The savory aroma of bacon and the sweet smell of syrup wakes me from a deep, deep slumber. Sleeping on Logan’s bed is close to what I imagine sleeping on a cloud would be like. Having his warm body pressed close behind mine doesn’t hurt either. I was sleeping so hard I never felt him leave the bed. It has been so long that I had forgotten how amazing it feels to get a good night’s sleep.

Pulling myself to my feet—using much strength—I follow my nose to the kitchen, but hold back before entering to eavesdrop.

“BrennBrenn is going to love these. Mickey Mouse pancakes are her favorite.”

They both have their backs to me, and Jane is standing on a step stool assisting Logan. He passes her the can of whipped cream, and she attempts to squirt some on the pancake but ends up covering the entire plate.

“Does she love whipped cream too?” Logan chuckles.

“Umm … maybe this one should be mine.”

He ruffles her head, and she looks up at him adoringly. “Why don’t you take these plates to the table, and I will bring the drinks over.”

She jumps down from the step stool and takes the plates from his hands. With careful steps, she rounds the counter and heads to the dining room.

“You can come in, you know,” Logan says, without looking behind him.

How did he know I was here?

Did I sigh out loud at the sight of them?

He turns around and leans back against the counter. “I told you before, I can feel you whenever you are near. I knew the moment you stepped foot in the hallway because an electric current shot through my veins.”

I wrap my arms around his neck, and he circles his around my waist. Lifting on my toes, I press my anxious lips to his. “You can’t say such sweet things to me so early in the morning.”

“Hmm … I think you should hear sweet things all day long. From the minute you wake up until the second you close your eyes.” His mouth falls back to mine, and his hold on me tightens. Too soon, he pulls away and kisses my forehead. “Better eat before it gets cold.” With a wink, he grabs my hand, and we walk together to the table.

“BrennBrenn! You’re awake! Me and Logan made breakfast for you. We tried to be really quiet so we didn’t wake you up, but the food is done, so it’s okay to be loud.” She is talking a mile a minute, and I struggle to keep up. “Logan! Where are the drinks?” she shouts with her hands on her hips.

“Oh, man,” he exaggerates, “BrennBrenn walked in and distracted me. I will go back and get them.”

When he leaves the room, Jane leans in closer to me. “I told him Mickey Mouse pancakes were your favorite so he would make them for me.” She giggles behind her hand, letting me in on her big secret.

“It’s okay because I do love them.”

Logan returns, and we take our seats, piling our plates with pancakes and bacon. Just like every other meal Logan has cooked, breakfast is delicious. Jane can’t stop raving over her pancakes; although with the amount of whipped cream on top, I am surprised she can even taste them.

After we finish eating, I insist on cleaning up the mess and kick Logan out of the kitchen. He takes Jane into the family room, and they pull out a few puzzles to work on. I have never needed money or fancy things to make me happy, so something as mundane as my boyfriend doing puzzles with my niece and hearing their laughter lights up my world.

We are going over to Logan’s aunt and uncle’s later, so we decide to spend the day relaxing on the couch watching cartoons. With great luck, Jane falls asleep for an early nap, which was what I was hoping for so she wouldn’t be cranky later. It will be a miracle to get an hour out of her, but I will take what I can get. Curling up with Logan, I watch the television until my eyes grow heavy.

---

“Your home is beautiful, Ruth,” I say as I assist with the food preparation.

“Thank you, dear. I spent a little time tinkering around with interior design back in my younger days. Now I just get my fill with redecorating my own house or the kids’.”

That gives me the answer as to why Logan’s house is so lovely. I had a feeling he hadn’t decorated it himself and only hoped his ex-fiancée had nothing to do with it.

“It must be nice with all of you living in the same neighborhood.”

“I couldn’t have dreamed of better. I love having my grandbaby close, and when Logan bought his house, I couldn’t wait until he moved in. Now we just have to get Tanner out here, but I don’t think he’s in any hurry to leave his bachelor pad.”

“No, but we won’t give up hope,” I say, and Ruth’s smile brightens. “He just needs the right girl, and his whole world will change.”

Ruth lays her hand on top of mine and gives it a gentle squeeze. “I’m so thankful you came into Logan’s life. He and Tanner are just as much my sons as Trevor is, and their happiness means everything to me. I have never seen Logan as happy as he’s been since you. You, my dear, are a godsend.”

“Logan is an amazing man, and I am the one thankful for him. I’m not sure how I would have survived my life’s recent changes without him by my side.” And it’s true. Taking on Jane, the new job, and everything else, I couldn’t imagine making it through all that without his help. My life changed drastically the night of our first date, and he has been by my side ever since.

We continue to prepare the food, and soon, Gabby returns after having to run home and grab the pies she had made earlier in the day. Conveniently, she and Trevor are only a couple of blocks away. I love the layout of this entire neighborhood and how close the family’s houses are. The weather is amazing today, so we chose to walk over to Richard and Ruth’s instead of driving.

The guys are all outside manning the grill while Jane and TJ run around the backyard playing. Ruth, Gabby, and I share a bottle of wine, laughing over childhood stories of the boys. The closeness of this family is something I envy. Logan and Tanner were extremely lucky to have their aunt and uncle when they were younger, and they both know and openly admit it. I only wish I’d had just such an amazing family when I was a child to step in when my mother couldn’t handle the job.

The front door opens and closes, and within seconds, Tanner is strutting into the kitchen.

“Good evening, beautiful ladies.”

He stops to kiss Ruth on her cheek then does the same to Gabby. When he gets to me, he wraps me in a tight hug, lifting me off the ground.

“Tanner.” Logan’s stern voice comes from behind, and Tanner only chuckles in my ear.

“Big brother sounds mad. How far do you think I can test him?” he jokes.

“You’d better not,” I say, slapping his back.

Setting me back on the ground, he pulls back and kisses my cheek. “You were mine first.” His bottom lip goes out in a pout like a little boy who had to share a toy.

“No, she wasn’t,” Logan says, matter-of-factly.

“She was my friend first,” Tanner mumbles in response.

I shake my head and tsk. “You two are acting like children. Now, quit it.”

“Boys, go out back and leave us girls alone.” Ruth ushers them out of the kitchen and to the back door, refilling her glass with wine when she returns. “I swear men never grow up. Even Richard has his moments when I want to pop him upside the head.”

Gabby and I share a look before we burst out in laughter. I can picture Ruth, who may be all of five-foot-two, reaching up on her tippy toes to smack any of the over six-foot-tall men upside the head. She may be little, but she sure is feisty, which I am sure came in handy raising three strong-willed boys. From the stories I have heard, they sure gave her a run for her money.

The boys don’t talk too much about their father, and I don’t press them for information. I know Tanner has had little involvement with him over the recent years—maybe a call for his birthday or over the holidays—but Logan never really speaks about him. I can understand the resentment you can hold for an absentee parent, which has me worried for Jane and her future.

When the food is finished, we set everything out along the Welch’s large family dining table and gather around. With enough food to feed a small army, we all pile our plates high. Logan keeps a hand firmly planted on my thigh throughout the meal, and at times, it makes it hard to concentrate on the conversation around us.

Later, after Ruth and Gabby kick me out of the kitchen and away from the dirty dishes, I find Logan, Tanner, and Trevor in the man cave. They each have a short tumbler in their hands filled halfway with an amber liquid. My guess, knowing both Tate brothers, would be scotch.

Logan smiles in greeting when he finds me in the doorway and beckons me over. He pulls me into his lap where I settle in without a fight. While they continue their conversation, I pluck the glass out of Logan’s and bring it to my lips. Not just scotch, but very smooth and expensive scotch.

“So, tell me, Tanner, when are you going to join the masses and grow up?”

My head snaps up at Trevor’s question as I pass the scotch back to Logan. Tanner’s posture stays relaxed, leaning back into the couch, and he doesn’t even flinch but continues smiling.

“I’m rather happy with my life at the moment, so why should I be in a rush to change things?”

“You say that, but doesn’t it ever get lonely? I mean, I get that you most likely take home a different girl every night, but at some point, that must get old,” Trevor says, and my eyes volley back and forth between him and Tanner while Logan stays quiet behind me.

Tanner pulls his bottom lip in, considering the question, and shrugs his shoulders. “Nope. Can’t say that I ever get lonely.”

Trevor sits up in his seat, and leaning forward, he rests his arms on his thighs. “You are so full of shit. Logan, can’t you talk some sense into your brother?”

“Don’t think I haven’t tried. He’s a hard nut to crack and will probably be a bachelor for life.”

I notice Tanner’s smile fall slightly at his brother’s words. It was so quick that no one else probably caught it, but I did, and it doesn’t sit well with me. Logan and Trevor continue their banter with Tanner while he sits there and takes it.

Having enough, I stand from Logan’s lap and cross the room, sitting down beside Tanner.

“What are you doing, babe?” Logan asks, his brows pinched together.

“Well, I’m not going to just sit by and watch you guys gang up on Tanner like that. Two against one isn’t very fair.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Ha,” Tanner says, sliding his arm around my shoulder. “Always knew I was your favorite Tate.”

“Tanner,” Logan warns. “We talked about you touching my girlfriend.”

“Oh, stop it! And you two”—I point a finger at the two sitting across from us—“leave Tanner alone. If and when he is ready to settle down, he will. There is no rush, and it should be in his own time and on his own terms. Don’t pressure him because I, for one, wouldn’t want him to end up engaged to the wrong person.” My gaze stays directed at Logan for the final words, hoping to drive my point home.

“Ohhh! Burn!” Tanner claps his hands beside me, and I elbow him in the side.

“And you, stop using random girls to fill a void. I’m all about having fun, but you leave the wreckage of a tornado in your path, and I have spent enough time cleaning up your messes.”

Trevor and Logan chuckle, and Tanner’s smile widens.

“Brenna, now you know what that little attitude of your does to me and the thoughts I have are inappropriate with my brother sitting a few feet away.”

It’s nearly impossible to stay serious when you’re having a conversation with Tanner, and I can’t stop the giggle that slips.

“You are such an ass.” I elbow him again for good measure.

“Brenna, do you think I can speak to you for a minute in my study?”

My head swings to the doorway at the sound of Richard’s voice, and a bundle of nerves squirm around in my stomach. I nod and pull myself to my feet as the room goes silent.

As I walk toward the door, I reach my hand out to Logan, and he jumps up, sliding his fingers between mine securely. Whatever Richard has to say, I feel more confident having Logan by my side.

When we enter the study, Logan moves the two chairs closer together, and we both sit down—hands still entwined. Richard removes a folder from his drawer, and opening it, he pulls out a piece of paper.

“Brenna, you look like you have been called to the principal’s office,” Richard jokes, setting the paper down.

“That is exactly how I feel.”

He laughs a deep chuckle. “I didn’t mean to worry you. You aren’t in any trouble. I would have spoken with you yesterday at the office, but with everything going on …” The sentence drops off, and I nod my head. “Anyway, we had Jane’s birth certificate pulled since you didn’t have knowledge of who her father was. Does the name Patrick Rusk ring any bells?”

My world falls out with his question as I stare at him unblinking. That is the last name on earth I would expect Richard to mention, and I’m not sure what it would have to do with Jane.

“Brenna?” Logan squeezes my hand and breaks me from my trance. “Does that name mean something to you? Do you know him?”

My free hand comes to my throat as though it can help me swallow down the pain. “He’s … umm … Patrick is my ex-boyfriend.” I struggle to get the words out, and when I do, Richard’s expression turns to both sad and full of pity. “Why? What does he have to do with this?”

Richard clears his throat before proceeding. “He is listed as Jane’s father on her birth certificate.”

My hand falls from my neck, and I clutch my stomach as my dinner threatens to expel. It can’t be true. Why would Lynne have listed Patrick as the father? It just doesn’t make sense. Then again, nothing about this whole thing has ever made sense.

“Do you know how to reach him?” Logan asks from beside me.

My head shakes as I begin to rock back and forth, trying to find the words to speak next. “No, he died three years ago.” I fall forward, my head between my knees, and I attempt to pull in as many breaths as I can.

The reality of the situation hits me hard, and I can’t control the sobs that pour from my chest. I have never known the true feeling of betrayal until hearing my sister slept with my first love and had his child. Not once, since the moment she told me she was pregnant, did she ever mention Patrick being the father. I wasn’t aware they had even been that close, but I guess when I left things changed.

Logan crouches down in front of me, and his touch brings me comfort as I take deep breaths, trying to calm down.

Hearing this news is much like when I received that call of his untimely death. Wounds have been ripped open that never had much chance to heal. My heart is cracking as the pieces fall one by one. Before the drugs took over, I envisioned a life and future with Patrick. He was my first, and until Logan, he was my only love. Lynne is my little sister. How could they?

“I’m so sorry, Brenna. If I had known, I would have found a better way to tell you. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Richard’s tone is laced with guilt and pulls me from my sorrows enough that I am able to pull myself together.

Sitting back up, I wipe away the wetness from my cheeks. Logan cradles my face in his hands and brings my eyes to his.

“Are you okay?” he asks, and I nod my head. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Sorry for losing it like that.” I sniffle, sure I look atrocious right now. My makeup, no doubt, is streaked down my face.

“No need to apologize. That was quite some news.” He stands and returns to his seat, pulling my hand into his lap.

I bring my attention back to Richard and clear my throat. “Patrick Rusk died three years ago of a drug overdose. Obviously, I had no idea he had any kind of a relationship with my sister.”

“I understand. Again, Brenna, I am so sorry, for both your loss and breaking this news.”

“Um … sorry for interrupting, but Jane skinned her knee and wanted her BrennBrenn.”

I swivel my body in the chair and jump up when I see Tanner with Jane wrapped around him, her head buried in his shoulder. Her little body jerks with sobs, and it breaks my already crumbling heart.

Reaching my arms out, I take her from Tanner, and she instantly wraps herself around me. I rub her back and kiss her head, whispering soothing words. After a few minutes, her sobs subside and she lifts her head. Staring into her big brown eyes, I now see the familiarity with them because her father had the same ones.

“Are you all right, sweet angel?”

“I fell and hurt my leg,” she says, her bottom lip trembling.

Logan walks up and wraps an arm around my waist and rests a hand on Jane’s back. “How about I take you girls home?”

Jane turns and stretches her arms out for Logan. He takes her from me, and she lays her head down on his shoulder. We say our goodbyes and walk back to Logan’s house in quiet. By the time we walk through his front door, Jane has passed out, so he takes her into his guest room to put her to bed.

I head straight for the master, slipping out of my clothes and pulling on one of his shirts. I’m brushing my teeth, staring at the reflection in the mirror when Logan walks up behind me and circles his arms around me. There is no telling how long I have been standing in this very spot brushing the enamel off my teeth. He has changed into his sleep pants and decided to forgo a shirt, which I am not complaining about.

“Want to talk about it?” he asks, resting his chin on my shoulder.

Pulling the toothbrush from my mouth, I rinse with water before answering. “Not really.” My eyes lift to his in the mirror. “Not right now at least.”

“Fair enough. I’ll be in bed whenever you are ready to join me.” His lips touch the slope of my neck before his body heat leaves me.

I spend a few more minutes focused on the mirror but decide to forget about the day’s drama and crawl into bed with my boyfriend. He pulls me into his arms, brushing his fingers along my arm while he holds me in a comfortable silence. Once I allow my mind to let go, it isn’t long before he lulls me into a much-needed sleep.