Sophie shot to her feet. “To Jenna and Grant . . . the happy couple we’re celebrating tonight. Um, I know the words of King Solomon sum up the way my sister feels. ‘I found him whom my soul loveth.’ I’m so happy for you both. To a long and happy union.”

There was another round of clinking glasses as servers set out slices of cheesecake, and the group went back to their respective conversations.

Aiden cast a glance down the table. How many crises would Sophie end up averting before this weekend was over?

chapter two

Might as well get this over with.

Sophie kissed Pippa’s furry brown head and set her down in the master bedroom of the Fosters’ beach cottage. While the rescue Yorkie was nothing but a sweetheart for Sophie, she was distrustful of strangers, something Sophie assumed was left over from her early days. Jenna had begged for the dog for her eighteenth birthday, but the responsibilities of dog ownership had soon fallen upon Sophie. Jenna hadn’t seemed to mind when Pippa chose Sophie as her master.

She glanced around the room, making sure there was nothing for Pippa to get into. Thanks to the Fosters’ generosity, the beach house would be Sophie’s home for three weeks while she spruced up the building that would house Bookshop by the Sea. Then she’d move into the space above the shop.

Her belongings were already unpacked and put away. Well, what she had with her. Most of her things were in storage. She was glad to be in Piper’s Cove, after arranging all the pieces from Raleigh, making multiple trips back and forth. Finally, she was ready to pursue her dream.

But she couldn’t think about that right now. First, the rehearsal. The mental checklist for the next two days was long and emotionally exhausting, and she found herself eager to tick all the boxes.

Pippa stared at her with sad brown eyes, her fluffy black tail drooping. Sophie tossed the dog her favorite squeaky toy. “I know, honey, but it’ll only be for a little while. Be a good girl. Play with Bunny.”

Sophie closed the door behind her and made her way through the crowded living room, following a path that took her around the armchair where Aiden was chatting with Dana, one of the bridesmaids. Sophie slipped through the sliding glass door. Time to get this show on the road.

A warm, salty breeze drifted over the deserted beach. Tomorrow white chairs would be aligned in tidy rows, and a gazebo, draped with chiffon and dripping with wisteria, would stand center stage near the shoreline.