Chapter 32 #2
“Shoot.” He forked his fingers through his hair. “I’m in search of a replacement blade for my old rotary fan, and Bob was always my best bet for odd spare parts. There wouldn’t happen to be one lying around here, would there?”
“Sorry. I haven’t seen any.”
The man exhaled. “I suppose I’ll have to continue my quest up in Coos Bay. It’s starting to heat up in our spare attic room.”
Aaron waited until the man exited, locked the door, and returned to Devyn. “He was after a fan blade. He said things are heating up at his house. I can relate.” He waggled his eyebrows. “So where were we?”
“Gearing up for act two, I hope.” She moved in close, put her arms around his neck, and gave him a slow smile.
“Happy to oblige.”
She rose on tiptoe to meet his lips. He bent down.
And as the dust motes swirled around them, somewhere in the distance he could swear he heard the faint, triumphant strains of “Ode to Joy.”
Oklahoma was over.
As the cast took its final curtain call after the Sunday matinee, Devyn high-fived Katherine Parker from their spot in the wings. “I’d say this production was a resounding success.”
The other woman grinned. “That’s fact, not opinion.
Four sold-out performances, with the fourth added to meet the huge demand.
Tremendous positive publicity for the town.
Overflowing coffers for Helping Hands. Standing ovations after every performance.
It doesn’t get much better than this for community theater. Thanks again for stepping in to help.”
“It was my pleasure. I’ll be out front, mingling.”
“I won’t be far behind.”
After skirting around props and scenery, Devyn entered the auditorium from a side door.
It was hard to spot Aaron in the crush of people, but once she did, she wove through the crowd toward him.
When he caught sight of her, his intimate smile—the same one he’d been giving her since the day in the vacant hardware store two weeks ago—sent her pulse off the charts. As it always did.
Only after she got close and the crowd parted a bit did she spot the bouquet of red roses in his hand.
Pressure built in her throat.
How had she been lucky enough to meet a guy like this?
He held out the bouquet. “I think flowers are customary after a performance.”
“Thank you. They’re beautiful. But I didn’t perform.”
“No, but you helped the performers shine. That’s worth celebrating.” He leaned down for a quick kiss over the top of the velvety petals.
When he straightened up, Lauren emerged from the crowd, a large gift bag in hand.
“I meant to catch you backstage, but I got delayed by a costume question. I have something for you too. I assumed the flowers would be covered.” She tipped her head toward Aaron. “So I brought this instead.” She held out the bag.
“You didn’t have to get me anything. You worked as hard on the show as I did.”
“Not quite. I had a whole committee to help me.”
Devyn passed the flowers back to Aaron, set the bag on an empty seat beside her, and opened the top. “Oh, Lauren! This is gorgeous.” She pulled out the dance bag she’d asked her to make weeks ago.
“It was supposed to be a going-away present. I doubt you’ll need it as much here, but a promise is a promise.”
“Of course I’ll need it. Ballet teachers tote around a ton of stuff.” She gave her a hearty hug.
“You want me to take it home for you?” Lauren motioned to the bag. “And the flowers? I assume you’re going to the cast party. Maybe with a guest in tow.”
Devyn deferred to Aaron. “Are you still game?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
At a delighted exclamation behind her, Devyn glanced back.
Hands clasped to her mouth, Diane Fisher had stopped several feet from her husband, who was standing in the aisle a dozen feet away, a young man beside him. Then she surged forward and drew the twentysomething guy into a hug.
“That’s her son.” Lauren leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I ran into them in the lobby earlier, and Martin told me he’d arranged for Lucas to come home for a week to see his mom in the show. The end of his internship coincided with the performance dates.”
“I’d call that a happy ending.” Devyn watched the family group as Diane released her son and embraced her husband.
“Yes. I’m thrilled for her.”
At the hint of wistfulness in her sister’s inflection, Devyn turned back. Opened her mouth to speak.
But Lauren beat her to it. “And I’m thrilled for me too, because the two of us have our own happy ending.” She reached over and squeezed her hand.
“Miss Devyn!” Isabel zipped out of the stage door and dashed toward them, followed by Ben. “How did we do?”
“You were all spectacular. Broadway quality.”
Ben’s eyes began to twinkle. “A slight exaggeration, but we did have fun and we raised money for a worthwhile cause. I’d say that’s a win all around.”
“You didn’t tell her yet, did you?” Isabel directed the question to Aaron, excitement pinging from her.
“Tell me what?” She inspected the faces of all the Steeles. And Lauren’s smug expression suggested she was in on whatever they were about to reveal.
“Can I tell her?” Isabel hopped from foot to foot.
What in the world was going on?
“Yes. I think you should do the honors. Everyone agree?” Aaron encompassed Ben and Lauren in his question, and they both nodded.
Isabel beamed up at her. “We’re coming to New York to see you dance in your last show!”
Devyn’s jaw dropped.
“I think we surprised her.” Aaron twined his fingers with hers.
“Are you all coming?” She gave the group a sweep.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Lauren touched her arm.
“And I’m not about to be left out of this party,” Ben chimed in.
Devyn’s throat clogged. “I can . . . I can get you all tickets.”
“We hoped you could. That’s why we haven’t bought ours yet.” Ben winked at her.
“I can’t believe you’re all flying across the country to see me dance.” Somehow she managed to choke out the words.
“It was Dad’s idea.” Isabel smiled at him. “And when he told your sister, she said she was already planning to come too.”
“Just make it worth our while. Not to put any pressure on you or anything.” Lauren elbowed her, picked up her purse, and took the flowers from Aaron.
“Now I’m going to call it a day. You all enjoy the party.
I’d come too, but since I’m starting back to work full-time tomorrow, I want to make it an early night.
” She lifted a hand in farewell and wound through the crowd toward the exit.
“Aaron, you want to ride to the party with Devyn? Or do I even have to ask?” Ben arched an eyebrow.
“You don’t have to ask. We’ll see you there.”
“Isabel, let’s go ditch these costumes and wipe off our makeup.” Ben took her hand. “We don’t want to be late for the party.”
While the two of them hustled toward the dressing rooms, Devyn gave Aaron her full attention. “Thank you for wanting to come see me dance. It means more to me than I can say. But a trip like that will be expensive.”
“It will be worth every penny.” He took her hand, and the warmth in his eyes turned her heart to mush. “I’d show you why I want to come if there weren’t so many people around.”
“Maybe you can show me later.”
“Count on it.” His eyes ignited, sending her pulse off the scale.
“When you look at me like that, I’m tempted to skip the party.”
“People would be disappointed if you didn’t show. And we have all the time in the world to be together.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“So do I.” He held out his hand. “Shall we?”
She slipped her fingers into his, and as they walked toward the back of the theater, a soul-deep contentment settled over her.
While some might say she was foolish to leave New York at the peak of her career, there were times when you had to listen to your heart and take a leap of faith, even if the future didn’t come with guarantees.
But she knew one thing with absolute certainty.
No matter what her tomorrows held, this small seaside town was where she belonged.
And if everything played out as she hoped, a certain handsome lumberman would be a big part of her future.
A happy ending she wouldn’t trade for all the standing ovations, applause, or accolades in the world.