“He can write me a letter.”

He shook his head. “He wants to see you. He’s in Billings.”

Her heart jumped.

“You should think about it,” Bill said gently. “When he’s gone, there’s nobody else who knows anything about your background. About your extended family. I know your mother never talked about her parents or their parents. History is important.”

She knew that. Still she hesitated. She hated even the memory of the past few years, hated the anguish her mother had caused her.

“It might be your last chance, to find out why your mama was so mean to you,” he finished. “He’s the only person alive who would know.”

She drew in a breath. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

He smiled. “I’ll tell your cousin.”

SHE SLEPT ON the request. But after a sleepless night, reliving old nightmares, she decided that Bill was wrong. She didn’t need to see her father. It was tempting, to tell him what he’d subjected her to by running off with another woman. That alone might help her to let go of the past. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it. The pain went too deep, even after fifteen years. She could hardly even remember what her father looked like. His job as a police officer had kept him away most of the time, and there were hard memories in the way after he left. She wasn’t sure she’d recognize him if she saw him on the street. But then, she didn’t want to, either.

So she called Cousin Rogan and told him about her decision.

“I understand how you feel,” he said, his deep voice soft and calming. “But people aren’t just good or bad, honey,” he added softly. “They make bad decisions and act on them. That’s what your father did. His fancy woman dropped him flat the second month he was with her. He tried to get custody of you, but your mother got a lawyer and threatened him with lies that made him into a monster. He could have gone to jail if he’d persisted. He deserted your mother. He never deserted you.”

She was quiet. She didn’t answer him.

He sighed. “Okay, honey. It’s your decision.” Rogan had always liked him, but he didn’t press it. “How are things going with you?”

“Jake McGuire is flying me up to Billings next Friday for a steak dinner,” she said.

“Well, how about that?” he asked, chuckling. “I wondered if he might try to see you. He loves your books. He’s got all three, and he was sure the newest one would be a bestseller. He’s your biggest fan.”

She laughed. “He’s a very nice man.”

“Oh dear.”

“I don’t like men. Well, most men,” she amended. “I like you and Jake and Bart.” Her voice cooled. “I don’t like Bart’s cousin.”

“What cousin?”

“Some cowboy from Texas,” she said. “He’s about the worst enemy I’ve ever had. He’s icy and hot-tempered and…impossible!”

Rogan was biting his tongue trying not to say what he thought. He’d never known mild-mannered Mina to get her dander up at any man.