her the guest room on the main floor and the ones in the basement. I want her to choose a spot where she can leave some of her stuff behind. If she’s comfortable here, she can view this house as her second home.
“Basement has a kitchen and privacy,” she says, sliding her blonde hair behind her ears. “Feels like an entire second house. I can even watch the kids here and let you and Bronco have some time off.”
Throwing my arms around her, I hug Mom with too much intensity. “I love you so much.”
She responds with a tight embrace of her own. “I’m so happy for you.”
When we step back and look at each other, I feel overwhelmed with grief. I don’t know why I’ve been so hormonal for the last two days.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get to enjoy a long life with Dad,” I say, unable to stop myself. “You deserved forever with your love.”
Mom’s blue eyes hint at tears before she regains control. Lineke Leroux has spent a lifetime showing the world only what she wants them to see. When she gets emotional today, I watch her falling back into that habit.
“He gave me years of joy and two beautiful daughters. That’s more than many people get.”
Nodding, I wipe my eyes. “Being here has awakened something in me. Not just because of Bronco’s love or the family we’ve created. But also, because I can’t hide here. I was happy at the Victorian, but I also hid from people. Now I’m forced to be front and center, facing my fears. I’m feeling like a stronger version of me.”
Mom gives me a soft smile. “When you came down to Shasta, you carried yourself different. I told Max how you’d both been lost. I know people say having a man doesn’t complete a woman, but having the right man sure helps a woman find her inner peace. That’s how your dad made me feel. And now my girls know the same kind of love.”
“I’m going to cry again,” I say, tearing up as she wraps me in a hug.
Mom and I talk more that day while the girls are with Bronco. She shows me pictures of my dad and shares stories about him that I haven’t heard since I was little.
For a long time, I didn’t want to think about my father—out of guilt and maybe resentment. Life overwhelmed him, and he used drugs to hide from the pain. Then he died and left my mom to raise two children alone. Forgetting him felt like the safer decision, but I’m tired of hiding from my past. Bronco’s a confident man, and I swear his strength is rubbing off on me.
I even decide to order a print of a photo of my pregnant mom, dad, and me to add to the “picture wall” in the hallway leading to the guest room. Bronco already hung photos of Carina and Desi over the fireplace next to those of Summer and Sidonie. The man is holding nothing back. His mind is set on our family of six sticking for good.
I start worrying we’re looking at adding a seventh when I remain emotional for the rest of the day. I’m also bloated, and my breasts feel tender.
“I started my period,” I tell Bronco that night when he arrives home from Rooster’s.
“Well, then shower sex it is,” he replies without missing a beat as he strips out of his vest and a sweaty black shirt.
“I thought I might be pregnant.”
Bronco’s expression darkens immediately. “You can’t have another kid right away.”
“I know,” I mumble, sensing he’s angry with me. “I wasn’t sure this new birth control would work.”
Exhaling hard, he erases the space between us. “Did you want another one?” Bronco asks, seeing the scolded pout on my face.
“No.”
“Lana, it’s not that I wouldn’t want another kid with you,” he says in a softer voice that retains a hint of his earlier edginess. “I just can’t have you get sick. Two pregnancies back-to-back are hard on your health.”
When his hand rests against my chest, I realize Bronco’s worried about my heart. My pout turns to a smile.
“I thought you were angry.”
“I’m worried about you. If birth control is an issue, I’ll get fixed. I don’t give a shit how we do it. I just can’t lose you.”
“Well, I got my period, so the birth control seems to be doing its job,” I say as he settles down. “Did you want a son? Topanga claims we can make