Epilogue
Two weeks later . . .
Sienna hugged Taylor. “Thanks for everything you did for me and Bailey.”
“You’re welcome.” Taylor hugged her back, then gave Bailey a big hug and kiss before leaving.
Taylor had decided she didn’t want to continue traveling with Sienna and Bailey. And Zeke. Really, Sienna couldn’t blame her. Taylor’s services weren’t needed. Zeke was becoming an expert at caring for Bailey. He didn’t have full use of his left arm and shoulder, but he’d managed to master the art of changing her daughter’s diapers with minimal use of his left hand.
They’d taken the train from Chicago and Milwaukee several times so Zeke could keep his physical therapy appointments. They were staying at Zeke’s house in Greenland between shows. Since most of her performances were three nights over the weekend, he’d insisted on tagging along since he was off work anyway due to his injury.
Sienna had loved having Zeke spend time with her and Bailey. The response to her shows had been incredible, but she had already planned to finish this tour at Christmas, without renewing for next year. At least, not right away. As much as she loved performing the Lord’s music, she wasn’t interested in traveling from one city to the next for the foreseeable future. Bailey deserved more stability than that.
Besides, Zeke would have to return to work, likely by the first of the year. Her tentative plan at this point was to finish her tour, then settle in Milwaukee permanently.
Although she and Zeke hadn’t really discussed their future. Between her shows and his recovery, they’d been taking things day by day.
“Taylor will find another nanny placement,” Zeke said, misreading her silence. “I think she was bored here.”
“Oh, I agree. She will.” She turned to Zeke. “How was physical therapy?”
“Great. Supposedly I’m making good progress, although I still have a long way to go.”
“Don’t rush it,” she warned.
“Who me?” he asked in mock innocence. She knew him well enough to read the frustration at not being able to do certain things. “I hope you don’t mind, but I made reservations at Mario’s for dinner tonight.” He glanced at his watch. “We’ll have to hit the road soon. Rhy and Devon agreed to watch Bailey.”
She wanted to protest, but Bailey enjoyed spending time with Rhy and Devon’s daughter, Colleen. “I should have asked Taylor to stay one night.”
“Nah, this will work out fine,” Zeke said. “Trust me.”
She did trust Zeke, and Rhy too. She would have been happy to stay home, but Zeke looked so happy at going out for dinner, she didn’t want to burst his bubble.
“Sure thing. Let me pack some of Bailey’s things together.”
Ninety minutes later, she and Zeke were sitting in a quiet table at Mario’s. The light shimmered from the diamond on her left hand. When she glanced up at Zeke, he smiled. “I wanted to come here tonight for a specific reason,” he said, once they’d placed their order.
“Did you get an update on the case from Rhy?” She assumed they’d spoken earlier, and that was when Zeke had asked Rhy to babysit. She braced herself for bad news. “Is Alice still in jail?”
“Yes, she’s in jail and not going anywhere,” Zeke assured her. He reached over to take her left hand in his. “Do you remember the Milwaukee Morning show interview? When you said I’d proposed at Mario’s, our favorite restaurant?”
She flushed, remembering all too well. “I shouldn’t have said that,” she began.
“Sienna. Will you please marry me? For real?”
She caught her breath. “Are you sure? Bailey and I are a package deal, and I would understand if that was a bit much...”
“I love you. I love Bailey,” Zeke interrupted. “And I very much want to marry you.” He stood, then went down on one knee. “If you want something other than my mother’s engagement ring, we’ll head to the jewelry store on the way home. You can pick out something better.”
“No, I don’t want anything else.” The thought of wearing his mother’s ring was heartwarming. “I only want you, Zeke.”
He smiled. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes. Yes, I’d love to marry you.” She stood when he did, and they hugged. Awkwardly because he couldn’t use his left arm, but it was a sweet embrace all the same. He kissed her, sealing the deal.
“Ah, Sienna,” he murmured as they resumed their seats. “You’ll have to let me know your plans. I have a feeling the minute I put my house up for sale I’ll be inundated with offers, so we need to have an idea of where we’re going to live.”
“Sell? I don’t want you to sell.” She lightly touched his arm. “I’m committed to this tour, but when it’s over, I’d like to settle down here in town. With you.”
“Really?” He looked shocked. “Are you sure? Your performances get better and better each time. The spiritual energy you bring to the room is palpable. After your last show in Chicago, I thought the fans would refuse to leave. I can’t believe you wouldn’t want to keep going. To keep sharing your talent with the world.”
“I can do that in other ways. I would never ask you to give up your job for mine. And I like the idea of Bailey growing up here like we did.” She smiled. “I love you, Zeke. The tour is nice, but that’s not the only way we can honor God.”
“Like the song you dedicated to me, ‘The Blessing,’” he said. “For our children and their children and their children.”
“Yes, exactly like that.” She nodded. “Together, we can do anything.”
“Amen,” Zeke whispered. Then he stood and drew her in for another kiss.
Despite her past with Josh, she knew she was making the right decision to marry Zeke. He was a true blessing from God.
In a way Josh or his mother would never understand.