Page 5 of Waiting for Forever
Logan picked up the cake knife, cutting a huge slice as Lacy used the cake server to pull it out.
Pinkandblue M&Ms fell out of the center—and for a moment, the entire party fell silent, confused by the trick.
Aunt Beverly, Lacy’s mom, stepped forward, happy tears in her eyes. “It’s twins! A boy and a girl.”
Holy shit.
The cheer that went up was almost deafening, and everyone clamored to hug the shellshocked parents-to-be. Logan recovered first, handing out cigars like the babies had already arrived, high-fiving Tyson and Caleb.
While it took Lacy a few minutes longer to process the news, she was clearly delighted. She and Logan shared a kiss, looking at each other with such love, it took Paige’s breath away. And then an ache started, deep in her chest.
She’d never really felt as if she was missing out by being single. At least, not until that moment.
Now, however, she had a clear vision of what she wanted, what she’d been waiting for. It was what Logan and Lacy had.
Love.
Happiness.
A family.
Forever.
Chapter Two
“Hey, Carl,” TJ Sparks called out to Granddad from his usual stool at Sparks Barbeque.
Hudson Ryan shook his head slightly, grinning, because he hadn’t been in this restaurant in thirteen years, and TJ was still sitting in the same spot as always. Apparently, there was some truth to that old “the more things changed, the more they stayed the same” adage.
Granddad walked over to the man, and Hudson followed. This was his first foray back into the social scene in Maris, and he wasn’t sure how the good people of the town would take his return. He’d been a bit of a shit when he lived here before.
Actually, he’d been a gigantic shitandan asshole, but he was hoping folks around here were the forgive-and-forget types, who would chalk up his behavior back then to youth.
“Well, well, well, as I live and breathe, Hudson Ryan.”
Hudson glanced behind the bar, where Macie stood staring at him, one hand on her hip.
“Hey, Macie. Good to see you again,” he said.
Macie had been a couple years ahead of him in school, but it wasn’t like Maris High School was so big that it mattered whatgrade anyone was in. While he didn’t have any classes with her, they still crossed paths in the hall, the cafeteria, and the library.
Macie had always been one of those live-and-let-live kind of people, and he was praying that was still so.
“I was sorry to hear about your dad,” she said kindly.
Hudson nodded in thanks, relieved that she’d chosen to greet him with compassion. He was certain the same wouldn’t hold true for other members of her family.
“So, what brings you back to Maris?” she asked. “Here for a visit?”
Hudson glanced at his granddad, wondering if now was a good time to spring his news. God knew once he told Macie and TJ, the entire town would know.
Granddad took the decision out of his hands, practically beaming when he answered her question, placing a proud hand on his shoulder. “He’s moving back for good. I’m officially retiring, and Hudson’s taking over Ryan Construction.”
“Well, hey,” TJ said, excitedly. “That’s good news! This town was going to be in a whole world of hurt when this old coot retired on us. Best damn contractor in Maris.”
“You might want to watch that old coot crap,” Granddad said, chuckling as TJ slapped him on the back. “You’ve got more gray hair than I do. What’s left of it, that is.” Granddad lifted the front of TJ’s baseball cap, showing off the man’s receding gray hairline. The two men had been friends for most of their lives, so ribbing each other was second nature.
“You got here just in time,” TJ said to Hudson. “That young upstart, Beck Reed, needs some competition. Getting too big for his britches.”
