“Where are we?—”
They rounded the path, and there, under the oak tree, sat the bench.
The bench.
“You found it.”
“Ray did, yes. He fixed it up and brought it out here this morning.”
“It’s just like the painting. You know she and Daddy always sat here.”
“Yeah, he told me when he came to the inn.”
“I still can’t believe he didn’t tell me he was here. What else did he say?” Cami perched on the edge of the seat, then slid back. Perfect.
“He said the couple in the painting was not them.”
“Not Mama and Dad?”
“He said your mom had a dream about coming to visit here in their later years. They were coming to visit us. We’re the couple in the painting, Cami.”
“She painted you and me? W-what? I don’t understand. What dream?”
“She dreamed we married, but she didn’t want to force fate. Your dad said she wanted the Lord to be our matchmaker.” Ben joined her on the bench, taking her hand in his. “I still love you.”
Cami brushed her hand over his soft beard and gently kissed Ben’s lips. “I still love you.”
How long they lingered on the bench—their bench—enjoying sweet kisses and whispered words of love, making promises and plans, Cami couldn’t tell. But the afternoon was bliss. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Ben’s first event—the wedding—went off without a hitch. The eighty-two guests raved about the inn, and several of them talked to Ben about future bookings. Two anniversaries and a couple of birthday parties. And one possible wedding.
The catering was flawless as the team moved between the inn’s refrigerator and Tina’s kitchen.
The tent and wooden chairs, the arch and flowers, the string quartet were magical. Vicki was a stunning bride, and when her groom teared up as she came down the aisle, Ben felt it in his chest.
At the reception, some of Vicki’s band members filled their corner of Hearts Bend with music. Buck Mathews and his wife, JoJo, attended, and toward the end of the night, he and Vicki surprised the guests with a new song they’d written and recorded together.
But for Ben, the best part of the night was Cami. She was beautiful. Light and free. She’d taken the week off from work and all but lived at the inn. She’d set up Cottage Three for Vicki and her bridesmaids. The small floral arrangements, snacks, and mirrors Cami had arranged made the room shine. Without Cami’s mindful attention to the cottage, it wouldn’t have been half so special. Vicki cried when she saw Cami’s thoughtfulness and care.
“So Cottage Three?” Ben said, holding her close. “No longer a place of pain?”
She shook her head and kissed him. “A place of love.”
Annalise found him and said the few wedding photos Vicki’s assistant had posted on social media were getting all sorts of inquiries about the location.
“I’m getting married next March. Is this place available?” a petite woman had asked as she snuggled into a lanky, dark-hair man.
“Vicki just put you on the map,” Annalise said.
The band started the melody to “I Will Always Love You,” and Ben led Cami to the dance floor.
“I’ve been thinking,” she said. “You’re going to need investors for this place.”
“You’re right, but I think I need to be very particular. Can’t get into business with just anyone.”
“True, true,” Cami said, peering into his eyes. “She needs to be smart and savvy, with business experience.”
“Agreed, but where do I find such an amazing woman?”
