Page 97 of Faking I Do
She didn’t believe me. Either that or she didn’t care. For her it had all been a means to an end. I’d underestimated her and her willingness to do whatever it would take to reach her goals. With a gaping hole in my chest where my heart had once beaten for her, I took one last look at the house then turned my back and walked away.
CHAPTER 48
LACEY
“It’s ruined.Everything is ruined and it’s all my fault.” I sat on the grass next to Luke, wishing Bodie were there to hold my hand. But I’d gone and ruined that, too, and I couldn’t even find him to apologize. He’d rushed poor Shotgun to the vet. She’d gone into labor while Luke had been chasing Bodie around the grounds of the house, crushing everything in his path. At least the fire hadn’t spread. Bodie’s quick thinking had prevented any major damage to the house.
“I’m sorry.” Luke slung his arm around me.
I appreciated the effort, but his hug lacked the comfort of Bodie’s. A new wave of tears threatened to overwhelm me. I’d probably never have another chance to feel Bodie’s arms around me. He told me he loved me. I’d waited my whole life to hear those words from him. And I blew him off, dismissed him like he’d offered me a piece of trash, not a piece of his heart.
“Where did you ever get the idea I was pregnant?” I flipped around to look at my brother. Despite the circumstances, it was good to see him.
Luke sighed. “It was an email from Adeline. She said you and Bodie had been messing around and she overheard you saying you were pregnant. I couldn’t believe it. But then she said youwere getting married this weekend, so I put in for emergency leave. I didn’t want you to make a mistake.”
“Adeline.” My hands clenched into fists. “She was jealous because the reporter decided to cover my wedding in the magazine instead of hers. And she’s probably still mad at me for getting arrested during her bachelorette party and ruining her weekend.”
“What?” Luke eyed me from under the brim of his cap.
“Long story. Bottom line is, she’ll go to any lengths to get what she wants.”
Luke scoffed. “Sounds like someone else I know.”
That truth hit a little too close to home. “I’m like that, too, aren’t I? No wonder I scared Bodie away.”
I let that thought settle over me, suffocating me, making it almost impossible to breathe.
“There you are.” Samantha stopped in front of me, somehow untouched by the fight and the chaos that had taken its toll on everyone else. “I’m sure you realize we can’t feature the wedding inTexas Timesnext month.”
I nodded. “I understand. I’m sorry I lied about the wedding.”
Samantha planted a hand on her hip. “I don’t know why you felt like you had to. This place is magical. You don’t need the media coverage to make it into a success.”
Jay grimaced and offered a pseudo salute. I lifted my hand in a wave as they picked their way through the remains of my wedding day, heading toward the parking lot.
“When do you have to head back?” I rested my head on Luke’s shoulder.
“Next Friday.”
“But that’s barely a week. Why so soon?” He’d probably spend more time on airplanes than he would on the ground.
“That’s emergency leave. I ought to get a few more weeks sometime this summer. We can have a longer visit then.” Hepushed up, pulling me to my feet next to him. “An uneventful visit, okay?”
“Okay. We should probably get you home so Dad can see you. How did you even get here?”
“Rented a car. Need a ride?”
“No. I’m going to stay here and see what I can do to help.”
He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, okay?”
“Easier said than done.” I pulled my brother in for a hug before letting him go. Then I climbed the steps, ready to do what I could to clean up the mess I’d made.
“Haven’t you already done enough?” Jojo was the first one to notice me. “Go on home, Lacey. We don’t need your help.”
“But . . .” I glanced around, looking for a friendly face. Or at least a face that didn’t look so angry. Helmut, Jojo, even Suzy glared at me.
“Come on, Lacey, let’s get you home.” Zina put her hands on my shoulders, turning me toward the door.
