Dane had left about an hour earlier, going to talk to Dom, the ranch foreman who was covering for him while he’d taken time off to look into MacKenna. She’d grabbed a shower after he left, made some toast, and now sat at her laptop, ready to dig into the URL they’d received earlier. If the information contained at the ghost site was correct, they might actually be able to build a case.
Just not against Matthew MacKenna.
She heard the screen door creak open, followed by the front door, and swiveled in her chair to see who’d come in. It was a surprise to see Ms. Patti walk into the kitchen like she owned the place. Which in essence she did, since the house was part of the Boudreau ranch. Dane lived here and ran the day-to-day operation, but Momma Boudreau still pulled all the strings.
“Good morning, Ms. Patti. Can I get you some coffee?”
“I’d love some, but you stay where you’re at. I can get it.” Without hesitating, Ms. Patti crossed the kitchen and poured a cup, and then sat at the table across from Destiny. She hooked her huge bag over the back of the chair and folded her hands on the table.
Uh-oh. What did I do?
“I want to know what’s going on with my son.”
No beating around the bush for Ms. Patti. When she wanted to know something, she got right to the point. Destiny appreciated the trait.
“You know most of what’s happened. We got information that’s taking us in a different direction just this morning.”
Ms. Patti shook her head. “That’s not what I mean. I want to know what’s going on between the two of you. I want to know how you feel about my son.”
“I…” Destiny’s voice froze. What could she tell Ms. Patti without disclosing the real reason she’d married Dane?
“Honey, I know I’m putting you on the spot, but y’all eloping blindsided his daddy and me. You barely know our son. I doubt you talked to him more than a time or two and then next thing we know, you’re coming back from Las Vegas with a ring on your hand.”
“Ms. Patti, I—we—it’s complicated.”
Ms. Patti shook her head and made a tutting sound. “Child, emotions are complicated. If caring for somebody, loving somebody, was easy, would it really be worth it?”
Somehow her words struck Destiny like a sledgehammer to the chest. Because she was right. Everything she felt for Dane came rushing forward, and tears prickled behind her eyelids.
“It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Our marriage, it’s a simple business decision. Whoever wants Dane dead might have second thoughts if they realize his claim to MacKenna-Duncan won’t disappear if he dies. I’ve promised to continue the fight to get justice for his biological parents and protect their legacy.” She drew in a ragged breath and twisted her hands in her lap. “I don’t care about the money. I care about Dane.”
“I know you do, honey. Every time you look at him, I can see how much you love him.”
“You can?”
“Of course. A mother knows these things.”
Destiny stood and walked to the counter, staring out the window above the sink. “I didn’t realize it myself until we were in Vegas, and I got hit by the car. The only thing I could think about was Dane, and how much I loved him.” She laughed. “I barely know him, and I can’t believe how quickly my feelings went from being an acquaintance to being head over heels in love with him.”
“Wait, wait. You were hit by a car?”
She gave Ms. Patti a shaky smile. “Long story. I’m fine, just a few bruises. Ms. Patti, what am I going to do? Our marriage isn’t real. Dane doesn’t feel anything for me, except maybe friendship. Maybe not even that. All this happened because I kept my eyes on everything related to your family. Like some obsessed stalker. Just saying it out loud, it sounds like I’ve got mental problems.”
“Just tell me this one thing. Do you love my son enough to fight for him?”
“I’ve never felt like this before. Not about anybody. I love him with all my heart.”
Ms. Patti rose and walked over, pulling Destiny into her arms, embracing her with a warmth of affection Destiny hadn’t felt in years. Her own mother hadn’t been overly affectionate, though Destiny knew she was loved. But this? The generous sharing of affection made her realize how much of life she’d allowed to pass her by.
“As long as you love him, everything will work out. I know Dane cares about you too.”
Destiny took a step back and wiped ineffectively at her nose. Great, she was blubbering in front of her mother-in-law. She straightened when the words Ms. Patti had said sank in.
“Did Dane say anything to you? About how he feels about me?”
Great, I sound like a whiny baby, craving attention like a teenage groupie with her first crush.
Ms. Patti reached up and caught her chin with her hand, her touch gentle. “He hasn’t said anything, but I’m his mother. I’ve seen the way he looks at you when he thinks nobody’s watching. If he’s not in love yet, he’s not far from falling.”
Destiny let out a shaky breath, her heart soaring at Ms. Patti’s words. Was she right? Could Dane have real feelings for her? Care about her even half as much as she did him? Was there even a small chance he’d want to make this sham marriage into a real one?
“I think we understand each other. I have one final thing to say, and then we’ll sit down and finish our coffee. And I brought a fresh coffee cake with me, it’s in my bag.” Ms. Patti took a step back, putting distance between them, and Destiny felt it like a chasm gaping beneath her feet.
“Say it.”
“I’ll support you, help you win over my son’s heart. But, if you hurt him in any way, I’ll make you wish you’d never heard the name Boudreau. Are we clear?”
“Crystal.”
Ms. Patti’s smile was a thing of beauty, lighting her face with a glow of warmth and love. “Excellent. Let’s have some cake, shall we?”
Without another word, Destiny reached into the cabinet and took down two plates. Suddenly, she was starving.
Dane strode toward the barn, determined to deal with whatever crisis Dom had called about and get back home. Meet him in the barn, he said. Dane hoped it wasn’t anything serious because he wanted to get back to Destiny. They were getting close, so close he could practically taste the satisfaction. He’d been sure Matthew MacKenna had been the man responsible for killing his biological parents, yet additional information provided by the anonymous source contradicted all the evidence he’d gathered over the years.
Walking through the sliding doors, he stopped short when he spotted his father and Rafe leaning against the stalls. Great, they’d set up a familial ambush. He glanced around, half-expecting to see more of his brothers tucked into the nooks and crannies, ready to ambush him.
“Son.”
“Morning, Dad.”
His father indicated the stack of hay bales piled along the far wall. “Get comfortable, we need to talk.”
With a shrug, Dane sat on one of the bales, knowing his father would get to the point when he was ready, and not a moment before. Rafe hadn’t moved, and he wondered what his brother was there for. Guess he was about to find out.
“Don’t look at me. I’m still mad at you for not telling me sooner.”
“Bro, don’t start. I did what I thought was right. I was protecting you,” he swept his hand between his brother and his father, “all of you.”
“Do I look like I need protecting? I’m older than you and definitely wiser because this stunt has stupid written all over it.”
“Boys, let’s get to the point.”
“Fine.” Rafe glared at Dane. “But we’re gonna talk later. Count on it.”
“Sure thing, Sheriff,” Dane mocked.
Douglas took a step toward Rafe. “If you can’t stop goading your brother, you can leave.”
“Sorry, Dad. I’ll behave.”
Douglas sat atop a hay bale and turned his attention to Dane. “Your momma is worried.” Dane knew better than to interrupt his father. “It broke her heart when you ran off and got married.”
“Dad, I never intended—”
“I know, son. I’m not talking about my feelings. But your momma has a tender heart, especially when it comes to you boys. I think she’s worried you got married, rushed into things, without thinking about all the pros and cons. Course, her biggest concern is if you’re in love with your wife.”
Dane pulled back as if slapped. He’d never thought about his feelings for the beautiful woman he’d all but commandeered into a slapdash wedding. His reasoning was sound: he needed to protect his family’s legacy, to make sure MacKenna couldn’t take away everything his father had spent his life building. MacKenna had controlled the company, the finances, everything for over two decades, and he needed to make sure measures were taken to change that fact. Not for himself; he couldn’t care less about the money. He was happiest on the back of a horse, riding the land. But the people who’d been there for his father, working for him, helping make the company into a multibillion-dollar industry, deserved to be rewarded. The rest could be donated to various charities where it could do the most good.
“Before you answer, think. Destiny’s a good woman, and she doesn’t deserve to be hurt when you’ve had your revenge.”
“Dad, it’s not about revenge. It’s about justice.”
“Is it? Seems to me, if you’re looking for justice, you wouldn’t have done everything in secret. You’ve got valuable resources at your fingertips.” He gestured toward Rafe. “Your brother’s the sheriff of Shiloh Springs. Antonio works for the FBI. Derrick Williamson is the special agent in charge of the Austin FBI office. Heath works for the DEA and has governmental contacts. Ridge runs a security service, which is in high demand for being able to not only protect people, but to uncover threats to his clients. Lucas, with his investigative skills, knows how to dig deep into a problem and uncover facts deeply hidden. And what about Shiloh? He’s a private investigator. Instead of working with your family, you’ve spent years hiding in the shadows, digging for evidence to destroy MacKenna. That’s not justice, son. It’s revenge, plain and simple.”
Dane sat straighter, stunned at his father’s words. Was he right? All this time, he’d thought he was seeking justice for an untenable crime, willing to do the work the police hadn’t. But hearing his father state his goal wasn’t justice but revenge—
“I don’t know anymore. What I believed weighed against what I now know, everything’s upside down and isn’t making sense. I want to see the person who murdered my parents pay for what they did, but I won’t do it at the cost of losing this family. You know I wouldn’t change a single minute of my life here. I love you and Momma. I even love the big lug over there.” He waved his hand in Rafe’s direction.
“Right back at you, bro.”
Douglas smiled and stood, placing his meaty hand on Dane’s shoulder. “We love you, too, son. Now that we’ve straightened that out, what am I supposed to tell your momma?” Dane didn’t understand what his father wanted him to say. “About Destiny. She wants to know if you’re in love with her.”
He didn’t hesitate. “I love her with every fiber of my being. She found that empty place in my heart and filled it to overflowing. I hoped we’d have time after things are over for me to spend time with her. Let her know how I feel.”
“Don’t wait.” Dane turned toward Rafe at his bold statement. “I almost lost Tessa because I was afraid to tell her how I felt. Thought it was too soon, we were moving too fast. Don’t make the same mistake, because you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. If you love Destiny, tell her. You might discover she loves you too.”
“Thanks. I can’t lose her. If it means giving up everything to keep her, I’ll do it. I’ll let go of chasing after MacKenna, give anything, if she’ll stay with me. Love me half as much as I love her.”
The truth of those words echoed in his head, and he realized the moment he admitted the truth, let go of all the anger, the burning rage at avenging his parents, the love for Destiny filled him, giving him peace.
“I think we’re finished here, son. Go home and tell your wife how you feel. Finding the one woman in the world that’s meant for you and only you, it’s a special thing. One you don’t want to miss out on because you weren’t strong enough or smart enough to realize what you had until it’s gone.”
Dane pulled his father into an embrace, thanking God for leading him to the man who would teach him how to be truly worthy of Destiny’s love. He’d led his sons by example, showing them with his words and his actions how to be the best father and husband any woman could ask for.
“Thank you for being my father.”
Douglas gave a jerky nod and strode out of the barn, leaving Dane and Rafe inside.
“Dude, nice to see you finally realized what’s truly important. I’m outta here. I’m having lunch with the woman I love. See ya.”
Dane watched his brother leave, smiling. They might give each other grief from time to time, because that’s what brothers did. But when the chips were down, they were there for each other—always.
He couldn’t wait to get home, to the woman he loved. He only hoped it wasn’t too late to tell her how he felt, and that he was going to drop the investigation, and live a life filled with love. With her, if she’d stay with him.
There wasn’t any other option.