Epilogue
From his seat in the auditorium with all the other parents, Aaron watched as the woman who would be his wife in one short week addressed the group.
Wife.
The corners of his mouth inched north.
What a beautiful thought.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she?”
At Gramp’s comment from the seat beside him, he turned. “In a word, yes.”
Gramp’s quick smile flattened as he picked a piece of lint off his sleeve. “I, uh, have a confession to make.”
Tuning out the parents around him who were heading toward the front of the auditorium to claim their offspring, Aaron gave him his full attention. “This sounds serious.”
“It is.” Gramp fiddled with the zipper on the jacket he’d worn to ward off the early-May evening chill. “I had a talk with Devyn this week about me living at the house.”
Aaron frowned. “Why? We discussed that months ago, before we got engaged. She told you she was fine with the arrangement.”
“In your presence. That’s not like a private conversation between the two of us. I wanted her to know I wouldn’t hold it against her if she preferred more privacy, especially while you two are newlyweds.”
“Gramp.” He angled sideways, giving him his full attention. “There’s a ten-year-old in the house. Our privacy will already be limited. Why would it matter if you’re there too?”
“I just don’t want to intrude, that’s all. So I took a drive to Sea Breeze Apartments and found a unit that would suit me.”
Aaron stared at him. “You’re moving out?”
“As it turns out, no.”
Gramp was talking in circles.
“You’ve lost me.”
“Sorry.” He linked his fingers in his lap.
“When I told Devyn about the apartment, she said the house wouldn’t feel like home if I wasn’t there, after all the meals and laughter we’ve shared around the kitchen table.
She said the family circle would be missing a link.
And she said she—” His voice choked, and he sniffed.
“She said she loved me like I was her own grandfather.”
Pressure built behind Aaron’s eyes.
That sounded like the woman who’d stolen his heart.
“I’m not surprised.”
“She’s a keeper for sure. Elizabeth would have liked her.
” Gramp pulled out his handkerchief. Wiped his nose.
“I asked her not to tell you about our conversation, and she promised she wouldn’t.
I was kind of embarrassed about talking to her on the sly.
But after I thought about it, I decided you ought to know. ”
“I appreciate you telling me. After all, there shouldn’t be any secrets between a groom and his best man, right?” He gave him a teasing shoulder nudge.
“I’m honored to stand up for you, but you didn’t have to ask me, you know. You could have picked a friend your own age.”
“It was a no-brainer, Gramp. The job is called best man. So I chose the man who fit the description.”
His grandfather sniffed again, then pushed himself to his feet. “I guess we should go find Isabel before I need your handkerchief too.”
“I think she’s found us.” He rose and motioned toward the stage as his daughter broke away from the group of children and made a beeline for them, her multicolored chiffon skirt swirling around her tights-clad legs.
She picked up speed as she approached, face glowing. “Did you like my dancing?”
“It was beautiful.” He leaned down for a hug, taking care not to crush the gauzy fairy wings on her back.
“I second that. And your costume is beautiful too.” Gramp claimed his own hug.
“I know, but it’s not as pretty as the dress I’m going to wear next week for the wedding. I can’t believe Devyn asked me to be a junior bridesmaid. I hope I don’t mess up.” Her forehead pleated.
Gramp took her hand. “Sweetie, if you can swirl around on that stage like you did tonight, a walk down the aisle will be a piece of cake. Besides, you’ll have a chance to practice next week at the rehearsal.
Now you and I should hit the road. Your dad and Devyn have a meeting with Reverend Baker .
. . if she can ever break away from all the overanxious parents.
” He waved a hand toward the front, where Devyn was surrounded by costumed children and their parents. “She may need rescuing.”
“Duly noted.” Aaron surveyed the scene. “I’ll see you two at home later.”
“Don’t rush on our account. You want all the details for your big day to be right.” Gramp patted him on the back and shepherded Isabel toward the door.
He watched them go for a moment, then turned back to the front, lips flexing.
While he and Devyn would sort through whatever particulars Reverend Baker wanted to go over tonight, the biggest detail was already right.
In one short week, the beautiful ballerina who’d added light and love and laughter to his days was going to recite vows that would make her his wife.
He started forward, but by the time he reached the cluster of parents and children around Devyn, she’d extricated herself.
As the group dissolved, he grinned. “I was coming to your rescue, but I should have realized after your farewell performance in New York that you know how to handle a crowd. You were gracious to all the fans but managed to keep moving.”
“I did pick up a few survival skills in the big city.” She checked her watch. “Before we leave to meet with Reverend Baker, let me touch base with Lauren. Several girls had a glitch with their headpieces for one of the numbers, and I want to make certain our costumer got it straightened out.”
“No worries. We’re fine on time.” He claimed a seat while the two sisters conversed in low voices off to the side.
It was impossible to hear the exchange, but as they wrapped up, Lauren motioned to a man with a little girl sitting in the audience.
Whatever Devyn said in response generated a faint blush on her sister’s face.
Hmm.
Must be a story there.
When Devyn rejoined him while Lauren continued toward the duo, he stood and tipped his head her sister’s direction. “What gives?”
“She met the father the day we distributed costumes and talked with him again when he brought his daughter back for some alterations to adjust the fit. He invited her to dinner tonight as a thank-you.”
“I don’t recognize him.”
“They live up near Charleston.”
That would explain it.
Truth be told, he hadn’t recognized many of the adults here tonight—which wasn’t surprising, considering the hundred students enrolled at Harbor Pointe Studio came from a forty-plus-mile radius.
In fact, business was so good, Devyn not only had a waiting list, she was also adding a summer session.
After their honeymoon.
It was important to keep priorities straight.
“Maybe some of our romance will waft their way.” He motioned to the trio.
“It would be nice if she met someone new.” Devyn watched her sister chat with the man. “Love is a wonderful thing.”
“Yes, it is.” As Lauren exited with the man and girl, leaving them alone in the auditorium, he turned to Devyn. “And I’m counting the hours until we make ours official next week.”
“Me too. It’s going to be a beautiful wedding.”
“Are you sure what we have planned is enough, though?” It was a question that had nagged at him for months, despite her reassurances. “I still feel like maybe you’re shortchanging yourself. Don’t most women dream of a big wedding?”
She gave him the sweet smile that always tightened his throat. “I don’t know why you keep worrying about that. Like I’ve told you, I’m happy with a simple ceremony at church, followed by dinner and dancing with close friends and family at the lighthouse venue. Scout’s honor.”
“I just don’t want you to look back and be sorry you didn’t have a more elaborate wedding with a lot of fanfare.”
“Aaron.” She put her arms around his neck.
“I’ve had plenty of fanfare in my life. I’ve danced on international stages in elaborate costumes.
I’ve given media interviews. I’ve done photo shoots.
All I need at this wedding is you. Everything else is a bonus.
But if it makes you feel any better, I do have a drop-dead-gorgeous gown. From Paris, no less. Courtesy of Mom.”
That was news.
“How come I didn’t know about that?”
“A woman’s wedding dress is a well-guarded secret. No one’s seen it in person except my maid of honor—and Lauren was sworn to secrecy. Mom’s only seen a photo.”
“Are she and her husband still planning to come to the wedding?” That had been a question mark up until two weeks ago, when they’d finally committed. Sort of.
“She claims they are. Philippe had business in San Francisco anyway, which he timed to coincide with our big day. And they did book a suite for two nights at Seabird Inn.”
“With us leaving for Hawaii the morning after the wedding, you won’t have much time to visit with them if they do come.”
She snuggled closer. “To tell you the truth, I’m more interested in getting away with you than catching up with them. Two weeks in paradise will be glorious. Thank goodness Ben was willing to take on child-care duties while we’re gone.”
“Speaking of Ben . . . after the rehearsal tonight, he told me about your chat.”
Her eyebrows rose. “I’m surprised. He asked me to keep it confidential.”
“So I heard. But he said he felt guilty about not letting me know.” He brushed his lips over hers. “I appreciate what you told him, as well as your willingness to move in with a ready-made family. I doubt most brides would be so understanding.”
“I know how much he means to you and Isabel. And what I said to him was true. The house wouldn’t be the same without him. Family is everything. However . . . that does not mean I won’t enjoy an occasional getaway for two.”
“Count on it. Beginning with Hawaii, where I intend to totally disconnect and devote myself to my bride. No interruptions from home or work. A honeymoon is sacrosanct.”
She smiled. “I like a man who has his priorities straight. But are you certain Martin’s okay covering for you? I mean, you’re an equity partner now, and from what Diane’s told Lauren, he’s diligent about dividing the duties with you and leaving the mill behind at the end of the day.”
“He’s on board with the plan—especially after I promised to reciprocate while he and Diane take a belated twenty-fifth anniversary cruise in the fall.”
“Seems like a fair exchange.” She resettled her dance bag on her shoulder.
“After our meeting with Reverend Baker tonight, the only thing left for us to do before the big day is polish up our first dance. We need to work on the transition between the foxtrot for ‘Night and Day’ and the swing for ‘In the Mood.’”
He traced the contour of her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “Looking back, I think that was the night I realized you and I were meant to be together—even though it seemed like an impossible dream at the time.”
“Except nothing is impossible with God. And blessings seem to abound in Hope Harbor.” Her breath was a whisper of warmth against his fingers.
“Amen to that.” When she attempted to ease away, he held fast. “I know we have to go, but there’s one other thing I don’t think we’ve practiced enough.”
“What?”
“The first kiss.”
She breathed out a soft laugh. “I think we’ve put more effort into getting that right than we’ve spent on learning the steps for our first dance.”
“Indulge me with a quick run-through?”
“I suppose I could be persuaded—but if we’re late, I’m going to let you explain why to Reverend Baker.”
He gave her an unrepentant grin. “That will be easy. I’ll just look at you, say I got distracted, and he’ll understand. Guaranteed.”
“You’re a smooth talker, Aaron Steele.”
“I don’t know about that—but I do know I’m done talking for now.” With that, he leaned down and claimed her lips.
And as she kissed him back with every ounce of the passion she’d poured into the New York farewell performance that would be forever etched in his mind, his heart overflowed.
Why she’d ever taken a second look at a jeans-wearing lumberman with calloused hands and two left feet was beyond him.
But until the day he died, he’d give thanks for a second chance at love with this special woman, whose caring heart, generous spirit, and deep, abiding love would fill all his tomorrows with grace and hope and joy.