“Ha! You sounded just like her,” Evan cackled.
Erik’s gaze traveled toward the window. I’d commandeered the guest bedroom while Boone was getting ready in the primary. “You think Nana’s okay out there?”
Evan rolled his eyes. “Are you kidding? Did you see how well she and that Mrs. Hart lady hit it off? I’m telling you, Franklin, Nana’s gonna be all up in your business come winter. The cold’s getting tough on her joints.”
“Evan’s right,” Erik agreed. “I told her she should get a condo down here. Nana could spend the winters in Mississippi and then head back to Chicago during the warmer months.”
“I’d be happy to have her.” I checked my appearance again. The lavender tie felt tight around my throat. I was used to wearing them and didn’t know why this one was causing me discomfort. Boone had absolutely refused to wear one. Honestly, I didn’t care one way or the other. Boone could walk down the aisle in nothing more than tattered shorts, a thin t-shirt, and flip-flops, and all that would matter was that he was there, standing in front of me, getting ready to say our vows.
Erik ran his hands over my shoulders, smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles. “I’m sorry about Lynn. I’ve talked to her and—”
“And I’ve shouted,” Evan interrupted. “Nana’s even pulled outthe I’m very disappointed in youcard, and Lynn’s still being a dumbass. I blame Glen, but at some point, Lynn has to take responsibility for her own actions, and I can’t keep blaming her bigoted husband forever.”
“I know.” I hated to agree but couldn’t find it in me to argue. I’d tried talking to Lynn too, but she just couldn’t—or wouldn’t—get over Boone’s species. She still claimed necromancers wereunnatural creaturesand anabomination toward God. I’d promptly informed Lynn she was full of shit. That went over about as well as expected.
“God, it’s hot.” Evan tipped his head back while tugging at his shirt. “And it’s only May. And evening to boot. What in the hell is it like in July and August?”
I stared at my brother. “You probably don’t want to know.”
“Damn straight.” Evan stood. He was the baby of the four of us but the tallest. Standing behind me and to the side, Evan slung his arm over my shoulder, his hand landing on Erik. The three of us stared into the mirror, all of us smiling. “I’m damn proud of you, Franklin.”
“Ditto,” Erik echoed. “I’ve never seen you this happy before. Love suits you.”
My cheeks hurt from grinning so much. It felt like that’s all I’d done since getting out of the hospital. Hell, my grins had probably started while I was getting my first blood transfusion. Thinking back, that wasn’t true. I must have passed out somewhere between the house Huxley kept us in and the hospital. I woke up to Boone’s worried face. I’d expected that worry to fade when he realized I was going to be okay. It hadn’t.
Boone had been sitting there, chewing his nails, worrying that I would hate him for what he’d done. He’d flat out told me he didn’t regret it, but he’d understand if I couldn’t forgive him for keeping my soul from crossing the veil. I’m sure my sister, Lynn would have had a different opinion, but I, for one, was grateful, not angry. Boone asked me what I remembered during my time away from my body. Truth be told, I didn’t remember much. It was more of a vague feeling than anything, and that feeling was reassuring. The best way I could explain it was that I’d felt…safe.
I think Boone’s still trying to work through the trauma. I catch him looking at me sometimes, as if I might disappear at any moment. I hoped time would erase the haunted unease that dogged his eyes.
“You ready?” Erik asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
“I think I’ve been ready since I first laid eyes on Boone.”
Evan made another gagging sound. “That is sickeningly sweet.”
Turning, I lightly punched my brother in the arm. “Just wait. One day the love bug will bite you, and then we’ll see who’s laughing.”
“God forbid.” Evan placed a dramatic hand over his heart. “Seriously, though, I’m happy for you, Franklin. I like Erasmus. And even if I didn’t, there’s no way I can argue with the way he makes you feel. When you find your happy, you need to grabahold with both hands and hold on for dear life. It’s good to see you took that lesson to heart.”
A quick check of the time told me it was time to go. Erik and Evan followed, ribbing me the entire way across the lawn and towards Mrs. Hart’s yard. I’d installed a gate a couple of weeks ago, making it easier to get between our property and Mrs. Hart’s. When she’d learned Boone and I didn’t want to wait any longer to get married, Mrs. Hart had kindly offered up her yard as the venue. Boone and I’d taken one look at each other and agreed on the spot. Mrs. Hart’s yard was a bountiful paradise of floral explosion.
“This never gets old,” Evan said as we passed through the gate. “That woman doesn’t have just one green thumb; she’s got at least a dozen.”
I couldn’t disagree. Pink and red azaleas were in full bloom as were roses of nearly every color. I didn’t know what the other flowers were. I only knew they were beautiful. The setting sun made them even more so as the lights Boone and I’d strung yesterday flared to life, illuminating the setting.
The arbor was where Boone and I would exchange our vows. Rented lawn chairs filled every spare nook and cranny. We hadn’t planned on having a large wedding, but the guest list seemed to have a mind of its own and had grown exponentially. Currently, most of those guests were milling about, socializing with each other.
Captain Loretta Cicely was holding court off to the side. Officer Ebony Becks sent me an enthusiastic wave when she saw me. I returned that wave and a host of others followed. Dr. Evelyn Stowe, Officer Albert Johns and his wife, Detective Bethany Harrison and her husband… the list went on and on.
We’d invited Leander Dunn, but he said he couldn’t leave his dogs that long. Interestingly, he had asked if someone couldlivestream our wedding. Unsurprisingly, Becks was the one who’d agreed.
“Who is that lovely woman?” Evan asked, his eyes situated on the congregated group from the precinct.
“Which one?” I curiously asked.
“The dark-skinned one who waved at you first.”
My grin grew. “Officer Ebony Becks.”
