Page 90 of Scorched

“I couldn’t help but notice you and my brother sneaking away at the wedding last week. I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a chance to talk to either of you for very long. Spill it, sister.”

“Uh-uh.” She shifted in her seat, heat pooling in her core as she thought about their time in the shed.

Macy laughed. “I’m both delighted and disgusted. Declan deserves to be happy, and you make him that way. But I don’t want to think about his sex life. Forgive me if I don’t ask for details.”

It was Maggie’s turn to laugh. “No problem. I’m not keen on sharing.”

“Do you love him?”

That word—love—bounced around Maggie’s brain. She knew she felt as giddy as a teenager with her first crush every time he was near. And he was all she could think about. At work for the last several days, she had to force herself to concentrate. Even then, she caught herself staring off into space, thinking about him more than she cared to admit.

But Maggie had never been in love. She didn’t have anything to compare it to.

“I’m not sure.” She shrugged. “I know I can’t imagine life without him now. I don’t want to, either. These past few weeks have been amazing, even though we spent the first few just taking care of each other’s broken bodies.”

“That’s how you know it’s real. When it’s the companionship you crave. Don’t get me wrong, the sex should be fantastic, but it’s not what matters most.”

“No. I want to be with him, even if we’re doing nothing.”

Macy grinned. “Welcome to the family, dear girl.”

Maggie’s eyes widened. “Whoa, now. Marriage is a ways off.”

“Hmm, maybe not as far as you think. Declan’s thirty-six. And he’s always wanted kids.”

The reality of the seriousness of her relationship crashed into Maggie in that moment. So did the desire to be the woman who gave him those children.

“All I ask is that I get to babysit often. At the rate I’m going, my friend’s kids are the only ones I’ll ever get to love on and cuddle.”

“Nah. One of these days, you’ll get tired of waiting on Brady to make a move and you’ll do it for him. I’m surprised you haven’t already.”

“What? That’s not—I’m not—”

“Oh, don’t even try to deny it. I know you told Rayna, Tara, and London how you feel about him. And it’s obvious to anyone with eyes.”

Macy huffed. “Except him.”

“For a smart man, he’s oblivious. I think that has more to do with the blinders he put on after his divorce, though. He doesn’t want to get hurt again. It doesn’t help that he’s shy. I don’t know how that happened in our family, but it did. If you’re serious about him, you might have to make the first move.”

“I know.” Macy sighed and let her head fall back against the headrest. “It’s just weird. Not only because I’m not used to being the one doing the pursuing, but because we’re friends.”

Maggie laughed. “That should not be weird.”

“No?”

“No. All our other friends and siblings are hooking up. Why not you and Brady?”

Macy giggled. “That’s true. I didn’t think about it like that.” She shrugged. “I guess that gives me something to think about.”

She wasn’t the only one with something to think about now. That “L” word wouldn’t stop bouncing around Maggie’s head.

Rain pelted the windshield as Maggie pulled into Macy’s drive. The wipers made a steady swish-thump, and the car dinged as Macy opened her door.

“Thanks again for going with me,” Maggie said.

“Anytime. I think we got her moving in the right direction. Filling out all those online applications in different cities was a great start.” She swung her legs out of the car, clutching her purse. “I’ll see you later.” She waggled her fingers. “Bye.” Slamming the door, she took off through the rain.

Maggie waited until Macy was inside before backing out onto the road and pointing the car toward the ranch. The rain increased as she got out of town. She turned her wipers up and slowed down. Driving in the rain sucked, but at least it wasn’t snow. That would come all too soon.

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