Page 96 of Finding Forever

Laughter drifted toward them from the living room.

Tonight’s dinner had been Beth’s idea. With their families arriving for the wedding, it seemed ridiculous to have everyone scattered around Sapphire Bay looking for somewhere to eat. She’d wanted Kayla and Tyler to have an easy evening surrounded by the people closest to them. Especially when tomorrow would be a whirlwind of photographs, flowers, speeches, and wedding vows.

At least, that had been the plan. Easy might have been overly optimistic.

Her small home was overflowing. Tyler’s parents had arrived that afternoon, along with his sister and brother-in-law. Ryan was there, as were Jessie’s younger sister, Rosalind, and her husband, Peter.

Susan had dropped off an extra potato salad, Maria had contributed two pies, and Beth had roasted enough chicken to feed a construction crew. It was noisy and crowded, and every available chair had been carried into the living and dining rooms.

Beth loved it.

Kayla opened the refrigerator and reached for a bottle of water. “Are you going to sit down at some point?”

Beth smiled. “I’ve been sitting.”

“When?”

“At dinner.”

Kayla frowned. “You got up six times.”

Beth opened her mouth to argue, but Tyler walked into the kitchen carrying an armful of dirty plates.

Tall and broad-shouldered, he had the kind of easy, athletic build that made even an old pair of jeans and a navy shirt look good on him. His dark brown hair was slightly mussed, as though he’d run a hand through it more than once during dinner, and there was a warmth in his brown eyes that Beth had come to trust.

He was handsome, but that wasn’t what mattered most to her. It was the way his face changed whenever he looked at Kayla.

His smile softened now, almost without him seeming to realize it. Even with a house full of people, Kayla was always the first person he noticed.

Beth felt the last tiny piece of worry inside her settle. Tomorrow, she was giving her daughter to a man who adored her.

Beth took the dishes from him. “You’re supposed to be visiting with your family.”

“I am visiting. I’m also trying to stay on your good side.”

“You’re marrying my only child. It’s too late to worry about that.”

Tyler grinned. “Good point.”

He stepped around the island and bent to kiss Kayla.

It was only a quick kiss, but Kayla smiled when he pulled away. “When I left the living room, your father was telling stories about you.”

Tyler groaned. “Which ones?”

“The sprinkler incident has been mentioned. He has photographic evidence.”

Tyler looked toward the living room. “I need to stop this.”

He disappeared through the doorway and Beth smiled at Kayla. “He loves you.”

Kayla twisted the cap off her water bottle. “I know.”

There was no hesitation in her answer. No doubt. Just certainty. Beth hoped her daughter understood how precious that was.

Later, after the plates had been cleared and everyone had found room for pie, Tyler’s father asked Ryan if he had any childhood stories about Kayla.

Ryan was delighted to oblige.