CHAPTER ONE

April"s gaze swept over the sprawling expanse of her ranch as dawn painted the horizon in strokes of pink and orange. The waves crashed against the shores of Dune Island, their rhythmic whispers melding with the distant neighs of horses greeting the new day. She inhaled deeply, the salty tang of the sea air mingling with the earthy scent of hay and horse that had become as much a part of her as her own heartbeat.

The newly built second barn stood proudly at the heart of the property, its red paint gleaming under the awakening sun. It was set to be the perfect venue, everything April and Jackson had dreamed about.

White-trimmed doors swung invitingly open, while above, the weathervane danced with the breeze, a metal horse galloping towards the west. Surrounding it, several pastures unfurled like green quilts dotted with the graceful forms of horses. The animals moved with an effortless majesty, muscles rippling beneath glossy coats as they ran, tails streaming behind them in the wind.

April knew that someday that new barn would be filled with horses just like the old one across the property was now. But for this weekend, it was all about her dream wedding venue.

With each step April took towards the old barn, her boots left soft impressions in the dew-kissed grass. This morning ritual was as familiar to her as the lines on her own palms; the path from her house-turned bed and breakfast to the barn had been trodden by her feet countless times.

Georgia, her daughter, might say she knew the way with her eyes closed. Each morning, April rose from the comfort of her room—its walls holding memories of laughter and dreams—and embraced the day's work with a vigor that belied her former life trapped in the sterile confines of law offices.

Today, the routine felt especially comforting, a steady rhythm in the crescendo of emotions that came with the upcoming wedding. As she approached the barn, the sound of her footsteps was a solo performance, unhurried and deliberate. She relished these moments of solitude, the quiet companionship of the ranch that had seen her through the turmoil of divorce and now stood witness to her renaissance.

The moments of silence seemed to be nonexistent these days with the ever revolving doors of the bed and breakfast and the new clients for the horse therapy ranch along with the trainers it took to keep it going.

Her hands found the familiar weight of the feed buckets, and she began her walk along the rows of stalls. This was her time, a daily communion with the gentle beasts that had become both her charge and her solace. And though today was much like any other, there was a whisper of anticipation in the air, a subtle shift that hinted at the transformation about to unfold in the days to come.

The usual chaos of voices from guests mingling with the wind was absent, leaving a hush that blanketed the island like an unexpected snowfall. Not even the distant laughter of families playing on the shore reached her ears.

She exhaled, watching her breath briefly fog in the cool morning air, a tangible sign of the stillness that surrounded her. It was an unusual kind of peace, one that allowed the rhythmic thud of her heart to resonate within her chest—a reminder of life's simplicity beyond the flurry of wedding preparations. April paused at one of the stalls, acknowledging how the quiet was both a balm and a void, missing the vibrant energy that had animated her home just days before.

With practiced ease, April stepped delicately down the aisle, the scent of hay and horse greeting her like an old friend. She navigated between the rows of stalls, each filled with expectant eyes and twitching ears. The horses nickered softly as she approached, their focus fixated on the promise of breakfast in the buckets cradled in her arms.

Each equine head received a gentle pat, a silent conversation passing between them. They knew her touch, the kindness behind each stroke that seemed to say, "You are seen, you are cherished." April"s fingers lingered on velvety muzzles, tracing familiar whorls and ridges, while her mind noted the state of each stall. A quick mental checklist formed; the pens were tidy, spared from the usual overnight chaos, promising a quicker muck-out than expected.

Moving with unhurried grace, April set about her task, allowing the methodical scoop and release of feed to ground her. Each movement was a meditation, a small act of care for the creatures that had come to symbolize her own journey toward healing and new beginnings. In this quiet hour, before the world woke and demanded her attention, April found a momentary respite from the whirlwind of life"s demands.

Here, in the stillness of the dawn, feeding her horses in a barn that resonated with memories and anticipation, April recognized the strength of the foundations she had built—both in the timbers around her and in the life she had reshaped with her own hands.

April"s arms ached pleasantly from the weight of the empty buckets as she made her way back to the feeding station, the early morning sun casting long shadows across the yard. The tranquility of the ranch was palpable, wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.

It was in this serene moment that a pair of strong arms embraced her from behind, halting her steady march.

Surprise bloomed into warmth as she leaned back into the embrace, a familiar scent mingling with the fresh country air. Jackson"s presence was an anchor, his rugged features softened by the tenderness in his eyes as he looked down at her. A smile played on his lips before he pressed a kiss to her forehead, a silent inquiry etched in the gesture.

"Excited?" he asked, his voice threading through the stillness around them.

The word spun in her mind, tangling with the threads of anticipation and anxiety. Excitement was there, yes, but it was chased by the frantic pulse of an ever-growing to-do list for their imminent wedding. April turned within Jackson"s hold, now facing the man who had become her unexpected haven. Her gaze met his, seeking an assurance she often found hard to summon on her own.

"Two days," she began, the words tumbling out. "There"s just so much left to do."

Jackson"s brow furrowed, the lines speaking of his understanding. He tightened his grip momentarily, grounding her spiraling thoughts. "It will all work out," he said, his certainty a soft command against the tide of her worries.

In the space between them, unspoken vows hung heavy; promises to support, to soothe, to stand together against the storm of tasks that lay ahead. His confidence was comforting to her, but her uncertainty still crept up to sit in the pit of her stomach.

The corners of April"s mouth twitched, her eyes threatening to roll. She adored his calm, but in moments of mounting pressure, it bordered on maddening. The weight of responsibility pressed her shoulders, a familiar sensation for a woman who had once juggled courtroom battles with ease.

Still, she loved how easily he brushed away her cares, leaving them behind as if they existed once, but no longer mattered.

"Tables," she asserted, finding solace in itemizing. "They won"t set themselves up. We're going to need at least five, maybe more."

Jackson"s response was a gentle squeeze of her hands, his fingers warm and sure. "Consider it done," he said, words brushing against her ear like a secret promise.

April parted her lips, another task teetering on the tip of her tongue, a thought of lights that needed stringing across the newly built barn"s beams. "And the lights, they-" Before she could finish voicing the concern, he was nodding, already ahead of her.

"Started organizing them yesterday," he interjected, the corners of his mouth lifting with pride.

She closed her mouth, biting back the next wave of duties that clamored for attention. The list in her head was long, but clearly she wasn't supposed to put all of that responsibility on herself. It was something she'd been working on ever since she arrived at the island.

Jackson cupped her face, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw with an affection that tethered her to the present. "Just show up," he urged, his gaze steady on hers, "be yourself; that"s all I want."

April took in his serene expression, heart fluttering at the simplicity of his request. Yet, beneath the surface, currents of trepidation swirled. Their families—a kaleidoscope of personalities and expectations—were converging on this tranquil island retreat.

April and Jackson had dealt with the chaos of their families individually, but now they were all coming together. It was going to be the stress of both families combined and elevated.

"Family," she murmured, not quite a whisper, her voice carrying the weight of impending chaos. Her breath hitched at the thought of clans colliding, the quietude they now enjoyed a precursor to the storm of relatives soon to descend upon them.

April wanted to explain more, but knew she didn't have to. She searched for the right words before Jackson nodded.

Jackson"s eyes held hers, acknowledging the storm clouds on her horizon. "We"ll figure it out together," he offered, not a solution but a vow of shared burdens. "We've done it before and we'll do it again."

In the stillness of the morning, with the horses as their only witnesses, April allowed herself to lean into the solidity of Jackson"s presence. His reassurance wasn't going to solve everything, but April knew he was telling the truth. She knew the quiet wouldn"t last, but with Jackson by her side, perhaps she could find peace amidst the havoc.

Jackson exhaled, his breath mingling with the crisp morning air, a visible testament to the weight on his shoulders. He stepped closer, the lines of concern etching his brow softening as he slipped an arm around her waist. "Our families," he acknowledged, "they"re like a summer rain—unpredictable, but they pass." His hair tousled lightly in the wind. April stepped into him and pushed a piece behind his ear. "Together, we"ll navigate through it. What truly matters is you and me, saying "I do.'"

April"s heart swelled, the edges of her anxiety fraying in the warmth of his resolve. She recognized the truth in his words—the essence of their love, unmarred by the peripheral whirlwind. The horizon of their new life together gleamed, inviting her focus away from the tempest of tasks. "I am," she confessed, the flutter of excitement for their union sparking in her chest. "Excited, I mean. For us."

His lips brushed her forehead, a tender seal over the promise of their shared future. With a gentle nudge, he steered her towards the task at hand. "Let"s give the rest of these horses some breakfast," Jackson said, rolling up the sleeves of his plaid shirt, revealing forearms tanned and weathered from his labors.

They moved in unison, scooping feed into the waiting buckets around the pastured horses now, the metallic clangs punctuating the stillness. The rhythmic motion, a dance they had performed countless mornings, felt different today—a prelude to the harmony they would soon vow to maintain.

As they trudged across the field, the grass giving way under their boots, April couldn"t help but watch Jackson. Each step he took was sure, he was born to do this work as he always had.

With the sun climbing higher, casting its golden net over the fields, the horses pranced in anticipation, their manes catching the light like flames. They approached the pasture where the animals awaited, their silhouettes against the burgeoning day, promising that no matter what lay ahead, this simple act of care and partnership was the bedrock upon which they"d build their future. Together.

April"s gaze lingered on Jackson as he distributed the feed with a smile that never seemed to waver, even under the shadow of impending nuptials and the chaos they promised. His ease was infectious, his presence an unwavering pillar amidst the ever-swirling sandstorms of her life.

As she watched him interact with the horses, their large eyes softening at his touch, a sense of invincibility bloomed within her chest. With him, the daunting prospect of hosting their combined families under one roof transformed from a looming storm cloud into an adventure awaiting them. How treacherous that adventure was made April a little wary, but she knew she would be in good hands.

She could almost picture it: the house bursting with laughter and overlapping conversations, the clinking of dishes as meals were shared, and the unity of two histories intertwining. The thought should have sent waves of anxiety crashing over her, but instead, there was the least bit of peace knowing that Jackson would be there to help her.

The sudden crunch of gravel pulled April back to the present, and she turned just in time to see dust billowing behind a car as it approached. Her heart skipped a beat, not with fear, but with a knowing acceptance. Jackson paused mid-stride, bucket still in hand, and their eyes met across the pasture—a silent exchange that spoke of curiosity and a pinch of excitement.

In that brief look, they acknowledged the onset of the whirlwind to come. It was here, the beginning of the beautiful madness that would lead them down the aisle. And though no words were spoken, April understood that this was merely the first gust of a wind that would only strengthen their bond, a prelude to the dance they would soon perform as husband and wife.