Danica

The only home I know right now, is when I'm in Lane's arms. I have spent my life feeling alone and out of place. The only relief I ever had was on that motorcycle. I guess it'll be a very long time until I can ride it again.

I'm not sure how I feel about Megan. If she loves him half as much as I do, then she's really hurting. I can't imagine losing Lane, and they had years together. She watched as she thought he was being buried in that casket. I'm not sure she can ever move past that kind of agony.

I left Lane and his father alone and started making supper. I don't really even know what the man likes, but I decided, if it's in the fridge, he must like it. I decided to make cornbread and chili. It's one of the first things I learned to make, so I got started.

It wasn't much longer, and Lane was wrapping his arms around me from behind. "Have I ever told you that you are the most stunning, intelligent, caring, and brave woman I have ever known?" He asked as he kissed my neck.

"Maybe not all that at once, but yes," I answered with a smile on my face. "Have I ever told you that you're the most handsome, brave, loving, and intelligent man I've ever known?" I asked.

He chuckled. "I can't wait to be alone with you." He whispered.

"It's your dad's house," I said, and tried to squirm away.

"Right, and you're my wife." He said as he held on a little tighter.

"It seems wrong," I said.

"Then I guess we need to hurry and make some plans." He said.

I turned to face him. "Do you want to settle here to be close to him?" I asked as I put my arms around him.

"How would you feel about that? I know you liked Montana." He asked as he looked down at me.

"I think you've missed enough time with your dad, and he would love to be in his grandchild's life," I said.

"Yes, that's what he and I would like, but I'm asking about you. What do you want, Danica?" He asked.

I pecked his lips. "A life with you, no matter where that takes me," I said.

"There's not much to this town, and everybody knows everybody." He warned me.

"Will you still take me to Europe someday?" I asked.

"Yes, I keep my promises, Mrs. Morgan." He said.

"Okay, Mr. Morgan, then we will settle near family," I said, and he looked between my lips and my eyes.

"God, I love you." He whispered then lowered his head and kissed me.

Is Oklahoma my dream? No, but Lane is, and I'll go wherever he takes me.

I pulled back. "You should go back in with your dad so I don't burn the kitchen down. I'll call you in for dinner." I said, and he pecked my lips, then left me in the kitchen.

I never thought cooking would be my thing, but it really is these days. A few weeks ago when I was really sick, I couldn't stand the smell of certain things. I still don't want to smell fish or anything along those lines, but I have done well so far with this pregnancy.

I called both men in when it was time to eat and, yet again, it's a quiet dinner.

"Son, I think you got damn lucky with this girl. Danica, this is the best chili I've ever had, not even my wife made chili this good." Hank said.

"Thanks, I just recently learned how to cook," I said.

He smiled. "You're Italian, it must come naturally. My first wife was Italian, and she was also gifted with fantastic skills in the kitchen." Hank said.

"Mom was a good cook." Lane said, and Hank nodded his head.

"Lana was great at everything she did. She was a great mother and, most of all, a wonderful friend," Hank said.

Lane looked at me. "She taught school and the kids always loved her." He said.

"My first wife was from New York. I guess us Morgan men have a thing for city girls. Lane's mother was from St. Louis." Hank said.

"I didn't actually see much of Chicago. I guess you could say my home was like a small town, except there were too many secrets to count." I said.

"Don't be fooled, everyone has their secrets," Hank said.

"Well, they try to have secrets, but usually the truth always comes out sometime." Lane said.

I leaned forward toward Lane. "We have secrets." I reminded him.

"Yes, and this town is going to drill for them. It's best to never trust anyone in this town with those secrets. That could be very dangerous. If they have questions, you just send them to me or Lane, and we'll handle them." Hank warned.

"I'll remember that, thanks," I said.

"Did Lane ever tell you that he has a sister?" Hank asked.

I nodded. "Yes, I'm sorry you haven't seen her in a long time," I said.

He shook his head. "No, she found me not too many years back." He said.

"That's great, Dad." Lane said, but he didn't look surprised.

Hank tilted his head. "Do you already know?" He asked his son.

Lane sat up. "I have followed Megan's social media and saw photo's. She looks like you." Lane said.

"She's a beautiful girl, but she made it clear she wanted to meet me, and that's it. She feels like she has a father and doesn't have room for me," Hank said, and my heart dropped.

"Does she know she was stolen out if your life? Jesus, you buried your son, and that doesn't even make her want to at least give you some of her time?" Lane asked in a disgusted tone.

Hank shook his head. "It's not her fault. Her mother has since passed and she doesn't want her father to feel like she's replacing him." Hank said.

"I don't care, it's still shitty. I remember you getting tips and running out of town to find them. Her mother was a real piece of work." Lane said.

"Well, when she wanted a divorce, she didn't want me around. She's passed away now, so there's no need for resentment." Hank said.

"Dad, you're not that old, and the toll of losing two children has taken its toll on you. It's just not fair. I'm sorry, but dead or alive, she had no right to keep her away from you." Lane said.

Hank shrugged. "Maybe learning her brother is alive will strike her interest," Hank said.

"Does the man that raised her know she was kept from you? Surely, he would understand." Lane said.

Hank looked at his son. "Let's just focus on your return for now." He said, like he really doesn't want to talk about his daughter.