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The stunning sound, smooth and stirring, reaches across the space, and all eyes fall on Maven Walker as she stands near the rest of the live band, performing a special rendition of “Fields of Gold” for Dad and Genevieve’s first dance. Ben stands nearby, watching his wife with glistening eyes and awe in his expression. The whole world fades away as he admires the love of his life.
I wrap my arms around Archer, and he stands strong beside me as we turn our attention to Dad and Genevieve. The bride and groom stare into each other’s eyes, and my heart swells.
Halfway through the song, they both part, turning to face Archer and me with outstretched hands. I take Dad’s as Archer takes Genevieve’s, and together, we dance side by side.
He kisses my brow. “I can’t wait to dance with you at your own wedding.”
Never did I think I’d hear Dad say he couldn’t wait for me to marry.
A few minutes later, he parts from me, extending my hand toward Archer with a nod at my fiancé, and I dance with Archer as the rest of the floor fills.
The Walkers join next. Tom and Ann dance with stars in their eyes after all these years as their youngest sons sway nearby with their own ladies. Jaxon and Landrie hold each other as close as possible, despite Landrie’s swelling belly, their baby expected in the new year. She’s still glowing as brightly as the whole town expected.
Luke finally plucked up the courage to date Tess a few months ago, so I won’t be surprised if a wedding announcement is made for them, too.
He gives me a look that says, “Look what we made happen,” as he gestures to Archer and Tess, and I laugh.
Tate and Liv Walker haven’t joined the dance yet, too busy comfortably speaking with each other, as we usually find them these days. The stress from the events last year have faded, and now, there’s no couple more at ease—though Tate still has that bulge in his lower back, letting the whole town know he’s packing and always protecting his woman.
Giggling sounds through the crowds, and me and Archer both turn to see Emma, Carson, and his daughter Penny dancing raucously at the side, though the music is slow.
“Come on, move those limbs,” Carson says as he swings his daughter around and around with Emma, her glasses nearly sliding off her nose from the speed.
Penny’s rolling her eyes, though her delight is apparent at her dad’s teasing.
“Good thing Emma made that bulletin board last year,” I say to Archer, motioning to the librarian. “Otherwise all of Autumn Ridge wouldn’t have been so invested in Dad’s relationship.”
“She needs to make one next for Lisa Ellis.”
I follow his gaze to where Dad’s secretary is making eyes at a man across the room—all while having her hand on her current date.
“The library bulletin wouldn’t fit the amount of men she has in her back pocket.”
We share a laugh.
“What about Sharon?” Archer asks next.
“Last I heard, she’s dating a doctor at the hospital.”
“Juliet? Juliet!”
I look over my shoulder, Rosie running up to me with wide eyes. Dean Alden walks slowly behind her, amusement on his lips.
“Did you hear?” she asks in a harried whisper when she reaches us. “The pastor’s wife bailed on the fall festival again. You don’t think...You don’t think they’ll ask me to be director, do you?”
I don’t need to respond as Dean takes her hand in his. “If they do, what do we say?”
She looks at him in confusion, then slowly, a calm blanket seems to wrap around her. “No. We say no.”
“That’s right.” He places a kiss to her hand, then pulls her in for a dance. “Because we’ve got a wedding to plan that’s more important than the festival. Now, let’s let the lovely couple enjoy their dance while we enjoy ours, okay?”
Like a spell had come over her, she smiles into his eyes. “That sounds nice.”
They dance away from us, clearly on Cloud Nine.
“No one to run the festival...” Archer muses.
I look up at him. “What, you’re not thinking of doing it, are you?”
