Page 7 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)

Chapter

Four

G ood as his word, another text from Crawford awaited Jace when he awoke.

He silenced his cell from midnight until six each morning, trying to escape from work for a few hours of blessed sleep.

During that time, Crawford had sent additional information, including the time the hastily-arranged ceremony was to be held and the address of the bride’s parents, where the marriage would take place.

Jace acknowledged the text, again thanking Crawford for the investigator’s work on his behalf.

Still, he didn’t have a clue how to approach Eli.

Yes, he had his brother’s address, but to go to Eli’s home, uninvited, on his wedding day?

Jace was uncomfortable with that idea. He waffled the entire day, wondering if he should contact Eli since Crawford had also provided his brother’s cell phone number, as well as that of Autumn Sutherland.

At one point, Jace almost called West, assuming he would be attending the wedding, and checking with his client to see if West thought it was a good idea to get in touch with Eli. Or even run interference with him.

He had never been paralyzed with such inaction.

All his life, Jace had been decisive. Confident.

In charge of every situation. But he didn’t want to screw this up.

Finally, the time for the ceremony drew near.

It was now or never. The urge to speak to Eli before he married Autumn Sutherland became overpowering.

Quickly, he dressed in a suit and tie, feeling as if he donned armor to go into battle.

His clothing came from the best tailors available, hugging his large frame. In a suit, he believed in himself.

Going to his car, he put in the directions to the Sutherlands’ house and drove straight to it, parking across the street from the two-story. He saw West and Kelby approaching the porch and watched as they were admitted. At least he knew he was in the right place.

Ten minutes later, Eli pulled up. Crawford had shared pictures of Eli’s car and license plate, and Jace now watched his brother climb from his car.

A sick feeling washed over him, knowing he might be outright rejected.

Still, Jace sucked it up and exited his vehicle before he lost his courage, crossing the street to where Eli now stood.

He took off his sunglasses, not wanting to hide behind them, and swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry as a desert.

Before he could speak, Eli said, “I can’t place you, but I feel as if we’ve met before.”

Jace looked into the eyes of this man, and for the first time, a memory struck him. He could see the little boy his brother had once been. It was as if all the years washed away in that moment, and he was three years old again, needing his big brother.

“Buddy?” Eli asked hoarsely, the question in both his voice and eyes.

Eli recognized him.

Jace beamed, relief sweeping through him. “I’d forgotten that. That you used to call me Buddy.”

His brother looked shell-shocked. “I can’t believe ... it’s you.”

Suddenly, they were locked in a hug, their arms tightly holding one another. A sense of calm flooded Jace, as if the final, missing piece in his life had now slid into place.

Eli was the first to pull away. Staring deeply into Jace’s eyes, he asked, “How did you find me, Buddy?”

Just hearing that nickname brought joy to him. “It’s a long story, Eli. Or should I say E-wi? That’s what I remember calling you.”

Eli studied him in wonder. “What’s your name? Your real name. I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t remember it. Mom always just told me to look after my little buddy, so I called you Buddy.”

It surprised him when his eyes welled with tears. “I ... don’t know what my name was. My adopted name is Jason Tanner. I’ve always gone by Jace. My birth certificate reflects that name and that of the couple who adopted me.”

He paused, adrenaline surging through him, making it difficult to think, much less speak.

“I don’t know who I was before, Eli. Only who I’ve become. But I’ve missed you over the years. I always loved you. I knew you were out there somewhere, and I was determined to find you.”

Jace wanted to explain more. How he tried to respect the Tanners and not hurt them needlessly once he had learned upon his high school graduation that he was adopted.

How he waited to search for Eli after they had been killed.

Those words didn’t come. Maybe they would sometime in the future.

For now, just being here and seeing Eli was enough.

His brother embraced him again and said, “Jace. It suits you.” He studied Jace a moment and then asked, “Were you at the football stadium last night?”

A chill ran through him. “I was.”

“I sensed you.”

He searched his brother’s face. “I saw you gazing into the crowd. You looked as if you were searching for someone. I was afraid to approach you. I left the game, not sure if I’d try and contact you.”

His throat swelled with emotion. “But I couldn’t stay away. I had to make contact with you.”

He cleared his throat, trying to get his out-of-control feelings under control. Jace had always prided himself on being stoic. Seeing Eli now had turned him into a marshmallow, though.

“You’ve done well for yourself. A doctor. Running a hospital.”

Pride filled his brother’s features. Despite knowing that Eli had not been fortunate enough to be adopted, he had made a good life for himself, accomplishing far more than most men did.

Jace wanted to hear about his brother’s early years, as well as what his life was like now.

That would have to wait, though. Eli had a wedding to get to.

“What about you?”

Not wanting to take up any more time, Jace said, “I’ll tell you about me sometime. I know you’re about to get married. I just stopped by to wish you good luck. Give you my number.” He looked hopefully into Eli’s eyes and added, “Maybe we can get together sometime.”

Resolve filled his brother’s face. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re coming to my wedding.”

“No,” Jace said quickly. “I can’t. I don’t really even know you.”

Eli wasn’t taking no for an answer, however. “You’re my flesh and blood, and I’ve been looking for you, as well. I even registered and sent in my DNA to a few sites, hoping to connect with you that way. You need to meet Autumn and her family. And you’ll be my family at this wedding.”

A thrill shot through him. Eli wanted him at his wedding. He wasn’t shoving Jace aside, making excuses. It was obvious his brother planned to have a relationship with him, starting immediately. Pure relief poured through Jace, knowing he’d made the right decision to speak face-to-face with Eli.

Eli introduced him to Meg Sutherland, who answered the door. Jace heard the pride in his brother’s voice when he did so. Meg, an attractive woman with a kind smile, welcomed Jace with open arms. She brought him inside the house into the den, where she introduced him.

West grinned at him. “I already know Jace. He’s been my sports agent for years.”

That threw his brother for a loop, but Eli quickly recovered, introducing Jace to Autumn’s cousins.

Sawyer was an attorney in Hawthorne, but it was Darby Montgomery who drew his attention.

She was the woman who had interested him last night.

Now, he had a name to go with the face. The very pretty face.

Darby was more than pretty, though. She had a vitality about her that drew a person to her.

He definitely wanted to spend some time with her.

For now, though, he turned his attention to his brother.

Meg took Jace upstairs in order to introduce him to Autumn.

He decided the pictures he’d viewed didn’t do Autumn justice.

She had a warmth about her that made a person feel good about himself.

His gut told him that Autumn was a perfect match for his brother.

After she hugged him, Autumn said, “I didn’t think this day could get any better, but it has.

Your presence really adds the icing onto the cake, Jace.

Eli has been so eager to find you. He loves you a great deal.

I’m so glad you could be here and share in our wedding.

” Autumn grinned. “And I have a thousand and one questions for you, but we’ll hold off on that, for now.

Just having you here means the world to Eli and me. ”

“Thank you, Autumn. For allowing a stranger to crash your wedding.”

She smiled gently at him. “You aren’t going to be a stranger for long. I can’t wait to get to know you better.”

“You can do that after you’re married. I’m Summer Sutherland, Autumn’s twin. We’re glad to have you with us, Jace.” She looked to her sister. “I’ll take Jace downstairs. You and Dad give it two minutes and then head on down.”

“Will do,” Autumn replied. She leaned up and kissed his cheek, causing sudden tears to mist his eyes.

Summer led him downstairs, saying, “I thought an unexpected wedding was enough of a surprise, but you turning up has really made this a special occasion, Jace.”

“I’m grateful your parents opened your home to me,” he replied. “And that Eli even wanted me here.”

“You’re family,” Summer said firmly. “His and ours.”

He liked how the Sutherlands had opened their hearts to him and said, “Eli is a lucky guy to be marrying into your family.”

Summer chuckled. “And you’re also lucky since we’ll adopt Eli and you into the fold.”

They went outside, and he saw the back yard was awash in colorful flowers.

“Someone has a green thumb,” he said.

“It’s Mom. She always has had a way with flowers and plants. I’m glad Autumn decided to take advantage of how beautiful the yard looks this time of year. Let me let Eli know that Autumn is on her way.”

Summer went to Eli and spoke a moment. It surprised him when Eli motioned him over, as well.

“Would you do me the honor of serving as my best man?” his brother asked, emotion flooding Eli’s voice.