Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy - Janice Lynn Page 0,93

packed. Not that Sophie had expected anything less. It might be Christmas Day, but sharing this special moment with the couple was a gift all their friends and family would cherish.

After just a few minutes, Bodie, his best man, and Bodie’s dog Harry appeared at the front of the church. Harry wore a bowtie and stood beside the men as if he knew exactly why they were there and what he was supposed to be doing. Both men were dressed in military blues, their chests decorated with various pins and medals in acknowledgement of their service to their country. The trio looked sharp, like they could take care of anything that came their way. Today, their mission was to have a good time, and based on the smile on Bodie’s face, they were succeeding. Even Harry seemed to sense the excitement in the air and be anxiously awaiting Sarah’s appearance as he eyed the back of the church.

Sophie closed her eyes and imagined Cole in full formal military uniform. She’d never seen in him his uniform and imagined it might never happen now that he was no longer in the service. Too bad, because he’d look handsome, like he could take care of business, too. Then again, he looked that way in everything she’d seen him wear—even when she’d gone to the firehouse to return the journal and had seen him in a Santa suit that hadn’t fit him at all.

She liked that about him, that he made her feel safe, as if he could take care of her no matter what.

She glanced around the church, wondering if he was there, then berated herself. She knew where he was—he’d told her. Cole was at the fire department, filling in so someone else could be home with their family. A hero to yet another family, although he wouldn’t see it that way.

But even though she knew where he was, she wished he was beside her, just as she’d wished the same thing every time she’d entered the church’s sanctuary since Cole’s visit.

She wished he was there, holding her hand and sharing her day.

She sighed, garnering a questioning look from her sister. The look turned knowing as Isabelle reached over, took Sophie’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

Sophie smiled back. No matter what, she was going to be fine. She had such an amazing family and friends. Life was good.

Even if Cole chose not to be a part of that good life.

Within minutes, Butterflies began walking down the aisle, one at a time, dropping flower petals as they did. Aunt Claudia, Ruby, and then Rosie—who made dropping her petals more into a dance as she sashayed and waved at wedding guests—and then Maybelle, looking beautifully elegant.

When all four Butterflies stood at the front of the church on the opposite side of Bodie, Harry, and his best man, the music changed. Everyone stood, turning to look at the bride, including the dog.

“Wow,” Sophie breathed when Sarah and her father appeared in the entranceway.

“She’s a beautiful bride,” Isabelle whispered.

Sophie nodded, her gaze going back and forth between a giddily smiling Sarah whose arms were linked with her father’s as they made their way down the aisle and her groom who looked completely besotted at the vision his bride made.

It was clear that Sarah wasn’t seeing any of her guests. She only had eyes for the man waiting on her.

As Bodie only had eyes for Sarah.

What must it feel like to be loved like that? To know that you’d found a person to love you through thick and thin? Through the good and the bad? That the one who you loved, loved you back with all their heart?

“We’re gathered here today for the blessed union of my daughter and this fine young man. Her mother isn’t here, but she’d be so proud of the woman Sarah has become, as would my sister, her Aunt Jean. It is with great joy as her father that I give her in marriage to Bodie to be his wife.”

Sarah’s father spoke to the crowd, then handed her over to Bodie and changed role from father of the bride to the preacher performing their ceremony.

Sophie sniffled more than once as Sarah and Bodie exchanged their vows, especially when they knelt and Harry placed his paw upon their entwined hands.

Truly, Harry was the smartest, most perceptive dog Sophie had ever encountered. Unlike Stitches, who apparently preferred Isabelle over the person feeding him.

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” Pastor Smith told