No way.Not in a million years.
And I would’ve been wrong.
Thank God.
I take a slow breath, smoothing my hands over the silk of my dress as the realization settles deep in my chest.
“I didn’t expect this,” I admit quietly.
Thatcher tilts his head.
“What?”
My voice softens.
“Falling in love.”
For a moment he just studies me.
Then my brother smiles.
“Yeah,” he says softly.“That’ll do it.”
He pulls me into a tight hug.
“You deserve this, Kels.”
My throat tightens.
“Thanks.”
A knock comes at the door.
“It’s time!”
The walk to the pond feels dreamlike.
The mountain air is warm and fragrant with pine and wildflowers.The late afternoon sunlight spills across the clearing, turning everything golden.
J.T.’s backyard slopes gently down toward the pond where the ceremony has been set up.
Simple wooden chairs form rows along the grassy shore.Soft white ribbons flutter from the ends of each row, tied with sprigs of mountain laurel and tiny wildflowers gathered from the property.
Lanterns hang from low tree branches, their glass catching the sunlight.
The pond itself is still and glassy, reflecting the surrounding pines and the blue ridge of the mountains beyond.
And gliding quietly across the water—the swans.
They move slowly together, their white feathers glowing against the deep green reflection of the trees.
People turn as I approach.
Friends from the mill.
Couple of men from J.T.’s company.
Neighbors from town.
