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His mother stood and took their glasses to the sink then
turned and folded her arms. "Not at all. I think you need to
go on a vision quest. Alexandra can stay with me."
His mother couldn't have shocked him more if she had
informed him she was getting married and he blinked. "A
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vision quest?" He had studied about them, even listened
intently at his mother's knee when she'd told fantastic stories,
but he had never seriously considered taking one since he'd
become an adult. Only the old timers like his grandparents
did that. "I wouldn't know where to start."
"Then my brother, Hugh Youngwolf, will instruct you. Go to
New Mexico where he is and learn from him. It is past time
that you become acquainted with more of your heritage.
Perhaps I erred in raising you in your father's world instead of
mine. Perhaps I should have raised you in the tribal ways."
The longing in her voice told Troy that she wished to be in
the midst of her family. But he didn't need to ask her why she
didn't return. She wouldn't leave him and especially her
young granddaughter at least not until Xan had a new
mother, a prospect that didn't look bright anytime soon.
The burning in his chest told him that his mother was right
about getting to know himself. When had she not been?
Perhaps a vision quest would bring him peace.
The burden on his shoulders eased now that his decision
was made, and he cracked a grin. "I'll go, but it's our secret. I
won't have the town delving into something so personal. I
think you and Xan should accompany me. School's out in a
month and you can visit with Hugh and his family for the
summer."
A slow smile dawned over his mother's beautiful face. "I'll
call Hugh and confirm our arrival."
Confirm? He shot her a stare. He'd played into her hands.
"It's a good thing you're on my side."
[Back to Table of Contents]
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Chapter Nine
Breanna didn't know who she missed more Patsy from
the Coconut Springs office or Leann from this one. The FLPD
hadn't been the same since Leann resigned to be a full time
wife and mother. The woman who had taken Leann's position
was nice enough, but was more of a motherly figure than a
friend.
But being without a close female friend or sister, or a man
worthy of flirting with, gave Breanna time to ponder her life.
She'd come to the conclusion that she'd never grieved
properly or dealt with her problems head on. Perhaps if her
mother were alive, she would have. Perhaps if she'd stayed in
Coconut Springs and not run away from her family.
Confronting Troy had not been the cleansing step in her
recovery she had hoped it would be. Upon the advice of the
station psychologist in whom she'd confided since returning to
work, she joined a support group for mothers who had
miscarried children. From there, she was in training to be a
peer counselor. Many of her evenings were spent in this
training, which would be a surprise to most people who
thought they knew her. Perhaps she was finally growing up.
"You've changed since coming back," Tim drawled late one
afternoon as she delivered a packet of evidence to his desk.
Intrigued against her will, she paused in front of his desk
that had become a shrine to his wife and new son. Shrugging,
she gazed into his eyes, wondering if he was perceptive
enough to glean how the change had manifested. She was
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curious to see if he thought she was pining away for the
Sheriff, which of course she wasn't. "How so?"
Her friend leaned back in his chair and squinted. "You've
matured. You're becoming quite a woman."
"How nice of you to notice after marrying someone else,"
she joked, although she was secretly pleased at the
compliment.
"Did he hurt you that badly?" he asked.
His protective brotherly tone of voice warmed her. Neither
one of them had to voice Troy's name to know to whom Tim
referred. "Only because I let him. I'm not giving him that kind
of power anymore. I'm taking back my life and moving
forward."
"Hallelejuah. Not that the sheriff's a bad sort."
"Whose side are you on?" Breanna pretended to glower at
the lieutenant and wondered if he was up to no good. "It had
better be mine." She was teasing well, halfway anyway.
"Of course, I'm on your side. Don't forget the game
tonight. Field three at the Pond at seven sharp."
Breanna shook her head. "Can't make it tonight, Captain."
Tim turned a sickly shade of green. "But we might have to
forfeit without you. Our best second baseman can't desert
us."
"No can do. I can't miss my first night of class."
Excitement tingled through her. Even though she hated to
miss the ball game, she was even more anxious to move
ahead with her new career.
"What class? You're not taking up woodworking at night
school to meet guys, are you?"
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He had the old Breanna pegged, but not the new one. "I'm
taking psychology. I'm studying to become a grief counselor."
"Doctor Breanna? Who'd have thunk?"
"Thought," she corrected him, showering him with a sunny
smile. "Yes, me. Why not me? I finally figured out what I
want to be when I grow up. Don't worry. The course takes
several years to complete, especially at night school, so I'm
not abandoning you for a long time." She backed away a
couple of steps before adding, "I'll just miss a few games if
they fall on class nights."
Tim closely regarded her as he tapped his chin with his
pencil. "If it takes so long in night school, why not go to
college full time during the days?"
The idea appealed but how would she support herself?
Grants and scholarships only paid a portion of the cost, even
for community college. "How would I live?"
"Your family doesn't exactly strike me as paupers. Maybe
Big Jack would put you through school. Or you could live at
home and get a part-time night job."
"Perhaps..." This situation had a lot to think about. She
wouldn't ask her father to pay for her college. But he and
Sierra had begged her to come home so she knew they would
welcome her back. Maybe now was a good time to prove
Coconut Springs was still her home. Her new dream
superseded her need to avoid the Sheriff. As long as she
wasn't working for him, she wouldn't see him that often.
She'd have her nose stuck in textbooks most of the time and
her mind and heart into school.
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"I'll think about it." Indeed, she would investigate the
colleges within driving distance of the Parker Ranch. She
turned to resume her deliveries, feeling wonderful about her [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] - zanotowane.pl
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