for Grace and Molly. He’d given up his job, his apartment, his whole life in Denver to come here and run this inn. And then he’d stuck with them for four years while they’d made a go of it. Yeah, he was annoying sometimes. Bossy. Intrusive. But he’d gotten better about that. And Grace didn’t know many brothers who’d have done what he had. She loved the big lug, and he deserved happiness more than anyone she knew.
And these thoughts were doing nothing to help with the teary situation. When she blinked a tear streamed down her face, probably wrecking all of Brooke’s hard work.
Grace looked away from her brother, seeking distraction, and her gaze collided with Wyatt’s. He was sitting in the third row, watching her intently. Saying a thousand things with just his eyes. His dark hair was neatly combed, his jaw freshly shaven. He looked so handsome in the black suit and crisp white shirt. He must’ve gone shopping. Worth every dime.
His lips tipped up just then, and her heart stuttered. Literally, a chest palpitation. She almost clutched her heart.
Grace swallowed hard and looked back at Mia, who was joining Levi at the front. But all Grace could think of was Wyatt and the feelings that had just zipped through her. She’d never felt this way before—not even close. Was she falling in love with him? Had she already fallen in love? Impossible. It hadn’t even been three weeks.
Did Wyatt feel the same? Or was this some little fling to fill the time? He had so much more experience in this area.
Maybe it was just the wedding. Maybe she was having one of those ridiculous girly moments. A flight of fantasy where as she watched the celebration of true love, she wished it into being for herself. That was so uncharacteristic of her though.
She wanted to seek out Wyatt’s gaze again, try to determine if she’d seen love in his eyes or maybe just affection. But she was afraid her feelings were written all over her face right now.
She forced herself to pay attention as the pastor prayed, then segued into a beautiful explanation of married love. The ceremony was brief and poignant, the love the couple shared so apparent in the looks they exchanged, in the words they shared. There were no songs, no poems, just a heartfelt message by the pastor and the quiet exchange of vows.
Throughout the ceremony Grace periodically checked the skies and the lake, fearful they’d have unwelcome guests. But it appeared all their work had paid off. The twenty-seven guests and all those who’d helped make this day happen had managed to pull off a quiet celebrity wedding.
In no time at all the pastor pronounced them husband and wife. Levi took Mia into his arms and placed a loving kiss on her lips. When they broke apart the smiles on their faces could’ve lit an entire city.
* * *
It was taking forever to get to the part Wyatt was most anticipating—the dancing. Not because he’d been blessed with great rhythm, but because he couldn’t wait to get his arms around Grace.
He’d hardly been able to take his eyes off her tonight, from the time she’d walked out the back door until now, as she watched Levi and Mia share their first dance on the makeshift dance floor.
The sun had set during the ceremony, and darkness had slowly fallen. The small crowd gathered on the large patio where round tables were set up. Now the meal was finished, and the bride and groom swayed together under the twinkling lights to the soft strains of a string quartet.
“It was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it?” Grace’s chin was propped on her palm as she watched the couple. A wayward curl had fallen from her updo and kissed the curve of her cheek.
“Beautiful,” he said.
“The weather sure cooperated. And the sunset was—”
“Perfect.”
She must’ve caught the tone of his voice, because she turned his way.
“Did I tell you that you look amazing tonight?” he asked.
“At least three times, not that I don’t appreciate it. And you should know it’s a real rarity to see me in a dress. Like sighting an American coot or something—that’s a bird.”
“As beautiful as you are right now, you’re also pretty cute in a ponytail and that big purple T-shirt. I like how it falls off your shoulder.”
She blushed prettily. “You’re especially handsome in your suit tonight.”
“I caught you staring at me earlier, from up front.”