“Thanks.” Jason smiled as he glanced around the huge guest house on his and Bella’s property. The weather had cooperated and the construction workers had been able to transform what had once been a ranch house into a huge fifteen room guest house for family, friends and business associates of the Westmorelands. Combining the old with the new, the builder and his crew had done a fantastic job and Jason and Bella couldn’t be more pleased.

He glanced across the way and saw Dillon was talking to Bane who’d surprised everyone by showing up. It was the first time he’d returned home since he had left nearly three years ago. Jason had gotten the chance to have a long conversation with his youngest brother. He was not the bad-assed kid of yesteryears but standing beside Dillon in his naval officer’s uniform, the family couldn’t be more proud of the man he had become. But there still was that pain behind the sharpness of Bane’s eyes. Although he hadn’t mentioned Crystal’s name, everyone in the family knew the young woman who’d been Bane’s first love, his fixation probably since puberty, was still in his thoughts and probably had a permanent place in his heart. He could only imagine the conversation Dillon was having with Bane since they both had intense expressions on their faces.

“So you’ve not given up on Crystal?” Dillon asked his youngest brother.

Bane shook his head. “No. A man can never give up on the woman he loves. She’s in my blood and I believe that no matter where she is, I’m in hers.” Bane paused a moment. “But that’s the crux of my problem. I have no idea where she is.”

Bane then studied Dillon’s features. “And you’re sure that you don’t?”

Dillon inhaled deeply. “Yes, I’m being honest with you, Bane. When the Newsomes moved away they didn’t leave anyone a forwarding address. I just think they wanted to put as much distance between you and them as possible. But I’ll still go on record and say that I think the time apart for you and Crystal was a good thing. She was young and so were you. The two of you were headed for trouble and both of you needed to grow up. I am proud of the man you’ve become.”

“Thanks, but one day when I have a lot of time I’m going to find her, Dillon, and nobody, her parents or anyone, will keep me from claiming what’s mine.”

Dillon saw the intense look in Bane’s face and only hoped that wherever Crystal Newsome was that she loved Bane just as much as Bane still loved her.