“Oh, he’s not going anywhere,” Gryff assured me. “Kelsey got us one of Wiener the Pooh’s dog harnesses. That little guy is strapped in there like a poultry Hannibal Lecter.”
The tent opened again and Jules walked in, wearing a vintage-style dress with a full skirt, her hair and makeup styled perfectly. She looked far older than her eighteen years. I had a flash of memory...tiny Jules standing on my feet while I danced around to music from her favorite Disney movies. Watching her grow up into the stunning young woman in front of me had been one of the greatest joys of my life.
“Have we resolved the chicken drama?” she asked.
“We give you the world’s surliest feathered ring bearer,” Isak announced. “I don’t know what Trix was thinking, wanting that birdbrain to be part of this.”
“She loves that thing almost as much as she loves Chris,” Everett said, taking a closer look at Luke. “You know, I kind of see a resemblance. Maybe she has a type.”
“Bite me, Everett,” I said, while Luke squawked indignantly as if he understood.
Jules leaned down and addressed Luke beak to beak. “Listen, Mr. Chicken. You are going to escort me down the aisle, and you are going to behave yourself. Do you understand? You are not going to ruin Trixie’s big day.”
Much to my surprise, Luke looked down like he’d been properly scolded.
“Good,” Jules said, straightening up. “I’m glad we could come to an agreement.”
Coach entered the tent next, dressed to the nines in his fanciest suspenders and a bow tie.
“That pretty blond lady said things are going to get started soon. We should probably head over, Evie, so we don’t miss anything.”
Nana came over and gave me a once-over, smoothing down my suit and picking off an invisible piece of lint.
“Get down here, Christopher.”
I leaned down, and she gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Good luck, sweetheart. We’ll see you out there.”
Coach smiled and extended his arm to Nana. She took it with a smile of her own, and they left to get to their seats.
I looked around the tent at my family. My loud, big-hearted brothers—half of whom I was lucky enough to call my teammates. My sweet baby sister, who would head to college next year and probably take over the world shortly after. This same crew had sat in our backyard with me last summer and vowed to help me win the girl of my dreams.
My heart was so full it hurt.
“You guys,” I said. “I’m getting married.”
“Well, gosh, Chris, I hope so,” Hayes said. “Otherwise we’re all dressed up for nothing.”
“I love you guys.” I was fighting tears now and losing.
“We love you too, Chrissy,” Jules replied.
The nickname she’d called me when she was itty-bitty sent my tear ducts into overdrive.
“Huddle up, Kingmans,” Dad said.
We formed a circle, arms wrapped around each other, heads together.
“Last year we ran the play called The Girl Next Door, and it worked. This family can make anything happen as long as we stick together. I am so proud of each of you. I know your mom is too. Just like I know she’ll be close by today, in all of our hearts. I love you all.”
Everyone answered with their own declarations of love. A few sniffles were heard.
“Hayes might have caught us all by surprise with his interception to have the first wedding in this family,” Dad continued, and everybody laughed, “but I think we all saw this one coming from the sidelines. So let’s get out there and get your brother married in true Kingman style.”
“Our captain,” Declan said.
“Go team,” Isak declared.
“Go team,” everybody answered.
