Read The Touch of Her Hands [The Wind River Pack 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) for Free Online Page B

to my home in the mountains of Wyoming.”
    Consuela nodded. “Yes, your people have a great need of her gift, do they not?”
    “Yes, ma’am. The children of my family are very sick.”
    “Know this, Zack Wind River. Aurelia has a gift, but she is a gift herself. Treat her right. Cherish her and bring her no pain or you will face my anger.”
    Zack laid his hand over his heart. “I swear to you, Mrs. Renyana.”
    “Please call me Abuela. It means grandmother.”
    “I swear to you, Abuela, I will give her a good life.”
    Consuela smiled. “I believe you.”
    “Where is she, Abuela? I’m anxious to see her again.”
    Consuela moved back to her chair. “She is not here, child. She has a small cabin up the mountain a ways. She lives there, alone.”
    “Why didn’t she stay with your family? Alvara told me he was sending her to live with his family so they could protect her.”
    The old woman sighed. “It became impossible for her to live here in peace. There is one here that developed feelings that she could not return. She thought it best for everyone if she made her own place, away from our home.” She raised her gaze and looked into Zack’s eyes. “And I agreed with her. There was no reason to tempt fate.”
    “So how do I find her?”
    “My el esposo de hija will take you to her.” When Zack frowned, she laughed. “My daughter’s husband.”
    Before Zack could respond, the door flew open and a man who looked like a younger version of Jorge stomped into the room. “No, Abuela. I will not allow this Americano to go into the hills after the little one.”
    “Deje, mi nieto. No one can stand in the way of destiny without expecting to get hurt, and I love you too much to see you hurt. You will obey me in this, Ernesto.”
    Ernesto turned his hate-filled gaze to Zack. “Bastardo.” Then he left, slamming the door behind him.
    Consuela smiled sadly. “That was my grandson, Ernesto. He believes himself to be in love with Aurelia, even though she never gave him any indication that she returned his feelings. He will hurt when she leaves, but he will recover. His destino lies in a different direction.”
    Zack sighed. “When can I go to Aurelia?”
    “It is near our comida del mediodia, or our noon meal as you Americanos would say. Stay, feast with us, and my son will guide you to the little one this afternoon.”
    Zack nodded. A few more hours wouldn’t hurt.
     
    * * * *
     
    Aurelia looked around her one-room cabin and tried to decide what had awakened her. She’d laid down for a siesta after a rather large lunch, but now something didn’t feel quite right. She padded to the window silently, but couldn’t hear any sound of an intruder. The sky was pale blue and filled with bright sunlight. A couple of wispy clouds decorated the blue expanse. Frowning, she picked up the heavy boots she wore for hiking, pulled them over her thick socks, and made her way outside. The jungle was oddly quiet. An abnormal calm settled over her as she crouched under the cover of some low-growing palms. Breathing shallowly and slowly, she calmed her rapid heart rate. She never had unplanned visitors, and yet someone was approaching her position.
    Licking her lips, she peeked through the palm fronds and saw three approaching males. She breathed a sigh of relief as she recognized Tio Jorge. Ana and Jorge had insisted she call them aunt and uncle from the very first day she arrived at their home. It gave her a warm feeling to belong to their family.
    “Hola, Tio Jorge.” Aurelia stood up and stepped out onto the path. “What brings you on a hike this afternoon?”
    “I bring you Americano visitors, little one,” Jorge said.
    Her breath caught as her gaze jumped to the two strangers. And then, she felt her heart race as she recognized the man who’d saved her from a life of captivity. With a small cry, she threw herself into Alvara Medina’s arms and sobbed. “It’s you. It’s really you. My friend. Te quiero amigo.”