Previous chapters of the Vista Falls story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!

Last time, Vera explained to Mr. Dinello that she had seen what she thought was a ghost at the old abandoned courthouse—a woman dressed all in gray with a face and hair the same color as her clothes. Vera was frightened. Mr. Dinello and Vera went back to the picnic table and described what Vera had seen. Mr. Dinello suggested that they all go investigate. Everyone was in agreement with the exception of Kate who had seen enough scary things to last her the rest of her life. Did Kate agree to go with the others? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 4
Aisle Need Help

“I’ll go. I’m curious to see what my sister saw.” Lucy nodded.

“Me, too.” Delia said.

“I’m in.” Rick nodded.

“What about you, Kate?” Mr. Dinello asked the only member of the group that hadn’t spoken up.

“I…ummm…” Kate stalled. She had no interest in seeing anything scary. She wanted to just drop the whole subject entirely. But, she didn’t want the others to think she was a coward.

“Kate?” Mr. Dinello asked again, smiling.

“Well.” Kate paused. “Why don’t we go ask Chief Colbert what he thinks about it?”

“Aw, come on, Kate.” Rick rolled his eyes.

“No, now wait a minute.” Mr. Dinello shook his head. “Kate’s right. We probably should ask Sam.”

Lucy nodded. “It’s true, I guess. We have all gotten in trouble before when we went off on an investigation without Officer Colbert going with us.”

“He’s not going to want to go.” Vera sniffed, glancing over to where Chief Colbert stood smiling on the gazebo with Jenny Littlepoole. “They look busy.”

Ward looked up at the gazebo, too. “Yeah. Looks like they’re still being congratulated on their engagement.”

“I don’t think Sam would mind a little interruption.” Mr. Dinello said. “Just for a few minutes.”

“Is that what I am?” Vera frowned. “A little interruption?”

“That’s not what Mr. Dinello meant, and you know it.” Lucy put her arm around her sister’s shoulders.

“That isn’t what I meant at all.” Mr. Dinello agreed. “Sorry, Vera.”

“That’s okay.” Vera shrugged. “But, can we hurry? This is kind of important. I don’t want whoever or whatever I saw to get away!” Vera looked around impatiently.

Before the teens and Mr. Dinello could even think about going up to the gazebo, Chief Colbert and Jenny Littlepoole were on their way to the picnic table. They were both smiling and looked very, very happy. Chief Colbert didn’t even seem bothered by his broken arm, he was so happy.

“Well, everyone. What do you think?” Chief Colbert asked, laughing.

“Congratulations, Chief!” Ward said excitedly.

“I think it’s wonderful!” Delia said giddily to Officer Littlepoole.

“Yeah! I’m so excited for you!” Lucy nodded.

“Thank you.” Jenny Littlepoole grinned. “We couldn’t be happier.”

“That’s true.” Chief Colbert nodded. “I’ve got the best bride-to-be in the whole world. And, the best best man.” He chuckled.

Mr. Dinello blushed.

“You know, Sam and I were just talking.” Jenny Littlepoole began.

“So were we.” Vera started, eager to go investigate the “ghost” she had seen. However, before she could say anything else, Officer Littlepoole continued.

“A wedding is a special time. It’s not just for the bride and groom, but also for their friends and family.” Jenny Littlepoole said.

“Yes, and we were hoping that all of our friends would be involved.” Sam Colbert spoke up. “And, we have no better friends than all of you.”

“That’s so sweet.” Delia smiled broadly.

“Well, it’s true.” Jenny Littlepoole nodded.

“That’s why we were hoping that all of you would participate in our wedding.” Sam Colbert nodded.

Vera was about to interrupt—more concerned about that terrifying woman she had seen than she was about a wedding that was going to take place a long way in the future—but, she didn’t have a chance to speak.

“Ward, Rick, and TJ.” Chief Colbert began. “We were hoping that the three of you would be ushers at the wedding.”

“Us?” TJ asked. “Really?”

“Of course.” Chief Colbert answered happily. “You’re all like family to us.”

“I’d be afraid we’d mess things up.” Rick answered nervously.

“No, not at all.” Jenny Littlepoole shook her head. “You’d just show people to their seats before the ceremony. “But, we’d be honored if you’d be a part of our wedding.”

“I’d be happy to.” Ward nodded.

“Me, too.” Rick smiled. “Thank you.”

“Thank you.” Chief Colbert grinned. “TJ? What about you?”

“It’d be an honor.” TJ answered cheerfully.

“And, you girls,” Jenny Littlepoole continued. “I’m going to need your help, too.”

“You are?” Lucy asked.

“I sure am. Since I have no sisters,” Jenny Littlepoole began. “I was hoping you girls would be my bridesmaids.”

“You mean we’d get to walk down the aisle with you and wear fancy dresses?” Kate asked, wide-eyed.

“Yes, and you’d help me get dressed for the wedding and help me with the planning.” Jenny smiled. “That is, if you’d want to.”

“I’d love to!” Delia chirped.

“So, would I!” Kate agreed.

“Wow! Thank you. I’m so excited!” Lucy agreed.

“Oh, thank you all so much.” Jenny Littlepoole answered emotionally.

“Wait, we heard an answer from everyone except you, Vera.” Chief Colbert said. “Vera, will you be a part of our wedding?”

What should Vera answer?

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