LITMIR.BIZ

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      Love. He tensed, Amy’s words returning.

      Everything you offer comes with conditions and expectations.

      Logan tipped Jayden’s chin up with a knuckle and peered into his eyes. “It’s okay to be afraid. Most everyone is at some point or another. It’s pushing through the fear that makes you brave.”

      Jayden blinked and asked, “So I can still be a bone-a-fine cowboy?”

      Logan nodded. “Yep. And a bone-a-fine cowboy always looks better wearing a hat.” He scooped it off the floor and placed it on Jayden’s head. “A man needs his hat.”

      Jayden brightened, a smile stretching from ear to ear. He snuggled against the left side of Logan’s chest—Amy’s favorite spot—settling in for the long wait.

      You only accept people when they live up to your standards and can’t forgive them when they don’t.

      Logan cringed. He’d never lived up to his own standards. Had never pleased himself with his own actions, much less been impressed by anyone else’s. He’d been so fixated on flawlessness that he’d failed to see the good qualities in others.

      Dominic had left the circuit for Cissy. Not because he had to but because he wanted to. For her and the boys.

      Even though it’d almost broken him, Pop had stayed behind at Raintree instead of following Gloria. Not because he hadn’t still loved her but because he loved his sons more.

      Amy had held the memory of their marriage in her heart for four years. Had remained loyal to it and to him. Not because she had to. But because she loved him.

      You have to believe love exists to be able to feel it.

      He had felt it. Every time he held Amy, hands shaking against her. Every time his body rebelled against his mind, reaching for her and getting lost in her over and over again. And he’d felt it burning in his chest when he’d held Sara.

      He’d fought feeling it to avoid pain and regret. To avoid the risk of losing Amy and being hurt. Turned out, his heart was stronger than his head. It had remained steadfast to Amy through the worst.

      I’m just an obligation. Another one of your regrets.

      He didn’t want Amy because of a piece of paper. Or to make up for any mistakes they made. He wanted her because he needed her. He needed her spirit and smile in his life. Needed her hardheaded stubbornness and tender touch. Needed her because she challenged him and made him feel more alive than anything else. The love he had for her was stronger and more comforting than any pain life’s disappointments could bring.

      Logan’s throat thickened. He’d never told her he loved her. Not once. Hell, he hadn’t even been able to acknowledge it to himself.

      The next few minutes ticked by in slow motion. One hour passed and then another. The boys’ eyes drooped but they stayed awake, Kayden in Traci’s lap and Jayden in Logan’s. Pop paced and Betty wiped tears away a time or two.

      Dominic burst into the waiting room, his smile as wide as his step. “Cissy’s doing well. They moved her into a room. Get over here, boys. You have an aunt asking for you and two cousins to visit.”

      “So Grace is okay?” Pop’s smile shook.

      Dominic hugged him. “Yeah. She’s perfect. All my girls are.”

      Relief flooded Logan’s chest. The boys squealed and hopped to the floor, clamoring across the room to barrel into Dominic’s legs. They each looped an arm around his thighs and stood on his boots, laughing as his strides carried them down the hall.

      “Well—” Dominic’s brow quirked “—y’all waiting for an engraved invitation, or what?”

      They all laughed and followed Dominic. Logan stayed back, waiting in the hall as Betty and Traci cooed over the girls. Pop’s deep voice sounded as he spoke in soothing tones to Cissy and the babies and the boys’ proud chatter filled every corner of the room. Everyone was there.

      Everyone except Amy. Logan closed his eyes. He wanted a new life with her and their baby. Wanted to hope again for the dream he’d lost so long ago with Sara.

      Maybe I am still chasing a fairy tale. But I’m not giving up on it.

      Amy’s words warmed his blood and lifted his head. He opened his eyes, excitement buzzing in his veins at the possibility. The hope of happiness. Of something bright and beautiful growing out of something that was once so bleak.

      “We’re heading back now,” Pop said, stepping into the hall. “Dom’s spending the night here. You coming?”

      Logan shook his head. “I’m gonna stay with Dom for a while. Can the boys and Traci ride back with you and Betty? It’s late and I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

      Pop smiled. “Of course. Take your time.”

      Betty and Traci passed, discussing plans for the new twins’ wardrobe. Kayden and Jayden smacked noisy kisses to Cissy’s cheeks, then skipped into the hall.

      “What’d you think?” Logan asked.

      Kayden tilted his head and shrugged. “They ain’t bad. Kinda small but they’re okay, I guess.”

      “We like ’em,” Jayden said. “We’re gonna take good care of ’em.”

      “I know you will.” Logan swept them against his legs for a squeeze before they scampered off to join the rest of the crew walking down the hall.

      Logan inhaled, holding his breath and edging his head into the room. Dominic sat at Cissy’s bedside. He smoothed one hand over her blond hair and the other over the babies nestled in her arms.

      Logan cleared his throat and asked, “Got time for one more visitor?”

      They glanced up and smiled.

      “Of course,” Cissy said. “Come meet your nieces.”

      Logan walked slowly to the bed. “You feeling okay?”

      Cissy laughed. “I’m feeling great right now. It’s tomorrow when the meds wear off that things will change.”

      Logan nodded and looked at the bundles in her arms. The boys had been right. The babies were small. The pink blankets cocooning them parted slightly to reveal dark hair, flushed cheeks and rosebud mouths. Every bit of which reminded him of Sara.

      Logan flinched, pain shooting through his chest. Not as sharp as before but enough to cut.

      “They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” Dominic bent and kissed their foreheads.

      Logan nodded and searched their peaceful faces, waiting for their eyelids to flicker or their mouths to part.

      “Would you like to hold one of them?” Cissy asked.

      Her eyes were patient and gentle. Understanding.

      Logan swallowed around the lump in his throat. “Please.”

      Dominic stood and Logan took his seat, watching with coiled muscles as Dominic gently lifted one of the babies and carried her over.

      “Here you go, Grace,” Dominic whispered, lowering her into Logan’s arms. “Meet your uncle Logan.”

      Grace’s light weight hardly rivaled a feather and if he didn’t have his eyes on her, Logan could’ve sworn Dominic had never put her in his arms. He held still and studied her face. She didn’t move. Didn’t make a sound.

      Sara.

      Logan froze. A knot formed in his chest. He pulled Grace closer.

      “There’s something wrong.”

      Heaven help him, he knew the thought was irrational. Knew it to be untrue. But he couldn’t stop himself from voicing it.

      “No,” Cissy whispered. “She’s just sleeping.”

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