Bookshop by the Sea - Denise Hunter Page 0,3

King Solomon sum up the way my sister feels. ‘I found him whom my soul loveth.’ I’m so happy for you both. To a long and happy union.”

There was another round of clinking glasses as servers set out slices of cheesecake, and the group went back to their respective conversations.

Aiden cast a glance down the table. How many crises would Sophie end up averting before this weekend was over?

chapter two

Might as well get this over with.

Sophie kissed Pippa’s furry brown head and set her down in the master bedroom of the Fosters’ beach cottage. While the rescue Yorkie was nothing but a sweetheart for Sophie, she was distrustful of strangers, something Sophie assumed was left over from her early days. Jenna had begged for the dog for her eighteenth birthday, but the responsibilities of dog ownership had soon fallen upon Sophie. Jenna hadn’t seemed to mind when Pippa chose Sophie as her master.

She glanced around the room, making sure there was nothing for Pippa to get into. Thanks to the Fosters’ generosity, the beach house would be Sophie’s home for three weeks while she spruced up the building that would house Bookshop by the Sea. Then she’d move into the space above the shop.

Her belongings were already unpacked and put away. Well, what she had with her. Most of her things were in storage. She was glad to be in Piper’s Cove, after arranging all the pieces from Raleigh, making multiple trips back and forth. Finally, she was ready to pursue her dream.

But she couldn’t think about that right now. First, the rehearsal. The mental checklist for the next two days was long and emotionally exhausting, and she found herself eager to tick all the boxes.

Pippa stared at her with sad brown eyes, her fluffy black tail drooping. Sophie tossed the dog her favorite squeaky toy. “I know, honey, but it’ll only be for a little while. Be a good girl. Play with Bunny.”

Sophie closed the door behind her and made her way through the crowded living room, following a path that took her around the armchair where Aiden was chatting with Dana, one of the bridesmaids. Sophie slipped through the sliding glass door. Time to get this show on the road.

A warm, salty breeze drifted over the deserted beach. Tomorrow white chairs would be aligned in tidy rows, and a gazebo, draped with chiffon and dripping with wisteria, would stand center stage near the shoreline.

She had so many memories in this beach town, most of them good, before her mom fell ill and her dad bailed. They came here every summer, staying in rental homes. She and her siblings played at the shoreline all afternoon, turning browner by the day, while their parents watched from the beach under the shade of an umbrella. Evenings were for riding bikes along the boardwalk. Each night Sophie dropped into her bed with a book, sun-tired and happy. That Jenna had decided to have her wedding here attested to the fond memories attached to this place.

Sophie joined Jenna at the deck railing, placing an arm around her sister’s shoulder. “Everything all right, sweetie?”

Jenna turned to her, eyes shimmering with tears. “I can’t believe I’m getting married tomorrow. Grant’s everything I dreamed of, Soph.”

Sophie’s shoulders released the tension the tears had automatically induced. “I’m so happy for you. He’s a good man.”

“He really is.” Jenna dabbed at her eyes. “And I’m already ruining my makeup.”

Sophie produced a tissue. “You look beautiful. Grant’s a lucky man, too, you know.”

“Thanks. Is Dad keeping away from Seth?”

“Don’t you worry about that. I’ll handle any problems that arise, but I’m sure they’ll both be on their best behavior.” Though Seth’s impromptu toast gave her cause to question that statement.

She squeezed Jenna’s shoulders, noting the fading light. “We should get going before we lose daylight.”

They quickly went over the order of ceremony.

“So after the parents are seated,” Jenna said, “the harpist will strike up ‘A Thousand Years,’ and Dana and Erik will walk down the aisle, followed by—”

“Wait. I—I thought you wanted the groomsmen waiting up front with Grant and Pastor Dave. The bridesmaids were going to walk down the aisle alone.”

“No, I told you, didn’t I? We changed it a couple weeks ago. Dana and Sarah were worried about walking alone on the sand. They want strong arms to hang on to.”

Sophie imagined her arm curled around Aiden’s, tucked close into his side. Deep breaths. “Oh. Sure. Of course. Whatever you want, honey.” They talked through the remaining