Epilogue
EPILOGUE
Though Becky was supposed to stay at Cody’s ranch for a week, he suggested she stay longer to record a few songs in his state-of-the-art studio and learn how the process worked. She eagerly accepted his offer. As the days flew by, it became apparent she’d be there for some time, and arranged transport for Sandman and Isty Bitsy. When they stepped off the trailer, whinnying and excited, she and Cody led them into the nearest paddock.
“Welcome to your new home,” Cody said as he removed Sandman’s halter. The comment made her pulse tick up. She was hoping it hadn’t been an idle remark, when he suddenly hugged her tightly. “Becky, I know you’ve only been here a short time, and this may sound crazy, but I can’t imagine living here without you. This is your new home too, if you want it to be.”
Her heart swelling with joy, and happy tears shimmering in her eyes, she shifted in his arms to stare up at him.
“Cody I love being here, but mostly, I love you. Wherever you are is where I want to be.”
“Even though I’ve been spankin’ your butt,” he asked with a grin, then quickly added, “or maybe because I’ve been spankin’ your butt.”
“I plead the fifth,” she giggled.
But it took her over a week to summon up the courage to tell her father. Even though he had Joanie in his life, Becky was worried, and hated the thought of him living alone. Finally calling him, she nervously told him she was moving in with Cody permanently.
“Sweetheart that’s wonderful news,” he exclaimed, “and I have an announcement of my own. Joanie and I, well, we’re getting married.”
“Dad, that’s fantastic,” she said happily, relieved he wouldn’t be by himself. “When, where? What are your plans?”
“We’re tying the knot in the little church here, and having the reception at the diner, except I won’t be cooking,” he added with a chuckle. “You must come back, and of course we’d love to see Cody, but I understand if he can’t make it. I’m sure he’s a very busy young man.”
“I’ll ask him. Are you going away?”
“We’ll be flying to Paris for a couple of weeks. I have a list of restaurants I’ve always dreamed of eating in, but getting reservations is tough.”
“Maybe Cody can help. Sam probably could as well.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose.“
“Dad, I can’t be there to pitch in with the arrangements, so please let me do this for you. Consider it a wedding present.”
“I’m not sure it’s—“
“You have to let me try, besides, it’s no big deal,” she insisted, then taking a breath and lowering her voice, she said, “Dad, if you don’t agree, I’ll be upset.”
“That line always worked on your old dad, and it still does,” he declared with a smile in his voice. “You win. I’ll email you a list and the dates we’ll be there, but don’t let Cody go to a lot of trouble.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. He’s like a magician. He makes a call, and things happen.”
* * *
Sam had drawn up a contract outlining the details of Marilyn’s employment. It included a weekly maintenance spanking, and additional discipline as needed. Under Sam’s firm hand and expert guidance, she was proving to be a valuable asset to his company. When Cody called asking for help acquiring reservations at the elite restaurants, knowing Marilyn was the perfect person to handle the job, Sam assured him there’d be no problem.
“I’m glad you called, Cody,” he continued. “I want to talk about Becky. I love the recordings you’ve sent, and I want her to start gigging. I’ll set up some dates for her in Dallas and Austin, but I have a suggestion.”
“I can guess,” Cody remarked. “You want my band to back her up.”
“Yes, but if you’re willing, I also want you on stage for the two opening numbers. Your name will sell tickets, and having you at her side will give her the confidence she needs. What do you say?”
“I’d love it, but I don’t want to steal her thunder.”
“You will at first, but you’re very different animals. I suggest you open, followed by the two of you singing a duet, then you leave and let her take flight. I’ll book half-a-dozen midsized venues and we’ll see how it works out. Yes or no?”
“It’s a yes from me. I’ll see what Becky has to say and get back to you.”
* * *
Becky was overjoyed, and the band enthusiastically accepted the gig. Over several extended video calls, they chose the songs and discussed the details, then made arrangements to arrive at the ranch for rehearsals once Sam had the dates confirmed. To Becky’s relief, she was assured the bookings were at least six months out. Sam needed the time to make sure the PR campaign was in full swing.
Though everything was falling into place, as time passed, Cody sensed Becky had something on her mind. Hoping she’d tell him of her own volition, he didn’t push, but late one night ran out of patience. Tying her up, he held the purple ball against her clit, brought her to the brink, and when she begged for permission to come, he pulled it away.
“Not until you tell me what’s bothering you, and don’t say there isn’t. I know you too well.”
“Okay, there is, but why are you bringing it up now?” she whimpered, squirming as she spoke.
“More to the point, why are you keeping secrets?”
“Please, Cody, I’ll tell you later.”
“I can keep this up all night,” he said firmly, thrusting the vibrator back against her sensitive nub, “and I will, until you—“
“Okay, okay,” she wailed, “just please let me come?”
A few minutes later, her orgasmic cries had faded, and her breathing had returned to normal.
“I’m listening,” he murmured as she snuggled against him.
“This is so hard,” she said with a heavy sigh.
“Obviously, or you would have told me. Come on, out with it.”
“It’s you, and my dad’s wedding. I want you there with me, he and Joan want you there, but—please don’t take this the wrong way—you’ll be the sole focus of everyone’s attention, and the day should be about dad and Joan.”
“I understand your concern, but I’ve faced a few situations like this.”
“I supposed you have,” she mumbled, “but that doesn’t mean—“
“Becky, it’s not a problem.”
“You mean, you won’t come? But dad—“
“I didn’t say that, I said—it’s not a problem.”
“I’m completely confused,” she declared, sitting up and shaking her head. “How the hell will it not be a problem.”
“I spoke to your father back in Dallas. I knew I’d be going back there at some point and didn’t want any fanfare. After Roy was arrested and I was on the plane heading back to Dallas, I called him, and asked him not to tell anyone about my visit. When you and I go there for the wedding, I’ll be going as myself, Cody Cox.”
“But you’ll be recognized.”
“You didn’t recognize me.”
“I, uh, no,” she muttered with a frown, “but someone else could, and probably will.”
“If they do, the conversation will go like this. You look just like Cash Colt.
I know, I get that all the time. Wow, that’s amazing. Believe me, it comes in handy. See, it won’t be a problem, and it’s the truth. I am Cody Cox, and that’s what makes it believable. If you’d told me about this sooner, you would have saved yourself all that grief. No more holding back, got it?”
“Yes, Cody,” she said, rolling her eyes, “I’ve got it, and I’m sorry.”
“I’m sure you can find a way to make it up to me,” he murmured, sliding his hand into her hair.
“Yes, Sir,” she said softly, her sapphire eyes sparkling up at him. “Please may I suck your cock, Sir?”
“You certainly may.”
* * *
Becky suggested they stay in a bus on her father’s farm when they returned for the wedding. Cody jumped on the idea, but wanted something larger. Andrew made the arrangements, and when they arrived, they found the bus in the same idyllic spot under the trees. It offered plenty of room for the week-long visit.
On the big day, Becky cried during the ceremony, and at the reception in the diner, though several people commented on Cody’s likeness to the famous rock star, they accepted his explanation without reservation. As David and Joan were about to leave for their honeymoon in Paris, Cody and Becky asked David to join them in the quiet of his small office.
“I know you were planning to drive into the city, catch a flight to New York, then a connection to Paris,” Cody said, handing him an envelope, “but there’s been a change of plan. The Cash Colt Band has its own aircraft, and that’s how you’ll be flying. There’s a small jet waiting at the private airfield to take you to Kennedy, then you’ll be taking off in a large luxury Boeing.”
“I canceled your airline reservations this morning,” Becky piped up, “then I grabbed your phone so you wouldn’t see the messages.”
“You did what? I’ve been looking everywhere for that phone,” he exclaimed, “and I can’t believe all this. Cody, it’s too much. You already managed to get me those dinner reservations.”
“Becky, why don’t you find Joan and give her the news,” Cody suggested. “I want a private word with your dad. Just make sure no-one hears, or my cover will be forever blown in this town.”
“Sure, and, dad, have a wonderful time, and bring back souvenir menus from those fabulous places. I want to drool over them.”
“It’s not too much,” Cash said quietly as Becky left the kitchen. “It’s a bribe, There’s a favor I need to ask.”
* * *
The crowd had waved goodbye to the happy couple and dispersed, but Cody and Becky couldn’t leave until the caterers finished cleaning up. Settling into the same table he’d been at when they’d met, they nibbled on the wedding cake and talked about the upcoming shows. When they heard the back door slam shut, Becky headed into the kitchen and locked up, but she didn’t return to the booth. Instead, she stood behind the counter.
“French Press or regular coffee?” she asked, parroting her words from the early, chilly morning Cody had first walked in.
“French Press,” he called back, grinning as he recalled their exchange. “This is the first diner I’ve been in that serves French Press coffee.”
“Folks around here like good coffee. I’ll be right there.”
Flirtatiously sashaying towards him holding the decanter, she stopped at the side of the table.
“What can I get you?” she continued, placing it in front of him.
“You can’t get me anything,” he said softly, “but you can answer a question.”
“That’s not what you said.”
“No, but it’s what I’m saying now,” he replied, then hastily moving from the booth, he dropped on one knee and gazed up at her. “I knew you were special the moment I saw you,” he murmured softly, slipping his hand in his pocket and pulling out a black ring box. “Becky, my beautiful angel with sapphire eyes, will you spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?”
Tears spilling down her cheeks as he lifted the lid, she stared down at the sparkling blue stone surrounded by tiny diamonds.
“A thousand times yes,” she sniffled, watching him lift it out and place it on her finger. “Cody, it’s so gorgeous.”
“Not as gorgeous as you,” he murmured, straightening up and taking her in his arms. As she closed her eyes and melted against him, time stood still, and she never wanted the moment to end, but the opening lyrics to a song floated into her head.
“Cody,” she murmured, pulling back and staring up at him.
“You don’t have to tell me,” he murmured. “You just thought of a song.”
“Yes,” she exclaimed. “How did you know?”
“I did too. What’s the name of yours?”
“A Thousand Times Yes.”
“We have to write it together, but I think we’ll be fighting over the title.”
“Why? What’s yours?”
“The Rock Star and the Cowgirl.”
“I win. That sounds like the name of a book, not a song.”
THE END
(Based loosely on a true story. The names have been changed)