Eclipse Bay

tapes,” Hannah explained.
    “Yeah, yeah,” Mitchell muttered. “Reckon it’s a given he’ll end up facing only a manslaughter charge. But what happened to the tapes?”
    “Jed claims they went over the cliff with Kaitlin and were swept out to sea. Says he never even viewed them.”
    “Ha.” Mitchell grimaced. “And if you believe that, I’ve got some waterfront property in Arizona I can sell you.”
    “I don’t think anyone actually believes his story,” Hannah said slowly. “But if those tapes don’t surface, no one will be able to prove otherwise. The Thornley camp is taking the line that the incident had nothing to do with their man. But there’s a rumor going around that Trevor Thornley met Kaitlin when she worked for his first campaign.”
    “Wonder how many copies there are of those tapes,” Mitchell mused.
    “Not our problem,” Rafe said. “Thornley’s the one who has to worry about opening a tabloid someday and finding a picture of himself modeling lingerie inside. We’ve got other things to occupy us.”
    Mitchell cocked a brow. “Such as?”
    “Such as planning a wedding,” Hannah said smoothly.
    For a split second Mitchell looked stunned. In the next instant delight exploded across his weathered features. He gave a whoop that made Winston drop his chewing bone, get up from the floor, and pad over to his chair to see what all the excitement was about.
    “Well, shoot and damn,” Mitchell said when he finally got his exuberance under control. “I knew you two would get around to doing the right thing. You just needed a little kick in the you-know-where.”
    “Don’t know how we could have managed without your help,” Rafe said dryly. “Telling everyone at the post office that Hannah and I were planning to get married was certainly an inspiration for us. Wasn’t it, Hannah?”
    “Definitely inspirational,” Hannah said.
    Mitchell was clearly having trouble containing his delight. “Least I could do. Wait’ll Sullivan and the rest of those uptight, upright Hartes hear about this. Your family is going to have a combined hissy fit, Hannah.”
    Hannah winced. “I expect there will be some fireworks when Rafe and I tell them the good news.”
    “Gonna light up the sky,” Mitchell agreed cheerfully. “Sure would like to be there when you spring it on ’em.”
    “Forget it,” Rafe muttered. “You’re not going to be anywhere in the vicinity.”
    “Ah—”
    “Speaking of family reaction,” Hannah said firmly,
    “I’ll be planning this wedding. I’ve had a certain amount of experience in the field, but I must admit this particular event presents some unique challenges.”
    Mitchell chortled. “Worried about a brawl in the church?”
    Hannah gave him a repressive look. “I expect some cooperation, restraint, and civilized behavior from everyone. Is that clear?”
    “Don’t look at me like that.” Mitchell contrived to appear deeply offended. “We Madisons aren’t going to cause a ruckus.”
    “Damn right,” Rafe agreed. “If there’s trouble it won’t start on the Madison side.”
    Hannah gave both men a steely look. “It better not finish there, either.”

    The wedding was held two months later, in the Eclipse Bay Community Church. Everyone in town was invited, and virtually everyone came. In spite of several ghoulish predictions of carnage, the ceremony went off without a hitch.
    Halfway through the reception, which was held at Dreamscape, Mitchell could no longer restrain himself. He sought out Sullivan in order to gloat.
    He found his old partner and rival on the veranda. Sullivan stood alone near the railing, a glass of champagne in one hand, a cane in the other.
    Well, shoot and damn, Mitchell thought. He’s lost as much hair as I have. Seemed like he was taller back in the old days, too. Guess we’ve both shrunk.
    Looking at Sullivan was a little like looking into an old mirror. What had he expected? That they would stay young and dynamic forever? At least I’m not the only one here with a cane .
    “Hey, Sullivan.” He came to a halt a few paces away. “What do you think of your new grandson-in-law?”
    Sullivan turned slowly around to face him. Mitchell relaxed a little. His ex-partner might be showing some wear and tear, but a savvy gleam still burned brightly in his eyes. This was the same man who had fought at his side in a long ago military action that no one except those who had been involved in it even remembered. This was the same