CHAPTER THREE

The air in the lobby was thick with unspoken words, heavy with years of conversations that dangled unfinished, like frayed threads waiting to be pulled or mended.

April shifted from one foot to the other, her gaze flitting between her parents. It was as if the room itself held its breath, awaiting the inevitable eruption of past hurts or the soft whisper of reconciliation. But neither came, only the loud silence that stretched and yawned, enveloping April in a cloak of discomfort.

She tried to mask her unease, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a subconscious gesture she"d always had in anxious times. The lawyer in her wanted to mediate, to dissect the silence and lay it bare, but this was personal terrain, uneven and fraught with emotional landmines.

April couldn't pick a side or try to fix twenty years of held grudges and frustrations. There was nothing she could do but wait and watch.

The creak of the floorboards announced Jackson"s approach before she even saw him. He had a way of moving that was both purposeful and unobtrusive, much like the quiet strength he brought into her life. His presence was a balm, and she allowed herself a brief moment to lean into that feeling, to let the tension seep out of her shoulders and the tightness from her brow.

"Could use your help with the lights in the barn," Jackson said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate just for her.

Relief bloomed within her chest, a white-hot star ready to burst through the gloom. "I"ll be right back," she assured her parents, though they gave no sign of hearing her, their gazes locked in a silent duel. "We're going to work on setting up the barn. You two hold tight."

Neither Caroline nor Richard moved or acknowledged her departure; they were islands unto themselves, marooned by choice or circumstance, April couldn"t tell. But as she followed Jackson out of the lobby, she felt the invisible strings that tethered her to that room, to that moment, loosen ever so slightly.

Ahead, the barn awaited, a sanctuary of wood and space, soon to be adorned with the twinkle of lights and the promise of new beginnings.

The crunch of gravel underfoot softened as April transitioned to the grassy path leading to the barn, her steps unconsciously synchronizing with Jackson"s measured stride. "Thank you. I needed away from whatever that was," she told him as they moved side by side.

"I'll be your hero anytime," he replied, giving her a wink.

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Cheesy as always."

The sun draped its golden warmth over the landscape, casting only few shadows that seemed to dance in anticipation of the evening"s festivities.

The new barn stood proudly against the backdrop of her lush acres, its once-neglected timber now boasting a fresh lease on life. As they approached, April"s gaze traced the lines of the wooden structure, absorbing the promise it held. She felt the weight of familial tension ease from her shoulders; here, among the peace of the barn, she could breathe.

Jackson"s hand brushed against hers, a silent acknowledgment of the shared task ahead. They paused at the entrance, the cool shade within beckoning them forward. April couldn"t help but admire the sturdy beams above, imagining how the delicate string lights would soon transform the space into a soft, glowing haven.

"Your dad seems like a decent man," Jackson observed, his eyes scanning the interior, envisioning where the light would fall.

April pictured her father"s face—the way it could shift from kindness to sternness in an instant—and felt the familiar tug of conflicting emotions. "He can be," she admitted, her words carrying the weight of history, "but not always to my mom."

In the quiet that followed, the echoes of the past seemed to reverberate through the barn"s near-empty hull. Jackson"s presence was a grounding force, his understanding a silent thread connecting them amidst the remnants of old battles.

"I know what happened between your parents was hard," Jackson continued, his voice acknowledging the scars left by fighting, by betrayal. "But maybe, after all these years, there"s a chance for something amicable. Maybe they'll be able to sit in the same room together. I mean, they're doing it now, right?"

April let out a slow breath, considering the possibility. The thought of peace was a siren song, yet she knew too well the jagged edges of broken trust. "Yeah, but that's far from peaceful. Don't forget you had to save me from that room. And I"m not sure it'll ever happen," she said, her voice low, carrying the residue of doubt. "Some things don"t mend easily."

Their hands touched again, this time lingering, as they prepared to weave light into darkness, to create a space where laughter might echo and where they would get married in just two days.

"Those two are stubborn," April began to explain.

Jackson shot her a look. "You mean, your parents are stubborn? I could have never guessed. There's no way because you're not stubborn at all," he said sarcastically.

Pulses of laughter reverberated through the barn as Jackson playfully teased April. A smirk danced on her lips, her eyes alight with a spark that matched the twinkle of the soon-to-be-lit string lights. She nudged him gently with her elbow, her mock indignation doing nothing to hide the affection in her gaze.

"Stop it," she chided, the corners of her mouth betraying her by curling into a smile. The air between them was charged with light-hearted banter, their connection palpable in every shared grin and lingering look.

Gratitude warmed April"s chest as Jackson passed her the tangled web of lights. His hands deftly climbed the ladder rungs, securing fasteners into the old wood with a rhythm that spoke of practiced ease. She watched him for a moment, admiring the way his muscles moved under the sun-kissed skin, a silent testament to the many days spent laboring under open skies.

"But, seriously, thank you," she said, the words filled with more than just thanks for the escape. "For this—pulling me away from all that tension back there. I needed it." Her thumb brushed against the cool plastic of the lights as she handed one end up to him.

The barn was eager to be transformed, providing the perfect backdrop to their dream wedding. April pondered the reality of the weekend ahead, the house brimming with guests and the craziness of emotions that came with them. She wondered if they"d find another stolen moment like this, secluded from watchful eyes and whispered judgments.

"Stealing these moments," she mused, half to Jackson, half to herself, "might not always be so simple." The thought lingered, a quiet acknowledgment of the delicate balance between duty to others and the yearning for privacy in the midst of celebration.

April noticed the hint of a smile playing at Jackson"s lips as he reached down for another bundle of lights. His movements were purposeful, each one interlacing their preparations with the love he shared with her. He glanced her way, his eyes reflecting the same understanding that had always bridged the gap between them without the need for words.

"Helping each other out," he seemed to suggest through the tilt of his head towards the string of bulbs in April"s hands, "that"s what we"ll do."

She couldn"t help but let out a soft chuckle, the sound mingling with the dust motes dancing in the barn"s golden afternoon light. The idea was sweet, romantic even, but experience had taught her well. Her gaze drifted beyond the barn doors where their families and friends would soon gather, each carrying their own expectations and emotions.

Jackson continued his ascent, reaching higher, stretching towards the barn"s aged beams. The lines of his body spoke of his gentle determination, mirroring the patience and resolve she had come to rely on. Yet, his presence also whispered of dreams they both cherished—of moments stolen from the ever-watchful eyes of obligation.

April passed him the end of the lights, their fingers brushing fleetingly. A current of shared anticipation passed between them, acknowledging the truth that time alone was a luxury that might escape them amidst the upcoming festivities. She watched him secure the lights, her thoughts adrift in the sea of faces that would soon fill the space around them.

The barn, with its freshly hung lights, stood ready to witness the convergence of past and present, a testament to the love that had blossomed here on this ranch. April felt the pull of the approaching celebration, the inherent duty to honor those who had journeyed to share in their joy. It was, after all, not just about them, but about the coming together of lives and hearts.

Yet, as she stood there with Jackson, the barn slowly transforming into a beacon of warmth and welcome, she allowed herself to hope. Hope for moments of quiet togetherness amidst the mayhem, hope for laughter shared under the soft luminescence of their handiwork, hope that despite the inevitable rush, they would indeed find time to celebrate the love that was uniquely theirs.

The crunch of gravel under tires and the labored breaths of exertion punctured the tranquility enveloping April and Jackson. She turned, strands of her hair catching in the late afternoon sun, to see a slender figure dismounting a bicycle. Alex"s cheeks were flushed from his haste, his chest heaving as he steadied himself with a hand on the bike"s frame.

"Georgia's flight," he began, still panting, "it"s all tangled up."

April watched, the crease between her brows deepening, as Alex straightened, pushing back damp locks of hair from his forehead. The urgency in his movements conveyed the gravity of the situation before his words could fully form.

"Missed it," he added, his eyes locking onto hers, "She"s at the airport now, trying to sort it out."

A flutter of concern passed over April"s face, the muscles around her eyes tightening. Her gaze flickered past Alex for a moment, as if she could see through the walls of the barn to the distant airport where her daughter was stranded.

"Please, explain," she urged, her voice steady but laced with the undercurrent of a mother"s worry.

"An email," Alex replied, now drawing in more controlled breaths, "said the flight was leaving earlier. Georgia got caught at security. By the time she was through, the plane had left without her."

"Oh, no," she said. "Is she okay?"

He nodded. "Everything is fine, but she told me to let you know because she can't call. She's arguing with the airline and she didn't want to miss anything. But she wanted you to know."

"Thank you, Alex," April replied. Alex turned back around and began to ride back to where he came from.

April's mind raced with logistical puzzles to solve, tickets to rebook, and reassurances to give to an anxious daughter, even as the autumn leaves whispered of the wedding plans hanging delicately in the balance.

Jackson descended the ladder with a grace that belied its rickety frame, his boots thudding softly on the packed earth of the barn floor. With each step closer to April, his presence seemed to draw away the sting of urgency from her thoughts, grounding her in the here and now. The air around them filled with the subtle scent of sawdust and hay, a comforting blanket that wrapped itself around April"s frazzled nerves.

He reached out, his fingers gently prying the tangle of string lights from her grasp. In doing so, his hand brushed against hers once again. A warm kiss landed tenderly on her cheek, a silent communion that eased the lines of worry etching themselves across her forehead.

In the quiet gesture, there was acknowledgment—a recognition of the heavy weight of responsibility she felt swirling within her. Jackson"s eyes held hers with a knowing depth, mirroring the resolve that firmed her jaw and steadied her pulse. It was as if he could see the cogs turning in her mind, plotting the course of action that would reunite mother and daughter.

"Go take care of damage control, I'll finish up here," he whispered to her. "We'll have more time to ourselves later."

The slight upward curve of April"s lips betrayed the affection and gratitude she harbored for this man, who stood unwavering before her. Here was someone who understood not just the joy but also the chaos that love could weave into their lives. There was comfort in knowing that, despite the unforeseen trials, they were a team, ready to face whatever came their way.

April was so undeniably happy to know that she was marrying someone who understood her so well. He knew that she had to fix things. There was something inside of her that wouldn't let go of things that weren't exactly how she'd planned them. And he was accepting of that, when it was rational.

As Jackson"s presence receded, stepping back into the task at hand, April allowed herself a moment of admiration. There stood a partner who could balance her tempestuous spirit with his tranquil nature, a partner who knew without words when to offer solace or space.

With a renewed sense of purpose, April turned her gaze outward, past the confines of the barn and beyond the borders of Dune Island. Somewhere in that vast world was Georgia, her daughter, her next mission. And like all the challenges she"d met and mastered before, April would navigate this one. Her daughter was going to make it to the wedding.