Page 94 of Tempting the Heart

“You were coming back to Marigold?”

“Yeah. I finally did what I should have done a long time ago.”

“I’m stunned. Truly stunned. I know we left things as just friends and—”

I shook my head, interrupting her. “I can’t do that. I can’t just be your friend, Mae.”

Her eyes twinkled as the words soaked in, and her grin only widened. “As in you finally came around to seeing what an amazing guy you are?”

I chuckled and let out a deep sigh. “Something like that, Mayflower. You deserve the best, and I wanted to give you that.”

“You already have.”

I smiled, pulling her back into me.

“So, does this mean we stay or we go?” she asked. “I bought a one-way ticket, so I’m easy.”

“So did I.”

She stepped back and smiled. “This is real, then?”

“I hope so, and I’m sorry for leaving things as I did.” I shook my head. “After hearing what my dad told Bethany, I wasn’t in my right mind. I just couldn’t imagine bringing you down into the mud with me.”

“But you finally realized you didn’t belong in the mud either,” she said softly.

“Something like that.”

She hugged me again, only this time, she didn’t let go. “Audrey’s babysitting Dottie for the next few days.”

“Then we’ll take advantage, and I’ll show you around Buttercup Lake.”

“I made reservations at some place called Honey Leaf Lodge.”

“What?” I laughed. “Why’s that?”

“Always be prepared.”

“Well, I just gave away the primary bedroom to my brother, so maybe we could use it.”

She chuckled and nodded. “Sounds good to me. Now, let me go say hi to your brother.”

“Don’t let me stand in the way.” I hauled her suitcase inside and shut the door, pointing down the hall toward the family room. “He’s out back.”

Mae bounded down the hallway like she did when she was a kid, and I laughed. It was everything about her that just made me smile.

Before I even got there, Paul was already hugging her and treating her like the sister he always had.

“You’re gonna give my brother a second chance, huh?” Paul teased, and Mae glanced over at me.

“He’s the best there is.”

Paul frowned. “Hey, now.”

Mae laughed and sat across from my brother as if decades hadn’t gone by.

“Tyler never got over you.” Paul flashed me a wicked grin before returning his gaze to Mae. “He had your yearbook pics taped to the wall by his bed.”

Her eyes moved to mine. “You did?”

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