The Wedding Shop Read Online Free PDF Page B

historical place in town. But it’s not part of the historical district. Besides, Akron Developers needs that space for parking. They’re renovating the old mill into loft apartments and building a shopping center to go with. They purchased the old cow pasture for it.”
    “Where we used to play home run ball in the summer? Football on Thanksgiving and Christmas?”
    “Yes, finally Heart’s Bend comes into the twenty-first century.”
    The conversation boiled in Haley’s chest. She’d lost a lot in the last year. Herself by way of Dax, her identity as an air force captain, and her best friend.
    She didn’t want to lose her dream too. Their dream.
    Haley snatched up her notepad and pen. “I know what my goal is for this year.”
    Mom angled forward to see what Haley wrote. “Really? Well, okay, good. I look forward to hearing it.” She started out the door. “You coming?”
    “In a minute.” She wanted to think this through. If she set a goal, she’d need to have some steps in place.
    Yet the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to resurrect the wedding shop. She scribbled on her pad of paper. “Reopen the wedding shop!”
    Haley set the pad on her bed and stood over it, staring down at her New Year’s resolution, the words coming alive, whispering to her, telling her this was what she came home to do.

Chapter Three

    C OLE
    January 3
    Heart’s Bend, Tennessee
    C hange required courage. Even the smallest steps. Like meeting a friend of a friend for dinner. Casually. Not a date. Just a prearranged meeting with a woman he barely knew.
    He’d determined to make this year a good one. Shake off guilt, doubt, the lingering stench of death, and move toward his future. Build his business. Maybe find love.
    Besides, what else would he be doing on a Sunday evening other than watching football with his brothers if not meeting a friend of a friend for dinner?
    His head told him it was time. Though his heart still lingered at the weigh station.
    He snatched his keys from his dresser and headed downstairs, exiting the bottom steps into the living room where his middle brother, Chris, a Georgetown MBA student home on break, sat in a Barcalounger with a large cheese pizza on his lap.
    Baby brother Cap was a Vanderbilt sophomore and was working tonight at their mother’s diner, Ella’s.
    Cole flicked his hand against his brother’s foot, his fingers landing against a wet, soggy sock. “Dude, seriously?” Cole made a face, wiggling his fingers in the air. “Where’ve you been?”
    “Playing a game of touch in Gardenia Park with Kiefer and some of the guys. I texted you about it.” Chris worked his way out of the chair, carrying the pizza into the kitchen, offering Cole a slice. “Where you been? And where are you going?”
    Cole hesitated, washing his hands at the sink. Tonight’s venture was private to him, something he needed to explore on his own without Chris, Cap, or Mom butting in.
    “Meeting a friend.”
    He’d wanted to meet this friend of a friend in Nashville where she lived, away from the prying eyes of his hometown, but she’d insisted on coming here. Said she loved Heart’s Bend and hadn’t visited in a while.
    “A friend?” Chris shoved the last bite of his pizza into his mouth. And continued speaking. “What friend?” Little brother leaned forward, sniffing. “Wearing cologne? You’re going on a date.”
    “No, no, not a date. I’m meeting a friend of a friend.”
    “A date.” Chris hooted, reaching for another slice of pizza. “Bro, this is good. Tammy’s been gone nine months.”
    “Hey, a little respect.” Cole yanked a bottle of water from the fridge.
    “I’m showing respect. But you can’t hole up here forever. Tammy wouldn’t want it.” Chris gestured to the glass-encased guitar hanging on the wall over the dining table. “Unless you want to do your heart like you did that guitar.”
    “ That guitar is a classic. Worth a lot of money.” Cole didn’t have to