“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you!”
Once again, tumultuous applause. Loretta waved her hand, quieting them, quickly they obeyed, and silence reigned.
“Many people over the years have written to me, to tell me what this song has meant for them. It marks some of the most special moments in many of our lives, and now, I think it is time for me to tell you what it means to me,” she paused, drawing in a slightly nervous breath. Thorne, along with every member of the audience leaned forward in his seat. “It was written for me by a very special songwriter, Ben Vasili, who was the love of my life and passed away not long after it was written.” Loretta’s voice quivered slightly and she paused once again as though struggling to regain her composure. A sympathetic sigh rolled like a wave through the audience. Thorne felt his own throat tighten, what was it about this woman that could evoke such emotion in her fans?
“It is the song that will always remain closest to my heart, it also launched my career. That this very same song could launch Regan’s career too, has been an exceptional blessing, she has become a very dear and valued friend. But…” she held up her hand as the audience once again broke into enthusiastic applause for Regan. “It was also on the very same day she sang this beautiful song, that Regan met Thorne.”
Loretta motioned to Thorne, he’d completely lost control of his own show and he was loving it. He obeyed the summons and walked forward; she took his hand and placed it in Regan’s, smiling up at him. “The song brought them together. Ben would be proud. Thorne loves you, Regan, do you love him?”
Regan nodded tearfully.
“Then what are you going to do about it?”
The audience was going wild. Regan’s eyes met Thorne’s. “I love you,” she whispered, her voice echoing through the microphone and reverberating softly around the studio. The audience quieted and waited in complete silence along with her for his response. His heart was full, and he knew his eyes were filled with everything she hoped to see mirrored there. But he didn’t say a word. He swallowed hard trying to catch his breath but couldn’t seem to find his voice. She dropped down on one knee.
“Thorndike Lundquist, will you marry me?”
Now the audience were crying and laughing and cheering him on Say yes! Say yes! Say yes! They chanted over and over again.
He expelled a pent up breath, and with one humorous look at the audience and a glance at the true lady that Loretta was, and had always been, Thorne finally allowed both his gaze and his heart to connect with Regan’s.
The cameras zeroed in for the close-up.
“Yes,” he said softly. “I will marry you. I love you, Regan.”
At last, as he gathered Regan in his arms, with Loretta and his audience applauding, Thorne understood the power that had made the great lady sing with such emotion that she could touch the hearts of everyone who heard her. The love she spoke of, between himself and Regan, she had once shared with Ben Vasili. But now Ben was gone, and she only came alive when she sang his songs. Though now, even Loretta’s gaze appeared alight with renewed life and emotion, as if admitting the truth and telling her story had somehow set her emotions free.
***
Vance was eyeing Loretta speculatively as they exited the stage.
“Forget it!” she laughed playfully, as she caught his gaze and read his animated expression.
“I was only going to suggest dinner,” he said with a straight face, crossing his arms over his chest, head on one side.
“That’s all?”
“For now,” he conceded with a grin.
In the intervening years since she lost her great love, she had gained happiness only from her songs and Rugly. Until she had heard Regan, and something inside her had reawakened. The years melted away, and as she looked at Vance, she felt her heart begin to grow warm once more.
“Then dinner it is,” she said.
Vance looked about ready to pass out with shock. His arms fell to his sides, and his mouth formed a silent O. She tucked a finger under his chin, their eyes met, hers twinkled with laughter, fully aware of her somewhat austere reputation.
“Scared?”
“Should I be?” he managed to murmur.
“Very definitely,” she affirmed.
“Then I’m terrified.”
Loretta’s laughter echoed down the corridor as she walked back to her dressing room and turned to cast him one more look, just in time to see Vance punch the air with a fist.
***
Thorne looked at Regan as he closed the door to his apartment behind them. She did what he knew she would, she ran over to the window, pressing her palms and her nose up to the glass, admiring the glittering lights below. Then she turned, holding out her hand, he took it and joined her, slipping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her soft brown hair, inhaling her unique floral fragrance. All was right with the world again. The love of his life was back.
Then grinning mischievously she released him, and with a dramatic flourish allowed herself to tumble backwards on to his couch. “Coming?” she asked. “I think we have some catching up to do!”
Thorne didn’t need to be asked twice.
Epilogue
It was the proposal that went around the world. Played over and over, for days to come on TV and the internet, and splashed across the front pages of every major newspaper. Followed shortly by a spectacular wedding at Madison’s Central Square Plaza Hotel, in the middle of the Starlight Walk.
Vance was Thorne’s best man. Loretta gave Regan away. Jenny and Elsie were bridesmaids. And Rugly proudly wore a bow tie.
The End
If you enjoyed this book, I hope you will take the time to leave a brief review and check out my other titles. Thank you so much!
Other L.C. Zingera titles include:
Gems (It’s not about diamonds)
Heiress
Romancing the Billionaire’s Daughter
It Will Always Be You (Starlight Walk Series #1)
Really and Truly (Starlight Walk Series #2)
A Starlight Walk Christmas (Starlight Walk Series #3)
The Billionaire’s Angel
A Contemporary Countess
Lady Jane and the Cowboy
Cat and Mouse (A Regency Sex Comedy)
The Rainesville Ranchers
The Billionaire and the Barista
Van Night
Taming Theodore
A Mystical Fantasy Duet (of Love Stories)
The Menace (A Romantic Comedy)
A Christmas Date
Loving Poems
And many more titles coming soon!
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http://lczingera.blogspot.com
It Will Always Be You (Starlight Walk Series #1) Page 5