The sun was still high in the sky, but not shining into our eyes, thank goodness. Dylan and I came to stand in front of Al Tripp, who was looking both solemn and joyful.

  “We have gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Carrie Singleton and Dylan Thomas Avery,” he began, “two very special people we love and cherish who have brought caring friendships into our lives.”

  Dylan squeezed my hand as Al continued, his words both poignant and filled with gentle humor. He spoke about us as only someone who knew us as a friend and fellow resident of the town we all loved could.

  And then it was time for Dylan and me to exchange our vows. My heart seemed to flutter like a leaf in the wind. Was I really nervous about not remembering a few lines, or was it the solemnity of opening my heart and revealing my love for Dylan before everyone dear to us as they witnessed our formal agreement to share our lives from this day forth?

  I cleared my throat. “Dylan, I stand before you and our family and friends to say I love you and will continue to love you as long as I live.”

  A few aws sounded from the audience.

  “Of course, I’m expecting you to remain lovable so we can share our lives in good times and bad, in sickness and in health.”

  I heard muffled laughter.

  “I will,” Dylan adlibbed.

  I grinned at him. “I look forward to taking care of you and our future family to the best of my ability, sharing your troubles and your difficulties as I hope you’ll share mine.”

  “I will,” Dylan repeated.

  “I want us to continue to learn and grow as we grow older together, always eager to talk to each other about any and all topics. I promise to be there for you, supporting you in what you hold dear.”

  I stepped back to a round of applause.

  “You’re up, Dylan,” Al quipped.

  Dylan smiled at me. “Carrie, I love and adore you. I promise to love and adore you as long as I live.”

  “Thank you,” I murmured as a blush warmed my ears.

  “I agree with everything you’ve said, and promise to do the same with you and for you. I look forward to our life together. I know it’s going to be a series of adventures, judging by today’s events.”

  Laughter echoed around the room. When it calmed down, Dylan went on. “Carrie, my love, I’ve watched you develop into a strong, self-confident woman. You are the most amazing person I know. I will support you as you continue to do new and wonderful things. I will care for you and protect you to the best of my ability.”

  Protect me? I opened my mouth to protest, but Dylan was speaking again.

  “I say protect because you have a knack of putting yourself in dangerous situations. I can no more tell you to avoid those situations than stop the rain from falling. That said, I want to keep you as safe as I can so we can share a long and happy life together.”

  Our guests burst out in applause.

  Al was about to speak, when I held up a finger.

  “Thank you, Dylan. I promise not to rush into danger. You get me, and that’s one of the reasons I love you so much.”

  Dylan grinned. “And I have no problem with you having the last word.”

  The cheering was even louder this time. We’d both managed to have the last word, which was a true reflection of our relationship.

  Al went on to the official part of our wedding and declared us married in the State of Connecticut.

  I was a married woman! Dylan took me in his arms and kissed me. Our audience roared their approval. And then we were exiting the room and heading for the deck off the kitchen, where we accepted our guests’ hugs and good wishes, amid drinks and hors d’oeuvres, as a harpist strummed in a corner, playing light classical music.

  An hour later, as the sun was setting on the horizon, Victor and Babette ushered everyone into the tent for an evening of dining and dancing. Dylan and I paused at the entrance to admire the lovely setup. The ten tables decked out in lavender and teal, with tall vases of flowers in the center, were set in a semicircle around the dance floor.

  “It’s so much prettier than I even imagined,” I said.

  Dylan chuckled. “It really is.”

  The tent was surprisingly roomy and well lit. We had chosen one with a transparent top and large “windows” on the sides that brought in the outdoors while maintaining a feeling of shared space.

  The four-piece band was playing a lively tune as people found seats at their assigned tables. We’d chosen a small ensemble so that when Tony Milano, our master of ceremonies/male vocalist, wasn’t singing, our guests could hear themselves converse.

  Tony asked everyone to rise and then introduced Dylan and me as Mr. and Mrs. Dylan and Carrie Avery. Hand in hand, we came to stand in the center of the dance floor, where a small table bearing two flutes and a champagne bottle had been placed. Tony uncorked the champagne and filled our glasses while waiters went around the tables filling our guests’ flutes.

  Mac and Angela came to face us across the small table, each of them holding a glass.

  “As best man and matron of honor, we toast the bride and groom, wishing them every happiness they want for themselves,” Mac said.

  They sipped and we followed suit.

  “Carrie and Dylan,” Angela said, “you love each other now, but we know your love will grow with every year you share as a couple and create your family. We all love you and wish you a happy, healthy future together.”

  We drained our flutes as cheering and shouting filled the tent.

  And then the band began to play Harry Styles’s “Love of My Life.” I slipped into Dylan’s arms, and we began to dance. “This is where I’ve been wanting you all day,” he murmured into my ear.

  I lifted my face to kiss him and held on to Dylan for a long minute. The music changed, and Tony invited my father to dance with me while Dylan led my mother around the dance floor. Soon most of our guests were dancing. Uncle Bosco cut in. Then Mac. The dance medley ended with me panting after dancing a fast one with Tom, my mother’s husband. We sat down to eat our roasted beet salad with walnuts and goat cheese.

  I floated through the evening in a dreamlike state, eating and dancing and chatting with dear friends and relatives. Dylan was often at my side, and when he wasn’t, I always knew exactly where he was. Dylan, my husband!

  Mark and Tacey were the only children at our wedding. They were rarely off the dance floor, often telling our band which songs to play. And why not, since, of all our guests, they knew which songs were most popular? After Tony had arranged a line dance, and the band was striking up a foxtrot, I was surprised and touched when Mark came over to ask me to dance.

  “Of course, Mark. It would be my pleasure.”

  He assumed the correct position, right hand on my waist, his left hand in mine, and proceeded to do the box step.

  “You dance very well,” I told him.

  “My mom taught me. Tacey and me.”

  We danced a minute or two. When I felt him relax, I asked, “Are you having fun?”

  “I sure am! This is the first wedding I’ve ever been to.”

  “And you were our ring bearer,” I said.

  He led me into a walkout step, then had me twirl around him.

  “Fancy!” I said.

  Mark grinned. Then he asked, “Cousin Carrie, how many kids are you and Dylan going to have?”

  “I don’t know. I suppose two. Maybe three.”

  “Three’s a good number,” he agreed. “That way if you have a son, he has a good chance of having a brother to play video games with.”

  “Girls play video games too, you know.”

  “Not Tacey. She’d rather play with her dolls.”

  “Oh.” I said. “After Dylan and I come back from our honeymoon and move into our new home, we’re thinking of getting two dogs.”

  “Two dogs! That’s awesome!” Mark got so excited he lost his concentration and stepped on my foot. “Sorry, Cousin Carrie.”

  “That’s all right,” I assured him.

  “Can I come over and play with the dogs? We can’t have any because Dad’s allergic.”

  “Of course you can.”

  The song ended, and I discovered Tacey at my side.

  “Can we dance the next dance together?” she asked.

  “Of course.”

  Mark frowned at his sister. “You’re such a copycat.”

  “Am not!”

  “Mark, thank you for dancing with me. I’ll always remember it,” I told him.

  His face lit up. “Me too.”

  The music started up, a faster beat this time. Tacey began stepping from side to side as she thrust out her arms, one at a time.

  “You’re pretty good,” I told her.

  “I love dancing. I’m taking classes in September.”

  We moved around the dance floor. Tacey was good, changing direction easily as well as using arm gestures, and she always kept time to the music.

  “I love your wedding, Cousin Carrie. It’s the best wedding I’ve ever been to.”

  I grinned at her. “I’m so glad you were my flower girl.”

  “The petals were all gone before I got to you,” she said, worried.

  “That’s okay. Some flower girls forget to throw out the petals.”

  “Really? That’s silly.”

  We danced a while in silence, then Tacey said, “I wish Miss Evelyn could be here with us. I know she’d want to be at your wedding and see you and Dylan get married.”

  “Me too. Evelyn is one of my dearest friends. She’s your good friend and mine. But we can only see her in the library.”

  Tacey sighed. “I know.” A minute later, she said, “Mommy told me you and Dylan are moving into a new house when you come back from your honeymoon.”

  “We are!” I hesitated, then said, “Our new house is very special in a way that you will like.”

  Tacey stopped dancing. “What do you mean?”

  I danced toward the edge of the dance floor, where there was an open space. Tacey followed me. I bent down so I could speak softly. “There are two little girls who … visit,” I said, for want of a better word.

  “They’re like Miss Evelyn!” Tacey all but shouted.

  I put a finger to my lips. “They are.”

  “Sorry.”

  “That’s all right. No one noticed. But most people can’t see these special people like you and I can.”

  “Why are they there? How old are they?”

  “Lucy and Abigail died in a fire in the house many years ago. Lucy’s about your age, and her sister’s a few years older. I think they’ll be very happy to meet you.”

  Tacey gave me a big smile. “I can’t wait to meet them.”

  While the waitstaff served a delicious amuse-bouche—a tiny glass dish of ceviche—the orchestra took a break, and Rienzo began taking table photos, starting with ours. When he moved on, Dylan and I decided this was a good time for us to make the rounds in reverse order. Our first stop was the table where Victor and Babette, John and Sylvia, Al and Dolores, and Reggie and Marissa Williams were sitting.

  John stood as we approached and wrapped me in a bear hug, which surprised me. He and Sylvia had congratulated Dylan and me right after the ceremony, and hugging wasn’t his style. My astonishment must have showed because John said, “I want you to know I spent most of the day worrying about you,” low enough so no one else could hear. He led me to a spot away from the table.

  “You knew Garrett Grimm kept me a prisoner in his car?” I asked.

  “Dylan called me right after he contacted the Prescott police. Chris Donahue kept me apprised of your situation until Grimm was apprehended.” John chuckled. “And then some.”

  “So Captain Donahue’s a friend,” I said.

  “He sure is. Chris and I went through the Academy together. I’m hoping to have some information for you tomorrow that will put a smile on your face.”

  I opened my mouth to ask what it might be.

  “Not now,” he admonished. “No shop talk. This is your wedding, remember?”

  “Of course,” I agreed, although I longed to raise my fist and shout. No, shop talk indeed! Finally, John had slipped and let me know he considered me an unofficial member of his team.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Dylan and I returned to our seats as the main course was being served. We’d decided to offer our guests a choice of prime rib, salmon, and chicken cordon bleu. Dylan and I shared our entrées of prime ribs and chicken. I was happy to discover that both had been cooked to perfection and were being served piping hot. Our caterers and serving crew, both Victor’s recommendations, were proving to be the gems he’d claimed they would be. Once again, I felt a surge of love and appreciation for all that he and Babette had done to make our wedding a wonderful success.

  My mother leaned across her handsome husband to cover my hand with hers.

  “Carrie, my dear. I can’t tell you how happy I am, seeing you and Dylan married. And your wedding is truly a five-star event! When you told me the reception was being held in a tent, I admit I was a bit disappointed, but this is one of the loveliest affairs I’ve ever attended.”

  Tom beamed at me. “It’s a lovely wedding, Carrie, in every sense. Your mother and I wish you and Dylan a marriage filled with happiness.”

  “Thanks, Tom, Mom.” I felt myself choking up.

  “We’d love to have you and Dylan come visit us soon,” my mother said. “You both will love Hollywood.” She winked. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll decide to settle there, and I’ll get to see my grandkids every day.”

  Right, I thought. We’ll pull up roots and move to California. I couldn’t help but remember my mother’s reaction two years ago when I’d been at my lowest point and wanted to stay with them, and she told me it wasn’t a good time for me to come.

  Now I smiled and said, “A visit sounds great, Mom, only it might not be for some time. We’ll be on our honeymoon for almost three weeks, and then we’ll be busy settling into our new home.”

  “Of course. Whenever it’s convenient. The thing is, I want us to spend time together now that you’re entering a new phase of your life.”

  I almost burst out laughing. For years I’d longed for a close relationship with my mother, and now that I was starting my married life, she wanted more togetherness. Then I reminded myself that she was offering what she was capable of giving. And so, when our server finished clearing our section of the table, I smiled and said, “That will be really nice, Mom. And we can always chat on FaceTime.”

  My mother gripped my arm. “I’d love that, Carrie.”

  “Me too,” I agreed, and realized that I meant it.

  The band began to play some interim music, and I thought the dancing would begin again, not that I was ready to bounce around on a full stomach. Instead, Tony tested the mic and began to speak.

  “I know you’re all enjoying the good food and company in celebration of Carrie and Dylan’s nuptials. A few guests have told me they’d like to say a few words.”

  My father was the first to walk up and stand in front of the band. Jim took the mic.

  “As you all know, I’m Jim Singleton, Carrie’s dad. I wasn’t always the father of the year when Carrie was growing up. That’s my regret and always will be. But I’m a lucky man. Carrie gave me a second chance to have a place in her life, and I jumped to it. What’s more she brought me Dylan, whom I love as a son.”

  Jim raised his glass. “I drink to my wonderful daughter and her wonderful husband. Merry and I wish them every happiness in their married life.”

  Then Angela got up. I was surprised because my best friend didn’t like public speaking, and she’d already made her toast to us privately.

  “I liked Carrie from the moment she came into the library dressed in her Goth getup. Then she was hired as head of programs and events, and like everyone else, I got to see just how clever and creative she is. Carrie helps make the library a better place, when she isn’t solving mysteries and crimes.”

  That got a wave a laughter.

  “She also ended up being my best friend, steering me through my own wedding a year ago when some unfortunate events took place. Carrie and Dylan are very dear to Steve and me. I’m so happy to have both of them in our lives.”

  My mouth fell open as Al got up to say how valuable I was to the town board, and Sally spoke about the difference I’d made at the library. Mac talked about Dylan and his best wishes for our future.

  Then, hand in hand, Victor and Babette came forward to address our guests. Dylan and I stood to applaud them, and everyone joined in. When it was quiet again, Victor began to speak.

  “Welcome to my home. I never expected to have a wedding here, but life is full of surprises. I hope you’re as delighted as Babette and I are to have taken part in celebrating the union of Carrie and Dylan.”

  Applause burst out again.

  “Though I haven’t known Carrie and Dylan very long, they quickly became two of my closest friends—that is, once they realized I was neither a fraudulent art dealer nor a murderer.”

  Laughter rippled through the tent.

  “I knew that Carrie was having difficulty choosing a venue for their wedding, and I was deeply honored when she and Dylan asked if they could hold the wedding at my home. Hosting their wedding here tonight is the most meaningful event I’ve taken part in in decades.”

  The clapping was thunderous.

  “All of you present know how special our newlyweds are. I value their friendship, their ethics, and the way they treasure each and every one present. It’s an honor to be part of their circle of friends.”

  When the tumult calmed down, Victor held up the wineglass he’d been holding, and said, “To Carrie and Dylan!”

  “To Carrie and Dylan!” Our guests’ shouts rang through the tent.

  Dylan and I looked at each other. Without exchanging a word, we rose and took Victor and Babette’s place in front of our guests. I was too emotional to speak, but my husband was up for it.

  “Thank you, Victor. I can’t tell you how happy you have made my new bride and me, offering us the use of your home and your backyard. Your generosity has overwhelmed us. We appreciate that you and Babette have seen to every aspect of our wedding ceremony and reception, making sure that everything runs smoothly without a hitch.”