’ve never said those words, but she is.”
“Do what you need to do and come home.”
Todd clicked off his phone and called Miss Truda. He’d start from there, and then see his other mom.
* * * *
When he rode back, Daren met him in the barn. “What did you decide?”
“I want to meet her.”
“Nanna said you would. She’s in the cabin. I’m taking Nanna for a ride while you two get reacquainted.”
Todd unsaddled the horse and when he came out of the barn, he saw Nanna wave as they drove off. Standing in front of the porch was a small woman with golden hair. As he got closer he saw the gray mixed in and the drawn lines in her face.
He stopped and they stood in front of each other. “Am I too late to find my son?”
she asked in the same soft, musical voice he remembered from deep inside him.
“No, I wanted you to come back and now you have.” Todd bent and gathered her into his arms. Their tears intermingled on their faces. Her small body shook with her sobs.
“Don’t cry. The hurt, anger, and sadness are over.” Todd said the words and knew he meant them. He put his arm around her shoulders and walked her inside to sit in Nanna’s sunny kitchen.
He smiled when he saw the teapot on the stove and tea in two cups. “Nanna has left us some of her relaxing tea.” Todd poured the hot water over the tea and cut pieces of the banana bread for the two plates beside it.
Once they had their tea and cake, he stretched out his long legs and at his mother’s request, told her of his life. He left out some of the more unhappy incidents. But he told her of Miss Truda and football.
“If only I had been a football fan I might have found you sooner,” his mother said. “I think you’ve told me the best of your life and not the unpleasant parts.”
“There’s no need to think about any part but the good.” He told her about Sunn and Chandler and asked her to the weddings.
“You’re sure Sunn won’t mind?”
“Positive. She suggested it.”
“Then I’d like to be there. I’ve missed enough of the important occasions in your life.”
* * * *
Sunn and Chandler had met Todd’s mom late last night. When they arrived, his mother had looked exhausted physically and emotionally. Sunn had prepared a snack and tea for her, and she’d gone to bed shortly afterward.
“Today is my first wedding day.” Sunn danced around Todd. Chandler had gone to his house to dress.
“Come here, woman.” He pulled her into his strong arms. “I love you even more for how you treated my mother last night. Your warmth and welcome reassured her she’d made the right decision to come here.”
“How did she take the idea of a threesome marriage?”
“We talked about it on the plane ride. She’s very open and accepting, especially since she’s learned so much about her ancestors. After the wedding, she’ll return to Wyoming to learn more from Elle. She said she felt at home when she rode onto the ranch. She plans to sell her home in New Mexico and stay in Wyoming.”
Seducing Our Lady's Heart [Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 19
