She squashed the feelings of guilt that welled up inside her, telling herself she’d had every right to take some time to think before calling her mother. But it didn’t quite work. “I know, Mom. I’m sorry, but I’ve been busy.”

“As long as there’s nothing wrong.”

Taking the opening, she plunged onward. “But there is something wrong. Justin called me.”

There was silence on the other end and then her mother sighed. “Oh?”

Anger stirred inside her as she realized her mother wasn’t going to say anything else. “He told me he was talking to you first. Why didn’t you tell me you’d heard from him?”

“That’s the reason, Candy. Listen to yourself. You’re so angry with him instead of just being glad to hear from him.”

“See, that’s what I don’t understand, Mom.” Righteous indignation filled her. “It’s just like with Dad. He’d disappear for days, weeks or months and you’d just forgive him and take him back. Now it’s the same thing with Justin, but he’s been gone years, not months. Years!” Her temples started to throb as the beginnings of a tension headache descended on her.

“What I did with your father is my business,” her mother snapped back.

“But it was my life too,” she retorted. “How do you think it felt to have a convicted felon as a father? That was bad enough, but you kept taking him back every time he got out of prison.”

“Right or wrong, it was my choice, Candy. And I did my best to be a good mother.”

Usually she dropped the subject, feeling guilty whenever she questioned her mother, but not this time. “Yes, you did your best, but it was still hard on your kids and that’s something you’ve never acknowledged. I think that’s why it was so easy for Justin to fall into the same pattern.”

“I’m not responsible for Justin’s actions.” Her mother’s voice was getting shriller and more defensive with every word she spoke.

Candy rubbed her temples, realizing this was futile. Her mother was who she was, and as she said, had made her own choices. She’d done the best she could, but like all humans, she had her shortcomings. It was a slight revelation to Candy to realize that her anger stemmed from the fact that she’d wished her mother had been perfect and more of the kind of mother she’d wanted growing up.

They’d never agree on some issues, Justin and her father being two of them, but it was time for Candy to let them go and move on. A weight lifted off her shoulders as she dropped her burden of guilt. She’d done her best, just as her mother had done, so maybe it was time to forge a new relationship, based on the here and now instead of the past.

“What did Justin have to say?” She was curious to see if he’d said more to their mother than to her.

“Just that he wanted to see me and to see you, of course.”

“You’ve seen him?” She knew the answer even before she’d asked the question. Candy could tell from the tone of her mother’s voice that she’d seen him.

“Yes. He’s been over for supper several times.”

Candy swallowed the lump of emotion that welled up from deep within her. “How—” She broke off, cleared her throat and tried again. “How does he look?”

“He looks good. The years haven’t been easy ones, but he looks good.” Her mother paused. “He looks a lot like your father.”

She rubbed her throbbing temples and scrunched her eyes tight to hold back the tears. “Yeah, well, Dad always was a good-looking son of a—”

“Candy!”

“I was going to say, gun, Mom.” That was the one thing that James Logan had had going for him. He’d definitely been a handsome and charming devil. “Did Justin say anything else, like how long he was staying or what he’s been doing?”

“Not really. He mostly asked about me and my life.” She paused. “And you, honey. He asked a lot of questions about you. I wish you’d agree to see him. I know it would mean a lot to him.”

“Did he ask you to plead his case?” That was definitely something her father would have done.

“No. He actually did the opposite and asked me not to say anything at all to you.” She could hear her mother’s growing impatience. “But I still think you should see him, Candy. At least once.”

“I’m still thinking about it, Mom.”

“I didn’t think you’d be that cold and unforgiving to your brother.”

The criticism hit Candy hard. “Well, he didn’t seem to care how I felt all these years he’s been away. Why should I care about his feelings now? He’s a stranger to me.”

“He’s your brother.” Those three simple words broke Candy’s heart because although she knew they were true, she felt as if she’d lost her brother years ago. He hadn’t died, but it was as if he had, because in all the ways that truly counted, he had been dead to her all these years. But what had hurt the most was that he could have been dead in truth and she might never have known.

“I said I was thinking about it and that’s the best I can do right now.” It was time to change the subject. “Did you get the money I deposited in your account last week?”

“Yes, I did. You know I really appreciate it, Candy, but you don’t have to give me money anymore. I’m getting more hours over at the market.”

But Candy could hear the weariness in her mother’s voice. For more than thirty years, her mother had worked mostly minimum-wage jobs. Married and pregnant young, she’d barely finished high school and had no other training. Her mother was a hard worker and never complained, but she’d made sure that Candy had stayed in school. They hadn’t had much while she’d been growing up, but they’d always had food and a roof over their heads. And for that alone, she figured she owed her mother.

“I don’t mind, Mom. I just wish it could be more.”

“It’s more than enough, Candy.”

In spite of their many differences, Candy didn’t doubt that her mother loved her. In the end, that was what mattered the most. They might never have a really close relationship, but they’d always have that between them.

“Talk to your brother, Candy, just in case you never get the opportunity to do it again.” She softened her voice. “You don’t want to have to live with regrets.” Back to her brisk self again, she hurried on. “I have to go or I’ll be late for my shift at the market.”

“Bye, Mom.” She barely heard her mother tell her goodbye before the line went dead. It was the buzzing in her ear that finally broke her out of her thoughts and she slowly hung up her phone.

Regrets. That’s what it all boiled down to, and Candy finally began to understand why her mother had taken her father back all those times. She hadn’t wanted to live with the regrets she might have had if she didn’t. Candy didn’t necessarily agree with her mother, but she felt she did understand her a little better.

After all, she didn’t want to have regrets either. That’s why she was willing to let her relationship with Lucas run its course. But, unlike her father, Lucas wasn’t lying to her and pretending to be something he wasn’t. And therein lay the big difference for Candy. It was the lies her father had told over the years, always promising that things would be different and that he wasn’t really a criminal which had hurt the most. She much preferred Lucas’ bluntness to pretty lies. Lucas wanted her sexually, plus he respected her and genuinely liked her. And that was good enough for her.

As for Justin, well, she’d just have to think about that a little longer. She went back to work, but her mother’s words kept ringing in her ears.

The phone rang again and she pushed her personal problems to the back of her mind. “Good morning, Candy Logan’s office.”

“Good morning, sugar.”

His low voice slid over her like hot caramel over an ice cream sundae and just like that, she felt better, happier. “And what can I do for you, Mr. Squires?”

He laughed, the sensual sound skittering across her skin, making goose bumps rise on her arms. “I can think of several things at the moment.”

“Lucas.” His name came out as part admonishment, part moan as several fantasies of her own flitted through her brain.

“You shouldn’t ask me such provocative questions if you don’t want me to answer them.” She could hear voices in the background and knew he was calling from work. “But that’s not why I called.”

Candy squirmed in her seat, trying to ignore her growing arousal. “Why did you call?”

“Two things. First, are you coming over for dinner tonight?”

“Do you want me to?” She wondered if he wasn’t beginning to get tired of having her around every single evening.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t,” his rough voice growled over the phone.

“I’d love to come over for dinner. Should I bring anything?”

“Just yourself, sugar.”

“Okay.” She glanced at her watch, knowing she had to cut this short. “What was the second thing?”

“Check your purse. I slipped a little something inside this morning before you left.” She heard someone calling him in the distance. “I’ve gotta run, but I’ll see you tonight.” The phone clicked in her ear and she pulled it back and looked at it. What was it with people hanging up on her this morning?

Curious now, she opened her bottom desk drawer and dragged out her large leather handbag. She hadn’t really looked in it this morning, she’d been in such a hurry when she’d left his place to get home and change in time to get to work. Thankfully, Lucas was always up at the crack of dawn, but still, she’d barely had enough time. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep that up, but for now, she was managing. And the payoff of spending all night snuggled up in bed with Lucas was reward enough for any minor inconveniences.