Lone Star Secret

Anna couldn’t think of a better, more honorable man than Commander Morrison. Or a more loyal friend than Trisha.

“Are you sure?” she asked Trisha, her hand tightening on the arm of her chair.

Trisha nodded. “Oh, yes. Daddy left this for me to open after his death. It’s all right here, Anna.” She held the envelope up, but didn’t give it to Anna. “And you won’t believe who my half brother is. You just won’t believe it.”

Anna swallowed back her own shock. “Are you sure you want me to know?”

“You need to know,” Trisha replied. “You have to know. But you need to understand, the man has no idea, no idea at all, that we had the same father. He doesn’t even know who his father was, according to this letter.”

Anna felt sick at her stomach. “Trisha, you’re scaring me. Just tell me, please.”

Trisha leaned close, her words barely above a whisper. “My half brother just got home a few days ago. He’s back at Fort Bonnell. He escorted Ali here.” She gasped, clutched a hand to her mouth. “It’s David, Anna. My brother’s name is David Ryland. He’s back but he doesn’t know that my daddy was his father. Oh, Anna, I have no idea how I’m going to tell him.”

Anna couldn’t speak. Last night she’d enjoyed her visit with David. She’d even hoped…Well, no need to hope for things that were impossible. There was no hope for them once David heard this news. It would make things very uncomfortable for them since he would soon find out that Trish and she were best friends. “I don’t know what to say.”

Trisha shook her head. “Me, either. Maybe I’ll just try to avoid him.”

Then Anna let out a gasp. “That might not be so easy. He came by last night. Trisha, he volunteered to help out around here. Starting today.”

Trisha jumped up out of her chair. “I can’t be here when he arrives. I’m not ready for that.” Before Anna could stop her, she rushed out of the house, slamming the big front door behind her.

Anna looked at the stack of mail on her desk and let out a sigh. She felt sick to her stomach. The phones were ringing, she had mail to read and a meeting with her board of directors to update them on the budget for next year. She tried to block out Trisha’s news.

“Why him, Lord?” she whispered as she took a sip of the herbal tea she always kept nearby. “Why David Ryland?”

And why was she suddenly caught in the middle of this drama? Caught between keeping a secret for her best friend and keeping the truth from the man she’d just met and had just a smidgen of interest in?

Probably just as well that I try to stay clear of David myself, she thought. When did she even have time for a serious relationship anyway? She’d given up on love, and her work had become her first love. But it would have been nice…so nice…to get to know David, maybe even in a romantic way. Anna had forgotten what romance was all about. But she couldn’t possibly think along those terms now, not with this big secret standing between them. She’d promised Trisha she wouldn’t tell anyone about David’s parentage. And it was Trisha’s place to tell him when the time came.

Caitlyn walked in, armed with files and records for the meeting. “Hi, Anna.” Dropping the files on Anna’s cluttered desk, she sat down. “What’s wrong?”

Anna couldn’t divulge her worries about David and Trisha, or mention how he made her heart do strange things, so she told Caitlyn about the prayer request Olga had called to discuss a few minutes ago. One that concerned Caitlyn and her children.

“Whitney and John Harpswell still haven’t answered their e-mails from Evan and it’s been weeks now. The twins haven’t heard anything from them recently, have they?”

She was worried about Whitney and John. She didn’t have to pretend on that subject. The newlyweds were overseas doing their duty for their country, but according to Whitney’s brother, Evan Paterson, no one had heard from them in a while. Caitlyn Villard was COTD’s care coordinator since she’d moved back to Prairie Springs to raise her nieces after the deaths of her sister and brother-in-law in the war. She would want to keep close tabs on this situation, too.

Caitlyn sat down in the old chair across from Anna’s desk. “No, and we’ve been worried, too, but their correspondence is somewhat sporadic at best.”

“Evan says Whitney always gets back to him within a day or two, just to let him know she’s safe.”

Caitlyn bit her lip. “I’ve tried to keep this from the twins, but they’ll start asking questions soon. Is there anything we can do?”

“I’ve called several people already,” Anna said, glad to be able to focus on this instead of her own recent upset. “I’m waiting to hear back, but the press has already gotten wind of it and they’ve been calling all morning, thinking I might have a connection over there. I can’t give the press my liaisons over there. Too dangerous.”

Anna put her hands together on her desk then dropped her head to say a prayer for their safety while Caitlyn added her own “Amen.” While it wasn’t unusual for soldiers to go weeks at a time without any letters or e-mails, depending on where they were located, this particular couple had been corresponding with Caitlyn’s young nieces through the Adopt-a-Soldier program at Prairie Springs Christian Church.

Olga had suggested the twins participate since they’d lost their parents to the war. The little girls had had a hard time dealing with their parents’ deaths, so Anna prayed they wouldn’t have to go through yet another horrible grief.

“I hope we hear from them soon.” Then she glanced up at Caitlyn. “I haven’t had a chance to track down any of my sources to see what they’ve found.”

“Let me do that for you,” Caitlyn offered, taking the file Anna had been studying. “I’ll get on it right now. Maybe Steve can help, too. We’ve both been so worried, anyway.”

Anna crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s horrible. I wish this war could just be over, but war is never really over. It just changes locations.” She tried not to let her own bitterness show whenever she was dealing with the victims of war, but she couldn’t help herself. Sometimes, it was just too much. Shaking off the negative attitude, she got up, letting her efficient secretary, Laura, answer the ringing phone. “And yet, we soldier on, right?”

“Right,” Caitlyn said, standing. “Maybe I can find out something for us, at least.”

As Caitlyn was heading back across the hall to her own office, Anna called, “Oh, by the way, we have a new volunteer coming in today to help with the playground construction. David Ryland.”

“Oh, really?” Caitlyn’s smug look only added to Anna’s confusion and frustration. “He seems like a good person.”

“He is nice,” Anna replied. “And he’s on leave, of course, so he wanted something to do.”

“Or maybe he wanted to be around you some more,” Caitlyn said, smiling.

Anna glanced around the lobby, glad to see no one was waiting there. “C’mon now, you know I’m much too busy for a relationship.”

“Maybe that’s about to change,” Caitlyn replied.

Anna’s phone rang just as Laura came running from the back of the house. Caitlyn winked then went back to her office.

“I’ve got it,” Anna said, waving her secretary back to her desk tucked in a corner out in the hall and hurrying back to her own office.

It was Trisha. “I need to ask you something. Is the coast clear?”

“He’s not here yet, if that’s what you mean,” Anna said, lowering her voice.

“Good. I’m outside.”

Anna shook her head as Trisha came in, waved to Caitlyn and Laura, then entered the office and shut the door. Again.

“Okay.” Anna sat down in her squeaky chair. “What?”

Trisha threw down her leather tote then sat across from Anna. “What’s he like? My brother, I mean? You said you had a good visit with him last night.”

Hearing Trisha call David her brother jarred Anna. “He’s a good man,” she said, careful to stay neutral on the subject in spite of the way the man made her heart flutter. “He cares about our country and he’s very dedicated to his job. And he was so humble about bringing Ali to us.”

Trisha twisted a silky strand of her long brown hair. “Humble is good. But surprising. My father was anything but.”

“You’re right on that account,” Anna agreed. “Even though your father was always kind to me, I’ve seen him dress down soldiers many times over.”

Trisha’s eyes misted. “He was always sweet to me, though. Firm, but loving. I miss him so much.” She pressed her knuckles down on the desk. “Does David…does he look like my daddy?”

Anna pursed her lips, David’s tall, rugged form coming into her mind with a perfect clarity. “He’s tall and muscular, with dark hair and eyes. Yes, I guess now that I think about it, he does have your father’s smile. David has a very nice smile.”

Trisha’s eyebrows lifted at that. “Sounds as if you noticed a lot about him.”

Anna sat up and started straightening the clutter on her desk. “Last night wasn’t the first time I’ve talked to him. We did have breakfast together the other day after we saw Ali safely to the hospital, but Steve and Caitlyn brought the twins and ate with us,” she replied, hoping her blush didn’t give her away. “And I’m very observant. You know that.”

Trisha’s smile was indulgent. “Yes, I do know that. So…you think he’s okay, then?”

“I think David is just fine. And I do wish you’d call him up and ask him to meet you. You need to tell him everything. I don’t like knowing this and not telling him. Especially when he’s due here at any minute.”

“I’m trying to find the courage,” Trisha admitted. “I want to meet him first, see how he reacts to me. That’s why I came back, but first I wanted to talk to you again. He won’t know who I am, really. But I’d like him to get to know me before I blurt out that I’m his sister.”

Anna leaned forward on the old metal desk. “I think David could use some family here. He wasn’t very forthcoming about his mother. I wonder about that relationship.”

“Well, she lied to him his whole life. We don’t know what she told him regarding his absent father. That has to hurt.” Trisha thought for a moment. “I do know that my father left some sort of trust fund to help his mother with finances.” She shook her head. “I can’t imagine how much more hurt he’s going to be when he finds out the truth.”

“You’re both hurt by this,” Anna said, wishing she could ease that pain. “But I believe there is a reason for everything. David chose to come back here. It’s an opportunity to make things right. You have to tell him the truth.”

Trisha nodded. “I will, I promise. But not just yet.”

Anna hugged her friend close. “But soon, okay?”

“Okay.” Trisha turned to leave. “I’ll go get us some fresh tea, so we can tackle these files then get on with the care-package drive. The other volunteers will be here soon and I want to be ready to roll.” She stopped, glancing out the window. “And I’ll stay clear of David for now. So don’t mind me. I won’t make a fuss.”

“Good idea,” Anna said. “And just to keep myself busy so I don’t blurt anything out, I’ll go into the boardroom and get the monthly reports distributed before the board members start arriving.” Then she heard the squeaking old front door opening. Glancing out through the glass of her office door, she saw David standing a few feet away. “Oh, we have company.”

Trisha’s eyes grew wide as she turned to stare at the tall, dark-haired man who’d entered the central hallway of the rambling old mansion. “We sure do.” She whirled back to Anna. “Is that—?”

Anna grasped her friend’s arm, causing Trisha to yelp in pain. “Sorry.” She sent Trisha a look that told her friend to stay put. “Yes, that’s him.”

The man looked up then waved through the closed glass door, his smile widening. “Hello.”

“Hello, Chief Ryland,” Anna called, her fingers putting pressure on Trisha’s elbow. “You’re right on time.”

Trisha inhaled a breath. Anna could feel the tension in her friend’s stance, but she held steady to Trisha’s arm while they waited for David to stroll across the hall and into Anna’s office. “Actually, Chief Terenkov, I thought I was a little early. But I’m ready to get started on that playground.”

Anna let go of Trisha then pushed at her always-falling-down hair. “Good. I’ll just show you where everything is. We’ve ordered all the proper equipment and supplies.”

David chuckled, clearly enjoying her discomfort. Then he looked over at Trisha. “Hi. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m David Ryland.”

Trisha shot Anna an anxious look, then suddenly remembered her manners. “Hi, I’m Trisha Morrison,” she said, extending her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I mean, I’ve heard so much about you. Anna was just saying—”

“Trisha Morrison? Are you related to Commander Morrison?”

“He was my father,” Trisha said, her head down. “He died last month.”

David didn’t look surprised. “We got the news. I’m sorry.” Then he put his hands on his hips. “I guess you don’t remember me, huh?”

Trisha looked toward Anna for help, fear and dread evident in her eyes. “No, I’m afraid I don’t. Should I?”

“Never mind,” David said. “I was a senior in high school when you were a freshman. It was a long time ago.”

Trisha held tightly to her files and her tote bag. “I—I’m glad you made it safely home, David.”

“We are indeed thankful that you managed to get Ali here for his surgery,” Anna said to change the subject. “We do appreciate it.”

“Yes, we do,” Trisha echoed. “Very much.”

“Please, no more thanks.” David gave them another quizzical look. “I wasn’t the only one. A whole lot of people care about little Ali. It’s hard for a child to have to grow up without a parent. And now he’s lost both of his.”

Trisha busied herself with gathering files. “I—I have to go get busy.”

Anna gave her friend a sympathetic look. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, pretty sure,” Trisha said, her eyes misting up again. “I—it was nice to meet you, Chief Ryland.”

“Call me David,” David said as Trisha rushed past him. Then he turned to Anna. “Was it something I said? I think I remember her from high school, but maybe I have the wrong girl. She was a lot younger than me.”

Anna’s heart went out to David and Trisha. Trying to find the right words, she replied, “You’ll have to forgive Trisha if she doesn’t remember. She’s been trying to deal with her father’s death and a whole lot of other things.”

“General Davis Morrison was a real soldier’s soldier. His daughter might not remember me, but I sure remember him, even before he became commanding officer. And even before I joined the army. I used to see him on the evening news.”

Anna’s heartbeat accelerated. Even their first names were similar. “So you knew him personally?”

David shook his head. “Oh, no, nothing like that. We didn’t run in the same crowd of course. I knew of him. A regular legend in his own time.”

“He was that, indeed,” Anna said. “His death hit all of us very hard.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. He was a good soldier.”

“Yes, he was dedicated to his country and the army.”

David nodded as he glanced across the hall to where Trisha was now talking to a woman who’d just come in. “I didn’t mean to upset her.”

Anna wished she could change the subject, but she had to be careful. Trisha was putting on a good show, but she knew her friend was just trying to avoid the issue. “She’ll be all right. Her mother died a few years ago and now her father. She’s feeling all alone and it’s been hard for her to adjust.”

“Wow, that is tough. Does she work here?”

“She volunteers here,” Anna explained. “Trisha inherited her father’s estate, so she doesn’t have to work for a living. She had just moved back from Dallas when it happened, so she hasn’t taken the time to decide what to do with her life. But she helps out here a lot, and she is looking for something to fulfill her, I think.” She nodded toward the door. “She’s a whiz with fundraising, so I’ve put her in charge of our annual black-tie ball. I’ll send you an invitation.”

David scoffed. “I don’t do black tie. But I can do just about anything else you need done around here. So…what do you say we get started?”

Anna let out a sigh of relief. If he stayed out back all day, he could avoid Trisha’s overly curious stares.

“I’ll take you out to the old garage where we have everything stored,” she said.

David followed her out the door and down the long hall.

And Trisha stood at the door of Caitlyn’s office, watching them all the way.

Chapter Five

“So I hear Ali is doing okay. Maddie told me she went by to see him the other day.”

Anna smiled at the way David’s eyes lit up whenever he mentioned Ali. She watched as he stacked fresh lumber against the porch railings. He’d brought it over earlier so he could get started on repairing the back steps. And, Anna thought thankfully, her mother, who usually hovered around and helped out as needed, was over at the grief center at Prairie Springs Church, probably flirting with the reverend.

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