Josh, who was normally a smooth operator with women with at least a dozen or more pickup lines, was being so open and honest with Carrie. It was nice to see.
Jacob knew exactly why his cousin was reacting to Carrie the way he was. She was so charming and warm, though he continued to sense thick, tall walls guarding whatever troubled her so deeply.
“Listen to us, Jacob. We’re doing all the talking.
We should let Carrie tell us something about herself.”
“There’s not much to tell. How about we race to that bridge up ahead?” She didn’t wait for them to answer, but kicked her horse into full speed.
Josh looked surprised. “What just happened? Did I say something wrong?”
“Carrie is hiding something and if you start prying, she’ll shut down. I know. I used to be like her. Remember?”
“I’ll never forget what you went through.” Josh sighed. “We better catch up with her. She’s way ahead.”
When they reached Carrie, she was sitting in the saddle by the bridge’s sign. “Looks like I won.” She laughed. “What took you so long?”
“You cheated,” he said, relishing how happy she seemed in this moment. Whatever pain she carried, she controlled it well.
“What’s the story on the name of this bridge? Silver Spoon Bridge is very unusual.”
Before Josh could give the real reason for the bridge’s name, he said, “It was named after Mr. Spoon, who wore silver cufflinks every day.”
She giggled. “I know you’re pulling my leg, Jacob.”
“Me? I would never do that.”
“Trust me, I always know when someone is telling the truth or not. I have a keen knack for that.”
“So do I, Carrie.” It was a trait that he’d developed after suffering so much. In his heart he knew she’d dealt with her own trials, though he wasn’t sure what it was.
“I’ll tell you the real story,” Josh said. “One of our most influential and beloved families in Destiny is the O’Learys. They are billionaires and many years ago donated a big portion of the proceeds to build the original bridge. This is actually the second one. The first one was blown up by a woman named Trollinger, but that’s another story for another time. Anyway, the O’Learys thought the name would let anyone coming to Destiny know how lucky they were. Like getting their own silver spoon in their mouths. Hence the name.”
“That’s a better story, and I can tell it is the truth. See, Jacob?” Carrie teasingly shook her finger at him, like she was a teacher scolding a schoolboy. “Fibbing doesn’t do anyone any good.”
He sent her a wink. “I promise never to lie to you again. Now about the silver spoon Josh mentioned. Why don’t we cross the bridge and you discover the Destiny we love? I don’t know how you two feel, but I’m starving. I think lunch at my aunt and uncle’s restaurant is next on the agenda.”
“I’m hungry, too. That sounds—” Suddenly Carrie frowned. “Silver Spoon. Billionaires. Oh my God.”
“What’s wrong?”
“My suitcase is in the trunk of my car.” Carrie closed her eyes tight and gripped the reins firmly. When she opened her eyes, he could see the panic behind the façade of calm. “It has everything I own in it.”
Even though he remembered having little himself for years, something in her tone told him there was more to her worry about the suitcase than just her belongings.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” he told her, hoping to reassure her. “They have security at TBK.”
“Please. Guys, can we skip lunch and go straight to my car?”
“Whatever you need, Carrie,” Josh said.
“Absolutely.” He could see how anxious she was in her face. “But you gave the keys to Jena, and she will be in a secured area that none of us will be able to access. We don’t have the clearances.”
She sighed. “I didn’t realize it was that secure.”
“Didn’t you know that Jena is a member of a CIA team?”
“We talked about so many things on the way up to Destiny, but that never came up.” Carrie smiled again, which put him at ease. “It does explain how she found me.”