The Coltons: Fisher, Ryder & Quinn: Soldier's Secret Child. Caridad Pineiro

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      When T.J. and Joe weren’t with the groups, they were off finishing up some of the other chores around the ranch, including a ride with Clay Colton to attempt to track down the elusive sounds that Jewel was still hearing at night. But they returned from that expedition with little to show for it.

      She was grateful that T.J. and Joe seemed to have bonded so quickly and so well. As the eldest amongst the children at the ranch, the others seemed to look up to them, in particular the tweens and Sara, the petite young teen who had recently joined them.

      It wasn’t unusual to see the three of them together at meals and as they took an afternoon break at the pool during the heat of the day, much as they were doing today.

      As she watched them frolicking in the cool waters, Jewel stepped up beside her.

      “Things seem to be better,” her friend said.

      “I had hopes for it, but this is more than I expected so quickly.”

      “Let’s take a break.” Jewel gestured to a small table located on the covered courtyard where someone had placed a pitcher with iced tea and glasses. A few feet away from the table in the middle of the courtyard was a fountain. The sounds of the running water combined with the scents from the riot of flowers surrounding the courtyard were always calming.

      With a quick nod, she sat at the table and poured tea into the two glasses, all the time keeping an eye on what was going on in the pool.

      T.J. and Joe led the younger children in a game of Marco Polo, while Sara sat by the side, arms wrapped around herself in a slightly defensive stance.

      “We’ve still got to get Sara to open up a bit,” she said.

      Jewel picked up her glass and took a sip. “She’s been better since the boys got here, but she hasn’t been willing to say much during our one-on-one sessions.”

      “Nothing about the bruises or why she ran away?” she asked, thinking of the purpling marks and fingerprints that had been on the girl’s arms on the day she had arrived at the ranch a few weeks ago.

      “Nothing and you know our rule.”

      “We wait until our charge is ready to talk. Do you have another session scheduled with her anytime soon?” She sipped her tea, sighed as the cool liquid slid down her heat parched throat. She hadn’t realized just how hot and dry it had been as she and the teens had worked with the mare all morning.

      “I have a group session with the older children this afternoon. I was thinking to ask T.J. and Joe to join us.”

      She thought of T.J.’s anger at his dad’s passing and of Joe’s adoption by the Coltons. Certainly both of the boys had things to unload and considering how well the group had been getting along, it seemed like a good idea.

      “Both T.J. and Joe might have things they want to talk about. I’d ask to sit in, but I know T.J. might be more willing to open up if I’m not around.”

      Jewel laid a hand on hers as it rested on the table, shifting her iced tea back and forth in the condensation from the glass. “I know that hurts, but you’re right. T.J. will likely be more open if you’re not around. But I’ll keep you posted about what happens. This way you’ll know how to deal with it.”

      Macy took hold of Jewel’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Thanks. I’d appreciate anything you can say without violating doctor/patient confidentiality.”

      “Deal,” she confirmed and then they sat back and took a moment just to enjoy the peacefulness of the midday break.

      Macy was working with two of the younger children when she noticed the teens walking out of the living room where Jewel often held the group therapy sessions.

      The two tween boys had their arms around each other’s shoulders and their heads together, talking.

      T.J., Joe and Sara followed behind closely, but then split away, walking through the great space and then out to the pool area. They kept on walking beyond the tract of grass with the swing set and Macy assumed T.J. and Joe were off to do the last of their afternoon chores.

      Once in the great room, the tween boys headed immediately to the XBOX and she could hear them carrying on about the tricks Joe and T.J. had taught them.

      She smiled at the worship of the older boys, but her smile faded as she noted Jewel’s face. Excusing herself from the memory game, but urging the children to continue on their own, she approached her boss.

      “You look wiped.”

      “Mark finally opened up today. Told the other kids about how his dad used to beat him.”

      Both of them suspected that Mark had been physically abused from his manner when he had first come to the ranch, but having him admit it was a good step to helping him deal with the trauma.

      “How about Sara?” she wondered, thinking that maybe Mark’s revelation would have encouraged the young girl to tell her own story.

      Jewel shook her head. “Nothing. She just sat there, arms wrapped around herself. Silent.”

      “Sorry to hear that, but she is coming out of her shell. She seems to talk to T.J. and Joe a lot.”

      “That’s a good start. Where are they?” Jewel asked as she scanned the great room and saw no sign of them.

      “I saw them heading out back, probably to finish up their chores before the weekend. I’ll go see what they’re up to,” she said and at her boss’s cue of approval, she went in search of them.

      As she suspected, they were at the corral, but not working. The two boys sat on the top rail of the fence, Sara between them, head bowed down.

      She was about to approach to make sure everything was okay, but then T.J. brought his hand up and patted Sara’s back in a familiar gesture. She had seen Tim do it more than once when comforting his young son and it twisted her heartstrings that Tim would not see the man T.J. would become.

      Which was followed by a wave of guilt as she realized that maybe Fisher never would either if she didn’t tell him about his son. If she didn’t make amends for what had happened in the past between them.

      Certain that the teens were better off without her presence at that moment, she returned to the ranch house and the game of memory she had left earlier.

      But even then she experienced no relief as the children matched up the first few letters.

      F.

      S.

      I.

      Certainly someone somewhere was telling her it was time to consider what she would do about Fisher.

      Fisher sat across from his dad in Miss Sue’s, enjoying the last of his ribs and delicious fries.

      It wasn’t as if he and his dad couldn’t have made themselves dinner. Since their mom had left, the three men had learned how to provide for themselves, but with it being Friday night and all, they needed a treat.

      Plus, he hadn’t СКАЧАТЬ