She cleared her throat and smiled. “Sean, you look kind of familiar.”
When she folded her arms over her chest, it made him wonder if she was telling the truth. But why did she feel like she needed to lie? From his own experiences, he could think of a million reasons.
“It’s no wonder you don’t remember.” Sean was just as thrilled that Carrie had been located as Matt. “We were all so young and you were the youngest at only three. Matt and I used to play hide and seek with you. You were never good at hiding and we always found you.”
“I remember. Weren’t you and Matt friends?”
She was fishing for threads of the truth. He was certain she didn’t remember Sean.
“Yes, Carrie. That’s me.” Sean clearly loved hearing her words.
Perhaps that was the reason Carrie lied, to make him feel better. Or was it something else? Something darker?
“How did you survive, Carrie?” Matt asked, holding her hands.
“I don’t remember.”
The truth. Jacob could see it in her eyes. She definitely had no recollection of her escape. He looked over at Josh, who was as transfixed on this reunion as everyone else in Phong’s Wok. He could tell that his cousin, who was more like a brother to him, was attracted to Carrie just as he was. Was Josh also sensing the storm of doubt and fear blowing beneath her false calm? When he caught his cousin’s glance, he knew Josh could.
Aunt Melissa and Uncle Hiro wiped their eyes and stayed fixed in place near the booth. The full attention of every customer was on Carrie and Matt.
Jena turned to her two husbands. “Let’s take Carrie back home and get her settled in.”
Matt kissed Jena. “Thank you, sweetheart. I thought Sean and my surprise was good, but you blew ours out of the water bringing Carrie to me.”
Jena’s eyebrows rose. “What surprise?”
“Might as well tell her,” Sean said to Matt. “You blew it mentioning the surprise already.”
Matt laughed. “I guess I did. Honey, we bought horses for y
ou, Kimmie, and your mom.”
Jena smiled. “You didn’t?”
“We did. Sean and I got two for us, too. Did you notice the three horses outside? The paint is yours, baby.”
“We rode them in with Carrie.” Josh clearly had enjoyed their time with her. “I was so worried we were going to ruin your husbands’ surprise when you drove up today.”
“You mean that pretty paint is mine?” Jena’s excitement was obvious to all. “I want to go see her now.”
“Then let’s go.” Matt had been very excited about surprising his wife and was clearly anxious for her to see her gift. “Jacob and Josh, do you mind coming with us?”
“Not at all.” Jacob also couldn’t wait to see what Jena thought of the mare.
“She’s a wonderful horse.” Carrie’s eyes lit up as they all headed out the door. “Very gentle. You’re going to love her.”
“She’s beautiful.” Jena walked up to the paint and began petting her. “What’s her name?”
“Her registered name is Queen of Red River Mountain, but you can call her whatever you want to, honey,” Sean said. “She’s yours.”
“Does she have a name her former owner called her?” Jena asked. “Jacob, don’t horses usually know their names by her age?”
Jacob appreciated Jena’s concern for her new horse. “Don’t worry about that. If you pick a new name for her, she’ll learn it quickly.”
“I’d rather get to know her better before I name her. Besides, I don’t have any clue what to call her right now.”
Carrie came up beside Jena, looking more relaxed than she’d been earlier. She rubbed the paint’s side. “Why don’t you ride her first? Maybe a name will come to you.”