Page 44 of Kiss the Bride

“That’s why I have to break up with you. Because I’m not in charge. And I love you too much to ask you to face a lifetime of disappointment.”

Ryan didn’t know whether to smack his head in frustration or wring the kid’s neck. Daniel clearly had the best of intentions, but he was going about it entirely the wrong way. Trouble was, Ryan didn’t have the first clue about how to convince the young man he was throwing away the best thing in his life. Hoping against hope that Evelyn would, he turned to her. When she flashed him a look that said I got this, he turned the floor over to her.

“Around here, it’s tradition to raise a toast to the bride and groom at every wedding and wish them a Heart’s Landing love for the ages. Do you know why?”

“No,” the young couple answered practically in unison.

“It’s because of the love Captain Thaddeus and Mary shared. See, he spent his entire career ferrying merchandise and passengers between New York and London. In those days, the trip took three months each way, which meant the good captain and his wife spent more than half their married life apart from one another. Despite that, their love for one another endured.”

Seeing where Evelyn was headed, Ryan added, “We’re sure of it because, each fall, Captain Thaddeus presented his wife with a large stone heart he’d carved for her during that year’s long voyage. A symbol of his love for her.”

Across the table, Daniel and Brianna had leaned forward slightly, their interest piqued.

“Mary kept the home fires burning. Every fall, she kept watch for Thaddeus from the widow’s walk,” Evelyn said, her words brief and to the point. “It didn’t matter if the weather was fair or foul; she scoured the horizon for the first sign of his ship.”

Ryan picked up where she left off. “Meanwhile, the captain fought off pirates and endured long days when no wind filled the sails. Once, he even battled a hurricane to get home to his wife and children.” Wrapping up, he got to the point of the story. “Mary could’ve chosen any of a dozen suitors. Thaddeus could’ve walked away from his career. Instead, they refused to give up on their love for one another. Their lives weren’t always easy. But through the good times and the bad, whether they were apart or together, Thaddeus and Mary’s love and commitment to one another remained strong.”

He looked to Evelyn, who tied everything up in a neat bow. “Together, they established the town of Heart’s Landing. Their legacy lives on today in the Captain’s Cottage and in their great-great-great-grandchildren. My cousin Jason and I are their direct descendants.” She aimed a searching look straight at Daniel. “We believe you and Brianna have the same kind of love Thaddeus and Mary shared. Brianna has already endured more heartbreak and disappointment than anyone should at her age, but each hurt has made her stronger. Strong enough to be the wife you need.”

Ryan’s voice dropped lower. Evelyn’s words had stirred an emotion deep in his chest. His eyes on her, he asked Daniel, “In what world do you think she’d be better off without you?”

“I wouldn’t be,” Brianna whispered. “You know how much I need you.”

“Awww, man.” Daniel cradled his fiancée’s hand in his. His voice shook nearly as much as his fingers. “I’m sorry I ever doubted us. Can you forgive me?”

“Yes. Of course, I do.” Brianna smiled through her tears. “But you have to promise me something.”

“Anything. I’ll do anything.”

“You have to promise you won’t ever do this again, you hear?”

“I won’t.” Daniel traced a cross over his chest. “I swear.”

When the couple exchanged a tender kiss, Ryan grinned at Evelyn. He felt like someone should give them the key to the city. They’d done it, had saved Wedding-in-a-Week from complete failure. Even more important, they’d helped Daniel and Brianna forge a deeper bond.

“There’s just one more thing.” Evelyn stood. “It’s only a day’s drive to Camp Geiger from here. That gives you two extra days before you have to report. I think I can speak for all of Heart’s Landing when I say we’d love it if you spent that time as our guests at the Captain’s Cottage. Consider it a mini honeymoon.”

Brianna sucked in a deep breath. “In one of the bridal suites?”

Evelyn nodded. “Yes, of course.”

“Oorah!” Daniel whispered.

So much relief flooded him when Brianna and Daniel embraced that Ryan had to turn away. He didn’t intend for his focus to shift to Evelyn. That happened purely by happenstance. But he was glad when it did. His gaze softened. Warmth curled in his midsection at the sight of her standing there, her hair in its familiar ponytail, the hem of her skirt barely brushing her knees. His fingers itched to take her in his arms. Resisting the urge was tougher than he’d expected.

Was he falling for her? He started and gave himself a stern reminder that such thoughts were utter foolishness. How could he fall for someone before they’d even gone on their first date?

Hoping for a distraction, he glanced toward Brianna and Daniel. No luck there. The couple continued to cling to one another. Resigned, he signaled Evelyn and counted himself lucky when he didn’t have to explain. It was as if she instinctively knew what he meant. A second later, she headed out the door, and he followed close on her heels.

“You were amazing,” Evelyn whispered as they headed for the exit. “For a minute, I thought they were on the verge of calling it quits.”

The compliment warmed him to his core, but he hadn’t acted alone. It’d taken their combined efforts to keep this Wedding-in-a-Week on track. “I couldn’t have done it without you. We make a good team.”

“Yeah.” Light shot through him when she smiled up at him. “I guess we do.”

He smiled in return, although one thing still niggled at him. Much as he hated to accuse her of having an ulterior motive, he had to know whether Evelyn’s offer was an attempt to coax Brianna and Daniel into choosing her venue. The Evelyn he’d grown up with wouldn’t even think of such a thing. The one he’d known in high school might. The question was, which Evelyn was she now?

“It was nice of you to offer them one of the bridal suites,” he hinted.

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