Page 100 of Tempting the Heart

Audrey smiled and shook her head. “No. Sorry. I just… it’s a long story, and I never expected to see him again, especially at a wedding. At a family wedding.”

Mae shook her head. “Now, you have to tell me what’s going on. I’ve never heard of a MacGregor, and certainly not one who would get you this riled up.”

Audrey scowled. “I’m not riled up.”

My brows arched. “That’s not riled up?”

Mae shook her head as Audrey chuckled and said, “Oh, I’ll show you riled up.”

I glanced toward the bar where MacGregor was getting a drink and turned my attention back to Audrey. “You’re family. If I need to ask him to politely—”

Audrey’s cheeks flushed, and she shook her head. “No. Forget any of this happened and go enjoy the party. I’m just happy and emotional and…”

Mae touched her belly and smiled at her sister. “If you’re sure.”

“Positive. Now, go.” Audrey smiled as Mae pulled me away to the buffet line.

“Under normal circumstances, I’d stick around for the details, but I’m starving. I know they say you don’t need to eat for two, and they’re right. I need to eat for the army I’m building inside,” Mae explained, and I realized that when people said a wedding felt like a whirlwind, it was true.

I chuckled as Mae’s parents, Theo and Cynthia, ushered us in front of them at the buffet line.

“So, you’re telling me you need two pieces of prime rib.”

“And double the mashed potatoes.” She waggled her brows, and I fell a little harder for my pregnant wife.

“Welcome to the family, officially.” Theo handed me two plates. “This is such a great day for the Evanses. I’m a patient man, but this really took a long time to play out.”

Mae’s mom chuckled and nodded in agreement as the caterer cut a thick slice of prime rib and laid it on the plate. “Two, actually.”

“Sure thing,” he said, nodding as he sliced another for my wife.

My wife.

I couldn’t believe I was finally married to the woman of my dreams. Those very dreams I was told to discard. It was an amazing feeling to fall so deeply in love with Mae and yet wake up every morning, falling even deeper in love.

Mae scowled and took her plate from me, adding another scoop of potatoes since I’d apparently gone too light.

Her mom chuckled. “A sign of things to come,” her mom explained. “When I was pregnant with Mae, I ate everything in sight and anything that wasn’t glued down. No joke. I once ate thirteen tacos.”

“I’m impressed.”

Her mom laughed. “You should be, but it also comes as a warning.”

Mae’s dad chuckled, and we whisked ourselves away again.

I followed Mae to our table and sat down next to her. She rested her head on my shoulder and let out a wistful sigh. “Tonight has been incredible, and I’m so grateful our daughteris here for it.” Mae straightened up as I touched my hand to her belly.

“I don’t think she’s going to remember much, but that’s what the photographer’s for,” I teased.

Mae happily sliced her meat and took a bite before having some sparkling cider the server brought over.

“Tyler, you’ve made my dreams come true,” she said softly.

“Mae, I’m sorry for not acting sooner. For going away.”

Mae looked at me and shook her head. “Don’t be. Don’t you see? Everything happened for a reason, all for this.” She touched her belly and smiled. “Our daughter, this particular daughter, at this particular time, was meant to be. She might be the one to change the world. If you’d stayed on Marigold, none of this would have happened how and when it was meant to be. I firmly believe it.”

I looked into my wife’s eyes and nodded in awe at the woman I married.

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