Sandi really couldn’t believe the gall of Willard. Amnesia made you forget, but it didn’t make you stupid. What was he thinking? Her temper was flaring, and she was done with this man.
“Willard, I would be interested to know when you came to this epiphany. Was this before or after you threw me overboard?”
Willard sputtered a response but the look on his face was pure guilt. With that she turned and walked toward Tom—he hadn’t heard what was said, but the explosive emotions were obvious.
“Tom, I am so glad to know you! I can remember now!” I have a brother, someone I can trust. Sandi felt wonderful, having faced Willard. It was wonderful, being surefooted in her life again. She was grateful for the return of her memory, and she supposed she had Willard and Terra to thank for that. It was their hate-filled conversation that brought it all back.
“What was that all about, Kiki?”
“That was me embracing my liberty, Tom. I am free.”
Tom looked over at her. “Are you okay, sis? You look a bit rattled.”
“I’m good now; regaining one’s memory can be rattling.” She smiled and took Tom’s hand. A brother, a good, kind brother.
It was such a joy to remember her family and so much fun to see that the traits she loved in Tom, Shane also had. It was a relief to be herself again. They laughed most of the meal. Her mother and stepfather seemed so happy. She thought about her position. There was so much she could do for her family with her fortune.
That evening, just after dinner, Sandi looked out the window to see Grandmother’s limo pull into the drive. She walked out to the porch and gasped as Shane got out of the backseat and helped her grandmother up the steps. He had that challenging, charming grin she desperately needed to kiss away. He gently led her grandmother up the steps.
Sandi rushed out and took her grandmother’s hand and kissed her cheek. “Grandmother, I remember! I remember all the love you gave me.” Sandi wiped the tears from her eyes and looked over at Shane.
“So, just what are you doing here?” Sandi challenged him with sparkling eyes and raised brows.
Shane sheepishly raised his hands. “She promised me cake.”
Epilogue
Grandmother outdid herself, planning a large, extravagant outdoor wedding in the gardens. Sandi was dressed in a beautiful satin wedding gown with a floor-length lace veil. Chairs were set up on both sides of the garden path. Herbert escorted her down the aisle while an orchestra played by the pool.
As she reached Shane, standing by the minister, her heart leaped. This amazing man is the man I am going to marry. Shane gave her his eyebrow waggle as he glanced over at the pool. Sandi blushed furiously as she remembered their first kiss in the lake in Argentina. Shane looked more than pleased at her reaction. She loved this man with all of her heart and knew their life would be a joy together. When their vows were complete, they were finally free to kiss with full hearts.
Shane pulled her into his arms and held her close as he whispered in her ear, “I think tradition has it that the bride gives the groom the first piece of wedding cake.” He was grinning ear to ear.
Sandi answered, “Yes, but there is some discretion on how she gives it.” I love this man.
“Ah, do I detect a warning, my darling?” Shane looked a little worried.
Sandi laughed. “Definitely.”
The honeymoon was not a cruise. And Shane’s parents were beyond joyful for her to join their family. Their legacy was not only secured but enhanced.
Sandi’s birthday arrived, and she inherited all that her father had planned for her. Her parents moved to the northern estate, and Sandi insisted her grandmother move into the east wing of the main estate. Charles, her grandmother’s driver and friend, was hired to be the caretaker of her home and moved in with his dog.
Terra and Willard both left town when they heard Sandi’s memory had returned. The police have an open file on them. They were never heard from again.
Once Bailey became comfortable in the new front stables, they had the old stables remodeled into a nice home for Albert. He had been living in the bunkhouse long enough.
Shane and Sandi directed their lawyers to purchase the island in Uruguay for Marie’s family; this time with all the legal deeds. Marie’s family had saved her life. They’d made her part of their family, and now they were part of hers.
The years went by, and Bailey sired three colts, one for each of their children. They spent their time between Texas and Connecticut and took a yearly business trip to the Rio Lago Ranch to see Carson.
As the children got older, they never did understand this thing about cake between their Mom and Dad. “Dad, what is the big deal about cake?” their teenage daughter, Grace, asked.
Sandi looked up from her reading to see how Shane planned to answer.
“When I first saw your mother, I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. I tried hard to win her over, but it wasn’t until she threw a piece of cake at me, hitting me in the head, that I knew I had a chance.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “Dad, things are way different now.”
Sandi laughed. She loved his response. “I kept him guessing, but I couldn’t help falling in love with him. Your father is a very charming man.”
The years passed, and every once in a while, when cake was on the table, Shane and Sandi’s faces would soften, and their eyes would become dreamy as they thought back to the magical days when they first fell in love.
* * *
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Copyright © 2019 by Sophia Summers
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