“I’m not looking for anything from you, except maybe some answers. Just think about it.” Abel frustration was obvious as waited, and waited. The silence was almost deafening. “But since we’re obviously not welcome, we’ll leave.”
Abel grabbed her by the arm and began to tug her towards the door. Erin glanced over her shoulder, pleading silently with the other woman.
Katie hesitated for a moment, looking from Cain to Abel and back again. “Wait!” she cried out.
Erin planted her feet and refused to move. Short of dragging her all the way to the elevator or picking her up and carrying her, either of which was a distinct possibility, Abel was forced to stop. She heaved a sigh of relief when he came to a halt a few steps from the door.
Abel kept his back to them all, refusing to give an inch. She knew he felt that since he’d made the first move and been rebuffed, it was up to Cain to make the next move. Male pride could be such a pain in the ass at times like this.
Erin was trying to think of what to say to break the tension when Katie did it for her. It was all Erin could do not to laugh when the smaller woman turned on Cain and poked him in the chest.
“What’s wrong with you? I know you’ve only got one eye, but it’s obvious that this man is your brother.”
Cain heaved a sigh. “Katie…” he began, but she cut him off.
Katie ignored him and turned back to Abel. “Please don’t leave.” Her voice was soft and pleading. “I, at least, want to talk to you.”
Erin could see Abel’s resolve softening at Katie’s request. It faltered completely when she placed her hand on his arm and surprised him even further. “I’m your sister-in-law.”
Erin held her breath and waited to see what Abel would do.
Abel looked down at the small hand resting on his arm. Her strength was nothing compared to his, but she held him prisoner with a simple touch. It was almost too much for him to take in. He had a brother and a sister-in-law. Blindly, he sought Erin, needing her advice. When she looked at him and gave him a slight nod, he knew he had to see this through to the end or he’d regret it for the rest of his life.
Reaching out, he tugged Erin under his arm and felt better immediately with her by his side. “Erin and I are getting married in a couple of weeks, so I guess you’ll be sisters-in-law.”
Katie grinned with delight. “How wonderful! We’ve only been married a few months ourselves.”
“I don’t mean to break up the family reunion.” Cain’s laconic voice made them all turn towards him. “But what proof do you have that we’re related?” He crossed his arms across his chest and pinned them with his laser glare. “I find it interesting that you waited so long to find me. Perhaps it had something to do with my recent wedding announcement and the fact that they listed some of my various business assets in the article.”
His brother wasn’t giving an inch, and oddly enough, that reassured Abel. He’d have done the exact same thing in his brother’s position. It gave him a respect for the man who was his brother. It was time for an explanation.
“My parents were killed when I was eighteen, but it was only a week ago that I started going through their papers. Imagine my surprise when I found out that I was adopted and that my parents had purchased me from a couple who’d had twin boys. You’re older by the way. They sold their second born.” He laid it all on the line and held nothing back. He heard Katie gasp, but he was more interested in Cain’s reaction. “As for your money, I have more than enough of my own.”
“Abel’s a very successful writer,” Erin put in hastily. Abel glared at her, but she just glared back at him, totally unrepentant.
“Were your parents good to you?” Cain stood stiffly, his head cocked expectantly to one side.
Cain’s question took him by surprise. It was not the response he was expecting. “Yes, they were.” Abel wondered where his brother was going with this.
“Then you were the lucky one.” Cain shook his head and sighed deeply. “Nothing those people did would surprise me.”
Abel swallowed back the emotion that rose within him. It had never occurred to him that his brother’s childhood hadn’t been as good as his, and he was slightly ashamed for only thinking about himself. Anyone who could sell one of their children to strangers was indeed capable of anything.
“I’m sorry.” Abel didn’t know what else to say. Then a horrible thought occurred to him. “They didn’t have anything to do with your…” He didn’t quite know how to phrase his question.
“My deformity?” Cain seemed to have no problems addressing his appearance. “No, that was a fire when I was in college, but that’s another story. As for my childhood, that’s all water under the bridge.” He shrugged off the concern. “Life is good now and that’s all that matters.” As Cain spoke, Katie went to her husband and wrapped her arm around his massive frame.
“Why don’t we all go into the living room and get acquainted?” Katie said.
Cain nodded and seconded her invitation. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to do a little more convincing, Garrett. But, I’m curious to know how you found me.”
Abel grinned at his brother as they all walked into the living room. “Didn’t I mention that I’m a true crime writer? Investigation is what I do best.”
Cain gave a snort of laughter, but it quickly died when Abel reached into his pocket and pulled out his mother’s journal and the documents that both their parents had signed. He took the documents without saying a word and walked towards the window before opening them.
Abel stood in the middle of the living room with his hands in his pockets, waiting to see what his brother’s reaction would be when confronted by such irrefutable proof. Now that he’d met Cain, he felt connected to this other man. It would be a hard thing to swallow if Cain decided he wanted nothing to do with him. Cain was the only remaining family he had.
Then again, no, that was no longer true. He could feel Erin waiting patiently beside him, and just her mere presence soothed his battered soul. Erin and her brothers were his family now. As long as he had Erin, he didn’t need anyone else, but he really wanted the opportunity to know this stranger who was his brother.
Cain finished reading the papers and then took another minute to flip through the journal before closing it. Tilting back his head, he closed his eye and swallowed hard. Katie went to him and laid her hand on his chest, and Cain gathered her into his arms. It was an intensely personal moment, and Abel felt like an intruder. He felt himself backing away from the other couple, but Erin stopped him simply by placing her hand on his back.
Cain bent down and planted a tender kiss on Katie’s forehead, and she clung to him for a moment before releasing him. Turning, he walked back across the room and handed the documents back to Abel. “So, where do we go from here?” Cain gave no indication how he felt about the situation or even if he believed they were indeed twins.
Abel hesitated before gradually extending his hand. “I’m Abel Benjamin Garrett, and I’m your brother.”
Cain looked at Abel’s hand and swore softly. A second later, he wrapped his arms around his brother and held him tight. The sight of the two strong men embracing each other brought tears to Erin’s eyes. Katie swiped at the tears running down her face and gave Erin a watery smile. It was a good beginning.
Chapter Nineteen
Abel was still wired late that night as he stood in front of their hotel window and gazed out the window. They had made plans to meet Cain and Katie for lunch tomorrow, and Abel was surprised at just how excited he was about spending time with them. Erin and Katie had already made tentative plans for Cain and Katie to come to Meadows for the wedding. It seemed that he and his brother were alike in at least one way. They both would do whatever it took to make their women happy.