A handsome older man stepped out of the shadows and offered his arm to her.
“Is that her father?” Hallie asked.
“Yes,” Raine said.
Adam leaned across Cory. “Toby’s mother was so shocked when she was told of her daughter’s royal engagement that they had to call an ambulance to revive her.”
“I think Toby looks like a princess,” Cory said.
“Me too,” Hallie answered.
Everyone was quiet as the two bridesmaids, then Toby walked down the aisle. When the bride reached the groom, even through her veil, her smile of love could be seen.
Hallie sighed. “She certainly does like him and I think he might start crying.”
“Montgomerys don’t cry!” Tynan said.
Raine leaned over to Hallie and said softly, “Taggerts do.”
“Raine, you’re…” Hallie couldn’t think what to say but just smiled at him. Only when the ceremony began, did she turn away.
Some of what the gorgeously clad officiant said was in Lanconian, but not understanding the words didn’t take anything away from the beautiful ceremony. Hallie put her arm around Cory and the two of them sighed as they watched. As for the men, they were silent. It seemed to be a universal protocol that a royal couple wouldn’t be filmed kissing, but as soon as they were declared man and wife, everyone in Hallie’s living room started cheering.
Adam picked up Cory and danced around with her, while Raine put Max on his shoulders.
“I am now a princess,” Cory yelled.
“And I’m a knight,” Max shouted.
“Really,” Roan said, “do we get titles?”
Hallie didn’t know if he was joking or not, but it felt good to be part of the celebration. The TV was turned to blaring so the sound of the church bells in Lanconia was nearly deafening.
Ian took Hallie’s hands and began doing a sort of polka around the room with her. Between him and how hard she was laughing, she was dizzy. As he swirled her past the doorway, Hallie saw two beautiful young lady ghosts standing there and watching them—and they didn’t look happy. It was just a flash, but Hallie thought it was almost as though they were warning her of something.
Ian went around full circle, and when she came back to them, the doorway was empty. Surely, she must have imagined seeing them.
“The reception is next,” Adam shouted as he took her from Ian. “Private camera. Just for us. Want to see the cake? It’s ten feet tall.”
“I would love to!” Hallie yelled back. She didn’t know what speakers had been installed, but they were so loud she felt like she was in the midst of the cheering crowd in Lanconia. “Are there any black sheep in your family? Or are all of you perfect?”
“Ian!” Adam shouted. “Hallie wants to know if we have any misfit family members.”
“Ranleigh,” Ian said as he whirled away.
Adam nodded. “Definitely Ranleigh.”
“When can I meet him?” Hallie said, laughing.
Adam started to reply, but suddenly, everything went silent. The TV was still on, but the sound had been muted. Everyone stopped dancing, laughing, talking.
“Is this for Dr. Huntley’s wife again?” Hallie asked as she looked up at Adam. “I think I’ll tell her husband on the lot of you. He will…”
She trailed off because everyone was looking past her toward the front door—where just moments before she thought she’d seen the Tea Ladies. Hallie dropped Adam’s hands and slowly turned toward the doorway, fully expecting to see two semitransparent ghosts standing there.
Instead, she saw Jamie. He was leaning on his crutches and when his eyes met hers, he smiled.
Hallie didn’t understand what was going on. Everyone was still frozen in place, still staring at Jamie.