Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Seduce Their Woman [Wyoming Warriors 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) by Paige Cameron Page B

college.”
    “But you didn’t finish.”
    Ellen didn’t bother asking how she knew. She just nodded. “Brian Garraloga came home that summer. He’d been a neighbor until he went off to college and law school. He came home in May planning to take his law exam in July. I was eighteen and he was twenty-five.”
    “You fell in love?”
    “Yes. He was handsome, dressed in suits or slacks and shirts. Nothing like the local young men. Most of them didn’t own a suit, or want one. He swept me off my feet.”
    “Your parents weren’t happy.”
    “No. They wanted me to finish college before marriage. If he loved me, they said he’d wait. But all those hormones were raging and neither of us wanted to wait, and so we eloped. My parents resigned themselves to accepting and loving us. His father was furious and hated me from the start. We lasted two years, got a divorce. I got a master’s degree in biology and studied chemistry as well as an undergraduate. Then I went to work. That about sums it up.”
    “Ah, there is much left out, I think.”
    “I don’t discuss my marriage with anyone.” Ellen stared into Nanna’s eyes, determined to be the last to look away. But she didn’t find someone trying to battle wills with her. She saw her own sadness reflected back at her, and a kindness that brought her to tears.
    “Come here, little one.” Nanna opened her arms.
    Ellen laughed through her tears. “Little one?” She went to her, though, and knelt in front of the tiny woman. Her arms went around Ellen and she brushed her hand over her hair and spoke in the soft language of her forefathers. Ellen sobbed. She wet the front of Nanna’s apron and still couldn’t stop.
    “Let it all out, little one. The tears will wash away much of the hurt and pain. Time and care and love will rid you of the rest.”
    Feeling drained, Ellen raised her head and wiped her eyes. She got off her knees and went back to her chair. Nanna took her cup and refilled it.
    “Drink your tea. I think then you’ll be ready to let me work with you to find the memory you’ve buried deep. The one that makes the bad man want to kill you.” She sat back across from Ellen. “I told Sahale there was a darkness in you. There is, but it is not you. It is the shadow that has haunted you since your divorce.”
    “My former father-in-law.”
    “Ah, you know who, but not fully why. If you will let me, I’ll help you dig out the reason.”
    Sahale knocked on the screen door. “Is it all right if I come in?”
    “Yes.” Nanna motioned him inside. “Ellen will feel more comfortable if you sit in the corner of the room when we begin.”
    “How did you know that?” The words spilled out of Ellen’s mouth. “I guess I need to stop asking and just believe.” Her gaze met Nanna’s. A sweet smile curved Nanna’s mouth.
    Nanna turned to Sahale and put her hand over his heart. “She will make you and Jack a good wife. You will be happy and there will be many children. I will teach the oldest girl the recipes for my teas. Your mother knows them, but they must be handed down through the female line.”
    “Slow down. I haven’t decided if I’ll marry them,” Ellen protested.
    Nanna chuckled as she went into her living room. “Come in here, children, by the fireplace. Sahale, you sit in the corner so as not to be a distraction, but she’ll know you are there. Little one, you sit facing me.” She drew two chairs to face partly the fire and partly each other.
    “Are you ready to begin? I will hypnotize you, but you will not say or do anything you don’t want to. My method is much like a deep meditation. My hope is to have you open your mind and remember what brought on your fear. Many of my words will not be recognizable to you. Listen to the tone, the sound, and the rest will follow.”
    “Let’s get it over with,” Ellen said. She saw the slight smile curve Sahale’s lips.
    “Look at the fire, Ellen. Watch the flames.” Nanna began to chant in a