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Finally, Britt said, “Joel, this is Kendra Zelner.”
Joel blinked and looked at his wife, then back to Kendra. “You look exactly like…”
He murmured as if speaking to himself, but she nodded anyway. Removing the photo from her pocket, she slid it across the table. “You look like him.”
He stepped forward to pick up the picture. A brief flash of pain crossed his features before his expression became shuttered. “That’s my dad, Jack.” He handed the picture to Britt and started toward the sink.
“Jack,” Kendra repeated softly. “Mom didn’t give a name.”
“Mom?” He spun around. “No. That’s not possible…you’re a cousin…or niece—”
Kendra shook her head in denial, her mouth dry. This was a complete shock to him. Like it had been to her when she’d read her mother’s letter the afternoon she’d died. She wished she hadn’t kept her promise to open it only after her mother passed. This might have been easier two years ago with her help. Since then, her cowardice had equaled her mother’s. She hadn’t had the nerve to meet him—was only here now because she had nowhere else to turn.
Joel looked at Britt in astonishment. “I have a sister?”
“And a brother,” Kendra added. “Well, half-sister, half-brother. His name is Noah, he’s eight years old.”
“He’s with Cody in the barn,” Britt said when Joel looked around the kitchen.
He seemed to have lost direction and sat at the table. Kendra watched several emotions play across his face. Confusion, anger, and dare she hope—joy?
“How old are you?” he asked.
“Twenty-four.”
He remained silent for another few moments. Kendra wished she knew what to say, but nothing came to mind.
“Where is she now?” Joel asked. The words seemed wrung out of him, as if he hated to ask but couldn’t hold back the question.
Just as much, Kendra dreaded giving the answer. “She died of cancer two years ago.”
His gaze swung to his wife, and Kendra could see that the news hurt. She was surprised by the urge to reach out and comfort him, but didn’t know what he’d do. It was Britt who offered support, clasping his hand as she stared into his eyes with silent understanding.
Kendra felt a tug in her chest. She’d never been witness to such a clear, strong bond of love. The only time she’d come close was the certainty she’d felt when she’d left everything behind to keep Noah safe from Robert—and she’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Joel refocused on Kendra. “So, tell me about you. Where do you live? What do you do? What brings you here now?”
She hadn’t expected the subject to arise so soon, but maybe it was better to get it out of the way. She took a deep breath and held his gaze with difficulty, only to have her nerves attack in full force. “Funny you should ask that.”
His expression grew wary and Kendra almost didn’t continue. Hard as it would be, she wished she could skip what came next and figure out some way to fend for herself. But with Noah foremost in her mind, she forged ahead. “We need a place to stay—just for awhile—until we can get on our feet.”
Joel’s eyes narrowed. “I distinctly remember the man Vivian left with had money—a lot of money. Where’s Daddy now?” In spite of the glimpse of pain earlier, now his contempt for both of her parents was palpable—as was his suspicion.
“He died when I was sixteen,” Kendra said. “Noah’s all I have left.”
And if you don’t help, we have nowhere else to go.
She leaned forward in earnest, scared he’d toss her and Noah out on their backsides. Glancing at Britt, Kendra knew she had to somehow convince the both of them. “I know us showing up here is a shock, and I’m sorry. I don’t expect any handouts, I can work. I’ll get a job in town, or I could help out around here—whatever you need done. Please.”
She hated the desperation that crept into her tone, especially when she saw the doubt in his eyes. He was going to say no, she knew it. Her pulse picked up speed. Her throat seemed to shrink. Her fingers clenched in her lap. Tears stung her eyes, but she willed them away. Now was not the time for one of her panic attacks.
“Maybe she could pick up some of Todd’s duties,” Britt suggested.
Both Kendra and Joel’s gazes swung to her. Britt smiled softly at Joel, and after a moment of silent communication, Joel turned back to Kendra. “Can you handle horses?”
She opened her mouth to say no, but quickly changed her mind. She’d seen The Horse Whisperer, how hard could it be? “Of course.”
Joel and Britt shared a longer moment of silence. Finally, he said in a cautious tone, “Okay, then, you can stay.”
