Chapter 40

forty

BEN

Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, just as I'd hoped. Today was Dylan and Alex's wedding, and everything needed to be perfect. I'd been up since five-thirty, working in my studio. The quiet hours before the world wakes up have always been my favorite time to create.

When Daniel brought me a cup of coffee, I barely looked up, grunting my thanks as I soldered two pieces of silver together. I was so focused that I didn't even notice when he slipped out for a run. By the time he returned, sweat-drenched and glowing, I'd finished the bracelet and was already deep into crafting an engagement ring.

We had a late breakfast together, something we'd fallen into the habit of doing. It was comfortable, easy—something I hadn't felt with anyone in a long time. After breakfast, we relaxed for a while, just enjoying each other's company before getting ready for the wedding.

As we sat in the church, waiting for the ceremony to begin, Daniel was happy and relaxed. It was like he belonged here, in my world, where there were no pretenses, no expectations. Just us, being ourselves. It was a rare feeling, and I found myself wondering if life could always be this simple with him.

"Do you like the flowers and ribbons at the end of each row?" I whispered, trying to read his expression.

He glanced at the decorations and nodded. "They look great."

"Amy picked the daisies from Mr. Jeffries's garden at The Welcome Center."

"I didn't see any flowers when we were there."

"They're behind a hedge. I think he's growing them as an extra revenue stream."

Daniel chuckled. "How do you think Pastor Adam would feel about a commercial flower-growing business in his backyard?"

I shrugged. "I've got no idea, but it could provide a few jobs for people."

I liked the way Daniel's mind worked. He wasn't just someone who breezed through life without noticing the details. He saw the bigger picture, and it made me admire him even more.

The music inside the church changed and everyone stood up. When Dylan and his parents walked down the aisle, I couldn't help it—my bottom lip quivered. "Dylan's mom and dad look so proud," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

Daniel leaned closer, his gaze focused on Dylan 's mom. "Is that one of your necklaces?"

I smiled at the surprise in his voice. "It is. I made it for the wedding."

"It's incredible."

"Thank you."

As the ceremony continued, I lost myself in each detail Dylan and Alex had included. This wasn't the first wedding I'd attended, but there was something different about this one. Maybe it was the simplicity of the vows, the way Dylan and Alex spoke from the heart. Or maybe it was the presence of Daniel beside me, making everything feel more significant.

"Dylan's mom hasn't stopped crying," I whispered to Daniel. "She's so happy."

"She isn't the only one," Daniel said softly, lifting his hand to wipe a tear from my cheek. By the time Dylan and Alex were pronounced husband and wife, I'd used all the tissues I had on me.

"It was a lovely wedding," I said with a sigh. "If I ever get married, I want it to be here, surrounded by my family and friends."

Daniel turned to look at me, and in that moment, something shifted in his eyes. It was like he was seeing me for the first time, really seeing me. And in that gaze, I could see the possibilities, the life we might share. It made my heart race and my mind whirl with what-ifs.

But then, just as quickly, Daniel's expression changed. A shadow passed over his face, and I wondered if I'd said something wrong.

"Are you all right?" I asked, touching his arm gently. "If you need some fresh air, we can step outside."

Daniel closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if grounding himself. When he opened them again, there was something new in his gaze—something I couldn't quite read. "I'm fine," he said, though his voice didn't quite match his words. "Do you know where Andrew's taking the bridal party for their wedding photos?"

"A friend of Alex's owns a big house not far from Sunrise Bay. It has an incredible view of Willow Lake and is surrounded by pine and spruce trees. Andrew thought it would make a wonderful location for the photos."

"It sounds perfect," Daniel murmured, though his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.

I studied his face, concerned. "Are you sure you're okay?"

He nodded, but I could tell something was bothering him. He looked around the church, his gaze lingering on the stained-glass windows and the high-pitched ceiling. There was a timeless quality to the building, something that spoke of generations of love and commitment. It was a place where lives were changed, where promises were made.

He turned back to me, his expression more serious than I'd ever seen it. "I need to tell you something."

A flicker of worry crossed my mind. What could he possibly need to say that looked so heavy on his shoulders? "What is it?" I asked, my heart pounding.

He hesitated, the words seemingly stuck in his throat. For a moment, I thought he might confess something—maybe how he felt about me. But then he shook his head, brushing it off. "It doesn't matter. I'll tell you later."

"Are you sure?" I pressed, not wanting him to keep whatever it was bottled up.

He glanced away. "Dylan's brothers seem to be enjoying themselves," he said, changing the subject.

I followed his gaze to Steve and Luke, who were laughing at something Alex had said. "They're probably feeling a lot better now that Dylan's married. They were worried about their mom before the ceremony. She was so stressed they thought she might faint."

"Because Luke decided not to get married at the last moment?"

"Exactly. She was convinced the same thing would happen to Dylan."

I could see the understanding in Daniel's eyes. He knew what it was like to have your life upended, to have your heart broken. And in that moment, I realized that despite the pain he'd been through, he was still open to love. Still willing to take that risk.

But there was something else in his expression—something that told me he was holding back. And I couldn't help but wonder if it was because of me.

When the ceremony ended, everyone began filing out of the church. Daniel stayed close to me, his hand brushing against mine as we walked down the aisle. And though he didn't say it, I could feel the shift between us. Something had changed, and I wasn't sure what it meant.

But I knew one thing for certain—Daniel had become an important part of my life, and I wasn't ready to let him go. Despite everything, I'd fallen in love with him. And now, I just had to figure out if he felt the same way.