Page 75 of Trying Not to Need You

“Done, so super small. We don’t need to close off the inn. We need a room for Hank, and one for Brad. Everyone else is local.”

Leighton’s fingers fly across the screen of her phone. “Done. I reserved four rooms, just in case.”

“For when?” I laugh.

“Oh, right.” She grins. “Memorial Day weekend. That’s a month from now. You think you can find a dress by then?”

“Yeah, I know I can.”

“And Alice can do the food. We’ll pay her extra, even though we know she’ll complain.”

“I got the cake covered,” Courtlynn says. “This one”—she points to Ellison—“didn’t give me the chance. I’m not missing this opportunity.”

“It was spontaneous,” Ellison defends.

“You’re forgiven.” Courtlynn grins.

“One month?” Macklin says, and I tilt my head back to look at him. “One month, and you’re my wife?”

“Sounds like it, cowboy. Are you good with that?”

His answer is to kiss me. Everyone claps and cheers, but it all fades away, and all I can see is him. The man who loved me patiently and unapologetically. The man who stole my heart. The one who never plans to give it back, and I’m thrilled to live every day of forever with him.

My cowboy.

Twenty

Macklin

I can’t stop staring at the grainy strip of black-and-white photos we got from the ultrasound yesterday. The lady was incredible and printed a strip for both of us, and I needed mine with me today.

There’s a knock at the door, and I yell for whoever it is to come in with a raspy voice, because yeah, I’m all up in my feels. How could I not be? In less than an hour now, I’m marrying the love of my life.

“Son,” Dad says, as he and my mom enter the room I’m using at the inn to get ready. The Groom’s Room is what the computer-printed sign on the door says. I’m the groom, and my Baylor, she’s my bride. I’m in awe that we’re finally here, less than twenty-four hours after our first ultrasound.

“You look so handsome,” Mom says, smiling as she wipes at her eyes. “What do you have there? Is that from the ultrasound?” she asks, her voice hopeful. Forget that her only son is about to get married, she’s currently more interested in her grandchild’s first photo.

“Yeah,” I say, tears burning in my eyes. “You want to see?” I offer her the strip. She takes it quickly, swiping it out of my hands, and Dad pulls her into his chest as they take their first look.

“Wait.” Her eyes snap to mine. “Am I reading this right? I know it’s been several years, but, Mac, this says Baby A and Baby B.”

“Yeah.” I swallow hard. “Twins. My wife is having twins.” They’re the first people I’ve said it out loud to other than Baylor since our ultrasound yesterday. We agreed that I would tell my parents first, and she’d tell her grandparents. She said she wanted her sisters to find out with everyone else. She wants me to be there to see the shock on their faces.

“Twins?” Dad asks.

I nod. “Yeah, two babies. Two healthy babies. At Baylor’s first appointment yesterday, they said she was measuring larger than what we told them was the conception date, so they wanted to do a scan. Turns out, we were right. There are just two.” I grin.

“Bring it in, son,” Dad says, holding out the arm that’s not holding Mom, inviting me into their hug. I stand and go to them, wrapping my arms around them both.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m—elated. She’s all I’ve ever wanted, and these two babies are a product of that. I’m stoked, a little scared about keeping two tiny humans alive, but I’ll have Baylor and you all and her sisters and our friends. We’re going to be just fine.”

“I had so much trouble getting pregnant with you. I always said I wanted twins, when it did happen. Two for one.” She smiles, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Baylor’s always wanted to be a mom.” My voice cracks.

“The three of them are lucky to have you,” Mom says.