Texas Heroes_ Volume 1(193)

“She had blonde hair and blue eyes like Boone’s, but she was delicate like you. Maddie’s taller, like her dad, but you and she share his coloring.”

“Tell me about Mitch and Boone.”

“They’re both big men, a couple of inches taller than me. Boone used to be a Navy SEAL, but he’s got a real reputation as a fine horseman. He loves that ranch. Says it’s the only place he ever wanted to be. He and Maddie met when his dad willed her the ranch house—it was Dalton’s old homeplace.

“Boone was madder than the devil, and the terms of the will said that he and Maddie had to live there for thirty days before he could buy her out.” He grinned. “Maddie led him on a merry chase, but I think he was a goner the day he met her. They’re married now.

“Mitch is a hunting and fishing guide. His hair is dark, and his eyes are brown like Sam’s.” He stared at her for a minute. “He’s had a rough time of it. Jenny died in his arms after an accident, and he blamed himself for it. His father did, too—banned him from the funeral and banished him from their lives. Sam went about half-crazy when Jenny died. Mitch has been alone for a long time, hadn’t seen Boone since that day. I just found him right before I found you. But he’s got a woman he’s going to marry soon. Her name is Perrie, and she’s got a five-year-old son named Davey who thinks Mitch hung the moon.”

Dev studied her. “He’s a good man, Lacey. They’re all good people. They’re waiting to welcome you into the family. Boone and Mitch swear that Jenny was just this side of an angel, and that she would never have given up a child unless she’d had no other choice. They want to do this for her, to bring her missing baby home. And Maddie—well, you’re the only family Maddie has left.”

She couldn’t fasten on the emotions of people she’d never met. Not yet. They weren’t real. She wasn’t sure she wanted them to be. “I’m sorry.” And she meant it. “I just…it’s a little hard to take in.”

He nodded his head, and that lock of black hair fell over his forehead again. She could remember how it felt against her skin.

“Were you surprised? When you found out that the baby was me, I mean?”

His head jerked up, his gaze meeting hers. For a precious moment, brilliant green glowed with wry humor. “You can’t imagine how much. Out of all the world…it had to be you.”

She smiled, but her own was tinged with rue, too. Then suddenly, her eyes filled. “I don’t know who I am, Dev. Maybe I should be glad that they’re not my parents after what they did to you, but I’m not.” She lifted her head. “I’m nothing now. No one. Don’t you see? I don’t belong anywhere.”

He touched her hand, then pulled away as though her skin burned him. But his eyes focused intently on hers. “You need to do this. You need to see the place where your roots are buried. Need to meet the people who share your blood.”

“I—” She glanced away. “I don’t know…”

“They’re here.”

“What?” Shock rippled down her spine.

“I called them after you collapsed. Took myself off the case.” He raked fingers through his hair. “I’ve hurt them, too. I had to tell them that I didn’t know if you’d ever meet them now because of how I’d screwed up.” He shook his head. “Maddie didn’t waste time yelling at me. She simply told me they’d be here in a few hours, whether or not you’d see them.”

He looked at Lacey. “They’ve been waiting, hoping you’d want to meet them as much as they want to meet you. They care, Lacey. They’re prepared to give you all the love and support you could ever want.”

“Just like that? Without even knowing me?”

“You’re family.” He shrugged. “That’s all they need to know.” Dev watched her closely. “So are you going to give them a chance? Are you ready to give yourself a chance?”

Ready? Would she ever be ready for this?

But how would she ever find her compass again if she didn’t?

She squeezed her arms around her middle, but this time it was butterflies, not acid. “I can’t meet them here, not like this.” She chewed a thumbnail. “I don’t know what to wear.”

She surprised a laugh from him. That quick and rakish grin she loved flashed across his face. “You could wear a tow sack and they wouldn’t care.”

“I don’t think I have a tow sack. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one.”

“Oh, city girl, you’ve got some surprises in store. But Maddie was the consummate city girl herself when she first came. Boone can tell you stories…”