A week later,the sun shines overhead, a gift from above on the day of an outdoor concert. The band tests their instruments, which have been tuned and left ready for them on stage.
Axel has made miracles happen. He arranged for the Original Kings to play a benefit concert to raise money for Norah’s Ark in order to keep the shelter open and get some of the pets adopted.
While he has his plan, I have mine. I went behind his back and took care of something very important before it was too late, and I have a surprise waiting for him when he comes off stage. From the moment of his return, he’s been all about giving to me. It’s time I do something for him.
Norah joins me at the moment the band strikes their opening chord. Around us, the Kingston family mingles with each other, excited to see Dash in his element. Just like I can’t wait to see Axel in his.
Watching him play, sweat gleaming on his strong muscles, his talent on the drums bordering on legendary, I can’t be prouder. I would have been a fool to push him away, and I am so grateful I came to my senses. When it comes to loss, the past is difficult to overcome, but this man and the life we can have together are worth it.
Later, after the band plays their final encore and Dash encourages the crowd to donate to the shelter and toadopt, not shop, the guys lay down their instruments and walk off stage to a standing ovation. Well, the audience is already standing anyway, I think, smiling.
“Tara?”
I turn at the sound of my name. A woman who resembles the Kingston siblings and has to be their mother walks over to me.
“Hi. I’m Melly Kingston.”
“Hello! I’ve heard so much about you.” I smile at the other woman. “Axel has told me how you’ve treated him like family since he joined the band and his sister married Dash. It’s so good to meet you in person.”
Melly meets my gaze. “Can we hug? I feel like you’re family now, too.”
I hug the woman who has treated Axel like a son.
“I’m glad you two are together now,” Melly says. “It wasn’t that long ago he was climbing the walls, wondering how to convince you he was serious about you.” Melly’s warmth makes her impossible not to like.
“Well, we had our challenges,” I admit. “Mostly mine.”
“But she came to her senses, and now they can live happily ever after,” a familiar voice says as my mom wraps an arm around my shoulders.
I turn and kiss my mother’s cheek. “Mom, this is Melly Kingston.” I perform the introductions, and the women start talking. “If you two don’t mind, I have something important I need to do.” I leave them alone, sensing the two will get along well.
I head toward the stage at the same time Axel, still in his sweaty T-shirt, comes bounding toward me, obviously still amped up from the performance. “I’d say we rocked the house,” he says with a pleased grin.
“Yes, Mr. Ego, you did.”
He sweeps me into his arms and seals his lips over mine. He kisses me long, hard, and deep, and totally too much for a public place, but I get lost in him anyway.
By the time he lets me up, I’m breathless. “I love what you did for the shelter. I can’t thank you enough.”
“No need to thank me. It’s a worthy cause.” He hooks an arm around my waist. “Besides, I’d do anything for you.”
“And I’d do anything for you. Which brings me to my surprise for you.”
He narrows his gaze. “You can’t have a surprise for me. I have one for you.”
I shake my head. “Nope. You aren’t going to one-up me, Axel Forrester.”
He lifts his shirt and wipes the sweat from his face with the material.
My gaze falls to his six-pack, and I’m surprised I’m not drooling. “Stop trying to distract me,” I say.
He laughs and whispers, “We could leave now. Nobody would know.”
I shake my head. “Not yet. Surprise, remember? Come on.” As I lead him to the parking lot, I begin to explain. “Since we are together…” We are alternating staying in the gatehouse on my family’s property and in his empty house that he still refuses to decorate. Neither of which is ideal, but that’s a discussion for another time. “I figured that I would add to your stability factor.”
We reach the lot where Norah and her volunteers have the puppies who are available for adoption. Nobody can just take a dog home today, but they can meet the dogs, fill out an application, and be vetted afterwards. Then someone will call them if they are approved as a pet owner.
“Stability factor?” He comes to a halt. “I thought we were past those issues.” Panic seems to invade his expression.
