“Well,” Sydney said cheerfully, “glad everything is going so well for you guys.”

Maddie busted up laughing. “I swear to God, I am going to kill him.”

“No, you’re not. You were beside yourself earlier when you thought he might be injured or worse.”

Maddie’s eyes filled, and she looked away.

Sydney reached for her hand. “What is it?”

Maddie shifted her gaze to meet Sydney’s. “I thought I knew how it might feel to lose what you lost. But until that phone call from Janey, I had no idea.”

“And I hope you never do. Thank goodness they’re all okay.”

“How’s Luke?”

“Sore but feisty.”

“We’re all very grateful for what he did. If he weren’t already an honorary member of the McCarthy family, he would be now. Ever since Mr. McCarthy made him a partner in the business—”

“What did you say?”

“That they made him a partner? When Mac joined the business, they divided it among the three of them, but Mac and Luke own the majority.”

Astounded, Syd dropped into the chair next to the bed. “He owns the business?”

“A big part of it. Didn’t he tell you?”

Sydney shook her head as she tried to figure out what it meant that he hadn’t told her.

“I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”

“Why wouldn’t he tell me? We just talked about money earlier today, and he never mentioned he’s a partner in the marina.” She remembered his mysterious smile when she mentioned his income from McCarthy’s.

“Why were you talking about money?”

“We were making some tentative plans.”

“Oh, does this mean you’re staying?” Maddie clutched her hand. “Please say yes.”

“We haven’t decided anything for sure, but now. . .” She shrugged.

“Oh, Syd, don’t go there. He might have a perfectly good reason for not telling you. Give him a chance to explain.”

Sydney tried to shake it off to be dealt with later. “Let’s talk about you. What can I do? I can help with Thomas and the nursery and anything else you need. Just say the word.”

“What I could really use is some help with Janey’s shower. It’s supposed to be Sunday, and I’ve been sitting here all day thinking about postponing it—”

“No need. I’ll take care of everything. You can direct.”

“Are you sure you want to take that on?”

“I’d be thrilled to help you out.”

“I feel so bad for Janey—her dad is hurt and her matron of honor is on bed rest less than two weeks before her wedding.”

“We’ll get a chaise for you for the wedding so you can be right there with her and not exert yourself.”

Maddie cringed at the idea of it. “So I’ll be like the queen of Sheba laid out at Janey’s wedding?”