Page 78 of Aiden & Lily

Lily tapped the tip of his nose. “I wanted you to know how much I love you.”

“I love you, too.” The words came without hesitation.

Lily went still, her eyes widening.

Aiden smiled. “Now let me show you how much I love you with some pre-birthday brunch.”

Her smile grew until it nearly stole his breath.

He took her to a restaurant in the next town, and they spent the entire meal talking about their future. He wasn’t sure how they got onto the subject, but somehow they discussed everything from where they wanted to live to how many children they imagined having.

Even more surprising was how well their plans fit together.

They wanted the same things.

Lily would go to school to pursue veterinary work. Aiden wanted a small piece of land close enough for her to remain near her family. He told her about his conversation with Mathew, and she was so thrilled that Aiden couldn’t help feeling as though everything was finally settling into place.

After he dropped her off, he remained in his truck and stared at his phone.

Reese’s contact information glowed on the screen.

He would be back in Copper Creek within the next couple of days. Lily planned to introduce them, and if Aiden wanted any chance of repairing the hurt this secret would cause, he needed to take responsibility before the truth came out another way.

For one brief, shameful moment, he wondered whether Reese might agree to say they were old friends who hadn’t spoken in years. Technically, that part was true.

Aiden shook his head.

No more half-truths. No more hiding. No more secrets.

He drew in a shaky breath and tapped the screen.

His hand felt numb as he lifted the phone to his ear and listened to it ring. Morning sunlight stretched across the hood of his truck, bright and clear, while his heartbeat climbed with every unanswered ring.

Then Reese’s voice mail picked up.

“You’ve reached Reese Crawley. I can’t come to the phone right now, so leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”

Aiden opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

He ended the call and groaned, dropping his head against the seat. Sweat dampened the back of his neck, and his courage was feeling deflated. He couldn’t send this in a text. It was too important.

But he should have left a message.

Aiden closed his eyes. A few minutes ago, he had believed everything might finally work out. Now the warmth of the morning felt farther away, and he was left wondering what would happen when the truth finally caught up with him.

22

LILY

“How soon is too soon to get married?” Lily asked before she realized the question had slipped from her mouth.

All five of her sisters gaped at her while Penny choked on the soda she’d been drinking.

Rose was the first to react, patting Penny on the back as she barked out a laugh. “I don’t think you can ask that with this one present.”

Penny glared at her. “Hey!”