A reluctant grin tugged at Logan's mouth. “I tried to keep my brothers away but they wouldn't hear of it. And my parents, when they learned they had a granddaughter, well they've been crawling travel sites to book the trip to see you.”

“A trip?” I asked. My eyes met his.

“They live in Scotland but they're coming here to meet you.” He fell silent for a minute. “When did you figure it out, Lark?”

“Almost immediately.”

“Why didn't you say anything?” He asked.

“Why didn't you?”

“Fear of you rejecting me.” The simplicity of his reply only made it all the more powerful.

Emotion moved up my throat to choke me so I reached for my glass and took a sip. I felt it burn all the way down my throat. “This is awful.”

That comment earned me a hurtful expression from both Logan and Broderick.

“What did I say?”

Saffron said, “That's MacGowan scotch, the family label.” She laughed.

Bastian exhaled on a laugh. He threaded his fingers through his hair and shook his head in disbelief. “The MacGowan?”

“Yes.”

“Holy shit.” Bastian started to pace. I was feeling slightly giddy from the alcohol. “He's like a panther when he does that: so damn sexy.” Whoops. That was out loud.

Bastian looked both turned on and embarrassed. “The alcohol is already going to your head.”

“Yeah.”

“I should put her to bed.”

I played with my glass. “There's clearly more we have to discuss, but I'm on overload. I need time to let it all sink in and I need sleep.” I started to rise as a thought popped into my head and brought a smile.

“Hunter's my brother.” I looked up at Bastian because I was fairly stunned by that realization, but there was more. “I have a brother...” I looked at Saffron, “Maybe two brothers or a sister. I have uncles, grandparents and a dad.” A pang of nostalgia moved through me because David Cambre really was my dad. My feet moved me across the floor before I wrapped my arms around Logan's waist. When his strong arms pulled me close, I sighed happily.

“Thanks for finding me, Dad.”

In response, Logan David MacGowan, the finest artist of our time, broke down and cried.

***

That night I woke in the middle of the night and sleep wouldn't return. After a while, Bastian stirred and switched on the lamp which spilled soft light into the room. “How are you doing?”

I turned more fully on my side. “I'm really good, happy even.” I touched his face, ran my fingers down his chest over his abs, then I sat up and folded my legs under me. “He didn't know, and I believe him, if for no other reason than the obvious trouble he and his family went to get me here. In his shoes, I don't know how I would have handled it. I can only hope I would have handled it as well as he did. And I really do believe he wants to be part of my life.”

Bastian leaned up on his elbow as his other hand cradled my cheek. “Yes, Lark, he wants you in his life; there's no question about that.”

“I have a dad, Bastian.”

“You have more than that. You really do have a guardian angel.”

“What do you mean?”

“The MacGowan franchise is huge. They have their fingers into everything. How much do you want to bet that it really is your dad behind the well-aimed and completely justified hits against my parents?”

Happiness burned through me to know that my dad had been watching out for me. Even from a distance, he had my back. “I bet you're right. If we had known him then, it would have made watching him maneuver your parents even more enjoyable.”

“Agreed.” He pulled me down before pinning me under him as his lips brushed over mine. “So I'm like a panther, huh?”

“You've the sexiest swagger. I love watching you move.”

His eyes burned hot when his mouth came down on mine.

***

The phone ringing early the next morning was a pretty good clue that Logan hadn't slept well the night before either. When I took the phone from Bastian, my hand shook a little from nerves. As soon as I heard Logan's voice over the line, I could tell he was nervous too.

“How are you feeling this morning?”

I knew that wasn't what he really wanted to know, so I answered his unspoken question. “I'm not mad. In fact I think you handled it as well as it could have been handled. You didn't know about me and when you did, you made every effort and then some to get to know me. I genuinely like you and Saffron and your life here and I'm really happy you want to include me.”

I heard him exhale in relief. “I was worried that maybe I pushed you away with not being up front with who I was to you. I want you in my life however you'll have me.”

“I've been wishing for a dad my whole life, so I'd like all of you, if that's all right. I don't want just a greeting card or occasional visit kind of thing. I'd like to get to know Saffron, my siblings, my uncles and my grandparents, but mostly I want to get to know you.”

“I really want that too.”

“Okay, Bastian and I are going to Columbia in the fall and I have friends and family I don't want to neglect at home, but nothing is set in stone so we'll just have to figure it out.”

“I'd like that, and Lark, about Bastian…”

I felt my entire body tense. I knew they all got along, but as much as I wanted my dad in my life, I wanted Bastian more.

“I like him. He really understands you.”

I practically sagged in relief. “Are you giving me your blessing?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Would you mind if I called you Dad?”

I heard the hitch in his breathing and when he did finally answer me, his voice had thickened with emotion. “I would be honored.”

Chapter Twenty

A few days later, Bastian headed off for his apprenticeship and saying good-bye to him was not easy. Trying desperately to hold it together, I watched as he loaded his bag into the trunk.

“Please be careful and please wait until Friday morning to come back. You could fall asleep at the wheel if you try to come back on Thursday night.”

He walked around the car to stand not just in front of me, but pressing up against me, so he could frame my face with his hands. “Keep your phone close, I'll be texting you a lot.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist as I attempted a smile, but I was too saddened by his departure to pull one off.

“I'll be back before you know it.” He promised.

“I know, I'm just going to miss you.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head before lifting my lips to his kiss: one that effectively turned my bones to goo.

“I'll see you on Friday.” He said before he brushed another kiss on my lips and allowed it to linger a moment. He stepped back and I moved to the side so he could climb into the car. He started up Baby, but his eyes never left mine.

“I love you, Lark.”

“I love you.”

He pulled down the drive, and I was surprised at how hard it was to watch him go even knowing he would be back at the end of the week. I returned to the house, locking the door, and headed to the bedroom with Reaper at my heels. Saffron had dropped him off yesterday knowing that I would be alone starting today. Climbing into bed, I pulled the covers up and willed myself to sleep.

Sometime later, I awoke to the sound of my phone. When I saw who was calling, I smiled. “Hello Poppy.”

“Hi, Lark. Just wanted to call you to see how you're doing with Bastian gone.”

“I'm miserable.”

“Well, it's only for a few days.”

“I know. I'm being silly. How are things with you? How's Caden?”

The wistfulness of her response was answer enough. “He's wonderful. I'm falling hard for him.”

“And I'm sure that feeling is completely mutual.” I said.

“It is.”

“How are your parents?” I inquired.