“Maybe you can show me later.”
“Count on it.” His eyes ignited, sending her pulse off the scale.
“When you look at me like that, I’m tempted to skip the party.”
“People would be disappointed if you didn’t show. And we have all the time in the world to be together.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“So do I.” He held out his hand. “Shall we?”
She slipped her fingers into his, and as they walked toward the back of the theater, a soul-deep contentment settled over her.
While some might say she was foolish to leave New York at the peak of her career, there were times when you had to listen to your heart and take a leap of faith, even if the future didn’t come with guarantees.
But she knew one thing with absolute certainty.
No matter what her tomorrows held, this small seaside town was where she belonged.
And if everything played out as she hoped, a certain handsome lumberman would be a big part of her future.
A happy ending she wouldn’t trade for all the standing ovations, applause, or accolades in the world.
Epilogue
“That’s a wrap, everyone. The dress rehearsal went great, and it’s going to be a wonderful recital. Remember, all dancers should be backstage no later than one o’clock tomorrow. And remind anyone who’s coming that the doors open at 1:30. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
From his seat in the auditorium with all the other parents, Aaron watched as the woman who would be his wife in one short week addressed the group.
Wife.
The corners of his mouth inched north.
What a beautiful thought.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she?”
At Gramp’s comment from the seat beside him, he turned. “In a word, yes.”
Gramp’s quick smile flattened as he picked a piece of lint off his sleeve. “I, uh, have a confession to make.”
Tuning out the parents around him who were heading toward the front of the auditorium to claim their offspring, Aaron gave him his full attention. “This sounds serious.”
“It is.” Gramp fiddled with the zipper on the jacket he’d worn to ward off the early-May evening chill. “I had a talk with Devyn this week about me living at the house.”
Aaron frowned. “Why? We discussed that months ago, before we got engaged. She told you she was fine with the arrangement.”
“In your presence. That’s not like a private conversation between the two of us. I wanted her to know I wouldn’t hold it against her if she preferred more privacy, especially while you two are newlyweds.”
“Gramp.” He angled sideways, giving him his full attention. “There’s a ten-year-old in the house. Our privacy will already be limited. Why would it matter if you’re there too?”
“I just don’t want to intrude, that’s all. So I took a drive to Sea Breeze Apartments and found a unit that would suit me.”
Aaron stared at him. “You’re moving out?”
“As it turns out, no.”
Gramp was talking in circles.
