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Since Becca had been tied up with bridesmaid duties all day and he’d had to take care of a few matters at the hospital, Becca had ridden to the Regency Cypress with Kate. He’d met her there.

In the midst of the rush of all the festivities, Nick hadn’t had a chance to get Anna and Jake a wedding present. So, before the wedding he’d swung by the mall to pick up a gift. While he was there, he’d found his way back to the jewelry store where Becca had tried on the ruby necklace. He’d gotten it for her.

He wasn’t much of a shopper. So, he figured he might as well pick up the necklace for her Christmas present.

The only other time he’d bought jewelry for a woman was when he’d purchased Delilah’s wedding ring. Since they’d eloped, there’d been no engagement ring. Just functional, plain gold his-and-hers bands.

Shortly after the wedding, Delilah had taken to purchasing her own jewelry. That way, she told him, he didn’t have to worry about it, and she got exactly what she wanted. She always made sure she got exactly what she wanted.

Sitting here, alone in a sea of people, Nick wondered if the necklace was a good idea. Did buying jewelry for a woman send the wrong message?

It was just a necklace. It wasn’t as if he’d bought her a ring.

The string quartet began playing a classical tune that Nick recognized but couldn’t name—maybe “Ode to Joy” or that one by Pachelbel, maybe something else. It was pleasant, and for the first time in days—perhaps even since he and Becca had reconnected and he’d learned he was going to be a father—he sat back and took a deep breath.

Liam was one of Jake’s groomsmen. He and Jake’s three brothers, whom Nick had met briefly at the rehearsal dinner last night, stepped out and took their places beside Jake at the front of the ballroom.

He’d have to remind himself to rib Liam about cleaning up well and about making him miss the football game tonight.

The musical ensemble shifted into another familiar but unidentifiable piece, and a couple of tiny girls in white dresses with deep red sashes tottered down the aisle carrying baskets that were nearly as big as they were and scattering handfuls of flower petals.

One decided to stop midway along the journey to the altar, blinking at the people all around her. She looked as if she was about ready to burst into tears, but the other little girl, who looked as if she might be a year or two older, walked back and took her by the hand and restarted her journey.

The guests awwed and cooed at the adorableness. Nick stewed in the thought that weddings as a general rule were daunting.

After seeing his parents’ marriage go up in flames and failing at his own attempt, he’d probably stop midway to the altar and question what he was doing, too.

Becca was the first bridesmaid to walk down the aisle.

She looked beautiful in the clingy red dress that hugged her in all the right places. She caught his eye as she marched past and smiled. He smiled back. An unexpected warmth started in his solar plexus and radiated outward. What was it about this woman? She had his mind performing a one-eighty every time he saw her. Just a minute ago, he’d been thinking how he wasn’t cut out for marriage, that he couldn’t be a family man or be part of a close-knit community. Yet every time he set eyes on her, something inside him wanted to recalibrate his life compass and see if it might point to a different true north.

Anna was a beautiful bride as she walked down the aisle on her father’s arm. And when Jake swiped at a tear as his father-in-law gave Anna’s hand to him, Nick had to admit he couldn’t remember seeing anyone look as happy.

The minister called the dearly beloved together and said a few words about guests being fortunate to witness the joining of these two souls.

“I only wish Jake’s father and mother could be here today,” said the minister. “Jake, your father was a good friend of mine, and I know both of your parents are here in spirit. I know they’re thrilled that these two are being joined in holy matrimony, since they knew Anna practically all of her life, too.

“On this Thanksgiving weekend, I urge everyone to hold loved ones close. If there’s someone you haven’t talked to, call them.”

Nick thought of his father. He really did owe it to him to reach out to him and tell him about the babies. Becca’s words about forgiving himself rang in his head.

He knew it was true.

He watched the kind, smart, beautiful woman who was carrying his children. He wondered for a moment if there was something wrong with him.

Because surely, if he couldn’t love her, he didn’t deserve love. She was right, he needed to forgive himself before he could move on and love anyone else.

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