Page 60 of Wanting Happily Ever After

Almost two weeksafter it was decided, with no official engagement, Nicole and Amy tied the knot in a small and intimate ceremony tucked into the trees at the back of the Ever After Ranch property. With only about a dozen people in attendance, the couple was surrounded by love.

Sarah cried when they exchanged their heartfelt vows that they wrote themselves, and she wasn’t the only one. Even Brody, who had his arm wrapped tightly around Sarah, dabbed at his eyes once or twice.

When the officiant declared them legally married, everyone in attendance tossed flower petals over their heads and instead of running off, they stayed and hugged each guest in turn.

“That was absolutely beautiful,” Sarah gushed as she squeezed her sister-in-law in a tight hug. “I really couldn’t be happier for the two of you. Love like yours is a rare thing.”

Nicole couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. “It seems like maybe you’ve found some of that rare stuff yourself.” She winked.

Sarah laughed. She didn’t want to steal any of the limelight from the brides, but she absolutely agreed. She had definitely found therare stuffwith Brody, and she couldn’t wait until it was their turn to exchange vows, too. Although they hadn’t planned anything concrete. They had time.

“I’m pretty happy,” she admitted.

“Good.” Nicole kissed her on the cheek. “You, more than anyone else, deserve it. You know I loved my brother, but…”

Her eyes took on a faraway look and instantly Sarah felt guilty. There shouldn’t be any sad feelings on such a happy day.

“Nicole, don’t—”

“No.” She stopped her. “It’s okay. I need to say this and I can’t think of a better time.” She smiled again to prove to Sarah she was fine. “I loved Josh very much and I know how much he loved you and Rory, but this…” She gestured to Brody, who was busy congratulating Amy and not paying attention to them. “This is special. It’s different. It’s everything it should be. I never said anything when you were with Josh because it wasn’t my place, but—”

“It’s okay.” Sarah interrupted her with a hug. “I know exactly what you’re saying. Thank you.”

“I just want you to be happy and have everything.”

It was typical Nicole, to be thinking about someone else on her special day. Sarah squeezed her tight.

“And I need you to know that what happened to Josh, it wasn’t your fault.”

Sarah pulled back suddenly and looked at her sister-in-law with a question on her face.

“We always knew,” she said, referring to her and her parents. “He wasn’t in the lake that day to save anyone.”

Sarah’s mouth had fallen open completely. She shook her head in disbelief. “Nicole, I—”

“There is no need to apologize. I know it was a mistake and you let us all think that’s why he was in the lake that day. You did what you did to protect his memory. It wasn’t malicious. You did what you felt was best. We knew that. We always did.”

Sarah had started crying again. For a woman who’d hardly cried in years, she was sure doing a lot of it lately.

“But we always knew.” Nicole smiled kindly. “And it’s okay. Really.”

“Oh, Nicole.” Once again, Sarah pulled her in for a tight hug. “I’m so sorry and I just…I love you so much. Josh would be so proud of you today.”

“Can I hug Auntie Nicole now?”

Rory had appeared next to them and stood with her arms crossed over her purple dress, looking very impatient with the proceedings.

“Of course, pretty girl.” Nicole bent down and swept Rory into a hug.

Sarah took a moment to compose herself. She had no idea that people knew the truth about Josh. But then again, why wouldn’t they? When the reporter had gotten the details wrong, she hadn’t bothered to correct anyone. It didn’t matter and ultimately it felt better if that’s what everyone thought. Of course, she hadn’t been thinking straight in that moment. It had been a mistake. But apparently one that wasn’t irreversible. And it also made sense of the conversation she’d had earlier with Josh’s parents, who’d hugged her and congratulated her on her new engagement.

She’d been worried about how they would take the news of her moving on, but just like everyone else, they seemed to be thrilled by it. And when Mrs. Lewis looked her in the eye and told her that Josh, too, would be happy for her, it had meant the world to her. Now, knowing that they had known all along the truth about Josh’s swim that day, and had supported her in her story, filled her with love and compassion for her in-laws. She owed them an extra hug and a huge apology for the way she handled everything. But something told her they’d be okay with it, the same way their daughter had been.

The crowd had spread out a little as the small number of guests broke off to take pictures and chat. Across the clearing, Brody appeared to be in an in-depth conversation with her father. Both of them were smiling, which Sarah took as a good sign, because now that they’d finally worked through everything, Brody wasn’t going anywhere. In fact, he’d already given up his small rental and had moved in with her and Rory, pretty much as soon as they could manage it. And with the financial issues with Birchwood—problems she hadn’t even known he was having—all sorted out because of the increased amount of weddings and take-away lunches Brody had secured, it looked as if their future together would be solid.

Sarah grinned as she made her way over to her father and fiancé. She threaded her arm through Brody’s and leaned against his shoulder. “You two look pretty intense.”

“Not at all.” Brody bent to put a kiss on the top of her head. “I was just having a nice talk with your dad.”

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