Page 101 of Finding Forever

Tomorrow, their daughter would begin a life filled with the possibilities that Jessie would have wanted for her.

Kayla touched Beth’s arm. “We should go home, Mom.”

Beth kissed her cheek. “We should. You have somewhere important to be tomorrow.”

“I’ve heard rumors about that.”

They turned toward the path. After a few steps, Kayla stopped. “Mom?”

Beth swung her flashlight around. “What?”

“If that cat comes back, you’re going first.”

Beth laughed and held out her hand. “Not a chance, sweetheart.”

Kayla slipped her hand into Beth’s as they walked back through the darkness together.

Before they reached the turn in the path, Beth glanced over her shoulder one last time.

The beam of her flashlight no longer reached Jessie’s grave. She couldn’t see the headstone or the rose resting against it, but that was all right.

After saying a final goodbye, Beth turned back toward her daughter and kept walking.

Tomorrow, a new beginning was waiting for both of them.

Chapter 46

The first notes of the wedding music drifted through Pastor John’s church, and Beth felt Kayla’s hand tighten around hers.

On Kayla’s other side, Ryan drew a long breath.

Beth glanced across her daughter at him. “You okay?”

Ryan nodded, although the brightness in his eyes told her just how emotional he was. “Ask me again when we get to the other end of the aisle.”

Kayla gave a nervous laugh. “You two do realize that I’m the one getting married?”

“We know,” Ryan said. “That’s the problem.”

Beth smiled, grateful for the moment of humor.

They stood together at the back of the church, waiting for the doors to open. Kayla was between them, holding her bouquet, and looking beautiful.

Only a few hours ago, Beth had stood behind her in the spare bedroom, fastening the tiny buttons on her wedding dress. Her fingers had started trembling halfway through, although she’d tried to hide it.

Kayla had noticed anyway.

They’d laughed when Beth struggled with the last button. Then she’d arranged a loose curl beside Kayla’s cheek, straightened her dress, and wiped away a tear before it could ruin her daughter’s makeup.

Such small things, but Beth would remember them forever. Now there was nothing left to straighten or prepare. It was time.

Ryan shifted beside Kayla. “Your dad should be doing this,” he said quietly.

Beth’s heart tightened.

Kayla turned toward him. “I know.”

“I just wanted to say it.”