Page 77 of Colton First Responder (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“Hi, bro. It’s a surprise to see you wandering around here at this hour.” Asher had just exited the kitchen, a mug of coffee in his hand. “You just picking something up, or—”

“I’ll be hanging around here more now,” Grayson told him. “And you’ll probably be hearing in the news the reason why.”

“Yeah? Tell me.” They first went back into the kitchen where Grayson, too, got a mug of coffee, then headed into the living room and sat facing one another.

Asher looked like a perfect foreman, Grayson thought, not for the first time. His younger brother certainly looked like a cowboy, with longish dark brown hair, a slight brush of facial hair that included a dark goatee, and a casual denim shirt and slacks that appeared entirely appropriate for horseback riding. All he needed was a cowboy hat, but since they were inside, that wasn’t likely at the moment.

Even better, Asher was dedicated to the ranch and to making certain everything went well there—especially important now, with their father in a coma.

“So what’s going on?” Asher asked right away.

Grayson told him, keeping the story brief but starting from finding the dead van driver, then Savannah hiding in a fishing cabin, and ending with her exoneration yesterday. “And till she figures out where to go and what to do, I’m letting her stay in my guest room. And—”

The doorbell rang. One of their staff hurried to open it, but Asher headed that way, and so did Grayson, partly out of curiosity.

A man stood there, and he looked vaguely familiar. He immediately looked toward the two brothers while the maid left the entry. “Hi,” he said. “I’m Jace Smith and—well, I think I’m your brother, the real Ace Colton. Can I come in? I’d like to talk to you.”

* * *

Grayson felt as if he’d been hit over the head. Really? He didn’t spend a lot of time around here with family, but he certainly tried to keep up with the news about Ace. Sure, they’d been told Ace wasn’t their brother by blood.

But it seemed a shock to have someone come in like that and claim to be that real sibling.

“Sure, come in,” said Asher, beside him, and they all stepped aside.

Grayson studied the man some more. No weapons—or malice—apparent. If he truly was the real Ace, then they’d have shared a mother, Tessa, along with sister Ainsley. He did have dark hair and blue eyes like they did.

Tons of questions immediately began forming in Grayson’s mind. This stranger was his brother? Really? Could he prove it?

The maid returned to the kitchen when Asher asked and Jace said he’d like some coffee, too. Soon, they were all seated in the living room looking at one another—although Grayson noticed that Jace was also glancing at the high-quality decorations around the room.

“So tell us more,” Grayson said, taking a sip of his own coffee, forcing his hands not to tremble. This was strange timing, that he happened to be here when this guy arrived. Was Jace for real? Or was he just some guy off the street who had heard about the family issue and decided to take advantage of it?

“Well, I’d been told a little while ago that I might be the real Ace Colton,” Jace responded, “and the earthquake made me realize I’d better check it out sooner rather than waiting any longer, before I lose any opportunity to find out.” He said he had heard from a friend who was a nurse that there was a switch of newborn babies at Mustang Valley General Hospital on Christmas Day forty years ago—his birthday.

“My mother is Luella Smith,” he said, which made both Grayson and Asher sit up straighter. Jace explained that he hadn’t spoken to Luella in many years and didn’t know where to find her to ask questions, but from what that he’d heard, and what he knew about his own early life, he truly thought he could have been switched at birth. “I’d be glad to take a DNA test,” he finished. “I’ve always felt there was something more to my childhood, and I’ve been looking for where I belong for as long as I can remember.”

Could it be true? Well, they certainly needed to find out.

What would Ace think about this? About this Jace showing up and making his claims. To Grayson, Ace was still his brother.

“Let’s get everyone together here for dinner tonight,” Asher said, “and we can see what our other siblings think about this. Oh, and Grayson, I think it’s time we also met your lady friend that you saved from prison.”

“I didn’t exactly save her,” he said, but he did agree to bring Savannah to join them for a meal here that night as long as she was okay with it.

He didn’t mind seeing how she fit in with his family. Not that he was ready to ask her to join it...yet. Would that time come?

And these circumstances certainly weren’t the best for her to meet everyone.

* * *

Savannah had had quite a morning. There apparently hadn’t been any emergencies, so she had gotten to talk with Grayson’s first responder employees—Chad, with his dog Winch, Pedro and Norah. They had each told her about their specialties, pasts and how they enjoyed helping other people.

Savannah loved it! She had already been growing somewhat bored with her life, just holding events to collect contributions for the poor and needy. It was too distant and impersonal. What about doing something even more worthwhile, which could directly help people survive? Could she complete what she anticipated to be grueling physical training to become a first responder?

Or was ther

e some way for her to just help Grayson’s first responders as they helped other people?

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