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  “I think Will is having girl trouble,” Lane said. “He’s asking his father for advice.”

  “Lord help us all if he’s asking that rascal for advice on his love life.”

  Lane laughed. “Johnny Mack may be a rascal, but he’s my rascal. And who better to give Will sound advice than a man who made more than his share of mistakes and knows it.”

  “Here they come!” Michael jumped up and down. “I see their horses.”

  “Quiet down before you wake your sister.”

  Lane shushed her exuberant son. He always got excited when his big brother came home for a weekend visit. Will adored his younger siblings and they him.

  “Michael’s right,” Lillie Mae said. “I can make out Johnny Mack’s big Appaloosa.” She reached down and lifted Cathy Sue out of Lane’s lap. “I’ll go put her down for her nap before I start supper.”

  Lane stood, stretched and grabbed Michael’s hand. Together they raced toward the stables. The minute Johnny Mack dismounted, he dragged Lane into his arms and gave her a passionate kiss. Will reached down and lifted Michael up on his shoulders.

  “They’re always kissing,” Michael said. “If they’re not kissing each other, they’re kissing me and Cathy Sue.”

  “Don’t you like to be kissed?” Will asked teasingly, then pulled Michael off his neck. Swooping his little brother down to the ground, he goosed him in the ribs. “Maybe you like tickling better than kissing.”

  Michael giggled as he squirmed away from Will, who immediately began chasing his little brother. As the boys ran toward the house, Johnny Mack grabbed Lane around the waist and pulled her back into his arms.

  “Mrs. Cahill, have I thanked you lately?”

  “Thanked me for what?” she asked, her tone ever so innocent.

  “For making me the happiest man in the world.”

  “Oh, that.” She lifted her arms, draped them around his neck and nuzzled his nose with hers. “Words are nice, but I prefer action. Tonight when the kids are all tucked in, how about showing me your appreciation.”

  “There’s nothing I’d like better.”

  Arm-in-arm, smiling happily, Lane and Johnny Mack headed for home. Although the past would be a part of them always, they lived in the present, within the security of their love, united forever by the bonds of the family they had created together.

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  850 Third Avenue

  New York, NY 10022

  Copyright © 2000 by Beverly Barton

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  ISBN: 978-1-4201-1994-7