Page 24 of Best Laid Plans

However, Lucy couldn’t help remembering how he’d come rushing back to Australia when she and Josh had announced their engagement.

She’d always wondered why.

But there was no way she could open up that discussion now. Not tonight.

She felt too vulnerable tonight and she was scared she might blurt out something she’d regret later. It would be too embarrassing and shameful to confess that she’d finally gone out with Will’s brother, hoping that word would reach Will and spark a reaction.

If she told him that, she’d also have to confess that the plan had backfired when she’d become pregnant.

It was more than likely she would never be able to talk to Will about this.

Nevertheless, tonight’s conversation felt like an important step. It was almost as if she and Will had picked up theirfriendship where they’d left off. He’d told her about the funeral, something he hadn’t been able to share with his family.

It suddenly felt okay to say, ‘I’ve actually become quite desperate to have a baby.’

Will spun around from the window his chest rose and fell. Above his open white shirt, the muscles in his throat rippled. His eyes smouldered in the cool white light. ‘You’d make a wonderful mother, Lucy.’

The compliment made her want to cry, but she gave him a shrugging smile. ‘It’s a terrible waste, isn’t it?’

She hadn’t expected to say more, but now that she’d started, it was surprisingly easy to keep going. ‘To be honest, I worry constantly about the state of my ovaries, and whether I can expect them to go on delivering, month after month.’

‘The old biological clock?’

She nodded. ‘Early menopause runs in my family. That’s why I’m an only child.’

Will frowned. ‘But I have it on good authority that you’ve turned down at least three proposals of marriage.’

Heat flooded Lucy’s face. ‘I suppose Gina told you that?’

He nodded.

‘Okay, so I’m fussy, but that’s because I’m not so desperate that I’d settle for just any guy as a husband. Willowbank isn’t exactly swarming with Mr. Rights, you know. I’d rather be a single mother.’

Abruptly, Will came back to his chair and sank down into it, long legs stretching in front of him. ‘Why would you want to be a single mother?’

‘Because it’s better than not being a mother at all.’

He looked surprised and thoughtful.

Lucy made herself comfortable with her legs curled and an elbow propped on the chair’s arm, her cheek resting on herhand. ‘I’ve been to a fertility clinic,’ she told Will. ‘And I’ve already tried one round of IVF.’

‘IVF?’ he repeated, sounding shocked.

‘Why not?’

‘Isn’t that a bit – extreme?’

‘It seemed logical to me. I’ve inseminated hundreds of animals and it worked beautifully for Mattie and Gina. But unfortunately, it didn’t work for me.’

Will made a soft sound, a kind of strangled gasp.

‘I’m sorry. That’s probably too much information,’ she said.

But Will shook his head, and a moment later, a smile played around his lips. He tapped at the arm of his chair. ‘It’s a pity Mattie can’t have a baby for you.’

Lucy knew he was joking and forced a weak laugh. Uncurling her legs, she sat straight in her chair. ‘Don’t worry, that thought’s occurred to me, but I imagine Mattie has other plans now she has a husband.’

‘I’m sure she has.’ With a thoughtful frown, Will scratched at his jaw. ‘But it’s a pity there isn’t someone who could help you out.’

---