Garrett sighed. “They’re perfect together.”
Something inside Taryn’s heart shifted. She wanted that. Not perfection. That didn’t exist. Nor did she want a huge wedding that must have cost Mr. and Mrs. Andrews a small fortune. No, Taryn wanted to find the forever kind of love Callie had found with her new husband.
Unless…
Taryn glanced at Garrett, who focused on the couple. Maybe she would find it with him. Given everything he helped her through, they were off to a good start. And what she felt for him was more than friendship. He’d wanted to make amends, but he hadn’t stopped when he’d done that. He’d stepped up, continuing to help her. His concern over her business, the fair, and Brecken showed what kind of man Garrett Andrews was.
Not perfect, but kindhearted.
A man who loved his family.
Could he love her someday?
Taryn shook her head.
That was a silly question with him in California and her in Washington, especially when she’d known from the start he wasn’t here to stay. He was leaving tomorrow night.
What else could she do but say goodbye?
Again.
She half laughed, not a joyful sound, but a bittersweet one.
Despite her issues with her parents and the bakery, her life was in Silver Falls. Could she start over elsewhere? Yes, but California—especially Los Angeles—was larger than Portland, where she’d gone to culinary school and done her internship. If she hadn’t enjoyed living there, how would she like somewhere more urban?
As the newlyweds laughed at something the photographer said, they glanced over their shoulders and waved.
Callie blew a kiss. “Thanks, everyone.”
Brandt helped her into an idling limousine before facing the crowd. “Thanks for making this the best wedding ever.”
He climbed into the back seat. The driver closed the door, and less than a minute later, the vehicle pulled away from the curb.
Taryn, Garrett, his family, and guests waved until the limousine’s taillights disappeared.
“I can’t believe they’re taking a six-week-long honeymoon,” Mrs. Jones said to her husband, who waved his sparkler as if he were seven, not seventy. “I had no idea that was possible.”
“If I sell the hardware store, we’ll go on a long second honeymoon.”
The older woman kissed his wrinkled cheek. “When not if.”
The man laughed. “Now, you’ll hold me to it.”
Mrs. Jones shook her head. “You’re not getting any younger.”
As the two kissed, a longing grew inside Taryn.
I want that.
But did Garrett?
Too soon.
It was way too soon.
Logically, she knew that. They’d spent four weeks in the same town, and not all that time had been at once. But tell those facts to her heart, which was in a mood for another wedding. One where she wore the gown, carried the bouquet, and had a wedding band slid on her ring finger.
She gulped.
