Ironically, only Cody had really cared about his heritage. Ranching was in his blood, just as it had been in Harlan’s. Luke had loved ranching well enough, but he’d had a milewide independent streak that pushed him into starting up his own place, not just as proof that he could succeed at it, but to best his father. Cody had the same goal, it seemed to him. He was just more willing to fight Harlan one-on-one, on his home turf. He seemed to thrive on the war of wills.

Jordan and Erik hadn’t been interested in White Pines or ranching at all. In fact, it had been attempts to force Erik into a life that was never right for him that had ultimately led to his death. Riding a tractor one day at Luke’s, he’d gotten careless. The tractor had rolled over on him and killed him, leaving Jessie a widow and expecting his child.

Ultimately, Luke had claimed both mother and child, a beautiful Christmas baby named Angela. As happy as they were, Harlan wondered sometimes if they’d ever forget the cost at which that happiness had come.

With Jordan in the oil business and living at the ranch that had belonged to his wife Kelly’s family, now only Cody and Melissa and their kids remained at White Pines. Even they, however, lived in their own home, rather than in one of the suites that had been created to house new generations at a time when Harlan had imagined spending his golden years surrounded by family. They were close by, but not nearly close enough to keep him from rattling around in these lonely old rooms.

Only a few hours after his uncommon bout of self-pity, Harlan cursed himself for regretting the lack of company. It just proved that a man should be careful what he wished for.

Cody and Melissa arrived on his doorstep first with their kids, Sharon Lynn and Harlan Patrick. He could tell right off this was no drop-by visit for a quick hello. They seemed ready to settle down for a bit. They’d brought along enough paraphernalia for the kids to entertain them until nightfall.

Luke and Jessie were hard on their heels with precious, sweet-faced Angela. Jordan and Kelly turned up within minutes after that with Dani and Justin James. It was a conspiracy, no doubt about that. He didn’t believe for a second they’d all shown up just to get a decent meal from Maritza.

Apparently his housekeeper had known they were coming, though. He noticed that she’d set places for every traitorous one of them at his table.