The following June

Campbell stood at the back of the Sweethaven Chapel in a room reserved for brides. Out the window, she could see their guests filtering in, sitting in the white wooden chairs they’d set up earlier that morning. Underneath a white canopy, Graham stood, Bible in hand, and in just a few seconds, the music would start and she’d walk down the aisle to meet her groom.

Tilly Watkins, her mom’s best friend from Chicago, appeared in the doorway. Her gasp turned Campbell around. “You look so beautiful.”

Campbell caught her reflection in the full-length mirror. She’d never been a frilly girl, but she had to admit, she did feel like a princess in her dress. The strapless gown had just enough tulle to be special without being too much.

She’d grown her hair out, and after it had been curled and sprayed, the stylist had pinned it up, leaving a few tendrils hanging around her face and securing the veil underneath the gathered hair.

“Thanks, Tilly.”

Tilly walked in and handed her a small box. “This is from your mother.”

Campbell stared at it and then found Tilly’s eyes. “My mother?”

Tilly nodded. “She wanted you to have it today.” She pulled Campbell into a hug. “See you out there.”

After she’d gone, Campbell sat, careful not to wrinkle her dress, and took the lid off the small wrapped box. Inside, she found a handmade book. On the cover, the words “I wanted you to know . . .” The cover had been decorated with paint and flowers and, of course, Mom’s gorgeous hand-lettering.

Campbell opened the book and found that the pages were envelopes, each decorated with Mom’s unique style. On the first envelope, Mom had written the words “On your wedding day . . .”

Campbell turned the page and saw that the envelope had been sealed, and on the next page, she saw the words “When you find out you’re expecting your first child . . .”

The book continued like that, milestone after milestone documented and accounted for. Mom’s way of having her say even after she’d gone. Campbell blinked to keep the tears from ruining her makeup. Carefully, she opened the first envelope and inside found a handwritten letter.

Dear Campbell,

I can only imagine how beautiful you look today. I can only imagine how special a man you found if you’ve agreed to make him your husband. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become. As you know, I never had a wedding day, but if I did, I would’ve made sure to enjoy every second of it. I would’ve danced until my feet ached and spoken to every person who came to celebrate with me.

I would’ve fallen in love all over again.

Don’t let this day pass by too quickly, and remember that while a wedding is important, it’s the marriage that really matters. Treat him with kindness always, and don’t ever be afraid to let him know how much you love him.

I know my death may cause you some confusion, but if there’s one thing I will never regret in my life, it’s the people I’ve loved with every fiber of my being. Knowing I don’t have much time left, those are the relationships I cherish most.

Forgive easily. Give freely of yourself. And love with your whole heart.

Even when you have to say good-bye, you’ll find it was all worth it in the end.

I did.

I love you, Campbell.
Mom

Campbell reread Mom’s words and wondered how her mother had known exactly what to say.

“Campbell?” her father’s voice startled her. “You okay?”

Campbell glanced back at the book, tucked the letter back in its envelope and put it back in its box. She’d never cherished anything more. She nodded at Tom.

“They’re ready to start the music.”

Campbell checked herself in the mirror one last time and then took Tom’s arm, walking outside to the back of the wide yard behind the church.

“You look beautiful,” Tom said. “Your mother would be so proud.”

Campbell looked up toward the sky as if to acknowledge her presence, and for the briefest moment, it almost felt like her mom was right beside her.

As she stood at the back of the rows of chairs, sprays of tulips lining the aisle they’d created, Campbell scanned the crowd. Old friends and new turned toward her, smiles on everyone’s faces. Adele sat beside her new husband and old love, tears falling faster than she could wipe them away. Campbell smiled when she met her eyes.

Jane, equally weepy, sat beside Adele, and while Campbell would know the woman’s kind eyes anywhere, her body had been completely transformed. Healthy and strong, Jane had done what she set out to do—she’d taken her life back, and inspired many other people to do the same.

Lila beamed in the front row, cradling her one-month-old son, Thomas Jr. Now that he’d been born, she would finally be able to donate bone marrow for her niece Maddie. Lila glanced down at her son, smiled, then looked back at Campbell.

“You guys seem so happy,” Campbell said to Tom.

His face lit up. “We are so happy.”

Somehow, Campbell and her father had managed to work everything out, in spite of the secrets of the past, and she knew in her heart that her coming to Sweethaven wasn’t a mistake. In fact, it was the biggest blessing of her life.

“Looks like it’s time.” Meghan, dressed in a simple sky-blue dress, looked less like a bridesmaid and more like a star. Finn and Nadia would lead the way down the aisle where Campbell would finally say “I do” to the man who’d stolen her heart from the second she arrived in Sweethaven. She glanced at Luke, who looked more handsome than she’d ever seen him in a gray suit and blue tie.

When Luke saw her, his expression changed, and Campbell thought his face could’ve lit the night sky.

Looking out over the scene in front of her, Campbell whispered a prayer of thanks. For the scrapbook that led her there. For the friends she’d met there. For the life she intended to have there.

This little town had done more than given her a place to live. It had stolen her heart.

And she knew she would never be the same.