Contrary to what Janie had anticipated, the wedding soothed her harried soul. Watching Wyatt and Meg—then Kelly, Meg’s sister, and her now husband, Kyle—exchange vows in a dual ceremony reaffirmed her belief in life and love. She watched the ceremony unfold without pangs of jealousy, but a profound gratitude for the time she’d had with Mike.

Because of the double wedding, the brides and grooms had decided not to have best men and bridesmaids in the traditional sense, but those closest to them had reserved seats of honor at the reception. She, Evan, and Jared were to be seated at a round table closest to Wyatt and Meg’s table, but she didn’t know who their companions would be.

Their limousine entered the circle driveway of a historic mansion at which the reception would take place. Four imposing columns stood two stories high in a stately fashion in front of the brick, three-story home. A balcony jutted from the third floor above the columns. Lanterns hung from the porch awning with flickering candles that would glow against the night within an hour.

She couldn’t wait to see the inside. Her and Mike’s wedding had been a simple affair with a reception in their church’s fellowship hall—it had been all their families could afford at the time. Even if she could, she wouldn’t go back and change a thing. Their day had been perfect as it was, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t appreciate the grandeur of Wyatt and Meg’s.

When the luxury car came to a stop, no one moved until the chauffeur opened the door. Sandwiched between Evan and Jared on the far side of the U-shaped seat, they were the last of the party to exit. Once she stood on two feet, she brushed her dress with a hand, smoothing the newly formed creases. Jared struck up a conversation with Wyatt’s brother, Noah, as they walked inside, leaving her alone with Evan.

They walked side by side, and Evan cupped her elbow to assist her up the seven steps of the slate porch. Large double doors opened to a marble tile foyer. Soft, even strains of a string quartet drifted down the hallway creating a romantic atmosphere.

Evan leaned over and whispered, “Wyatt and Meg wanted a smaller event, but since this was their second time down the aisle together and only cared about being reunited, they gave Kelly the reception of her dreams.”

“It’s gorgeous.” Her eyes couldn’t move quickly enough to take in all the details.

The hallway, and then the ballroom, had been transformed into a blaze of fall-colored glory. Flower arrangements and hanging baskets were strategically placed to make guests feel as if they walked under a canopy of autumnal trees.

Each table had a centerpiece of scarlet roses, golden sunflowers, and copper chrysanthemums. Crackled glass votive holders surrounded the arrangements. Bronze napkins lay on top of each plate setting, artistically folded into the shape of a leaf.

Guests who hadn’t been involved in official pictures already filled the vast ballroom. Many had found their assigned table and hovered near them, but a handful milled about, chatting with friends and family, catching up on the latest family gossip.

Janie didn’t see anyone she knew well enough to make comfortable conversation with, except Evan and Jared. Over the last several days, she’d met a large portion of these people, but few that she could name beyond Wyatt’s immediate family. Then there were the well-wishers who knew her backstory and felt the need to comment on the crash and Mike’s death.

She forced herself to be gracious, while wishing they wouldn’t say anything. She knew they had the best of intentions. But she, Jared, and Evan were here for Wyatt’s wedding and to celebrate his big day. For these few days, she wanted her identity to be Janie, Wyatt’s friend—not Janie, Mike’s widow.

Evan must have sensed her apprehension of being approached again. His hand still cradled her elbow and offered himself as a shield to the unknown wave of guests. “Ready to sit?”

“Yes. Please.”

They found their names at the first table they checked—it was an easy guess since Wyatt had told them they’d be near him—and relief breathed through her when she saw they’d sit with Wyatt’s siblings and parents. She hadn’t spotted them in the ballroom yet, but wasn’t nervous about sharing the evening with them. When Wyatt had first returned from that deployment, his parents had come to Jacksonville, and she’d gotten to know and like them. They also understood the need to not mention the past at every turn, for which she was extremely grateful.

She sipped on the pre-poured glass of water at her seat. Memories inundated her. “Of all my memories, I’ll never forget the moment Mike and I walked into the hall, and we were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Stroud for the first time. That was the moment it finally hit me that we were married.”

“Not when the Pastor pronounced you man and wife?” Evan sat with one arm casually draped over the chair.

“You would think, but no.” She broke out in a smile. “Standing in front of the church, I was so nervous. I couldn’t even tell you much about the ceremony itself, but by the time we took pictures afterward and made it into the reception, my brain slowed down enough to process it all.”

The room went silent, and people stopped where they were.

“Here they come.” Evan tipped his head to the wide doorway.

First to walk in were Kelly and Kyle, followed by Wyatt and Meg. After each couple was introduced, the reception officially began. Among a multitude of toasts, including one each from Jared and Evan, and a four-course meal, Janie relaxed. Truly relaxed. For the first time she could remember since Mike died.

Watching the love flow between Wyatt and Meg as they shared the first dance to “God Bless the Broken Road,” made it impossible for her to maintain any emotion but happiness. Theirs was a beautiful love story, years in the making. The song aptly described the relationship, and anyone who knew Wyatt and Meg had no doubt of God’s blessing on their marriage.

The dance floor opened to everyone after Kelly and Kyle danced to Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable.”

Corie, Wyatt’s eighteen-year-old sister, approached Jared. Her growing crush on him over the last several days couldn’t be denied. She was a sweet girl, but too young for Jared even if he’d been searching for a girlfriend.

He darted a discreet cry for help to Janie with his eyes.

She could have helped him, but watching him wiggle out of the situation held too much entertainment value, and it had been entirely too long since she’d felt mischievous. She mouthed, “You’re on your own.”

The scowl he shot back warned her of impending payback.

She’d do well to check her room for rubber snakes or mice later. You can turn a boy into a man, but you can’t take the boy out of the man. Oh well, she could hold her own—she’d been friends with them long enough to anticipate their antics, immature as their pranks could be at times.

Having no polite alternative, Jared awkwardly accepted a dance with Corie. They moved to the dance floor and disappeared into the crowd.

Noah also left the table to talk with a group of cousins. According to him, there’d be no dances for him that night since his girlfriend wasn’t present, a vow which had endeared him to all the single ladies present.

“I’m sorry about Corie.” Mrs. Deluca, Wyatt’s mother, offered an embarrassed smile from across the table. “She broke up with her boyfriend last month, and I think she latched onto Jared because she knows it’s an impossible match.”

Evan scrunched his face in confusion. “That doesn’t make sense. Seems it sets her up for heartache.”

“It’s a girl thing.” Janie nudged his arm. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Mr. Deluca laughed and winked at Evan. “Don’t try to figure it out, or you’ll give yourself a headache.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Evan made a show of rubbing his temples. “I have enough headaches as it is.”

Another song played, a slow ballad, and Mr. Deluca reached for his wife’s hand. “May I have this dance?”

Taking his hand, Mrs. Deluca blushed. “Yes, you may.”

Janie turned to Evan after the older couple left. “They’re so cute. I bet they still hold hands walking in the store.”

“I’m sure they do.” Evan’s gaze didn’t meet hers, and he searched the crowd. “Think Jared escaped? I don’t see him anywhere.”

“Knowing him, he made the best of it, then found a woman closer to his age to cast his charms on for the night.”

Following Evan’s shifted line of vision, Janie saw Jared dancing with a redhead. “And…you called it. We won’t see him again until it’s time to leave.”

Evan smirked. “Should we warn the girl she’s a pawn of his escape route?”

She shrugged. “Why ruin the moment? She’ll figure it out soon enough.”

Starkly aware they sat alone at the table, a pregnant silence fell between them.

Her half-eaten slice of cake with amaretto icing begged to be eaten despite her full stomach. She picked up her fork, dragged it over the plate and broke off a small piece. Once she brought it to her mouth, she couldn’t bring herself to take the bite. So much for that distraction.

Beside her, Evan spun his glass with his fingers, creating a whirlpool in the water. He stopped and looked up at her. “You know, we could join the others on the dance floor.”

“I…I don’t know.” She’d never danced with anyone but Mike, but why shouldn’t she dance with a friend?

“It was just an idea. We don’t have to.” He popped a mint in his mouth, unaffected by her refusal.

His laid-back attitude gave her the strength needed to answer with a yes. This was Evan, one of her best friends. Dancing with him would hold no expectations. “How’s your leg?”

“Fine, since the other night.”

Her lips curved up. “Then why aren’t we out there on the dance floor?”

“So that’s how you’re going to play it, huh?” He stood with a wide grin. Gave an exaggerated bow and offered his hand. “Ahem. May I have this dance?”

She accepted his hand and allowed him to guide her to the floor. His hand pressed gently against the small of her back until they found a clearing among the people. Their arms bumped and tangled, producing hearty laughter from them both.

“It’s been a while since I’ve danced with anyone.” She smiled sheepishly.

“I was coerced into dancing at Kate’s wedding in August.” His hands found a resting place in the curve of her hips.

“Coerced?” She arched a brow. “I’ve never known you to do anything you didn’t want to do.”

“Kate insisted on a brother/sister dance.”

She slid her arms around his waist and locked her hands at his back. Wrapping them around his neck would be too close… too intimate. “Then, of course, you had to acquiesce.”

“What Kate wants, Kate gets.” His eyes twinkled.

“Like you would ever dream of telling her no,” she teased.

Evan and his sister shared an impenetrable bond, which Janie assumed came from being neglected as children and having to rely on each other before being adopted.

The banter continued, and she didn’t realize a slow song had come on. All around them couples swayed to the music, gazing into each other’s eyes.

And here she was laughing.

“Should we actually dance now?” Evan looked at her with the same merriment she felt.

“Probably. I’m sure our laughter is ruining the romance for others nearby.”

He pulled her closer, whispered in her ear. “If that means seeing you happy, so be it.”

Her stomach flopped in an unfamiliar sensation that she wasn’t inclined to dissect with thought. She leaned her head against his chest. “I am happy tonight.”

“That’s all that matters.” His breath caressed her cheek.

The lyrics to “To Make You Feel My Love” trickled to her ears. All the things a man would do to make a woman feel his love. The woman in the song could be her, minus the falling in love part. But why couldn’t it apply to friendships as well?

A warm embrace covered a multitude of hurts. It was the miracle of a human touch that told her she wasn’t alone, that someone cared. Right here, right now, standing in Evan’s arms, she experienced a wholeness which had long avoided her. Humans were made to connect through touching, and since Mike died, she’d eschewed any physical contact, even embraces from her parents meant for comfort.

But allowing herself to be held, to feel the love of one friend to another, a healing process began in the darkest recesses of her heart.