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how easily a lie could trip up another one. She could see it in her father’s eyes. He had just realized that fact.  
    It didn’t surprise her what words followed. “Jamie? Just where is your husband?”
    Jamie didn’t want to answer that question in front of Brodie and Caelen, but they’d left her little choice. Lifting her chin, she responded with the sure knowledge that what she had to say would change everything that came next. “I’m afraid he passed away, Father.”
    That had been her brilliant solution. Despite his threats, Jamie didn’t believe that Brodie would have touched her as long as he thought she had a husband, so… “He had a riding accident almost a year back and never recovered. It was a very difficult time that I don’t wish to discuss.”
    No husband, no virginity, the barn door was wide open.
    “You didn’t mention this in your letters over the past few months.” Not an accusation, but confusion clouded her daddy’s features.
    “I didn’t want to worry you. After all, there was nothing you could do. I had to settle out his estate and ended up with enough of an inheritance to do with my life as I wish. I just thought I’d return here for a visit before settling down back East.”
    Being enough of an explanation, her father fell to her lies. Giving her a smile,
Sheridan
finally came forward to wrap a protective arm around her shoulders. “I am truly sorry to hear about your husband. I’m sure it has been a very stressful and long journey, so why don’t you come on in, and we’ll get you freshened up.”
    As good as strength was, playing weak and vulnerable had its uses for a woman. Especially when dealing with a father. Jamie let him escort her into the house, not even bothering to look back to see how Brodie or Caelen had taken the news of her widow status.
     
    * * * *
     
    Sheridan
waited for his daughter in her old bedroom, honoring his promise not to talk to Brodie or Caelen before she’d finished washing up down the hall. It might have been five years since Jamie and the MacAuley brothers had tangled, but they’d fallen right back into old habits, as far as
Sheridan
could tell.
    It wouldn’t be long now… Sheridan
didn’t doubt that Brodie intended to push, manipulate, or out-right demand his daughter’s hand in marriage. That’s probably what had Jamie all in a twist. If Brodie expected to win his daughter’s heart over, he better be willing to pay a high price.
    Sheridan
expected that’s what Jamie had honestly come back to collect.   He knew his daughter well enough to know how her grudges worked. Five years wouldn’t have made the hurt go away. Just the opposite, it must be well hardened with anger by now. Not that
Sheridan
would approve of Jamie’s need for revenge.
    He’d seen Brodie and Caelen being raised from babes, and knew them just about as well as he did his own sons. Those two had spent the last five years regretting letting his Jamie go. The day after she’d left, their faces had lost that light, the intensity had hallowed from their gaze. It had been a stark contrast from vital men strained taut with the anticipation of the day to the lifeless shells that simply went about it.
    The two of them had grieved for his daughter long enough.  
    Of course, Jamie wouldn’t see it that way. God help the twins if she got wind of the rumors about Rebecca and them. Yeah, he’d heard the whispers that Brodie and Caelen were preparing to settle down with Rebecca Boyd. He’d even believed them. At some point a man had to be practical, and after five years with Jamie settled in her own marriage,
Sheridan
wouldn’t have thought twice about Brodie and Caelen wedding Rebecca.
    Now though, he doubted that day would come to pass, though a wedding would surely be happening in the future. Wouldn’t that be nice? Then he could have all his children near to where he could keep an eye on them. If any child had ever needed firm supervision, it was Jamie.
    With as many