Page 145 of Jack

Penelope swallowed, looking a little stricken. Then, that familiar determined look came over her face. “Oh, it’s far from over.”

Uh-oh. Harper narrowed her eyes. “Sounds like another podcast.”

Her friend winked.

Boo held up a hand. “Listen. My guests are hungry. We need a grand entrance. So, wedding party, let’s get going.”

“Bossy much?” Jack said.

“I get it from you, Big Jack,” Boo said, and then looked at Harper, at Jack. “Finally.”

“Right?” Austen said, standing on the stairs.

Stein grinned.

Penelope got up, made a noise, then flopped down on the sofa. “Head rush.”

Conrad went over, bent down, and picked her up in his arms.

“Hello, muscles,” Penelope said, grinning.

“You looked a little wobbly.”

Doyle frowned. “I feel like I missed something.”

Laughter.

Harper slipped her hand into Jack’s as they headed upstairs.

“Your feet okay?” he said halfway up.

“Cold.”

“I’ll get you some socks.”

“You don’t have to.”

But partway through dinner, before the toasts, he left their table. Came back ten minutes later with a pair of wool socks. Knelt at her feet and helped tug them on.

Boo, from the head table, caught her eye, shook her head, and grinned.

Toasts, from Oaken’s best man, Shep, and from Austen. Then cake cutting, and then the guests were asked to go downstairs. They crowded the dining room, the parlor, and the entry as Ben King played an acoustic song on his guitar, something he’d written for the occasion.

Oaken stood with his parents, holding hands with Boo.

Harper, for one, had a firm grip on Jack. Who kept looking down at her, a mysterious smile playing on his face.

What?

The caterers had cleaned the ballroom, and now the crowd headed back upstairs for dancing.

Oh. Right. Thedancing.

Oh no.

Boo had changed into a short pink dress and heels, and Oaken had taken off his jacket.

“Oh no, they’re doing this.” That from Conrad. He glanced at Stein, who appeared stricken.