Page 101 of Last Wish Wedding

Kelsey had rehearsed this answer so many times it came automatically. “Mac rear-ended my car.”

“And it was love at first sight?” The older woman leaned in, hungry for details.

“Something like that,” Kelsey replied, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. She glanced across the room and found Mac’s face in the crowd. He seemed distant, unreachable, though he was only a room away.

Mrs. Henderson followed her gaze. “Well, it’s clear you’re devoted to each other. And your little boy has certainly blossomed with a father figure in his life. I saw him at the library last week with Mac. They were picking out marine life books together. Thick as thieves, those two.”

The observation lodged a splinter beneath Kelsey’s ribs. Noah had indeed flourished under Mac’s attention. What would happen when that attention was gone? She worried for her little boy, caught in an adult mess.

“If you’ll excuse me,” she said, “I should check on the food.”

In the kitchen, Kelsey leaned against the counter, taking a moment to compose herself. Through the window, she could see guests spilling onto the deck, glasses in hand, the bay stretching beyond them in a glittering expanse. Exactly the view Truman had loved so much.

“Hiding out?” Amy’s voice broke into her thoughts.

Kelsey turned to find her sister arranging canapés on a serving plate. “Just taking a breather. One more question about our whirlwind romance and I might snap.”

Amy snorted. “Island gossip. Better get used to it since we’re both going to be permanent fixtures now.”

“Still processing the inheritance?”

“Understatement of the century.” Amy’s hands stilled on the plate. “A historic mansion and twenty acres. What am I supposed to do with that?”

“Guess there is something to that saying, ‘Be careful what you wish for.’ From the way people have been bending your ear all evening, there’s no shortage of suggestions.”

“Tell me about it. Bed and breakfast. Art retreat. Summer camp. Wedding venue.” Amy shook her head, bemused. “Old Mrs. Farnsworth actually suggested a cat sanctuary.”

Despite herself, Kelsey laughed. “That’s… specific.”

“Apparently, she has seventeen cats and is ‘concerned about their future.’” Amy grimaced. “But seriously, Kels. What if he made a mistake? I barely knew him.”

“He knew you,” Kelsey said softly. “He knew how much better you made him feel. How you could do that for others, too. He was a good judge of character, Amy.”

Amy’s eyes grew suspiciously bright. “I just wish I could thank him.”

“You are. By being here. By celebrating him exactly as he wanted.” Kelsey squeezed her sister’s hand. “Also, don’t think I haven’t noticed you taking mental measurements of every room in the mansion.”

“It has potential,” Amy admitted, a smile breaking through her melancholy. “The acoustics in the main hall are incredible. And that staircase? Pure drama.”

“See? You’re already planning.”

“Maybe.” Amy picked up the platter. “Speaking of planning… have you and Mac talked?”

Kelsey busied herself with rearranging napkins. “About what?”

“Don’t play dumb. About him leaving.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. He’s always been clear about his plans.”

Amy studied her sister’s face. “And you’re okay with that? Your husband sailing off into the sunset?”

“It’s a temporary arrangement, Amy. You know that.”

“Is it? Because from where I’m standing, it looks a lot like a real marriage. The way he looks at you.”

“Don’t,” Kelsey interrupted, more sharply than she intended. “Please. Not today.”

Amy sighed. “Fine. But you’re going to have to face it eventually.”