CHAPTER 25
Beth survived the first night in her new home.
She also slept all night in the chair.
The clock on the nightstand told her she had over two hours before she needed to leave for work. She considered moving to the bed and trying to go back to sleep, but the moment her thoughts stirred, rest slipped from her grasp.
I might as well get up.
She slipped out of bed and padded downstairs, moving quietly through the expansive kitchen. Everything about this loft was impressive—overwhelming, even—but right now, she just wanted coffee.
Opening the cabinet, she found a bag of grounds and inhaled deeply. What on earth… She wrinkled her nose. It smelled rancid, almost like cat pee.
She could go back upstairs and use that coffee maker, but that meant passing Bryce’s room—and she had no idea if he was a light sleeper.
More than coffee, she wanted some time alone.
Grabbing a throw blanket from the couch, she tucked her Bible under her arm and stepped out onto the deck.
The crisp mountain air wrapped around her, cold enough to send a shiver through her body, but she welcomed it.
She settled into a plush lounge chair near the hot tub, where the deck walls provided enough privacy to feel tucked away.
Another smart remote let her turn on the fire pit and dim the soft outdoor lighting, casting a warm glow over the space.
She curled deeper into the blanket and exhaled slowly, her breath visible in the cool morning air. The sun had yet to make an appearance, and she wasn’t awake enough to start reading.
So, for a while, she just sat—wrapped in stillness, staring into the darkness.
No overthinking. No worrying.
Just being.
Bryce joined her about half an hour later, stepping onto the deck just as she finished reading the second chapter of Ephesians.
He didn’t say a word—just kissed the top of her head and set a fresh cup of coffee on the table beside her before lowering
himself onto the ground, leaning back against her chair.
Beth’s eyes lingered on his damp waves of hair. He must have showered before coming outside.
Her fingers twitched with the urge to run through the dark locks. Instead, she wrapped both hands around the warm mug he had brought her, savoring the strong, dark brew before turning back to her Bible.
She may have been looking at her Bible, but her focus was still on the man who was slowly capturing her heart, wondering what he was thinking.
The silence between them was peaceful.
After reading the entirety of Psalm 51, Bryce stretched out his legs with a quiet groan as his back popped. Leaning his head against the edge of her chair, he turned slightly—only to find Beth asleep.
Her breathing was deep and even, her face relaxed. Even in sleep, she kept a firm grip on her coffee mug, holding it as if it were a lifeline.
Bryce shook his head, amused.
Rather than waking her, he repositioned another lounge chair beside hers and sank into it, settling in to enjoy the view.
But his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Lizzy.
Their conversation from last night lingered in his mind, and that was why he had chosen to start his morning with Psalm 51—a passage of repentance, cleansing, and renewal.
It also led him to this moment of quiet reflection.
Beth wasn’t just pretty. She wasn’t just kind or witty or the woman he had accidentally married.
She was different.
Not just from his past. From everything.
At 5’10”, she was taller than most women he had dated. At one point, he would have sworn he had a type—petite blondes, the kind who looked like they walked out of a magazine ad. Then his type became anyone in the moment…although they were usually blondes also.
Yet his Lizzy’s hair was so dark it was nearly black, her skin a golden brown inherited from her Native American mother.
She had once told him that between her height, eye color, and skin tone, people were constantly confused about her ethnicity.
Bryce had always been with women who looked like Playboy Bunnies—and come to think of it, a few of them actually had been.
Yet even though Beth lacked the two biggest assets needed to be a Bunny, he found her infinitely more attractive than any woman in his past.
A wave of gratitude washed over him.
Not only did Beth look nothing like the women of his past, she acted nothing like them. For that he sent up a silent, heartfelt prayer of thanks.
Not just for Beth’s outward differences, but for the one that mattered more.
Her heart.
Then, just as quietly, Bryce prayed about the conversation they still needed to have.
Prayed he would be a husband worthy of her.
The first thing Beth saw when her eyes fluttered open was Bryce. At some point, he had moved to a lounge chair near hers.
It wasn’t fair—he looked so effortlessly attractive, sitting there in an old sweatshirt and sweatpants, in need of a shave.
Beth was very self-conscious about her appearance, especially when it came to what Bryce thought of her.
She knew that if she focused too much on how attractive he was, her heart would start leading instead of her head. And that felt dangerous. Still… it was so hard not to get swept up in the physical attraction. Especially with the way he flirted.
Soon, they would finish the conversation from last night, and then? Then she thought she would be more receptive to her husband’s touch.
Bryce’s husky morning voice pulled her from her thoughts.
“Morning.”
Beth swallowed hard. “Mmmhmm. Good morning. Thanks for the coffee—it was good.”
“You’re welcome.” Bryce stretched, his voice still thick with sleep. “You look like you could use another cup.”
Beth nodded. “Yes, that sounds good.” She started to stand.
Bryce stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm. “Don’t get up. I’ll bring it out.”
“That’s okay.” She gripped the blanket tighter around her. “I’m afraid if I don’t go inside soon, I’ll turn into a popsicle. I’m pretty cold, even under here.”
Bryce smirked, leaning slightly toward her.
“If you ever need help warming up under there, keep me in mind.”
Beth’s eyes widened as her cheeks flamed red at his unexpected comment.
Before she could form a response, Bryce leaned in and pressed a quick, teasing kiss to her burning cheek.
Pulling back, he grinned. “Looks like your face warmed up just fine.”
Beth let out an exasperated noise and hurried past him toward the door, wrapping the blanket even tighter around herself. Bryce chuckled, watching her retreat.
“Have you always been such a flirt?” she asked, her voice muffled.
Bryce followed her inside, smirking.
“Only since puberty.”
Beth’s laughter could be heard throughout the loft.
“I’m going to go get ready for work,” she called over her shoulder. She made a detour to the cabinet above the coffee maker, twisting her hair up as she moved. Grabbing the canister from the cabinet, she opened the bag of grounds to inspect the smell again.
She grimaced. “Still smells like cat urine.”
Bryce’s voice came from behind her. “It smells like what?”
“I think the coffee grounds have gone bad, I didn’t know they could, but don’t they smell like old kitty litter?” she said, wrinkling her nose and tipping the container towards him to smell.
Bryce leaned in and sniffed.
“I think it smells like coffee.” Bryce said, watching her carefully with a contemplative look on his face.
“Weird, cause it tastes fine.” Beth said with a shrug, refilling her mug to take with her upstairs.
Once back in her room, Beth grabbed her phone to check the time—only to discover she was now part of a group chat and had quite a few messages to catch up on.
?Lynn:
get ready to say yes to the dress!
ma & k wanna go kidnap—you know who
from you know where—at 9? bryce you’re
the inside man like seriously we need you
inside because weve all heard about your
crazy “front door”... but dont get any ideas
we dont want you to join us—just provide
entry to your swanky loft and… to provide
coffee and cinnamon rolls?
?Bryce Hubs:
Got it Coffee, cinnamon rolls, and illegal
entry. Let me know if you need anything else.?
?Mom:
Sounds like fun. Did you know you have
to make reservations and not just show up??
?Mom:
Also… that wasn’t a very nice way to
ask for something from Bryce.?
?Lynn:
yeeessssss mother I made reservations
thats how you get free cookies and
mimosas at the nice places dont
worry, bro—we wont let your wife drink
hate for her to wake up married to
someone else before your make-up wedding.?
?Bryce Hubs:
Not worried.?
?Kim:
OH YAY!!!!!
THIS IS GOING TO BE SO FUN!
I can’t wait! Will it mess up appointments
if I show up closer to 10 so I can shower
after work??
?Lynn:
your good first appointment isnt till 11
just blocking in time for the full brunch
bryce is providing?
?Mom:
You’re good.?
?Bryce Hubs:
Brunch. Got it.?
?Lynn:
thanks ma! i try?
?Mom:
I was correcting your grammar.?
?Lynn:
i know?
?Kim:
She does it on purpose ?
Having read through the craziness known as Lynn, Beth started laughing—with a mouthful of toothpaste, no less—sending tiny splatters all over the mirror. Her sister was nuts but... dress shopping. Somehow, that made everything feel more real.
?Beth:
I don’t think I’m supposed to
be in this group text…?
?Lynn:
well, duh. yeah, you are otherwise
how are you supposed to know
when to be ready and that you need
to wear a bra??
?Mom:
Lynn!?
?Bryce Hubs:
:wink:?
?Kim:
Lynn!?
?Lynn:
WHAT?!?! i’m only trying
to help!?
?Beth:
Help who??
?Lynn:
bryce…duh knew youd
blush when you read it?
?Bryce Hubs:
Thanks. She did.?
?Lynn:
welcome…
#bestsisterinlawever?
Beth was sitting on the edge of the bed, slipping on her shoes, when the last texts came through.
Her head jerked up, and sure enough, there he was—casually leaning against the doorframe like he owned the place—okay, technically, he did—tie hanging loose around his neck, sleeves rolled up as he adjusted his watch.