Her face pales drastically, and she sets her coffee down with a shaking hand. “I’ve ruined everything.”
“No,” I growl at her, making her jump a little. “Youhaven’t. Whatever you’re thinking in that big, beautiful brain, you fucking stop it. You’remy family, Lana. We’re all one family. We’re just caught in a rough patch, but we’ll get through it.”
Lana leans her head forward to rest against mine.
“I hope you’re right. It mostly comes down to his relationship with me. I don’t think he’d stay mad at you about the dating-his-kid thing. He knows you well enough to know that you’d take good care of his daughter, Bates. On some level, he’s probably relieved to have someone take me off his hands. He’ll be able to get his ducks in a row without having to worry where the goose fits.”
She lifts one shoulder in a half-shrug and continues despite the quivering of her chin. “Maybe I’m just meant to stay further away. I can do that. It could still work out. Maybe. With time. If I just… try harder. I’ll try harder,” she whimpers, her shoulders already shaking from the sobs that are about to overwhelm her.
I fold her into my arms and glare at Hawk over her shoulder, but I can’t stay mad for long. He looks as broken as she is. I help Lana to her feet so I can hug her better, then I wave for Hawk to come closer.
“Your list had some fine points on it, and I know you snuck family time and grand-babies in at the bottom, but I think you miscalculated your dad’s priorities. You basically left yourself off the list, but you’re the fucking prize, Lana.”
She sniffs into my shirt and mumbles something disagreeable, so I kiss her head and keep rubbing her back as I meet Hawk’s eyes.
“You know what your dad gets if you stay, Lana? He gets a chance to make things better. He gets the opportunity and theprivilegeof knowing you. He’ll get to spend time with all of his family together — the way he’s always wanted but never thought possible — becauseyoumade it happen. He gets to see you happy for the first time in his life, and that’ll help bring him peace and mend his heart. He gets to show you how much he believes in you. He gets the straight-shooting daughter who’s not afraid to deliver truth bombs, verbal ass-kickings, and romantic advice directly where they’re needed for maximum effect. You’re irreplaceable, and he knows it.”
I turn Lana into her father’s arms and watch as she stiffens and then melts into his body, sobbing even harder. Startled by her emotion, it takes Hawk a moment to respond, but once he does, he clutches her to him the way he should.
“I’ll give you two some space,” I say quietly, before joining Martha out on the porch. I shoo her away from the door, where she’s had her ear pressed to for the last ten minutes, and I sit with her on the steps.
“Nicely handled,” she says.
“Thanks.”
Martha nods and looks out over the scarred landscape of the Gambler’s Creek Claim. “I know you two were clueless when you met and hooked up before you got here. She couldn’t stop raving about you — not that she used your name. Even drunk as a skunk, that girl’s got brains.”
Not sure where she’s headed with this conversation, but knowing I don’t want to be on her bad side, I keep my eyes low. “She’s something special, alright.”
When I glance her way again, Martha’s scowl is still set in a harsh appraisal as she seems to assess and re-assess my suitability for her sister.
“She told me she thinks you’re pretty,” she says eventually.
I can’t help but smile as I nod. “She told me that, too.”
“Yousmittenfuck.” Martha gives me a playful shove and then stands to dust off her jeans. “Do you think we should get her eyes tested?”
26
LANA
Dad releases me to arm’s length, then shakes his head and pulls me back into a firm embrace.
“Your dad is such a fucking dickhead sometimes,” he says with a groan.
“I know,” I sob and hug him harder. “It’s not all his fault, though,” I add with a sniff. “His daughter’s been rubbing salt in his raw patches to make them sting. But she’s sorry.”
“He’s the idiot who needs to apologize. He also needs to stop talking in the third person so he can own his fucking bullshit. I’m sorry, Lana. I love you. I do. I don’t do it right, but I’ll figure it out. Kelly will keep pointing me in the right direction if I don’t,” he says with a sneaky smile as he releases me again.
Laughing a little, I wipe my face. “I picked a good one, right?”
Dad groans. “Yeah, he’s the best fucking asshole I know. Happy?”
I’m sure my smile probably says it all, but I give him the verbal confirmation along with it. “Yes.”
“Good. You want another coffee while we talk this out?” he offers, already heading for the machine. “Milk, no sugar, right? Like me?”
Still smiling and not quite sure that I haven’t passed out, hit my head, and am now hallucinating, I nod again. “Yes, please.”
