Page 104 of Finding Forever

Ryan squeezed her hand. “Are you ready?”

Beth’s eyes filled again, but this time she didn’t bother reaching for a tissue. Instead, she slipped her arm through Ryan’s and smiled. “Let’s go.”

And together, they followed Kayla and Tyler outside.

Chapter 47

Dave found Beth at the edge of the parking lot with her shoes dangling from one hand.

The sight stopped him in his tracks.

In all the time he’d known her, he’d never seen her barefoot, and there was something unexpectedly endearing about watching her cautiously test the cool grass with her toes. Her pale blue dress moved around her calves in the evening breeze, and several strands of hair had escaped whatever arrangement had held them in place for most of the day.

He walked toward her. “Lose something?”

Beth turned, and her face brightened when she saw him. “No. I found my common sense.” She lifted the shoes by their straps. “Whoever invented high heels had a grudge against women.”

“You could have worn comfortable shoes.”

Beth grinned. “I wanted to look nice.”

“You did.” The words came out before Dave had time to consider them, but he had no reason to take them back.

Beth’s smile softened. “Thank you.”

Behind them, lights glowed through the windows of the Lakeside Grill. Most of the guests had already left, and Kayla and Tyler had driven away twenty minutes earlier amid hugs, laughter, and enough advice about married life to keep them confused for years.

Dave nodded toward the lake. “Do you feel like taking a walk before we head home?”

Beth glanced at her bare feet. “Like this?”

“I promise not to report you.”

“Then lead the way,” she said.

They crossed the lawn toward the water. The day had been warm, and although the temperature was beginning to fall, the evening still held the softness of late spring. Small waves moved against the shore, while farther out, the lake reflected the last light in the sky.

For a while, they walked without speaking.

Dave had always appreciated that about Beth. Silence with her never felt awkward. They could walk side by side without either of them searching for something to say, and somehow he still felt as though they were sharing the moment.

Beth eventually released a contented sigh. “What a wonderful day. I still can’t believe everything went according to plan.”

Dave glanced at her. “You sound surprised.”

“I’ve organized enough events to know that getting through one without something happening is a miracle.”

“Well, Kayla and Tyler’s wedding was perfect.” Dave remembered standing in the church as Beth appeared beside Kayla and Ryan. He’d expected the bride to look beautiful, but he hadn’t been prepared for the sight of Beth walking beside her daughter.

There had been pride and happiness on her face, along with something deeper that Dave had understood without needing anyone to explain it.

“You looked pretty special walking down the aisle with Kayla,” he said.

Beth glanced at him. “I was concentrating on not crying.”

“You couldn’t tell,” Dave said, falling into step beside her.

Her laughter carried across the quiet lawn.