“But the committee was all on you,” Eli added with a smirk.
“We got you two good,” Mercury said, laughing.
“As good as it gets,” Jonas added.
Eden still didn’t understand. And then she saw a table where some of her former colleagues were sitting with huge grins on their faces -Christie Brinkley, Cindi Crawford, Iman, and a few others, as well as Julia Roberts and Viola Davis. “I can’t believe you’re all here,” she said to them.
“Your family wanted to give us the chance to surprise you. You were always ahead of the game, and it was a bit annoying,” Iman responded, smiling unapologetically.
“We’ve had this place booked for the past two years,” Tyson said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Congratulations on forty years, you two.”
“Did you honestly think a lodge this big and popular could have reserved every single room six months before the event?” Jonas asked, grinning.
“I didn’t think,” Eden said, shaking her head.
“My family was more than glad to host the event,” a deep voice said behind them.
She and Drew turned, and a huge smile appeared on Drew’s face. “Charlie Bohannon! Good seeing you, man. It’s been forty-one years. You look the same.”
“Liar.” Charlie threw his head back laughing. “Happy anniversary. And this is my wife, Adelia. We will be celebrating our thirty-seventh anniversary this summer.”
After introductions were made, Drew and Eden began making their way around the huge room that was filled with nearly three hundred people. All their family, extended and otherwise, were there. They had spent Christmas together, and now they would celebrate her and Drew’s fortieth anniversary and ring in the New Year. Friends they had made over the years had shown up, as well as neighbors they had gotten to know and special people who had entered their lives, like Dr. Dorothy Stinman, who had delivered all six of their sons.
“Oh, my goodness!” Eden rushed to the table where Sophie and Mark were sitting and gave them huge hugs. They had married the year after Drew and Eden, and had two handsome sons and a beautiful daughter who helped to run their parents’ combined businesses.
“Save some of those hugs for us,” Renard and his husband Tobias said.
Eden looked around. There was Amélie and her second husband, Jacques. Even some of Drew’s trucker friends–Road Dog, Snowman, Firecracker, and Cool Breeze -were there. Eden had gotten to know them when she started riding shotgun again with Drew after they got married. Then there was Fred, whostill operated his truck stop, and his sister, Delores, who had remarried a few years ago and moved back to Phoenix when her sons left for college.
Eden couldn’t believe it. Their family had definitely pulled a good one over on her and Drew. They hadn’t suspected a thing. As planned, they spent the entire day in the mini-lodge making love and ordering room service when they needed food to replenish their strength. They had proven that age was just a number, and they definitely still had it.
When handed the microphone, Drew gave a speech. “One of my sons once asked me how a man who used to love being a bachelor could give it up. As I told him, at the time, I believed I wasn’t ready for love. But this woman,” he said, bringing Eden’s hand to his lips, “this very beautiful woman showed me differently. She made me ask myself why I wanted to chase other women when I could wake up beside someone who connected with me on every level. One who now, after forty years, still touches my very soul whenever I look into those gorgeous green eyes. Eden Tyson Steele, you will forever have my heart. Happy anniversary, sweetheart.”
Then Drew pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her in front of their family and friends.
**
Tiffany had been standing in the shadows as Drew spoke. It had been a touching speech, spoken by a man who truly loved the woman in his life. She had told her parents, godmother, and brothers that she wouldn’t be coming tonight, but something that guy named Antwon had said yesterday remained with her all day.
Trust the timing of your life. Some things are not meant to be.
Although her heart was still hurting from Gary’s betrayal, she knew she’d have to move on. She had parents, godparents, brothers, and a slew of family who loved her and were ready to give her their support. But it was up to her to take that first step for herself -facing the fact that a relationship with Gary was not meant to be. Hopefully, one day, he would realize his father had lied to him. But that was his problem, not hers.
Now that she was here, there were two men she needed to thank. Men who, instead of spending time with their families, had been handling an investigation to ensure she was protected against harm and heartache.
She knew she had been seen when several of her family members looked toward her. But she went straight to the table where York and Quade were sitting. They stood when they saw her approach, and on tiptoes, since they were so tall, she gave them huge hugs and thanked them for caring so much. She then moved to the table where her parents, brothers, godmother, and uncles were sitting, and gave them all hugs as well.
She had to believe that for her, better days would come, and they would start with the arrival of a new year. A few hours later, with the noise-makers in their hands, everyone was ready when the countdown began…
Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.
“Happy New Year!!”
Tiffany was pulled into the arms of one family member after another. She felt love and support from each one of them. A huge banner that hung on the wall said,‘Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.’
And she intended to do just that.
EPILOGUE
