Matthew announced the nominees. It was an impressive group. For the first time, she started having doubts. Stefan hadn’t participated in the usual campaigning that went on behind the scenes, saying he’d rather win on his own merits, not because he ran a good campaign.
Kate opened the envelope. She smiled.
Please let it be Stefan.
“The Academy Award goes to Stefan Spencer,” said Kate.
Gennie jumped to her feet, clapping so hard her hands hurt. Around them, his friends and colleagues from Vice all stood, applauding and cheering. Stefan looked stunned for a moment but quickly gathered himself.
“Congratulations, baby,” she said.
“I love you.” He kissed Gennie before walking up the steps to the stage. My heart’s going to explode from happiness. Finally, he had the recognition he deserved. On stage, Matthew handed him the statue. Kate hugged him before she and Matthew moved upstage to let Stefan have the podium.
Stefan appeared strangely calm. The man has nerves of steel. “Thank you to the Academy.” He reached into his tuxedo jacket where he’d tucked his speech, but instead of the notecard she saw him prepare earlier, he pulled out a small box. What is he doing? It looked like a jewelry box of some kind. Her heart pounded. Sweat gathered on the end of her nose. Oh no, he isn’t doing it now? It can’t be.
He spoke into the microphone. “This award is the greatest honor of my life. Thank you to everyone involved in the film. As a little boy dreaming big dreams in the woods of British Columbia, I couldn’t have predicted this incredible life God’s granted me. However, I have one more dream, something that would outdo all other awards or achievements, and that is if the woman of my dreams, the love of my life, would agree to marry me. Genevieve Banks, will you be my wife?”
At the Oscars? Holy crap. It was a grand gesture all right. She nodded her head and mouthed yes. The crowd cheered so loudly it sounded like a football stadium rather than an award ceremony.
Next to her, Stefan’s costar nudged her. “Get up there.”
“I don’t know. I shouldn’t.”
“Yes, go.”
Behind her, the director of the film, Michael Conway, leaned forward. “Go, now. Before they start the music.”
She stumbled on shaky legs up the aisle as he walked away from the podium. When he reached her, he set the Oscar on the floor next to him and dropped to one knee. Taking her hand, he placed the diamond ring on her wedding finger.
The princess cut diamond was enormous and sparkled under the stage lights. He’d accomplished his goal. This ring is embarrassing, but I don’t care. I love it. The music had started by then. The director was probably having a fit in the booth, wanting them off stage. Kate and Matthew came forward, ushering them backstage.
“I cannot believe you did this,” Gennie said. “I don’t know whether I’m mad or glad,” she joked.
He pulled her into his arms. “Go big or go home, baby.”
“But it was your night. Your win.”
“Nothing is as big a win as you,” he said. “Don’t you ever forget it.”
After the show, their driver held the limo door open for them. Inside, a bottle of wine was on ice. “I hear there’s some celebrating to be done,” he said, handing them each a glass.
“Yes sir,” Stefan said. “This beautiful woman is going to be my wife. Can you believe it?”
“You’re one lucky SOB, young man,” said the driver. “Which party will you be attending?”
“We’ll be going back to Malibu,” Gennie said. “We’re having a party of our own.”
“With our friends,” Stefan said.
Our real friends. Their friends from their real home.
“Excellent. We should be in Malibu in about forty-five minutes. There are some appetizers laid out for you to enjoy. Just knock on the window if you need anything at all.”
They traveled the city streets of Los Angeles at a slow pace. Traffic was terrible, as usual. Gennie thought of River Valley, longing for the peace and quiet, the brilliance of the stars, the clear water of the river. Soon we will be home, and this will be the place we visit.
They talked of nothing and everything during that ride to the beach house: the children they would have, trips they wanted to take together, Sarah’s impending graduation and whether she would be able to get a teaching job in River Valley, and of her mother’s surprise announcement that she would be staying in New York until the spring. Therapy, she had said, but Gennie knew it was the handsome doctor who kept her there.
“I want us to make a pact to never spend more than two weeks apart,” he said.
“I agree. Which means we’ll have to juggle projects.” She’d already decided on that day months ago when she’d squatted in the snow beside the river that she would not sell her soul to the devil for money. “I’m only accepting projects that mean something to me.”
“That goes for me too.” He reached across the seat and picked up his Oscar. “I’m at peace now. Nothing left to prove, other than to you. I’ll try and be a good husband, Gennie. I won’t be perfect, but I hope to be worthy of a husband Oscar. I’ll spend my life trying.”
“Stefan, you’ve already proven all I need to know about you.”
He set the Oscar next to him on the seat. “He’ll look nice next to yours in our new house, don’t you think?”
“Is it gauche to place them on the mantle?” She laughed. “Don’t answer that. I know the answer’s yes, but I don’t care.”
By this time, they were driving along the coastal highway, cresting waves illuminated in the moonlight. “What a night,” he said.
She looked out the window, catching her reflection. The little girl she once was met her gaze. You did it. You followed the light. You lived. You won.
When they arrived back to the beach house, their River Valley crew was gathered on the patio. Gennie had arranged for a private plane to fly them all down at once, and everyone was there, even Annie, with tiny baby Beatrice. Everyone cheered as they walked up the steps. Bella was the first to reach her, throwing her arms around her. “I’m so happy for you, Gennie.”
The men were gathered around Stefan, congratulating him on his win of both the statue and the girl, as servers passed around glasses of champagne and cider.
“Stefan, speech, speech,” called Tommy, hitting his fork against a wine glass.
Stefan laughed. “I think the world has heard just about enough from me tonight.”
Gennie raised her hand. “I’d like to.”
Everyone gathered around her. She took a moment to take in the dear faces of the people she loved. I’m the luckiest girl in the world.
“First, thank you for being here not only for Stefan’s win, but also to share this happy night with us. We fell in love in your town, where we felt safe and free for the first time in many years. The support you gave me during such an awful time—it is not something I will ever forget. Your friendships helped me heal and gave me the courage to face my fiercest foe, literally with the heel and toe of those badass boots you all gave me.”
She stole a glance at Stefan, his eyes glassy. “We’ve purchased property in River Valley. A beautiful spot not far from Lee and Tommy’s, with access to the river. We love our piece of land, as we love all of you. We break ground the minute the weather allows. I’m starting a foundation for women, victims of assault and abuse, headquartered in River Valley. Women like Annie and me, who endured the unspeakable, yet survived. I want to help others like us, who may not have the means or the power to fight back. We will help them fight. We will help them get their lives back.” She glanced at Mike, letting her eyes twinkle at him. “A wise man once told me that you know who your friends are when times are hard. In times of fortune, having those same people there to share it with makes it all the sweeter. So, neighbors, God bless you. Thank you. Now, let us eat, drink, and be merry.”
There were cheers, more toasts, and much clinking of glasses. They feasted on Mexican food as the Santa
Ana winds blew smog and clouds away from the coast. The stars appeared, and the moon hung low over the sea. Tommy grabbed his guitar and began to play softly under the stars, the crashing waves his background singers.
And they danced.
About the Author
Tess Thompson writes small-town romances and historical fiction. Her female protagonists are strong women who face challenges with courage and dignity. Her heroes are loyal, smart and funny, even if a bit misguided at times. While her stories are character driven, she weaves suspenseful plots that keep readers turning pages long into the night.
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Her desire is to inspire readers on their journey toward their best life, just as her characters are on the way to theirs. In her fiction, she celebrates friendships, community, motherhood, family, and how love can change the world. If you like happy endings that leave you with the glow of possibility, her books are for you.
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Like her characters in the River Valley Collection, Tess Thompson hails from a small town in southern Oregon, and will always feel like a small town girl, despite the fact she’s lived in Seattle for over twenty-five years. She loves music and dancing, books and bubble baths, cooking and wine, movies and snuggling. She cries at sappy commercials and thinks kissing in the rain should be done whenever possible. Although she tries to act like a lady, there may or may not have been a few times in the last several years when she’s gotten slightly carried away watching the Seattle Seahawks play, but that could also just be a nasty rumor.
Her historical fiction novel, Duet for Three Hands won the first runner-up in the 2016 RONE awards. Miller's Secret, her second historical, was released in 2017, as were the fourth and fifth River Valley Series books: Riversnow and Riverstorm. The sixth River Valley book will (hopefully) release in the latter part of 2018.
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Traded: Brody and Kara, the first in her new contemporary, small town romance series, Cliffside Bay, released on February 15th, 2018. The second in the series, Deleted: Jackson and Maggie releases May 7th. The subsequent three Cliffside Bay books will release every couple months in 2018.
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She currently lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington with her recent groom, the hero of her own love story, and their Brady Bunch clan of two sons, two daughters and five cats, all of whom keep her too busy, often confused, but always amazed. Yes, that’s four kids, three of whom are teenagers, and five cats. Pray for her.
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Tess loves to hear from you. You can visit her website http://tesswrites.weebly.com/ or find her on social media:
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Did you love The River Valley Series: Riversong, Riverbend, Riverstar, Riversnow? Then you should read Blue Midnight by Tess Thompson!
Blythe Heywood denied her destiny when she left Finn Lanigan behind thirteen years ago to return to her fiancé, a wedding, and the life of safety and security that she'd yearned for since she was a child. But in the wake of her husband's betrayal, Blythe is forced to begin again. And it's her memories of Finn, the only man who ever weakened her knees, that call her across the Pacific Northwest in search of the next chapter in her life.Starting over in the foothills of Blue Mountain changes everything Blythe thought she knew as she learns that sometimes the road not taken is actually the path that is meant to be. The first book in the Blue Mountain Series joins Tess Thompson's lovable but complex characters with a mature love story about second chances, families, and learning to love after loss.
Read more at Tess Thompson’s site.
Also by Tess Thompson
Cliffside Bay Series
Traded: Brody and Kara
Deleted: Jackson and Maggie
Jaded: Zane and Honor
Marred: Kyle and Violet
Tainted: Lance and Mary (Coming Soon)
The Blue Mountain Series
Blue Midnight
Blue Moon
Blue Ink (Coming Soon)
The Legley Bay Series
Caramel and Magnolias
Tea and Primroses
The River Valley Series
Riversong
Riverbend
Riverstar
A River Valley Christmas: Tommy's Wish
Riversnow
The River Valley Series: Riversong, Riverbend, Riverstar, Riversnow
Riverstorm
Standalone
Duet for Three Hands
Miller's Secret
The Santa Trial
Watch for more at Tess Thompson’s site.
About the Author
Tess Thompson Romance...hometowns and heartstrings.
Warning. Tess Thompson books will make you laugh, cry and remind you what it’s like to fall in love. Don’t purchase unless you like books about good people with ridiculously happy endings.
Tess writes epic love stories with relatable characters set in small towns. Some of her books have suspense, others a mystery, and a few are set in the past. Like a reader said recently, "Tess Thompson books give you more than just a romance."
She started her writing career in fourth grade when she wrote a story about an orphan who opened a pizza restaurant. Oddly enough, her first novel, "Riversong" is about an adult orphan who opens a restaurant. Clearly, she's obsessed with food and words.
Like the characters in her USA Bestseller River Valley Series, she hails from a little town in southern Oregon. Despite the fact she's lived in Seattle for almost thirty years, she will always feel like a small town girl.
She's risen up the charts on all the major ebook retailers starting in 2012 when her debut novel Riversong became a bestseller. Since then, she's released almost 20 novels and novellas.
She loves music and dancing, books and bubble baths, cooking and wine, movies and snuggling. She cries at sappy commercials and thinks kissing in the rain should be done whenever possible. Although she tries to act like a lady, there may or may not have been a few times in the last several years when she’s gotten slightly carried away watching the Seattle Seahawks play, but that could also just be a nasty rumor.
She currently lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington with her husband, the hero of her own love story, and their Brady Bunch clan of two sons, two daughters and five cats. Yes, that's four kids and five cats. Pray for her.
Tess loves to hear from you. Drop her a line at [email protected].
Read more at Tess Thompson’s site.
The River Valley Series Page 102