When Passion Calls

His heart warmed within his chest. The sun that was now brightening the land with its radiance was full on Melanie's face, making her flesh take on the look of rich, warm satin. Her auburn hair was even more red in the sunlight and bounced lustrously on her shoulders as she rode alongside him. Her brown eyes were luminous. Her parted lips were vivacious. She was nothing less than beautiful. But not only was she beautiful, she was a woman filled with compassion.

"If that's what you want," Melanie said, looking away quickly when the Brennan mansion came into view at the end of the lane. "I want to do whatever I can to make it easy not only for you, but also for your father. He's a wonderful man, Shane." She glanced at him. "Your brother will be shocked. Let me warn you that he will not be all that happy to see you. You see, he's . . . he's . . ."

She turned her eyes away. How could she tell Shane that his brother was a most unpleasant, greedy man? How could she tell Shane that Josh would not want to accept his brother's return because it would mean losing half his inheritance? Just as Terrance had been forced to accept sharing equally with his sister, Melanie, so would Josh be forced to share with a brother.

But Melanie knew the difference. Josh was going to be sharing with a man he had thought was dead.

"What were you going to say?" Shane asked, forking an eyebrow. "Josh is what?"

"Well, I guess you could say that he is not a very pleasant man," Melanie blurted, giving Shane a quick glance. "Shane, you and Josh may resemble one another in appearances, but that is as far as it goes. He's selfish and thinks of only one personJosh Brennan. Don't be surprised by his attitude when he

sees you. Just remember your father. He is all that matters."

Shane's eyes wavered as he stared at the house that stood directly ahead, and he cast thoughts of a jealous brother aside. He was used to jealousies and the harm they brought to one's soul. Instead, he was in awe again of the house in which his father made residence. Could it be true? Had Shane been born into a family of such wealth? Had he truly been denied all of this because of the man whose peculiar eyes would forever haunt him?

He could not help but wonder how different his childhood might have been had he not witnessed a massacre at age four.

Would he have had an education?

Would he have been rich in his own right by now?

Guilt splashed through him when he suddenly thought of Chief Standing Tall, who had guided him since boyhood, and how kind he had been to Shane all through the years. Shane could not make less of this relationship in his mind than it was. If not for Chief Standing Tall, he would probably be dead.

Melanie saw that Shane was filled with reserva-

tions about the coming moments that would change his life forever. Shane was kind, gentle, and compassionate. Being all of these things, would he be able to stand up to his conniving brother, to accept the share of the Brennan inheritance that would be rightfully his?

Or would he be afraid to stand up for himself in a world of white men, a world that might condemn him as an Indian because he was raised by them?

Sighing heavily, taking a deep, shaky breath, Melanie saw much responsibility in introducing Shane into the world of the white man. Without her, he would be alone. She had to see that he would have his rightful share in life. He had suffered a lifetime already of injustice because of the senseless massacre by men who had given no value to life, only to that which could be carried away from their victims to sell for profit. It was time for all of this to be made up to Shane. She would see that it was!

They rode on toward the house. Everything was quiet. Melanie eased from her saddle to the ground. Shane seemed unsure of himself as he gazed up at the house, looking from window to window.

Then the front door swung open suddenly, revealing Josh. Melanie watched Josh step shakily out onto the porch, growing pale as he stared unblinkingly down at Shane. Except for the cut of his hair and their different attire, surely Josh felt as though he was looking into a mirror.

Shane met Josh's steady stare with stiff reserve as he slipped out of his saddle. Melanie hurried to

Shane's side and took his hand and began urging him up the steps to the porch. When they came face to face with Josh, Melanie swallowed hard, then urged Shane even closer.

"Shane, this is your brother, Josh," she said, her voice lilting. "Josh, this is your brother, Shane. As you can see, Josh, you've been wrong to think that Shane was no longer alive. He's very much alive and has come to see you and your father."

Josh was stunned speechless. Suddenly, he turned his back to Shane and Melanie, feeling as though he might retch at the shock. All these years that he had suppressed feelings for his twin brother, even knowing that he was alive, were now behind him. This was the present, and damn it all to hell, Shane had somehow found out where his true family lived.

And wasn't it all so well planned? The long-lost son arriving just in time to get a piece of the pie when his father died?

It was almost more than Josh could bear.

"Josh!" Melanie gasped, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment for Shane. "This is your brother. Can't you be glad that he's alive? God, Josh, he's not only your brother, he's your twin!"

Shane took Melanie's hand and drew her around to face him. "Melanie, it is not important," he said softly. "Did you not say that my father is all that matters? Take me to him. I am ready to see him now."

Angry with Josh, Melanie blinked back tears of rage. She looked up into Shane's blue eyes, marveling over how the hurt that his brother had

inflicted on him did not show. He was a strong, controlled man, who surely could win against all odds. He had proven that he could overcome this first obstacle in his new life.

"Come with me," Melanie said, giving Josh an angry glance over her shoulder as she led Shane around him and into the house.

Shane's footsteps faltered as he stepped into the fancy foyer. Sunshine was pouring into the windows of the parlor at his right side, crowning all of the plush furnishings with its golden light. Shane took it all in, the gilt-framed pictures that graced the walls, the velveteen-upholstered furniture and expensive oak tables that were positioned around the room.