“A woman who didn’t deserve their love,” Skylar said gruffly. “Who left them with broken hearts.”
“But look what they got out of it, Skylar. Jeremiah got Logan, Lyle, Lance, and Carrie. I think the only thing he would change is all the crap Carrie went through. But they found her and showed her the love she had missed out on.”
She cuddled in closer. “And I’m sure your father would go through all that heartache again if he knew that you would be the result.”
Skylar stared at Haven. His father had once said that having Skylar for a son was worth anyheartbreak Edwina had put him through. “That’s exactly what Dad told me, just before he died.”
“And I’m sure he meant it,” she said. “So, in a way, you and the Montgomery kids were blessings to those two heartbroken men.” She paused, then carefully asked, “Have you decided what you’re going to do about Edwina? Will you forgive her?”
“I have decided, but I don’t want to talk about Edwina Montgomery. I want to make love to you, and then we can discuss the best way to explain our relationship when I arrive with you for Thanksgiving dinner at your family’s house,” he said.
“They definitely will be surprised, but I think I know a way to make the surprise a little sweet.”
“How?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Let’s make love first and then I’ll tell you all about it.”
CHAPTER 30
Thanksgiving
“Are you sure he said he was coming?” Carrie asked for the third time in an hour. Everyone understood her excitement. Although she had been too young to remember anything about Silas Kingston, what Skylar had shared with Logan about Silas offering for her, too, wanting her to have a better life without Edwina, had touched her.
“I’m positive, Carrie,” Logan said, smiling. “I got the call yesterday. He apologized for waiting until the last minute to respond, but I told him it didn’t matter. We all wanted to meet him.”
It was Thanksgiving Day, and mostly everyone had arrived the day before. Thea and Jeremiah were in the kitchen, and the smell of delicious food filled the house. Kim, her husband Lloyd, and their twin sons had arrived that morning, and the twins were eager to meet the real-life rodeo cowboy who would be coming with their aunt Dani.
Everyone was also curious about the man accompanying Haven. All she’d said was that he was someone she’d met during the month she had been in Arizona. They figured he was another medical researcher.
Jeremiah and Thea had a spacious dining room, big enough to accommodate everyone. Since the majority of the food had been cooked last night, most of the men were in the family room watching a football game. From all the hooting and hollering, it was apparent someone’s team was winning.
The one topic no one would discuss was Edwina, and who, if anyone, would be visiting her. Carrie and Lance were still listed in the ‘will not’ category. The others were possible maybe’s, but no definite decisions had been made.
Dani and her cowboy arrived around one o’clock. Wade walked in, dressed in jeans, a Western shirt, and a Stetson. Like Richard, it was obvious that he was a Texan, through and through. It didn’t take long for anyone to see just how taken Dani and Wade were with each other, making it crystal clear that Steve was out of the picture for good. The women quickly pulled Dani aside to congratulate her on wrangling the ruggedly handsome cowboy.
“Did Skylar Kingston say what time he was coming?” Lance asked Logan. Like his sister, he was eager to meet his half-brother.
Before Logan could answer, the doorbell rang. “That’s either Haven or Skylar since they are the only two who haven’t arrived yet. I’ll go open the door.”
“I’ll go with you,” Carrie said, rushing behind him.
“We will all go,” Lance said, pulling his brother Lyle with him.
“And what if it’s Haven? She’ll wonder why we all rushed to the door, as if we want to gang up on her new boyfriend or something,” Lyle said.
“We haven’t seen her since the twins’ christening, so we’ll be welcoming her back from Arizona,” Lance replied.
When Logan, surrounded by his siblings, opened the door, he found both Haven and Skylar standing there together. Like everyone else, he figured they must have arrived at the same time. “Welcome back, Haven,” Logan said, giving her a hug. Then he held out his hand to Skylar, “Welcome, Skylar. I’m glad you could make it.”
Skylar shook his hand. “Thanks for inviting me.”
When everyone stepped back, the couple entered. Everybody was glad to see Haven, but was curious about Skylar. “Go get Pop out of the kitchen,” Logan told one of the twins. “Let him know Skylar is here so he can make the official introductions.”
Skylar smiled when he saw the man he knew to be Jeremiah move through the crowd, accompanied by an attractive older woman. Jeremiah introduced himself and Thea and then welcomed Skylar to their home. Then, he introduced everyone.
It took a while, but when all the introductions were finished, Jeremiah said to Skylar, “You and Logan have already met, and since you and Haven arrived at the same time, I assume the two of you have met, too, but now the rest of the crew will have a chance to get to know you.” He turned to Haven. “I guess your fellow couldn’t make it. Or is he arriving later?”
Skylar and Haven smiled at each other. Everyone was surprised when Skylar took Haven’s hand in his, and she moved closer to his side. When Haven had everyone’s attention, she said, “Skylar is my fellow. We met in Arizona, but only recently found out about our family connection.”
