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CHAPTER 28
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IT HAD TO BE YOU CHAPTER 29
A trickle of unease passed through Wyatt. He shrugged as if to dislodge the feeling.“Good for him! Estelle must be so happy.”“Oh, she’s thrilled.” Benjamin paused, raising his eyebrows suggestively.“Seems it’s a great house… Mackenzie saw it. It has a huge yard, and a picket fence, and off the master bedroom is a nursery. He told Estelle he’s a man with a plan.” Wyatt jerked his head toward Benjamin.“Oh, I forgot to warn you.” Benjamin’s eyebrows arched in apology.“I’ve invited Kimberly… you know, before you said you weren’t interested.” Perplexed, Wyatt followed his gaze to where the blonde, drink in hand, threaded her way toward them. She still had all the right curves in all the right places, but somehow his hormones failed to appreciate that fact.“Hello, handsome.” She slipped her arm through his.“Kimberly.”“Baby, come on…” Estelle rushed over to grab Benjamin.“Crystal wants us to open the presents.”“Oka
IT HAD TO BE YOU CHAPTER 30
The amber liquid swirled, then settled in Wyatt’s glass. He lifted it for another long swallow and closed his eyes as it burned down his throat. Then shook his head. He could still remember the look of outrage on Mackenzie’s face as he’d left her. When she’d walked out with Kenneth, Wyatt had quietly slipped from the back room to the bar at the front of ‘The Fiddler’. He caught the bartender’s eye as he glanced up from filling a mug of beer.“Another!” The man frowned but brought Wyatt another drink.“You look like you’ve lost something pretty special.”“I did.” Staring into his glass, Wyatt set his jaw. A vision of Mackenzie, her eyes wide, her lips parted in invitation, flitted across his mind’s eye. He’d lost big time.“Fucking loser,” he muttered. What did Wyatt know about giving a woman like that all she wanted in life: a home, children… love? How could he give her something that didn’t exist? Wyatt tossed back
IT HAD TO BE YOU CHAPTER 31
Mackenzie forced her feet in the direction of the main doors of St. Thomas’s Church. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders as she headed up the wide steps guarding the front. Her legs wobbled unsteadily and she wished desperately that Kenneth was by her side. Dread filled her at the prospect of seeing Wyatt again. Fresh pain seared through Mackenzie at the memory of finding Kimberly at his door, dressed in nothing but his robe.“I’m such an idiot…” she murmured. Humiliation filled Mackenzie at the thought of all the times she’d thrown herself at him. She really thought he cared for her. In his own way, Wyatt probably cared for all the women he slept with. He’d never made any promises and had been honest about his intentions. Like a fool, she’d let her emotions get all blown out of proportion, convincing herself he simply hadn’t yet realized his true feelings. She paused before the double wooden doors. Why had she l
IT HAD TO BE YOU CHAPTER 32
The next morning dawned sunny and bright. Kenneth called to say he’d be a little late, but they’d make it in plenty of time. Just hearing his voice was balm to Mackenzie’s aching heart. He’d shown up for the rehearsal dinner and she’d made it through by keeping her smile plastered on and nodding and agreeing with everyone. She’d left as soon as politely possible, feigning a headache. Kenneth arrived close to the time he’d promised. They’d just entered the vestibule when they ran into Mackenzie’s parents. Serena fussed with her husband’s tie.“Why did you wear this one? I had a nice one picked out for you. I don’t think this tie is right for this outfit?” With an impatient grunt, Hank batted her hands away.“This is a perfect tie. Sonia bought it for me for my birthday. At least she had the decency to celebrate with me.”“I was ready to celebrate with you. You just chose to go off with that floozie trainer of yours before I got back from my group
IT HAD TO BE YOU CHAPTER 33
Wyatt’s heart thudded as Mackenzie moved down the aisle. Why was it that now that she was so beyond his reach, she’d become even more beautiful? His gaze swept over her slim form in the satin dress. Mentally, Wyatt caressed each hollow, each curve of her luscious body. Benjamin coughed beside him, jolting Wyatt back to the present. Good God, he stood before the altar of a church, lusting after Mackenzie. If there was a hell, he’d just gained entrance. She stepped up onto the raised platform, then maneuvered into place beside the petite brunette. Once Georgina joined them, the organist broke into the ‘Wedding March’. Estelle appeared at the back of the church, radiant in a pearl-colored gown, her father at her side. Clamping his mouth shut, Wyatt stood stiffly beside Benjamin as Estelle approached. The ceremony itself proceeded in a blur. Concentrating on the nuptials proved impossible for Wyatt when all he could thi
IT HAD TO BE YOU CHAPTER 34
“No! Absolutely not!” Mackenzie shook her head. “You can’t do that. You two love each other. You are the definition of true love…” She pointed to her mother. “You always said she was your Little Dove.” Serena took the handkerchief Hank offered. She blew her nose with a hardy blast. “It’s true, darling.” Her eyes glittered. “I’m sorry. We didn’t want you to find out this way. We were going to tell you and your brother sometime after the wedding. We didn’t want to spoil things.” “Spoil things?” Mackenzie’s throat burned. She blinked, but this time her tears refused to be tamed. They spilled down her cheeks in hot torrents. “My God! You’re ruining everything!” She was acting like a spoiled child as she turned, then ran from them. All Mackenzie wanted to do was throw herself onto her bed, then kick and scream until she had no breath left in her. How could they? Had the world conspired to prove to
IT HAD TO BE YOU CHAPTER 35
The constant murmur of voices mingled with the clink of silverware against fine china. Mackenzie set down her water glass and pasted on a brave smile for Kenneth.“What will I do until you get back?” He reached over to squeeze her hand.“You’ll be just fine. You’re tough.”“I wasn’t so much this week. I’m not usually so mopey.”“You had your moments. But were just moments. I saw fire in your green eyes. I know who you are.” Mackenzie pulled her hand from his to fiddle with her fork.“How long will you be away?”“I don’t know. But I’ll be back before you know it.” Her throat tightened.“I’ll miss talking to you, Kenneth.” His eyes warmed.“I’ll miss you, too. But you’re not getting rid of me. We’ll still see each other when I get back.” She nodded as sadness settled over her.“Mackie, may I ask you something?” The serious look in Kenneth’s eyes sent a ripple of apprehension through her.“Of course.” He scoo
IT HAD TO BE YOU CHAPTER 36
A light breeze ruffled Wyatt’s hair as he paused inside the threshold of Mackenzie’s shop. So many memories… He glanced toward the space in front of the long counter, where he’d first laid eyes on Mackenzie, and closed his eyes.“Hi,” a friendly voice broke his reverie. A sturdy brunette approached, bearing a plate of sweet-smelling cookies. She extended the plate.“Would you like one?”“No, thanks.” She shrugged, then nodded toward a far corner.“We always provide a little something for our readers to nibble.” Wyatt followed her gaze to a cozy sitting area, furnished with numerous mismatched, but comfortable-looking chairs. Nearly a dozen women filled the area, all chatting at once. A center coffee table already held a tray with a pitcher and glasses of pink lemonade.“Our reader’s group,” the brunette supplied without his asking. He nodded, quite impressed. Not only was Mackenzie a knockout, she had a good head for business.“Is your
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