“True,” Delilah acknowledged with a nod. “Sometimes I just want to fast forward my life so that I’m settled. Don’t get me wrong. I’m having fun with Mac and I love being courted by him, but, if I’m being honest, I just want to know that someone is going to love me for a lifetime.” She let out a sigh. “I hope that doesn’t sound pathetic.”
Sarah reached out and patted her sister’s hand across the table. “You could never sound pathetic. I think part of it is seeing everyone around you settling down. That’s hard. You’ve always been such a romantic, sis. Don’t lose that part of yourself. Not ever.”
“Mac has been very romantic,” she admitted, her face flushing at the memory of their kiss last night. “And he’s so different from any man I’ve ever known. He’s tender. And deep. Soulful.”
Sarah’s eyes widened. She leaned forward across the table. “Lilah. You sound smitten. Are you falling in love with Mac?”
Sarah’s words felt like a jolt to her system. So far she’d been enjoying her time with Mac but she hadn’t spent too much time analyzing her feelings. Falling in love with Mac? They hadn’t been dating for very long, but she felt as if she had known him for most of her life.
Delilah had tried her hardest over the past few years not to fall in love with anyone. Her love had never been fully returned or appreciated by any of her exes. What she’d willingly given—her heart and soul—had been used and abused and scorned. After her disastrous relationship with Tim she had been down on her knees, begging God for guidance and deliverance. He had answered her prayer and showed her that there needed to be more important things in her life than the pursuit of a romantic relationship. She needed to build herself up so she could accept real, enduring love. She had learned that love would come in time. God’s timing was never off.
So she had waited. And waited. Until Mac came crashing into her life—the very last knight in shining armor she had expected to fall for.
Oh no! She was falling in love with Mac. Strong, principled Mac. He was a gentle giant. A wounded soul who had created a solid life for himself against a backdrop of unimaginable horrors and immense loss. His bravery and courage inspired her and left her in awe of him. His talent at woodworking made her feel proud of all his vast accomplishments.
“Is that a yes?” Sarah asked.
Delilah couldn’t speak past the lump in her throat. She nodded. Tears misted in her eyes.
Sarah jumped up from her seat and came around to her side. She wrapped her up in a tight hug. “It’s all right. That’s what we were put on this earth to do. To love and be loved. There’s no shame in having feelings for Mac. He’s wonderful.”
Delilah began to sob and laugh at the same time. She threw her hands up in the air. “Look at me. I’m a mess. It’s just a little overwhelming to realize that my heart is invested. I’ve been trying so hard not to fall too hard, too quickly. That seems to be my downfall.”
“Shh. This is going to be different. I can feel it. Mac won’t let you down. He won’t betray you or break your heart or disrespect you. He’s the real deal.”
“I hope so, Sarah. I just wonder why he didn’t tell Blue about us. That has to mean something,” she fretted. The Donahue brothers were a tight-knit group. It troubled her that Mac hadn’t conveyed anything to his brother about their blossoming relationship.
“Stop looking for trouble,” Sarah warned. “Because before you know it, you’re going to find some.”
Delilah groaned. “Another Mom-ism! You’re on a roll today,” she said with a laugh.
Sarah threw her hands up in the air. “Who would have thought it? I get married, have a kid…and now I’m spouting Mom-isms.”
Delilah looked at the dubious expression on her sister’s face and burst out laughing. Sarah joined in and before they knew it they were both cackling like a bunch of hens. They laughed so hard they had to clutch their stomachs.
Sarah wiped away tears of mirth from her eyes. “Oh Lilah. There’s no one else who can make me laugh the way you do.”
“Right back at you sis,” Delilah said as she clutched her sister in an emotional hug that spoke of their deep friendship, love and sisterhood.
Sarah was right. Despite her fears she was going to believe in what she was building with Mac Donahue. Fear and doubts were the enemy. More than anything she wanted to live in love. Hopefully with Mac right by her side.
**
For the next few weeks Mac’s life continued to sail along with calm waters and blue skies. His relationship with Delilah continued to soar as his feelings for her intensified and solidified. The only thing hanging over his head was Parker’s investigation into his sister’s whereabouts. There had been a few phone calls between himself and Parker, who seemed to be pulling out all the stops to track down any leads. Sadly, none had been forthcoming. Mac had reached a point where in order to maintain his sanity he had to come to terms with the grim reality that Callie might be lost to him forever. It was a point he had never wanted to reach, but in his heart, soul and mind he knew that he had to at least face that possibility. He yearned to move forward with his life—to forge something lasting and real with Delilah—and he couldn’t do that by holding on to the past.