Page 99 of Finding Forever

“And the wedding,” Beth reminded her.

“Oh, right. That little thing tomorrow.”

“And your job with Chef Aldana.”

Kayla groaned and tipped her head back against the sofa. “I am officially refusing to think about Chef Aldana until Tyler and I get back from our honeymoon.”

“You’ll be a wonderful sous chef,” Beth assured her.

“That’s what mothers are supposed to say.” Kayla snuggled into the sofa. “I’m looking forward to working in a restaurant, I really am. But first I want to marry Tyler, go away for a few days, come home, graduate, and then I’ll panic about my career.”

Beth nodded. “That sounds like an excellent plan.”

“I thought so, too,” Kayla said softly.

Silence returned. This time, it felt different.

Kayla looked at Beth. “Do you want to go and see Dad?”

Beth’s heart gave a small, painful squeeze. “Tonight?”

Kayla nodded. “I know it’s late.”

Beth waited.

“I thought about going tomorrow morning,” Kayla continued. “But tomorrow could be stressful and it will definitely be emotional. I don’t want to start our wedding day feeling sad.”

Beth understood. “You want tonight to be about your dad.”

Kayla nodded.

The vulnerability in her eyes made Beth’s throat tighten. If Kayla wanted to visit the cemetery, then they’d go. “Give me five minutes to find the flashlights.”

Kayla blinked, then smiled. “I’ll get our jackets.”

Twenty minutes later, Beth began questioning their decision. Sapphire Bay Cemetery was a very different place after dark. Their flashlight beams moved across the path as they walked between rows of headstones.

Every horror movie she’d ever seen sprang to the front of her mind. Thankfully, there hadn’t been many, but it was enough to send chills down Beth’s spine.

She held the flashlight tighter. “This seemed perfectly reasonable when we were sitting in the living room.”

Kayla laughed. “Are you scared?”

“Not really.”

“You’re whispering,” Kayla said.

Beth frowned. “So are you.”

“I started because you did.”

Beth swept her flashlight across the grass. “We shouldn’t be wandering around a cemetery at this time of the night.”

“Why not?” Kayla asked.

“I don’t know. It feels suspicious.”

Kayla moved closer. “If anyone sees us, they’ll think we’re grave robbers.”