Page 91 of Save a Wish

“That Marco Vieira guy?”

Isaac snapped his fingers. “That’s the one. He owns Cups Café in Maplehaven too so he’s bringing some pastries as well, I guess. Carina also told Ellen and the two of them have been at Sugar Rush Bakery since we found out about today’s wedding, baking appetizers and a cake.”

“And when did you find out?” I asked. “Am I the last to know?”

“There was a group text earlier this morning,” Isaac said.

I pulled out my phone, and yup . . . there it was.

Mom: We’re getting married today! Be in the yard at 3PM!

“How did I miss this text?”

Isaac chuckled then pointed to Sadie who was currently raking up what Jimmy had cut off the bushes. “I’ll bet it has something to do with the princess.”

I gave him a shove, he shoved me back, then we both entered the farmhouse.

Where my remaining family members were all engaged in some wedding-related task. Vanessa and Spencer puzzled over fitting some autumn flowers into a bouquet I assumed Mom would be holding. Little Ben sat in a high chair, his tiny grabby fists out as if he wanted some of the blooms.

Logan and Ashley huddled over a laptop, putting together a playlist of love songs and dance tracks.

“Hey, Beckett,” Logan called. “Can we get that sweet little DJ setup you used at the All Hallow’s Eve Walk back up and running?”

“Sure. I’ll grab the components in a second,” I said.

Joshua and Sylvie rummaged around in the linen closet, looking for tablecloths, while Isaac pulled out Mom’s fancy dishware. Darius and Flora were by the sink, washing and drying wine glasses.

In the living room, Hunter practiced singing a song about true love that I figured he planned to perform for the newlyweds, and honestly, the kid sounded spectacular.

And calling my mother and Jimmy newlyweds felt odd though I’d seen this coming and had been the first to accept our town’s rumored serial killer as our stepfather. From the looks of things, however, it appeared the rest of the family had accepted Jimmy as well. Otherwise, my siblings and their mates wouldn’t have been throwing themselves into the wedding preparations with so much focus and care.

With everything looking handled inside, I stepped outside to find Amelia ordering Dasha, Merlin, and Maggie around.

“You have to stay in a line, doggies!” she shouted. “And remember to smile.” She then proceeded to march forward, her fairy wings flopping on her back.

And wouldn’t you know it? Those dogs did follow her in a line, their tongues hanging out as if they were, in fact, smiling. Amelia definitely had whatever animal connection Isaac had that made him such a good veterinarian. Like father, like daughter.

“Not letting my mom change her mind, Jimmy?” I asked as I came to stand next to the man.

He wiped sweat from his forehead and squinted in the sun at me. “No, sir, I am not.” He rested the pruning shears against his leg. “But I gotta tell you, Beckett, when I suggested we get married today, I didn’t think she’d actually go for it.”

“Beth Hartley likes to get things done,” I said. “I guess that goes for her wedding too.”

“Well, it’s a beautiful day.” Jimmy held his hands out to encompass the side yard. “Perfect for a wedding.”

“This is so exciting!” Sadie dumped some leaves into a barrel. “I’ve read about American weddings in romance novels, but I’ve never been to one.”

“I don’t think this one will be typical, but I’m sure it will be fun,” I said. “My DJ system has been requested so I’m going to grab that.”

“Okay,” Sadie said. “I’m going to finish helping Jimmy here then head inside to see how I can make myself useful.” She offered me a bright smile.

I pulled her up against me and kissed that beautiful smile. “I love you even more for being so willing to dive right in to help my crazy family.”

“I’m happy to be included,” she said. “Your crazy family is wonderful.”

Yeah. They were wonderful and the Hartley family had only gotten better with the addition of Ashley, Carina, Sylvie, and Flora. Spencer made it better too, but he’d always been one of us, having been our friend since we were all kids. Amelia, Hunter, and Little Ben increased the awesomeness, and I knew Jimmy had his special brand of magic to contribute to the family as well.

I took another few seconds to watch Sadie helping Jimmy, loving how she fit right in though she was an actual princess. Her ability to be both royal and engage in a simple landscaping task was impressive. I’d been upset that she’d lied about being a princess at first, but seeing her now, observing her blend so seamlessly into my family, I understood why she’d kept that part of her a secret. She was just a woman looking for people who saw her for what she was—princess title or not. Sadie was a kind, intelligent, loving, beautiful person whose radiant aura had turned mine from gray to full-wattage bulb bright—the latest LED bulbs because those bad boys were efficient.