Epilogue
Rows and rows of white folding chairs, each decorated with a colorful bow, graced the expansive lawn of the outdoor wedding venue. Bryce hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d teased that most of the town had been invited. There had to be several hundred people here.
Peter sat next to Hailey’s parents in the first row. He wished Hailey were at his side, but she and Corina were sharing the matron of honor role and would soon be taking their places at the front to await Allye’s grand entrance. He’d get his chance to spend time with Hailey during the reception.
Eric stepped out of the picturesque barn that served as backdrop for the ceremony. Somehow, the man looked both incredibly calm and like he was about to burst with anticipation. Peter caught his eye and gave him an encouraging nod.
A modern arrangement of a classical piece began to play, and the crowd grew silent. Dion escorted Allye’s mother to her reserved seat on the other side of Hailey’s parents, then he took his place beside Eric. The teen was all smiles, seeming to glow with his place of honor as best man.
Corina was next. Then Hailey, wearing an emerald gown that complemented her perfectly. Her hair shimmered in soft golden waves over her shoulders.
Peter’s breath caught at the sight of her. He knew this was Allye’s big day, but in his mind, Hailey was hands down the most beautiful woman here. When she turned to face the crowd, her eyes met his, and she offered him a smile full of hope for the future. She was absolutely gorgeous.
Jesse elbowed him, and Peter snapped his mouth shut. His gaze locked with Hailey’s again, and her eyes sparkled with amusement. Her gaze flicked to the aisle, and he forced himself to refocus on the ceremony.
Lucky was making his way to the front now, solemnly fulfilling his role as ring bearer and guide to a very shy-looking Jenna.
She was a bit young for flower girl, but Allye had insisted she didn’t care if the petals were strewn properly or not; she just wanted to include her.
Good thing, because they were already halfway down the aisle, and it didn’t appear as if any of the petals had left Jenna’s basket.
They almost made it to their destination without incident. But when it came time for them to split to separate sides at the front, Jenna had apparently had enough of following decorum. As soon as Lucky released her hand, she flung her basket away and ran to her mom.
The crowd chuckled. Corina stepped forward and spread the petals out a bit so they no longer looked like a pile of freshly raked leaves, then returned to her position.
The music changed, and everyone rose. After one last look at Hailey and Jenna, Peter turned with the others and watched Bryce lead his sister down the aisle.
Though he still held that no one could compare to Hailey, he could admit Allye made a lovely bride.
He glanced between her and Eric. The two only had eyes for each other.
And when they joined hands, a collective sigh spread through the crowd.
HAILEY SIPPED ON A GLASS of sparkling cider and watched as the bride and groom shared their first dance. Her cousin’s wedding had gone off exactly as planned—other than Jenna’s antics. But her little girl was cute enough that no one seemed to mind. She knew for a fact that Allye didn’t.
Peter sat next to her, and she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He was watching her rather than the newly married couple. She smiled and slipped her hand into his.
Their relationship was still new, but they’d grown close over the last month. She’d even gotten to meet his grandparents, a delightful couple who hadn’t been shy about welcoming her and Jenna into their circle.
She and Peter had agreed to take things slow, to get to know each other outside of the pressurized situation they’d found themselves in last month.
Hailey was glad he was on board with that plan.
Even now, weeks later, she still felt like they were trying to get their footing after everything that had happened.
“I talked to Miguel yesterday,” he started.
“How’s he doing?” She would always be grateful for the way Peter’s former colleagues had donated their time to help keep her and Jenna safe.
“He’s great.” Peter didn’t take his eyes off hers. “He offered again to hire me—on an as-needed basis.”
“And?” She knew he was still wrestling with posttraumatic stress that affected his confidence, but he’d continued with therapy and was taking steps toward healing. She was proud of the progress he’d made over the last several weeks.
He pulled in a deep breath. “And I think I’m going to do it. My therapist agrees it would be a good way to dip my toes back into the business without getting so overwhelmed. I’d keep my job here and have the freedom to take or reject any opportunities Miguel offers.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
“Thank you.”
She cocked her head. “For what?”
“For being so supportive while I wade my way through the muck of PTSD and all the uncertainty that comes with it.”
“I feel honored that I get the chance to. And you’ve certainly stood by me—it hasn’t been all one-sided.” With Peter’s encouragement, she’d been taking some baby steps of her own, rejoining the community that had always been more like family than neighbors. “Like you said, we make a good team.”
A grin stretched across his face. “We certainly do.”
The music changed, drawing their attention back to the newlyweds as the first dance came to a close.
Hailey and Peter joined the rest of the wedding party and guests in applause.
The bride and groom shared another kiss before turning to welcome the others to the dance floor.
Allye’s cheeks were rosy, and her smile could have illuminated an entire house.
There was no denying how happy she was, and it just made her appear even more radiant.
Allye caught Hailey’s eye and beckoned her to join the dancers. Hailey glanced at Peter. He was already rising. He extended a hand to help her up. “Shall we?”
As they stepped onto the dance floor, she caught sight of Bryce and Corina already swaying slowly to the music.
Just past them were Hailey’s parents. They’d volunteered ahead of time to leave early and get Jenna off to bed, but while they enjoyed their one dance of the night, Jenna was having the time of her life with one of her uncles.
Hailey smiled, glad her brothers had made it after all.
She watched as Daniel swooped his niece up and around through the air with no regard for the song’s tempo.
But she couldn’t keep her eyes off Peter for long. Despite their agreement to take things slow, she knew in her heart that she was falling fast for this man.
As late afternoon stretched toward evening, they fell into a natural rhythm with each other and the music, and when she looked into his eyes, she saw her own feelings reflected back at her.
Hailey couldn’t predict what the future would hold, but she was pretty sure they were going to enjoy it together.