Epilogue

Dorie gave him a motherly chiding. Mandy wasn't as lucky, Kip thought as he walked away with Colton. Well, he couldn't rescue everyone.

"Let's get your bags inside," Dorie was saying.

"Mom, we staying in a hotel. You've got enough with Maggie's and that crew staying here. There's no room for us."

"Nonsense, we got a new futon this year and we can roll it into the living room. Lots of room."

Kip groaned. And Colton looked up at him. "Are we really staying here?"

Kip shook his head. "No. We're not. I promise."

Colton looked relieved.

He could hear his mother coming up the walk behind them. "Has Kip seen your dress at all?" He glanced over his shoulder to see Mandy having the sense to shake her head. He'd picked it out with her, but his mother didn't need to know that.

Mandy gave him a pained look and he smiled back. "Mom, we can't stay long. We have to go see Mandy's parents today as well."

"Invite them for supper, Kip," Dorie Turner said. "Mandy, you invite them over."

Mandy waved her hands. "No, no. They have people with them as well. We'll just slip over there for a bit. Say hi and then head back to the hotel room. The trip has been exhausting. We'll be here for almost ten days, there's plenty of time to visit with everyone."