The gathering erupted into cheers as Caitlyn and Griffin walked into the yard. The evening passed quicker than Sharon could have imagined, and before she knew it, she watched as Colm led Caitlyn onto the dance floor for the father-daughter dance. Hannah and Chauncey King flanked her, providing her with their loyal support.
All around the edge of the dance floor were family. Sean and Harper. Kyle and Kimberly. Tara and Carter. Rory and Sandy. Erin and Torin. And their extended family, the Kings. Brock and Kallie. Brody and Amber. Brianna and Ryker. Blayze and Dawn. Bekki and Killian.
Smiling as Colm handed Caitlyn off to Griffin, she held out her hand, and he led her onto the dance floor, quickly joined by all the others. She tried to keep the tears at bay, but they fell unheeded. It didn’t matter; after all, they were tears of joy.
The DJ and caterers had cleaned, packed up, and left. The dance floor, tables, and chairs had been hauled away. Their sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren had all gone home. Caitlyn and Griffin had thanked and hugged everyone before leaving for their honeymoon.
And now, late at night in the large backyard, two couples sat in the Adirondack chairs, staring up into the starry sky. Sharon was settled on Colm’s lap, Hannah on Chauncey’s.
“It’s hard to believe that we’ve sat in these yards for the better part of the past forty years,” Colm said.
“Thanks for making me feel old,” Hannah laughed, taking another sip of wine before leaning her head on her husband’s shoulder and looking upward.
“Do you remember when we both moved in next to each other, just a few months apart when Sean and Brock were toddlers? We were both pregnant and so excited to have neighbors that we could become friends with.” Sharon reached over and squeezed Hannah’s hand.
“Who knew we’d keep having babies, raising them all together?” Hannah said, sighing. “And now, they’re all married and out on their own.”
Sharon waved her hand around. “And now we have this big yard for all our grandkids to come to play in.”
“I figure the grandkids will keep the path between our two houses worn down just like our kids did,” Chauncey said. “Less grass for me to mow.”
As the four fell into silence, Sharon was sure that their thoughts, like hers, were reminiscing over the years. Finally, she turned to Colm, seeing him staring into the sky. “What constellation do you see tonight?”
Colm was quiet for a moment, but she waited patiently, knowing he would choose just the right words at just the right time.
“Ara.”
Blinking, she glanced up and then back to him. “Ara?”
Colm grinned as Chauncey chuckled, both men nodding.
“Well, you’re going to have to explain that one,” Hannah said, twisting to look at both men.
“Ara… the altar. It’s a southern hemisphere constellation, described by Ptolemy. It was the altar where the gods first formed an alliance before defeating the Titans. Chauncey and I found it years ago and remarked then that it reminded us of this yard… these houses. The alliance between the McBrides and the Kings.”
Settling deeper on her husband’s lap, Sharon grinned, thinking of her family and friends in Hope City.
Perfect.
This ends this installment of the Hope City series by myself and Kris Michaels… we have had so much fun bringing the McBrides and Kings to you!
For those of you who read each of my releases, here are the next two!
Protecting Her Heart (Baytown Boys)
And
Josh (Lighthouse Security Investigations)
If you’ve never read my Baytown Boys series, it’s small-town romantic suspense… full of friends, family, love, and happily ever after for our heroes!
Click here for the first book in that series is
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