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CHAPTER NINETEEN

JACKSON TAPPED ON Morgan’s door the next ot to get going if we’re going to see everyone before they leave”

The door popped open and his daughter, fully dressed, grinned at him “I’ve been up for an hour”

“I’m impressed”

“So am I” Then her botto”

“Me, too” He pulled her into a hug before they went down to eat a quick bowl of cereal

Kayla was largely responsible for the quiet, friendly ured it out eventually, but she was the one who’d opened his eyes to the proble so about them

When they arrived at the Garrison house, the kids were carrying their duffel bags out to stuff into the cargo area of the Volvo With the exception of Kayla, they all looked half-asleep No doubt she’d already gone out for a predawn run, giving her skin a healthy, sexy glow It was only in her eyes that there were shadows

Jackson drew her aside “Please think about e discussed last night,” he pleaded, gazing intently into her face “I’ up on us”

“I thought we finished that conversation,” she answered

“I’ll never finish with it I’ you to trust me one more time, please Trust yourself Trust us”

Her lips tightened before she turned and called, “Coet on the road”

Keri and Sandy thanked the Garrisons for hosting them, and Jackson for all the fun at his ranch DeeDee threw her aran, too Jackson looked at Alex and the two of them sort of bumped shoulders

There were hugs and kisses all around with the Garrisons, neither of whom pretended to have a dry eye at the farewell And in the , as well Morgan stepped back, blinking furiously, and Elizabeth put an arm around her shoulders

But Kayla simply s into the Volvo

“You’ll letin to look at her

“I’ll email”

E her voice

Watching the SUV disappear down the dark road left Jackson with a twisting pain in his gut

ALEX DIDN’T FEEL so great

Running away had been a lousy idea that had somehow turned out okay For a while he’d been afraid he’dhalf his family in Montana—the new part of his family