Evan MacManus.
Levi had only seen the man a handful of times since he’d recovered from his injuries after the rockslide. The long hours of metal pounding on stone across the hall had made it clear what kept the fellow busy. That much work would have him sleeping well through the night, too. But finally, the couple’s big day was here.
Evan glanced over at him, and strain showed in the lines on his face. The ceremony would begin soon, so Evan likely had nothing left to do except wait. And waiting on a day like today could drive a man mad.
As Levi searched for something light to say, Evan spoke first, his tone far from light. “You and I haven’t talked much, but there’s something I think needs to be said. Something that’s taken me a while to come to terms with.”
That old familiar knot tightened in his middle, a sensation that had disappeared after the council’s vote. Did Evan really think it would be helpful to castigate him for Britain’s actions during the war?Now, of all times, on the man’s wedding day?
“I know we’ve had our differences in the past.” Evan’s eyes turned earnest. “But the war’s over. I imagine we’veboth done things we might change if we had the chance to go back. But thanks be to God, we get to move forward. This is a new life for us both. From what I’ve heard about you, you seem like the kind of man I would like to know better.”
His gaze flicked to the tables behind them, where women were still bustling about. “You’re important to Audrey, which makes you important to Brielle.” His focus locked back on Levi. “I’d like to start fresh.” He extended a hand. “I’m Evan MacManus. Good to meet you.”
The man’s words sank in slowly, untying the knot in Levi’s middle and lifting a weight from his chest. A smile tugged at his mouth as he took Evan’s clasp. “Levi Masters. The pleasure is mine.”
After a firm shake, they both turned to face forward.
Evan released a long breath, but it didn’t seem to ease the tension inside the man. He’d probably just turned his focus back to the coming nuptials.
Levi glanced his way and lifted his brows. “You ready for this?”
Evan gave a quick nod. He ran one palm down his pants, maybe to wipe perspiration away.
Levi bit back a grin. “Nervous?”
Evan stared up at the arch, where he’d be taking his place soon enough. “Only for the ceremony. I expected the community would want to celebrate, since they love Brielle so much, but I ... I didn’t expect it to be such an ordeal.”
This time Levi had to bite back a chuckle. “Just imagine that the rest of us aren’t here. It’s just you and your bride and the minister.” He’d almost saidher fatherinstead ofthe minister, but that reminder might not ease Evan’s nerves.
Levi had come to hold a great deal of respect for ChiefDurand. His wisdom, patience, and thoughtfulness made him an excellent governor. But becoming the man’s son-in-law would be no small thing.
On the other side of Evan, Audrey approached. Her gaze caught Levi’s, and she gave one of those beautiful angelic smiles that stirred his insides. This one in particular seemed special for him, almost intimate.
When she reached Evan’s side, she finally pulled her gaze from Levi’s. She placed a hand on Evan’s shoulder, and he looked up anxiously. “She’s ready.”
He jumped to his feet, then tugged at the hem of his frock. His gaze found the rear doors as he rotated his shoulders then pulled his sleeves down.
Audrey patted his arm. “You look well. The perfect groom for her.”
Evan’s focus dropped to her face, as though checking the sincerity of her words. Then he drew in a deep breath and released it. At last, a smile spread on his face. “I’m ready.”
While the groom moved to the front of the room to stand with his future father-in-law, Audrey slipped into the seat beside Levi. She leaned in, snuggling close as she slipped her hand into his.
He would never tire of the feel of her next to him. Her sweetness. Her goodness. The essence that made her so special. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, a tiny token of what he’d one day offer her.
A glimpse toward the aisle showed her father shuffling toward them, with Brielle’s younger sister and brother following behind. A hush slipped over the room as they all settled into seats. Gazes shifted back to the double doors, which parted for Brielle to enter.
She wore a full dress, much fancier than Levi had ever seen on her. It gave her a softer look, though as she approached the center aisle toward the front of the room, her bearing still carried the nobleness she wore so often.
A sheen glimmered in Audrey’s eyes, though her smile stayed sure as her breath fanned against his ear. “She’s wearing her mother’s dress.”
He met Audrey’s gaze as the significance of that sank in. He squeezed her hand to show he understood. Both of these women had been forced to grow up without mothers to love and shepherd them. Perhaps that was part of the tie that connected them, but at least they had each other.
And a host of friends and neighbors and family to help fill the void.
As Audrey turned her focus toward the couple in the front, Levi couldn’t help letting his gaze drift around the crowd. Two rows forward and to the left sat the tall form of Erik Le Monde, one of the men who’d come to talk with him in those first days after he recovered from the fever. Monsieur Gaume was one of the others, and he sat in the opposite section with his wife and three children. Two of their little ones might be twins, since their blond heads bobbed at around the same height.
Slightly forward from them sat Hugo, the young man who’d been trapped with Evan during the rockslide. Audrey had said he’d recovered well from the loss of blood, though he’d forever have the tiny stub of a finger to remind him of the ordeal. An older woman settled beside him, one who might be his mother.
