Beside Aiden, Seth stiffened, scowling at his dad before taking a drink. What was this? Had there been a fallout between father and son?

Sophie gave her dad a hug and invited him to take a seat beside her. But her posture was stiff, her smile tight. Had something happened in the aftermath of Rose’s death? Sometimes great loss brought a family closer together, and other times it tore them apart.

Grant must know what had gone awry with the Lawsons. But when he’d started dating Jenna a year and a half ago, Aiden had given him strict orders to keep all news of Sophie and her family to himself. He’d loved her so much. He didn’t want to keep looking back and missing her. Best to just keep moving forward—or so he told himself.

“It seems like the weather’s supposed to hold out through tomorrow,” one of the groomsmen said.

Aiden was glad for the distraction. “They’re calling for sunny skies on your big day, Grant.”

“It’s not supposed to start raining until Sunday.”

“That’ll give everyone plenty of time to get back home,” Seth said.

A tropical storm was headed this way. It had caused some stress over the past week as they watched it develop in the Caribbean waters and swing northward.

Except for Aiden and one of Grant’s college buddies, everyone had driven from Raleigh and would return after the reception Saturday night. Aiden had a late flight back to Charleston.

Empty plates were removed one at a time as conversation carried on at the table. The sun sank quietly in the sky, the twinkle lights glimmering off the harbor.

Mr. Foster rose, holding his glass aloft. “I’d like to toast my son and his soon-to-be wife.” He went on to say kind things about the happy couple, throwing in a couple jokes along the way. Then with watery eyes he wound things down. “Grant, I know you’ll treat your bride with all the love and kindness she deserves. Jenna . . . Welcome to the family, sweetheart.”

“Hear, hear!”

As the group quieted once again, Jenna’s dad stood and cleared his throat. “I don’t know if I can even talk after that.”

The group chuckled, but Seth stiffened beside him again. Aiden didn’t think he was imagining the mounting tension in the room.

“Hard to believe my baby girl’s about to tie the knot.” Craig turned to address the bride-to-be. “Jenna, you bring joy to everyone who knows you. And it seems you’ve found a young man who makes you happy. I wish you many years of joy together.”

“Hear, hear!”

Amidst the din Seth raised his glass. “To dear old Dad . . . May these two lovebirds end up a lot better off than—”