He pulled her in his arms and said, “I’m sure I can bribe you.”
Cori slapped his arm playfully. “I know you can.”
She hoped this would continue, but Logan pulled out the papers he’d given her last night. “Cori, I know you didn’t want to read this last night, but you need to now.”
“Logan, I meant what I said. I don’t want to live in the past any longer.”
“I understand exactly how you feel, but the only way for me to get past it is to face it head-on. Not reading it doesn’t change it. Doing so gives it power. Don’t let it own you anymore.”
“Logan, I’m afraid of what it says.”
He reached out, took her hand, and placed the papers in it. “I’m right here with you. There’s nothing to be afraid of. James is dead and can’t hurt you. This is just information, facts of how and why. Read it then destroy it if you want, but you can’t run from it. If you try, you’ll always wonder, and it will eventually consume you.”
Again. She couldn’t let that happen. She was finally truly happy.
“Cori, you once told me to trust and believe. Now I’m asking you to do the same.”
She nodded and went to sit at the table. She opened the stack of papers and read through each one. They were filled with information she’d never known. Her grandpa wasn’t killed over greed like she’d thought. It was jealousy and hatred. “Is this right?”
“Yes. James killed Joe because he had what my father never would. Peace and happiness and a loving family.”
Cori looked at the papers then got up, opened the trash can, and tossed them inside. It had been a long time, but now she could let it go. Grandpa Joe was at peace when he was alive and she knew he was now too. James, on the other hand, was probably just a miserable as he’d always been. Maybe even more so.
“Thank you, Logan. You were right. I needed to know.”
“Don’t get used to me being right. I’m new to this relationship stuff. There’s a good possibility I’m going to screw it up several times before I get it right.”
Cori walked over and said, “All you have to know is our love is stronger than any obstacle we may face.” She pulled the sheet loose and added, “And if you need me to, I’ll prove it right now.”
When he pulled her into his arms, all she could see was their future, and it was a happy one.
Epilogue
‡
Logan paced the floor and debated if more coffee was the answer or not.
“You’re going to wear out the rug if you don’t stop. She’s going to be here. They all are,” Cori said from the archway to the living room.
He knew Cori was right, but there was more going on than she knew. Yes, this was the first time he was meeting his sister Rhonda face to face. They’d been chatting for the last few weeks, but it wasn’t the same. He’d wanted to go there, but Rhonda insisted she come to him. She wanted to meet the entire family.
When he told his siblings about Rhonda they were all for it. What was to be a small intimate meeting now was a full family reunion. His entire family was outside with the children, waiting for Rhonda’s arrival with her own family.
Logan reached for Cori’s hand and pulled her to him. “I’m not sure I could do this without you.”
She looked at him, puzzled. “Logan, you’re the strongest man I know. You don’t need me for anything.”
He shook his head. “You’re so wrong. Without you, Cori, I would still be walking through life instead of living it. I’ve never had a family gathering at my home before. But then again, until you moved in, it didn’t even feel like a home. It was just a place where I kept stuff.”
“I’m glad to be here sharing this with you.”
Logan was lost looking into her deep-blue eyes. He’d planned on waiting until everyone was here, but he couldn’t wait any longer. Pulling a small box out of his pocket, he dropped to one knee. Opening the box, he looked up to her and said, “Cordelia Sparks, I never knew what I was missing until you came into my life. I’m tired of saying me. I want to say we. If you don’t mind, I’d really appreciate it if you would be my better half.”
Cori just stared at him, stunned.
Pulling the diamond ring out of the box, he held it up to her and asked, “Cori, what I’m asking is will you marry me?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” She held her hand out, and Logan slipped the ring on her finger.
What neither of them noticed was they were no longer alone. The family had come inside and their newest members had arrived.
“Now, this is a way to welcome someone,” Rhonda said to the two of them. “I’m glad I made it in time to witness it.”
Logan didn’t let go of Cori as he said, “I am too, because there is nothing more important to me than family.” Looking around the room for the first time in his life, he felt he’d found everything he’d ever wanted. He had a normal loving family.
Everything they’d been through hadn’t beaten them. It didn’t define who they were either. Each had his or her own story. Yet their lives were bound together by something greater than blood. It was a greater understanding, a newfound respect, and most of all love.
He’d encouraged Cori to accept the past and she’d taught him how beautiful it was to have a future. One that not only included his biological family, but hers as well.
Holding her hand in his, he turned to Rhonda and said, “Welcome home, sis. I’d like to introduce you to my fiancée.”
Cori’s eyes glistened as she watched him step forward and give Rhonda a welcoming hug. Then all his sisters-in-law and Zoey joined Cori. Within seconds, Rhonda was lost in a sea of women. Logan took a step back to stand with his brothers.
“She’s an amazing woman, Logan. I’m happy for you,” Brice said.
Logan never took his eyes off Cori. Brice didn’t know the half of it, but there was no need for him to. Cori was amazing, and as far as he was concerned, she was his angel. “Extraordinary.”
Dean chimed in, “They all are. Otherwise they’d never be able to handle being married to Hendersons. Rumor has it we’re a bunch of assholes.”
Bennett said, “No, your father was an asshole to the core. You guys have your moments, but overall, there’s more love and loyalty in this family than most others.”
Logan shot Bennett a look like he was crazy.
“If you doubt what I’m saying, just look around. With everything you’ve been through since children, who is missing?”
They looked at each other and then Logan gave Bennett a slap on the back. He was right. All these years he had thought their father had left them broken. There couldn’t be any doubt that they carried their own emotional scars, but James hadn’t won. What he’d set out to do, keep them all at a distance and incapable of love, hadn’t worked. He actually felt a twinge of pity for his father. James had so much, but nothing of true value.
Like he’d told Cori, you had to know the past to let it go. He knew there would always be something else drudged up, but they would all face it together. They were now, and would always be, the Henderson family.
Shaun handed Logan a beer. Logan raised it and said, “To the Hendersons.” Never before had any of them toasted to that word. But each of them raised their bottles and in unison said the same.
The women had noticed because they’d stopped chatting and had been listening. He knew this moment wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for them. Their love and understanding was what had brought out the best in each of them. Giving Cori a wink, he smiled as she blew him a kiss. Logan raised his bottle one more time to add a very important piece to their toast, “And to the women who love us.” He figured Bennett would forgive him for the slight oversight.
This is really what comes after six. A family of seven, endless by choice, bound by love.
The End
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Other Books By Jeannette Winters
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