The Texan's Surprise Return. Jolene Navarro

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СКАЧАТЬ wind played with long strands of her hair. He wanted to pull her close and protect her from the harsh elements. What words could he use to bring the spark back to those gentle eyes? Even without any specific memory, he knew in his gut that she was everything good, solid and joyful in his life.

      He didn’t know much, but there was a darkness inside him. That same darkness would destroy her light if he let her too close. Was that why he had left her?

      Something was wrong, but he didn’t know enough to even ask.

      Taking his gaze off her, he studied the old barn they were approaching. The wood was weathered gray and the Texas flag painted on the metal roof was faded. It begged for repair. Was the neglect a lack of help or money?

      Selena walked backward as she studied him. He knew without touching it that it would be silky as it slid between his fingers.

      Her hands deep in her pockets, she had to speak louder to be heard over the wind. “I know things are different and you…well, you’re just trying to find out who you are. Maybe there’s a reason you forgot us.”

      This conversation was on a sharp spiral in the wrong direction, but he was saved from responding when she turned and slid open one of the wide doors.

      Giggling warmed the air around him. A couple of more steps and the idea of three little people belonging to him would become a reality. Why couldn’t he move?

      “Xavier?” She tilted her head as she looked at him. She held her hand out to him, concern in her expression. “They don’t know you’re here. They have no expectations. You can meet them later or we don’t have to tell them who you are yet.”

      A mix of little giggles and adult laughter answered her. He shook his head. Placing his hand on the edge of the door, he forced his body to take another step. A fluttery movement deep in his belly told him to turn and go in the opposite direction.

      But this was his family. The life he had forgotten. There would be no putting the pieces together if he continued to run.

      One more step and he was inside.

      It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the indoor light. In the center of the barn was a large open area. A thick blanket was spread out and six children were being mobbed by five baby goats. Three girls, older than the boys, sat on the outside with empty bottles—and right smack in the middle were three dark-haired little boys.

      A stark coldness started at his core and spread to his limbs. He closed his eyes against the dizziness.

      He was disorientated. What had to be a memory rushed through his brain. He stood in the exact same place, but he was seeing different kids in another time.

      The children in the flashback were subdued, their giggles quiet as one dirty, matted puppy licked the little girl. She squealed with delight.

      “Hush, Belle. He’ll hear us,” he had warned her.

      A lanky boy in worn hand-me-downs that he knew was a young Elijah pulled scraps out of his pocket to feed the dog. She was black with four white paws and a crescent shape between her eyes. She was too young to be away from her mother, but someone had dumped her on the old country road.

      Footsteps outside charged his heart into overdrive. He frantically scanned the area for a safe place.

      If his father found them with a pup…

      “Xavier.” The soft plea pulled him back to the current time and place. Selena had his hand in hers. “Are you okay?”

      On his left, Belle put her hand on his shoulder.

      He looked at her. His blood pressure had to be dangerously high. “We tried to save a stray once. But he found us. The dog…” Did he really want to know what happened?

      Tears welled up in his cousin’s eyes. “You saved Luna. You hid her in time, but Frank was mad because you weren’t in the barn, cleaning.”

      He remembered now. “But he took it out on you and Elijah.” Why did he remember this, but not the details of his life with Selena?

      Belle shrugged. “That was the norm for us. But it was so worth it that time. Luna’s a great dog. We managed to keep her out of sight for almost a year. She still lives with Selena.”

      Selena put her hand on his other arm. “You gave her to me. She went on the road with me when I traveled with Dad. When I was in town, you’d come by every day to see her.”

      Belle laughed as she wiped her face. “I don’t think it was Luna he was checking on.”

      Nodding, he put that bit of past in its place and fixed himself in the present. Blinking to clear his blurred vision didn’t help. He could make out the forms of movement, but the details were too vague.

      Lowering his lids, he took in deep breaths that expanded his lungs.

      Selena’s grip tightened, and she leaned in closer. “We can still make an escape.” Just being near her made him braver.

      Not sure he could form any words, he jerked his head and took a step closer to the circle of kids and goats.

      The giggling stopped. Someone stood and moved next to Selena. All Xavier could make out was a thick gray mustache on a man a bit shorter than him, but not by much.

      “Xavier, this is my father.”

      Ignoring the hand Xavier offered, the man pulled him into a bear hug. “Boy, it’s so good to see you.” Tears were clear in the man’s smooth baritone voice.

      Blood rushed through Xavier’s body. He knew this man. “Riff?”

      The man pulled back, his large hands gripping his biceps. “You remember me?”

      “Your voice. You taught me to play guitar. We sang together. You like singing.”

      A robust laugh filled the barn. “Yes. I like singing. Much to my daughter’s displeasure.” He pulled Xavier back into a tight hug and his fingers dug into his back. The man was openly crying now. “You’re home. Praise God.”

      Breathing became difficult in the tight embrace.

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