She stepped into the gazebo as the last strains of the wedding march rang out and drew to a halt between Anna and Lucas. Her bare arm brushed his. In the distance, whirring clicks of cameras captured every second of the event, and she knew the best photos would grace the pages of tomorrow’s newspapers. But as the preacher began talking, all Kate could think about was the way the heat from Lucas’s arm seeped clean through his tux and settled against her skin like a thick fog.

“Marriage is commended to be honorable among all men, a vow between God and man,” the preacher began. “And therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly—but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and solemnly.” He emphasized each word, his bushy white eyebrows inching upward.

“Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined for life.”

Joined for life. She turned her head a fraction of an inch toward Lucas as the ugly scent of fear filled her nostrils, mingling with the tangy, salt-laden air. Life? She hardly knew him.

She dragged in a breath and slowly released it, careful to keep her expression neutral. There’s no going back now. Focus. Help me, God.

Was Lucas afraid too? Was he asking himself what he’d gotten into, wishing he were back in his shop, sitting in a thin layer of sawdust? Was that his arm trembling against hers? He had every right to panic. He was giving up a year of his life. He was being thrust into the public eye.

What if he backs out? Right here in front of everybody? Jilted twice in one day. Had it ever happened before? She imagined the headline. “Dr. Kate Jilted at Altar by Two Grooms.”

Reverend McFadden stopped talking, and the moment’s silence sent alarm scuttling through Kate. Instinctively, she slid her right hand from her bouquet and reached out, searching for an anchor. When her fingers touched Lucas’s hand, his encircled hers. It was warm and strong, and—oddly—confident. It’s going to be okay, his grip said.

Mrs. Petrie began her solo, her warbly, butterfly soprano wafting on the breeze, and Kate’s mind wandered. The song had seemed perfect for her and Bryan. How could she have been so wrong? Who was it who had stolen his heart? Just the night before, he’d held her close and kissed her good night at her apartment door. What was it he’d said? “I guess I’ll see you soon.”

Had there been something in his tone? In his expression? Some warning she’d missed? She’d been too flushed with excitement to notice. And just like that he was gone.