Finally Found (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 10)

But she couldn’t leave. Not now. Jena had given her Matt’s photo. She’d stared at it all night, getting only a couple of hours of sleep.

I’m not a coward. I’m going to face this no matter what.

She felt her heart beating fast in her chest. “I still don’t know how you were able to get DNA results back so fast.”

Jena smiled. “I have access to resources that are quite extensive. Now breathe, Carrie. You’re holding your breath. I am certain what the papers will tell us. You are Matt’s sister. So relax.”

“Easier said than done. You’re as nervous about this as I am.” Carrie already liked Jena. She could even imagine them being friends if her world was more normal. But her world was never normal. “Your hands are shaking.”

“It’s only all the coffee I drank.”

Carrie grinned. “Just coffee? Hardly.”

Jena laughed. “Fine. Let’s both take a couple of deep breaths to calm down.”

Jena inhaled deeply, and she followed her example. It did seem to settle her nervousness a little.

“Here we go, Carrie.” Jena glanced down at the papers in her hand.

Holding her breath once again, Carrie’s anticipation shook her from head to toe. “So? What does it say?”

Before answering, Jena wrapped her arms around her.

Was the news good or bad? She wasn’t sure. Jena seemed to be the type of person who would give a hug in celebration or to comfort. Which was it?

The answer came from Jena, whose eyes were filled with tears. “I finally found you. Nice to meet you, sister-in-law.”

“It’s true? Matt is my brother?”

“Yes.”

Oh my God. “What now?”

“Now, I take you back to Colorado with me.”

Feeling herself tense up a little, she said, “Jena, I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. Shouldn’t you tell Matt about me first?”

“It’s a wonderful idea. Besides, I want to surprise him. How hard would it be to get a few days off for you?”

“Not hard at all.” She laughed, unable to hold back her excitement. “I was planning on quitting today anyway.” Speaking the truth felt so good.

“That makes me happy. What do you think about me canceling my flight and us taking the road trip together? I can buy the gas. Plus it will give us a chance to get to know one another more. There is so much I want to tell you.”

“About Matt?”

“About Matt and Sean, my daughter Kimmie, and my mom. I want to tell you about everyone in our wonderful town, which is quite unusual for most people but the best place to live in the world in my opinion.”

“Who’s Sean?”

“We have the whole drive to talk, Carrie.” Jena smiled. “Destiny, Colorado, changed my life. I have no doubt it will change yours, too.”

Chapter Two

Josh Phong stood beside Matt Dixon’s new horse, instructing Matt on how to put on the saddle, while his cousin Jacob did the same with Sean MacCabe. Both Appaloosas were exceptional examples of the breed. Matt and Sean’s wife’s horse, a beautiful paint mare, was already saddled and ready to go for the surprise. Another new horse and one pony were in stalls. All of them were gifts for the men’s family members.

“You need to always stand on the horse’s left side, place the saddle pad on its back, on the withers.”

Holding the pad, Matt turned to him. “What are the withers, Josh?”