Page 37

She hadn’t been expecting this—their chemistry—to still be so strong. He was engaged. And in that moment, she wished she could read his mind. What was he thinking? Did he want to kiss her? It would be so easy for her to lean in and make that decision for him.
But the moment ended as quickly as it began, replaced by Duncan’s guilty expression. His arms dropped like bricks, and he stepped back and shook his head as if waking from a fog. “Sorry. I’ll … see you downstairs.”
At that, he turned on his heel and raced down the stairs, leaving her alone, wondering what in the world just happened.
Chapter 16
He’d wanted to kiss her. Holding her in his arms, those deep brown eyes of hers gazing up at him, had reminded him of that night, how good they were together, how good she had felt. Thank God he’d come to his senses before he’d given in.
Inwardly, he groaned. He wanted to punch himself in the face. He was standing next to his fiancée while she talked and laughed with their mothers. This beautiful, Christ-loving woman, who he was going to spend the rest of his life with.
So why was he still thinking about the way Jamie felt in his arms?
Dréa took his hand and tugged him along behind her to a quiet corner of the yard. The sky was growing darker now that the sun had sunk below the horizon, and it was nearly fireworks time. He knew exactly what she wanted to talk about before she said a word.
Her phone lit up as she opened the calendar app, moving to his side so he could see too. “I was thinking, if we’re going to have a traditional church wedding, I’m definitely going to need a little more time to prepare.”
“Right.” The idea of more time until the wedding made him happier than he probably should’ve been.
“Fall is too soon and that leads into the holidays. So, I was thinking maybe January. That’s six months from now. I can plan a wedding in six months.”
“January’s fine.” He tried to summon more enthusiasm than he felt.
“How about the fourteenth? That’s right in the middle of the month. The only problem might be snow at that time of year. Do you think we should wait until spring?” She lowered her phone and turned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I really don’t want to wait that long.”
He slid his arms around her waist. “January’s fine.”
She smiled up at him. “You already said that.”
“Because whatever you decide, I’m cool with.”
“Okay. Good.” She planted a quick kiss on his lips and rushed back to their mothers.
Shannon and Jamie exited the house then and made their way to the food and drinks. He had to force himself to keep his feet planted. Jamie looked beautiful. Even more so than usual. He shook his head and looked toward the lake, where some of his cousins were standing near the dock talking. He headed their way, determined to ignore the ache in his chest.
Chapter 17
When would the timing be right? If Shannon had any say in it, they would already be in a quiet room in the house, where Jamie could tell Duncan the news. But this was huge. She was about to drop a bomb and blow all his plans to smithereens, not to mention possibly ruining his relationship in the process. As much as she didn’t want Duncan to get married, she didn’t relish the thought of hurting him in any way. But she hadn’t done this alone. He was a part of this, and he deserved to know. But when? She couldn’t just pull him out of the middle of his engagement party and lay this information on him.
She nibbled on a cracker, hoping nausea would remain at bay, and watched Duncan, who was standing across the lawn talking with some of his cousins. She scanned the crowd to Dréa. Gorgeous Dréa, who fit so well with Duncan’s family. She was talking with Mrs. McGregor and another woman, probably her mom based on their similar looks.
“I don’t belong here,” Jamie told Shannon. “I think I’m gonna go.”
“Don’t go yet. Stay for the fireworks,” Shannon begged.
A hand touched her back as Nana McGregor stepped up beside her. “Do stay for the show, dear.”
“Hi, Nana.” Jamie smiled at the sweet woman, who had always treated her as her own granddaughter.
“Why leave now? You only just arrived.”
“I know.” Jamie’s gaze found Duncan again. “I’m just very tired these days.”
“Well, of course, you are.” She lay a palm on Jamie’s belly.
Her eyes shot to Nana’s and then Shannon’s, who looked as shocked as she did.
“What do you mean by that, Nana?” Shannon asked.