Donald stood beside her, posture stiff, eyes fixed straight ahead.
“Your mother and I love you, LizzyBeth,” he said, voice even. “Previously, I said we would need to see what kind of man Dr. Jensen really is.” He gave a small nod—more to himself than to her. “Based on how he has treated you and managed this unusual predicament, I am satisfied.”
Beth swallowed.
“You two will need to keep God at the center of your marriage,” Donald added. “That won’t change.”
He reached down and patted her hand. It wasn’t warm or lingering—just a confirmation. His way of letting her know she was doing good.
“I know, Daddy,” she said softly, hugging him tightly.
CHAPTER 40
As the music started, Beth took a deep breath and stepped forward, letting her father lead her.
At the front, Bryce stood still—shoulders tense, heart hammering. He wasn’t nervous about the vows or the crowd or the ceremony itself. He was waiting for her. He hadn’t realized how tightly he was holding himself until movement near the corner of the house caught his eye.
When they rounded the side of the house, her eyes found Bryce—standing at the front, next to Pastor Steve, looking impossibly handsome.
When their eyes locked, everything else faded. The people. The flickering fire pits. Even the mingled scent of wood smokeand fresh evening air.
Bryce visibly relaxed—like part of him had been holding his breath, afraid she wouldn’t come. Then he smiled.
Beth forgot to go slow like they had rehearsed. Her heels sank slightly into the grass as she hurried to the front, but she didn’t care. Her fingers tightened on her dad’s arm for just a second as they reached the front.
Then her fingers slipped into Bryce’s palm and he exhaled. He hadn’t felt like he could breathe until she touched him.
“You’re breathtaking,” he whispered, feeling like their galaxies had finally collided.
Her cheeks flushed. “I wore my old shoes.”
He leaned in slightly, a grin tugging at one corner of his mouth.
“Well, it’s a good thing I’ve made it pretty clear what I think of your limbs—regardless of how they’re dressed.”
Beth’s face went up in flames.
Pastor Steve cleared his throat, clearly amused. “Now that the bride is officially bright red,” he said, “what do you say we make this marriage official in front of your friends and family?”
Startled by his voice, Beth turned—only now seeming to realize everyone was watching. Laughter rippled through the crowd as she buried her face in Bryce’s chest, her shoulders shaking with quiet embarrassment.
It was the perfect start to a ceremony they would actually remember.
Beth’s fingers trembled slightly as she handed her bouquet to Kim, who stood just behind her. She gave a small smile toLynn, positioned just beyond Kim on the other side. As Beth’s fingers slid back into Bryce’s hand, she became hyper-aware of the breeze tugging at her veil, the warmth of his touch, and the weight of their mothers’ tearful gazes. None of it mattered. Not really.
“I didn’t plan to marry you,” she said, voice barely above a whisper. “But God knew I needed you before I ever realized it.”
The sun dipped lower. Shadows stretched long across the grass.
Bryce smiled, his eyes locked on hers.
“I know I don’t deserve you,” he said, his voice softening as he spoke this part of his vows. “But then God gave me you anyway. My personal miracle.”
Kim dabbed her eyes. Lynn sniffled though she wasn’t crying. Beth smiled through the blur.
“Note the shape of your rings,” Pastor Steve said, his voice carrying over the crowd. “In the Christian faith, circles are also seen as symbols of God’s love—because they have no beginning and no end.”
The fire hissed nearby as the logs surrendered to the flames, warming the bodies gathered close.
