Chapter 8

The day of Daniella and Harrison’s wedding was bright and clear. As Steve walked into The Connect Church with Eden, he couldn’t help but feel optimistic. Especially after the morning he’d had. No one looking at the colorful floral arrangements or listening to the soothing wedding music would believe the drama that had unfolded a few hours ago.

Owen had called him in a panic. The 1920s Rolls Royce they’d rented to take his sister to the church had broken down. They’d called everyone they knew to see if they had a vehicle they could borrow. The best they’d come up with was a new truck a friend had used the previous week for another wedding.

Steve had been with Owen and Daniella when she’d booked the car. He knew how much she dreamed of arriving at the church in a vehicle that was as close to Cinderella’s coach as she could find. A friend’s pickup truck wouldn’t even come close.

There was only one person Steve knew who owned a car that could replace the Rolls Royce. Zac, the only doctor in Sapphire Bay, owned a Shelby Mustang. The classic car might not have the status of a Rolls Royce, but it sure looked good. After a quick call to Zac, then checking with Daniella, Steve had hurried out of town to collect the car.

On the way there, he stopped at the general store and spoke to Mabel Terry. Without hesitating, she let him borrow the ribbons they’d used to decorate her daughters’ wedding cars. By the time Steve arrived at Daniella’s parents’ home, Owen was waiting to turn the Mustang into the fairytale vehicle his sister had dreamed about.

The relief was short-lived. Over at Harrison’s house, no one could find the rose boutonniere the florist had made for Harrison’s jacket, and his dad had left the wedding rings on their dining room table. Eventually, they made it to the church with a rose from their garden and the ring box in Mr. James’ pocket.

As Steve walked down the aisle, he looked at Owen. He was sitting beside his mom, waiting for Daniella to arrive at the church. No one looking at his confident smile would know he was every bit as nervous as his sister.

Eden pointed to some empty seats, and they sat beside Shelley.

“Don’t look so worried,” Eden whispered. “Nothing else will go wrong.”

Steve undid the button on his jacket. “As long as Zac’s car doesn’t break down, we’ll be fine.”

Eden leaned closer to him. “If Daniella has to run here, she will. Harrison looks nervous.”

Steve focused on Harrison and his dad, who was also his best man. Harrison was shuffling on his feet. Every now and then he’d drop his gaze to the floor, then look over his shoulder toward the main doors.

Mr. Judd smiled and leaned closer to his son. It looked as though whatever he’d said had made Harrison relax—until he heard the first notes of the bridal march.

The soft murmur of the wedding guests fell into silence as everyone turned around. Daniella appeared beside her dad. She was wearing a flowing white lace gown that trailed softly behind her. Nervousness, excitement, and pure happiness radiated from her as she walked down the aisle toward Harrison.

Steve’s throat tightened. He was witnessing a ceremony that would seal a deep commitment between two people who’d love each other for the rest of their lives. Glancing at Eden, he wondered if there was room for dreams like that in his life.

She looked up at him and smiled. “I’m glad I’m here. The way Harrison’s looking at Daniella is so sweet.”

Steve turned and saw the awe and deep affection on Harrison’s face. “He loves her.”

Eden’s smile faded. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s just… special.” After he was honorably discharged from the army, he never thought he’d find someone who could love the man he’d become. He was haunted by the echoes of war, scared of never connecting with someone on a deep and meaningful level. And terrified of being rejected. They weren’t the type of qualities most women were looking for.

When Daniella arrived at the front of the church, Pastor John welcomed everyone before beginning the ceremony. “Daniella and Harrison have chosen to commit themselves to one another in this sacred space, surrounded by those they love. Let us embrace this moment with open hearts as we surround them with our affection and blessings.” As the service continued, John’s voice filled the church with words of love and encouragement.

The couple’s vows were heartfelt and poignant, each word full of promise for a wonderful future together. When John pronounced Harrison and Daniella husband and wife, there wasn’t one dry eye in the church.

As they sealed their vows with a kiss, a ripple of applause broke through the church. When the newlyweds turned to face their family and friends with radiant smiles, the room erupted into cheers. The sound echoed off the high ceilings and filled the space with hope and celebration.

Beside Steve, Eden’s eyes sparkled with tears. “That was a beautiful ceremony,” she whispered.

Steve nodded. Watching Harrison and Daniella walk down the aisle, surrounded by the people they loved, made him feel hopeful. Maybe, one day, in this small, caring community, he could find a new beginning, too.

Eden thankedSteve as he handed her a glass of orange juice. Daniella and Harrison’s wedding reception was everything she’d thought it would be.

The decorations Daniella had chosen were spectacular. Her brother’s glass studio was the perfect venue for the fairytale-themed celebration. Bathed in a warm, golden glow, the wall behind the bride and groom held an enormous painting of a castle surrounded by evergreen trees and a spectacular sunset.

Fairy lights had been strung across the high ceiling and delicate floral arrangements cascaded down the walls. The lanterns, antique furniture, and table decorations created a magical atmosphere that perfectly captured the enchantment of the wedding day.

As Eden watched the newlyweds share their first dance, a peacefulness washed over her.

“You look as though you’re enjoying yourself,” Steve said as he sat beside her.

“I am.” She smiled when Harrison lifted Daniella off her feet and spun her in a slow circle. “They’re so in love. Do you think there’s enough love left in the world for everyone else?”

“There has to be,” he said softly. “I’d like to think there’s someone special waiting for each of us.”

Eden hoped so, too. “Have you ever been in love, Steve?”

He nudged the stem of his wineglass. “I thought I was but, within a few months of coming back from Afghanistan, my girlfriend broke up with me.”

Eden frowned. “How long were you seeing each other?”

“Four years, two months, and eight days,” Steve said with a wry smile. “Not that I counted or anything.”

“She broke your heart.” When Steve shook his head, her frown deepened. “You were together for so long. It must have been devastating.”

“I left my heart in Afghanistan. By the time I came home, there was nothing left to break. I don’t blame Chantelle for leaving. I was an emotional wreck.”

Even if Steve wasn’t willing to admit how much his breakup had affected him, Eden could see it in his eyes. “Have you heard from her since then?”

He shook his head. “I hope she’s happy. Even if we’d stayed together, it wouldn’t have worked. I wasn’t the same person she fell in love with, and she didn’t understand what I was going through. She had that in common with my dad.”

Eden didn’t understand. “You mean your dad didn’t know how to help you?”

Steve took a sip of wine. “My dad doesn’t believe in PTSD. He told me I needed to grow a spine and man up.”

Eden’s mouth dropped open. “Why did he say that?”

“In our house, you didn’t show how you were feeling. Boys didn’t cry, they pushed through whatever obstacles were in their way and got the job done. If it was too hard, you stuffed your issues inside a box and never opened the lid. It was the perfect training ground for combat, but not much in the way of life skills.”

Eden didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry. At least you can see how that affected your relationship with your girlfriend and what happened in Afghanistan.”

Steve fiddled with the stem of his wineglass. “It took six months of counseling to admit I couldn’t cope. What about you?”

Eden winced. “You might want to pretend you can’t hear this, but I had a great childhood. Doting parents, lots of hugs and kisses, and the most fabulous boyfriend ever. Until he cheated on me with my best friend, then everything fell apart and I moved to Boston.”

Steve’s steady gaze didn’t waver. “Not so fabulous after that, huh?”

“You could say that. Fortunately, my job in Boston was wonderful. The principal of the school was forward-thinking and had a heart of gold. I was there four years before the shooting. Two months after Tayla’s funeral, I resigned and went home.”

Steve placed his hand over hers. “And then you came here.”

The heat from his hand made Eden sigh. “I ran to Boston to get away from what happened with my boyfriend. Then I ran from Boston after the shooting. I came here when it all became too much. Do you notice a pattern?”

Steve sent her a gentle smile. “Yeah. You like running, but you’re still here. Do you plan on leaving Sapphire Bay, too?”

“Maybe one day,” Eden admitted. “I’m not a big fan of making long-term plans at the moment. What about you? Are you happy living here?”

“I’m the happiest I’ve been in years.” The sincerity in Steve’s eyes made her heart pound. “And part of that is because of you.”

Owen hurried past them holding Harper’s hand. “Come on, you two. It’s time to dance.”

Eden watched Owen and Harper disappear onto the crowded dance floor. When she turned back to Steve, the gleam in his eyes was pure mischief.

He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Are you ready to test your dance skills?”

“I’m not sure you’re ready for my dance moves,” she teased. Steve’s laugh sent goosebumps along her spine.

“Challenge accepted,” he said as he held her hand.

Steve led her onto the dance floor, holding her close as the lights spun colorful patterns around them. The song shifted to a slower, softer melody, bringing them closer and making Eden forget why this wasn’t a good idea.

“We’ve talked about what happened in the past,” Steve said gently. “What do you want in the future, Eden?”

His question caught her off guard. That’s what she got for daydreaming about a handsome man dancing with her in the middle of a fairytale wedding.

She closed her eyes and thought of the things she’d learned about herself since moving to Sapphire Bay. “I want simplicity and happiness,” Eden replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “A life where fear doesn’t dictate my choices. What about you?”

“I want something real,” Steve said, his hand tightening around hers. “I want to find someone to share the ups and downs of life with me. I guess I’m looking for a partnership where the past doesn’t overshadow the future.”

As the song ended, they remained on the dance floor for a few seconds longer. If Eden could have held onto this moment, she would have. Steve was different from anyone she’d met. He understood her in a way that no one else ever had, and he didn’t want anything from her except her friendship and a future that was better than what they had now.

When the next song started, she looked up at Steve and grinned. Everyone was crowding the dance floor, waiting to flap their arms and wiggle their hips. “I didn’t know DJs still played the birdie dance,” she told him.

He held her hand and pulled her toward their table. “And I can’t believe anyone wants to do it. It’s one of the few things I’m glad to leave in my childhood.”

Eden pulled him to a stop. “You’re not that old. Are you sure you don’t want to boogie like a birdie to the best tune ever?”

Steve looked at her as if she’d grown two heads. “You like the birdie dance?”

“Of course, I do. It’s my second favorite song.” She held his hand and tugged him forward. “Come on, handsome. No one will notice if you’re a little rusty.”

He looked at the wedding guests, then back at Eden. “One dance and no more. If anyone at work sees photos of me flapping my arms, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Flapping your wings,” Eden reminded him. “You have to think like a bird.”

Steve rolled his eyes but joined the rest of the guests. At least he was open to having fun, even when he thought she was crazy. And that earned him another tick in the perfect man sweepstakes.