Texas Heroes_ Volume 1(196)

“I’m not sure I’m going to stay. This should be private.”

Boone arched one eyebrow. “Never took you for a coward, Marlowe. Mitch and Perrie and Davey won’t be here for another couple of hours. I’ll have my hands full with Maddie and the tears she’s gonna weep all over me. Lacey’s yours to handle.”

“Lacey’s not mine.” No matter how he wished she were.

“So you say,” Boone said easily. “Buck up, dude. A few tears won’t kill you.”

Even one more tear from Lacey would undo him, but Dev didn’t say that. He opened the cabinet and handed Boone two glasses.



Hours later, they stood at the doorway saying goodbye to the whole clan. Boone had practically had to pry Maddie out bodily to get her to leave. They’d driven off, needing to get back to the ranch, but only after Lacey had promised to visit very soon. If Maddie could have figured out a way to do it, Dev had a feeling she would have packed Lacey up and taken her with them.

Lacey hugged Davey one more time. Tall, dark Mitch, ever the stoic, stood at the door. He spoke quietly, his dark eyes holding her. “I’d like it if you’d come to the wedding. I’ve been without family for a long time.”

Tiny blonde Perrie chimed in, leaning into Mitch’s side. “I don’t have any family at all besides Davey and the Gallaghers, and I’ve decided Maddie’s not the only one who wants a sister. It would mean a lot to all of us if you’d come, Lacey.” She leaned around Mitch and Lacey. “You’ll bring her, Dev, won’t you?”

He and Lacey had a lot of ground to cover before then. Right now, she looked so exhausted she was almost translucent. “I’ll be there,” he agreed. Whether Lacey would come was something he wouldn’t predict. “You all drive safely.”

“’Bye, Dev. ’Bye, Aunt Lacey,” Davey called out.

Mitch nodded at Dev, brushed his hand gently over Lacey’s hair, then herded his new family outside.

When Lacey closed the door and turned around, her eyes were awash with tears.

Dev’s heart seized. “Come on,” he said, taking her arm. “You’re worn out. I’ll clean up while you get ready for bed.”

Lacey looked up at him. “I am exhausted, but, oh Dev, you were so right. They’re wonderful. I couldn’t have created a more beautiful family if I’d dreamed them up myself.” She hugged her arms to her sides. “I can’t sleep yet. I’m too wound up.”

“Then at least come over here and sit down on the sofa.”

She followed him without complaint, settling back into the cushions.

Between them, a strained silence fell.

Dev was as tired as he’d ever been. He’d had very little sleep since before the night of their date, which seemed a thousand years ago now.

Had they really experienced that night of bliss? His body told him yes. He’d wanted her then; he wanted her still. But that night lived across a huge chasm of painful emotion and distrust. Building a bridge would take effort, and Lacey’s resources were stretched thin.

There was so much he wanted to know, so much he wanted to discuss—but he wasn’t sure he wanted the answers he might hear. Instead he busied himself picking up glasses and plates.

“Dev…” Lacey’s voice sounded odd.

He glanced up to see her studying him solemnly, her eyes huge and haunted.

“Want me to leave?” he asked.

Confusion filled her gaze. Then she shook her head and looked away from him.

After a moment, she drew in a deep breath and turned back, pulled her arms into herself as if for protection. “Tell me, Dev. Tell me what he did.”

He knew she meant her father. “Not now. When you’re better, but not now.”

“I have to understand. I have to know why. I have to figure out who I am, where I belong. I need to know who this man who calls himself my father really is. Please. If you care at all about me, tell me.”

Oh, I care, all right. Too damn much.

“I don’t think you’re up to it right now.”

For a second, her eyes sparked. “You have no right to decide for me anymore. No one does. I’ve learned that one thing from all of you making decisions about my life. I guess I should thank you—you’ve freed me not to care what you think I’m ready to handle.”

Touché. Dev nodded. “All right.” He set down the dishes, shoved his hands in his pockets and began to pace, trying to think how best to say it.

Lacey tensed, but she had to hear this, no matter what it was. They couldn’t go forward without her understanding the missing pieces of the puzzle.

“He framed my father.”