When You Love Someone

As tragedy strikes before 'I do,' can love survive through faith and hope?

As wedding bells echo in the distance, Heather Jackson's dreams are shadowed by a tragic twist of fate. With her fiancé, Luke, confined by an accident that has rewritten their future, Heather grapples with the daunting task of caretaker, clinging to her dwindling hope and the love that has always anchored her.

Luke Campbell, once eager to stand at the altar, now stands at a crossroads, his spirit marred by the aftermath of the accident. Beneath the surface, a storm of bitterness and isolation brews, threatening to uproot the love he and Heather have nurtured. Trapped in a reality he never imagined, Luke is torn between the love he feels and the burden he fears he has become.

In the face of darkness, can their shared faith light the way? Or will the challenges they face extinguish the flame of their love?

When You Love Someone is a testament to love’s power to triumph over life's unforeseen obstacles. Fans of heartwarming journeys and soulful connections, akin to the works of Grace Greene and Karen Kingsbury, will find a new home in the pages of the Tybee Island Faith series.

Heather Jackson stood in front of the oval mirror, fiddling with her wedding dress, a frown falling on her face. The dress was much too tight.

After several weeks of searching through boxes and boxes of her parent’s things, she’d finally found her mother’s old gown.

It was as beautiful as Heather had seen in photos with its lace and pearl neckline. The train pooled around her feet and added an extra layer of elegance to the dress.
But Heather had put on some weight over the last few weeks. Normally, the extra weight didn’t bother her.

She wasn’t the type to worry about such things.

But … it was her wedding, and she wanted it to be as close to perfect as possible.

It wasn’t going to be perfect—nowhere near perfect. After all, her parents weren’t going to be there. She couldn’t even get the venue they were once married in. The mere thought of losing it broke her heart.

Heather shook her head and pulled her hair back, twisting it on top of her head. A single blonde strand fell in front of her eyes. As she studied her reflection longer, she paid no attention to it.

She hoped on the big day she wouldn’t feel as sad as she did now. She knew her parents were still with her—they’d gone to their eternal home, where they would watch over her always.

Even so, it didn’t ease the pain, no matter how often she prayed for it to be taken away.

Her parents were gone, and they wouldn’t see her walking down the aisle at the Church of Tybee Island. They wouldn’t see her marry her best friend, the man who made her whole.

“Wow.”

Heather turned, her mouth hanging open.

“Luke!” she hissed. “You’re not supposed to be seeing me in this dress!”

“Don’t tell me you buy into that ridiculous superstition,” Luke said with a shake of his head.

“No, but I do believe in tradition.”

Heather turned to face the mirror, her eyes meeting Luke’s in the reflective glass.

“I’ve never seen you look more beautiful,” he said.

“Really?” Heather shook her head lightly. “It’s too tight. I’ve got to lose some weight.”

Walking up behind her, Luke wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing the crook of her neck.

“You look perfect.”

“Guess it could be worse,” she replied with a sigh. “I can’t wait to be married to you.”

“I can’t either,” he whispered in her ear. “But until then, your brother wants you.”

“What does Corey want?” Heather asked, pulling out of the embrace and turning to face Luke. Using her fingers, she instructed him to turn around. Heather slid the dress off her body and changed into shorts and a tee.

“He and Laurel are having trouble keeping Autumn off her feet. She’s apparently showing up at the bookstore every day. And she’s insisting on painting her walls by herself.”

“I don’t blame her,” Heather said as she picked up her brush and ran it through her hair. “I wouldn’t want to be laid up all day every day either.”

“They’re just worried about her. She’s already been in the hospital three times this year.”

“I’ll talk with her.” Heather walked out of the room. “But it’s not going to be easy for Autumn to take it easy for three and a half months.”

“I’m only relaying the message,” Luke replied.
As they neared the stairs, one of Heather’s guests reached the top.

“Hey, Christina,” Heather greeted. “How are you enjoying your stay in Tybee?”

“It’s so cool,” the young girl chirped. The beach is so pretty. I just forgot my book. Mom and Dad want to go walking on the beach.”

Christina rolled her eyes.

Heather laughed. “I take it that’s not your cup of tea?”

“No, ma’am,” Christina said. “I’d rather read.”

“In that case, have you stopped by Reading Pleasures?”

“No, ma’am, but I want to. I saw it yesterday. Daddy says he’ll buy me whatever book I want.”

“If you enjoy reading, I’m sure you’ll love the store. My friends run it, so if you need help, they’ll give it.”

“Thanks,” Christina chirped, playing with her long, brown braid. “Did you try on your wedding dress yet?”

“I did,” Heather answered. “It fits … sorta.”