Finding You

Chapter 29

Darcy checked her phone once again. Not finding any text messages from Carter, she looked out the church parlor window toward

the parking lot in search of his truck. He’d always responded to her texts. Why hadn’t he answered her?

Worry clawed at her as she tried not to imagine what could have happened to him. Memories of Jace’s accident overtook her

mind, and she sucked in air. She then bit back annoyance and considered why he hadn’t texted her. Maybe he was just running

late? She hoped that was the case.

When she felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned toward Kaylen’s encouraging expression. “I’m sure he’ll be here. Maybe he

overslept?”

“But why hasn’t he bothered to text me?”

“Some guys just get so focused on one thing that they forget everything else.”

Darcy nodded, hoping Kaylen was right.

The door to the parlor opened, and Lola stepped in. “Is Haven ready?”

The bride appeared from the restroom at the back of the parlor. “What do you think?” she asked. She resembled a princess in the gorgeous gown that looked as if it had been created just for her. Her beautiful strawberry-blonde hair was pulled back from her face beneath her tiara and veil, falling in waves past her shoul ders. Her makeup was subtle but managed to accentuate her baby-blue eyes.

Darcy’s eyes filled, and she rushed over to her friend. “You’re positively glowing.”

“You’re perfect,” Kaylen gushed. “My brother is going to flip.”

Haven lifted her bouquet of white roses and baby’s breath. “I hope so.”

Lola clasped her hands together as her eyes also filled. “Oh, Haven. You’re as pretty as a picture, and Kaylen is right. Derek

is going to be stunned when he sees you.” She took her daughter’s hand in hers. “I’m so happy for you, honey.”

“Thank you for all you’ve done to make this wedding a reality, Mom.”

Allyson, Haven’s cousin and the wedding coordinator, stuck her head into the room. “It’s time, ladies. Let’s roll.”

Darcy and Kaylen picked up their bouquets and moved down the hallway to the sanctuary, which was packed with friends and family

members of the bride and groom. Peeking into the sanctuary, Darcy scanned the pews in search of Carter. When she didn’t find

him, her heart felt heavy. Her shoulders slumped with the weight of her fear, irritation, and anguish.

Her gaze moved toward the altar, where Derek stood with his brother, Liam, and Haven’s brother, Vince.

“All right,” Allyson said, speaking barely above a whisper. “We all remember how we practiced, right? Take your time going

down the aisle and don’t forget to smile.” Her face displayed an exaggerated smile.

Darcy took her spot behind Kaylen and waited while two of Derek’s cousins serving as ushers seated Lola and Marcia. Haven’s father, Bob, came to stand beside Haven, and the warm smile on his face sent happiness through Darcy. She could see the pride in his eyes for his beautiful daughter.

When the organ music began to play, Darcy’s hands began to tremble. She turned to face Haven and smiled before mouthing, “I

love you,” to her best friend.

Haven pretended to kiss her fingers and held them out to Darcy before mouthing, “I love you too.”

“Darcy,” Allyson hissed. “You’re next.”

Turning toward the sanctuary, she spotted Kaylen moving down the aisle.

“Now, Darcy. Go,” Allyson ordered.

Darcy began to walk down the aisle, forcing her lips into a smile. She felt her shoulders loosen slightly when her eyes found

her parents sitting on the bride’s side. Her mother waved while Dad held up his phone and snapped several photos. She hoped

to see Carter sitting beside them, but he was nowhere in sight. She fought the urge to panic and kept moving. She finally

reached the altar, where she took her spot across from the groom and his attendants.

Derek looked handsome in his traditional black-and-white tuxedo, and his younger brother resembled him with the same dark

hair and honey-brown eyes. Vince stood beside Liam, and although he and Haven had similar baby-blue eyes, his hair was sandy-brown.

When the wedding march began, the wedding guests stood and turned toward the back of the sanctuary. Then Haven’s father began

escorting her down the aisle.

Once again Darcy scanned the crowd for Carter, and when she found him standing in the back, she almost fainted with relief.

He was handsome in a black suit with a gray shirt and a darker gray tie.

When Carter’s gaze finally tangled with hers, her heart stuttered. He nodded, and she returned the gesture, but worry and

exasperation still lingered in the back of her mind.

Darcy turned her focus to her beautiful best friend. Haven seemed to float down the aisle toward her sweetheart. Love radiated in Derek’s eyes, which were focused on his bride coming toward him.

As Darcy witnessed the affection beaming between the bride and groom, she couldn’t help but wonder if Kaylen was right and

she and Carter might be the next couple to stand in church. Would they have a chance to promise their futures to one another?

Haven and her father came to a stop at the end of the aisle, and Darcy whisked her thoughts of Carter out of her mind. Her

beautiful best friend deserved every ounce of her attention today.

***

Darcy held Liam’s arm as they proceeded down the aisle nearly forty-five minutes later. As they moved toward the back of the

church, Darcy smiled over at Carter, and his lips formed a half-smile in return.

Liam led Darcy out to the vestibule, and Darcy hugged Haven. “Congratulations, Mrs.McGowan.”

“Thank you, Darcy.” Haven squeezed her. “I did it! I’m married.”

Allyson clapped her hands, then took the bouquets from Haven, Darcy, and Kaylen. “Okay, people. Let’s all take our places

for the receiving line.”

Darcy stood between Liam and Vince while the family members and friends of the wedding party began moving down the line, shaking

hands and hugging each of them.

When Carter approached, Darcy felt a heady rush of emotions. He worked his way down to Darcy, and she swallowed a gasp as

she took in the dark circles under his eyes. He looked as if he hadn’t slept at all last night.

“Carter,” she whispered. “Did you get my messages this morning?”

When he nodded, she felt her heart stutter. Was he having second thoughts about starting over? “Are we okay?” she asked.

“I’m sorry. My phone died after I called you last night, and I forgot to plug it in.”

“Oh.” She nodded. “Okay.” But when she took in the sadness in his eyes, along with his distraught expression, her stomach

clenched. “What’s wrong?”

As if he hadn’t heard her, he pulled her into his arms. “You’re absolutely stunning.”

“Carter, please tell me what’s wrong.” She stepped out of his embrace. “We promised no secrets.”

“I know, and I meant it when I said it.” He touched her sleeve. “I promise we’ll talk later.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to wait. Let’s talk now.”

“Not here.” He jammed his thumb toward the receiving line. “You’re the maid of honor. We’ll talk at the reception.”

Carter stepped over to Liam and shook his hand, and Darcy frowned. She didn’t like having to wait, but he was right. She had

to perform her duties as maid of honor.

As concerned as she was about Carter, she also feared her world was about to come crashing down around her.

“Hello, dear,” an older woman said as she shook Darcy’s hand. “I’m Derek’s aunt Lydia.”

Darcy forced a smile on her face. “So nice to meet you, Lydia.” Time seemed to slow as she greeted stranger after stranger.

She couldn’t get to the reception fast enough.

***

Carter stood near the back of the reception hall at the Flowering Grove Country Club and waited for the wedding party to arrive. The large room had been decorated with white fairy lights, and round tables were adorned with white candles and teal-and-white roses. A dance floor was set up at the far end of the room with a DJ nearby. In the corner, Carter spotted what looked like a photo booth set up for people to take selfies.

Beyond the large room was a balcony that overlooked a gorgeous golf course. It felt strange to attend an event at the fancy

country club, especially since his grandmother had worked there as a housekeeper for years. Though he knew it was an irrational

thought, he wondered if someone would assume he had snuck into the country club and ask him to leave.

He tried not to pace while mentally preparing what he was going to say to Darcy when they finally had a chance to talk. How

gorgeous she had looked walking down the aisle in the teal dress—a color called “peacock,” she’d told him—which seemed to

make her eyes somehow greener. Her beautiful blonde hair was styled in a fancy twist, and her lovely face sported just the

right amount of makeup. He couldn’t take his eyes off her during the ceremony, and when she came back down the aisle on Liam’s

arm, he hated the ridiculous thread of jealousy that wormed its way through him.

He was aware that Liam was in a relationship, but he also knew that after today, Darcy would no longer be his girlfriend.

Surely she would meet another man to sweep her off her feet and treat her the way she deserved to be treated. He couldn’t

stand the idea of another man holding her, kissing her, wiping away her tears, and spending the rest of his life by her side.

But that was how it was supposed to be.

“Carter?”

He turned as Darcy’s parents approached him, and he worked his lips into a smile. “Josie. Ross. Good to see you.”

“Wasn’t the wedding beautiful?” Josie placed her hand on her chest.

Carter nodded. “Yeah, it was.”

“Darcy looked amazing in that dress,” Josie continued. “It was as if Haven picked that color just for her.”

“I thought the same thing.” Carter took a sip of his Coke and then snuck a peek at the door. Was the wedding party ever going

to arrive?

“We hate to leave the party early,” Ross said, “but we’re heading out for a cruise in the morning and have to drive down to

Charleston tonight.”

“Where’s the cruise taking you?” Carter asked.

“Puerto Rico. When I booked it, I didn’t realize it left the day after the wedding.” Ross appeared embarrassed. “You should

have seen Darcy’s face when I broke the news to her. She was upset we’d have to miss the reception, but the cruise was nonrefundable.”

“I told Ross to double-check the date,” Josie said, “but he never listens to me.”

Carter forced a smile as sadness filled him. He was going to miss Darcy’s parents almost as much as he would miss her. He

had enjoyed getting to know them and appreciated how kind they had been to him. It was a shame things wouldn’t turn out differently.

“Are you feeling all right, Carter?” Josie asked.

Carter cleared his throat. “Yes, just a little tired.”

Just then the DJ’s voice crackled over the large speakers. “All right, folks. It’s time to put your hands together for the

new Mr. and Mrs.Derek McGowan!”

Claps, whistles, and hoots broke out around the room as Derek and Haven made their grand entrance and paraded to the center

of the room.

“And now the best man and maid of honor. Let’s give it up for Liam McGowan and Darcy Larsen!” the DJ called, and more claps,

hoots, and whistles sounded.

Darcy held on to Liam’s arm and beamed as they joined the bride and groom in the center of the dance floor.

Carter’s heart squeezed as he watched his beautiful girlfriend. Her eyes seemed to search the room, and she smiled when she

found him standing with her parents. Josie and Ross waved to her.

“And lastly, we have the bridesmaid and groomsman—Kaylen McGowan and Vince Morrisette!” the DJ exclaimed, and everyone clapped

and cheered again.

“Now we invite everyone to please take your seats,” the DJ said. “Dinner will be served shortly.”

“It was nice seeing you, Carter,” Josie said before taking Ross’s hand. “We need to go say goodbye to Haven and Darcy.”

Ross patted Carter’s shoulder. “Don’t be a stranger.”

“We’ll have you and Darcy over for supper as soon as we get back,” Josie promised. Then they started over toward the crowd

gathered around the bride and groom.

Carter lingered by the table while Josie and Ross said something to Darcy and each hugged her. Then Darcy whispered something

to Kaylen before making a beeline to Carter.

She closed the distance between them and took his hand in hers. “No more waiting. We’re going to talk. Now.”

Holding his hand, she guided him toward the door. Carter wasn’t ready for this. He felt his heart begin to crack.

***

Darcy’s stomach dipped as she led Carter to the far end of the parking lot. While she waited for him to speak, he kept his

dark eyes focused on something in the distance. She was sure he was avoiding her stare.

“Carter, please talk to me.”

He finally turned toward her, and the pain in his eyes took her breath away. He cleared his throat. “I love you, Darcy. With my entire heart. I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love you.”

She nodded, and her lip trembled. “I love you too, Carter.” She took a step toward him as worry and confusion drenched her.

“Tell me what’s going on. I can’t take seeing you so upset.”

He studied his loafers. “I realized something last night.”

“What?”

Carter’s lips twisted. “When I told you I would be completely honest with you from now on, I meant it.”

“Okay.” A feeling of foreboding washed over her.

“Complete honesty, no matter what. No matter how difficult it is to tell you the truth.” His eyes seemed to glisten, and when

he finally faced her, he sniffed.

“Carter, what’s wrong?” Her words were measured.

He faltered again.

“Carter, please ,” she said.

He rubbed his sternum. “My transplant was also April3, two years ago.”

“The same day as mine?”

“Right.” He rocked back on his heels. “Shauna and I have incompatible blood types since our parents were different blood types.

So she also gave a kidney for me as a paired donor through a swap. She gave to a sixteen-year-old girl.”

“Okay...” Darcy tried to decipher what he was saying. She glanced past him just as her mother’s BMW SUV motored out of

the parking lot.

“Was your transplant at the main hospital in Charlotte?” he asked.

She nodded.

“Mine was too.” He turned toward the main road and rubbed his eyes. “Did you receive a kidney from a man who donated for his daughter?” His words were gravelly as if he were trying to hold his swelling emotions back.

“Yes.” She squinted in confusion. “How’d you know that?”

She waited for him to continue, but when he remained quiet, irritation wafted over her. “Carter? What aren’t you telling me?”

“My donor was a man who was my age, twenty-seven. And he gave in exchange for his fiancée.” His voice was strained.

The pieces began to fall into place, and Darcy clapped her hands over her mouth. She took a step back from him and felt as

if the ground was crumbling beneath her and tilting the world.

“Darcy, do you understand what I’m saying?” His voice vibrated.

She was frozen, unable to respond.

“Shauna gave a kidney to a sixteen-year-old girl. You received a kidney from that girl’s father.” He sniffed again as his

eyes became puffy.

She took another step away from him. Her thoughts were foggy.

“Darcy, we were part of the same kidney swap. My donor... my donor must have been Jace.”

“No, no, no. That can’t be.” Her temples began to throb.

He shoved his hands into his pockets and remained silent.

“Are... are you sure?”

Carter took a shaky breath. “Who was Jace told he donated to?”

“A man who was his age.”

“Right.” He swiped tears off his cheeks. “I’m sorry, Darcy, but there’s no doubt that person was me.”

Darcy tried to mask the pain as her hands shook. “It’s not possible...” But the truth stood between them like a chasm,

waiting to swallow them whole.

Darcy rested her hand on her forehead. This was a nightmare. This couldn’t be true, but it was true.

Another truth hit her. “You knew this last night but didn’t tell me?”

“I didn’t figure it out until after I called you and apologized. I was trying to fall asleep when I tied the threads together.

I wanted to tell you in person.” He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

She studied Carter as his words wrapped around her heart. Jace had been Carter’s donor. He was walking around with a piece

of Jace—the last piece of Jace—inside his body.

Darcy’s chest felt as if it might implode. There was no way she could be with Carter and live in peace. Being with him would

remind her of Jace’s death every day, reopening the wound she thought Carter’s love had healed.

Tears burned her eyelids.

“I’m sorry, Carter, but I can’t see you anymore,” she said, her words raspy.

“I know.” His voice hitched as he swiped at his red eyes. “You’ll always be reminded of Jace.”

Tears poured down her face.

“I’m truly sorry, Darcy.”

Carter pulled her into his arms, and his lips met hers. She held on to his shoulders as his mouth explored hers with a hunger

and intensity she’d never felt before. Every cell in her body stirred to life, and with their tears mingling, they continued

to share the most passionate kiss Darcy had ever experienced.

When he finally released her, her lips felt swollen, and she flushed with heat from the fire he kindled inside her. But Darcy’s

hope was shattered. This kiss was only a last grasp at tasting what could never be between them.

“I’ll always love you, Darcy,” he said.

He pulled his keys from his pocket and removed her house key from the wooden keychain she had bought him at the festival in Flowering Grove. He pressed it into her palm.

She closed her hand around it, frozen in place while he moved toward his truck.

Darcy had no choice but to watch Carter drive out of her life, taking her heart with him.