Page 45 of Our Sweet Destiny
Chapter Twenty-Six
JADE RODE RUDY hard, working out all of her frustrations about her family, the feud with the Bradens, and her worry about her father selling off part of the ranch.
When she’d arrived home that morning, her parents had already left for town, but she’d found papers on the table from a local surveyor. A quick snoop revealed that the idea of selling off pieces of the ranch wasn’t new. Some of the documents were dated as far back as five years. Had they always been hanging on by the skin of their teeth, or was he really trying to set things up so that her mother could stay in their home without worrying about taking care of the land if something should happen to him?
She rode along the tree line, her mind running in endless circles. She felt the charm beneath her shirt bouncing against her skin, and it brought a worried smile to her lips. After the night with Rex, her mind kept taking her down paths that led to a life with Rex, and she knew that was dangerous territory to hope for. He was protective, but not possessive, as she’d thought. The way he loved her was passionate and pure. From his touch to the love in his eyes, she knew she was anything but a cheap thrill for him. But what would it be like tobea Braden? Could she ever fit into their family without the feud hanging over her head? Were his brothers and sister as loyal to their father’s ideals as he was? What was it like for Savannah to grow up with all those brothers watching out for her?
Steve and Jade had been close growing up, but he wasn’t a protective brother in the sense that the Bradens were. The Bradens were all brawn and loyalty. Steve had always stayed out of Jade’s private life, other than asking about a date here and there. She didn’t love him any less for it, and it wasn’t until now that she’d even thought of the way the Bradens took care of one another. She’d seen Rex’s protective side when he’d knocked the snot out of Steve. All that childhood crush and adoration for the way Rex had protected his sister coalesced with the shame of liking a boy she knew she shouldn’t, one who had hurt her brother. The conflicting emotions had poured out in the form of tears on the very same comforter she currently used every night.
She rounded the front paddock and slowed Rudy to a trot. Jade had a full afternoon ahead, and at some point she’d have to face her father. She just hoped he wouldn’t see past her lie.
BERLE HANDLED HIS therapy well, and Jade was pleased that he seemed to be over all of the discomfort he’d been having. Now, if she could only do something for her own discomfort.
On the way back home, she stopped at the library to do a little research on the dance of two lovers—anything to delay seeing her father. The Weston Library was a historical stone building with two-story ceilings and cherry shelves that lined the walls of the large structure.
“Hey there, Jade. So great to see you. How’s your mom?” Polly Wright asked from behind the desk by the door.
Jade had gone to school with Polly’s daughter, Krista. Krista had gotten pregnant right after high school and had married the father, Tom Hardwick. Last Jade had heard, Krista had a house full of children and an unhappy marriage. She was careful to avoid that topic.
“She’s doing great, thanks for asking. I just came in to use one of your computers.”
Polly leaned over the desk and spoke in a hushed tone. “I’m really sorry to hear about your family’s troubles. With the price of things these days, it’s amazing any of us can stay afloat.”
Jade tried to hide her surprise.Does the whole town know?If her father was just posturing with the whole financial demise aspect in order to create a safety zone for her mother as she grew older, then he was doing it at the expense of his own reputation. She didn’t know what to think anymore. What if she’d chosen to believe the wrong explanation and they really were having financial troubles?
“We’ll be fine. Thanks, Polly.” She headed to the computers by the back window with her head down.
She did a quick library search on the dance of two lovers, and nothing came up. Not a book, a movie, or a myth of any kind.How could both Rex and the woman from the shop know what the dance of two lovers meant?As much as she wanted to avoid any further discussion about her father’s decision, she needed some answers. Polly was on her computer when Jade approached the desk.
“I’m really sorry to bother you, but I’m looking for information on a myth, the dance of two lovers? Have you ever heard of it?”
Polly blinked without answering, then squinted like she was thinking. Finally, she said, “Why, that’s one I’ve never heard of.”
Great.
“Catherine, have you heard of the dance of two lovers?” Polly called into the office.
Catherine had been the head librarian forever. She had to be at least seventy-five years old by now. Her shaky voice called back, “I haven’t heard that in forty years. Who’s asking?”
“Jade Johnson.”
She heard Catherine’s chair scoot across the wood planks. Then her slow footsteps approached. Catherine was a tall, large woman. She filled the doorframe between the office and the large desk, one hand gripping the edge of the frame. Her gray hair had always been cropped into a short, layered style, and as Jade looked at her now, she noticed that nothing had changed. Catherine’s sense of style remained constant: polyester slacks, jacket buttoned up to her neck, and flats that looked as tired as the wrinkles on her face.
“Jade Johnson.” Catherine smiled, exposing her impeccably straight yellowish teeth. “I hear you’re working wonders on the animals around here. It’s good to have you back in town.”
“Thank you. I’m glad to be home again,” Jade said with a smile. She had many fond memories of afternoons spent in the library studying while other kids were out on dates or with their friends. Catherine had supported her efforts by bringing in veterinary articles she’d cropped from magazines and newspapers.
“What is this about the dance of two lovers?” Catherine’s face grew serious; the lines around her mouth appeared more pronounced.
Without thinking, Jade reached up and touched the charm beneath her shirt. Careful among the eyes and ears of the library, she made up a story to back up her question. “I was in town the other day and heard someone say something about it. It was intriguing, so I thought I’d look it up.”
Catherine’s lips turned up into a curious, careful smile that did not reach her eyes. “Mm-hmm. Well, I doubt you’ll find anything on the dance of two lovers in any book. You could go ask Hal Braden about it.”
Polly snapped to attention. “Oh, no, no, Catherine. She couldn’t do that.”
Jade cringed at the truth of her situation.
“No, I guess you really can’t, can you?” Catherine narrowed her eyes in a way that made Jade’s nerves sting.
