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“I cried before they were married too.”

“That’s true.”

Arabella shifted in her chair, and Rafferty immediately leaned toward her.

She said something I couldn’t hear, then patted the chair beside her.

He sat.

A moment later, she rested her head on his shoulder. He kissed the top of her hair and finally stayed still.

The children wore out before the music did.

One Coleman twin fell asleep in his father’s lap. The other insisted he wasn’t tired while leaning against Ella. Josie wanted Annie. Henry rubbed his eyes, and Benji slept on Thad with one fist closed around his shirt.

Chloe remained determined to help.

“Where do these go?” she asked, holding two clean forks.

“In that basket. Thank you.”

“I can do more.”

Sammie reached for her hand.

“You’ve done plenty, sweetheart.”

“But Luci needs help.”

“I’ll save you a job for another time,” I promised.

That satisfied her.

We packed leftovers for anyone who wanted them. I put blackberry crumble bars into the Colemans’ bag.

“These were good,” Ella said.

“Thank you. I made them.”

“Can I have the recipe?”

“Absolutely.”

While she took out her phone, I wrote it down so she could photograph it.

Her father stood carefully, holding his sleeping son.

“Thank you for tonight.”

“We’re glad you came.”

“The boys had a great time.”

From near his knees came a sleepy voice.

“Where’s Rhett?”

“Coming.”