Pastor John stood beneath an arch of white roses and baby’s breath, his warm smile encompassing the small group as he spoke about love finding people when they least expected it.
Isabel’s silk crepe dress looked even better than it had in Emily’s boutique. The delicate beading caught the light that danced across the lake, and her necklace and earrings sparkled against her skin.
But it wasn’t only the dress or her jewelry that made Isabel look beautiful. Her happiness came from somewhere deep inside, making her glow in a way that Kathleen hadn’t seen since they were teenagers.
Frank stood across from Isabel, looking stunned in the best possible way. His dark suit fit him perfectly, and his usual composure was replaced with something raw and wonderful.
His hands trembled as he held Isabel’s, and Kathleen felt her own throat tighten with emotion. This man, who had carried such sorrow for so long, was allowing himself to love again.
Tommy stood beside his grandfather as best man, his small chest puffed with pride. The nine-year-old had taken his role seriously, from ensuring the rings were secure to calling Kathleen to see if they’d be arriving at the lake on time.
Now he watched his grandfather with such love that Kathleen had to blink back tears. Tommy had been through so much. He’d lost his parents and had lived with the constant shadow of whatever danger had brought him and Frank to Sapphire Bay. Yet here he stood, witnessing his grandfather find love, his young face bright with hope for their future.
As Pastor John spoke, Kathleen’s eyes drifted to the small gathering of guests. Patrick sat in the front row, looking impossibly handsome in his navy suit. Their eyes met for a moment, and he smiled—that gentle, understanding smile that never failed to make her heart skip a beat.
As she listened to a reading about commitment and second chances, Kathleen’s mind wandered to her own past. When she’d married her ex-husband, it was completely different from what she was witnessing now. She’d had a large church wedding with all the traditional trappings—an elaborate dress, a sit-down dinner, and a six-piece band. But beneath all the pageantry, there was an undercurrent of uncertainty. Looking back, she hadn’t been ready for such a big commitment, and neither had her husband.
It was easy to see how they’d slowly grown apart. David had wanted the country club membership, the biggest and best house, and a place in society that he thought he deserved. She’d wanted books and travel, deep conversations about ideas that mattered, and a life filled with purpose rather than status.
After his affair, their divorce had been anything but amicable. In the end, she’d come back home to find peace and a fresh start for herself and her daughter.
Now, watching Isabel and Frank pledge their lives to each other, Kathleen marveled at how different love looked when you were sixty-five. There was nothing uncertain about the way Frank gazed at Isabel, nothing hesitant about the promises they were making. They knew who they were, what they wanted, and what they could offer each other. They’d both loved before, both lost, and both learned that life was precious and unpredictable.
Patrick shifted in his chair, drawing Kathleen’s attention back to him. She remembered how his hands had steadied her when they’d climbed down into the basement, how his quiet strength had anchored her when she’d felt overwhelmed by their discovery.
He was nothing like David. Where her ex-husband had been impulsive and image-conscious, Patrick was thoughtful and genuine. Where David had talked constantly about his plans and ambitions, Patrick listened more than he spoke and seemed content with who he was.
Susan handed Isabel a tissue to wipe the tears from her eyes. Despite the early morning panic about Isabel’s wedding cake, Susan looked more relaxed than when she’d first arrived in Sapphire Bay. Thankfully, her calm and unflappable nature had located Isabel’s missing cake far quicker than Kathleen could have, and redirected it to The Lakeside Inn.
“Do you, Isabel, take Frank to be your husband?” Pastor John asked.
“I do,” Isabel replied, her voice clear and strong despite the tears streaming down her cheeks.
When Frank’s turn came, his response was barely audible, choked with emotion. “I do,” he managed. After he’d spoken, Tommy beamed up at him with such fierce pride that several of their friends wiped their eyes.
When Pastor John pronounced them husband and wife, Frank kissed Isabel with gentle reverence. The garden erupted in applause and cheers, and Tommy threw his arms around the newlyweds.
Kathleen’s heart swelled at the sight of this instant family embracing their future together. For all their sakes, she hoped they’d be together for many years to come.
As the last song of the ceremony began, Kathleen caught Patrick’s eye. He was applauding with everyone else, but his gaze was fixed on her. He had an unspoken question in his eyes—a gentle but unmistakable invitation for her to take the leap they’d both been carefully avoiding.
A warm blush filled her cheeks as the photographer took a picture of Isabel and Frank walking hand-in-hand down the aisle. Patrick Devlin, with his kind heart and limitless patience, had gotten under her skin—and it was time she did something about it.
Chapter 13
After the wedding reception, Kathleen left The Lakeside Inn’s dining room with Patrick. From the veranda, she could smell the sweet scent of roses from the garden and hear the gentle lap of water against the shore.
She glanced back through the windows at the remaining guests. Isabel and Frank were still on the dance floor, lost in each other’s arms as if they were the only two people in the world.
“It was an amazing ceremony,” Patrick said from beside her. “Isabel looked beautiful.”
“She did, didn’t she?” Kathleen smiled, remembering how Isabel’s face had glowed when she saw Frank waiting for her. “I’ve never seen her so happy. Well, except maybe when she first opened the bookstore.”
They walked slowly along the veranda, their footsteps echoing on the wooden planks. Other guests were scattered in small groups, some admiring the view of Flathead Lake, others lingering over coffee and wedding cake on the outdoor tables.
“Three different people told me how impressed they were with the catering,” Patrick said, pausing at the railing. “The food was perfect.”
Kathleen felt a flutter of pride for her friend. “Susan helped Isabel choose dishes that everyone would like. But it wouldn’t have been the same without Diana and the staff at the inn. They did an incredible job of preparing and cooking everything.”
