Amber had long given up on the possibility of love, but when she meets Steve, an old acquaintance of her father, at a barbecue, everything changes. Their whirlwind relationship quickly leads to marriage, and for a brief time, it appears like Amber’s aspirations have come true. However, on their wedding night, she discovers a truth about Steve that upends all she thought she knew about their relationship.

I approached my parents’ house and came to a halt, astonished by the long line of automobiles pouring across the lawn.

“What is this?” I grumbled under my breath, ready for whatever family surprise awaited me inside.

I grabbed my handbag, locked the car, and went for the door, praying for the best.

When I opened the door, the familiar fragrance of grilled meat hit me, followed by my father’s unmistakable, booming laugh. I looked into the living room, then out the back window.

Of course. Dad was hosting another of his impromptu barbecues. The entire backyard was full of people, the majority of whom worked at his auto repair shop.

“Amber!” My father’s words pierced through my thoughts. He was flipping hamburgers while wearing his customary apron. “Come on in, grab a drink, and join us.” It’s only the guys from work.”

I tried not to moan. “Looks like the whole town’s here,” I said as I took off my shoes.

Before I could join the chaos, the doorbell rang. Dad put down the spatula and cleaned his hands on his apron.

“That must be Steve,” he murmured almost to himself, as he reached for the door knob. “You haven’t met him yet, have you?”

Before I could respond, the door was pushed open.

“Steve!” Dad shouted, clapping the man on the back. “Come in. You’re just on time. “Oh, and meet my daughter, Amber.”

When I looked up, my heart skipped a beat.

Steve was tall and ruggedly gorgeous, with graying hair and kind yet fierce eyes. When he smiled at me, I felt a flutter in my chest that I was not expecting.

“Nice to meet you, Amber,” he remarked, extending his hand.

His calm, steady voice made me feel self-conscious about my appearance after the long travel.

“Nice to meet you, too.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off him after that. Steve had this simple knack of making everyone around him feel at ease, constantly listening rather than speaking. I tried to concentrate on the conversations around me, but whenever our gazes crossed, I felt a tug.

That was ridiculous. I hadn’t considered love or relationships in ages—not after everything I’d been through. I’d given up on finding “the one” and concentrated on work and family. But something about Steve compelled me to reconsider, even if I wasn’t ready to accept it.

As the evening came to an end, I bid my goodbyes and went to my car. Of course, it would not start.

“Great,” I murmured, collapsing into my seat. I considered going back inside to seek Dad for assistance, but before I could, there was a knock at my window.

It was Steve.

“Car trouble?” he inquired, smiling as if servicing automobiles was a usual part of his routine.

I exhaled. “Yes, it is not starting. “I was going to get my father, but—”

“Don’t worry about it,” he replied. “Let me take a look.”

Before I knew it, he had rolled up his sleeves and gotten under the hood. His hands moved with familiar grace, and my car started within minutes. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I let out a relieved sigh.

“Good as new,” he remarked, wiping his hands on a cloth.

“Thanks, Steve,” I answered with genuine gratitude. “I owe you one.”

He shrugged and gave me a look that made my tummy flutter. “How about dinner?” “We can call it even.”

I froze for a second. Is he asking me out?

A voice in my head advised me not to say yes, but something in his gaze compelled me to take the chance.

“Yeah, dinner sounds good.”

And with that, I agreed. I never dreamed that Steve would be the one to heal—or break—my heart.

Six months later, I stood in front of my childhood bedroom mirror, looking at myself in a wedding dress. It was surreal. After everything I’d been through, I never imagined this day would come.

I was 39, and I’d given up on the idea of a fairy tale. But here I was, preparing to marry Steve. Our wedding was small, with only close relatives and a few friends, which was exactly what we wanted.

After exchanging vows, the newlyweds Steve and Amber finally had a quiet moment alone in Steve’s—now their—home. As Amber returned to the bedroom, she found Steve speaking softly to someone who wasn’t there.

When questioned, Steve confessed that he was talking to his late daughter, Stacy, who had died in a car acci:dent with her mother. He explained that sometimes he feels her presence and wanted to share his happiness with her, especially on their wedding day. His vulnerability revealed a deep, unspoken grief and his desire to honor his daughter’s memory.

As Amber listened to Steve’s confession, she felt his grief as her own. Though the weight of his loss was intense, she wasn’t afraid or angry—just sad for all he’d endured alone. She reassured him, holding his hand and telling him she understood. Steve expressed his relief, admitting he hadn’t told her earlier out of fear.

Amber encouraged him to consider speaking to a therapist, promising that they could face this together. In that moment, Amber realized the depth of their love—it was about sharing each other’s scars, not perfection. Holding each other close, they knew they could move forward as partners in both love and healing.

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