Page 135 of The Fast Lane

We were still laughing when my phone dinged with a text.

Mae: We’re finally on our way. She stops to talk to everyone though so who knows when we’ll get there.

Me: We’re ready.

“She’s on her way.” Excitement pulsed through me. “We should get out there.”

Together, we filed out and walked down the dirt path to the clearing in front of the tree where several neat rows of rental chairs had been set up. Forty exactly—family and a few friends. Afterward, we’d go over to the Sit-n-Eat for a cookout the whole town was invited to.

“Oh, don’t you look handsome.” Stephanie paused in adjusting the bows at the ends of each row of chairs for the fortieth time.

“Thanks.” Abe turned slowly. “I think I make this shirt look pretty good.”

“Abraham.” Stephanie waved a hand at him, grinning despite herself. “I meant Theo. But you look very handsome too.”

Abe dropped a kiss on her cheek and stage-whispered, “I’m your favorite, aren’t I?”

“You’re too ugly to be her favorite.” Frankie shoved him as he walked past. Abe shoved him back.

“Boys, it’s your sister’s wedding,” Stephanie said, although her eyes gleamed with delight.

In the months since Abe had come back into our lives, the change had been remarkable. Eli and Abe were slowly building the kind of relationship they’d never had before. Oh, they still butt heads and sometimes refused to talk to each other for days, but they got over it, figured out how to move past it.

Abe brought Hallie to visit every other month or so. They’d come for Christmas this past year for a couple of weeks. Stephanie had been beside herself with happiness. Slowly, the family was reshaping itself to include this new version of Abe, an older one, a little more serious than he used to be as a teenager. But his smiles were still there, the ribbing between brothers, the easy comradery.

“He started it,” Frankie muttered.

“And I’ll finish it.” Abe wrapped an arm around Frankie’s neck and hovered a hand over Frankie’s head. “I’d mess up your hair but then I’d be covered in hair gel.”

“Eli,” Stephanie called.

“Boys, listen to your mother,” Eli yelled.

“Yes, Dad,” they both grumbled. Abe released Frankie, who glared as he adjusted his shirt.

“Daddy,” Hallie called from her place at the back, a basket clutched in her hands. She was decked out in a pink cupcake of a dress with two lopsided ponytails and shiny white shoes. “I’m ready to be a flower girl.”

Another message came through.

Mae: Mrs. Linton stopped her to discuss the Fourth of July parade.

I smiled. The town’s Fourth of July celebration was Ali’s first big push to help bring business to Two Harts and she was intent on making it a success. Winning the election had been the first hurdle, but she had to prove herself now. My girl was determined and focused. That celebration didn’t have a chance of failing.

Mae: I’m about to put a paper bag over her head so we can get there before the next century.

Mae: Finally. We’re moving again.

Mae: By the high school now.

“They’ve made it to the high school,” I announced.

Melanie, who’d taken over as coordinator the second she and Cal arrived two days ago, clapped her hands. “Places, people. Everyone in their seats. Eli and Stephanie, come back here with Hallie. Cal, Frankie, Abe, up to the front. Ellie, you too. Mack, where’s Mack?”

“Ready to go.” Mack stood in front of the tree, cradling Karen in his arms.

Melanie marched up to him. “We talked about this. You cannot officiate the wedding and hold Karen at the same time.”

Mack frowned; Karen licked his cheek. “I don’t see why not.”