Come Home with Me by Susan Fox (18)

Back in early December, when Aaron and Eden had announced their engagement, Miranda had felt a sense of loss. But on this sunny April afternoon, as wedding guests assembled at SkySong on a stretch of lawn above the ocean, her heart was full to bursting with joy.

For months, Aaron, Eden, and Eden’s relatives had been telling her—showing her—in a variety of ways that she wasn’t losing a brother but gaining a family. Her stubborn brain and hard-shelled heart had finally come to believe it. And every single member of that family, from Eden’s impulsive younger sister, Kelsey, through to her “aging hippie” aunt and uncle, was fabulous. That had been demonstrated, yet again, as they’d worked together today to make the last-minute preparations for the wedding.

Now the retreat’s guests had been politely warned to keep their distance, everything was set up for the ceremony, and the wedding guests were arriving.

Harp music drifted gently through the air, played by a friend of Di and Seal’s. Folding chairs faced a trellised arch, and the grassy aisle was strewn with white and pale pink hawthorn blossoms. White tents had been set up as a precaution against rain, but now it seemed they wouldn’t be needed, except for the catering tent. Celia and Rachelle of C-Shell were handling the food. B-B-Zee would provide music for the reception, and a portable dance floor was set up.

“You’re a beautiful bridesmaid,” Luke said, squeezing her hand as they walked among lilacs and hawthorns that filled the air with their sweet scent, over to the rows of folding chairs. His fingers had been intertwined with hers ever since she’d met him in the parking lot at SkySong, where they’d shared a long kiss.

“Thank you,” she said. In Vancouver, she, Eden, and Kelsey had easily agreed on the bridesmaids’ outfits. The cornflower-colored sundresses were comfortable, and flattering to her and Kelsey’s blue eyes. The short length, paired with the nude color of their strappy sandals, made their bare legs look long and shapely despite the fact that the sandals were flat-soled. Di had pointed out that you couldn’t look graceful walking across grass in high-heeled shoes.

The sun was warm enough that the women of the bridal party shouldn’t even need the blue-and-gold pashminas they’d bought. Miranda’s dragon was on full display and she wore it proudly. Yes, she was strong and smart, and could be fierce when she needed to—but these days she was feeling mellow.

“I’m a happy bridesmaid, too,” she told Luke. Happy about not only the wedding, but everything else in her life. Even the bunny story had turned out well, and she loved watching the video she’d shot on her phone: Luke opening the cage and that little guy poking out, sniffing the air, and then without a backward look hopping off into the trees.

She smiled up at Luke. He was the sexiest, most amazing man she’d ever met, and he looked wonderful this afternoon, in khaki-colored dress pants, a cream-colored cotton shirt with the collar open and the sleeves rolled up, and brown loafers. Aaron, who hated suits and ties, said he had no intention of being uncomfortable on the happiest day of his life, and Eden had told him he could wear whatever he pleased as long as she could do the same. Their wedding invitation had specified a “be comfortable” dress code.

Other wedding guests drifted by, and Luke said hello to them. Miranda added her own greetings to those she recognized. After a few months working in tiny Blue Moon Harbor on tiny Destiny Island, she’d met a lot of the residents.

“Do you miss Ariana?” Luke asked.

“Yes, but it’s nice not to have to worry about her throwing a TTT.” Miranda had talked to Aaron and Eden about whether the girl should attend. They’d all had mixed feelings, but in the end decided it would be better to have a serene wedding. Ariana was spending the day with her BFF Gala, first at Glory’s house and then, since Glory and Brent were attending the wedding, at Glory’s parents. Miranda had met the McKennas, a friendly, generous couple who, being big-boned and fair-skinned, looked completely unlike their petite Chinese daughter.

Glory and Brent hadn’t arrived yet, but when Miranda glanced in the direction of the parking lot, she noticed Iris Yakimura approaching, slim and quietly elegant in a lilac sheath dress with another of her aunt’s multicolored silk scarves tied around her neck. The two of them had gotten together for coffee a couple of times, and were becoming friends. Smiling, Miranda beckoned her over and they were all saying hi when a woman she didn’t recognize rushed up to them.

A few years older than her, the brunette had big hair and a way-too-tight pink dress with a low neckline that showcased impressive cleavage. She caught Luke’s elbow. “Luke, I’m so glad to see you. I think there’s something wrong with that dog food you recommended. Candy just picks at it.”

“Excuse me a minute,” Luke said, releasing Miranda’s hand and stepping away from her and Iris. Miranda heard him suggest, politely but firmly, that if the woman was still feeding scraps and treats to Candy, it was no wonder the dog wasn’t interested in the diet that was intended to bring her down to a healthy weight.

Miranda and Iris exchanged smiles. “Such a happy day,” Iris said, yet a shadow clouded her lovely brown eyes.

“You’re here alone?”

The corners of her lips turned down. “That’s the story of my life.” Then she shook her head. “A pity party. How humiliating and entirely inappropriate. Truly, I’m thrilled for Eden and Aaron, and I’m sure my turn will come one day. And Miranda, I’m so happy for you, too.” She glanced at Luke, who was still deep in discussion with the big-haired brunette, and lowered her voice. “You found a Prince Charming who won’t turn into a frog.”

“I’m happy for me, too.” Luke was indeed a winner. Handsome and sexy, smart and successful, compassionate and gentle. Fantastic in bed. As wonderful with kids as he was with animals. “I feel so lucky. His boys and even his parents and in-laws seem to be coming to accept me.” She’d been to family dinners a couple more times and, courtesy of Annie’s bluntness, everyone now knew that she and Luke were sleeping together. The grandparents had even helped give them evenings alone together, babysitting the boys and sometimes even taking Ariana. Sonia and Annie insisted that they loved being able to play with a girl, and she sensed they were both missing Candace. After all, even though Annie’d been her mom, Candace had spent a lot of time at Luke’s house, too, since they’d been best friends for so long.

“Could you pass some of that luck along to me?” Iris said, in a joking tone that was belied by the seriousness in her eyes.

Impulsively Miranda gave her a quick hug. “There you go. Consider it passed.”

Iris looked startled, which made Miranda realize that the other woman tended not to be physically demonstrative, but then she smiled and said, “You’re sweet, Miranda.”

“No, honestly, I’m not. But since you’re feeling charitably disposed toward me, may I venture a bit of none-of-my-business advice?”

“Um, I suppose so.”

“Iris, you have so much going for you. If you were just a little more confident and outgoing, then men would see that.”

“Easier to say than do. Besides, my shyness is a part of me, just as it is with my father and aunt. It has its pros as well as its cons. When I meet my own Prince Charming, he’ll recognize that and love all of me, as happened with my mom and dad.”

“Maybe so.” She reflected. “After all, Luke seems to like, or at least accept, all of me, even though I’m far from perfect. Yes, I was so, so lucky to meet him.”

Iris frowned slightly. “Well, I suppose it wasn’t solely luck,” she said almost reluctantly. “You were brave enough to put yourself out there, to take risks. I don’t think I’d have the guts to do that.”

“No guts, no glory?” Miranda suggested gently. Thinking about how her own relationship with Luke had developed, she went on. “Maybe it takes the right man to bring out that side of you. I’m different with Luke than I’ve ever been with anyone else. He brings out the best in me.”

And so did Destiny Island, this second time around. When she’d come here as a teen, she’d hoped that her dreams of finding a home and love would finally be realized—but her grandparents had promptly shattered that illusion. Last summer, when she’d hit bottom and dragged her pathetic self back here, all she’d wanted was to get her life together and return to Vancouver. But the island and its people had wormed their way into her heart. For the first time in her life, when she hadn’t even been looking, hadn’t dared hope, had she found a home? And maybe even love? Had she really, as the locals liked to say, found her destiny here on Destiny Island?

A strong hand touched her elbow and Luke’s body brushed hers as he returned to her side. “My ears are burning. Thank you for that, Miranda. And in return, I can honestly say that you brought me back to life. After Candace’s death, I never imagined that I—” He broke off with a cough. To Iris, he said apologetically, “Sorry. I guess weddings bring out my mushy side.”

So she wasn’t the only one. Miranda leaned into him.

“It’s charming that you have a mushy side,” Iris said quietly. “Now I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.”

But then shy Iris, who seemed to be feeling unsettled today, would be alone. Miranda reached out and caught her arm just as Luke said, “Don’t go. Miranda’s going to desert me any moment. Keep me company while she does wedding stuff.”

Iris gave him a bashful smile. “I’d like that.”

“Luke’s right,” Miranda said with a glance at her watch, “I’ve been away too long. We’re almost due to start.”

After stretching up to plant a kiss on Luke’s cheek, she hurried back to Di and Seal’s big house. There, everyone seemed organized and calm. Aaron, Eden, and her family stood chatting with Lionel Williams and Jonathan Barnes. Lionel, Aaron’s old friend and mentor, was his best man. Jonathan, a marriage commissioner, would officiate and then serve double duty because he was a member of B-B-Zee.

Aaron and Eden had shunned the superstition about not seeing each other before the wedding, and stood hand in hand looking gorgeous. Aaron wore black pants and a smoky blue shirt, perfectly complementing his dark hair, brown skin, and grayish-blue eyes. Eden was a dream in cream-colored lace, her walnut-brown hair pulled up in an artfully casual style and dotted with white blossoms. Her amber eyes glowed golden, like the woven chain around her neck, a gift her father had given her mom on their wedding day. Dangling from her ears were stunning earrings made of gold threads and sparkly topaz stones. They were a gift from Aaron, custom-made by the same local jeweler who’d crafted Eden’s engagement ring and their wedding rings.

“You two take my breath away,” Miranda told them, happy tears hazing her eyes. Blinking them away with mascaraed lashes, she checked out the others.

Kelsey looked like a younger, short-haired version of herself, and Helen and Di were lovely in short-sleeved tops and long, patterned skirts in gentle shades of silver and gold that flattered their sixty-something beauty. Di had created a few narrow braids in her long hair, weaving them with gold and silver ribbons, and Helen had a couple of jeweled pins in her short silver hair.

Seal and Jonathan were both dressed in good jeans and shirts of unbleached cotton. Seal’s long hair was ponytailed while Jonathan was bald, with a neat gray beard. Jim Blaine and Lionel both wore black pants and crisp white shirts, Lionel’s making his dark chocolate skin look almost black.

“I think everyone’s arrived,” Miranda told the group. “They’re just milling about, chatting.”

“I’ll round them up,” Seal said. “Give me five minutes, and everyone will be in their seats.”

Aaron let go of Eden’s hand and stepped toward Miranda. With his hand on her shoulder, he steered her slightly away from the Blaine family. “Well, Little Sister, who’d have ever thought this day would come?”

She beamed at him. “Not me. Never. Thank God for Eden.”

“You can say that again.” He ducked his head to stare straight into her eyes. “It’s all good, Miranda. You know that, right?”

Thankful that she could give him a wholehearted answer, she said, “I do, and it is. I’m so happy for all of us.”

When he leaned down to drop a kiss on her forehead, she didn’t even try to stop herself from grabbing him in a tight hug. She clung for one long moment and then gently shoved him away. “Let’s get you married, Big Brother. You have your vows?”

He patted his shirt pocket. The bride and groom had decided to write their own vows, and he’d begged Miranda’s help in finding the right words to express his emotions. Though he’d memorized the vows, he was carrying a paper copy for the sake of his peace of mind.

When he went back to Eden, Miranda walked over to Kelsey and took her hand.

“If everyone’s ready,” Jonathan said, “let’s get this show on the road.”

And then they were in motion. Jonathan, Lionel, and Aaron went first and a minute later Di, followed by Miranda and Kelsey. As they neared the assembled group, with everyone turned to watch them, the only sound was the strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D on the harp. Aaron stood under the trellised arch, with Lionel and Jonathan off to the side. Smiling at her brother, Miranda walked with Kelsey down the aisle.

When they reached the front, the harpist stopped playing. They stepped to the side and turned, and the harpist struck the first notes of “Ode to Joy.”

And there was Eden, flanked by her parents, taking the first steps onto the petal-strewn aisle. She walked faster than at the rehearsal, as if she couldn’t wait any longer to join her life with Aaron’s. Miranda glanced at Luke, catching the moment when Eden passed the aisle where he and Iris sat side by side. When he turned to face forward, his gaze shifted from the bride to Miranda, and they exchanged smiles.

Was it just wedding-day emotion, or was it possible that one day the two of them would be doing this? If so, there would definitely be kids present, because their children would be part of the union.

Gazing at her handsome lover, she remembered how, when she’d come to Destiny, she had resolved to avoid relationships and figured she wouldn’t be tempted because the single guys were too boring. How wrong she’d been. But honestly, she’d never have believed that an amazing man like Luke might care for her. A man who was as impressive in his own way as Chef Emile or Ariana’s actor father, but such a better person.

She’d never have imagined any of this. Being part of a family and part of a community. Coming to be accepted by Luke’s kids and his parents and in-laws.

It was all so normal, really. Which was the last thing that, until now, her life had ever been.

As Aaron and Eden gripped each other’s hands, stared lovingly into each other’s eyes, and recited their vows—Aaron not needing to pull the paper from his pocket—she wondered if she was totally crazy to think, One day, this could be me.

* * *

The reception was hopping. Miranda was with Luke, talking to Glory and Brent, and Jillian and Michael. Jillian, a pilot who flew for Aaron’s Blue Moon Air, had recently wed Michael. An architect, he had now moved from Toronto and set up business in Blue Moon Harbor.

“Cole’s not here today,” Miranda commented. Jillian and Michael’s son—who really was their son, due to a birth control misfire back in university—was eight. A regular customer at Blowing Bubbles, he was a smart, well-behaved boy.

“We offered him the choice,” Michael said. His attractive brown-skinned face crinkled in a smile. “His reaction was, to quote, ‘Eeewww.’ He’d rather hang out with his best friend.”

A male server in jeans and a blue tee offered them a tray of drinks. Glory and Brent both chose prosecco. Miranda, who’d reached her one-drink limit with the champagne used for the toasts, took the sparkling passionfruit punch. Luke, perennially on call, did the same. Michael took a glass of prosecco, but Jillian also chose the punch.

Miranda, thirsty after half an hour on the dance floor, drank a good portion of the delicious concoction. “I guess you didn’t even get to drink the champagne, did you?” she asked Jillian. The young, blond-haired woman would shortly be flying Aaron and Eden to their honeymoon destination in Tofino, a town by the ocean on the west coast of Vancouver Island. A pilot couldn’t have even one drink before a flight.

“No, no alcohol for me,” Jillian confirmed. She glanced up at her husband with a smile. “But I can live with it.”

“Good thing,” he said in a soft, loving tone that had Miranda’s eyes widening.

As the couple exchanged warm glances, Miranda skimmed her gaze down Jillian’s body, slim and toned in a coral sundress. “You’re not . . .” She gestured toward her tummy.

Jillian’s pink cheeks turned a deeper color and her sky-blue eyes sparkled. “Shh. We only found out yesterday. And yes, this time we intended to get pregnant.”

“Oh my God, that’s fantastic.”

After everyone else offered congratulations, Miranda asked, “Does Cole know yet?”

“Yes,” Jillian said. “He’s thrilled at the idea of being a big brother. But don’t tell anyone else, okay? We’ve only told him and our parents. Not even Aaron, because I don’t want anything to distract from his and Eden’s celebration.”

“Of course,” Miranda said, and the others agreed.

Luke touched her shoulder. “How about another dance?”

“Thought you’d never ask.” She drained her drink and they excused themselves and headed for the dance floor where several couples were two-stepping to a country song.

After a couple of dances, all the liquid she’d been drinking necessitated a trip to the ladies’ room. A couple of deluxe porta-potties had been set up, but as a resident of SkySong she instead darted across the lawn to her own cabin. There, she took the opportunity to call Glory’s parents and make sure the girls were fine, and to tidy her hair and refresh her light makeup.

Humming under her breath from sheer happiness, she made her way back across the lawn. She was crossing behind the tents where a smorgasbord of snacks was laid out, when a sandal strap came loose. As she bent to refasten it, a woman’s voice drifted out from inside the tent. “I can’t believe Luke is actually dating her. He deserves so much better than that.”

Miranda froze, her breath catching. The voice sounded like that of the brunette in the tight pink dress, though the tone was waspish now.

Another female voice replied, “I’ve shopped at Blowing Bubbles and she seems okay.”

Thanks for that, whoever you are. She couldn’t identify that voice, so she doubted the woman was a regular customer.

“So she can be a semi-efficient salesclerk,” Wasp Voice said. “That doesn’t prove anything. Remember what she was like back in school? All weird and Gothy, totally not interested in being friends with any of us.”

Who’d want to be friends with a bitch like you? Miranda hadn’t recognized the woman as a former classmate; in fact, she’d taken her to be several years older.

“No doubt high all the time,” Bitch-Woman went on. “Just like her mother. You know her mom OD’d, right?”

“Yeah, I heard.” A pause, then Voice Two said, “Aaron turned out really well, though.”

“And superhot, right? Too bad someone finally snagged him. But, obviously, the brother and sister were never anything alike. Did you see that dress she’s wearing today? All young and flirty. It looks great on Eden’s sister, but on Miranda . . . she’s just old and trying too hard.”

Talk about the pot insulting the kettle. Miranda smoothed her hands down the blue sundress. When she and Kelsey had picked them out, they’d both thought they were adorable. If the style was too young for Miranda, surely Eden, Helen, or Di would have told her so.

“I guess. And you’re right, Luke deserves someone superspecial.”

“If anyone could ever compete with the memory of Candace,” Bitchy said. “He was so head over heels crazy for her, it’s not funny. Seems to me, it would take someone, like, just incredible to take her place in his heart.”

“Yeah, she was pretty much perfect, wasn’t she?”

Bitchy huffed. “No one’s perfect. Though Luke seemed to think she was.”

“Men. They can be so blind. Give them great sex and they don’t notice a girl’s faults.”

“Which is obviously why Luke’s with Miranda. I bet she’s a total slut, just like her mom.” The last words were muffled, as if she was talking with her mouth full, but Miranda still heard them. “But Luke’ll figure it out before long, and dump her.”

“I saw him sitting beside Iris at the wedding. She’d be a better match for him.”

“Oh, please, she’s boring. And now, for heaven’s sake, tear me away from these incredible snacks. I swear, I’m going to split the seams of this dress if I keep eating this stuff.”

Miranda darted farther behind the tent and waited, holding her breath. Cautiously she edged forward again, until she could see the pink-dressed bitch walking away, arm in arm with a skinny, brown-haired woman in a green dress.

How dare they say those things?

And how dare they be right?

She gazed across the lawn, looking for Luke. There he was, chatting with Iris. Something he said made her laugh, and hearing Iris laugh was a rare occurrence. Iris wasn’t at all boring, not when you got to know her. She was smart and insightful, gentle and kind, and she loved children. She really would be ideal for Luke. Just look how elegant she was in that simple, classy dress. It wasn’t too young for her; it wasn’t “flirty.” No one would ever accuse Iris of trying too hard and she was the polar opposite of slutty.

What had Miranda been thinking, that a woman with her background and her flaws could be a good match for Luke? That he might fall in love with her. That she might finally, after all the years of hoping, achieve the dream of love and a happy home. In the end, surely he would reject her, just like her mom, her grandparents, every man she’d fallen for in the past.

She was thinking of ducking back to her cabin again, but Iris saw her and beckoned her over. Reluctantly she joined them, but didn’t take Luke’s hand or touch his arm.

“Look,” Iris said, gesturing across the lawn. “The bride and groom are heading off.”

Miranda gazed in that direction. Aaron wore the same clothes, but Eden had changed into a fabulous blue-and-gold patterned top, worn over honey-colored linen pants. Miranda wondered if Aaron would even give his bride a chance to don the white lace negligée she’d purchased for her wedding night.

White lace. Classy and beautiful. Whereas Miranda had chosen black for her lingerie, and only rejected red because it wasn’t the most flattering color on her. Red was slutty. Probably so was black.

“Want to go say good-bye?” Luke asked her.

She shook her head. Her brother and Eden were surrounded by family and friends. No one would notice her absence, and she was no longer in a celebratory mood.

* * *

Maybe Luke wasn’t the most sensitive guy when it came to understanding women, but it seemed to him that something had changed. He’d been having a great time, happy for his old classmate Aaron and his new wife, and delighted to be spending the afternoon with a vibrant, glowing Miranda.

But now Miranda’s mood had altered. And Iris, who’d been laughing only minutes earlier, was saying in a subdued tone, “It’s time I headed home. Thanks for keeping me company.”

“My pleasure,” Luke said with complete honesty.

“Bye,” Miranda said.

She gazed after Iris as she walked away. “She’s gorgeous, isn’t she? And smart and really nice.” There was an odd tone to her voice, almost as if she was issuing a challenge.

Did she think he’d say that her friend was an ice queen? He’d heard a couple of guys use that term, but he didn’t believe it. “True. But she’s shy, right? At least unless you talk about books. Though today she loosened up a little.”

“I saw her laughing at something you said.”

“I was telling her how the boys have been acting out stories from books she recommended.”

“She’d love to have kids. And she’ll make some guy a great wife.”

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Right.” His words of praise for her friend didn’t seem to have improved her mood.

He put his arm around her shoulders. She stiffened for a moment and then relaxed against him with a sigh. “Are you upset about Aaron getting married?” he ventured.

She jerked away and scowled at him. “Of course not. What do you think I am? That I’d be, what? Resentful? Jealous? Luke, I’m thrilled for him and Eden.”

“Okay, okay.” He raised both hands in a gesture of disavowal. “I’m sorry. You just seemed a little . . . I don’t know. Like you’re not having fun anymore.” Maybe she had PMS, but he’d learned from the women in his family that a guy should never suggest that. He remembered a particularly memorable lecture from Annie that ranged from sexism to Irritable Male Syndrome.

Miranda shook her head. “No, I’m sorry. I guess maybe I have had a little too much wedding. I should probably get changed and go pick up Ariana.”

“Too bad you have to take off that pretty dress.” She always looked great, but today she was especially beautiful. The blue of the dress set off her coloring: those stunning eyes, the golden curls that brushed her shoulders, and the hint of a tan on her nicely toned arms and knockout legs. All afternoon he’d been gazing at her with admiration as well as lust. “That is,” he added with a wink, “unless you were taking it off for me. Is there time for a quickie before you need to leave and get Ariana?”

Her eyes narrowed. “A quickie? You want a quickie?”

“What I’d really like is a whole night of incredible sex.” With plenty of time to figure out how to tell her the thing he’d realized earlier this afternoon. When he’d been saying that she’d brought him back to life after Candace’s death, his tongue had run on and he’d barely managed to stop himself. He’d been about to blurt out that he’d never imagined he’d fall in love again and yet it seemed to be happening. That hadn’t been the time or way to tell her, and certainly not in front of Iris. Now wasn’t the right time either, not with Miranda needing to pick up her daughter soon.

Or was he looking for excuses? What if he said those words and she told him she didn’t feel the same way? That he was a “friends with benefits” guy and lacked the special whatever that had made her fall for men like Ariana’s father and that crazy chef? Could he handle hearing her say that? Sometimes it felt like his life had been a saga of loss, even though his dad, his mom, and Candace hadn’t intentionally abandoned him.

Striving to keep things light, he said, “But since I know we don’t have the night . . .”

“You want me to rip off this flirty little dress so we can have a quickie?” There was a challenging edge to her voice.

“Something wrong with that?” What was going on with her? “You’ve never had a problem with that before.”

“No, that’s me. Good old Miranda, ready to lie on her back and spread her legs at the snap of your fingers.”

“What the hell?” He might be falling in love with her, and maybe she had PMS, but she was starting to piss him off.

“Let’s face it. You hadn’t had sex in years and now you can’t get enough of it, but you know in your heart that I’ll never replace Candace.”

“No one can replace Candace,” he snapped. “That’s not—”

“Exactly! That’s not where this is going, you and me.”

Stunned, he took a step backward. Earlier, he’d thought that “this” might well be heading toward a marriage proposal and a blended family. But it seemed that was the last thing Miranda envisioned. Thank God he hadn’t spoken up.

Hold on. Don’t overreact. He took a deep breath and tried to calm down. She’d seemed fine. Great, even. They’d been dancing and then she’d gone to her cabin to use the bathroom, and it was when she came back that her mood had changed. This seemed like more than a sudden onset of PMS.

Cautiously he said, “Earlier, you seemed happy and now you’re upset. Did something happen when you went back to your cabin?”

Her shoulders rose up, hunching, and she wrapped her arms around herself. She dropped her gaze. He tensed, too, having no idea what she might say.

Staring at the grassy lawn between their feet, she said, “I overheard a couple of women.”

“Huh?”

“Gossiping. About me. And you.”

Light dawned. Grimly he asked, “What did they say?”

Those hunched shoulders shrugged. “That I’m not good enough for you. That I’m slutty and you only want me for sex. That I could never replace Candace in your heart, and that you’ll get tired of me and dump me soon.”

No one could ever replace Candace in his heart, but if he said that when Miranda was in this mood, she wouldn’t understand. It turned out that his heart had a pretty big capacity. There was room for his kids, his mom, Forbes, Annie, and Randall. Room for memories of Candace and the love he still felt for her. But also plenty of room for Miranda and Ariana.

“They said I’m not good enough for you,” Miranda murmured, gazing up at him with soulful eyes that were now more gray than blue.

Luke opened his mouth, about to protest and to ask who those idiot women were. But then he realized that wasn’t what truly mattered. “Do you think you’re good enough for me?”

She glared at him. “Of course not.” The words dropped heavily between them.

His heart sank along with them. He’d tried in every way he knew to show her that he thought she was special. Each time they made love, he told her with his words and his body how much he appreciated her. He’d brought her and her daughter into his and his boys’ family time, and introduced her to the kids’ grandparents. He told her about his work and asked her about her courses and her ideas on child-rearing and education. Occasionally he disagreed with her, but he respected her opinion and never belittled her. What more could he do?

Yes, he could tell her he was falling in love with her. But even if he got down on one knee and proposed, that wasn’t the answer. If she didn’t believe in herself and in their relationship now, an engagement wouldn’t change things.

“Look,” he said, disappointment and annoyance creeping into his voice, “I know you’ve had a lot of crap in your life. But isn’t it time you grew up and got over it?”

“Excuse me?” More glaring.

Okay, maybe that wasn’t the most tactful phrasing, but he was tired of tiptoeing around the eggshells of her insecurities. He mattered, too. He’d had true love and had lost his wife. Now he’d had the guts to enter a new relationship, to risk his fragile heart, and Miranda wasn’t doing her part. He’d done his best to understand her issues, to support her, to help her heal. He’d been patient, but she seemed to want to stay stuck in the past and not acknowledge the strong woman she’d become.

“When I met you,” he said, “I thought of you as a rosebud surrounded by thorns. Well, I was right. You’re prickly and moody. I guess you’re insecure and, given your past, I can see how that would happen. I’ve tried to reassure you. But Miranda, all the stuff I’ve said and done, well, it still hasn’t made you believe in your own self-worth. And it’s finally sunk in that I can’t make you believe in yourself.” In fact, it seemed like she was determined not to, for whatever perverse reason. “It has to come from you.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Glory and Brent approaching. Glory must have seen that something intense was going on because she steered her partner away again.

He swallowed, a deep sorrow making it difficult to go on. “Miranda, the boys and I don’t need to be involved with a woman who’s insecure and self-defeating.”

She fisted her hands on her hips. “That’s exactly what I said! You deserve someone better than me.”

“Jesus, that’s not what I—” He shook his head. “You don’t get it.” He tried to find the right words, to somehow make her understand that she had so much strength and love and wonderfulness inside her if she could only let herself see it. But she didn’t give him a chance.

“Oh, I get it perfectly.” She turned and stalked away.

Luke stared after her. Well, just fuck.