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I laughed. “We have a ranch back in Texas. I love going there, but my grandfather says I’m needed at the corporation. I’m much happier on the back of a horse.”
“You ever ridden a bull?”
“No, you will not, Brock Shaw!” Stella interrupted, as she walked in with a woman who looked to be about Brock’s age.
Brock stood and kissed the woman before turning back to me. I stood as well.
“Beck, this is my wife, Lincoln. Lincoln, this is Beck…”
“Dahlstrom. Beck Dahlstrom, and it’s a real pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
Her eyes swept over my face before she softly said, “You look like him. I mean, I never had the pleasure of meeting your father, but I’ve seen pictures.”
“Doesn’t sound like him with that Texas drawl,” Ty stated with a laugh.
Suddenly, there was a loud commotion coming from the front of the house. Stella leaned in and said, “That would be the rest of the Shaw boys. No extended family tonight, just your uncles and their wives.”
I turned to see two guys coming in. The genes were strong in this family. You could instantly tell they were brothers. Like Brock, they both had brown hair with gray running through it slightly. One was a bit taller than the other, but not by much. The taller one looked to be a bit older. Also like Brock, they were both in good shape, with built bodies that said they did manual labor for a living.
“Oh my God,” the younger one whispered. A pretty older woman stood next to him with a stunned expression on her face. “You look just like him. I mean, if I didn’t know any better…”
“I said the same thing,” Brock stated as he stepped closer to me. “Tanner, this is Beck’s son—Beck Dahlstrom.”
What was the name of Tanner’s wife again? Avery had told me. It was something different. She stepped to the side and let go of Tanner’s hand. He moved toward me slowly and looked down at my outstretched hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
He glanced at Brock, who simply smiled. Turning back to me, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to him, hugging me so tightly, I thought for sure he was going to break a rib.
“My God, you’re a gift straight from heaven,” he whispered, holding me a few seconds longer before letting me go and taking a few steps back. Scrubbing his hand down his face, he looked back at his wife and motioned for her. “Beck, this is…this is my wife, Timberlynn.”
I shook her hand as I said, “It’s a real honor to meet you, ma’am.”
Her brows shot up. “Southern accent and those dreamy Shaw eyes.”
I felt my cheeks heat. “Texas, born and raised.”
Ty Junior—or at least, I was guessing that’s who it was—walked over, his eyes never leaving my face. When I faced him fully, I stilled. A single tear rolled down his cheek.
Stella approached and took his arm. “Junior, this is Beck, your nephew.”
Holding out my hand, I had an idea what was going to happen next. Sure enough, he ignored my hand and hugged me. He slapped my back a few times and said quietly, “He had a son. He had a son!”
His sobs nearly brought me to my knees, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
“Ty, you’re going to squeeze all the air out of the boy’s lungs.”
When I opened my eyes, I saw whom I guessed was Ty’s wife. He let me go and wiped the tears away. “Um…Beck…” His voice shook, and he pressed his lips together tightly.
“I’m Kaylee, Ty’s wife. It’s wonderful to meet you, Beck.”
I shook her hand. “Pleasure is all mine, ma’am.”
“Please, call me Kaylee.”
“Yes, ma—Kaylee.”
Tanner brought both hands up to his mouth and his next words were slightly muffled. “Oh my God, this is crazy.”
“Okay, let’s let them have some time, shall we?” Stella said, as she started to usher Dirk and Merit out of the room. Bradly and Mackenzie followed, and so did Avery.
“Avery…would you mind staying?” I asked.
Her entire face lit up. “Of course not.” She was by my side in an instant.
“Sit down, please, Beck,” Lincoln said, motioning for me to sit on the sofa. I did, and chairs and other sofas were moved around so that we were almost in a circle.
Tanner cleared his throat. “Please, start at the beginning because I have so many questions.”
Ty chuckled, as did Brock. Avery sat quietly next to me. I glanced at her and said, “Well…fate had a hand in all of this.”
“I’ll say,” Brock replied.
“Wait,” Tanner said, looking at Brock. “Do you already know the story?”
Brock leaned back in his chair, put his right ankle on his left knee and proudly said, “I do know the story.”
Ty Junior, still studying my face, asked, “Is your mother Heather?”
“Who’s Heather?” Tanner asked.
“You knew about Heather, and you never said anything?” Brock asked.
