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  Chance joined Ana at the table and wolfed down a plate heaped with eggs and hash browns. She watched as his food disappeared, then ate as much as she could before Chance’s impatient stare made her set her fork down.

  “How ‘bout we get going?” Chance grabbed both their plates, rinsed them in the sink and set them on the drying rack. “George, we’re going to take a look around the property. Would you mind if I took Tallulah to drive ‘round the outskirts?”

  George nodded in response. “She likes a gentle hand.”

  “I remember. Grandpa taught me how to drive her.” Chance stared out the kitchen window, leaned against the counter and added, “Don’t worry about entertaining us today. I know you have work to get back to.”

  George gave Ana a wink before turning out the back door.

  Chance palmed the keys and tugged on her hand, practically dragging her outside. The fragrant smell of cattle was hard to avoid but it didn’t bother her as much as it had the day before.

  “So, who’s Tallulah?”

  With a smug grin, Chance led her toward a large barn. The red stain had worn through to reveal gray wood grain beneath. Although weathered, the structure still appeared sturdy. She didn’t realize just how big it was until she stood before it.

  Chance opened up the large doors and walked inside with Ana close behind. In the dim, dusty light, a pair of pale eyes stared back at her. If a truck could have a face, Tallulah had heaps of character. She was painted dull blue but patches of rust stretched down her length. The bumper and grill almost looked like they were smiling at her.

  “Meet Tallulah.” Chance patted the hood and then disappeared into a stall. Moments later, he reappeared holding a shovel. He dropped it into the back of the truck and slipped behind the wheel.

  The Ford 150 rumbled to life and he edged it out of the barn. Ana jumped inside and shut the door with a loud metallic bang. They drove past the house and continued along the dirt road in silence. Ana watched the prairie out her window. The flat landscape remained unchanged for another ten minutes until he slowed and turned off onto a path in the scrub that sported a faint set of tire tracks.

  The neglected path sloped down and the surroundings became increasingly wooded. Chance drummed his fingers on the steering wheel in rhythm to the squeaks and thumps of the truck as they sped over the uneven ground. Every spring in the bucket seat poked into her and she braced her feet to absorb some of the impact.

  Ana thought about her mother and the muscles in her throat tightened as her sadness welled up again. Melissa wouldn’t even give her a hug goodbye. She didn’t require her mother’s approval, but it hurt just the same.

  “I should really give Mom a call when we get back to the house. I hope she’s not still mad at me…” Ana said and glanced over at Chance, who was silent and absorbed in his own thoughts. It was clear driving wasn’t what was on his mind…

  Chance’s eyes blurred as he stared off in the distance, thinking about his grandfather. Those last moments had been haunting him since that fateful day. His surprise and joy when he discovered Niyol was a shifter as well had evaporated when Ana’s life line turned into a wispy thread. His thoughts went to the vision of his grandfather in wolverine form battering the bobcat, his ruby red maw and claws wet with Markus’s blood. Forced to shift and heal, their adversary had tried to scurry free as a prairie dog, but instead, he was pressed into the ground by Niyol’s forceful attack. The rattle of the old Ford truck was reminiscent of Ana’s sputtering heart and he felt his throat close up. Swallowing hard, he let out a shuddering breath. His grandfather’s voice echoed in his head. No, Chance, wait, were the last words he’d spoken.

  “Hello? You listening?” Ana said, clearly agitated.

  “Oh, sorry. Was thinking about Grandfather.” Chance glanced over, surprised. He’d almost forgotten he wasn’t alone.

  She winced after a particularly big pothole and asked, “How much farther?”

  “Sorry, we’re getting close,” he said as he let up on the accelerator and reached over to hold her hand.

  The truck climbed the top of a bluff and they caught one last view of the landscape before they descended a slope into a small field. A wall of evergreens greeted them as the ground leveled off. Chance turned parallel to the trees and parked before an outcropping of rocks that rose from the earth like ancient fists.

  Before Ana could reach for the door handle, a tinny creak sounded and suddenly her door flung open. Chance held his hand out and helped her from the rigid seat.

  As he went around the back of the truck, Ana wandered around the large boulders. He watched her disappear from view, set his hands on the tailgate and stared down at the yellow blades of grass at his feet as they waved in the breeze. As he thought about his grandfather, he reached over, and seized the shovel from the flatbed.

  He started off in search of Ana. Her familiar scent curled through the air and he followed her tempting perfume up a hill away from the trail. Past a rocky slope, he caught sight of her stretched out on a large log hewn in half, soaking up the sun’s rays. A blackened pit encrusted with stones lay feet away from her resting place. So many nights were spent with his grandfather in that very spot, at the mouth of a bonfire.

  It had been years since they had visited this place together. When Niyol had come to live with them, he’d left everything else behind. It had been too painful for him to continue to live in the same place he’d lived with Chance’s grandmother after she died. Once Chance met Ana, he understood the pain of living life without another. And that understanding had driven him to save her rather than live in a world without her.

  He rubbed his temple with his thumb and brushed his hair back as he moved silently to her side and watched her chestnut locks rustle in the breeze. It was then he realized something. “Hey, how’d you know where to go?”

  Ana’s eyes flipped open in surprise. “Oh, you got me that time. What do you mean?”

  “This is where grandfather buried the box. This is our spot.”

  “Oh, I don’t know, I just felt like exploring. I saw this sunny spot and thought I’d wait for you.” She sat up and shielded her sparkling green eyes from the sun.

  He kissed her forehead and let his fingers trail along the contours of her face before walking a few feet away, shovel in hand. Chance found the spot in his grandfather’s memories and after one last glance at Ana, he started digging. The soil was dry and mostly made up of gravel, but that didn’t faze him. He continued at a back-breaking pace, sending out tiny sparks as metal impacted stone. Finally, a loud, hollow thump rang out.

  Chance’s brows furrowed and he flung the shovel aside. He was on his hands and knees in no time, clawing at the dirt.

  “Hey, take it easy, you’ll hurt yourself. Slow down.”

  Ana’s words of concern had no effect on him. He continued until, with a grunt, he pulled a carved wooden box from the earth. It was no larger than a loaf of bread and appeared to have been resting in its grave for quite some time. Dust and gravel clung to it like barnacles on a pier.

  Chance joined Ana on the log. Silent and still, he stared at the box until Ana cleared her throat and said, “Are you ready?”

  His hands shook as he brushed free the debris from around the edges. He grasped the lid and pulled. Chance wanted to savor the moment. He assumed his grandfather had buried this box for him. There could be anything in it. However, what he wanted or needed most were answers. The death of his mentor and teacher had been devastating, and had only raised more questions. Since the moment he’d awakened to discover Niyol had died saving his life, he’d felt alone and a little afraid. Any connection to who and what he was had been severed.

  Chance glanced over his shoulder. His eyes combed the landscape, looking for anything out of place. Ana watched him and he gave her a reassuring smile.

  The lid of the box was crusted shut. Even though he had the strength to force it open, he did not want to damage it. After some gentle coaxing, its mouth opened and the
contents breathed fresh air for the first time in who knew how long.

  His heart pounded in excitement as he flipped the lid open and exposed some folded paper. Chance set the wooden box on his lap and picked it out. He flattened it on his lap, and recognized his grandfather’s familiar scratchy writing. He cleared his throat and read aloud,

  Dear Chance,

  If you are reading this letter, I have passed from this earth and you are a shapeshifter like our ancestors before us.

  Watching you grow from a child has been an honor. I have seen your enthusiasm for the natural world. Your understanding of animals is clear. I am not surprised you have our ancestral gifts.

  I hope I was able to teach you before my passing. If not, I am sorry. You must have questions. I will leave them to someone who knows more than I do. But I will try to explain my choices to you.

  My father was a shapeshifter and a shaman, following in the family line. My two brothers and I wished very much to be like him. One by one, my older brothers displayed shifting abilities. It is beyond my understanding but in rare circumstances when the power is awakened, it creates a hunger—a hunger for more power. Madness poisons the heart, and any memory of love dies. My eldest brother’s soul was poisoned. He hungered for more power so he took it from my brother and our father. It was my good fortune that saved me from his hunger, for he knew nothing of my own gifts, which had only just kindled.

  I ran and tried hiding from him and any others who would seek my powers. My feet took me south to Mexico, where I met my teacher. It was there I met your grandmother, Balam’s daughter. When I saw Itzel, my heart spoke to me. She was my new world. For a time I was trained by Balam, a wise instructor. I soon realized the power that was growing within me was also a beacon to other shifters.

  My devotion for your grandmother was too great. I did not wish to attract the attention from the soulless. All I wanted was to grow old with my love. Balam reluctantly let us go, and gave us a large dowry so that we could purchase the cattle ranch and live a quiet life. I promised him that if any of my descendents had the gift, I would train them for a time and let them make the choice to continue their education, an education taught by him.

  Chance, I am sorry I am not here to help guide you through your choices. It is a big decision and one that will affect your life forever. It should not be taken lightly. I know the choice you make will be the right one for you.

  I believe in you and in who you are. I know your heart. It is kind and true.

  If you choose to seek your great-grandfather, you must go to the ruins of Ek’ Balam in Mexico. You will not find him. He will find you. Trust is hard to earn from other shifters so one must be careful.

  I will be with you always,

  Niyol

  The letter crinkled in the wind. Chance gripped it tightly in his hands as he stared at his grandfather’s scrawled signature. He glanced up at Ana. Strands of long brown hair scattered across her face in the breeze and she mouthed, “Wow.”

  “My great-grandfather? Balam’s my great-grandfather? I can’t believe it.” He rubbed his temple. “I guess this whole time I’ve been telling the truth to Mom. I really am going to Mexico to look for family. Man, I’m not sure I can take any more surprises from Grandfather.”

  Ana rested her hand on his leg and offered him a sympathetic look. She pointed at the box and said gently, “Chance, look, there’s more.”

  He muttered under his breath, “What now?”

  While he folded the letter, he dropped his gaze and saw something gleam in the light. He pocketed the note, dipped his fingers inside the box and pulled out a dark green pendant. A face stared back at him. The jade jaguar grimaced menacingly as it swung from a worn leather cord.

  “Balam,” he said in a whisper.

  “Huh?”

  “Balam means jaguar. I wonder…” He hung the necklace around his neck. The Navajo bear heartline pendant tapped against its new companion.

  “Oooo, don’t forget these.” Ana withdrew some gold coins from the box and slipped them into Chance’s hands.

  They were the largest coins he had ever seen and they certainly weren’t machine punched or Mayan. The design pressed into their rippled surface seemed more European, with the clear outline of a king and queen.

  “I guess I won’t have to worry about money anymore. Wow. Grandfather was trying to look out for me even after…”

  Chance leaned forward, and Ana embraced him, guiding his head to her chest. The beating of her heart echoed in his ear and a tear dropped down his nose. He squeezed his eyes shut as his sorrow overtook him.

  I wish you were here with me, Grandfather.

  After a few minutes he pulled away and placed everything back into the box. As Ana stood up and retrieved the shovel from the dirt, Chance palmed a rock he found near his feet. With a yell, he threw it out across the grass, frightening some nearby ground squirrels into their holes—all but one, who stood on its back legs and barked a warning.

  Chapter 6

  “What are you more upset about—the fact I didn’t listen to you, or that you think something will happen to me?”

  Ana held her phone to her ear and stared at the wall. Chance was in the shower, so she’d figured now was a good time to check in with her mom.

  After a minute, Melissa’s hushed voice answered, “Both. I just don’t know what to say to you right now.”

  Tears welled in Ana’s eyes and her lip trembled. “Mom, please. You always said you wanted me to have a normal life like any other healthy kid. Well, now that dream’s come true and I want to live my life without regret. I’ll be safe. And I’m with Chance. He’d never let anything happen to me.”

  In the past, Melissa had never been able to withstand Ana tugging on her heartstrings. Ana wanted things resolved between them and hoped she would be forgiven. How could she truly enjoy herself on the trip if she knew the relationship with her mom had paid the price? She waited for her mother’s response anxiously.

  Melissa sighed and said, “If you’re heading through Denver why don’t you give Dr. Wilson a call? Maybe he can fit you in. Bet he’d like to see you again and take a listen to that miracle heart of yours.”

  Relief rushed through her. She knew things would take time to be set right again, but this was a step in the right direction.

  “Thanks, Mom. I’ll see if he can fit me in. But we’ll probably only stop in Denver for a day or two before taking off to Mexico.”

  “You’re still planning on driving there? I don’t like the sound of that, baby.” Melissa’s worry was evident through the phone.

  “We’ll be safe. No one will mess with me while I’m with Chance.”

  “You keep saying that, but I’m not so sure. I didn’t just watch you overcome your health issues to lose you to a Mexican gang. I was just watching the news and it’s getting dangerous going off the beaten path down there. Marcy at the bank was just talking to me about that.”

  Ana treaded lightly, knowing she could land herself in more trouble with her mother if she didn’t respond seriously.

  “But we aren’t going to those areas. We’re looking for Chance’s family in the Yucatan,” she said. “It’s safe there.”

  “I don’t know Ana. I’ll pay for you to fly home when you get to Denver. Please, baby?”

  “I want to see the ocean, Mom. I don’t have any stamps in my passport. I want to see the world. I love you, but you have to let me go. I promise I’ll be safe. Listen, we’ll be leaving in the morning to head for Colorado. I can give you a call when we get there.”

  Melissa groaned and said, “I’d appreciate that. But will you think seriously about coming home? Or maybe pick up some mace or something. I’ll look up Dr. Wilson’s number and send it to you. Oh, and say, when you head through Denver, will you give Beth a call? She was over the moon when she heard the news about your heart. Bet she’d really like to see you.”

  Ana had plenty of happy memories of her mom’s best friend, Beth. She’d been h
er babysitter growing up and was practically a part of the family.

  “Sure, I’ll call her.” Ana heard some whimpering in the background and asked, “What’s that?”

  “Oh, well, how ‘bout I put your sister on? She’ll tell you.”

  Muffled giggles and a thump made her hold the phone away from her ear. Then her sister’s sweet voice burst from the receiver. “Ana? You there?”

  “Hey, sweetie. How’re you doing? Miss me?”

  “Um, yeah. Guess what?” The pause was only momentary before Eva launched ahead and said, “Mom got me a puppy!”

  Ana was surprised. Her mom had never let them have any animals. She’d said it was too much work and she didn’t want any fur around the house.

  “Really?” she asked incredulously.

  “Lily is so super cute. And super tiny. And did I say cute?”

  “Mom let you get a dog? I’ve only been gone a day!”

  “Yeah, well, she knew how lonely I was without you. And she said it would help teach me how to take care of someone else. She says I’m a big sister now.”

  Yipping sounds in the background met Ana’s ears and the jealousy she’d felt a moment earlier began to loosen its grip on her. How could she be upset because her sister was lonely? She was glad Eva had something to focus on and she knew just how much she had wanted a pet.

  “What kind of dog is it?”

  “We went down to the shelter and I picked out a yellow lab mix. I really liked this teacup poodle but Mom said that Lily wouldn’t get eaten by the coyotes, so I chose her.”

  Ana chuckled. “So who’s cleaning up after her?”

  “Ew, that’s the nasty part. Mom said she wouldn’t get a dog if I didn’t promise to do the cleanup.”

  “Well, have fun with that. I’ve got to get going, sweetie. Tell Mom I love her,” Ana said. She slipped her toes out in front of her and stretched with the phone in her hand.

  “’Kay and say hi to Chance for me. Love you.”