Sweet Beginnings

by Melissa McClone

  “Dude, I recognize those ice packs. My physical therapist called them the big guns.” Dare’s face tightened. He grabbed Jenny’s hand, pulling her inside the cottage. “What are you doing standing up? Get off your feet now.”

  Before Josh could say anything, Dare wrapped his arm around him to keep weight off his leg. The guy was an inch shorter but solid muscle. Not surprising given he was an Army Ranger. “Hop to the couch.”

  Jenny closed the door. “Have you eaten?”

  “Yes,” Josh said, grateful to sit and prop his leg again. “I have leftovers if you’re hungry.”

  She went into the kitchen. The refrigerator door opened.

  He parted his lips to say something, but Dare shushed him.

  “Nothing you say will stop her from doing whatever it is she wants to do,” Dare said.

  “Speaking from experience?”

  Nodding, he grinned wryly. “For someone so quiet, she can be mule stubborn.”

  “I heard that,” Jenny called out from the kitchen.

  “I love you,” Dare yelled, his blue eyes full of amusement. He winked at Josh. “Those three words are pure magic.”

  Josh laughed. Maybe someday he’d get to try that magic out for himself.

  She returned with a glass of ginger ale and two cookies on a paper towel. “I would have made tea, but it’s a little warm for that.”

  “This works.” Josh took the glass and sipped. “What brings you by the night before your wedding?”

  Jenny glanced at Dare, who gave her an encouraging look before reaching out to hold her hand.

  “Missy is my matron of honor. Tara, a friend from my online book club who lives in Savannah, will be there with her husband, Heath. Everyone else attending is either an acquaintance or here for Dare, except you.” Jenny took a breath. “During the ceremony, the bride’s family sits in the front row on the left. Flowers will be on the first three seats as a memorial to my parents and brother, but I would like you to sit in that row, too. If you wouldn’t mind.”

  The air rushed from Josh’s lungs. A band seemed to tighten around his chest. Her request touched him at a gut level.

  “I’d be honored,” he said, having to force the words out. “Thank you.”

  Josh wanted to say more, but Jenny’s request overwhelmed him. Maybe there was hope for him.

  Dare kissed the top of Jenny’s hand. “What did I tell you?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t like to assume anything.”

  “Says the woman who flies to Texas because a man she never met in real life asks her to come while he’s drifting in and out of consciousness,” Dare joked, alluding to how he’d met his future wife after knowing her online. “And I’m glad you did that, babe, or we wouldn’t be here today.”

  Jenny sighed. “It was meant to be.”

  “Fate,” Josh said.

  Staring at each other, Jenny and Dare nodded. Love poured between the two.

  Emotion tightened Josh’s throat. He wanted to reach out and grab a handful of that love for himself.

  I want that.

  Just as he had in Nashville when he saw Cami and Dan together.

  Would he ever find the kind of love Jenny and Dare shared?

  His relationships, if he wanted to call them that, had been brief, some only one night. The women had been another crutch, one he’d used longer than alcohol. The casual dating and hook-up mentality wouldn’t satisfy him now. He wanted…

  Josh thought of Hope. As her image filled the void inside him, a smile spread across his face. She was giving him hope that if he remained sober, maybe he could have the things he’d once dreamed about. Not the illustrious football career but a wife and kids.

  A family of his own.

  That was possible for him, wasn’t it?

  * * *

  Hope had finished washing the dishes, but she wasn’t ready for bed. Settling on the couch, she turned on the television. The show, a hospital-based drama, was easy to ignore when all she wanted to do was go over her day with Josh.

  She’d had fun, but her feelings for him left her confused. Being friends with someone shouldn’t have her mixed-up and questioning every word and action. Granted, she wasn’t used to kissing friends. Maybe it wasn’t Josh per se, but his kisses that muddled her brain.

  Though today’s peck had been just a playful brush of lips. A joke.

  Except the tingles had lasted for… hours.

  The more she told herself the kiss was no big deal, the more she realized it had been. For her at least.

  A text notification sounded. She glanced at her phone.

  Josh: Are you still awake?

  Hope: Yes.

  Her phone rang. She didn’t need to look at the screen to know who it was. “How’s your leg?”

  Silence filled the line. “Why are you asking about my leg?”

  “You favored it more as the day went on.”

  “Oh.” The one word spoke volumes, and she fought the urge to ask if she could come over to help him. “I’ve been icing and elevating it,” he added.

  She straightened with a sense of urgency. “Is it better?”

  “Getting there.”

  She knew from her brother that was about as much as she’d get out of Josh. Men never liked admitting weaknesses. “Stay off it in the morning.”

  “No jogging.” He sounded amused. “My mom and sister laid down the law earlier.”

  “They care.” So do I.

  More than Hope realized, and she didn’t know what that meant.

  Her temples throbbed.

  “I had a great time today,” he said.

  “Me, too, but I’m sorry you’re in pain.”

  “It’s not that bad. Honest.” He sounded sincere. “But what little hurt I’m feeling… totally worth it.”

  “Thanks, I think.” Still, a smile tugged on her lips.

  “It’s true.” His voice was firmer. “The real reason I’m resting my leg tonight is so I can show off my moves on the dance floor.”

  “Sounds like another injury waiting to happen,” she joked.

  “Or Dancing with the Stars might call.”

  “You think?”

  “If they get desperate.”

  She laughed. “I can’t wait. To see you, I mean. Dance.” She nearly groaned. Maybe she should shut up now.

  “I feel the same way about seeing you.” He yawned. “‘cuse me.”

  He sounded like a little boy trying to talk as he kept yawning. “Time for bed.”

  “Is this where we switch to Skype and show each other what we’re wearing?” he joked.

  He was teasing her. That was what friends did. Not, um, Skype like… that. “Haha. I’m hanging up now.”

  His soft laugh covered her like a fleece blanket—soft and warm and just right. “See you tomorrow.”

  Hope couldn’t wait.

  * * *

  On Friday afternoon as Zoe double-checked the setup on the beach for the ceremony, Hope finished setting the tables for the reception. She glanced over to where Paula was arranging the three-tiered wedding cake she’d made for Jenny and Dare’s reception.

  Seashells cascaded down one side of the cake. The white-on-white color scheme was both bridal and stunning. The topper wasn’t the traditional bride and groom figurines, but a message in a bottle.

  Hope moved closer to her friend, who was adjusting one of her plastic gloves and trying not to get frosting on herself. “That is your best yet.”

  Paula wore her black hair in a bun. “I’m happy with how this one turned out. It took a few tries to get the seashells right, but they came out nicely.”

  “They’re perfect.” Hope stared at the decorations with longing for what she’d never experienced. Marrying Adam at city hall had meant no flowers, no white dress, no wedding cake. Instead, they’d gone out to a nice dinner with two of his friends who’d been witnesses. There hadn’t been time for her family to get to New York to attend. “The cake looks… fabulous.”

&
nbsp; Paula stared at her creation with pride. “Thanks.”

  Hope read the piece of paper inside the bottle. “Jenny and Dare. A couple brought together by the sea. A love meant to be.” Her hand touched her chest. “That is so sweet.”

  “I loved that they wanted a topper that was meaningful to them as a couple.” Her smile widened. “They hadn’t said anything specific about the message, so I wrote something for them.”

  “They’ll love it.” Hope stared at her petite friend who had never looked happier. “Your cakes are in high demand. You’re in a great relationship. What’s your secret?”

  “I wish I knew, but I just never gave up even when I wasn’t sure things would work out.” Mischief glinted in Paula’s blue-gray eyes. “Is that handsome ex-football player turned sportscaster the reason for your question?”

  “What? No.” Hope didn’t know what to say, especially after their phone call last night. Her thoughts had kept her awake for hours after they’d hung up. “We’re friends.”

  Paula’s mouth quirked. “Friends who’ve seen each other every day he’s been in town.”

  “Okay, I’ll admit he’s easy on the eyes. Any woman with a pulse would agree he’s handsome regardless if they are in a relationship.”

  “Yes, but we’re not talking about other women.” Paula added more seashells around the bottom of the cake. “We’re talking about you.”

  “I like him.” Hope tried to sound casual.

  Paula gave her a look. “Like or like?”

  “He’s a nice guy. We have fun together.”

  “It’s about time you had fun.” Paula adjusted a starfish on the cake. “I knew you couldn’t put off dating forever.”

  Hope sighed. “We’re not…”

  “Spending time together? Kissing?” Paula raised her dark eyebrows that contrasted sharply against her pale, lightly freckled skin. “Because that looked like a hot kiss you shared on the deck the other day.”

  Heat burned Hope’s face. She hadn’t thought anyone would see that. But then again, Paula lived next door and had a view of the deck from her kitchen. “It was.”

  “And?”

  Hope shrugged. “I’ll see him at the wedding, but he’s leaving Sunday. There’s nothing more to say.”

  Unfortunately.

  “Really?” Paula sighed. “Technology makes long-distance relationships easier.”

  Hope grimaced. “It’s too soon to talk about something like that. We hardly know each other.”

  “Quality over quantity.”

  Okay, their times together had been good. No, great. She couldn’t stop thinking about him or wanting to be with him, but still… “It’s too soon.”

  “That’s Von talking. Not you.”

  “You’re not going to give up, are you?”

  “Nope, because I don’t want what happened with your ex to make you turn away from a better man in the future,” Paula admitted. “I don’t know if this new guy is the one, but you haven’t made any new friends since I met you. You sure haven’t kissed anyone since Adam. Something about Josh is different. You should figure out what that is.”

  This was why Hope loved having Paula as a friend—like Von, she never held back, even if she might be misguided here. “Did you miss the part that Josh is leaving on Sunday?”

  “That gives you the rest of today since he’ll be at the wedding, and all of tomorrow.” Paula had an answer for everything. “Plenty of time to get to know him better.”

  “But why?” Hope’s self-preservation mode wasn’t kicking in like it usually did, but that watch-yourself feeling was still there. “I don’t want a relationship.”

  “You didn’t want one,” Paula clarified in that patient tone of hers. “Who’s to say you’ll always feel that way?”

  Josh made Hope feel warm and tingly inside. Talking to him over the phone last night had left her feeling as giddy as a teenager. But Hope wasn’t about to admit that to anyone. Or that she’d dreamt about him for the past two nights. Or that she was trying not to get attached to him, but feared it might be too late.

  She swallowed. “I have no idea how I’ll feel someday, but I don’t want my heart broken again.”

  A glance at the tables told her the centerpieces needed to be put out. She’d light the candles after the ceremony.

  “I need to get back to work.” Hope took a step away from the cake and Paula.

  “Don’t let fear stop you from pursuing something that might be good for you, okay?”

  “I won’t.” Truth was, Hope wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Josh. She didn’t know what that meant or where that left her. Them?

  Not that there was a them.

  She glanced at the bottle on the top of the wedding cake.

  A couple meant to be.

  Hope wished she knew how Josh felt about her. Maybe that would help her figure out how she felt about him.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Josh arrived at the beach early. Talking to Hope last night, hearing her voice before he fell asleep, had given him the best night of sleep in days. Maybe weeks. He’d woken up rested and thinking about her. He was excited for Jenny’s wedding, but he couldn’t wait to see Hope again.

  And there she was.

  As his gaze took her in, he froze, even his heartbeat seemed to still. She wore an above-the-knee pink dress that showed off her honey-gold skin. Her hair was pulled back in a loose braid with tendrils framing her face.

  Josh forced his feet to move across the sand toward her.

  She stood at the back of the four rows of white chairs tied with big bows, separated by an aisle that led to an arched trellis covered in tulle and seashells. All the seats were empty, but she hadn’t noticed him yet. She was busy straightening a bow on the last row of chairs.

  “Hey.” He stopped three feet away. Any closer and he might reach out to touch her. Yeah, she was that beautiful. “Your dress is great.”

  “Work clothes.” With a grin, she gave him a once over. “You clean up nicely yourself. Linen suit?”

  Josh nodded. He’d purchased the tan suit for an event last year that he couldn’t remember, but he’d found an empty flask in the jacket pocket and tossed it in the garbage.

  “Ready for the big day?” he asked.

  “As ready as we ever are.” She glanced over at the setup for the ceremony. “The breeze will help keep guests cool, but it’s not strong enough to do any damage to the trellis or the bride’s hair.”

  He liked how the wind toyed with Hope’s hair. “Everything looks great.”

  Especially her.

  “That’s all Zoe’s doing and why she’s in charge of guest services and events.” The wind moved several papers on a nearby linen-covered table that held a guestbook, feathered pen, and a matted photo of the bride and groom. Hope placed a large seashell on the papers. “I’m her worker bee.”

  Hope could buzz around him anytime. He stepped closer.

  She handed him a pen. “Sign the guestbook and the photo’s mat.”

  He did, then set the pen on the table. “Can I see you later?”

  “I’ll be working at the reception.”

  “After that.” He wanted to make sure she understood what he meant. Their phone call last night had been good, but that wasn’t what he wanted tonight. Not when he was leaving in two days. “Just you and me.”

  “Oh.” She dragged her teeth over her lower lip. She didn’t appear hesitant, more contemplative. “Um, sure. I have to clean up the multipurpose room after everyone leaves, but I can text you when I’m finished.”

  “Sounds good.” The words came out quickly, as if he needed to say them before she changed her mind. Not that she seemed like she would, but something about Hope flustered him. “I’ll wait for you outside the multipurpose room.”

  Guests walked toward them. Hope picked up papers from beneath the shell and gave him one. “Here’s the program.”

  He went to the front row. The first three seats on his left contained small bouquets w
ith white and purple flowers and a nametag—Mom, Dad, Rob. Josh had only seen Mr. and Mrs. Hanford at school events and around town, but he’d met Rob, who was a few years younger than him. Rob had been a wrestler. Nice guy, spent all his spare time with his then-girlfriend, Missy, according to Sam, who’d known him better and made fun of Rob for being crazy in love with his girlfriend.

  Josh sat in the fourth seat. He angled himself to see the other rows of chairs behind him. As other guests arrived, he took pictures for his mom and Ava. Both would want a full report of the wedding. He snapped photos of Hope as she passed out programs and handed off the pen.

  Her wide smile shouted out to the world how much she loved her job working events. She seemed so at ease, and her face glowed.

  He couldn’t stop staring.

  A young Hispanic man arrived in a wheelchair being carried by four guys in suits and military haircuts. Another man, a few years older than the others and wearing his dress uniform, followed them.

  Josh couldn’t hear what Hope said to the men, but she led them to a special spot where they placed the wheelchair.

  The man in uniform spoke to the others, and they laughed. “That’s why I’m the staff sergeant and in charge of you clowns.”

  “Clowns, huh?” The man in the wheelchair grinned. “Guess trying to have a kid is making you rethink the language you use, sir.”

  The man in uniformed shrugged. “Lizzy figures if I start now, then by the time we get around to having a baby, I’ll no longer swear.”

  Another man snickered. “Good luck with that, Hamilton.”

  More laughter sounded. They must be part of Dare’s Ranger platoon.

  A few minutes later, a woman with dark hair and three young women who resembled her took the front row on the opposite side of the aisle. That must be Dare’s mom and his three younger sisters.

  Music played from a violin and cellist. At the altar, Dare and his best man, Staff Sergeant Mitchell Hamilton according to the wedding program, both in dress uniform, stood with the officiant, a woman in her forties with a ready smile and kind eyes.

  Missy strolled down the aisle in a lavender dress that flowed around her knees. Her bouquet contained the same flowers as the ones on the seats next to him. Her eyes gleamed as if she were ready to cry, but the smile showed her happiness for her sister-in-law.