Page 31 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

Daisy let out a gasp. “It’s so beautiful.”

The quaint building was easily a hundred years old, four walls of white and gray stone, with stunning arched stained-glass windows overlooking the lake. The entrance wrapped around the side of the building, letting churchgoers enter at the center of the sanctuary. Worn wooden pews lined the room, looking toward a wood-carved pulpit in front of another massive stained-glass window. The light poured through it, painting the room in shades of blue and red and gold.

“You’re gawking,” Hunter said, giving her shoulder a nudge.

“Why aren’t you?” Daisy breathed.

Hunter smirked. “Probably because I’ve sat inside this church every week since I was born.”

“That’s…really nice.” Daisy gave Hunter a tight smile. She hadn’t been to church in years. In her college years, she’d been a regular attendee at Hope Church in Chicago. But once she moved to LA and her show took off, she hadn’t really had time in her schedule. A seed of guilt took root in her chest.

Hunter shrugged.

“Where is your family?” She asked, peering through the crowd for anyone with a family resemblance.

Hunter placed a hand on her back, heat seeping from his fingertips as he ushered her further inside. “You’ll meet them later. Waylen’s the only one who lives on island, but he’s never been much for church.”

“Don’t you think it’s odd to be flaunting our engagement when I haven’t even”—she dropped her voice into a whisper—“haven’t even met your family?”

Hunter paused, his brows knitting together. “I hardly think it’s out of the realm of possibility that my long-distance celebrity fiancée hasn’t met my family,” he said low, dipping his head. “Besides, Waylen spent the night at Jude and Evan’s place last night. I doubt the news will spread all the way to the mainland before Pastor Arnie is done with his sermon. Come on, we should sit before the coffee line catches up with us.” Hunter gestured toward an open pew where a blonde and a brunette, both probably a few years younger than Daisy, scooted down, patting their empty seats.

Daisy shuffled into the pew, and the women both leaned forward, grinning.

“You must be the mysterious new woman in town,” the brunette whispered.

Hunter rolled his eyes. “Ladies, this is Daisy…my fiancée.” Both women let out an excited squeal that Hunter seemed to be trying his best to ignore as he continued introductions. “Daisy, this is Jordi Chamberlain”—the brunette—“and Holland White. Her brother, Jonah, is my oldest friend.”

The blonde, Holland, frowned. “Oh, is that all? All this time I thoughtwewere friends.”

Hunter leaned toward Daisy, speaking exaggeratedly low. “She’s also a little dramatic?—”

“Hunter Barrett.” Holland smacked him on the arm before turning back to Daisy. “It’s really nice to meet you, Daisy.”

Daisy didn’t get a chance to respond before a horde of middle-aged church women bustled up, closing around them in the aisle and surrounding pews.

“Well, if it isn’t the happy couple!” the woman Hunter had pointed out as Martha Kelley exclaimed, her eyes not-so-subtly looking for a ring on Daisy’s finger. “We’re all just dying to hear how this came about. It’s so…unexpected.” Her eyes stopped scouring Daisy’s fingers long enough to meet her eyes. “I’m Martha, by the way.”

“Daisy,” she replied, extending a hand.

Another woman chimed in, taking over the handshake when Martha finally let go. “When’s the big day?”

Before Daisy could respond, a third woman leaned in, “And Hunter, why is this the first we are meeting her? Daisy, you are just beautiful.”

Daisy felt her cheeks flush. “Oh, thank you.”

“Now, now, ladies,” Martha interrupted, her smile predatory. “I’m sure they’ll make a lovely announcement when they’re ready. Though it does seem to be a little out of the blue. I don’t think Hunter’s been in a relationship since, well…”

Hunter tensed beside Daisy, his jaw clenching.

Just as Daisy was about to stammer out a response, a familiar voice cut through the chatter.

“All right, that’s enough interrogation,” Vera said firmly, appearing beside them. “Why don’t you all give these two some space? Service is about to start.”

The women reluctantly dispersed, throwing curious glances over their shoulders. Vera found her own seat as well, but not before leaning close to say, “Don’t think you’ll get out of telling me everything later,” with a wink.

Daisy let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding and glanced over at Holland, who was chuckling quietly to herself.

A hush fell over the church as a few members of the congregation stepped up onto the small stage and worship began. A few minutes after that, the pastor stepped up to the pulpit. Though his red hair made it difficult for Daisy to determine his age, he looked to be in his mid-fifties.

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