Epilogue
EPILOGUE
THREE MONTHS LATER
Michelle rushed as she packed her suitcase with everything she’d need. The children were due to pick her up any minute. She glanced at her watch. The plane would be at the airport in an hour. She rolled her suitcase to the back door and dialed Keith’s number.
“Hey, honey. Please tell me you’re on the way.”
“Waiting for the kids. Did you pick up the license this week?”
“Got it.”
“And the rings?”
“Got ‘em.”
“Were the guys able to get the arbor finished?”
“Yes, honey. Everything looks beautiful. The caterer will be here by the time you arrive. You can oversee all the food.”
“That’s good.”
“You sound like a nervous bride. Are you nervous, Michelle?”
She chuckled. “I guess I am. It isn’t every day you get married, not to mention to the hottest male actor in the world.”
“If you put it that way, then I can see why you’re nervous.” Keith burst out laughing. “But seriously, there are younger guys that’d argue the hottest male actor part.”
“Modesty doesn’t suit you, Keith Mason.” A horn blew outside. “They’re here. We’re on our way.”
“Be careful.”
“See you in a few hours.”
Keith approached the plane before the door even opened. When Michelle appeared, his heart skipped a beat. She was still the most beautiful woman to him. He met her at the bottom of the stairs, picking her up and twirling her around as his lips found hers.
“Good grief,” Cade said through a laugh. “They still act like teenagers.”
“At least they’re happy,” Belynda said.
“Welcome, everyone. Jackie, Oscar, glad y’all could join us,” Chip said since Keith was too busy welcoming Michelle to speak to the rest of their guests. “This is Stacey. She’s driving the other vehicle. If you’d load up, we’ll head to the ranch.” Keith and Michelle stood to the side whispering and kissing and touching. Chip rolled his eyes. “Love birds, can ya get in the vehicle?” He held the back door open for them.
“Has the news of your wedding stayed under wraps?” Jackie asked.
Keith smiled. “The few people I invited think they’re coming over for a cookout. Kevin and Sam swear they haven’t said a word to Samantha.” He squeezed Michelle’s hand. “They’re looking forward to seeing you.”
“And I them.”
“Kevin brought a date. She’s lovely but quiet. I hope you can bring her out of her shell.”
“I’m excited.”
“What time is everyone getting here?”
“Dusk. You’ve got plenty of time to get ready. I’ll dress in one of the boy’s rooms so you and the girls can have our bathroom.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything to get you down the aisle.”
Michelle laughed. “Nothing could stop me.”
When they arrived at the ranch, the girls took up residence in the master suite. Makeup was the first item on the agenda, followed by hair. Michelle was sitting in a rocking chair on the deck right outside their bedroom when Belynda walked out.
“What do you think?” She twirled for her mother.
“You look beautiful,” Michelle said with a smile.
“It’s time for you to put on your dress, Mom.” Tears pooled in Belynda’s eyes.
“Let’s do this.”
“You look sad. Are you sure this is what you want?”
“I’m not sad, just retrospective, I guess.”
“Were you thinking about Dad?”
Michelle tilted her head. “Do you think he would’ve approved of Keith?”
“How could he not have?” A sad chuckle left Belynda. “He makes you happy, and he can keep you comfortable in life. As long as Keith is good to you, Dad would have approved. He loved you, Mom.”
“He did.” Michelle took one last deep breath. “Will you help me with my dress?”
“Of course.”
They walked inside to find Charlotte, Jackie, and Caroline, the girl Kevin brought, waiting with bright eyes and big smiles. “If y’all don’t mind, I’d like Belynda to help me with my dress.”
They nodded and left the room while Belynda retrieved the dress from the closet. Keeping true to the theme of the wedding, she pulled out a simple off-white dress that fell off the shoulders and flowed to mid-calf. With matching cowboy boots, she looked every bit the elegant rancher’s bride. Belynda placed a few sprigs of baby’s breath in her braided hair, then paused as they stared at their reflection in the mirror when a soft knock sounded from the bedroom door.
Jackie stuck her head around the door. “It’s time, Michelle. All of the guests have arrived.”
“We’ll be right there.”
“I love you, Mom. Be happy.”
“I love you too. I will.”
When they walked out of the room, Adam was waiting for her. He took a deep breath and stood a bit taller. “You look beautiful. Keith is going to faint.”
“Thank you.”
With a mischievous smile, he said. “There’s still time to run out the front door if you want. Cade would drive.”
“I love him, Adam.”
He kissed her cheek. “I know, Mom, just checking.” He held out his elbow for her to take. “Keith is waiting outside for you before he tells everyone what’s going on.” He leaned closer and whispered, “But I think they’ve figured it out.”
When the door opened, Keith turned around. His hand rested over his heart, and his jaw dropped. Adam released his mother’s arm and wrapped it around Keith’s. “Take good care of her.”
“Plan on it.” He shook Adam’s hand and turned toward their guests. “If you haven’t figured it out by now, you have been invited to our wedding. Follow us, the minister is waiting.”
As the sun set over the Rocky Mountains and painted the sky with a beautiful backdrop, the minister spoke. “Keith and Michelle, thank you for allowing me the honor of witnessing two people on separate sides of the country, on different paths and different phases in life, find each other. This union restores my belief in fate.” He looked at the people standing around them. “We have come together to witness the exchange of vows between Keith Mason and Michelle Conroy...”
With the snowcapped mountains in the background and the sunset coloring the sky behind them, the minister said, “You may kiss your bride.”
Keith did not hesitate to show their family and friends the love he had for this woman.
Six Months Later
Michelle curled up in an oversized leather chair in the small den across from her and Keith’s bedroom at the ranch in Montana. With wine and popcorn, she was ready to watch him walk the red carpet. He was attending the studio premier of Saved by Love in LA. The camera panned around at the people outside the theatre, reminding her of the conversation they’d had right after their wedding.
“I’d like to show you the house in California.”
“It’s your house, Keith. You may need it when you’re working out there, but I don’t need to see it.”
“Why are you against a house that you haven’t ever seen?”
“How do I explain this?” She took a deep breath. “Jackie once told me that she wouldn’t live in a house with Oscar where the marriage of the previous owners ended in divorce. She felt it was a bad omen.” She looked Keith in the eyes. “I don’t want to live in the house where you lived with your ex. I hope you understand that.”
“I’ll call the Realtor tomorrow. I won’t stay there without you, and you won’t go there, so there’s no need to keep it.”
“You don’t have to do that for me.”
He kissed her. “I’m doing it for us.”
“Mr. Mason,” Susan Emory from one of the entertainment shows said, “we hear you’ve recently remarried. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Susan.”
“Now, you promised me an exclusive the last time we spoke. I see your wife isn’t with you this evening. Is there a reason?” Susan raised her brows expectantly.
“No, but she won’t have a choice but to accompany me soon.” He grinned.
Michelle sat straighter in the chair. What was he talking about? She couldn’t stop herself from looking at the silver band encircling his finger and smiled. He twisted it as he spoke with the interviewer.
Susan blushed. “Oh, is she going to star in a movie with you?”
Keith chuckled. “That’s a thought, but no. You see, I’m acquiring the movie rights to her last book.” Keith looked directly into the camera. “Surprise, honey.” He chuckled. “Well, if she’ll sell them to me. Do you think I have a shot?” Keith turned his attention back to the woman standing in front of him. “There’s your exclusive, Susan.” His phone started ringing in his pocket. “I better take this ‘cause I might be in hot water.” He laughed as he walked toward the venue.
Michelle paced the floor until he answered the phone. “You’re the one who contacted my agent?”
“Yes, honey. I won’t be in front of the camera, but behind it, just like what you told Diane and Steve.”
“And producing it.”
“Yes, but, honey, I read the book. Part of it is our story. We’ll add the leading man’s perspective early on to round it out. We’ll make the characters younger, so it won’t be completely ours. How could I not do this? Reading it through your eyes, it’s a perfect Cinderella story with an adult twist.” Keith looked at his watch. “You should be—” The chimes of the doorbell rang loudly through the house and the phone.
“Someone is at the door.”
“They’re delivering the contracts. Read them. We’ll discuss them tonight. It’ll make a great movie.”
Eighteen Months Later
Susan Emory stopped Keith as he walked down the carpet for a movie premiere. “The last time we spoke was in this exact spot.” Keith nodded. “Tonight, you’re here with your wife Michelle, celebrating this collaboration between the two of you. Since our last conversation, the world has learned that you, Michelle, write under the name L.A. Davis.”
“That’s correct.”
“How did you keep your relationship with Keith quiet?”
“I’m a private person. That was one of the stipulations I had when we first met.”
“You’ve been married for two years now. How has that changed your life?”
Michelle smiled. “Keith changed my life. The window dressing that goes with being his wife is different for me, but it’s not what’s important. I’m here tonight to celebrate Keith seeing potential in a book and turning it into something more.”
Susan looked at Keith. “My understanding is that this movie is special to you. How so?”
“For many reasons. The obvious one is that it’s an adaptation of my wife’s book but also loosely based on our story. We weren’t looking for each other when we met. Our road to each other was paved in hurt and heartache.” He smiled at Michelle. “To have this kind of connection doesn’t come around every day. We’re lucky. Our story is truly Love’s Encore .”
THE END