Page 54 of Second Chance With a Cowboy

Leni still held tight to his hand, offering her silent support as she pressed the side of her body against his.

Duke turned back to Mack, his expression earnest as he focused his attention on him. “I swear, son, if I would known, I would have come for you.”

Mack’s eyes glistened with tears, but he pressed his lips together as he swallowed and nodded before looking away.

Ford sank back into his chair next to Elizabeth, and she took his hand as he regarded his new half-brother. “Why didn’t you just tell us?”

Mack sighed. “I swear I was going to. Every morning when I woke up, I’d swear to myself that I’d come clean and tell you that day, but…”

“But what?” Ford asked, his expression stern. “You decided instead to take advantage of us for one more day?”

“What? No. That was never my intention. And I’m not expecting to get paid or anything for the work I’ve done here.In fact, I’ll even reimburse you for the food I’ve eaten. I didn’t say anything, couldn’t tell you, because I’ve never been part of a family like this before. When I first got here, Chevy said you all had heard that I was coming, so I figured Mom…um, Brandy…must have somehow sent word or called Duke. Then I helped y’all out at the chili festival, and that was one of the best days of my life.”

Dodge let out a small huff as if the idea sounded crazy to him.

“I know it probably sounds stupid,” Mack went on. “But it’s always been just my mom and me. And the older I got and the better I could take care of myself, it was usually just me, sometimes for months at a time. I was always jealous of the other kids at school who had brothers and sisters and families who hung out with each other…eating meals together, going on vacations, or hell, even cleaning out the basement together. That day at the festival, you all took me in and treated me like one of your own. And it was just like I’d imagined a family would be…loud and messy and teasing each other and working together…and that day, I honestly thought you knew who I was and had already accepted me.

“By the time I realized you didn’t, I had already imagined myself as part of this family, as a brother and a grandson, and I knew once I told you all the truth, all that would disappear. I’m truly sorry I didn’t tell you or that you feel like I deceived you. I never meant to. Honestly, I wasn’t trying to hurt anyone.” He pushed up from the table, his head hung low as he turned toward the hallway leading to the bedrooms.

“Where are you going?” Duke asked him.

“To pack my stuff,” he said. “I can’t imagine you want me here now.”

Chevy pointed to the empty chair he’d just vacated. “Sit your ass down. That’s not how we do things around here.”

“Oh.” Mack lowered himself back into the chair. “Do you want to take a vote or something?”

“No. This isn’tSurvivor. We’re not gonna vote you off the ranch.” Chevy looked at Ford then at Dodge, who both gave him small nods. He knew they were all thinking the same thing, and he didn’t even have to ask Gramps. “We don’t want you to leave. We have some things to work out, sure, but you’re our brother, sure as that stupid name confirms, and this ranch has always been the only place we could all call home. Gramps and Gran took us in, no questions asked and treated us like their own. You are family, so this is your home, too.”

Mack looked amazed, like he’d just been offered the grand prize in a contest he hadn’t known he’d entered. He looked from Chevy to Dodge then to Ford and Duke. “Is that how you all feel?”

Ford, a man of few words anyway, nodded solemnly.

“Course it is, son,” Duke said, coming around the table to pull Mack into a bear hug.

Mack looked over at the youngest Lassiter brother. “Dodge? You okay if I stay?”

“’Course,” Dodge said, then smiled. “Besides, if you don’t stick around, how am I ever gonna get back that ten bucks you owe me for the cheeseburger I got you yesterday?”

That settled it.

So many changes, Chevy thought as he looked down at the woman standing beside him. A new brother. An old love back in his life.

It seemed like for the past several years, his life had felt like he was plodding along a straight dirt road. Sure, he ran into an occasional pothole or bump in the road, but for the most part, his life was a steady mix of ranch work, hanging out with his family, and some random dating here and there.

But now, his life and that road seemed to be full of twists and turns, up hills and down, rain and random forks and choices, and he couldn’t wait to see what was up ahead.

Chapter Twenty-Six

In the cabin, later that night, after they’d had their dessert, Leni lay in bed next to Chevy—their naked bodies entwined together—the sheets twisted around their legs.

This felt so good.Hefelt so good. This was what she wanted, this man, this life.

Yes, she had her plants and her favorite Thai food back in Washington, and she had some big changes happening in her career, but this felt like the most important thing to happen to her in a long time.

And she didn’t want it to end.

She drew in a deep breath, knowing her next words could change everything, but needing to say them anyway.

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