Chapter 5
CHAPTER
FIVE
The next morning arrived cool and overcast, the sky a blanket of soft gray.
At around sixty-two degrees, it was just cool enough for a light jacket or sweater.
The faint salty scent of the ocean mixed with the delightful aroma of Japanese Snowbells, irises, and daffodils in full bloom.
The garden beside the hotel had already been transformed in preparation for the ceremony—rows of white chairs lined either side of a stone aisle that led to a gazebo wrapped in pale blush roses and delicate strings of twinkling lights that would glow come evening.
Beyond the gazebo, a stretch of green lawn gave way to swaying sea grass, with a path winding toward the beach.
At the northern edge of the garden, a row of majestic oak trees stood like quiet sentinels, their soft green leaves casting a dreamlike hush over the space—like something lifted from the pages of a fairy tale.
Cass had mentioned—more than once, with no small amount of bridal glee—that tomorrow’s weather was supposed to be in the mid-sixties and perfect. Chris did not doubt that everything would be perfect for the wedding—the bride and groom deserved nothing less.
Wearing a flowing, long-sleeve, floral maxi dress in soft shades of rose, lavender, and sage, with comfortable sandals on her feet, she stood near the gazebo, watching as the rest of the bridal party arrived solo or in pairs.
In all, there were five bridesmaids, six groomsmen, and Stefan’s sister as his woman of honor.
The bride’s mother and groom’s parents were also in attendance, along with a pastor from a local Episcopal church and the hotel’s event coordinator.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Chris checked the time on her cell phone and then scanned the softly lit garden, searching for Josh.
Her gaze shifted to one of the hotel doors as it opened, and he stepped out, as if on cue.
He wore dark khakis and a crisp, pale yellow button-down with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, effortlessly polished yet relaxed.
She could easily imagine him on the pages of a travel magazine—somewhere sun-soaked and windswept—looking both impossibly handsome and at ease.
Her pulse kicked up, unreasonably so, considering she'd spent several hours with him yesterday—but something about seeing him again, framed by the garden and morning light, made her stomach flutter.
He caught her eye and smiled, the kind that was just for her. Her stomach flipped.
Cass appeared at her side, radiating bridal energy. “Guess who you’re paired with?” she said in a singsong voice.
“Gee, I wonder.” Subtly adjusting the halter top of her dress, she cast a knowing look at her sister.
“Matchmaker,” she added, no bite in her tone as her attention returned to Josh striding toward them.
However, one of the other groomsmen stopped him a few yards away from her, clapping him on the shoulder and pulling him into an easy conversation.
While Josh seemed to respond politely, from where she stood, Chris could see the flicker of impatience in his stance—his gaze drifting her way, as if he were counting the seconds until he could join her.
Cass must have noticed, too, because she grinned. “You’re welcome.” Then, dropping her voice, she asked, “So, how’d it go last night? I saw you two leaving the bar holding hands.”
Chris’s cheeks flushed. “Subtle, aren’t you?”
“Not even a little.” Her response was completely unapologetic. “So? Spill the tea!”
“It was… really nice.” A smile tugged at Chris’s lips before she could stop it. “He walked me to my room and kissed me good night at the door. And before you ask, yes, it was an incredible first kiss—like out of the stratosphere incredible.”
Cass’s squeal was silent but expressive, her whole body doing a giddy little bounce. “God, I knew it. I don’t know why I didn’t think of hooking you two up when you came to visit. He’s such a good guy.”
“I know.” Her voice softened as Josh peeled away from the other groomsman, only to be stopped by Stefan as he neared the gazebo and the two sisters. “I’ve already figured that out.”
“I like seeing you like this,” Cass said as she looped an arm through Chris’s. “In the seven years you were married to Randy, I never once saw you look at him the way you’re looking at Josh right now. And he’s checking you out with the same hungry eyes, girl. You both have it bad.”
Before she could respond, the pastor called for everyone to take their positions. The event coordinator arranged the bridal party into pairs, and sure enough, Josh stepped up beside her, his hand intentionally brushing hers in a casual touch that sent a jolt straight to her heart.
He studied her, his smile soft and his eyes lingering. “I knew you’d make this morning beautiful.”
A flush crept into her cheeks, but she held his gaze. “You’re trouble, you know that?”
His grin deepened, and he winked at her. “Only the good kind.”
As the pastor began walking them through the ceremony, Chris and Josh moved to their marks, standing side by side in front of the gazebo.
The bride and groom had opted to have each couple remain together on either side of them during the ceremony instead of grouping all the bridesmaids beside Cass and the men and Elin on Stefan’s left flank.
Chris liked the unique and intimate feel of it.
The pastor's voice droned on about timing and posture, but Chris only half-heard it. Josh shifted on his feet, and his arm bumped lightly against hers. She glanced up and found him staring at her.
Something about the way he looked at her made her forget where they were.
“Now, after the ‘I dos’...” The gray-haired pastor trailed off and clapped his hands once. “Ahem—are you two still with us?”
When all eyes shifted in their direction, Chris and Josh snapped their heads forward like guilty school kids, and laughter rippled through the group.
Cass smirked. “Maybe we should add a second kiss to the ceremony, just for the maid of honor and a certain groomsman.”
Chris groaned while Josh chuckled, clearly unbothered. “What can I say?” he murmured. “You’re very distracting.”
“You started it,” she whispered back, cheeks warm but heart light.
The rehearsal carried on, but Chris’s thoughts caught on the quiet thrill of Josh’s hand slipping into hers. Although when the pastor repeated the instructions they’d missed, she made an effort to pay attention this time.
Tried being the keyword.
The restaurant was only two blocks from the hotel, a charming coastal place with a breezy, beachy vibe and an entire second floor reserved for private parties.
It overlooked the harbor, and a row of large windows let in soft, diffused light filtered through the overcast sky.
The tables were arranged in a U-shape, with everyone seated along the outside so they could easily see one another.
White crisp linens were beneath simple floral centerpieces in soft peach and blush tones.
The wedding party filed in, chatting and laughing easily, the buzz of excitement for tomorrow’s nuptials unmistakable.
Josh followed Chris as they searched and found their assigned seats—him on her left, her mom, Lorna, on her right. He gave the older woman a warm smile as he pulled out her chair and then Chris’s, getting them settled before taking his seat.
“Well, aren’t you a gentleman?” Lorna said, arching a brow in approval as she set her napkin in her lap.
Chris groaned under her breath. “Mom…”
“I’m just stating a fact. Nothing wrong with that.”
Josh couldn’t suppress his grin. He’d met Lorna in passing the night before, but with the crowd and noise, their exchange had been little more than introductions and a quick hello. Judging by the look she just gave him, today would be a whole different story.
Her eyes sparkled with interest as she leaned forward to study him across Chris’s body, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
“So, Josh, Cass said you’re in the Coast Guard and that you used to serve with Stefan.
It seems that my daughters are attracted to men in uniform, and I can hardly blame them.
They probably get that from me. My husband, Hugh, God rest his soul, was in the Army when we met.
Although he only served long enough to be eligible for his G.I.
Bill. But you’re obviously a career man.
You must find it incredibly rewarding, just like Stefan did.
Are you in search and rescue like he was? ”
Josh settled into his seat, ready for what was clearly shaping up to be a lighthearted interrogation.
Fortunately, the woman seemed to like him—so far.
“Yes, ma’am. Even as a teenager, growing up on the Florida panhandle, I knew I wanted to be a Coastie and work in SAR.
And as you said, I find it very rewarding. ”
Lorna nodded, clearly intrigued. “From what Stefan’s told me, it sounds like demanding work—high stakes, high adrenaline. Not everyone is cut out for that.”
“No, ma’am. It’s definitely hands-on. Long hours, a lot of responsibility, but worth it.”
“So, what do you do in your off time? You don’t happen to cook, do you?”
Chris gave him a soft, apologetic smile before glaring at her mother. “Mom, can you ixnay the third degree, please?”
She seemed to think about it for a moment before shaking her head and grinning. “Mmm, no, I don’t think I can. It’s a mother’s prerogative. I asked Stefan these same questions when he and Cass started officially dating. Grilled him over lunch just like this.”
“And now you’re doing it to me,” Chris muttered as her cheeks pinkened.
“It’s a rite of passage. You’ll thank me one day.”
Chris gave Josh a sidelong look. “Sorry in advance.”
“Don’t be,” he said with a low chuckle. “She’s your mom and has earned the right to ask questions.” He winked at Lorna. “Interrogate away, Mrs. Myers.”
Josh had no doubt Chris’s ex-husband—her first and only serious boyfriend, according to her—had sat through his own version years ago.
Lorna didn’t mention him, though, not even in passing, and Josh got the distinct sense she was intentionally scrubbing that part of Chris’s past away as if the guy had never existed.
“Thank you, Josh. Now, what was my question before Chris interrupted?”
“You asked if I cooked, and I do. Nothing fancy, of course, but I make a mean chili.”
Lorna’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? Well, so do I. We’ll have to have a chili cook-off someday.”
His grin spread as wide as possible. He liked Chris’s mother—she was similar to his mom. “Challenge accepted, but don’t expect me to go easy on you.”
“I expect no such thing. And I can say the same to you.”
“Deal.”
Their conversation continued to flow effortlessly throughout brunch.
Josh shared stories from his Coast Guard days—of camaraderie, late-night rescues, and training pranks—as well as glimpses into his family and childhood.
Chris and Lorna listened with interest, laughing at the right moments and chiming in with stories of their own, the effortless rhythm between the trio making the time pass quickly.
When Cassie and Stefan stood to make a toast, thanking everyone for coming and outlining the schedule for the big day, Josh reached under the table and gently squeezed Chris’s hand.
The simple connection sent a steady warmth through him, grounding him amid the room’s lively energy.
She gave him a shy smile and squeezed his hand too.
As glasses clinked and voices lifted in celebration, he felt a cautious optimism mixed with a tug of uncertainty—wondering how much of the blossoming bond between him and Chris could survive once the weekend was over and the distance between them stretched wide.