Then Came You: A Prequel to The McPhee Clan by Jillian Hart Page B

the roof and nearby trees with a cheerful, melodic
drip-drop, drip-drop
.
    "You are a good man, Lawrence." She hated being the reason for the disappointment creasing across his face. Gently, so she would not hurt his feelings any further, she said what she'd been trying to avoid. But there was no other choice now than to be honest.
    "I don't care about you in that way." She met his gaze directly, so he would know she meant every word. "Somewhere in this world there is the perfect lady for you. When you find her, you'll know. You'll be able to look into her eyes and see a lost piece of your soul. You'll know what she is about to say before she says it. When your hands touch, it's like your hearts are joined together, beating as one. That's what you deserve, Lawrence. It's what I'll be wishing for you."
    He cleared his throat, stared down at the floor for a moment, gave a little shrug. When he met her gaze, his smile was bittersweet. "That's the nicest rejection I've ever had."
    "Well, I am sorry for it." She felt tingles shiver down her spine. Every nerve ending in her skin flickered. That could only mean one thing. She waited until Lawrence had retreated back into the house and closed the door before she turned around, already knowing who had returned to the party.
    Gil stood on the porch step, hands on his hips, watching her. His eyes shone darkly, as if with mystery. The line of his jaw looked rigid, uncompromising. Feelings she could not hold back rushed forward, affection too great to be confined.
    "I heard what you said about finding the right person." His baritone rumbled through her as if his words were her own. His breath, his heartbeat moved hers. When he towered over her, he seemed to suck the oxygen from the air. She couldn’t breathe, not unless he did. A corner of his mouth quirked upward. "You were talking about us, weren't you?"
    "No," she lied, because she had to protect him. She had to do right by him. This was Gil, wonderful Gil.
    When the palm of his hand pressed against the curve of her face, his touch was more than flesh to flesh, skin to skin. She felt his soul in that touch. They stood in silence, and she sensed realization move through him, silently understanding everything.
    Just everything.
    "You cannot push me away. You cannot scare me away." He drew her against him, into the amazing invincible wall of his chest. "You can't force me away. No matter what, I'm not going anywhere. I love you, Maebry."
    "I don't want you to." She burrowed against him, heaven knew she could not help herself. Pain prickled behind her eyelids and scorched her heart. "I won't let you sacrifice so much for me."
    "I wish you would." He folded his strong arms around her, bringing her snugly against him. Tenderness resonated in his words. "It would be done out of great affection."
    "Oh, Gil." She squeezed her eyes shut, holding back the burst of joy, the explosion of hope at his words, hope and joy she didn't want to feel. This wasn't what she wanted, to be a burden to him. She buried her face in his coat, at a loss. "I told you no. You'll be throwing away your future."
    "What's my future without you?" He rested his chin on the top of her head, breathing her in. "I worked hard all these years because I want a better life. I want a dream. Now you're that dream."
    "No." She wanted to pull back, wanted to say anything to make him change his mind, but his words touched her soul. It still didn't make it right. "It is too high of a price to pay. Believe me, I know what it's like to be trapped, when your life isn't really your own."
    "I don't mind." He didn't even blink. So stalwart, so loyal and true.
    "But I do." She pushed away from him, hating the way his arms fell away from her, hating the cold air rushing over her, where his body had warmed hers. Anguish tore through her. "I'm not worth it."
    "You're worth everything." Unyielding love flashed in his blue eyes. Easy to see the strength of that would never fade. "Maureen isn't