Page 99 of Tempting the Heart

“You’ve made me the happiest woman in the galaxy,” she whispered between one more kiss.

“You’ve made me the luckiest man in the universe.”

Mae smiled as we turned to our guests and walked down the aisle as husband and wife for the first time with Dottie barking behind us as Brad let her go from the leash.

I looked at Mae and the beautiful dress she chose, cascading over her pregnant belly with a white faux fur stole around her shoulders. The matching Mayflower earrings and pendant on display spoke volumes about what we believed now.

We’d grown up on the small island of Marigold, being thrust at each other whenever fate had its way, but we didn’t listen.

Curiosity Bay was a quaint little town where everyone knew everyone else, good and bad. I’d always felt like the boy from the other side of the tracks, while the Evans family felt unattainable through no fault of their own.

But the things we all clung to in various forms had been hopes and dreams that could be built when fate collided in the perfect package.

I held Mae’s hand in mine as we wandered slowly to the reception hall, and I remembered what my dad had told me the day I left for college.

Mae’s too good for you. Besides, they’re nothing like us. They’ve built their lives on nothing but the shakiness of dreams. Just wait. They’ll all crumble one day, and us Grants will bethere to laugh and pick up the pieces. Just forget about them. Blood is thicker than water.

His words made me sick for months, as if their being spoken aloud could somehow wreak havoc on the only people who'd truly cared for me.

So, I stayed away until fate couldn’t handle it anymore.

I kept those vicious words inside, and they ate me up until I could no longer dream my own dreams.

But that all changed the moment I saw Mae through the window of her coffee shop. Fate wasn’t allowing my dad to control my story, but I knew I had to take control if I wanted a happy ending.

We slowed near the photographer as I pulled Mae into me. “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, Mayflower.”

“I don’t know how you make me feel like the luckiest woman alive.” A dreamy look swept through her eyes, and my heart squeezed at the thought that I’d finally won.

I smiled, brushing her hair away from her cheek as the photographer took our photos. “Just remember you said that to me when you’re in labor. I saw that process once, and it looked really… bad. Like super painful. All kinds of things were said.”

Mae laughed so hard I swore I felt our baby kicking, and I loved every second of it.

As the double doors opened, the DJ announced our arrival, and the guests clapped as we walked by the long line of well-wishers.

It was a dream come true, and if the walls came crumbling down, at least I was with the woman I loved because we’d find a way through it all.

“Tell me this,” Mae asked as the bar opened and the buffet line rolled out.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Why does Audrey look so miserable?” she asked, pointing at a table across the banquet room.

With all the centerpieces and floral arrangements Mae had picked, it was hard to spot her sister. The room had somehow turned into a winter wonderland of white roses and twinkling lights.

It was perfectly perfect unless you needed to find a friend or relative.

Mae squeezed my hand and wove us through the sea of round tables until we managed to get to Audrey’s.

Mae’s sister looked up at me and scowled. “You know MacGregor?”

I glanced at Mae, uncertain where this was going. “Yeah. We played baseball together back in college. Why?”

Audrey pressed her lips together. “No reason. Everything’s fine. Go enjoy the wedding.”

Mae glanced at me with a smile and shrugged.

“It doesn’t sound like everything is okay, Audrey.” I tried again. “Do I need to kick him out? You know I totally would for you. Did he do something or…?”

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