One stroke and he nearly came. Two strokes and she did, again, which triggered his own, an endless ripple of searing hot pleasure. Finally, finally, it eased, and he sank to his side, bringing her with him.

He had questions, a million of them, but primarily how could she have reached the age of twenty-six, looking as she did, and still be a virgin? But exhaustion claimed him, as it already had her, and holding her close in his arms, he let his eyes drift shut.

In the moment before he fell asleep, it came to him.

She’d never trusted a man before. Until him. His heart ached at that thought, but though he’d taken her virginity, he knew that the battle for her heart wasn’t over yet.

The courthouse was a beautiful brick-and-glass building, surrounded by lush greenery. An oasis in the middle of a teeming bustling city, but Delia saw none of it.

Her palms were damp, and her heart thudded dully in anticipation. Even with Cade’s hand locked securely in hers, she could hardly remember how to walk. “What if-”

“You’ll get him,” Cade said, his voice still husky from sleep.

Just listening to it made Delia want to blush. She’d never felt like this, all hot and itchy and unsettled, and even more unnerving was the knowledge that it wasn’t an entirely bad feeling.

They’d turned to each other several more times in the night. Their lovemaking had been slow and tender, yet just as hot as the first time, and when they’d finally fallen into a deep slumber, they’d nearly missed the alarm.

Despite their lack of time, Cade had tried to talk about what had happened between them, and ashamed as Delia was to admit it, she’d put him off.

Yes, she’d been a virgin, and no, she had no regrets. How could she regret the most amazing night she’d ever spent?

Yes, she’d shattered in his arms as if she’d known what she was doing, but the why of it was still a mystery.

Which brought her to the last question she knew he wanted answered. Where were they going from here?

She hadn’t a clue. What did she do with a man who didn’t know how to stay in one spot?

No, that wasn’t fair, because the truth was, it was her holding them back. Not him.

Shortly before they’d left the hotel, Cade tried again to get her to talk to him. He’d caught her in the bathroom and pressed his big body against hers. “Don’t,” he said, putting his hot wet open mouth to her neck.

“Don’t what?” she said on a heartfelt moan.

“Shut me out. You’re doing it, giving me the morning-after blow-off.”

“I’m not…” But that was exactly what she was doing. “Cade, I don’t…” She didn’t what? Know how she felt? But that was a lie, she knew. She was just afraid of it. “We have to go,” she had finally said, and when he went very still, then slowly drew back to look at her with an intensity that made her squirm, she sighed. “We really do have to go.”

Without a further word, he’d left the bathroom, and they hadn’t spoken as they’d raced out of the hotel to the courthouse.

As a result, Delia felt uncharacteristically ruffled. Because she couldn’t breathe, she hesitated on the steps of the building and put a hand to her chest.

“You’ll get him,” Cade said again.

Even now he was offering his strength and comfort. She didn’t deserve him, but she squeezed his hand and thanked him with her eyes.

The judge came in, sat down and didn’t waste any time. He’d read the reports and the recommendations, he said, and was unhappy because he hated to see Jacob uprooted yet again. The boy was too young to have had such upheaval in his life. The judge then wanted to hear from the parties involved, wanted to be convinced this was the right thing to do. Then, leaning forward, looking kind but terribly stern, he waited expectantly.

Edna stood. “I love Jacob,” she told him in her clear refined voice. “I can and will care for him for as long as I’m able, but I believe that he belongs with his sister. With Delia.”

“In Idaho?” The judge lifted a questioning brow. “A thousand miles from his home?”

“Yes, Your Honor. I believe this is the right thing for Jacob, and that’s all that matters to me. Doing right for him.”

Heart thundering, Delia rose, also. “Your Honor, Jacob has been moved many times in his short life. With all due respect, he’s never had a home, not a steady one. I intend to give him that.”

The judge nodded thoughtfully. “You can provide for him there?”

“Yes. I have two sisters, and we run a guest ranch-”

“I’ve read the reports, Ms. Scanlon.”

His impatience nearly crushed her, but she refused to bow. “Then you know that between the three of us, Jacob will be well cared for. We intend to give Jacob the family life he deserves.”

Something that might have been respect came into the judge’s gaze, and hoping herself ahead, Delia sat down, trembling.

The judge turned to Scott. “I’d like to speak to you, Mr. Felton. Privately. In my chambers.”

Everyone remained silent as Scott rose. He and the judge disappeared for what was the longest three minutes of Delia’s life. When they returned, both with inscrutable expressions, Delia thought her nerves were as shot as they could get. Then Jacob rose to his feet.

“I want to talk,” he said in a voice that quavered.

“All right,” the judge said very kindly, smiling at him. “I think that’s a great idea. In my chambers. Follow me, son.”

“But-”

“It’s okay, Jacob. It’s just that I think I should hear what you want to say privately first, that’s all.”

Jacob chewed his lip and followed the judge, for what turned out to be the second-longest three minutes of Delia’s life.

When they came back, Delia searched both their expressions and was relieved to see Jacob looking relaxed.

Before she could try to figure out what that meant, the judge spoke to the courtroom. In his opinion, he said, there was no other choice.

Jacob belonged with his half sister, Delia Scanlon.

For a long moment, Delia just sat in her chair, surrounded by Edna, Jacob and Cade, stunned with disbelief.

Scott stood and quietly left the room, never even looking back at her or Jacob. She hardly noticed.

Jacob was grinning from ear to ear and trying to be cool at the same time. “I guess I’ll have to do chores with the horses every day, huh?”

Delia stared at him. He was hers. Oh, God, he was really hers! She hugged him. “What did you say to him?”

“That it should be my choice, and I wanted to be with you.”

Unable to speak, Delia just hugged him more tightly, then hugged Edna, who was smiling from shiny eyes.

“It was the right decision,” Edna whispered in Delia’s ear, holding her close. “And I’m so glad.” She leaned back and smiled. “But save a spot for me. I’ll want to come visit.”

“I’ll take good care of him,” Delia promised.

“Oh, darling.” Edna’s smile was gentle. “It’s not just Jacob I want to see. It’s you, Delia. I want to see you, too.” She cupped Delia’s face in her thin elegant hands. “I’m so happy for you. I’ve carried around guilt for some time, for not being available when you needed me all those years ago.”

“You didn’t know,” Delia said, touched beyond being able to hide her feelings. “I’ve never blamed you.”

“Well, I’ve blamed myself. It’ll never make up for those years when you were alone, but at least now, I feel some sense of justice has been served.”

It felt odd to realize it, but justice had been served. There was some pride about that, not having been forced to come down to Scott’s level and fight dirty for what she wanted. Who would have believed that she had so much love in her heart, when she’d always been satisfied with just having Maddie and Zoe? Now she had Ty, too. And Jacob. And they both belonged.