They married three months later in the same ballroom. There were thirty-eight guests. No giant floral arch. No seven-piece band. No expensive favors that would be left on tables.

Frank walked Maddie down the aisle, and before giving her hand to Eli, he placed one weathered palm on the younger man’s shoulder.

“A year ago, one man left my daughter alone in this room,” Frank said. “Another man stayed when nobody asked him to.” Eli’s eyes grew bright. “I’ve spent my life fixing things — furnaces, freezers, air conditioners.

But I learned something from these two. Some things aren’t fixed by replacing what broke. They’re healed by building something better.” He squeezed Eli’s shoulder.

“Welcome to the family.”

During dinner, Loretta threatened to chase Eli with a serving spoon when he automatically stood to clear a plate. “Sit down,” she ordered. “You served weddings for nine years.