The Stranger I Married

Chapter 41: A Proper Wedding

Downstairs, the house had settled into the comfortable rhythm of morning. The scent of coffee and fresh pastries drifted from the kitchen, and the sound of Catherine's voice carried through the hallway.

But on the porch, the mood was different.

Michael stepped outside, his phone still in his hand. He glanced toward Edward and Alex.

"Alex." Something in his voice made Alex turn.

Michael's expression had lost the easy warmth it had carried earlier.

"I just got off the phone with Wesley. He says there has been a breakthrough in the investigation, but he doesn't want to discuss it over the phone. He requested a private meeting tomorrow morning."

Alex straightened. The warmth of the morning—the sunrise, Eve's smile, the words they had exchanged—receded, replaced by something colder. Focused.

"Good. I'll contact him. I think it would be best if we arrange the meeting at Apex."

Edward lowered his coffee and looked between them. "Let me make some arrangements with Pete. He's the ranch manager—he'll need to know I won't be at the ranch for a couple of days."

Michael nodded. "Edward can travel to Westbridge with Catherine and me. I'll bring him back to the ranch when he's ready."

Edward considered it for a moment, then nodded. "That will work."

Alex looked at Michael. "I'll arrange the meeting, and I better let my wife know that we'll be leaving after breakfast. We still have a meeting with Nanna this afternoon."

His thoughts drifted upstairs to Eve, to the smile on her face and the way her hand had fit so naturally into his as they walked back from the stables.

A smile touched his mouth before he could stop it.

Michael noticed. "So," he said, his voice lighter now, "I take it the sunrise went well."

Alex looked at him, unable to hide the smile. "It did."

Edward chuckled softly. "I believe that's putting it mildly."

Alex shook his head, but the smile remained.

Whatever waited for them in Westbridge tomorrow could wait until tomorrow. For now, he had Eve, and the simple knowledge of that settled something deep inside him.

He had married her by accident.

Loving her had been anything but accidental.

And for the first time, the thought of spending the rest of his life with her didn't feel like something that had happened to him. It felt like something he had chosen.

It felt like home.

Eve came downstairs to find the dining room already buzzing with quiet activity. Catherine was arranging fresh pastries on a platter, Michael was reading something on his phone, and Edward was seated at the head of the table, his coffee cup in hand.

"Good morning," Eve said, her voice bright.

Catherine looked up and smiled. "Good morning, sweetheart." Her eyes lingered on Eve's face, warm and knowing, before she exchanged a glance with Michael that spoke volumes.

Alex appeared behind Eve, his hand finding the small of her back. "Ready?"

She smiled up at him. "Ready."

They took their seats at the table. Catherine passed the coffee, Michael set down his phone, and the easy rhythm of family conversation filled the room.

"So," Michael said, reaching for a pastry, "what's the plan for today?"

Alex glanced at Eve. "We're heading back to Westbridge after breakfast."

Catherine's face fell slightly. "So soon?"

"I'm afraid so, Mom." Alex reached for Eve's hand under the table. "I have a meeting with Wesley tomorrow morning. There's been a breakthrough in the investigation."

Michael nodded. "Good. The sooner we get to the bottom of things, the better."

Edward set down his coffee. "It sounds like Wesley's ready to share what he's found."

Alex nodded. "He wants to meet in person at Apex. I'm hoping we finally have enough information to move forward."

Edward leaned back in his chair. "And you'll be at Apex tomorrow morning?"

"First thing," Alex confirmed. "I want to go over everything before we make any decisions."

Catherine turned to Eve. "And what will you be doing while Alex is at his meeting?"

Eve smiled. "I need to get back to the office. There are things I've been neglecting." She paused. "And I need to start sorting and packing my things. I'm moving to Beaumont Manor, after all."

Catherine's eyes lit up. "You're moving in properly." Her smile widened. "That makes it official."

Eve nodded. "It's time. I've been living out of a bag for long enough."

Catherine reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "I'm so happy to hear that. The manor needs someone to fill it with life. And you'll make it a home."

Michael smiled. "It sounds like you have a busy day ahead of you."

Eve nodded. "I do. But it's a good kind of busy."

Alex squeezed her hand under the table. "You'll have help. I'll be there as soon as my meeting is done."

Eve looked at him, something warm moving through her chest. "I know you will."

Catherine looked between them, her eyes bright. "And what about the rest of us? When are you planning to leave for Westbridge?"

Michael glanced at Edward. "We'll travel later today. Dad needs to make a few arrangements on the ranch first."

Edward nodded. "I need to go over a few things with Pete before I leave. Make sure everything is in order."

Catherine turned to Alex. "And then what? Are we all meeting up at the manor?"

Alex glanced at Eve, then back at his mother. "Actually, I was hoping you and Dad could come by the manor for dinner tonight. Eve and I have some things we'd like to discuss with you. Strategies for the investigation, next steps. We could use your input."

Michael nodded slowly. "That sounds like a good idea. We can talk everything through properly."

Catherine beamed. "I'd love that. We haven't had a proper dinner together at the manor in ages."

She turned to Eve, her expression brightening further. "And Eve, we need to have lunch soon. Your grandmother, your mother, you, and I. We need to discuss the official wedding arrangements."

Eve's eyes widened slightly. "The wedding arrangements?"

Catherine nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, sweetheart. You and Alex are married, but you need a proper celebration. A wedding. Something beautiful and memorable. Your grandmother and mother will want to be involved, and I certainly want to help. We can plan something wonderful together."

Eve felt something catch in her throat. She had spent so long avoiding the idea of a wedding—of being paraded in front of her family's expectations, of being married off for convenience rather than love. But this was different. This was a celebration of what she and Alex had found. This was a choice.

She looked at Alex. He was watching her, his expression soft, his hand still wrapped around hers under the table.

"I'd like that," she said quietly. "I'd really like that."

Alex squeezed her hand. "I think it's a wonderful idea, Mom. Eve deserves a proper wedding."

Catherine clasped her hands together. "Then it's settled. I'll speak with your mother and grandmother, and we'll arrange a lunch. We'll make it beautiful."

Edward smiled. "It sounds like you'll have a full house tonight."

Alex laughed softly. "It does. But I'm looking forward to it."

Eve squeezed his hand under the table. "So am I."

Catherine reached across the table and touched Eve's hand. "I'm so proud of you both. Taking on these problems together. Building a life together."

Michael reached over and took his wife's hand. "They're doing exactly what they should be doing. Supporting each other."

Edward lifted his coffee. "To family. And to new beginnings."

Everyone raised their cups.

"To family," they echoed.

Eve looked around the table at the faces of her new family—Catherine's warm smile, Michael's steady presence, Edward's wise eyes. And beside her, Alex, whose hand was still wrapped around hers.

She had walked into this house as a stranger.

She was leaving as family.

And somewhere in between, she had found something she hadn't known she was looking for.

She squeezed Alex's hand under the table, and he squeezed back.

Whatever waited for them in Westbridge—whatever challenges, whatever confrontations—they would face it together.