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She pulled back and looked into his face. “For real?”
“Absolutely for real.” He squeezed her hand. “Morgan, I hadn’t realized you’d heard those things about your mother, but as far as I know, she was faithful until the year before we got divorced.”
“I don’t get why she acted that way.”
“Well, I know she was unhappy, and it was partly my fault. You see, while Great-Uncle Mitch always expected to give me the Crazy Horse, it was supposed to be after I graduated college. He got worried I wasn’t responsible enough to trust with the ranch, so we worked out a plan that included me living on a cowhand’s earnings for several years.”
“I bet Mom was thrilled about that.”
“To be fair, I realize now that I should have talked it over with her first.”
Morgan didn’t think it would have made any difference. Her mom liked money. A lot. She kind of remembered when they’d lived in a small house. After that they’d had a bigger one in town, and then they’d moved into this new place on the ranch.
“Dad, do you think Mom cheated on you in high school?”
“No. But if you’re still wondering if we’re related biologically, I can tell you that you look exactly like Great-Aunt Moira did at your age.”
“Really?”
“Sure. You could be twins. I thought you’d seen Grandma Sarah’s family album.”
“Not for a while.”
“Then, check it out. Just remember that it doesn’t matter. You’re my daughter. Did you know that the only thing I insisted on when your mother and I got divorced was getting custody? I couldn’t bear the thought of her taking you away.”
Suddenly Morgan threw her arms around her dad’s neck and it felt the same as when she was a little girl.
* * *
JACKSON HELD HIS daughter tight, grateful for the kick in the pants that Kayla had given him. It would take time to deal with all the feelings Morgan had been struggling with, but at least they’d made a start.
“Come on,” he said. “It’s been ages since we’ve gone for a ride together. Let’s go to Halloran’s Meadow.”
“Can we get in the waterfall?”
“If we have enough time.”
“I’ll go change.” Bouncing up, she ran out of the room.
The ride went well and they were back before the others were expected. At two o’clock, the Volvo stopped in front of the house and Alex and DeeDee piled out with their two friends. Morgan was quickly introduced and they chattered away before running to change into their bathing suits.
“Rough drive?” Jackson asked Kayla, seeing her harried expression.
“Two hours with four kids who haven’t seen each other for almost a month? You’d have thought it was years. I don’t think any of them stopped talking the entire way.”
“You’d better sit down and relax.”
Together they walked to the backyard and found Morgan and the others were already at the pool’s edge, barely containing their excitement.
“They’re quick-change artists,” Kayla said at his bewildered stare. “Superheroes in training.”
“Apparently.”
She sank onto a redwood chaise in the shade and put her feet up as a noisy game of water volleyball began between the five youngsters. “Morgan seems happier,” she murmured, “or is that my imagination?”
“We talked this morning,” Jackson replied in an equally low voice. “Apparently she’d learned about Marcy’s bed-hopping and was afraid it meant she might not be my daughter.”
“No wonder she was upset.”
“Right. Marcy’s cheating was the final blow to our marriage, but I don’t think she played around in high school. Not that I’d give a damn if Morgan wasn’t biologically mine. She’s had me wrapped around her little finger since the day she was born.”
“Ah, you were one of those goofy, weak-kneed new daddies. Love doesn’t depend on biology,” Kayla said. “When you love someone, it isn’t about half sisters or brothers or about being an in-law or adopted.”
She stretched and Jackson decided it was safer to focus on the pool rather than her trim figure and long legs.
“I meant to ask if you and the kids were hungry,” he said.
“We ate in Billings after the plane landed,” Kayla explained. “DeeDee hoped to go swimming as soon as we got back and remembered your one-hour rule.”
“That rule frustrates Morgan, too. How about getting in the pool yourself?” he asked. “I can keep an eye on things while you change.”
“Thanks.”
As Kayla went into the pool house, Jackson thought about the past few weeks. She was pushing him to look at things in ways he’d never considered. How many mistakes had he made through the years, trying to make up for his past? And how much had he missed along the way because of it? Maybe it was time to just concentrate on being the man he wanted to be.
