Judy Christenberry - A Texas Family Reunion

“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.”

Jim pulled David into an awkward embrace. Then David broke free and hurried out of the office.

Alexandra shook her head sadly. “I can’t believe he did that!”

“What?” Carrie asked.

“Denied he was Jim’s brother until he was forced to admit it. Then he asked Jim not to let his mother know about his other family.”

“Would she be upset?” Jim asked.

“Oh, yes! She’ll probably throw a fit. Ever since her husband died, she’s clung to David, and she wouldn’t want anyone coming between them. But he knew, when he heard your name. And he denied it!” Alexandra exclaimed.

“Don’t be too hard on him,” Jim said softly. “He might not have made it if your aunt hadn’t adopted him when she did. David was the youngest of the boys and therefore the most vulnerable.”

“How old were you?”

“We were five and eight,” Jim admitted.

“Wow…you were very young too,” Alexandra said.

“I guess.” Jim grinned wryly.

“Jim’s a big brother to the world,” Carrie said as she slid an arm around her husband’s waist.

“Well, I think David’s lucky, he just doesn’t know it yet,” Alexandra said.

Alexandra couldn’t get the scene out of her mind, of Jim confronting David and trying to get him to admit his kinship. She’d worried about David for some time now. Because he had assumed both his father’s and his uncle’s responsibilities she feared he might be overloaded.

Not that David listened to her. He’d been raised to think a woman couldn’t take care of herself or think for herself. His mother played the role of the southern belle to the nth degree. Her own mother was that way, too, but Alexandra had always been determined not to follow the same path.

Which explained her career choice; law enforcement was not for hothouse flowers.

“Do you want us to call you Alexandra or Alex?” Carrie asked as she carried over some supplies to Alexandra’s new desk.

“It doesn’t matter. I answer to both,” she said with a smile.

“I noticed David calls you Alex,” Carrie said.

“Yes. I was five when I first met him. He thought that because I was a girl, I would be easily dismissed, but I was determined to show him otherwise. I was in my tomboy phase. Maybe I still am.”

“And he hasn’t noticed you’re a beautiful woman now?” Carrie asked, raising her brows.

Alexandra felt her cheeks flush. “I’m not beautiful, Carrie. But I do have a boyfriend.”

“Well, I think you’re very attractive, and I’m glad someone appreciates you. Is he a policeman?”

“Yes, he is. That was another reason I left my job as a cop. They frown on fraternizing.”