A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber Page 0,75

her shoulder so she could place her hand on his. Bill, another of my brother’s Army friends, walked next to her. Chantelle’s sister followed, and then, after a long pause, Chantelle walked down the aisle with her father.

Her wedding dress was stunning, but no more so than the bride. She beamed with a beauty I found difficult to describe. The dress was a simple creation, and it fit her like a dream, floating out from the waist. She held the same white roses that made up my own bouquet, only hers trailed with lily of the valley. Seeing her and the look that came over my brother as he spied her stole my breath.

His eyes filled with love, Lucas stepped forward to greet his bride. Chantelle kissed her father’s cheek and placed her hand in Lucas’s. Together they moved to stand before Pastor McDonald.

I noticed that while there was only close family in attendance, a small crowd had gathered inside the cafeteria to watch the ceremony. They stood by the windows, looking onto the patio. Doctors. Nurses. Staff. Even patients and visitors.

The day couldn’t have been more perfect, with the sun shining down on the bride and groom, God’s blessings from above. Birds circled overhead, while the subtle music swirled around, enveloping us all.

Lucas and Chantelle had written their own vows. I listened as best I could, caught up in my own thoughts. Love. Honor. Respect. Cherish. Sickness and health. Those words took on an entirely new meaning.

I glanced at Harper, who was looking up at John, their eyes connected. It was as if they were exchanging these words, as if they were the ones promising to love and cherish each other.

My heart ached for Sean, wishing he was at my side to share this moment. I had no idea when I would see him again. I felt his absence more strongly than I had at any other time since his departure. Standing there, my brother with his bride, Harper with her doctor, and me alone. Rarely had I ever felt lonelier.

Each person present was connected to someone else. Everyone but me. Closing my eyes, I refused to feel sorry for myself. If I was going to become involved with Sean, I would need to learn to accept his intermittent travels, and the dangers he put himself in to advance his career. It was part and parcel of the man I was falling for. Asking him to change wasn’t fair and might ruin the closeness we shared.

As soon as they exchanged their vows, Lucas kissed his bride. I could see that Harper’s energy was quickly evaporating. Asking our father to hold my bouquet, I prepared to return her to her hospital room.

John stopped me. “I’ll do it.”

“But—”

“Stay,” Harper insisted. “Let John escort me back.”

I smiled and locked eyes with his. He winked and I nodded, letting my sister have her way. She was in good hands.

Before she left, Chantelle and Lucas each gave Harper a gentle hug. The moment was touching, and I noticed a photographer snap a photo. Harper smiling, John standing tall and handsome in his suit behind her. Chantelle and my brother thanking her and loving on her. Seeing the smile on my sister’s face and the joy radiating from my brother and his bride was probably one of the most beautiful moments of my life

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Dad said, coming to stand at my side.

Chantelle was stunning. My brother was a lucky man; I had no doubt that he was keenly aware of his good fortune. “Chantelle is beautiful inside and out. How she managed to put an entire wedding together in only a few days is a minor miracle.”

“Indeed, she is,” Dad concurred, “but I was talking about Harper.”

Wrapping my arm around my father’s elbow, I smiled over at him. “Yes, she is.”

“And that doctor friend of hers?”

“He’s a good man,” I assured him. “He’s doing everything he can, along with Dr. Carroll, to keep her alive.”

My father hesitated and swallowed hard. “God bless him and give him success.”

“Amen,” I whispered, believing with all my heart there was hope, a reason to believe.

Lucas and Chantelle were surrounded by their guests and other well-wishers. The doors from the cafeteria opened and the group that had gathered to watch the ceremony spilled onto the patio.

Chantelle cut the small, bakery-supplied cake to be shared and enjoyed by all. My plan to bake their wedding cake felt like a million lifetimes ago, but I was