LITMIR.BIZ

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      “Our father had blue eyes.”

      “Oh.”

      “Why did they move to Plano?”

      “My father had started a company up here and he offered his brother a job when he’d lost his in Longview. So my uncle moved his family to Plano.”

      “What happened to the company?” Carrie asked.

      “Oh, after college, David took it over. My father had died and Uncle Joe tried to keep it going, but he wasn’t a very good businessman. David is a near genius. Since he took over the company, he’s quadrupled sales, and earnings have gone up significantly. David has made a small fortune for our mothers. They now live comfortably together.”

      “Good for David,” Jim said with a smile.

      “We can’t be absolutely sure he’s your brother, Jim,” Alexandra hurriedly said. “But they did live in Longview.”

      “I know. We’ll see when he gets here.” Jim turned to Will. “Did you mention my name to him?”

      “No. He asked if I was the only member of the firm, and I told him I had two partners, but I didn’t mention you by name.”

      “Will he remember his former family name?” Carrie asked. “I mean, he was only five.”

      “I think he will,” Jim said quietly. “If he’s shut out those memories, we’ll help him to remember who he really is.”

      “Should you call Vanessa?” Carrie asked.

      “Not until I’m sure. I don’t want to get her hopes up. Or Rebecca’s, either. We can plan a get-together once we know for sure.”

      Alexandra said softly, “It seems strange to think of David belonging to another family.”

      “It doesn’t mean he won’t still be a member of your family, Alexandra,” Jim replied. “It just means his family will have expanded.”

      “If he does turn out to be your brother, how many brothers and sisters does he have?” she asked.

      “There were six of us. Wally, the second oldest, died overseas. We were both in the marines. And I have three sisters, Rachel and Rebecca—twins—and Vanessa, the baby of the family. Vanessa is Will’s stepdaughter.”

      “In the Buford family,” Alexandra said, “he has two sisters and me, his cousin. Gives him quite a big family altogether, doesn’t it?”

      “We won’t know if David is Jim’s brother until we meet him,” Carrie reminded her.

      “I know, but—”

      Alexandra was interrupted by the sound of someone coming up the stairs, and they all turned to the door.

      David Buford entered the room, his gaze seeking out Alexandra. He didn’t relax until he saw that she was okay.

      Jim stared at his baby brother, his eyes tearing up. He no longer had any doubts.

      Carrie stepped forward, holding out her hand. “Hello. I’m Carrie Barlow, one of Will’s partners. This is my husband, Jim Barlow.”

      They all saw something flicker in David’s eyes, but he lowered his gaze and extended his hand to Jim. “David Buford, Alexandra’s cousin.”

      He looked at Alexandra. “You wanted to talk to me?”

      “Actually, Jim wanted to talk to you, David. Do you recognize him?”

      Not looking at Jim, he replied, “No, I don’t.”

      Silence fell. Then Jim said, “We know you were adopted, David. What was your name before your adoption?”

      “I don’t remember,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll forgive me if I ask what gives you the right to ask me such a personal question.”

      “Nothing to forgive,” Jim said, “but I believe you’re my younger brother, David Barlow, who was adopted by a family named Buford after our parents were killed in a car accident twenty-three years ago.”

      “I don’t think so,” David said, turning away.

      “Is your birthday August twentieth?” Jim asked.

      “No! I have to go.”

      “Yes, it is, David!” Alexandra exclaimed. “Why are you lying to Jim?”

      “I’m not lying!” David snapped. “I…all right, my birthday is August twentieth. But I’m sure there are a million other people born on that date.”

      “Yes, but how many of them are named David Buford?” Jim asked.

      “Probably no more than three or four,” David muttered, staring at the floor.

      “Oh, David, coincidences don’t happen that often,” Alexandra exclaimed.

      “Why not? We’ve already had one coincidence, haven’t we?”

      When Jim would’ve spoken, Carrie touched his arm. Then she said, “David, you’re the last of the long-lost six Barlow children. Did you know that?”

      He looked up first at Carrie and then at Jim. “You’ve found everyone but me?” he asked.

      “Wally died overseas as a marine,” Jim said softly. “Our sisters—Rebecca and Rachel, the twins, and Vanessa—have all reconnected. Vanessa was adopted by Vivian and Herbert Shaw. After Herbert died, Vivian hired Will Greenfield to find her daughter’s siblings. Rebecca was living in Arkansas. Rachel was here in Dallas. Now she lives in West Texas.”

      David looked up at Jim and then quickly turned away, blinking rapidly as if trying to stop the tears. “I see. Perhaps I am David Barlow, your long-lost brother. I knew my name was Barlow but I didn’t think anyone was looking for me.”

      “Is that why you denied being David Barlow?” Jim asked, frowning.

      “Partly. I certainly don’t want my mother upset. I owe her and Dad a great deal for rescuing me.”

      “And you think it would upset her for you to be reunited with your biological brother and sisters?” Carrie asked.

      “Yes, I do. She’s dependent on me for her income and well-being. My sisters depend on me, too.”

      “Yes,” Alexandra said, shaking her head. “Your mother raised you to be the big brother her daughters didn’t have. You were always taught to take care of everything for them. Too much, in my opinion.”

      “You’re exaggerating, Alex! Mother doesn’t make that many demands.”

      “You know I’m right,” Alexandra insisted.

      “Look,” Jim said with amusement, “I don’t want to cut short your argument, but, David, I’d like to arrange a meeting between you and our sisters. Would you object to that?”

      “If we can do it quietly. I don’t want Mom to know.” David shrugged. “I know that sounds strange, but I really do owe her, the whole family, in fact, everything.”

      “Of course. I understand,” Jim said. “If you’ll give me your number, I’ll call you when I’ve got something set up.”

      David reached in his suit jacket and pulled out a business card. “Here’s my number at work. Give me a call there, if you don’t mind.”

      “Of course not. Are you usually free on weekends?”

      “Better if it’s a workday night. I spend a lot of weekends at my mother’s.”

      “I’m sure we can arrange something,” Jim said. He reached out his hand. “I’m glad to see you again, David.”

      David stared at Jim’s hand. After a minute he took it in his and let his gaze meet Jim’s. “I’m glad to see you again, too.”

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