Part 11 (2/2)
He wasn't looking forward to the task. He found the whole situation more than a little embarra.s.sing.
After all, hewas a doctor. A respected member of his community. A man others rightfully expected to uphold certain standards.
The wayLogansaw it, a doctor should never have the bad judgment to become a fatherbefore he'd managed to marry the mother of his child. Certain ... restraint was expected of a physician. And if a physician couldn't exercise restraint, well, he ought at least to know better than to slip up when it came to the use of contraception.
ButLoganhadslipped up. And Dan and Helen had a right to an explanation. There would no doubt be gossip anyway, whenLoganreturned to town with a new wifeand a baby.
And then there was the fact that his bride just happened to be his ex-fiancee's younger sister-a younger sister who had once been well-known inMeadowValleyfor her exploits as a troubled teen.
Yes, there would be talk. And his partners not only deserved to hear the truth from him, they had a right to hear it from himfirst .
He would see that they did. As soon as he returned.
”I'm ... working things out, Dan,”Logansaid. ”I'll explain everything, in detail, as soon as I get back.”
”All right. Next Monday, then?”
Monday wouldn't work, andLoganknew it. He and Lacey were getting married on Sat.u.r.day. There would be a party, which would mean some degree of stress for her. Better to give her Sunday to rest.
And then she had that new SUV of hers. He doubted she'd be willing to leave it inWyoming. And really, with Rosie so young, it was probably wiser not to try flying anyway. So they'd be driving. That would take two days at least-no, again, he had to consider Rosie. Traveling with a baby could be very slow going. Better give it three.
”Let's say Thursday, to be on the safe side. I'll be driving back and should get in by Wednesday evening.”
Dan agreed that Thursday would be all right, though he sounded far from thrilled about it. ”Please don't make it any longer than that,Logan.”
Sending a quick prayer heavenward that nothing would occur to make him into a liar,Loganpromised he'd be there by a week from Thursday.
The next morning, Lacey drove to the main house-by herself this time-to call Jenna and tell her about the wedding. Jenna was thoroughly pleased at the news. ”I'm so glad, Lace. I really do think it's the best thing.” ”Well, I hope so. Because I'm doing it.” ”And what then? That big, beautiful house ofLogan's inMeadowValley?” Lacey gulped. ”Yep. Can you believe it? Wasn't I the one who swore I'd never move back to my hometown?” ”Never say never,”Jenna teased. ”Ain't that the truth.” ”AndMeadowValleyis a beautiful place to live.” ”Well,you always liked it there.” ”It's kind of ironic.” Jenna's voice held a wistful note. ”All I ever wanted was to spend my life there. And all you ever wanted was to get out. And look at us now.”
”No, Jen,” Lacey said, ”you wanted Mack more than you wanted to live inMeadowValley. And me? Well, look who I ended up wanting.” Jenna laughed. ”Mr. Meadow Valley himself. What did I tell you?” Lacey was nodding. ”Pure irony.” ”You'll be all right,” Jenna said. ”You'll have the man you love and your baby. And there are four bedrooms in that house ofLogan's-five if you include the upstairs family room. I'm sure one of them is going to make a great studio. You'll be totally absorbed in some new painting project again before you know it.”
”Right,” Lacey said. At that point, the idea of starting a new painting seemed far off in the distant future somewhere. Which was nothing to worry about.After all, it had only been a few days since she'd had her baby. Right now, all she could think of was her child and her new life withLogan.
”Lace,” Jenna said, ”be happy. Take care of yourself.”
Lacey promised that she would.
”Call me if you need me. Any time. For anything.”
”I will. I promise.”
After she hung up, Lacey realized that neither of them had brought up the idea of Jenna and Mack flying
west for the wedding, though Mack was a multimillionaire who set his own schedule and Jenna's job right then consisted of renovating the old mansion they owned inKey West. They could have easily managed the trip. But it wouldn't have been practical, Lacey told herself. It was such short notice, after all. And Jenna was seven months pregnant. Maybe she didn't feel up to any serious traveling at this point.
It wouldn't have been practical...
Lacey sat back in her cousin's leather desk chair and shook her head at the phoniness of her own excuses.
Practicality wasn't the issue.
The issue was that she didn't want the womanLoganhad loved for fifteen years at her wedding-even if that woman did happen to be her own wonderful big sister. Lacey had a feeling the idea didn't hold much appeal for Jenna, either. Or maybe Jenna was just being considerate and would have come in a minute if Lacey had only asked her.
Whatever.
Someday, they would all have to deal with this uncomfortable situation.
Someday.
But not right now.
Right now, there was too much to deal with already. A new baby. A new husband. A new life in her old hometown. She got up from the chair, pushed it under the big desk and went out to thank Tess for the use of the phone. * * * All the local Bravos showed up for the wedding. Cash and Abby and their little boy, Tyler. And another cousin, Nate, who brought his wife Meggie and their toddler, Jason James. Meggie had a cousin of her own named Sonny. Sonny had a wife and two kids. They all came, too.
The honorable Reverend Applegate, who, as it turned out, had presided at the weddings of Cash and Abbyand Tess and Zach, performed the ceremony. He kept it simple and brief.
Lacey gaped in disbelief whenLoganslipped a diamond ring on her finger. Now, where had he found the time to go out and buy that? He must have read her thoughts in her expression, because he leaned close and whispered, ”I bought it inMeadowValley, the day before I flew out here to get you.”
She stared down at the lovely bright stone glittering on her finger, then whispered back, ”Pretty sure of yourself, weren't you?”
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