Epilogue
EPILOGUE
“ A re you a billionaire?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Either you are or you aren’t.”
“I disagree.”
“So you’re not a billionaire?”
“Well…”
Sarah folded her arms, tapped her foot and gave a general sniff of disapproval. They were in the plush living room of their new home, the day of the wedding . Azure overstuffed sofas, colorful hanging quilts and pine furniture graced the spacious room, including a large handmade table gifted by Donovan. The scent of fresh cedar permeated the air, sweetened by lilies from the butterfly garden outside the big picture window.
The magic of their new home continued outside. Their big backyard had been transformed into a whimsical wonderland, with fairy lights strung from towering oak trees, criss-crossing draped chiffon and lace-covered tables adorned with scattered rose petals. Rows of ivory-cushioned chairs with golden spindles flanked a path set with mosaic glass vases of fresh wildflowers. At the end, a covered altar awaited, where they would soon be named husband and wife.
Friends and family arrived by the minute, mingling and munching on sweet cheese pastries, fresh seasonal fruits and buttery croissants. Well, mostly Cole’s family came, but like his parents, his extended family had taken her in. She had never felt so loved, most of all by the man she would soon call her husband. And the town?
They were all present.
With only hours to go, they were stealing a few minutes of quiet before the life-changing moment of two paths becoming one. Cole, handsome in the casual black tee and jeans that played prelude to his tux, moved closer, wrapping those muscular arms around her. All frustration at his vagueness fled, replaced by approval. His muscles flexed. Oh yeah, so much approval.
No, she had to remember their discussion. He couldn’t distract her like the last few times he’d mentioned his little club . “You just told me The Billionaires of Miami are here. They’re on the news more than a certain socialite family with a scandal-a-week television show. When were you going to tell me you’re one of them?”
“It’s not really an official group or anything,” he hedged. “We’re just a group of friends…”
“Who happen to be billionaires and do tons of hidden charitable endeavors.”
For once, the powerful man looked uncomfortable. “You don’t have to be a billionaire to be in it.”
“True.” She relaxed. “So you’re not a billionaire.”
“I didn’t say that.” At her glare, he chuckled, pulled her closer. “Why? Does it change how you feel about me?”
“Of course not!” The words sprung forth with total honesty. He could have a penny to his name, or not even that, and she would love him just the same. “My love is about you and only you.” She snaked her arms around him. “Even if I wish you would be more forthcoming, I couldn’t be happier to become your wife.”
“Which is going to happen in just a few hours.” He nipped her neck. “Not that the formality changes anything. You were mine from the moment I arrested you.”
“Is that so?” She shivered a secret thrill. “Didn’t I arrest you?”
“Not quite, no matter how much you wanted to.” He chuckled, but the love in his eyes was all serious. He pulled her a little closer. “Perhaps we captured each other.”
Yes, they did.
“There’s my beautiful daughter.”
Sarah jumped back, but Cole held her tight. She placed her hands on his chest, yet didn’t push back as she intended. Somehow, her naughty hands gripped him closer instead, even as she teased, “You have to let me go sometime.”
“Never.” He released one arm but kept her close, brushing his body against hers. The warmth from his large form steaked lightning throughout every limb, tenderizing taut muscles. Now she could only think about what came after the wedding…
“Hey guys, let’s save that for later.”
Sarah flushed at her father’s all-too-accurate guess, grudgingly pulling from Cole’s hold to face the man in the doorway. Alfred Tanning looked dapper in a crisp black tuxedo, his hair expertly cut and his skin a healthy glow he’d attained after putting on a few pounds of much-needed weight. His skin was now smoother, his appearance less gaunt and gray. He wore the crisp suit well, yet nothing was as flattering as the cloak of sobriety.
He’d shocked the entire town by not only completing the program but excelling at it. He’d truly changed, or as he reminded her, was always changing, because it would be a lifelong process. But every day, she saw a little more of the father she’d always dreamed of.
“Hi, Dad.” She walked into open arms, into the scent of the cologne he’d wore once upon a time. She’d given it as a father-of-the-bride gift, and he’d worn it every day since.
“You look beautiful.” He gazed at her like she was a princess – his princess – even though she was still in her casual sundress. “I can’t tell you how proud I am. Not just because of this–” He waved his hand at her newfound world. “Because of the strong woman you’ve become.”
She blushed, smoothing back the cascades of curls the beautician had somehow managed to create. “Thanks, Dad. I’m proud of you, too.” She told him that every time they talked. And like every time she said it, he grinned.
“And you.” Alfred held out his hand to Cole. “You take care of my daughter, you hear me?”
“Yes, sir,” Cole promised. “I plan to spend the rest of my life making sure she is happy and content. Actually, a lifetime is too short. How about forever?”
“Sounds good to me.” Alfred winked at her.
It sounded perfect . After a few moments of pleasant conversation she couldn’t fathom mere months ago, she hugged her father goodbye. He returned a hearty embrace, no longer appearing like he would lose a fight with a stiff breeze. He walked, no strode, from the room, grasping a bottled water from the table.
“So now, where were we–” A sharp knock on the door stole their attention. “Ah, that must be them. Come in!”
The door opened, and she stared.
The billionaires had arrived.
Not just billionaires but bona fide celebrities, including movie star Julian Starcroft and baseball phenom Jason Sterling. The others were well-known in their own right – billionaire CEOs Cameron Drake, Dominick Knight and Aidan Bancroft. They nodded hearty hellos, and their equally famous wives gave friendly greetings and hugs as they complimented her on everything from her hair to her home.
“I can’t believe you guys are friends.” Sarah tapped Cole’s arm. “Or that you’re part of this group.”
“Not very forthcoming, is he?” Julian rumbled in his patented movie star voice. “But actually, he’s the one who provided investment advice. If he didn’t love detective work so much…”
“Hey now,” Cole said sternly, but his eyes danced with mirth. “I’m not the only one who isn’t always forthcoming. Remember, I know how you all met.”
As if guilt was contagious, it passed from billionaire to billionairess, amidst pinkened cheeks and soft laughs. Sarah smiled at them. “Do you guys have unusual stories?”
“You might say that.” Adrianna puckered her lips as everyone laughed. She glanced at the empty room, then nodded at the other couples. “She’ll hear about us eventually. Should we give her the rundown?” As the others consented, she continued, “I met my husband when he was an intern at my company.”
“That doesn’t seem unusual.” Sarah bit her lip, as hazy memories of news stories surfaced. “Wait, I thought he founded the company.”
“He did,” Adrianna confirmed. “I should have said when he was pretending to be an intern. Which is why I felt perfectly comfortable asking him to be my pretend boyfriend.”
“Wait a minute–” Sarah pointed her finger between the married couple, before settling on Dominick’s towering form. “You pretended to be both an intern and her boyfriend?”
“That’s right,” Adrianna said brightly. “Want to know what I said when I discovered the truth?”
“Oh yes.” Sarah leaned closer.
“Well I–”
“Hold on. We don’t have time for whole stories,” Kaitlyn interrupted with a teasing wink. “She’ll just have to check out your Billionaire in Disguise later.”
“Good point.” Adrianna moved back, and the whole crowd groaned. “Kaitlynn, you go next. I believe I heard something about an Undercover Billionaire ?”
“That was my Cameron.” Kaitlyn smiled at the giant man next to her, who gazed down at her with pure adoration. “Or actually, my Drake. When I first met him, I mistook him for the actor I hired. He didn’t exactly enlighten me.”
“Wow.” Sarah blinked. “She thought you were an actor?”
“That’s right.” Drake didn’t look the least bit remorseful. “Want to know how she discovered the truth? She was–”
“Don’t give it away,” Julian Stacroft broke in. “It’s more fun if she gets the whole story at once.”
“I have a lot of catching up to do.” Sarah turned to the famous movie star. “Let me guess – you were also undercover?”
“Only in the movies. No, in my story, my wife was the real undercover agent.” He pointed to a petite woman next to him with an athletic body and an inherent strength. “Cheyenne was an extra on my film, only she didn’t have any acting experience, at least not the usual kind. She was more in your line of work.”
“You’re in law enforcement?” At the woman’s nod, Sarah held out her hand to her sister in arms. “It’s a great field.”
Cheyenne gave a hearty shake. “Yes, it is. I infiltrated the movie set to catch a criminal ring exploiting young women. I was supposed to be an extra, but then I became a body double and finally this guy’s assistant.” She jerked her head toward Julian. “Do you know what we did while I was his assistant?” Judging by the smoldering gaze between them, it would not be appropriate to say out loud.
“She caught the criminal, but I caught her,” Julian bantered. “It’s my greatest role yet.” For a man perched at the top of the A-list movie roster, it was a heady achievement indeed.
“Wow. It sounds like a romance: The Movie Star and the Spy .’” They all chuckled, then Sarah turned to the baseball star and his wife. “Which one of you was undercover?”
“Neither.” Dara waved her hand back and forth. “I already knew he was a bad boy baseball player. Although there were some secrets involved.”
“From both of us,” Jason added. “Dara was in charge of reforming my image. Let’s just say I didn’t take it well. She was my best catch.”
“ The Billionaire’s Catch .” Dara squeezed her husband’s hand. “I like the sound of that.”
“These billionaires like to be in charge.” Laura chimed in. “But we have what’s most important.”
“Yes, we do.” Her husband, billionaire CEO Aidan Bancroft, grasped her close. “But there’s nothing more important to us than these lovely ladies. Well, them and the little ones.” His voice lowered to murmur. “Thank you so much for The Billionaire’s Secret Child .”
Another exciting story, yet like the others, it was for another day. Sarah gazed at the group of new friends. “I can’t wait to hear everything.”
“You will.” Cole brought her closer once more, and her heart rejoiced. “But now it’s our story. Our love. Out happy ending.”
Anticipation emboldened her, hope for the future she never thought she’d have. “What should we call it, My Billionaire Protector ?”
“I’m sure we’ll think of something.”
The smiles were as wide as the ocean, the well wishes and hugs genuine and pure. They spoke for a few more minutes, crafting plans to meet in the future, to listen to everyone’s story, including theirs.
The next hours passed in a whirlwind of preparation. Sarah donned her big beautiful ballgown, an off-the-shoulder masterpiece with crystal embellishments and exquisite pearl detail. A long cathedral veil with floral embroidery spread out behind her, glittering in the brilliant light. It may not be what they expected from the sheriff, but by the gasps when she emerged, it was perfect.
And yet when she stepped onto the path of rose petals, flanked by newfound family and lifelong friends, all she saw was the man at the journey’s end, the man who had made all her dreams come true. In front of the entire town, they spoke words to change their lives, and destiny rejoiced. Their love would endure… not for a day, a month or even a lifetime.
For Ever.