Page 54 of Wanting Happily Ever After

On Monday morning,Faith’s smile only got bigger and bigger as she looked over the proofs of the photos that Dan had sent over earlier that morning. They were perfect.

Even the pictures of Brody and Sarah, although stiff and forced at first because of whatever it was that was going on between them that day, were magical, too. The photographer had managed to catch the moments when their guards weren’t up and they were being honest and genuine. And they were absolutely stunning.

Made even more special by the close call they’d all had the day before at the lake.

Faith had heard about it, just as everyone else in town had. Brody’s efforts to save Rory and Clara in the middle of such an intense storm were being hailed as nothing short of heroic, and Faith could absolutely believe it. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how Sarah would have coped if anything had happened to either Rory or Brody, not after everything she’d already been through. Everyone could see how much she loved that man—had for months—and judging by the stories she’d heard about the kiss she’d laid on him when he got out of the water, Sarah finally had realized it, too.

Faith selected a few of the images, attached them to an email, and composed a quick note.

I’m happy everyone is okay. Even happier that you two finally got past whatever was keeping you apart. I thought you might enjoy these.

XO ~Faith

She’d just sent the email when there was a knock at her front door. “Come in!” she hollered and a few moments later, Nicole appeared in her kitchen, holding a takeout tray of coffee.

“Thanks.” Faith took the offered cup. “You didn’t have to bring drinks. I could have…” Everyone knew she had many talents, but cooking of any kind, including making a simple palatable coffee, wasn’t one of them. “I’m glad you could come by,” she said instead. “I’m dying to show you these pictures.”

She scooted her chair over to make room for Nicole, who tucked in to look at the computer screen with her.

Faith started to click and open the files. “I think you’re really going to—”

“Holy…oh my…” Nicole’s hand flew to her mouth and she shook her head as tears formed in her eyes.

She looked to Faith, who simply nodded. She knew her friend would be emotional looking at the photos of her and Amy.

They were absolutely stunning. But more than that was the emotion in every shot. The way they looked at each other, with so much love in their eyes, it would be clear to anyone how much love there was between the two women. They were absolutely some of the most beautiful photographs Faith had ever seen.

And they weren’t even from arealwedding.

“They’re pretty special, aren’t they?”

Faith clicked her mouse and her favorite image of the couple appeared. They stood in front of the river, holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes, completely oblivious of the photographer capturing every moment.

“I have to tell you, Nicole. I’ve seen quite a few weddings now, and dozens of couples during their photo shoots, and the two of you…it was different. The love that the two of you have for each other is something pretty special.”

Nicole nodded. “It is.” She looked at Faith with tears in her eyes. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. And it’s funny you called this morning because ever since we took those photos, I’ve been thinking. And then with what happened to Brody and the girls at the lake yesterday…well…I’ve given it some thought. A lot actually. And Amy and I have been talking and…well…we don’t want to wait anymore. We want to get married and—”

“Yes!”

Both women burst out laughing.

“Sorry,” Faith said with a shake of her head. “I assumed you were asking me if you could get married at Ever After. But please don’t feel like—”

“Oh my God. Yes. That’s exactly what we were asking. But I know how busy you are and—”

“We’ll make it happen.” Faith mentally scanned her appointment book. They were pretty full up, but if the ladies were willing to choose a date other than the traditional Saturday, they could absolutely make it happen. And she knew without a doubt that she’d bend over backward for the two of them.

So much had shifted within her since she’d moved back to Glacier Falls. Hope would laugh if she could see her now, excited to squeeze yet another wedding into the schedule because she believed so much in the couple and their love.

It certainly was a complete one-eighty, that was for sure. But Faith no longer cared. Something in her was definitely starting to melt.

“Life’s too short,” Nicole said with a huge grin. “And when you find the one who makes you feel all the things and you can’t imagine even one day without, well…what’s the point in waiting? You know what I mean?”

Faith let her eyes drift to the window and across the yard, where Logan was just getting out of his truck. He stretched and turned to look straight at the house. Her stomach did a flip at the sight of him, the way it always seemed to these days.

Did Logan make her feelall the things? Maybe.

Could she imagine going even one day without him? That wasn’t as easy to answer. He’d been part of her life for so long, and they’d spent every day all summer together. And yes, she looked forward to seeing him. And she expected to see him every day. What would it feel like if he wasn’t there? She couldn’t answer that.

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