“What did you…”
Eric captured her hand in his, their fingers intertwining naturally as they navigated the moonlit paths.
“The wedding, primarily,” Hadley replied, a flush of self-consciousness tinting her voice. She was still unaccustomed to such focused attention on her happiness.
Questions that once seemed insurmountable now dissolved like morning mist under Nyla’s decisive authority. “Grandma has decreed Ironspire as our wedding location,” she revealed, wonder still coloring her words.
Ironspire—a destination renowned for its ancient marriage traditions and remarkably low divorce rates. Nyla’s selection was both sentimental and strategic, typical of her meticulous planning.
“Perfect choice,” Eric affirmed, genuine pleasure warming his features. No protest crossed his mind. “What else did you talk about?”
“Well…” Hadley’s voice carried a hint of carefully contained excitement. “Grandma mentioned her preferred wedding planners—an exclusive team she’s worked with before. They’ll present comprehensive proposals by next week,” she explained, still marveling at the machine now set in motion on her behalf.
“Remarkable,” Eric mused, shaking his head in admiration. “The indomitable Nyla Flynn strikes again. She orchestrated Ernest’s wedding to perfection—though it didn’t happen in the end. Anyways, with her guiding hand, our celebration is sure to be flawlessly executed.”
“Indeed.” Hadley nodded, concern pressing her lips into a thin line. “I worry about the strain on her, especially at her age, despite her formidable energy.”
Eric shared her sentiment, his gratitude for Nyla swelling alongside a prick of conscience. Traditionally, these arrangements would fall squarely on his shoulders as the groom. But reality offered little alternative—Milly struggled with basic self-care these days, while Eric’s female relatives possessed neither the inclination nor the competence to assist. Nyla’s intervention was nothing short of providential.
“But Grandma insisted,” Hadley said, her expression softening into a smile. “That far from tiring her, these preparations bring her profound joy.”
Eric’s fingers tightened around hers, his smile mirroring hers. “We’ll ensure she receives our attentive care going forward—a small repayment for everything she’s given us.”
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“Mm-hmm.”
The persistent tightness that had gripped her heart for years finally unraveled, leaving Hadley awash in unfamiliar but welcome serenity.
The sanctuary of Olisvale Bay welcomed them home. Eric couldn’t resist, and the two shared an intimate, loving moment.
In the aftermath, Eric cradled her against him, his fingers tracing soothing circles along the curve of her waist, her skin glowing in the amber lamplight. The jarring electronic chime of Hadley’s phone fractured their peaceful cocoon. Languishing in the rare luxury of complete relaxation, Hadley refused to surrender to reality, her eyes remaining closed as she murmured, “Would you answer that, please?” Discover more novels at find[?]ovel.net
“Of course.” Eric stretched toward the nightstand, retrieving the vibrating device. The screen illuminated his face as he noted, “Ernest is calling.” With a practiced motion, he accepted the call and gently pressed the warm device against her ear.
“Hello, Ernest?” Her voice carried the lingering softness of contentment.
“Hadley,” Ernest’s voice traveled through the connection, uncharacteristic hesitation coloring his typically confident tone. “I find myself in need of your assistance with a rather delicate matter.”
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