Colt released a good-natured groan. “You run a hard bargain, my friend. But you’ve got yourself a deal.”
As they shook hands, Colt kept one arm around Penny, savoring the quiet whisper of contentment that stole over him.
Thrills and adventures may look different going forward, but Colt could say with unwavering certainty that his life had never been fuller.
And he knew, in his heart of hearts, that he’d fulfilled his promiseandmade his father proud.
* * *
As the sun dipped behind the tall steeple of the courthouse, Penny’s throat tightened with emotion. She couldn’t recall a single moment in time when she’d felt more at peace.
Huddled among her group of lifelong friends, she laughed as Colt and Jack stood on a cramped, makeshift stage, both clutching the blue first-place ribbon commemorating their tie. Though she loved the two men dearly,sharingwasn’t their strong suit. She could only imagine the antics they’d get into trying to work together.
They hopped off the platform, disappearing from sight as they were swallowed by the crowd gathered in the street.
Mayor Burns took the stage dressed in a slick gray suit, which had to be sweltering on a hot July evening. But the man had a habit of prioritizing appearance over comfort.
As he recited a lengthy and grandiose speech, Penny scanned for signs of Colt, but she couldn’t catch a glimpse of him anywhere. “Where do you think Colt and Jack went?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t see Grant, either.” Eliza bounced on the balls of her feet, trying to peek over the wall of shoulders.
“Luke and Reed are missing, too.” Cassie frowned.
Penny took a few steps backward onto the lawn, trying to get a vantage point away from the throng of people packed on the street and sidewalk.
Tick, tick, tick…
The unexpected ticking sound preceded an ominous hiss. Glancing down, she gasped in horror as shiny black sprinkler heads sprang from the ground.
Oh, no… not again! Colt wouldn’t…would he?
Before she had time to answer her own question, Penny shrieked as a blast of water spewed from every direction. She leapt to safety, nearly tackling Cassie and Eliza in her haste.
Startled cries filled the air as everyone scrambled farther away from the lawn.
“Colt!” Mayor Burns bellowed, his face bright red.
Penny’s heart sank. How could Colt do something so irresponsible…twice?
Amid the pandemonium, a loudspeaker crackled.
The clamoring slowly died down as Gene Kelly’s iconic voice resonated crisp and clear above the town square.
“Doodle-loo-doo-doo-doodle-loo-doo…”
At the same time, all five missing men emerged from The Calendar Café wearing yellow raincoats and felt fedoras while brandishing long black umbrellas.
Eliza squealed, jumping up and down in exuberant excitement as they sauntered into the center of the lawn, performing a jaunty, truncated version of “Singin’ in the Rain” with Grant as the focal point.
Penny gaped in complete astonishment, along with everyone else in town, as they strutted their stuff through the thematic spray of water.
Before long, the crowd started to sing along, clapping and cheering as it became apparent the impromptu performance held far more significance than a silly prank.
Penny’s eyes welled with tears as she watched the men put their pride aside to make Eliza’s dream proposal come true. While some might consider choreographing a dance to a favorite musical a bit over-the-top, the expression on Eliza’s face showcased just how much it meant to her. And Penny couldn’t have been more overjoyed for her friend.
As the guys lined up, one in front of the other for the grand finale, Penny noticed Colt sneak away from the group.
At the conclusion of the song, the sprinklers shut off, returning to their resting places, while Grant knelt in front of Eliza.
