Page 92 of Lost in You (The Monroes 3)

She’d not told anyone yet, not even her father. She didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, but at the same time she seriously needed a support team. What if this didn’t work out? Yes, there would be other children and she’d known going in that there would be ups and downs and inevitable good-byes. She just didn’t want to let Lucy go.

“Oh, Macy, that’s wonderful.” Sophie spun from the vanity, her hands clasped together. “Lucy is one lucky little girl to have someone like you in her life.”

That’s what Macy was banking on social services thinking, and maybe the grandmother didn’t want to take in such a young child.

“Don’t say anything,” Macy added. “You guys are the only two who know.”

“We won’t say a word,” Cora promised. “I’d better get downstairs. I’m sure my mother wants to see me before the ceremony and I told her to wait in the parlor.”

Sophie shrugged. “Since my parents still disapprove of Zach, they aren’t coming. I have no worries today.”

Macy knew Sophie and her parents had always had a strained relationship, but to not come to your own daughter’s wedding? Zach was the best thing that had ever happened to Sophie and she totally completed him.

“Let me help you down the steps,” Macy offered Cora. But she knew Cora prided herself on being independent, so Macy quickly added, “I know you are well aware of how to get around, but if you tripped on that lace train and fell, Braxton would not be a happy groom.”

Cora held out her hand. “I will gladly le

t you escort me. The last thing I want is to trip over this dress and tear it.”

Sophie gathered the two other bouquets. The bundles of tight lilacs and white roses were simple, yet elegant. “I guess it’s showtime?”

“Let’s go get married,” Cora stated with a wide grin.

Once she made it through this day, Macy could focus on Lucy, on the store, on teaching Brock more of the little details that went into the business.

And Liam. There would have to be a recovery period when he left and she needed to brace herself for that. She knew full well it was coming.

As she started down the steps at Cora’s side, Macy pushed all thoughts of Liam to the back of her mind . . . or as far as she was able to.

* * *

So much for pushing all thoughts of this man away. She not only had to walk up and down the makeshift aisle leading toward the pond with Liam as her escort, she also had to face him during the vows.

Macy had tried to concentrate on the couples, on the beauty of the day and all that this new beginning symbolized. She focused on her father, who sat with a sleeping Lucy on his lap. Anything so she didn’t have to look directly at Liam, because standing there, listening to declarations of love, was making her chest ache, her mind filling with thoughts of what-if scenarios.

Now that the ceremony was over, the guests had left and the married couples had gone on their ways—to destinations they were not disclosing. Macy wanted to help clean up so Cora and Sophie didn’t have a worry. Phil offered to take Lucy back to the house and play with her. Brock was a huge help and so was Liam, one hand and all.

Brock stacked the chairs and managed to get them all in the storage room. Liam worked in the dining room and kitchen and Macy went through the house straightening each room that guests had mingled in.

Once she was satisfied the house was back in order, Macy went out the patio doors off the dining room. Dishes clanked in the kitchen, but she couldn’t go in there. Facing Liam right now wasn’t smart and she really just wanted some fresh air.

She’d had to watch him all day. See him laugh with guests, hold his drink in his right hand because his left was still bandaged, and he’d throw her an occasional side-eye that had her insides churning and her head spinning.

Thankfully no more headaches, though. She’d been faithful in keeping her meds right on her in case of another onslaught, but nothing since the last meltdown.

Macy crossed the brick patio and into the cool grass. She’d slipped her shoes off as soon as the last guest had gone. The blades tickled her toes, but she loved being outside. The moon had come up, sending a sparkling reflection onto the water.

Once she reached the edge, Macy sank down into the grass, pulled her knees up, and wrapped her arms around her legs. She tugged the short, flared skirt around to cover her as much as possible, but other than the ducks, there was no one out here to flash. And she didn’t care about grass stains at this point. Her mind was on other things.

What if she asked Liam to stay? What would he do? Would he feel torn or obligated?

On the flip side, if he asked her to come with him, would she? She’d just built a home and she was hoping to adopt Lucy. But . . . he hadn’t asked. Hadn’t even hinted that was an option.

Macy dropped her forehead to her knees.

“I assume you want to be alone.”

Liam’s voice behind her had Macy stilling. She clenched her hands and lifted her head, but didn’t turn.

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