Chapter 1

Chapter One

The heel of Evelyn Heart's shoe snagged the carpet runner the moment she crossed the library's threshold. She teetered precariously for a moment before regaining her balance.

Regrets played tag in her head. Why in the world had she agreed to manage the Captain's Cottage while Jason and Tara were on their honeymoon? She'd never worked one-on-one with the brides who had their hearts set on getting married in her family's ancestral home. She could have, should have, stayed right where she belonged—tucked away out of sight in her own office in jeans, a T-shirt, and a comfy pair of flats. If she had, her toes would be thanking her right about now.

Kind of forgetting something, wasn't she? Like, it had been her idea to take over in her cousin's absence?

Lately, working behind the scenes at the most popular wedding venue in Heart's Landing, the town known far and wide as America's Top Wedding Destination, had grown too confining. Evelyn sensed a change in the wind. Stepping into Jason's shoes while he and Tara were away for a month offered the chance to unfurl her wings a bit, to prove she was capable of more than just keeping track of the books and inventory. So, yeah, she'd stepped up.

Too bad she'd nearly fallen on her face in the process.

She glanced at the couple who'd remained so entranced by the ornate carving on the mantelpiece that they hadn't noticed her near pratfall. Thank goodness. As she'd done a hundred times in preparation for their meeting, she reviewed the pertinent facts. Devon Stanley the Third, partner in a New York law firm. Sherry Banter, his fiancée, the head of a charitable foundation. The two planned to exchange vows in an elaborate winter ceremony in a little over eighteen months. Their guest list topped 250, making it one of the larger events of the season.

Evelyn closed her eyes and took a second to envision the perfect wedding for the duo. Her heart warmed. She cleared her throat and stepped forward.

"The library will be at your disposal during the reception. Many of our couples opt to duck in here to enjoy a private moment or two before they're introduced as Mr. and Mrs. for the first time." She didn't bother to mention how romantic the intimate space would look with candles flickering and champagne chilling by the fireplace. From the dreamy expression Sherry wore, the bride-to-be already had the picture firmly planted in her mind.

Sherry pressed a fluttering hand to her heart. "It's perfect. Absolutely perfect." Her fiancé beamed down at her.

"The Captain's Cottage is the premier wedding venue in Heart's Landing," Evelyn pointed out. It had been for more than fifty years—ever since her great-grandfather Heart had moved the family quarters to the third floor. Not long after, he'd begun hosting weddings for nearby Newport's rich and famous in the two spacious ballrooms downstairs.

Evelyn's heart rate settled into a steady rhythm as the image of Devon and Sherry's picture-perfect wedding firmed. "Let's go to the office and get the paperwork out of the way."

"But darling." Devon leaned down to his bride-to-be, whispering so softly Evelyn strained to hear his words. "We agreed we wouldn't make a final decision today."

Sherry's expression dimmed. "You're right." She turned to Evelyn. "Dev and I feel we owe it to ourselves to consider all our options."

Evelyn blinked. That wasn't the way the conversation had played out in her mind. Devon and Sherry should've jumped at the chance to hold their wedding in the 126-year-old mansion overlooking the rest of Heart's Landing. "I can't hold the date for you," she said. "Not without a deposit. I'd hate for you to be disappointed if some other couple reserves the space before you do."

Which was a real possibility. From movie stars to secretaries, women across the country dreamed of saying their "I do's" at the Captain's Cottage. She'd checked the schedule this very morning. Turner and Stewart. Williams and Ortega. Suzuki and O'Hanrahan. Paired names filled the calendar for the foreseeable future. Others who hadn't acted fast enough and had missed their chance crowded a long waiting list. She didn't want to write Dev and Sherry's names at the bottom.

Across from her, Sherry worried one perfectly manicured nail. She gazed up at her intended, tears pooling in her blue eyes. "Honey, I know we were going to wait, but I've dreamed of having my wedding here since I was a little girl."

"Hmm." The tall attorney scanned the room, no doubt weighing his choices. His gaze dropped to his fiancée. "Everything about this place meets all our criteria. Let's do it!"

Sherry's tears evaporated. She threw her arms around Dev's shoulders. "Oh, honey! You're the best. We'll have such a beautiful wedding!"

Evelyn bowed her head. The perfect wedding for every bride . It was more than just a saying in Heart's Landing. It was the rule everyone in town lived by. By choosing the Captain's Cottage as their venue, Dev and Sherry had made the best possible choice.

"Alicia Thorn coordinates all our events. She'll be in touch with you next week," Evelyn said as she bid the young couple goodbye an hour later. Watching them go, she hid a niggle of concern behind a warm smile. People rarely made the four-hour drive from New York, spent hours touring the grounds, measured the ballrooms, and oohed and aahed over the Cottage's luxurious honeymoon suites, without locking in their date. Yet Devon and Sherry had nearly done exactly that. They weren't alone, either. Just last week, a different couple had driven off without making a decision.

Was it something she'd said? Some change she'd made?

She fought an urge to run her fingers through her hair. Not that she could. As she had every morning for the past two weeks, she'd wrestled her unruly curls into a sleek chignon. She'd pulled the requisite slim-fitting business suit from her closet, slipped her feet into the toe-pinching high heels. She shook her head. No. She'd dressed the part, stuck to the script, listened attentively, and assured every couple they'd have the wedding of their dreams at the Captain's Cottage. So why the hesitation?

Still pondering the question, she headed to the dining room for a pick-me-up. Coffee, for sure. Lunch would be nice, too. Peering into the cheery room, where tiny flowers adorned the wallpaper above dark wainscoting, she paused. At a table in the far corner, six young women sported sleek updos and fresh manicures as they chirped and cooed around a beaming bride-to-be. The Martin party. Tonight, they'd dance the night away in the Green Room. Across from them sat the parents of a couple who'd sashayed down the aisle last night to the tunes of a country-western singer .

"Duty calls," she murmured. As hostess of the Captain's Cottage, she'd stop by both tables and say hello. She breathed in the tantalizing scent of the stuffed rolls prepared by the kitchen staff every Saturday. Ignoring an empty gurgle from her stomach, she slowly started making the rounds.

She complimented the group who'd wiled away the morning at Perfectly Flawless Day Spa and cheerfully jotted down the bride's request for a last-minute seating change. At the parents' table, she accepted several compliments for how smoothly things had gone the night before and promised to pass the praise along to the staff at their weekly meeting. As she moved away, the foursome resumed their conversation. Evelyn smiled. The two couples came from opposite ends of the country and moved in different social strata, yet they were already strengthening the bonds they'd share throughout the lives of their children and, if they were blessed, their grandchildren.

Jenny Bell, Alicia Thorn's assistant, sat alone at another table, her attention ping-ponging between the screen of her laptop and a check-off list. Not wishing to interrupt the petite brunette, Evelyn stepped toward the plates stacked at one end of the sideboard. Instead of fixing herself a snack, though, she stepped aside when new arrivals wandered into the room. Gmal Kahn and Josie Blackwater had driven up from Charleston to finalize plans for a ceremony that combined his Egyptian roots with her Native American heritage. After greeting the pair, Evelyn chose to forgo lunch and settle for coffee, leaving Josie to study the lobster rolls while Gmal eyed oven-roasted turkey on buttery croissants, platters of cookies, and stacks of brownies. She was doctoring a cup with cream and sugar when Jenny joined her.

"Hey," the young woman whispered.

"Hey, yourself. You looked busy. I didn't want to bother you."

"You wouldn't have. I was going over the list for the Johnson wedding."

"Everything under control?" She knew it would be. Jenny's stint as the personal assistant to one of Hollywood's top actresses had taught her how to get things done. Already, staff bustled about setting up tables and chairs beneath a white tent on the back lawn. Sarah Allgood and Sam Johnson would exchange their vows on the veranda at noon tomorrow, then head for a scenic spot high over the Atlantic Ocean for their garden-themed reception.

"We're all set. And you? How'd things go with Devon and Sherry? Did they have any special requests?" Throughout Heart's Landing, people went out of their way to fulfill the wishes of every bride. Jenny hadn't been at the Cottage long, but she knew what was expected.

"Not them, but the Martin bride wants Aunt Clara to sit at her parents' table." Evelyn relayed the change to the seating arrangements, then frowned. "Sherry and Devon put down a deposit, but I don't know … Something seemed a little off. Like they weren't sure." She stirred her coffee. "I don't get it. That's the second time I've gotten an odd vibe from a couple since I started filling in for Jason. It makes me think I'm doing something wrong."

"Maybe they couldn't make up their minds. The occasional bride has that problem, you know." Jenny gave an innocent shrug.

"You have some experience along those lines, do you?" She grinned. As far as wishy-washy brides went, Jenny had taken the cake and the icing. Her wedding to Nick Bell had been far different from the one she'd come to Heart's Landing to plan.

"I might." Admiring the diamond-and-gold bands on the third finger of her left hand, Jenny giggled. "Hey, Sherry and Dev signed on the bottom line. That's what counts. When she walks down the aisle in the Green Room in front of all their family and friends, they'll know they made the right choice."

"Maybe." She shook her head. "But I had the feeling they were checking out other venues. That can't be right, though. Not if they want to get married in Heart's Landing, and Sherry insisted on it. Rustic Weddings off Boston Neck Road is big enough, but I can't imagine holding such a posh reception in a barn. They don't seem like the type to risk an outdoor wedding in the winter, either. Where else is there?"

"Well …" Jenny hesitated.

She stared into the other woman's wide brown eyes. Jenny knew more than she was saying. "What?"

"It's Ryan Court," she said softly. "You know him, don't you?"

"Jason's friend?" Evelyn stirred her spoon with a little more force than necessary. Coffee sloshed over the side of the cup. "Oh, shoot!" She grabbed napkins and mopped.

Growing up, she'd spent countless hours with Jason and Ryan—sliding down the sturdy banisters of the Captain's Cottage, skating on the pond out back in the winter, collecting shells along the beach on hot summer days. They'd been best buds all through grade school, but when the boys had moved on to middle school and had left her behind, her friendship with Ryan had dissolved. Two years younger, she hadn't moved in his social circles once they'd hit high school.

She still didn't. She'd seen him around, of course. In a town the size of Heart's Landing, it'd be hard not to run into each other. The last time had been at her cousin's wedding.

"He bought the Boat Works," Jenny said. "He, um, plans to open it as a wedding venue."

"You're joking, right?" Once home to a thriving business, the building had sat vacant for more than three decades, ever since Mr. Farley, God rest his soul, had retired and padlocked the doors. She'd been inside on a dare about fifteen years ago. Once had been enough. The place had been full of rotted floorboards and mildew. She shivered. "I'd never want to get married there."

When Jenny nodded agreeably, she stopped to reconsider. Even if Ryan had bought the property, it'd take years to repair the damage done by the wind and weather. Unless … Her stomach sank a notch as she recalled the Court family business. She closed her eyes, imagining crews of construction workers demolishing the old timbers, hammering new drywall in pl ace, painting and spackling. With all that help, Ryan could probably turn the project around in no time. "Huh. I wonder why Jason didn't mention it."

"Maybe he didn't know. He was a little distracted by Tara."

Despite her concerns, Evelyn smiled. Tara was the best thing that had ever happened to her cousin. The woman had come to Heart's Landing on a secret assignment to expose the supposed lies surrounding Captain Thaddeus Heart. But the journalist's insistence on finding the truth had forever dispelled any doubts about the legendary seafarer.

"Oh, before I forget, Alicia asked if you could stop by her office around one-thirty." Jenny poured hot water into a cup and added a tea bag.

Evelyn glanced at her watch, then gazed wistfully at the couple who still lingered at the sandwich trays.

Lunch would definitely have to wait.

As for Ryan Court, he wasn't going to be a problem. No matter what he'd done to the dilapidated building at the marina, it would never rival her family home. The Cottage's reputation as the best wedding venue in Heart's Landing was secure.

"It's a beautiful location. I love the water, the view. I can practically see the lights from the marina twinkling in the background when I walk down the aisle." Catherine straightened the engagement ring on the third finger of her left hand. "But …"

Ryan Court winced. But. There was that word again. So far, it had tumbled from the lips of every bride-to-be who'd toured the restored Boat Works. Whenever it did, his hopes of landing his first booking for the newest wedding venue in Heart's Landing had dimmed a bit more.

"But … I'm not sure you'll finish construction in time for my wedding."

Ryan had grown up with a hammer in one hand, a sheet of sandpaper in the other. Like any good carpenter, he knew the importance of meeting a deadline, and he'd meet this one. Of that, there was no question. He hadn't sunk every dime he owned into the waterfront property or spent more than a year restoring the once-dilapidated building only to fall short this close to the finish line. He hadn't hammered blood, sweat, and—yeah, he'd admit it—a tear or two into new shingles, siding, or drywall to give up now. By week's end, he'd tick off every item on a very short punch list. The Boat Works would be in tiptop shape long before this bride's big day.

"But … I can't imagine what it'll look like. I need pictures!"

He stroked the neatly trimmed scruff along his jaw. Maybe he should scatter linen-draped tables and chairs throughout the reception area. Bring in floral arrangements and floor runners. Hire a photographer.

He gave his head a barely perceptible shake. All of that took money. Too much money for a guy whose savings account stood as empty as a midwinter swimming pool. No. Staging the Boat Works would have to wait until he landed a booking or two. Trouble was, it sounded more and more like he'd need those photographs to attract clients. He resisted an urge to rub his aching temples.

"But … I had my heart set on getting married in the Captain's Cottage."

He suppressed a groan. Didn't everyone? Once Captain Thaddeus Heart's granddaughter had glided down the staircase of the so-called Cottage to marry into the Rockefeller clan, the mansion-sized home at the end of Procession Avenue had become the most well-known wedding venue in Heart's Landing. Each year, hundreds of brides and grooms said their "I do's" beneath white tents erected on the acres of manicured lawns. Hundreds more exchanged vows in the library or on the veranda before dancing their special night away in one of two massive ballrooms. How had he expected to compete with that?

He glanced over Catherine's shoulder to the docks and the water beyond. He stilled. The Boat Works had something no other wedding venue in Heart's Landing could offer—a scenic waterfront view. Enormous plate glass windows looked out over the bay, where birds turned and wheeled against the blue sky. At night, those same windows took full advantage of the lights that sparkled like diamonds along the piers and the boats that bobbed at anchor in the quiet harbor. The lapping of gentle waves provided a backdrop soothing enough to calm a jittery groom's nerves. Polished cedar walls would cast the bride and her wedding party in a rosy glow.

"But …" This particular bride cleared her throat. "How many weddings have you held here?" Tiny lines creased her brow.

His focus sharpened. "As you can see, we're still finishing up a few minor details." He gestured to a pair of doors propped against a nearby workbench. By close of business, they'd swing between the main room and a kitchen that would make professional chefs drool with envy. "We'll hold our official grand opening at the end of the month."

"In other words, mine would be your first booking?" The faint lines on Catherine's face deepened.

"Yes." No sense denying the obvious. "Don't worry, though. If there's one thing Heart's Landing does well, it's weddings." From Forget Me Knot Flowers on the corner of Procession and Bridal Carriage Way to The Glass Slipper on Union Street, shop owners throughout the area prided themselves on providing the perfect wedding for every bride. They delivered on that promise so often that the small town, a stone's throw from Newport, had been hailed as America's Top Wedding Destination by none other than Weddings Today magazine. "If you choose the Boat Works, you'll be glad you did. On that, you have my word." He held his breath.

Catherine thought a moment longer before, with a breathy sigh, she extended her hand. "Thank you for spending your time with me this morning. I really do love this venue." She cast a wistful glance toward a sixteen-foot Farley tied up at the dock next door. With cream-colored decking above a brilliant blue hull, the sailboat was a thing of rare beauty. "I have a few other places to see before I make a decision. I'll get back to you."

Suspecting it was a fruitless effort, Ryan nonetheless doled out business cards and contact information. As he escorted Catherine to the door, he added, "Wherever you decide to hold your ceremony and reception, you can't go wrong in Heart's Landing."

He lingered in the doorway while Catherine's heels sounded a speedy retreat on the freshly painted deck that stretched to the parking area. Behind him, a door opened. He turned in time to see a familiar dark-haired figure emerge from a back room. The electrician slipped a pair of wire cutters into the tool belt he'd hitched over a belly that wasn't quite as flat as it'd been when they'd both played baseball for Heart's Landing High.

"How'd it go?" The rubber soles of Norman Hawk's work boots squeaked against the glossy wood flooring.

"If I were a betting man, I'd wager she won't be back." Ryan rolled his shoulders, a move that did little to ease a mounting tension. The June wedding season had kicked off two weeks earlier. Unfortunately, the calendar he'd hung in the back office was still as blank as fresh drywall.

Norman's heavy eyebrows lifted. "Really? This place is awesome. I'd get married here in a heartbeat."

"Oh? Can I pencil you in?"

Norman snorted. "I'm not even in the market." His dark oval eyes pinned Ryan with a look that meant business. "Us single guys gotta stick together. There aren't many of us left."

"Truth." He grinned. One by one, the rest of his high school teammates had traded in their baseball gloves and cleats for shiny gold bands until only he and Norman remained unattached. Now that they'd reached their thirties, he guessed that made them both confirmed bachelors.

Not that he'd object if the right woman did come along. A woman who'd love him for himself. Someone who'd laugh at his jokes and share his secrets, his dreams. Same as he'd share hers. A real Heart's Landing love for the ages … that was what he wanted. He wouldn't settle for anything less. Which meant his mystery woman would have to be truly special.

So far, he hadn't met anyone who even came close.

Okay, there might have been a girl. Ages ago. Back then, timing and circumstance had worked against him. For now, he had more important things to do than fret about women. When he'd announced his plan to resurrect Heart's Landing's abandoned boat factory as a wedding venue, his brothers had looked at him like he'd lost his marbles. His dad had merely folded beefy arms across a broad chest and exhaled a long, slow breath that only confirmed what he already knew—he'd let his father down. And not for the first time. Since that day, his family had watched and waited for him to fail. There'd been times over the past year when he'd feared he might. Stripping the building down to its bare studs and transforming it into someplace a bride and groom would be proud to hold their wedding, yeah, that had required far more effort than he'd anticipated.

His gaze drifted across the hardwood floor he'd spent three months restoring. He'd scoured lumber yards from here to Maine searching for the perfect hardwoods to fill in the gaps where the original slats had rotted through. He'd spent weeks bent over an orbital sander, stripping the old flooring down to bare wood. It had taken another week to apply the stain and longer still to finish it with multiple coats of polyurethane. Those were just a few of the thousands of jobs he'd tackled, mostly on his own, over the past year. Now, with wide wooden beams soaring across the ceiling and light glinting from chandeliers, the Boat Works was the perfect place to hold a wedding or a reception … or both.

All of which didn't amount to a hill of beans if no one ever got married here.

"I just wish one of these brides-to-be would take a chance on it." He pushed hair overdue for a trim off his forehead. "So far, they've all wanted something with a proven track record."

"You can't blame them, can you?" Norman nodded toward the workbench Ryan had erected at the back of the room.

"Nah." He shook his head. The average couple spent a fortune on their wedding. With that much money in play, he'd be just as leery as the next guy when it came to taking a risk on an unknown.

"Hang in there. The right bride will come along. Someone who sees all the potential and none of the risk."

"I hope it happens sooner rather than later." He crossed his fingers. He'd exhausted his savings getting this far. If he didn't line up a few weddings soon, he'd be hard-pressed to make the mortgage payments. But that was more than his friend, more than anybody, needed to know. He straightened. "You finished up in there?"

"Yep. I ripped out the old wiring and ran a new line to handle the extra load for the double ovens. You're all set." Norman brushed his hands together. "I'll personally vouch for the electrical wiring in this place."

"You better." He grinned. Following in his father's footsteps, Norman had become a first-rate electrician. His services were in high demand throughout Heart's Landing.

"There's just one thing."

There usually was. "What is it this time?"

"You sure I can't interest you in a backup generator? Now's the time to put one in if you're going to do it."

"I'd love to, man. But the price tag on one of those babies is a bit steep." And here he was with little more than two extra nickels to rub together. "Maybe later, once I have a few weddings under my belt."

"Give me a holler if you change your mind." Norman hefted his toolbox and headed for the door.

"Will do." He flipped off the lights. "I'll walk you out. Alicia Thorn called. She asked me to come see her at the Captain's Cottage."

"Oh?" His expression curious, Norman rubbed his chin. "What's up with that?"

"No idea."

"Maybe she double-booked a wedding and wants to send a bride your way. "

It was far more likely she'd discovered damage in one of the Cottage's rooms and needed him to make the repairs. He was, after all, a carpenter at heart. Despite that, he mentally crossed his fingers.

"One can only hope." He kept his voice light and teasing, all the while acknowledging that the odds of the best event coordinator in Heart's Landing making that sort of mistake were practically nonexistent.