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WHEN THE WHIRLWIND stopped, Sarita lay on the ground in front of several tents. Standing, she brushed her off her clothes while searching the tents. Joy filled her heart when she sensed her father and mother. Jackie, Renee, Rose, and Dani were there as well. Where were Adam and his new wife? She wanted to meet them.

Running toward the tent with her parents, she stepped inside and met her father’s gaze for several seconds. Tears filled her eyes as she walked toward his outstretched arms. Holding her close he rocked her from side to side. “Rita, Rita, it’s so good to see you.” He stroked her curls and kissed her forehead.

“Can I wake up Mom?” She looked at her mom lying on the cot.

“Not yet. In a bit. How did you get here? What’s been going on that kept you from coming home?” His voice became husky as he rocked her in his arms.

“Long, long story, can I tell you and mom and the others at the same time?” She inhaled deeply loving the feel and smell of being home with him.

“Are you coming home?”

She nodded. “Yes, I miss everybody so much.” Tears filled her eyes, she started crying.

He rubbed her back. “It’s alright, whatever the problem, we’ll fix it. Don’t worry. You’re with family, home.”

In the background, she heard a helicopter but didn’t pay it much attention. “I’m so sorry, Daddy. I should’ve come home, talked it over with you and mom, but I was scared.”

“Scared? Did someone do something to you?” he growled.

Unsure where to start, she wiped her face. “Not really. It has to do with my mam.” She leaned back, saw his frown and realized she was talking in circles. “My biological mam, she’s a descendant of Salah. I’m a descendant of Salah.”

His eyes widened.

“Sarita?” David said stepping into the tent.

She whirled around and met him halfway crying in earnest. “I was so scared I’d be too late to help you. I’m sorry I was late but happy you’re okay,” she said holding him tight.

He placed kisses on her face, stared at her and kissed her deeply. Her beast leaped and growled.

His beast growled until her beast settled. Breathless they broke apart, staring into each other’s eyes.

“I have so much to tell you,” she said.

“Later,” he said. “I’ve missed you so much I just want to hold you all night.” He hugged her again.

She buried her face in his neck, filling her being with his scent. “I missed you so much. I can’t believe I stayed away so long. Please, please forgive me.”

“I forgive you, don’t do it again.”

She smiled and kissed his chest. “Promise.”

Her dad cleared his throat. David didn’t release her as he looked up. “Sir?”

“Alpha and Mistress are on the way back, Sarita has asked to tell everyone her story at the same time. Based on what has happened it’s important for them to talk to her before the two of you... disappear.”

Sarita’s cheeks warmed.

David frowned. “What happened?”

“Wait for Alpha and Mistress, have a seat.” He waved to a chair.

David pulled Sarita onto his lap and laid his forehead against her chest while she stroked his head.

“Never leave me like that again,” he whispered.

“I’m so sorry, I won’t hurt you like that again. Next time I’ll take you with me.”

He smiled. “Love you, girl.”

She melted. “Love you, boy.”

“You think I’m still a boy?”

“You think I’m still a girl?”

“I can feel you’re all woman. My woman,” he said in a low sexy voice that rolled all over her.

“Got that right.” She kissed the top of his head as a helicopter sounded in the background.

“Mama Jasmine’s here,” she said excited to see the woman who was a second mother to her.

“Yes, I’ll tell you later how she turned up the fire earlier.” They stood, prepared to go to La Patron’s tent.

“Baby?” Asia rolled on her side and looked up, blinking several times. “Sarita?” she whispered.

Sarita jumped and ran toward her mom, knocking her over on the cot. “Mama, mama.” Holding each other close the two embraced through tears. “I’m happy and surprised to see you here.” Her mom held her cheeks in her palms and searched her gaze. “It’s going to be alright, we missed you too and will always love you no matter what.” She pulled Sarita close and held her tight. “My baby, sweet baby,” she murmured and placed kisses on top of Sarita’s head. “Thank you, Goddess for watching over my baby and bringing her back safe.”

“Even if it’s on the side of a mountain,” her dad said, smiling.

Sarita laughed and wiped away her tears to see clearly. She couldn’t get enough of seeing her mom’s face and touched it, over and over. “I missed you so much. You just don’t know.”

“Missed you, too, baby. We all did.”

Sarita looked at David who remained in the same spot watching them with a slight smile.

“Can we go see Mama Jasmine? I missed everybody so much,” she said holding Asia’s hand as they stood.

“Yes, she, La Patron and the others are waiting.” When Asia stood, she pulled Sarita into another hug, waved David over to include him. Hawke wrapped his arm around them all.

When they broke apart, Asia kissed David and then Sarita. Holding both hands she smiled. “Take care of each other.”