Page 95 of Lost in You (The Monroes 3)

“It’s going to be great for this place to have you here again,” Mark added. “The staff is excited you’re coming back, too.”

“You have a great staff,” Liam agreed.

Mark chuckled. “Now you’re going to have a great staff.”

Liam merely nodded as the cell in his pocket went off again. He pulled it out, glancing at Sophie’s name. He’d get back to her later. Though it wasn’t like Sophie to text two times in a row.

“I better get back to Haven,” Liam stated, anxious to return to the car to see what Sophie needed. “I’ll see you at the bank Tuesday and if I think of anything before then, I’ll call.”

Mark nodded and stepped forward. “I’m ready to hit retirement and let someone I trust take over.”

Liam rubbed the back of his neck, tension building as nerves settled in. He was actually buying a restaurant. And not just any restaurant, but the most prestigious one in Savannah and the surrounding area.

“Any retirement plans?” Liam asked as they started toward the back door.

Mark shoved the steel door open, holding it for Liam to pass through first. “My wife has always wanted to get an RV and just travel the country, so I guess I’ll be RV shopping next week.”

The bright morning sunshine hit Liam as he pulled his sunglasses from his back pocket and slid them on. “Sounds like a plan.”

Liam said his good-byes and headed to his SUV. Once inside, he immediately opened the texts from Sophie. He read them once, twice, then stared at the glaring words. This wasn’t happening. Could fate be this cruel?

Liam had no idea what the hell to do at this point, but he knew he needed to get back to Haven immediately. Nothing else mattered.

As he drove away from Magnolias, his heart ached, thoughts whirled through his mind, and he just wanted to make all of this right. But he knew even this was out of his control.

* * *

There had only been one other time where the pain was so intense, Macy literally ached. When her mother died, that had been almost unbearable.

But nobody had died this time. Lucy had been removed and was going to live with her grandmother in Texas. Apparently the grandmother had a falling out with Lucy’s mother, but they were related so the woman wanted her granddaughter.

Macy could hardly blame her, but still . . .

She’d just taken the high chair into the garage to store it when her front door opened and closed. It was midmorning and she was always at the hardware store during this time, but thankfully her father had taken over. He’d been at the store with Lucy when the call came in from Laverne.

“Macy?”

Sophie’s voice echoed through the house. The empty house. Who knew a week with an infant could turn your world completely inside out? Macy had always respected foster parents, but she had a whole new appreciation now. The emotional battles they faced, the bond, the loss.

Macy stepped up into the kitchen from the garage just as Sophie closed the front door.

“I hope you don’t mind I let myself in.” She stood in the doorway, a sad smile on her face. “I just . . . I didn’t think you should be alone.”

Macy nodded, biting her lip so she didn’t burst into tears all over her friend. Not only was Lucy gone, Liam was leaving next week. Macy had tried to brace herself for this, had known she was on borrowed time, but for everything to come crumbling down on her at once . . . It was seriously more than she could bear.

“I’m okay. I mean, I’m not, but this was what I signed up for, right?” Macy braced her hand on the corner of the countertop. “Going into foster care is opening your heart to a hurt you cannot describe, but it’s so rewarding. I just . . . I thought I’d have more time and I really thought I’d be considered for adopting her.”

Sophie tipped her head and crossed the room. “There will be others. You’ll bring children in and love them, and when the time is right, you’ll get that family you want.”

Tears burned Macy’s eyes, clogged her throat, and her only response was to nod.

“What can I do for you?” Sophie asked. “You need a girl day? Cora offered a massage. She said she’d rearrange any of our guests and just tell them she made a mistake in scheduling. Let us help you through this. Wine? Chocolate? A dirty movie?”

Macy laughed. “No. I’m just trying to move all the baby stuff. I can’t come home every day and look at it.”

Sophie glanced around the kitchen, into the open living area. “Let me help you with that. Then maybe we can go get some lunch. Is your dad watching the store today?”

Nodding, Macy headed to the sink to wash the sippy cup and bowl Lucy had used for breakfast. Was that just this morning? So much had changed. Everything had changed.

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