The room just off the sanctuary was meant to be calm. White walls. Soft chatter. The low rustle of silk and nervous laughter. Emma stood near the mirror in her wedding dress, bouquet resting against her hip, while the bridesmaids gathered behind her.
Lucy stood closest. Her partner on the force. Today traded a uniform for pale blue satin, Rex’s leash looped securely around her wrist. He’d walked beside Emma the way he always did—through raids, night shifts, long hours on patrol. Calm. Focused. Unshaken by crowds. As her police dog, pressure was what he was trained for. Today was different.