Page 67

There were extra cars in the driveway when Duncan returned from his trip to Denver. He recognized Jamie’s right away, and a zing of excitement rushed through him, which he immediately shoved down deep inside.
After the past few days with Dréa, things were good. They had made progress, and she had forgiven him and wanted to move forward. They had even started on their wedding plans, moving their wedding date to early December instead. He had left Denver feeling like they were on the right track, yet there was still this underlying uncertainty about Jamie and the baby.
He needed to ask if she would be willing to move to Denver since he knew that’s where he and Dréa would end up. He just wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. Her life was here. Her business was here. And he wasn’t sure if Jamie living close by him and his wife would make life easier or more difficult. He only knew that once the baby was born, he didn’t know how he would be able to stand living so far away from them.
Them? He shook his head. He’d been thinking of both Jamie and the baby, and he knew that wasn’t right. He was committed to his fiancée.
He took a deep breath as he opened the door and paused on his way to his room when he heard voices and laughter. He glanced out the picture window in the kitchen, and what he saw sent a sudden rush of blood through his veins.
Jamie and Shannon sat on the patio with his parents and Nana … and his cousin, Maxwell. Max had his arm across the back of the love seat, resting against Jamie’s shoulders, his gaze fixed on her as she laughed.
Duncan’s stomach knotted, and he dropped his suitcase where he stood and made his way to the back yard.
“You’re home,” Shannon said. “How was your trip?”
“Fine.” He couldn’t take his eyes away from his cousin and Jamie.
“How’s it going?” Max asked.
He released his gritted teeth. “Can’t complain. You?”
“I was just telling everyone that I got a promotion at work. Senior V.P. of marketing.”
Duncan wanted to lift his finger in the air and twirl it around with a great big whoop-de-do, but instead, he went the polite route. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Shannon said you were in Denver. How’s your lovely fiancée?”
“She’s good.” He noticed Jamie glance at the ground.
He took a seat and listened to the group’s discussion of the morning’s church service. Jamie had yet to make eye contact with him, and he couldn’t ignore Max’s arm around her. His mind recalled the Fourth of July, the way Max had been staring at her when he’d come upon the two of them by the fire. He didn’t like this. Not one bit.
When his parents and Nana headed inside, Jamie went to use the bathroom, and Max followed, carrying glasses to the kitchen.
Duncan looked at Shannon.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Shannon said.
“What?”
“I think he really likes her.”
“No,” Duncan said firmly.
Shannon’s eyebrows pinched together. “You can’t control who she dates.”
“Watch me.”
Shannon shook her head. “She could do a lot worse than Max. He’s a great guy with a good job and a good head on his shoulders. What if they’re meant to be?”
Duncan rolled his eyes. “You need to stop thinking like such a romantic.”
“You never know what God might be doing. He might’ve brought her into our lives so she and Max would find each other.”
He snorted. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Why? Why does this bother you so much?”
“It just does. She’s carrying my baby. She shouldn’t be dating my cousin.”