He stood there for a long while. Dawn stretched silver-rose fingers over the eastern sky, yet he remained where he was. Brooding, lonely. Missing Heather with a fierceness that hurt.

He had driven her away. And it might be too late to get her back.

The sun had barely risen when Sloan received unexpected visitors. He’d just finished dressing and feeding Janna when his brother drove up with family in tow and Wolf Logan riding beside the buggy.

Wolf must have returned from Denver last night, Sloan realized as he went out to greet them.

He received a chilly response from his sister-in-law at least.

“Heather’s gone, isn’t she,” Caitlin demanded accusingly before he could say a word. The martial light flaring in her blue eyes could have sparked a brushfire. Refusing assistance, she climbed down from the buggy with her baby daughter, her jaw set with determination.

“I think a family conference is in order,” she announced, brushing past Sloan unceremoniously and heading for the porch steps.

Quizzically, he met his brother’s gaze, but Jake shrugged, as if to say he had little voice in the matter.

They settled in Sloan’s study, with the children playing near the hearth.

“We are here to discuss finances,” Caitlin began resolutely. “Wolf has a plan, Sloan, and you will hear him out. We’re not leaving till you see reason.”

Sloan looked at his friend and brother-in-law expectantly.

Wolf leaned back against the leather couch and said more gently, “Cat’s right, Sloan. She told me about Lovell trying to take over the Bar M and about Randolf providing the money to settle the mortgage. Well, enough is enough. It’s time you accepted Doe’s share of my claim. You can finish buying out Jake’s half of the Bar M and get the ranch back in prime condition. Make it profitable again.”

Sloan ran a hand down his face. “You know it sticks in my craw to take your money.”

“It’s not my money. It belongs to Doe—and now to you and your daughter. You can accept for Janna’s sake, for her future, if nothing else.”

When Sloan hesitated, Cat broke in angrily. “I can’t understand why you insist on being so stubborn! You can’t possibly enjoy being at the mercy of men like Lovell or Randolf.”

“No, I don’t particularly enjoy it,” Sloan admitted dryly.

Her tone turned pleading. “Then you can swallow your pride and take the money. It isn’t as if it’s charity. We’re family, Sloan. And if there’s one thing you should have learned from that terrible range war, it’s that families have to stick together. We have to!” When he still remained silent, her frustration exploded. “Merciful heaven, you should be grateful you have family who cares enough about you to come to your aid when times are rough!”

Sloan sighed. “I am grateful.”

“Then you’ll accept?”