“Yeah,” Charlie said. “Guy stuff.”

Amusement sparkled in her eyes. “All righty then.” She looked at Hank. “Don’t you need to get to the station?”

“I do.”

“And you.” She pointed at Charlie. “You need a bath, son.”

“Aw, Mom, do I have to?”

“Yes. Bathroom. March.”

Charlie dragged himself out of the room like he suddenly weighed a thousand pounds.

Hank snorted out a laugh, then gave her a quick kiss before heading out. “See you at lunch.”

“See you,” she called after him.

Birdie was already at her desk when he got in. “What are you doing here?” she asked “You have a wedding to get ready for.”

He stopped to pick up his messages. “I’m getting a tux from Corette this afternoon. Other than that, I just have to show up.”

“Men.” She shook her head. “You haven’t done a thing to help with this wedding.”

“I called the J.O.P. That was a thing.” He gave her a sharp look. “You’re talking about it like it’s the event of the year. We’re going to the courthouse at five o’clock. There’s nothing to prepare for.”

“What about the reception afterwards?”

His eyes narrowed. “What reception?”

“For your guests.”

“We haven’t invited anyone.”

“Not even Titus and Bridget? And if you think you’re keeping me away—”

He raised his hand. “Okay, I get it.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “What do we need to do?”

“I’ve already done it. The reception is in the back room at Howler’s. Bridget is setting up a buffet dinner, so nothing fancy, but it is what it is. Delaney Ellingham is making the cake, so of course she and Hugh are invited. And with Corette helping with the wedding attire, it only made sense to ask her and Stanhill to attend as well. And isn’t Ivy’s brother still in town? Plus a few other people.”

For the first time in his life, Hank was slightly afraid of his aunt. “How many is a few?”

With the most challenging expression she’d ever given him, she answered, “Fifty. Ish.”

He held his hands up in defeat and walked toward his office. “As long as you’re handling it, fine.”

“I’ve already made you an appointment at Corette’s this afternoon for your tux. You’re welcome.”

He paused at the door. “Call her and tell her I’m going to need a second one.”

“No need. Titus got fitted for his this morning. I assumed you’d want him for your best man.”

“Good. Yes.” Actually, he hadn’t figured he needed a best man, but if anyone was going to fill that role, it would be Titus. “But I wasn’t talking about him. I need to get a tux for Charlie, Ivy’s son. And your soon-to-be great-nephew.”

A little gasp escaped Birdie and she lit up in the most female of ways. “He’s here?”

Hank nodded. “He’ll be coming in with Ivy for lunch.”

She clapped her hands together in front of her heart. “My first grandnephew. Oh my stars.”

He gestured at the phone. “Corette?”

“Yes! Right on it! How old is he?”

“Seven.”

Another gasp. “Seven. How precious.”

“Corette.”

“One more thing,” Birdie started. “I called Belinda.”

Hank eyed her suspiciously. “My parents already know I’m getting married. My father started it, remember?”

“Yes, but I invited them. I figured they had time to make it after all, so—”

“Where are they staying?” In theory, it wasn’t fair to Ivy that his parents were coming and hers weren’t, but he was certain she’d be fine with it.

“Bridget’s. They should be here just in time to make the ceremony.” She made a slightly apologetic face. Wasn’t one he was used to seeing. “I hope that was okay.”

“It’s fine.” He pointed at the phone again. “Corette.”

As soon as Birdie actually made contact with the receiver, Hank closed his office door and started going through the day’s paperwork. Sadly, his brain had been infected by Birdie, and he couldn’t stop feeling like he was forgetting something.

He went back out to the reception area.

Birdie frowned. “If you’re going to argue this wedding thing with me again, I swear I will quit.”

“Would that be your wedding gift to me, then?”

“You’re a horrible child.”

He sighed. “I feel like I’ve forgotten something. Is there anything the groom is supposed to be doing?”

“Yes, but we’ve opted to leave you out of the planning because of your attitude.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to find the fortitude to get through this conversation. “Everything is done? You don’t need me to do anything? Pick anything up?”

“Get your tux this afternoon, and we’re good. Assuming you got the rings?”

“I got the engagement ring.”

“You need wedding bands, too.”

He groaned. “On it.”

He went back to his office and called Willa.

“Illusions, Willa speaking.”

“Hello, Willa. It’s Hank Merrow. Thanks again for delivering the ring to the station.”