As it was he wasn’t even sure what career path he wanted to take. The more he worked with his hands—the more he remembered how much he used to enjoy being his maternal grandfather’s apprentice—and the more he was torn about returning to his job in New York.

He once again tugged at the collar of his borrowed white dress shirt. It wasn’t that he didn’t love firefighting. It was in his blood. But he wasn’t sure it was all he wanted to do with his life. But was it too late for him to change? Should he stick with what he knew best? Or take a chance on being his own boss and starting his own business?

Not worrying about what everyone else was doing, he loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. He could breathe a little easier now. Hannah had to borrow the suit from her brother or he wouldn’t have had a thing to wear. Luckily or unluckily, depending on how you looked at it, they were the same size.

Ethan’s gaze moved to Hannah, who’d just finished speaking with the woman seated next to her. He recognized the face but he couldn’t put a name to her. When a slow song started to play, Hannah’s eyes lit up as a big smile came over her. Oh no! She wanted to dance. No way! It wasn’t happening.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to dance with her. In fact, the idea was quite tempting. The only problem was once he held her in his arms, his thoughts would drift to other things…like kissing her. And he was leaving in two weeks.

He cleared his throat. “I’m going to get a drink. Can I get you something?”

“I’ll come with you.”

They both got to their feet when her mother approached them. “There you are.” Mrs. Bell smiled at both of them. “It’s good to see you here, Ethan. I hope you’re enjoying yourself.”

He forced a smile to his lips. “I am.”

No, he wasn’t. Who was he kidding? This wedding just reminded him of his failure at relationships. And he hated to fail at anything.

Her mother turned back to her. “It’s a shame your brother couldn’t make it. He claimed he didn’t have anyone to watch Nikki, but I think it’s still too much for him. Losing Beth, well, you know.”

Hannah’s eyes reflected her sadness as she nodded. “It’s going to take him more time.”

“I know. I just hate seeing him so miserable.”

Hannah gave her mother a hug. “We’re all there for him—as much as he’ll let us.”

Her mother pulled away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring you down. Go dance.”

Just then a bouncy tune started to play. Both Hannah and her mother suddenly smiled. Apparently they both liked the tune.

“You have to dance to this,” her mother insisted.

“So do you.” Hannah gave her mother a pointed look.

Her mother shook her head. “Oh no. Not me. My hip is beyond shaking my bootie.”