Page 9 of Upon an April Night

“I know … but sometimes you just know.”

“And with her, you know?”

He nodded.

Shannon’s eyebrow lifted. “Then why are you so worried about Jamie?”

“Just please make sure she’s okay.” He gave her a pointed look and motioned toward the front door, afraid Jamie was already gone. “Please.”

Shannon rolled her eyes and walked out the door.

Duncan lowered his head, breathing slowly in and out. He turned toward the yard and stopped in the doorway, leaning against the frame, watching everyone congratulate and welcome Dréa into the family.

She really was a lovely woman—kind, intelligent, witty, gorgeous, and strong in her faith. He had never questioned whether his family would approve. She was exactly the kind of woman they wanted for him, exactly the kind of woman he needed in his life.

From the outside, six weeks probably seemed fast. But he’d known within the first few dates that she was a keeper. And after the way he’d failed himself and God with Jamie, he knew he needed someone like Dréa.

He pushed thoughts of Jamie’s hurt expression to the back of his mind and walked across the yard to enjoy this time with the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with.

Chapter 5

Her sobs could not be contained. Jamie lay on the couch, shoulders shaking, as she let it all out.

Engaged? He’s engaged? How did this happen?

Only two months ago, she’d been in his arms, and now he was marrying someone else. She couldn’t believe it.

A knock at her door came, and she already knew who it was before she even answered. The knocking continued as she wiped at her cheeks and shuffled slowly to the door, finding Shannon’s friendly face on the other side.

“Oh, Jamie.” Shannon gave her a warm embrace, and the tears began again.

Jamie thought she had no sobs left, but she was wrong. She felt embarrassed for the loud sounds coming from her mouth, but she was incapable of controlling her emotions.

When she was finally calm, she let go of her friend. “You didn’t have to come here, Shannon,” she murmured. “You should be celebrating your ... brother’s engagement.” She could barely get those last two words out before more tears slid down her cheeks.

“He’s an idiot,” Shannon declared. “A total idiot.”

“We already knew that much,” Jamie managed, trying to summon some of her usual spunk. She walked to the couch and climbed under a blanket.

Shannon glanced around at the piles of tissues and took a seat on the opposite end of the couch, turning with legs crossed to face Jamie. “Can you please explain something to me?”

“What?” Jamie sniffled.

“What is it between you and my brother?” Shannon asked. “I mean, you two have always been flirty, but lately, it seemed like there was more happening with you two. Am I wrong?”

“You’re not wrong.” Jamie swallowed hard and stared down at her hands. “Something happened. Before he left for Denver.”

“What happened?”

Jamie struggled to get the words out. What would Shannon think of her? Would she be angry? What would she say when she found out the whole truth? Despite her worries, she needed to tell her friend.

“We slept together,” she admitted.

Shannon’s mouth fell open. “Excuse me? You slept together? As in … you had sex with my brother?”

Jamie nodded, feeling so ashamed. “Remember that night we were hanging out here, watching movies?”

Shannon nodded.

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