Capturing the Moment

Chapter 1

Ryan

I did not notice the woman at first. It's an ordinary Tuesday afternoon before she shows up, and I'm standing outside my living room window nursing my second cup of coffee.

Noon is coming in fast, but my brother Conner is still asleep on my couch. His suitcase sprawled out on the floor — the same one I've been stepping over and tripping over for weeks. At least he's not hungover. As far as I can tell.

This was supposed to be a "3 day stay" while he and his girlfriend got their shit figured out. He's wearing his plaid Christmas pajamas again.  That's what I noticed first.  And for some reason, it bothers me more than it should.

I spot a woman outside.  She's centered in the frame of my living room window just right, and she almost doesn't seem real.  Like she is an image on a television screen, not an actual person standing less than 10 feet away.

It takes me a few seconds to realize she is not supposed to be there.  That she is in the middle of my yard instead of on the sidewalk that leads to my front door. Just standing in the grass like some kind of lawn ornament, or a burglar caught red handed.

I'm not sure I mind though.

Her skinny black pants hug the slope of her hips, showing off her curves, while her oversized blouse tries to hide her body shape. And it's that curious mix that gets me. The way she's showing off and hiding all at the same time.

Large sunglasses hide her eyes, but then she lifts them. She rests them gently on top of her head. I notice she has the warmest brown eyes I have ever seen.

She can't see me because of the slight tint on the front window and the sun shining through. I can see her. Something pulls in my stomach, like a rubber band stretched too tight, and I can't tell if that's a good feeling or not.

Then a different feeling rushes in: one I can't shake, no matter how hard I try.

There's something familiar about her. I know her, I'm just not sure how.

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Sidney

Three days earlier. . .

This is exactly how I pictured my wedding.

The view of the vineyard outside soothes me instantly, along with the natural soundtrack of the trees blowing in the wind. I can't imagine a better place on earth to become Mrs. Logan Brent.

A ceremony held in a field overlooking the most famous vineyard in all of California, I think yes!

Our reception in the ornate Spanish-style ballroom full of wide arches, golden chandeliers, and a mosaic-tiled ceiling? Yes please!

Since it's an expansive vineyard with a massive hotel stay for the weekend, there will be plenty of room for all of our out-of-town guests. No running around in traffic, no gridlock. No shuttling anyone back and forth in limos. I could not ask for more for my dream day!

Everything about Pine Ridge Vineyard is exactly what I wanted from my wedding, and I do not hesitate. When I know I'm right about something, I never hesitate. Logan told me "only the best for his wife."

"We'll take it," I tell my wedding coordinator, Nicole, lifting my sunglasses to rest on top of my head. "This is it, this is the place. I can feel the perfection!"

"Are you sure, Zoey? Logan hasn't seen it yet. Do you want to get his opinion?"

He's an hour late anyway, even though he set it up. I don't need his opinion.

Besides, he's left most of the decision making to me. We're supposed to start filming a new movie in a few months - our first starring roles together since we met on the set of Hallmark's Endless Kisses four years ago – and Logan is always a little jittery before he starts to work on something new. Busy figuring out his character and relentlessly studying his script.

He's pretty cute when he studies his scripts. That's one of the things I remember loving about him when we met. I love it even more now.

That man has not changed since we were twenty-three. He's as steady as it gets.

"Don't worry about Logan," I tell Nicole as we enter the ballroom from the outside patio, my heels clicking nicely against the wooden floor. 

 "How could he not love this place as much as I do? Now that I've seen it, I cannot imagine getting married anywhere else."

I really can't.

Pine Ridge Vineyard is everything I've ever wanted. Paired with marrying Logan, the only man I have ever wanted, our wedding is going to feel magical.

The venue coordinator is thrilled. He ushers us back to his office through a beautifully lit hallway to sign paperwork. There's no end to the papers I have to sign before I have to put down the deposit.

But it's worth it! Having all this settled and planned before we start work on our next movie Starfinder is going to lift weight off my chest. Now all I have to do is find a dress, and there won't be anything left to worry about.

Besides a caterer. And flowers. And a cake. And —

I'm about to sign the last page's dotted line when Nicole's phone pings. She ignores it, then it pings again. The venue coordinator's phone rings next. Mine goes last, then it doesn't stop.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Like a candy-drunk kid on Christmas firing shots with their brand-new BB gun.

Before any of us can check our phones, one of the front desk secretaries runs into the office.

Runs.

She skids to a stop, giving me the strangest look before darting behind the desk to whisper in the venue coordinator's ear. Her eyes widen, and she clears her throat.

"Ms. Weston...," she says, "perhaps you shouldn't sign that last line."

For the past hour, this woman has been referring to me as The Future Mrs. Logan Brent. Now I'm Ms. Weston. My heart drops, and I think I stopped breathing.

"Is it Logan?" I ask. "Is he - is he okay?"

The venue coordinator and desk secretary exchange glances. A different sort of look. Beside me, Nicole checks her phone.

"Oh dear, she begins slowly. "Sidney...?"

But she doesn't finish. She doesn't seem to know how. Instead, she hands me her phone.