Sacred Ground (33 page)

"Yes, I'm sure it must have been. I can't believe what I thought about him. I was as blind and stubborn as he was. I thought . . . I guess it doesn't matter anymore, does it?"
Willow
asked, shaking her head. "When the boys start school next fall, Brett is going to work with Doctor Potter to get his vet degree. It won't be easy, but we're confident he can do it. He's really excited about it."

"This is good to hear." Antelope Tipi stopped to sit on a chair in the waiting room.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.

"Of course.
What would make you ask such a silly question?

She looked carefully at her aging father. "You never stop to rest like this. Are you feeling ill or―?"

"Stop fretting. This looked like a comfortable chair, so I thought I would check it out. It is a good choice. I will remember it for the next time I come here." He looked at
Willow
and shook his head as he got to his feet. "You young people worry too much."

* * *

"What on earth!"
Willow
gasped, staring at Sean's bald head.
"Your beautiful hair.
How come―"

"You like it?" Sean asked, rubbing his palm on the smooth skin.

"To be honest, I don't know what to think. I guess you don't look any less
bare
than Lance."

"That's the point. I figured if both of us had no hair the kids in school wouldn't be so hard on Lance. Together we fight pretty mean," he added.

"I can just imagine," Brett said, his voice deep with authority. "Don't you think it might have been a good idea to check with one of us first?"

"I checked with Grandpa John Steals Many Horses.” Sean looked over at his partner in crime. “Didn't I, Lance?"

"Yup.
Grandpa shaved it for him." Lance nodded, laughing into his hand.

"I'm going to have a chat with Grandpa," Brett said, moving to wrap his arm around
Willow
.

"You get the feeling things aren't going to get any easier?" she asked him.

"Nothing we can't handle, right fellas?" Brett asked.

Willow
smiled at the boys' raised thumbs, Lance's still wrapped in a multitude of
cloth,
Sean's hanging from a traction bar. She couldn't help rolling her eyes upward in defeat, knowing their gesture of brotherhood.

Brett shifted his feet. "We've got something to ask you guys."

Willow
waited until the room became silent. "By the time summer vacation is here, you two bull-riders should have had enough time to regain your strength." Her tone revealed her excitement. "What would you think about a real traditional Blackfeet wedding?" She laughed at their loud cheers of approval.

Brett raised his finger to his lips, quieting them once again. "But that's not all. Equally important, I'll be adopting you, Lance, so we'll be the Turner family. What do you think of that?"

The boys stared at each other for a moment,
then
smiled, giving each other a look that only brothers could understand.

"I'd like that," Lance said, tears forming.

"Me, too," Sean said with excitement. “It worked just like in Parent Trap.”

"Except it took them longer to get the idea," Lance pointed out.

"You're wrong," Brett said. "We fell in love on the way to get you beastly boys."

"You did?"

Willow
laughed at their unison response, pleased with their startled looks. "Yes, we did."

"But you kept yelling at each other," Lance said.

"Yeah, you couldn't stop," Sean added.

"We were too angry to let you boys know your plan worked. You guys endangered our lives, as well as your own. But, we've decided this family isn't keeping secrets, so you've a right to know it worked," Brett explained, hugging
Willow
to him.

"Wow. Can you believe it?" Lance asked.

"Wow. We did it!" Sean's voice held a tone of awe.

"One more thing, guys,"
Willow
announced. "We were thinking of going to
Hawaii
for our honeymoon."

 
"Cool," Lance said. "Are we going to stay at the Res with our relatives while you're gone?"

"Yeah.
We promise not to ride any bulls," Sean added.

Willow
couldn't help smiling. "That's comforting, but we thought we'd like to have you boys come with us. There'll be plenty to keep you busy, so we’ll have time to ourselves when we want it."

"
Hawaii
works," Sean answered, smiling.

"Yep.
Hawaii
works," Lance echoed.

Willow
shook her head and turned to face Brett. She accepted Brett's kiss and the boy's cheering giggles. It felt comfortable. Like that of a close, sharing family, and she liked it.

"A wife and two sons.
This feels right."

She accepted his kiss on the cheek. Together they looked at their sons, and then back at each other. In unison they repeated, "
Hawaii
works."

About the Author

Multi-published author Rita Karnopp knew at a very young age she wanted to be a writer—and penned her first story at age sixteen. She is drawn to the history of the Native American and strives to bring alive the authenticity of a time past. Whether writing suspense, Indian historicals, or contemporary romance, Rita enjoys bringing excitement and the enduring power of love to her stories.

Rita currently resides in
Montana
with her husband and their loveable Cockapoo named Gema.

When she isn't reading, writing or doing research, Rita enjoys making dream catchers, gold panning, crystal or sapphire digging, rafting, fishing, canoeing, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Check out her website at www.ritakarnopp.com. Contact her at BooksWeLove.com or write to her at [email protected].

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Best Regards and Happy
Reading
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