Page 47 of Flick

Flick drew Brody into his arms. “Is this okay?” he asked.

Brody nodded against him. Gunner slipped his arms around both brothers.

“Is this why you got out?” Gunner asked.

“Yeah, between the injuries and my head not being straight, I’m done,” Brody said.

“Guys, let’s get Brody sitting down,” Rascal said, leading them back toward the front.

Brody sank into the chair with a sigh of relief.

“I still have the wheelchair if you’d prefer not having to walk,” Rascal offered.

“I’m good. Now let’s get little brother hitched. I want to meet my new little sister,” Brody said.

Flick nodded and hugged Brody one more time before leaving him in Gunner’s capable hands. At some point, Brody would be sharing with both of them what exactly had happened.

The music started. Flick took a deep breath and grinned. Beth really was his sunshine, so the instrumental version ofWalking on Sunshinewas perfect. He was in his cut along with a dress shirt and jeans. Beth had wanted casual and fun. His wedding gift was being kept by Cannon and Clara, where they were sitting. All the sisters had been with Beth before the wedding but had taken their seats.

The kids walked down the aisle first, with Deborah, Elijah, and Morgan herding them, and they really did look like a herd. Plus, Lilly, Dolly, and Moss had needed to be included in the ceremony. Phoebe and Blake each had a dog on a leash. The flower crowns the girls had put on Lilly and Dolly were sweet. Grant and David were sharing Moss’s leash. Instead of a crown, he had a garland of flowers wrapped around his collar. Flick was positive if a dog could roll his eyes, Moss would be doing it.

Then Beth walked out, holding onto Locks’ arm. She had a white sundress on that flowed around her legs. Her hair was down in big, flowing curls with a crown of flowers on her head. She was grinning at him.

He stared at Beth and knew, deep inside, his mom would have adored Beth. He told himself he wasn’t going to cry today, but he’d give anything for both his mom and Beth’s to be here today. He missed her all the time, but it was those big moments when he missed her the most. He glanced down at his brothers. Brody patted his heart. His oldest brother had always known when Flick was struggling. He swallowed and smiled as Locks stopped in front of him.

Locks placed Beth’s hand in Flick’s and then held them together. “I couldn’t have picked anyone better for her. You two are meant to be, and I’m happy to have you as part of the family. But it’sCode Burkefor you if you screw this up,” he said, kissing Beth’s cheek and turning to sit down.

The pastor from the local church smiled at both of them.

“Daniel “Flick” Adams and Beth Nicole Franks have come together today to pledge their lives to each other. They’ve written their own vows. Daniel,” he said.

“I, Daniel “Flick” Adams, take thee Beth Nicole Franks to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward. From the moment we met, I knew you’d be someone special, but my age and our friendship had me pushing those feelings downdeep. Now, I’m grateful because I got to know you first as a friend and then later as the woman I adore.

“I vow to have and to hold you from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. I will love and cherish you until the last breath leaves my lungs. We don’t know how long we’re promised, but for the time we are granted, you are mine.

“Mine to love, to shower with animals, to work alongside to help those who need us, and to build a better world for others. With this ring, I seal my promise.”

Flick stared into Beth’s tear-filled eyes as he slipped the ring on her finger. He’d waited a long time for this, but she was almost officially his.

The pastor nodded at Beth.

“I, Beth Nicole Franks, take thee Daniel “Flick” Adams to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward. You’ve been my best friend, whether it was watching movies, riding our motorcycles, or reminding me that it’s okay to fail.

“When my eyes were opened to the possibility of more, I was so scared that if it didn’t work out, I would lose your friendship. But I decided to try, and everyone knows a Franks sister always gets her man, and what a man you are. You gave me friendship, and then our friendship deepened to love—a love that fills each day with joy. I vow to have and to hold you from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until we leave this earth.

“In our time together, I vow to walk beside you and cheer you up on your hardest days. With this ring, I seal this vow.”

Beth slid the ring on his finger and then wiped the tear that he hadn’t realized was trickling down his face.

“You may seal your union with a kiss,” the pastor said.

Flick held Beth’s hands, leaned close, and first kissed the tear off her cheek, then claimed his wife’s lips. The touch of themsent a shiver trembling through him, reminding him she was his forever.

“May I present to you, Flick and Beth Adams,” the pastor said.

Flick led Beth down a step, then stopped to get the presents from Clara and Cannon. He picked up the teacup Yorkie and handed her to Beth, then took the St. Bernard’s leash.

“Happy Wedding Day, Beth,” Flick said, grinning at his wife’s stunned look. He’d wanted to get her a special gift and thought the dogs were the perfect thing.

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