Paige Cameron by Commando Cowboys Find Their Desire Page B

our home planet, but you are the highest ranking of our people here on earth.”
    “That’s too much for me to deal with right now. I’m Averil’s sister, and I can help in this crisis. Please leave it at that.”
    “For now, but you can’t run away any longer from your destiny,” Elle warned.
    “I suppose that explains why you’d be the better donor for Harry,” Jack said. “I think we’d better end this meeting and get started. Harry’s on borrowed time.” Jack stood. “Will you and Averil come with me to see Ellen? She and her staff will do the blood work.”
    “Fine, and later, Elle, I’ll come by to see those scrolls.”
    “Pruet, my husband, and I would be honored.” Elle gave her directions as Jack hurried Kira and Averil out the door.
     
    * * * *
     
    Elle returned to the meeting room and sat back down. Mitch took a deep breath and looked around. Everyone looked stunned.
    “Lann and Garth, have either of you ever heard of such a shape-shifter?” Mitch asked.
    “We’ve read the scrolls that we had and it was mentioned, vaguely, once. Since we’d never seen such a person we doubted one existed.” Garth leaned forward. “But there was a colored drawing of our queen in her bird form. She looked just like Kira. I imagine Elle hasn’t had a chance to go through all the scrolls we gave her. I’ll show her which one has the drawing.”
    “If she is as Elle said, then she should be the leader of all three tribes. How do you two feel about that?” Lann asked Mitch and Daren.
    “It’d be fine with me. We’d still lead our men on missions, but without the other duties there’d be more time for our family.” Daren grinned. “I don’t mind that, and I don’t think Mitch does.”
    “I agree with Daren. She would bring all three tribes truly together. We’d all have to step down one level though.”
    “No problem with me. I’m all for it,” Garth agreed.
    “Well, this seems like a good time to tell you all my plans.” They turned toward Lann. “Garth, you’ve known for some time about my friends in Texas. I’ve been considering stepping down once the ranch was built and our people were settled here. I’d thought of suggesting Caedmon take my place, but he’d hate it. This solves my problem. As soon as this emergency is over, I, along with a few of the men who want to go with me, will move to Texas.
    “I’ve bought a large spread in the middle of nowhere. The closest ranches are owned by my two friends. I like the area, and I need a change.”
    “Damn, I’m calling this meeting to an end. There’s been enough surprises. We can think about all of this and meet another day.” Mitch started out of the room.
    “Are you upset with my plans, Mitch?”
    “No. In fact, I’m happy for you. But I don’t handle change easily, especially not so much at once. I just need time to let it filter through my brain. See you.” He strode out as the rest followed at a slower pace.

Chapter Eight
     
    When they got outside to their horses, Garth turned to Lann. “When in the hell were you going to tell me?”
    “Let’s ride out to where our tribe’s main ranch house is being built. It’s very close to being completed. We’ll talk there and you can yell at me all you want.”
    Garth sprang up on his horse. “I might want to punch you.”
    “You can try.”
    They rode in silence the whole way. The house was on a side street away from what would be the center of their ranch.
    Garth tied his horse and strode into the empty building.
    The front was to be offices for him and Lann and community areas similar to Mitch and Daren’s home. Lann followed him in.
    “There’s no place to sit,” Garth growled.
    “Keep your leopard under control. We can sit on the floor.”
    “My leopard is upset because I am. We’ve been like brothers. You never mentioned any plans to leave.”
    “I’ve tried to tell you several times but decided to wait. Then today after all the revelations about Kira, I felt