Heart Journey by Robin Owens Read Free Book Online Page A

helped her in this polite city. “Thank you.”
    The gate swung open and she walked up the well-kept gliderway to the elegant house with rows of Palladian windows. All was neat and tidy and gorgeous, unlike the last time she’d been here, several years before.
    Straif had abandoned it. Left no one to tend to the Residence or the estate.
    At least she’d never done that, and well to remember it. Before she’d left last time, she’d funded her house with spells to keep it clean and safe for two years.
    People were people, everyone had faults. She would not let gratitude or guilt sway her in what was best for Helendula.
    Straif opened the door himself, still lean and fit. She looked into his eyes and clasped his hand and felt nothing but friendship.
    Nothing like the trembles when Raz Cherry had walked onto the stage last night. She’d gone a little dizzy at the sight of him and the rush of feelings for him, deeper than the lust of the erotic dreams they’d shared.
    “Welcome to T’Blackthorn Residence.” That was Straif’s HeartMate, Mitchella. She was as tall as Del, with voluptuous curves and long red hair. Lovely woman. She held out her hands, too, though there was weighing in her green gaze and strain around her mouth. Was that because the woman knew Del and Straif had been lovers? A HeartMate thing? Del hoped not. She didn’t want to think of all the times this could happen with her and Raz. A HeartMate shouldn’t feel jealousy, should she? Not when she knew that the man was bound to her until both their deaths.
    But she confronted this particular problem like everything else, straight on. Gripped Mitchella’s hand and liked her firm shake, met the woman’s eyes. “Yeah, Straif and I rolled around with each other when we met up on the trail. Five, maybe six times.”
    A strangled sound came from Straif.
    “Glad Straif has a HeartMate, good to meet you,” Del said.
    Mitchella threw her head back and laughed. She squeezed Del’s hand and Del felt a warmth, realized the woman had natural charisma. Despite them both, a friendly feeling flowed between them. Then Mitchella dropped Del’s fingers and stepped back. “You’re very direct.”
    Del entered the grand entrance hall and looked at the couple. They’d already drawn together. A tiny knot squeezed inside her. She wanted that. “You wish to keep my cuz, Helendula.”
    A small breath whooshed from Mitchella. She glanced up at Straif. “You were right.” Then, chin set, she met Del’s eyes. “Yes. We have come to love her and have adopted other children and they love her, too. Our family loves her.” She made a sweeping, graceful gesture. “The Residence can house many children. We hope to adopt more, take six or seven.”
    Del nodded, inhaled, released her deep breath slowly. “I will do what’s best for Helendula.” She touched the small landscape globe she’d made for the girl that was in her leather trous pocket. The couple before her were dressed in the height of fashion—Mitchella because she seemed to be that sort of woman, Straif because he was a FirstFamily lord and knew the value of appearances.
    These people could give Helendula every material thing. Did they really love her? Were they good parents?
    “Helendula is in the playroom, watched by the Residence while we came to answer the door.” Mitchella took off toward the end of the entrance hall, turned right at the corridor. “She’s only a year and a month old; we don’t like to leave her alone.”
    Del had to lengthen her stride to keep up. Straif passed her and caught Mitchella’s fingers in his, linked them.
    “How many children do you have?”
    Straif threw her a serious look over his shoulder. “Three, including Helendula.”
    He and Mitchella had been married only three years. They must have had no doubts about adopting children.
    Unlike Del. “Where are your other children?”
    “My youngest son is with his nanny in the nursery. My oldest is studying architecture