Bree felt a stirring of familiarity at his words. Maybe she'd spent time on a ranch before. She started to feel excitement as they left the city and glided past fields of hay, gently blowing in the breeze.
It didn't seem like much time passed when Chad turned off the main road and started traveling down a long gravel driveway. Her head turned from side to side as she tried to take in everything around her. She looked out at the fruit trees and could practically feel the burst of flavor on her tongue. She knew she'd spent time climbing apple trees and plucking fruit from their branches. She just didn't know when she'd done it.
They turned a bend in the road and her eyes widened at the number of cars lined up in front of a huge three story home. She heard Chad curse and turned in his direction.
"I told your family to take it easy and let you get adjusted first, but they don't seem to listen. It was only supposed to be immediate family members but it looks like they brought the entire gang. If you want me to turn around and take you to a hotel for the night, I will," he offered when he saw her frightened expression.
"No, I'll be okay. It's obvious my family loves me, which is great. It's better to be overwhelmed, than have nobody at all," she answered. Chad would see if she still felt that way in a few hours.
"You're home. I'm so glad you're okay," Jennifer said as she rushed up and threw her arms around Bree as soon as she stepped from the vehicle.
"Aunt Bree, I missed you," Molly cried out as she ran up to them and joined in on the hub.
"I missed you, too," Bree automatically answered. She hugged both of them, though she still didn't recognize anyone. She was then passed from one pair of arms to the next for several minutes. It brought tears to her eyes, all the love she was receiving. She seemed to be a very lucky person.
"We have the steaks going, cousin. Come sit down and relax for a while," Mark said when she finally made it into the house. She looked around the large entrance with sparse furnishings.
"Come out back, Sweetie. We have a nice chair all set up for you," Joseph called in a voice that made Bree jump. She knew he was her uncle, but the man was a bit intimidating. He was as huge as a mountain, with a voice that could easily command an army.
"Joseph, you're scaring the poor girl. Let her get settled," Esther said as she came up and put her arm around Bree.
"Nonsense. My niece would never be afraid of me," Joseph protested.
"Humph," Esther replied before whisking Bree away. Bree had to admit she was grateful for the woman's interference.
"I'm sorry, this is all just a little overwhelming," Bree admitted quietly to the kind woman leading her to a secluded space in the back yard.
"It's alright, dear. Your family means well, and they love you deeply, but sometimes they can be a bit much to handle," Esther said with a knowing wink.
"It seems that way."
"I'm Esther. I've worked for the Anderson's for many years. I'm retired now but they've become so much a part of my family, that I can't seem to stay away," she said with a gentle laugh. Bree felt completely at ease with her.
"It seems they wouldn't let you go, even if you wanted to leave," Bree said with wide eyes as she looked over the yard filled with people, young and old, all of them laughing and carrying on. She smiled as she saw a couple toddlers on one end of a see-saw and Chad on the other side. He was shooting them into the air, sending them into fits of contagious laughter.
Bree felt a flash of memory register. She saw herself flying high on a swing with Jasmine next to her, both of them laughing. Bree smiled, then giggled, overcome with happiness at the small piece of her past. For the first time since waking from her coma, she felt like it really was her family.
Chad looked over and their eyes connected, sending a bolt of electricity zipping through the air. Her stomach clenched with need so overwhelming she had to quickly sit because she didn't think her legs would carry her weight any longer. When she saw the instant heat in Chad's eyes, it caused her body to go from hot to smoldering. She instantly wished they were alone. Maybe when she was once again in his arms, it would flood her mind with her life before the accident. She suddenly wanted to have her memories back more than anything. It seemed she had a very fulfilled life.
"Higher," the kids on the see-saw called to him, impatient with his momentary pause. He jerked his gaze from hers and started playing with them again. Bree realized she'd stopped breathing and took in a fortifying breath of air.
***
"Do you see the heat flying between those two?" George asked his brother with a satisfied smile.
"I'm surprised the dry grass doesn't ignite," Joseph confirmed.