Just months ago, Jolene felt lonely and doubted she’d ever marry. Now, she was dreaming of a wedding with Steve, but he hadn’t invited her to his place, making her uneasy.

As they strolled hand in hand on a quiet street, she playfully teased him about his dating app profile picture—a huge fish he proudly displayed. They shared laughter and a tender kiss, but when the evening ended, Steve suggested calling a taxi for her, avoiding her suggestion to share a ride to his place.

Confused, Jolene sensed he was hiding something. After another night of dodging her offer to visit, she decided to confront him. She baked a pie, hoping it would soften the blow of her unexpected visit.

When she arrived at Steve’s house, she heard voices inside—an unsettling sign. To her shock, Steve revealed he was a widower, with two daughters, Lucy and Carla. Lucy’s excitement melted Jolene’s heart, and as she interacted with the girls, she realized Steve hadn’t been hiding secrets; he was protecting his family.

After dinner, Steve confessed he was afraid to scare her away. Jolene reassured him, saying she was ready to embrace his life with his daughters. Their relationship deepened that night, grounded in trust and honesty, hinting at a shared future that felt more real than ever.