Once Broken (Dove Creek Chronicles) (22 page)

I picked up the third album and sat for a moment before opening it. I knew what pictures were inside, and tears filled my eyes at just the thought of them. But I wanted to sit and remember the good times with my dad, even if it was painful. I took a sip of my coffee as I blinked to clear my vision. The very first photograph was one of me holding up a huge catfish. I was grinning at the camera like the wild little thing that I was, and I could remember my dad smiling back at me from behind the lens when he took the picture.

The following pages held more of the same . . . Camping
trips, hunting trips. My first deer, Jimmy’s first bobcat, my first feral hog, Dylan’s first turkey, and on and on. We were all either covered in dirt or mud, and there was some sort of animal in nearly every picture. As I went along, the pictures changed. Jimmy was missing from them, and they were more sporadic. I could tell from how much Dylan and I changed between the photographs that they weren’t taken as often as the ones earlier on. Then, somewhere in my later teenage years, the pictures stopped completely.

There were several blank pages left in the back of the album, a stark reminder of all the things my dad had missed. High school graduation, my engagement to Dominic, college graduation, my wedding . . . He had missed them all. I had come to understand why, but he was still missing from some of the most important moments in my life.

I sighed and took a sip of my cooling coffee. No more tears fell from my eyes; I was beginning to feel at peace.

My dad had come back when it mattered most. He had been here when we needed him more than ever. I believed my father had gone out as he wanted to – facing down an enemy, protecting those around him. Protecting his children.

Now, Dylan would help me carry that legacy.

I RETURNED TO HEADQUARTERS THAT
evening, ready for what was to come. First thing was first: My little brother needed to be trained.

Dylan was already inside, talking to Hugo at the table in
the kitchen. They were discussing how the Amasai got started, but both looked up and smiled when they saw me. I felt a wave of affection rise up from the pit of my stomach into my throat at the sight of my mentor and my brother welcoming me. It was then that I understood why I always felt more at home at our headquarters than I was anywhere else. I
was
home.

Gabriel came in the front door not long after I did, and greeted us all. As he often did, he gave my shoulder an encouraging squeeze. He didn’t ask me how I was or if I was okay, though I could sense the unspoken question.

“Ready to go? Sunset’s in twenty.”

I grinned at him. “Always.”

“Be careful, Remi,” Dylan said, rising from his seat.

I met him halfway and we hugged tightly. “You know better than that, Dyl.”

“Yeah. I do.” He laughed, a lovely sound that reminded me of our father. I was grateful to hear it, but I knew my brother had a tough road ahead. I pulled back and looked at him with a mixture of love and significance.

“Welcome to the Amasai.”

About the Author

H. Anne Henry is a native of North Texas, where the flat, windswept landscape provides inspiration for the backdrop of the Dove Creek Chronicles.
When she isn't pecking away at a story, she spends her time chasing a busy husband and loving a spirited toddler . . . Or is that the other way around? She invites readers to connect with her at
hannehenry.blogspot.com
.

A Note from the Author

Dear Reader,

I sincerely hope that you enjoyed reading Once Broken as much as I enjoyed writing it. Now that you are finished reading it, will you please consider writing a review? Reviews are the most helpful way for readers to discover great new books. The time you take to write an honest review is truly appreciated by both me, the author, and other readers.

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