“Wish you were here, Dad,” I say quietly.
Austin appears behind me in the mirror. “He’d be proud. You know that, right?”
I nod, not trusting my voice.
“Come on.” He claps my shoulder. “Time to go get married.”
The ceremony is at the small chapel in the village. It’s been here since Huckleberry Hill was founded and the reception is at Crush Cakes, which the crew transformed yesterday while I was conveniently “distracted” by Austin insisting we needed to check on what turned out to be a non-existent equipment issue.
But first, being Maverick, I insist on sliding down the brass pole at the old firehouse one more time to check on the reception setup.
“You’re going to wrinkle your suit,” Austin protests.
“Then I’ll press it.”
“We don’t have time?—”
But I’m already sliding down, landing in the main bay that’s been transformed into something out of one of Winnie’s Pinterest boards.
White lights are strung everywhere and flowers spill from elegant arrangements. Tables and centerpieces surround the dancefloor in the main bay. The dessert station features both grandmas’ brownies, displayed side by side in a permanent truce, along with Crush Cakes in the wedding theme colors.
But the head table stops me.
Captain Kendrick’s photo sits in a place of honor, framed in silver. Next to it, my father’s formal firefighter portrait. Both men in their dress uniforms, both smiling at the camera, both gone too soon.
“You guys did this?” I’m wrecked.
Scotty appears beside me. “Winnie’s orders. But yeah, we helped.”
I can’t speak. Can only stare at the photos of the two men who shaped my entire life.
“They’d want to be here,” Austin says quietly. “So we made sure they were.”
James hands me a handkerchief. “You’re going to need this later, anyway.”
“I’m not going to cry.”
“Sure you’re not.”
We drive to the chapel in the engine—also Winnie’s idea. I should’ve seen it coming, but couldn’t be more pleased. The whole town lines Main Street on this winter’s day, cheering as we pass. Silver Sam and Buttercup, Lucky Donahoo wearing his dealer’s visor, Gail Clearwater waving sage (from a safe distance), families I’ve helped over the years, kids who came to the Fire & Ice Fest.
Our town.
The chapel is small, intimate, exactly what we wanted. LED candles twinkle in the windows, and I can see people already gathering inside.
My mother waits, and she immediately pulls me into a hug that threatens my composure.
“Your father would be so happy,” she whispers.
“I know, Mom.”
“Winnie is special. You take care of her. And let her take care of you.”
“I will. Promise.”
Inside, the wooden benches in the chapel fill up with friends and family. The crew members who aren’t groomsmen arrive with their wives and dates. Peony and James look happier than they have in months. Good thing too, because they’re both in the wedding party. Captain Leyton from Carson City. The town folks who’ve adopted Winnie and me as their own project, along with Silver Sam, Lucky, and Mayor Barbie, wearing something spectacularly sparkly.
Thomas from Parks & Rec stands by with Gus, aka Hayes, since Cody, the usual mascot, had a basketball game. Mindy flirts with Fabrizio, Winnie’s brother, who’s serving as a groomsman.
