From Macâs perspective, sheâd loved her kids more than anything and seemed to go out of her way to make âem happy, make each event in their lives somethinâ special. Cass had told Mac more than a few times that after having three boys, her mama had been so excited about having a little girl sheâd had the nursery painted pink and ready to go six months in advance.
Itâs funny how life can change on a dime. How one horrific event can cancel out all the good, all the memories, cut ties and sever deeply woven relationships. The day Cass was takenâthe day that dime flipped over and landed on tailsâsheâd been at the movies with her brothers. Halfway through, sheâd gotten up to go to the bathroom and had never come back. A few days later, when they brought her body home, Lea Cavanaugh brokeâinside and out. And from what Mac had heard, she never healed. Mac hadnât seen things firsthand, as she was grieving herself and Everett just hadnât wanted visitors around. But sheâd seethem in town, all five of âem, looking like they were barely existing.
Six months later, the case was cold. A few months after that, Everett put Lea in a hospital, where she passed away not eight weeks later. Poor Deacon, James, and Cole. They left River Black days after her funeral without a word to anyone. Seemed as though everybody just wanted to forget and move on.
Blue made a sound, a sound so close to a moan it brought Macâs head around. âI wonder if she knew,â he said. âLea. I wonder if Everett told her.â
âOh, Blue . . .â Mac began.
âIâm not staying here.â
âWhat?â Panic claimed her suddenly.
âYou heard me.â
âThatâs bullshit,â she said back. The idea of not having Blue in her life turned her insides out. He was like family. Closest thing she had. âYouâre not going anywhere.â
âI canât, Mac.â
âThis is your home. Now, more than ever.â
His gaze found hers, and under the warm, Creamsicle light of the late-afternoon sun, he said with deep conviction, âIâm not fighting those boys over their ranchâtheir home.â
Passion and fear overtook the panic, fueling her blood. âYes, you are, and youâd better.â
Blueâs eyes filled with confusion, pain. âMac . . .â
âYou heard Deacon at the service today. What he said in front of everyone in this town.â The breeze whipped her hair around her face, cooling her skin. But her blood remained hot. âYou know what he plans to do to this place and to everyone who needs it. Everyone who relies on it to survive.â She laughed bitterly. âI have no idea what James and Cole are thinking, what they want, but they have lives outside of River Black. Odds are theyâre planning on going back to them. You and me, we belong here. You can take over.â
âYouâre not thinkingââ he began in warning.
âYou
have
to stay,â she implored him. âYou have to help me. Fight with me.â
âCome on, Mac. Shit.â His eyes softened, and he reached out, brushed a strand of hair away from her face. It wasnât a romantic gesture, but a tender one. A brotherly one. âYou know Iâd do anything for you, but this . . .â He shook his head.
âYou belong here, Blue,â Mac said, continuing the fight. âYou and the family you might have someday. I know thatâs what you want. And a Cavanaugh should carry on here. Keep building, keep growing. Not destroying.â
âCavanaugh,â he muttered, looking away.
She grabbed his arm, forced him to look at her. âThatâs right. Blue Cavanaugh. Everettâs son.â
âSon,â he repeated. âSon. Goddamn. My daddy?Shit, Mac, if this is really true . . .â His eyes implored her. âItâs not fair. I
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