Blue Skies, Season 2, Episode 8 (Rising Storm) (7 page)

“With Ian.”

“Maybe, I don’t know.” A shadow crossed her sister’s face. “He’s leaving, Ginny. Going back to Montana. I don’t want to let myself hope for more than he’s offering. You know?”

“I do.” Ginny nodded, wincing a little as a contraction hit her. “But you deserve to be happy. If not with Ian, than with someone.”

“Well, right now there are more important things to be thinking about than Ian Briggs. You’re about to have a baby. And the two of you are still my first priority.”

“And I love you for that. But Little Bit and I are going to be okay. Whatever happens. Whoever the father turns out to be, we’re going to be okay.”

“Yeah, well, I’ll be there to help make sure of that.” Her sister squeezed her hand, and then set the cup back on the bedside table. “How are the contractions?”

“Not too bad actually. But I’m pretty certain this is just the warm-up round. The doctor said it would probably be a while before things really kick in.”

“Good thing there are epidurals. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to—” Marisol broke off as raised voices carried through the partially open hospital room door.

“I don’t care what the rules say,” an angry masculine voice was saying. “I’m going in to see her.”

“I’m sorry, but only family is allowed. And you’re not family,” an equally strident voice responded.

There was the sound of a scuffle and then the door flew all the way open. Logan pushed into the room, breathing heavily, his gaze moving across the room to collide with Ginny’s. “Are you and Little Bit okay?”

“We’re fine,” Ginny choked out, the beeping on the monitor speeding up as her heart rate ratcheted upward.

“What are you doing here?” Marisol asked, coming to her feet, looking every inch the protective momma.

“I need to talk to Ginny.” Logan looked from Ginny to Marisol and then back to Ginny again. “Please, Ginny. Just let me stay for a few minutes.”

Ginny swallowed, her hands going clammy. She’d dreamed of this moment. Of him coming to her. Only in her dreams she hadn’t been lying in a hospital bed in labor. Hardly the stuff of romantic fantasy. And yet, nothing about their time together had been anything close to normal, and the point was that he was here.

“Marisol,” she said, her voice still sounding funny, “can you give us a moment?”

Her sister reached out to smooth Ginny’s hair. “You sure you’ll be all right?”

She nodded, her heart doing little flip-flops. Logan moved to the side of the bed as Marisol left the room—pausing for a moment at the door to watch them both.

“I’ll be fine,” Ginny said, hoping she was telling the truth.

And then it was just the two of them, Logan’s hot gaze seeming to devour her. Ginny struggled to breathe and for a moment they just looked at each other in silence. Then Logan dropped into the chair by her bed and took her hand.

“Oh, God, Ginny, I was scared to death. When I heard that you’d had a confrontation with the senator, I almost lost my mind. The only reason the bastard is still walking around is because I needed to check on you first. To make sure you were okay.”

“We’re okay,” she said, patting her belly.

“Truly?” he asked, his fingers tightening on hers.

“Yes.” She nodded, then shrugged, trying to appear calm. “I’ll admit the senator scared me a little. And the doctor thinks that the stress might have sped things along. But he says it’s all going to be fine. Little Bit is strong. And so am I.” She didn’t feel particularly strong, but she wasn’t about to let him know how frightened she’d really been.

“Well, there’s no way that man is getting his claws into your baby.”

Ginny gave him a small smile, loving the feel of his fingers twined with hers. God, she’d give anything to have him be a part of her life again. “I’ve got a lot of amazing people in my corner. If nothing else, we won’t make it easy on him.”

“You’re the bravest woman I know,” Logan said, his eyes flashing with an emotion she was almost afraid to try and identify.

“No. I’m not.” She shook her head, fighting tears. “If I was, I’d have told the truth about the baby from the beginning. I’d never have lied to Celeste and to my family. And most importantly, I’d never have lied to you.”

“You were caught off guard. I get that. And you did what you thought was best in the moment. If I learned anything at all when I was in Afghanistan, it’s that in a crisis the moment is really all you’ve got. A split second to make a decision that could potentially affect you for the rest of your life. When you woke up and learned that Jacob was dead and that you were pregnant, you did what you needed to do to protect your child. I can’t pretend the lie didn’t hurt me. It did. But that doesn’t mean I can’t understand why you did it.”

“I never meant to hurt anyone,” she said, the tears flowing now. “But I did. And worst of all, I hurt you—the most important person in my life. If I could take it back… If I could do it all over again…”

He reached over to wipe away her tears. “Maybe what’s more important is that instead of looking back, we try to move forward.”

“We?” Ginny asked, hope blooming deep inside her.

“Yeah,” he said, leaning over to kiss her. “You and me.” He laid his big hand across her swollen belly. “And Little Bit. If you guys will have me. I’ve been such an ass, Ginny.”

“No.” She shook her head, covering his hand with hers. “You had every right to be upset. To walk away. I don’t blame you at all. I just wanted…I just wanted us to be together.”

“I shouldn’t have been so judgmental. I should have been able to understand. To forgive you. It’s just that I was so hurt. And angry. And, well, I got lost in all of that. I wanted to come to you so many times, but then I’d just get pissed all over again.”

“And now?”

“Now I just want to be with you.”

“Because of the baby?” She swallowed, putting her fears front and center. If they were going to move forward, she was determined to be nothing less than honest. “I don’t need your pity.”

“God, Ginny, I don’t pity you. I already said how brave I think you are and how much I admire your strength. But I know better than most that you can’t do it all on your own. I think we’re better off together. You’re the woman I want to spend my life with. No matter what baggage comes along with you.” His warm hand smoothed the skin across her stomach. “And I don’t mean Little Bit.”

She shivered, thinking of the senator. “It isn’t going to be easy. But if he comes at me, I’m going to fight him.”

“And if you’ll let me, I’ll be right there with you. I won’t let him hurt you again. I don’t know what happened. Or why you were with him. I meant what I said; that’s all in the past. But the bottom line here is that the son of a bitch is a habitual cheater who preys on young, innocent women, and there’s no way he comes out a winner after doing that.”

Ginny held Logan’s gaze for a moment, chewing on her lower lip. “The baby could still be Jacob’s.”

“I hope it is. For both of your sakes. But it doesn’t matter to me. All that matters to me is that Little Bit is yours. And that I love you. And as long as you’ll have me, I want a place in your life.”

“You love me?” The words came out on a stutter, joy flooding through Ginny’s entire being.

“I do. And I want to be a family.”

As if the baby heard Logan’s words, a little foot connected with his hand. Logan’s eyes widened and he grinned. “I think Little Bit agrees. Which places the ball squarely in your court. Because this isn’t just about me. It’s about you. It’s about us. So what do you want, Ginny?”

“You,” she said, lifting a hand to cup his face. “I want you. I love you. I need you.” Their gazes met and held, and then Logan covered her lips with his, his kiss a promise—a covenant.

And suddenly Ginny felt as if anything were possible.

* * * *

Marisol stood at the coffee machine trying to get control of her rioting emotions. Logan was in with Ginny and a part of her was elated, but another part of her was terrified. She wanted her sister to be happy. To have that elusive happy ending. But she didn’t want to see her hurt. And there was potential for either of those things where Logan Murphy was concerned.

“Ginny all right?” A deep voice asked. Talk about potential for disaster. Marisol’s breath hitched as she turned to face Ian, eyes dark with worry.

“She’s fine. Logan is in there with her. I felt like a third wheel.” She offered a shaky smile. “I figured it was better to leave them alone.”

“Let them find their own way. It isn’t always easy to do that.” His expression indicated he knew only too well how difficult that was.

“You’re thinking of Marcus.”

“I am. He’s been through a lot.”

“I heard what happened. I can’t even imagine.”

“I know. And of course Marcus is trying to be strong for his sisters and his mother.”

“He’ll need you now more than ever.”

“And I’ll be here for him.”

Marisol was embarrassed by the little trill of joy that blossomed deep inside her. “He’s lucky to have you.”

“I don’t suppose with everything that’s going on we’re going to be able to have that dinner tonight.” Ian tilted his head to one side, his steady gaze making her feel hot inside.

“I guess not.”

“Well, then we’ll just have to reschedule it. There’s all the time in the world.” He stepped closer, taking both of her hands in his.

“But what about Montana? You live in Montana.”

“Not anymore.” He shook his head. “From here on out, I’m living in Storm. Even rented an apartment over on Ash. I can manage the Montana ranch from here. Make a few trips a year as needed. It’s all good.”

“Marcus must be over the moon. Seeing all that’s happened and how close you are, I can understand why you’d want to stay.”

“He’s not the only reason I’m staying, Marisol,” he said, his breath caressing her cheek. “I hope I haven’t misread things.” His gaze darkened as he frowned. “I know you had a thing with Patrick Murphy. But I’d hoped—”

“Patrick and I aren’t together,” she interrupted, her heart pounding so loudly she figured everyone in the hospital could probably hear it. “We’ve only ever been just friends really.” It was a condensed version but basically the truth.

His fingers tightened on hers. “Well, then, as I was saying, I’d hoped that maybe there might be a chance for you and me. I know we haven’t really talked about this, but since the first moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were special. And I haven’t been able to get you out of my head for a moment since.”

He moved forward, and God help her, right here in front of anyone who might be passing by, she closed her eyes and leaned into him, relishing the exquisite moment when he crushed his lips against hers.

Maybe Ginny wasn’t the only one who deserved a happy ending.

* * * *

Dakota sat huddled beneath the giant live oak hanging out over the placid water of the lake. The quiet inlet had been a favorite place since she’d been old enough to ride a bike, the grassy knoll providing escape from the things that hurt her.

Hugging her knees, she struggled to breathe, the tears still coming fast and hard. She hardly remembered leaving her house and driving here, her head stuck on an endless visual loop of her father beating her mother, shooting Marcus—aiming the gun at her.

She rubbed a hand against her bruised cheek, trying to make sense of it all. She’d always believed her father loved her. That he accepted her for who she was. But he’d called her a tramp. Implied worse. And the disgust in his eyes. She shuddered and wiped at her tears, as if somehow she would erase the memory as well.

She’d been so stupid. So blind. She’d followed her father like some kind of puppy. Waiting for his praise, begging for his approval. And all the time he’d been playing her. Making her believe in him. Making her hate her mother. Shame washed through her—hot and heavy. When Hector had come at her, her mother had stepped between them. Fearlessly trying to protect Dakota.

That was love. Not the syrupy crap her father served up. She’d been so needy and desperate she’d believed him. Believed in him. Just like she’d believed in the senator. But they’d both used her. Used her desire to be loved and taken what they wanted. God, what had she done? Marcus had tried to tell her. Mallory had tried to tell her. Even Patrick had tried. And she hadn’t listened. She hadn’t wanted to see the truth. She’d been too locked in her own little world to see what was happening right in front of her nose.

Her father had been abusing her mother. And her mother had taken it to protect her children. To protect Dakota. To secure her stupid fantasy world. She’d never meant anything to anyone that she’d believed in. And the people who had loved her, she’d shoved away with scorn.

What the hell was she supposed to do now?

She stared out at the still waters of the lake. It was beautiful, the air cooling as evening set in, the colors of the sky reflected in the ripples below. Somewhere in the distance she could hear the harsh cry of a blue jay as the wind whispered through the leaves of the trees.

She rested her chin on her knees and fought to calm her racing heart. There’d been blood everywhere. On the walls and the floor. On Marcus and her mother and her father. Hector had looked so surprised, an angry hatred twisting his face into a caricature, something from a book or a movie. It was as if the father she’d believed in had morphed into another man.

But deep in her heart she knew that in truth, for the first time she’d seen the real Hector Alvarez. Seen who he truly was. Who he had always been. And more frightening than even that, she’d seen a vision of what she might become. She’d let hatred and jealousy eat at her life. She’d blamed everyone for her problems. Her mother. Ginny. Even the senator.

It would be so easy now to just run farther away. To leave them all behind. To never see anyone in Storm again. End the chapter. Close the book. Run. But even as she had the thought, she knew she couldn’t do it. Not if she wanted to survive. If she wanted to change. At least not without seeing her mom. Without facing her family. Patrick was right; deep down, she had known the truth. She just hadn’t been willing to face it.