Epilogue
Two weeks later
Though most of the Mavericks owned private jets, they’d had to rent a plane that would fly the entire contingent of Mavericks and Harringtons to Las Vegas.
Clay and Saskia sat over the wing. “How did Ava even know what Charlie and Sebastian were planning?” Saskia wanted to know. Just this morning, the couple had left for a quick trip to Las Vegas to get married. Without a single Maverick in attendance.
There was no way the Mavericks would let that happen.
Clay nuzzled Saskia’s neck, trying to steal kisses from the most beautiful woman in the world, but the plane was too crowded for furtive smooching. He was therefore forced to answer her question. “Francine figured it out. She lives in one of Ava’s eldercare facilities.”
The jet engines roared, and the chatter among the Mavericks and Harringtons was almost as loud.
Two flight attendants made their way through the large cabin, handing out champagne, juice, and water.
Susan and Bob Spencer were seated toward the front in seats facing Matt and Ari Tremont, who cradled nine-month-old Penelope.
The twins, Noah, and Jorge were in the rear lounge area, which had been converted into a playroom.
Even Jeremy and Dylan had gone back to entertain the kids.
Saskia nudged Clay. “Tell me the whole story.”
“Ava was on one of her regular visits to Francine’s facility.”
“Then Francine must be one of her favorites,” Saskia guessed.
Ava was CEO of Harrington Community Care International and flew out to her other facilities at least twice a year.
But in the Bay Area, she visited monthly and was even known to paint the nails of her favorite ladies.
Ransom also took time out of his busy chef-extraordinaire schedule to accompany Ava and help paint the ladies’ nails.
“Funny how everything is connected,” Clay mused.
“Ava had no idea Francine was Charlie’s mother before we all fell in with the Mavericks.
Anyway, suspecting something was going on, Francine told Ava that Charlie and Sebastian were going on a short jaunt, after which they’d have a massive party.
” He smiled, looking a couple of rows up at Francine, who was seated with Ava and Ransom.
“Francine was sure they were eloping, because Charlie wouldn’t want a lot of fuss. ”
“But honestly, how did Ava figure out it was Las Vegas?”
Clay chuckled. “My devious older brother. Dane was able to find out their flight plan.”
Thus, the Maverick group was on a mission to make sure they were in attendance at Charlie and Sebastian’s elopement.
Clay looked up as Will Franconi made a beeline for Adrian, Gareth by her side.
Gareth was taking a leave of absence from his law firm to do some painting.
Clay couldn’t be happier that his friend had rediscovered his creativity, though he suspected Gareth had never lost it, simply buried it beneath everyone else’s needs.
And this thing with Adrian? A match made in heaven.
Will’s voice carried through the plane despite the jet engines. “Adrian, give us the update on Hugo Lewis.”
Clay was sure they’d all done an internet search on the man, but it was good to have a group update.
Adrian damn near beamed as she told them the news.
“I’m happy to say that Hugo has disappeared from the art scene.
Completely.” She dusted her hands together as if she were erasing him.
“Once he failed Saskia’s challenge to find the symbol that was supposedly in his paintings, he slipped away into the weeds like the weasel he is. ”
A massive round of applause pounded Clay’s ears as he snuggled Saskia closer. “I’m so glad,” he murmured.
Adrian stood and made her way to Saskia.
“The art world is begging you to tell them where all the lynx symbols are in your early work. Collectors are clamoring for your San Holo prints too.” She laughed, her eyes glittering.
“I’ve never seen so many zeros written after a number on a check.
I was completely misguided when I suggested anonymity bumped up the price of art.
Your stuff is hotter than ever, Saskia.” She drew her friend up into a tight embrace.
Stepping back, Adrian pointed at Clay. “A little birdie told me that another mural with a fleur-de-lis has popped up in New York.” She arched one eyebrow. “Weren’t you two just there?”
Clay had stood at the end of that New York alley all night while she’d worked, despite her dry tone when she’d said, I’ve been doing this on my own for years.
But she was his now. He wouldn’t stop worrying that something might happen to her out there alone at night.
The crowd raised their glasses in a toast, and a voice rang out, whose he wasn’t sure. “To Saskia, San Holo, and her bravery.”
Adrian leaned over to hug him, murmuring, “Thank you for keeping her safe. I never told her, but I’ve always worried about her hanging out in dark alleys.”
He hugged her back. Then he looked at his beautiful Saskia. “She’ll never be alone again.”
He meant that in so many more ways than one.
Saskia didn’t feel even a twinge of embarrassment or nerves. Where before there’d been only herself and Adrian, this was her family now. Just like Clay was her family.
Her heart melted at the hug Clay gave her friend. Love and acceptance. Saskia could have cried for the genuineness and kindness of the man she’d fallen in love with.
After that sweet tête-à-tête with Clay, Adrian took Gareth’s hand and raised her voice. “Another hot notice in the art world is that Gareth Tate will have a gallery showing in Carmel-by-the-Sea, the date still to be determined.”
Gareth was working furiously on new canvases. He’d turned the spare bedroom of his San Francisco flat into a studio. Though Clay had offered him space at the warehouse, he’d politely declined. “I want to be able to get up in the middle of the night and paint when inspiration strikes.”
He also didn’t want to be away from Adrian too long. Though they weren’t living together, they spent nights at his place or hers, and he had art supplies in Adrian’s spare room too. It was a match made in heaven, to quote Clay.
Gareth would place his new work in the show, but Saskia, Adrian, and Clay had talked him into unearthing his old paintings as well. Because they were brilliant.
Adrian added, “Movie star Smith Sullivan and his wife, Valentina, are eager to attend. But most of all, we’d love for all of you to come. I’ll update you on exactly when as soon as we know.”
Clay called loudly, “Looks like I need to find a new lawyer, dammit.”
The cabin erupted in laughter. They all knew Gareth should never have been a lawyer in the first place.
Saskia hugged Gareth. “I am so happy for you.”
His smile was true in a way she was sure his smiles of the past ten years hadn’t been. “I’m happy for you and my best friend Clay.”
Now that felt like an opening; Saskia had her own announcement.
“Listen up, everyone.” She raised her hand for their attention.
“For those of you who don’t know, we’ve decided to make the mural on Clay’s warehouse a collaborative effort.
We’ll start work right after Clay and I get back from our drive across Europe in his new sports car.
” They would also stop in London for a reading retreat and still be back in time for Gareth’s show.
Cheers rose up. Had Fernsby actually winked at her? No, that couldn’t be possible.
“Rosie, Sebastian, Dylan, and Gareth will be working with San Holo on the mural.” Her smile felt as wide as the Grand Canyon. “And Charlie will add her metal art.”
Francine waved frantically, and the Mavericks parted for her to speak.
“Please tell me Charlie’s not going to put Zanti Misfits all over it.
Those little creatures are terrifying.” Everyone laughed.
Saskia would have to ask Clay later about these Zanti Misfits.
They might be a fabulous addition to the mural.
She finished her announcement with, “Once the mural is completed, we’ll have a grand opening party and invite all of San Francisco.”
A cacophony of clapping rattled the plane as Saskia mouthed to Clay, “I love you.”
He mouthed back, “I love you more.”
She felt giddy with happiness “I love you even more.”
The game set her skin on fire. They often played it in bed, each trying to outdo the other with how much pleasure they could give.
She sent thanks into the heavens above for the out-of-control robotaxi that had literally thrown her into Clay’s arms.
With Clay, she’d finally learned how to trust more, fear less. And love with everything in her.
Troy’s brother Dane had done the research to figure out exactly where Charlie and Sebastian had gone. It wasn’t as if Sebastian had tried to cover their tracks. Maybe he thought no one would be the wiser until they returned and had their big bash.
But then he shouldn’t have underestimated the passel of Mavericks and Harringtons and their vast resources.
Although, without Francine Ballard’s insight, they would have been none the wiser.
Troy readied himself, adjusting the massive jewel-encrusted silver buckle at his waist, straightening his embroidered jacket, and slicking back his Elvis do.
After changing into their outfits on the plane, the gang gathered outside the Las Vegas chapel, Gideon using military-style hand gestures for the countdown. Three, two, one . Then he flung open the door, and the entire Maverick clan charged inside.
The Elvis Chapel was perfectly tacky, with a cutout of the King playing a pink guitar up there on the dais with the bride and groom.
A photographer flashed pictures while a short man in a white tux trimmed in gold brocade stood before the happy couple.
Sebastian towered over Charlie, who was radiant in an emerald gown that made her red-gold curls shimmer.
Snapping a picture, the photographer caught the couple in mid-gape as they surveyed their surprise guests.
The Mavericks had dressed in the flashy Elvis garb appropriate for the occasion.
Even Dylan got in on the act, wearing an electric-blue jumpsuit contrasting with his very pink embarrassed blush.
Jeremy was decked out in a gold-studded black jumpsuit, its wide bell bottom pants lined in gold.
The ladies wore poodle skirts and tight sweaters.
Though Saskia had gone for lime-green leggings and a yellow crop top reminiscent of Ann-Margret in the movie Viva Las Vegas .
Clay hadn’t taken his eyes off her.
The Spencers had dressed in snowy white, Bob in a tux and Susan in an elegant, slim-fitting cocktail dress à la Audrey Hepburn. Francine, also wearing white, had tied shimmery multicolored ribbons to her walker.
The only one not a slave to Elvis fashion was Fernsby, wearing his usual black suit and stern expression and holding T. Rex—oops, Lord Rexford.
Daniel Spencer stood with legs spread, arms akimbo. “Did you two really think you could get married without all of us here?”
Charlie recovered quickly, arching one eyebrow. “You’re late. We had to go ahead without you.” Then she smiled at the officiant. “Now that our family have arrived, you may proceed,” she said in a prim, authoritative voice as if she were a British princess.
The officiant was so nervous at being surrounded by so many Elvises and poodle skirts that he fumbled through the usual lines as though he couldn’t get to the final one fast enough. “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” came out almost as one word.
Tony Collins called out, “Kiss the bride, dammit.”
In a theatrical gesture that made the ladies titter, Sebastian bent Charlie backward over his arm and planted a kiss on her that was fast becoming steamy until Francine piped up, “Get a room, you two.”
The entire group burst into applause. Troy noted that even Fernsby applauded, though he’d had nothing to do with matchmaking that couple.
The thought made Troy tremble. He prayed Fernsby wouldn’t look at him.
As the party moved outside to the chapel’s fake lawn, Troy sidled up to Gabby, who wore a pink skirt patterned with party poodles.
“When we connected with the Mavericks,” he said in a low voice, “I didn’t know our family was also going to catch the virus.”
Gabby fluffed her blond ponytail high on her head. “What virus?”
Troy jutted his chin at their lovestruck siblings, Dane, Ava, and Clay. “The true love bug.”
Tipping her head down, she studied him through her eyelashes. “Are you saying you’re not on board with true love?”
He shrugged. “I’m happy for them, don’t get me wrong. But you should be the next one, not me.”
Gabby laughed her pretty laugh. Troy adored his sisters. “You do realize now you’ve said that, you’ve jinxed yourself. You’ll definitely be next.”
A waiter carrying flutes of champagne mysteriously appeared—who’d arranged that, he had no idea—and Troy grabbed a glass, downing it in one gulp. “Since we’re in Vegas, are you ready to put money on that?”
Gabby’s grin could rival that of an evil wizard. “A million bucks says you fall in love before I do.”
He’d never been one to back down on a family wager. “Loser donates a million to a charity of the winner’s choice.”
Troy held out his hand, and they shook on it.
Little did she know he had a secret weapon—the contact info for a very exclusive matchmaker who had a one hundred percent success rate. Troy’s friend had recently used the woman and was now blissfully wed.
This would be the easiest, fastest million he’d ever made. Gabby wouldn’t know what hit her when he set the billionaire matchmaker on her.
With ears like a fox, Fernsby heard every word of the wager.
He had no trouble discerning Troy’s thoughts. The dear young man thought this would be an easy win.
He had another thing coming.
Fernsby raised Lord Rexford to whisper in the mini dachshund’s ear, “I know exactly who it’s going to be. But let them have their little wager.”
When they both finally saw him, he pointed two fingers from his eyes to Troy’s. When Gabrielle grinned, he repeated the gesture at her.
I’m watching you , his fingers said. And I have plans .
To his delight, they both turned pale.
Oh yes, he had plans. For both of them. And his plans always worked out.
Of course they did. Because he was Fernsby.
Thank you so much for reading PAINTED IN LOVE! I hope you loved Clay and Saskia.