His family.
He had never thought of them that way before.
They were the Daltons.
He’d had a family.
His mom had been his family. She had... She had sacrificed for him. Had given up her dreams for him.
And then she had died. She had never gotten to be in that space where it was any easier. She had never found love. She had never gotten to be free of the millstone around her neck that was...this kid that she’d been saddled with because Hank hadn’t taken responsibility for his actions.
No, they weren’t his family.
His mother had been his family. And that was it. There was nothing more to say.
There never would be. He would not allow Sammy and her big, dewy eyes to make him feel guilty about anything. He didn’t have to give answers to the questions in McKenna’s gaze. He just didn’t. He didn’t know the woman. He didn’t owe her a damn thing.
He didn’t owe any of them anything.
He gritted his teeth against all the emotion that was rising up inside of him. Things he didn’t have a name for. Things he didn’t like at all.
And he focused on West and Pansy. On the miracle that was the two of them saying their vows. Looking at each other like two people who had never lost. Who had never been hurt. He knew that wasn’t the case. Not for either of them.
It was a hell of a thing.
And the day was about them. He was determined to let that be true.
When the wedding was finished, when they had kissed and been pronounced husband-and-wife, the island tables were cleared, and everything for the reception was set up.
There was a band, and Colt picked up his guitar and started to play country music, like he did at family gatherings. Colt wasn’t necessarily big on performing music, but the guy didn’t have a shy or modest bone in his body. And Logan had a feeling it was all the same to him, riding a bull in front of a crowded stadium of people, a ride that might be televised on national TV, playing a guitar for family at a barbecue, or playing it now in a hall full of people.
The song was fast and fun, and couples went out onto the dance floor in droves. Including McKenna and her husband, Grant Dodge, Gabe and his fiancée, Jamie. Jacob, his wife, Vanessa, and their baby.
His nephew.
That hit him uncomfortably.
Then there was his half brother Caleb, who was dancing with his stepdaughter Amelia, who he supposed was his niece. Caleb’s wife, Ellie, looked on with a sweet smile on her face. Logan turned away from the scene.
And there was Rose.
“Dance with me,” he said.
“Sure, cowboy,” she said.
She didn’t seem embarrassed at all, and she went into his arms with ease. It was a quick dance, so it didn’t require him to hold her too close. A blessing, because if he had to do that, he might’ve embarrassed them both.
“I hope Sammy didn’t bother you too much earlier.”
“Look, she’s not an idiot. Sammy knows more about me than a lot of people do. And, she’s pretty insightful at that. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that she picked up on it.”
“I think McKenna might have, too.”
“Yeah, it’s that thing of having us all in the same room. But look. This isn’t about me. It’s about West and Pansy.”
“I know,” she said softly. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Look, my blood isn’t exactly news to me. I understand that it’s a point of interest for the rest of you. But I made my decisions about what I was going to do with the Daltons a long time ago. I’m sticking to it.”
“All right,” she said.
“I want to dance, not talk,” he said.
What he really wanted to do was lead her out of the barn, and find someplace quiet. Kiss her. Strip her naked. Yeah, that was what he wanted. What he wanted to do was bury himself and all of his problems in her beautiful body, and find his release.
And when the song changed to something slow, he thought about suggesting it. He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her fully against him.
“Logan,” she whispered.
“I don’t care,” he responded.
But then, he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, and when he turned, it was to see Hank Dalton coming toward him.
He froze.
Because he might have been around his half brothers quite a lot during the course of his life, but he’d never seen Hank Dalton anywhere but at a distance. And the man had certainly never looked at him. Certainly never crossed a room to speak to him.
“I’m sorry,” he said. And he stared at Logan with eyes that matched his exactly. “But I have to ask. Who are you, and who’s your mother?”
Logan just stood there, stunned.
“I don’t think this is the time,” Rose whispered.
But it was that, that soft denial, that said more than his answer ever could have.
“Who is she?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Logan said. “She’s dead.”
“You’re Jane Heath’s son,” he said. “You’re my son, aren’t you?”
And that was when he realized that everyone on the dance floor had stopped. Everyone was staring.
All this had come home to roost and in public no less.
Well, wasn’t this a shit show.
“This is West and Pansy’s wedding,” Logan said. “Not a family reunion. So maybe we save the conversation for another day.”
“I’m your father,” Hank said. “I’m sure of it. I remember her. And I was really sorry to hear that she died. I didn’t know she had a son that could’ve been mine, though.”
“You know what, Hank,” Logan said. “It’s real interesting to meet you right about now. But this isn’t news to me. I gather that it is to you. I’m not sure how.”
His gut twisted with the knowledge. That Hank hadn’t known he was his. He was sure that he would have. How could he not have? How could he not have known? Given that his mother had
