Sweet Beginnings: Chapter Twelve Josh arrived at the beach early. Talking to Hope last night, hearing her voice before he fell asleep, had given him the best night of sleep in days. Maybe weeks. He’d woken up rested and thinking about her. He was excited for Jenny’s wedding, but he couldn’t wait to see Hope again. And there she was. As his gaze took her in, he froze, even his heartbeat seemed to still. She wore an above-the-knee pink dress that showed off her honey-gold skin. Her hair was pulled back in a loose braid with tendrils framing her face. Josh forced his feet to move across the sand toward her. She stood at the back of the four rows of white chairs tied with big bows, separated by an aisle that led to an arched trellis covered in tulle and seashells. All the seats were empty