Hope Unbroken (Unveiled Series Book 3) (24 page)

Austin adjusted the mic. “A stroke of paint, a new verse sung. A young woman’s heart is left undone. Questions stirred, seasons changed. Hope holds on, dreams remain.”

Riley’s fingers danced over the strings, his voice one with the words. “A stroke of paint, a new chord played. A young man’s fears ready to trade, for a faith unshaken and courage unseen. He takes a step forward, daring to believe.”

They sang the chorus together again, the music reaching past the finite borders around us.

“Dreams collide, hope defined. Meaning of love found in their eyes. As life unfolds, a new story’s told. A song begun, now sung as one.”

As Riley and Austin both strummed the ending to the most precious gift Dad could’ve given me, Austin’s gaze found mine once more. “With love, from Dad.”

Jaycee released my hand. Hearing the story of our lives sung to the same melody I’d always connected to my love for Dad left too many tears to try to stifle. I fixed my eyes on Riley. I might not have known how life would write the remainder of our story, but this much I knew without question. The song in our hearts would lead the way.

The rest of the Prestons joined Riley on the stage, each picking up an instrument. Couples moseyed onto the dance floor.

Austin hopped off and cut through the crowd to my table. Flashing his familiar grin, he extended his hand. “May I have this dance?”

I circled around the table and joined him on the floor.

He drew me into a dancing frame. “Singing that song wasn’t the only promise I made Dad.”

I leaned back and searched my brother’s eyes.

“I promised him I’d look after you the way he would’ve. Promised I’d be there to listen or offer advice. Protect you without interfering with the things you had to learn on your own.” He laughed. “It wasn’t always easy.”

I tugged on the back of his hair, trying not to laugh too.

“Today,” he said, sincerity filling his voice again. “I’m transferring that role to Riley.”

I understood what he was saying, but I’d never stop needing him in my life. “I might be married now, but I’ll always be your little sister.”

His smile joined mine.

Someone from behind Austin tapped his shoulder. “Mind if I cut in?”

“A. J.?” Even though we’d had a small gathering, I hadn’t seen him in the crowd of faces.

Austin bowed his head at A. J., winked at me, and invited Mom to join him on the floor instead.

I stared at the grass, but A. J. didn’t permit much time to linger. He extended a hand. “You proved me wrong, Em. You’re even more beautiful than I’d imagined you’d be.”

I fluttered off his charm as he drew me into a dancing hold. “Glad to know some things never change.”

He laughed but then tilted his head as though something wasn’t quite right. “No heels?”

I lifted on my toes to fit in his arms the way I had at Jaycee’s wedding.

“Better.” His grin crept up the side of his cheek. “You know, we’re kinda experts at this whole dancing thing.” He leaned in to whisper. “We could really show these people up. For the record.”

I set my chin on his shoulder. “Well,
for the record
, it means a lot to me that you’re here. I was worried you wouldn’t come.”

“You kidding? I wouldn’t have missed it.” He spun me around and drew me back in. And for a long, unspoken moment, we both held on to a friendship we’d never forget.

He rested his cheek against my hair. “I’m really happy for you, Emma.”

I clung to his shoulder. “I’ve always wanted you to find this same happiness.”

“I know,” he whispered. “And you’ve given me the hope to believe that one day I will.”

I leaned back to face him, but he had his eyes closed.

“Life’s meant to be lived with your eyes wide open, remember?” I said, repeating the same thing he’d spoken to me on another occasion, on another dance floor. “Promise me, A. J.”

He lifted his fingers in the air in his notorious Boy Scout salute. “I promise.”

His gaze flickered past me. Smiling, he took one of my hands and twirled me around again, this time letting go.

I spun right into Riley’s arms.

“Congratulations,” A. J. said to him. “I’m happy for you both.”

Riley bowed, graciously extending A. J. the respect he’d earned.

A. J. looked from Riley to me. His eyes didn’t hold any trace of hidden pain. No sorrow or regret. Only sincerity from a friend who wanted the best for me.

With a final smile I’d always remember, A. J. turned to follow a path that would lead him to his own story.

Riley closed me in his arms from behind. “He’s found courage he didn’t know he had.”

“I think we all have.” I turned and sank into a truth that’d guided my life all along. “It’s easier to hope for something when you finally understand it’s worth waiting for.”

Riley drew me even tighter.

The reception carried on. But right then, the lights dimmed to only candlelight. The piano and violins’ soft cadence waned in the background. Faces in the crowd faded out of focus. And time—once an enemy, now a friend—slowed until it felt like we were the only ones there.

He leaned back from a kiss and kept his fingers under my ear. No words. Just the promise of never letting go. After all this time, his eyes still anchored me, as they would every day we danced throughout our small part of always.

A Word from the Author

Thanks so much for reading
Hope Unbroken
.
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If you haven’t read the beginning of Emma’s story, pick up
Eyes Unveiled
, and
Light Unshaken
. Also, grab a free copy of
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Crystal received her bachelor of arts from Messiah College in PA, married her exact opposite in upstate NY, and earned her master of arts from Regent University in VA, where she currently resides with her husband, David. Crystal writes contemporary inspirational fiction fueled by Starbucks’ venti green teas. She’d love to connect with you at
http://crystal-walton.com
.

Acknowledgements

Dave, thanks for cheering me to press through a race I’ve questioned over and over again whether I have the strength to run. I’m so glad to have you as my dance partner throughout our own small part of always.

Jessica Patch and Erynn Newman, when I first started, I never imagined I’d be blessed with such a tremendous pair of editors. Thank you for the priceless ways you’ve sown into this series and into my growth as an author. Your investment has filled an uphill journey with laughs and tears that’vekept me pushing forward. And it simply wouldn’t be right ending it all without saying . . . Team A. J.
!


Victorine Lieske, thanks for working with me again on a cover that fits the story so perfectly.

Mom, I’ve always treasured you as the prayer warrior and cheerleader for your family. Your commitment to standing alongside me through this venture has been perhaps the most beautiful depiction of why.

To each member of my launch team, thanks for the many ways you’ve rallied behind this series. Your prayers and support have been my baseline. Thank you.

To each of my readers, I may not know you personally, but I’ve prayed for you. From before I released the first book, you’ve been on my heart. Thank you for giving this series a try, for letting these characters share in a small part of your life, and for joining me along a journey of faith, courage, and hope. Keep going.