by Dee Davis
“To everyone but her family.”
“Sebastian, do not for a minute think that I don’t hold you responsible for this entire mess. If you’d only managed to keep your pants zipped while inside the city limits of Storm, none of this would be happening.”
“I slept with Ginny in Austin.”
“Yes, but she was Brittany’s best friend.”
“And a damn good lay. Better than that bitch Dakota.”
“Who you did seduce right here in the middle of town. Outside the Bluebonnet, among other places. What have I ever done to deserve such stupidity?”
“Now, Mother, it’s not as if we can’t handle this. You said yourself that cream always rises to the top.”
“Yes, but it turns out I might not have been talking about you.”
For a moment Sebastian looked angry, and then he seemed to collapse. “I’m sorry, Mother. I fucked up. I assumed both of those girls were beneath anyone’s notice.”
“You know what they say about assuming…” She trailed off and shot him what she hoped was a quelling look. The secret to handling men was to make them believe one never doubted one’s self or one’s decisions, and that there was always a way to make their lives hell if they didn’t follow one’s guidance. Marylee had perfected this practice first on Sebastian’s father and then on her son.
“Anyway, darling, the important thing now is to show the world that you’re going to love your new baby—and if she’s amenable, the baby’s mother.”
“And if she’s not?”
Marylee shrugged. “Then we’ll destroy her.”
* * * *
“It’s not going to be long now.” The doctor smiled as he pulled off his surgical gloves.
Logan fought the urge to puke. After all the things he’d faced in his life, it surprised the hell out of him that Ginny having a baby would be the event that brought him to his knees. But the idea of her in pain. Well, it was almost too much to bear.
Still, the end result would be worth it. Her baby—their baby—would make his or her entrance into the world. He’d meant what he’d told her. No one and nothing was going to keep them from building a family together. Not the Salts and not the senator.
“I’ll be back in a little while to check in,” the doctor said. “And if anything happens before that, the nurse will be monitoring.” The doctor strode from the room, and Logan returned to the chair by Ginny’s bed. Marisol sat across from them, her gaze alternating between concern for her sister and grudging acceptance of his presence.
“Can I get you anything?” Marisol was asking.
Ginny shook her head as she reached for Logan’s hand. “I’ve got everything I need right here.”
They’d given her an epidural, which meant the pain wasn’t as intense as it had been. A good thing for his hand; he’d thought a couple of times she was going to re-break the finger he’d already broken. The woman had quite a grip on her.
He looked down at her, feeling more helpless than he’d felt in his entire life. Having a baby was supposed to be a natural thing, right? Surely there was nothing to worry about.
“She’s doing fine,” Marisol reassured him from across the bed. For the first time since he’d arrived, she actually hadn’t glared at him. Clearly, his concern was showing.
“I just hate that it has to hurt so much.”
“It’s better now with the drugs.” Ginny squeezed his hand and smiled up at him. His heart almost somersaulted right out of his chest. How had he ever thought he could live without her smiles?
For a moment it was just the two of them, Marisol’s presence forgotten as they relished the joy of being together. He’d have a whole lifetime of this if he was lucky. Well, not sitting in a hospital room, but staring into her gorgeous eyes.
“I hate to interrupt,” a voice from the door said, and Logan pulled away from Ginny to see Francine Hoffman standing in the doorway. Not much of a surprise really, considering she was a nurse, but something sent a flicker of worry chasing up Logan’s spine. Beneath his fingers, he felt Ginny’s hand tense.
Automatically he glanced at the monitor tracking her contractions, but she wasn’t having one.
“What is it?” he asked, his question coming out more harshly than he’d meant.
“I’ve got some news.” Francine’s attention was focused on Ginny as she subtly tipped her head to both Marisol and Logan.
“It’s okay, Francine,” Ginny said. “Whatever you’ve come to tell me, I want them here. They’re a part of this, too.”
“What does she have to tell you?” Logan frowned, fighting his rising concern.
Ginny swallowed, pulling her hand free. “A while ago, after the first time the senator threatened me, I asked Francine to do a paternity test. I figured it was better to know what I was facing. To be prepared for whatever came next.”
Logan fought a wave of both pride and guilt. Pride because Ginny was so fierce and amazing when it came to taking care of her child. And guilt because he should have been facing these demons with her and instead he’d been wallowing in his own self-serving hell.
“All right, then,” Francine said, her voice matter-of-fact as she slit open the sealed envelope she held.
“Wait.” Logan held up a hand. Francine and Marisol both looked surprised. Ginny looked worried. He smiled down at her. “I just wanted to say that whatever we find out, I meant what I said earlier. It doesn’t matter. As far as I’m concerned, this baby is mine. And I’m going to honor both of you for the rest of my life.”
Tears filled Ginny’s eyes as he reached over to run his fingers across her cheek.
Across the bed, Marisol was beaming at him. And Francine cleared her throat, her eyes looking suspiciously moist. “So,” she said, pulling out a sheet of paper. “Do you want me to do the honors?”
Ginny nodded, slipping her hand into Logan’s.
Francine pulled opened the report just as Senator Rush burst through the door.
“What the hell is he doing here?” the senator asked, his eyes narrowing on Logan.
“He’s here because he’s family,” Marisol said, rising to her feet even as Logan jumped to his.
“If anyone should be here with Ginny, it should be me,” the senator snarled, his face mottled with anger. “I’m the baby’s father.”
“Actually,” Francine said, looking up from the report, her face wreathed in a smile. “You’re not.” She held the report out to Logan, who was already halfway across the room, his mind focused on kicking the senator’s ass. At her words, he froze.
“He’s not?” Hand shaking, he took the report and scanned it quickly, his smile followed by a war whoop. “Holy shit, Ginny, the baby is Jacob’s. Little Bit is Jacob’s.”
The senator tried to snatch the piece of paper away, but Logan was faster, his joy turning to anger as he flanked the older man. “In deference to the ladies, I’m going to give you one warning.” His voice grew lower as he closed the distance between him and the senator. “You have no business here. Your involvement with my family is over. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
The senator held his ground, his expression masked. “The baby is mine,” he asserted, but there was doubt in his voice now.
“Not according to this report,” Logan said. “And now unless you’d like me to call security, I want you to leave. And if I ever catch you anywhere near Ginny or the baby, I promise you’ll live to regret it. Am I making myself clear?”
“Perfectly,” the senator replied, his chin rising as he straightened both of his cuffs. “I’ll leave you and your little whore to your bastard baby.”
Logan didn’t even pause to think, he just swung, catching the belligerent bastard right in the face. There was a satisfying crunch as the senator stumbled backward, blood spurting from his nose.
Security arrived at that moment, saving the senator from the rest of Logan’s anger. As they hauled the senator out of the room, Logan turned back to face the ladies, not completely certain of his reception.
<
br /> “That was amazing,” Marisol said.
“Awesome,” Francine echoed.
“Wonderful.” Ginny smiled, and then grimaced. “But I think maybe now we need to concentrate on having the baby.”
“Jacob’s baby,” Logan said, moving quickly to her side.
“No,” she whispered, her gaze locking on his. “Ours.”
Chapter 8
“How’s your mom?” Brittany asked as Marcus sat down beside her in the waiting room.
The place was almost standing room only. Celeste and Payton huddled in one corner with Ian and Jeffry. Mallory, Luis, and Lacey were standing by the coffee machine. Sonya and Aiden Murphy were there as well, along with Logan’s grandfather Michael. It was practically a town meeting. Or maybe just a large extended family.
“She’s going to be okay,” Marcus answered. “Dillon is with her now. I think maybe finally, they’re going to get a chance to figure out what’s going on between the two of them.”
“Your mother deserves a chance at happiness after everything your dad put her through.”
“You’re right. It’s just kind of hard to wrap my head around Dillon and my mom. You know? I mean, hell, he’s the sheriff. Not exactly the kind of dude I’d have wanted to be my stepfather back in the day.”
“Well, you’ve changed,” she said, punching him playfully on his uninjured arm. “You’re a model citizen these days.”
He leaned over to steal a kiss. “Don’t count on it, sweetheart. There’s still a lot of wickedness left in this boy.”
She grinned, then her expression grew serious. “Mallory seems to be dealing okay.”
His gaze moved to his youngest sister as she laughed at something Luis was saying. “She’s coping at least. I think it helps to be young. And she’s always kept her distance from Hector. So I suspect she’s better equipped to deal with his death than Mom or Dakota.”
“What about Dakota?” Brittany asked. “Do you know where she is?”
He sucked in a painful breath. “She was at the lake. Patrick found her. He said she’s pretty shaken up. He’s bringing her here.”
“This is going to be especially hard on her. She worshiped Hector. It’s tough having the rug pulled out from under you.”
“I’ll admit part of me thinks she deserves it. But mostly I think she’s just a really damaged kid. You know?”
“I do. And I know that she’s not the only one hurting.” Brittany’s hand found his, and he reveled in the comfort just her touch brought. “I can’t imagine what you must be feeling.”
“To be honest, I’m not sure I even know what I’m feeling. I mean, I hate what my father has done to my family. And I know that some part of me ought to be sorry that he’s dead. But I’m not. I’m just not.”
“I understand what it is to have a despicable father, believe me. Mine was just here, as a matter of fact.”
“Ah, shit. Did he go in to see Ginny?”
“He did. Forced his way in, actually, and came out sporting a bloody nose that I think probably is going to ruin his profile in the next election.”
“Logan?” Marcus asked, not able to squelch his satisfied smile.
“Yeah. He’s in there with Ginny.”
He sobered, turning to face the woman he loved. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take pleasure in your dad’s pain.”
“Why?” Brittany asked, her lips curling into a soft smile. “I did. He made his bed and all that… I’m just glad that Ginny and Dakota got away from him. I don’t even blame Dakota for outing him anymore. He deserved that, too.”
“Yeah, but not the rest of the people she hurt in the process.”
“Maybe not. But with any luck, we can all move forward from here and get on with our lives.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Of course I do.” She shook her head, her expression confused and adorable.
“Good,” he said, brushing a strand of hair back from her face. “Because I have news.”
“More? I mean it’s been a rather eventful day between Ginny’s going into labor and your father’s…well… you know.”
“Death? It’s okay. You can say it. Bastard deserved it.”
“That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.”
“His betrayal is what hurt. The fact that he’s gone can only be a good thing. For all of us. Anyway, my news isn’t quite as mind-altering as all that, but Ian finalized the deal on some land. The ranch is going to be a reality. Ian’s staying in town.”
Brittany shot a look at his mentor. “Marisol.”
“Yeah, pretty much.” Marcus nodded at his friend, happy that he’d found someone to share his life with.
“But what does that mean for you?” Brittany’s brows drew together in a frown. “I mean if Ian is staying here?”
“He’s going to oversee both of his operations from here. The one in Montana and the one here. But I’m going to be running the place here. Ian asked me to be his partner.”
“Oh my God, Marcus, that’s wonderful. You’ll do an amazing job. I know you’ll make Ian proud.”
“Well, I’m kind of hoping that you’ll be the one who’s proud. And that you’ll consider sticking around and being a part of my success. I know you have to finish college. But maybe you can stick with the online courses? Or maybe commute to somewhere closer than Austin?”
“What are you saying, Marcus?”
“I’m saying that I want you with me. Always. But I don’t want you to substitute your dreams for mine.”
Her smile could have lit all of Storm. “My dreams are your dreams, Marcus. Together we can do anything.”
Voices rose with excitement as Francine walked into the waiting room.
“So,” she said, her smile embracing them all, “I’m happy to say that Storm’s newest resident has made a squalling healthy entrance. I know you’ll all join me in welcoming Jacob Logan Moreno. Mother and baby are doing fine.”
Marcus watched as Brittany’s aunt reached for her mother’s hand, tears streaming down her face. “Jacob?” Celeste whispered, the hope in her eyes making Marcus’s heart stutter.
Francine nodded. “Just like his papa.”
* * * *
“You ready for this?” Patrick asked as he and Dakota stepped off of the hospital elevator.
She blew out a long breath. “I don’t know. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say. I mean after everything I’ve done.”
“You’ll be fine. Your mother loves you. And for that matter, so do your brother and sister.” He nodded to where Mallory and Marcus were standing waiting for her.
“I don’t know about that.” She reached for Patrick’s hand, surprising herself as much as him.
“No.” He shook his head, his blue eyes full of compassion she probably didn’t deserve. But she liked the way it felt anyway. “This is something you have to do for yourself. I’ll be here when you’re done.”
For a moment she wavered, and then she nodded, turning to close the distance between her and her siblings. “Hi,” she said, feeling like an idiot, but not knowing what else to say. “How’s your arm?”
“It’s just a graze,” Marcus said with a shrug. “How are you?”
“I’ve been better.” She tried for a smile and failed miserably. “But at least I didn’t get shot.”
“Oh, Dakota, I can’t even imagine what it must have been like,” Mallory said, her baby sister reaching out to grab her hands. “I’m just glad you’re okay. Where have you been?”
“I, ah… I’ve been at the lake. Thinking.”
Marcus nodded. “I figured you’d go there.”
“Did you send Patrick?” She frowned, suddenly wondering if Patrick’s concern was Marcus’s doing.
“No. He volunteered. I just steered him in the right direction.”
“How’s Mom?”
“She’s beat up. And it’s going to take a while for the injuries to heal. But she’s going to be okay.”
Dakota wished like hell tha
t healing would truly be as simple as a few mended bones.
“She’s been asking for you,” Mallory said.
“Oh, God.” Tears threatened and Dakota stared at the ceiling, trying to get her tumbling emotions under control. “I’m not sure I know why.”
“Because she’s worried about you. I mean you were there when…when…”
“It’s okay, Mal,” Marcus said. “You can say it. Dad is dead.”
Dakota felt a fresh stab of pain. “Is he…I mean is the body…”
“The sheriff’s department took him to the morgue.”
She nodded, her stomach clenching as the memory of the day’s horror played again through her mind. “And Sheriff Murphy? He’s not…he’s not in trouble, right? I mean, he was defending us.”
Marcus looked surprised, and she felt ashamed that he’d doubt her stance on how things played out. “He’s going to be fine. There were plenty of witnesses.”
“I’ll be happy to give a statement if it helps,” she said, wishing there was something more she could do. Like wipe out the last five or six years of her life.
“I’ll let Dillon know.” He paused for a minute, his gaze searching hers. “Do you want to see Mom?”
Yes. No. God, if only it were as simple as one or the other. She pulled in a ragged breath. “Yeah. I do.”
“Good for you,” Mallory said, her smile giving Dakota a moment of peace. Of all of them, their father’s malevolence had touched her the least. Which was something good to hold onto. “Do you want us to come with you?”
Her eyes met Marcus’s again. “No. Patrick’s right. This is something I have to do myself.”
For a moment she thought she saw a flash of pride in Marcus’s eyes, but of course after everything she’d done, that wasn’t possible. Still, just the idea made her feel stronger. “Dakota, you know that none of what happened at the house was your fault.”
“Maybe not directly. But we are where we are in part because of my actions. And pretending otherwise isn’t going to change the facts.”
This time she was certain it was a sparkle of pride. Too little too late, but she’d cherish it anyway.
