by Leslie Pike
“I told you she was going to cry, Dad.”
“You were right, son.”
I take in the scene. They’ve transformed the garden into a romantic, rose-filled setting. In the center of the patio is the outdoor table covered with a pale pink tablecloth and set with the finest China and crystal I recognize from his mother’s tables. There’s a candelabra in the center with perfectly formed miniature roses entwined. Four chairs surround the table but only three are empty. My beloved Bear, who’s sporting a black bow tie, is taking up the fourth seat. He’s holding a folded note and sitting atop a thick book.
“I’m overwhelmed and I don’t even know why,” I squeak out.
I’m lead to my chair, which is decorated in the same roses that are on the candelabra. Nash holds it out for me.
“Madam.”
Taking my seat, I shoot Max a smile.
“To what do I owe this honor?” I say.
“We wanted to make this night special for all three of us.”
“Do you like it?” Max asks.
“I love it. I’ll never forget how you both made me feel.”
“So, I was talking something over with Max, who’s my most trusted advisor,” Nash says.
“Oh, that sounds serious,” I tease.
“Very serious. We came to an agreement about something that will affect us all. And it occurred to me that you probably would want to know what your most trusted advisor would have to say about the subject.”
All this time Max looks like he’s about to burst, and my stomach is full of the fluttering of butterflies.
“I’d be interested in his opinion,” I nod.
“Bear asked that I give this to you.”
He reaches for the note.
Are you ready?” Nash says to his son.
“Ready.”
I take the note sent from my timeworn confidant who looks extra adorable tonight. I open it. It’s written by a hand I’ve never seen before. It’s neither Nash’s printing or Max’s. I guess it’s Bear’s. I read aloud.
Dear Farrah,
I want you to know I approve of your boyfriend. Nash is a wonderful man, and I couldn’t imagine a better person to give your heart to. I’m glad you found someone who makes you so happy. I know that he wants to marry you, but he’s too shy to tell you. So, I’ve offered to do it for him. I think you should say yes. I’m looking forward to being at your wedding, and I hope someday to be played with by another little girl or boy who you three call your own. I’m not jealous that you love another boy, because Max is such a great brother.
Love,
Your Bear
The tears are streaming down my face as I look up to Nash’s eyes.
“Yes. Yes!”
We rise into each other’s embrace. I feel his lips on mine. Then he takes my face in his hands.
“Yes? Was that a yes I heard?” he says laughing.
“She said yes, Dad!”
I open my arms and invite Max into our circle of love. OG and Fluffy are over their silent participation. Fluffy is running around the backyard like a dog possessed, while OG represents the senior contingency. He just stands in place, looking up lovingly at the three of us.
“Give her the book, Dad!”
Nash grabs the book that Bear sits on and hands it to me. I read the title. NASH AND FARRAH, A LOVE STORY. It looks like one of my romance novels, but the cover models are he and I. And the author is Nash Santini. It’s a picture someone took of us dancing in the moonlight last 4th of July. Somehow he figured out how to make it the cover of our romance.
“Oh, Nash.” Here I go again, the tears just come. “It’s so romantic.”
“Open it,” Nash says.
I pull open the cover. There right in the center of the hollowed-out book sits a ring, attached with a pink satin bow. It’s more beautiful than any I’ve ever seen.
“It’s perfect. I’m forever yours, my love.”
I bring him to my heart and hear the words he whispers in my ear. They settle in my soul, and they’re all I’ll ever need.
“Farrah, I fall in love with you every single day.”
And the happily ever after begins.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing seems like a solitary art, but that’s not strictly true. There are silent partners in my vision, helpers in league with the dreamer. Invisible hands lift an author so she can have a better view of herself, and sharp eyes read early efforts of every story told. There are shoulders to stand on so I can see what’s possible, letting me know what to aim for. So to all the good-hearted companions in the dream, I say thank you. And to the generous writer, Marina Adair, who gave this story a home, an undeniable feeling of gratitude.
LESLIE PIKE
Leslie Pike has loved expressing herself through the written word since she was a child. Her passion for film and screenwriting led her to Texas for eight years, writing for a primetime CBS series. Leslie lives in Southern California with her stuntman/ Director husband, Don, and their Pom-Poo, Mr. Big. She’s traveled the world as part of film crews, from Africa to Israel, New York to San Francisco. Now she finds her favorite creative adventure takes place in her home, writing Contemporary Romance. Leslie is the author of the Paradise Series.
Connect with Leslie
Facebook
Facebook Group
Twitter
Instagram
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads
Books by Leslie
The Trouble With Eden
Wild In Paradise
The Road To Paradise
Sexceptional ~ A standalone coming spring 2017
PLAYLIST
“NON DIMENTICAR”—DEAN MARTIN
“THE PRAYER”—ANDREA BOCELLI AND KATHERINE McPHEE
“I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU”—THE FLAMINGOS
“IF I HAD YOU”—DIANA KRALL
“LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE TO ME”—BOZ SCAGGS
“ONE MORE TRY”—GEORGE MICHAEL
“I KNEW I LOVED YOU”—SAVAGE GARDEN
“LE VIE EN ROSE”—LOUIS ARMSTRONG
Table of Contents
DESTINY LAUGHS
Dear Readers
Table of Contents
DEDICATION
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
EPILOGUE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PLAYLIST