Madison joins me to purchase coffee from the café in the hospital lobby, which gives me an opportunity to grill her about Derek. I need some gossip to take my mind off of how sick my sister is. I know she’s on the more positive side of her sickness, but the worry and stress is still with me. Having Alexander staying with me helps more than he’ll ever know, but right now my cousin is about to help me.

Madison pauses and narrows her eyes when she recognizes the grin on my lips. “No way!”

“Please, Maddie. I need a distraction.”

“Ugh.” She drops into the chair opposite. “That was underhanded of you,” she grumbles.

I stay silent and wait her out.

Blinking away tears she starts, “Okay, here it is. I hope you’re listening because I’m not repeating it. I’m staying in a small cabin close to the main house.

“Derek is dating someone woman from in town, and I only see him when I have to talk to him about the work I’m doing. The woman is always at his house, and he eats with her most nights.”

She swallows hard before taking a drink of her coffee.

I feel for her and I’m also surprised at hearing that he’s dating someone else because his eyes always found Madison whenever she entered a room.

“I’ve only just started the work, which I’m finding difficult to get into. I’m too distracted and heartsick.” She sits back and stares at her coffee on the table. “I was stupid thinking there could have ever been more between us. He’s over twenty years older than me. What was I thinking Rachel?”

“You were thinking with your heart. There’s nothing wrong with that. My only advice is to finish the work you’ve been hired to do and then leave. Don’t look back.”

“I wish it would be that easy.”

I can’t understand why Derek has suddenly decided to leave Madison alone. I’d been sure there was something between them.

“Anyway, enough about me. When are you and Alexander getting hitched? And please do it somewhere warm.”

Laughing, I nudge her with my foot. “Wherever Alexander is, it will be warm.”

She pauses and laughs. “That’s not funny, too much information.”

“Seriously though, I’m not sure when or where. We haven’t talked about it yet, but I hope it’s once Paige is well enough to not be in the hospital. She has to be my maid of honor.”

Madison reaches forward and grabs my hands. “She’ll be out of here before you know it. Everything that is being said is positive right? You have to think about that.”

“I am doing. It’s just difficult when I see her looking so down in the dumps.”

“She has you and the rest of us to help. You’re also not alone you know that right? We’re not just here for Paige.”

Tears hover on my lashes. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me or anyone.” She gets up, and hugging me she quickly disappears.

“Madison hightailed it out of here when she saw me.” Alexander raises a brow in question.

I shrug. “We weren’t talking about you if that’s what you’re thinking.” Our fingers intertwine. “We were just talking.”

“About?”

“Paige, Derek, when we’re getting married, and where. Although Madison has requested it’s somewhere warm.”

“Hmm, well Paige is upstairs smiling while Seth sits quietly beside her bed. Derek, I have no idea about, and when we get married is open for discussion anytime you’re ready.” Alexander kisses my hand carrying his ring.

“I’ll marry you as soon as Paige can be my maid of honor. I hope you’re okay waiting.”

“I’ll wait as long as I have to. I’m not going anywhere, and Paige has to be a part of our wedding.”

I lean close. “I love you Alexander McKenzie, and I look forward to starting our married life together.”

“Then let’s work on helping your sister through recovery, and get her strength back … although I think Seth might be the best thing for that.”

“I do hope so. She’s been so stubborn not letting the poor guy into her room, even her life. I only had to take one look at him to realize how much he’s wanted to be with her.”

“The McKenzie’s can be stubborn.”

“I’m not stubborn.” I poke him in the stomach. “I seem to remember falling into bed with you within seconds of the adjoining door opening.”

He rolls his eyes. “So dramatic,” he drawls.

Becoming serious once more, I say, “I’m glad we took a chance on each other because the fallout from our families was nothing like we’d expected. We could have missed out on so much because we thought we were doing the right thing.”

“We did take a chance and I’m never letting you go again. I hope you know that.”

“I do.”