All Trent wanted to do was take Skye far away from it all and hold her so he could tell her how much he loved her. That wasn’t in the cards, though. Karri had glued herself to Skye’s side as Gavin wrapped her hand and wrist. Morgan was on speakerphone and Ryker was walking around his property peering up at trees and the high fences.
“What are you doing?” Trent asked his cousin.
“I’m looking for the cameras. Mason has one in his car. It filmed his monologue as he claims he and Skye had agreed to meet here in Shadows Landing after the trial. Then he said he got a text from her as he drove into town telling him that people were after her and asked him to save her,” Ryker explained as they watched the FBI place the mounted cell phone into an evidence bag.
“Did he get a text?” Trent asked.
“From an unknown number. I’m guessing his assistant sent it to him,” Ryker told him. “But the injured stuntmen said there were cameras set up to capture it. Instead, all I have found was Mason’s camera. The way he parked had him in frame the entire time. Almost like he’d staged it,” Ryker said dryly. “However, I pulled the footage from my security cameras and have the whole thing—video and audio—from start to finish. I also have the audio from Skye’s GPS trackers. I’ve sent it all to both Peter and Granger. By the way, I never thought it was Skye.”
“You were the only one,” Trent said, letting his hurt reflect in his voice.
“It wasn’t personal. They were trying to figure out what was going on. Sometimes you have to shrug things off.”
Trent felt his eyebrow rise in surprise. “Do you shrug things off?”
“Hell no. I systematically dismantle anyone who crosses me, but that’s in business, not with my friends and family.”
Trent surprised Ryker by hugging him tightly. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, for Skye, and for all of us.”
Ryker was tense but didn’t fight the hug. At least until Tinsley came running over to them and wrapped her arms around them both. “Family hug!”
“Dammit,” Ryker muttered as Harper practically threw herself into the hug. Tinsley and Harper weren’t the only ones. Every Faulkner piled onto Ryker.
“Who pinched my ass?” Ryker growled into the huddle.
In the distance, an old lady laughed, but now it was anyone’s bet as to who did it.
“Am I allowed in on this?” Trent heard Skye ask from somewhere outside the Faulkner huddle hug.
“Of course you are!” Tinsley said as she reached an arm backward and latched onto Skye.
She yanked her forward and there in the middle of the Faulkner storm was the woman he loved. Trent leaned forward and kissed her with all the love he had. This night might have shaved years off his life, but one thing was crystal clear—Skye Jessamine was the only woman he wanted to share those years he had left with.
“Would whoever is pinching my ass just stop?” Ryker roared.
Trent tried to look over Ryker’s shoulder as the whole knitting club hurried off with their hands covering their mouths, laughing the entire way.
30
Two months later . . .
Skye set the wrapped box on the kitchen table overlooking her new backyard. A lot had happened in the past couple of months. Mason had insisted on a trial and acted his way through the entire thing. Even Skye had to admit it was some of his best work. And he would have gotten off except for his very detailed, videotaped confession and the mysterious appearance of his bodyguard showing up in court to testify against him. Well, that and Mason’s assistant flipped faster than a pancake when the FBI swarmed him in Charleston. But Mason got what he wanted. He was the headline on every newspaper and gossip show for weeks.
Meanwhile, the movie Skye made with him was released with no press junket. At least the royalties from it would pay for Mason’s lawyers and appeals as he sat in prison for the next twenty-five years.
However, Mason couldn’t lay claim to all the wrongdoing. Jim and Lenny were found guilty of forging Skye’s signature on a power-of-attorney and several contracts. They were also discovered to be the source of both the fake and real photos. They’d done it to force Skye’s hand to take the role in Tony’s movie. They’d also hired the men to talk to her parents, but that truly was just in order to find her after getting Mason’s notes. Jim and Lenny had turned themselves in to a minimum security prison two weeks ago. They were sentenced to serve four months and were now essentially banished from Hollywood.
Skye testified at Mason’s trial with the entire towns of Shadows Landing and Hollywood behind her. Marie Lockend took advantage of the press and announced that Skye would be the lead in her next movie, and just last week, Morgan Davies put out a press release that Skye Jessamine was excited to partner with Hollywood’s newest leading man for the film adaptation of Gemma Davies’s latest book.
To celebrate, Skye talked with Mrs. Cramble about the house. She’d paid the woman more than she was asking and offered to pay all her moving expenses if she could be in by Thanksgiving. Mrs. Cramble had been thrilled and handed her new address to Skye before leaving to spend a couple of days with Mitzy as all her belongings were moved into her new house.
Today was the first day Skye had woken up to her new life in her new house in Shadows Landing. She smiled at the memory of how she’d woken Trent and the way he’d thanked her. Trent still owned his house and they hadn’t talked about moving in together yet, but they were essentially living together anyway. They hadn’t spent a night apart since she’d shown up in Shadows Landing.
Shadows Landing was home to her now. Karri, too. Karri was renting Trent’s house and, after extensive renovations, was almost ready to open her restaurant. She and Peter were very much in love. A few weeks ago, both families had come to Shadows Landing for the big meeting. Karri and Peter had been nervous as this was the first his grandmother was meeting Karri as well as her family.
It turned out they hadn’t needed to worry. Peter’s grandmother and Mrs. Hill had glanced over at each other as the group was getting together and pushed passed the couple to get to each other.
“Sister Hill! You’re Karri’s mother?” Mrs. Castle had gasped as everyone looked around as if they were missing something as the women hugged.
“We are both on the committee for missing and murdered indigenous women,” Mrs. Hill had explained to the rest of them. “The issue of unsolved, and many times under investigated, crimes against our sisters crosses all tribes and will only be fixed when all sisters stand together to demand accountability and equality.”
By the time their weeklong visit was over, they’d met everyone who was important to Karri and Peter. They’d watched Gator wrestle, had adopted Harper, gushed over the Faulkner family, had Kord’s undying love, and even Granger had been nice.
Then, after hearing about the committee Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Castle were on, Olivia had offered pro bono legal services to their cause. Miles and Morgan, who had been visiting one of the nights on their way to the beach, ended their visit with Miles telling them he had contacts in the government who would listen when he told them to. But what Skye would always remember was when Miles dropped his voice and leaned over to Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Castle and had said, “If you need a team of former elite military men to go in and rescue someone the not-so-legal way, I’m also happy to assist.”
Now the Hills and the Castles would be arriving for a visit before setting off on a cruise together. The women had planned to compare family trees. When they got back they’d celebrate the opening of Karri’s restaurant along with the entire town.
A flash of sun off Trent’s pickup caught her attention. Karri wasn’t the only one celebrating. Trent parked by the sunroom in the back and waved when he saw Skye watching. He reached into his car and pulled out what looked to be a shoebox wrapped in brown print gift paper and tied with a twine bow.
Trent walked toward the door and Skye basked in the feeling of complete happiness. She had found her special someone. Her One. She loved him more
and more every day and thankfully, the press had afforded them a moderate amount of privacy.
Trent opened the door and walked in with a little shiver. “It’s getting cold out. I’m glad we have the heaters set up outside.”
Trent walked over and leaned down to kiss her. Skye tilted her head up and sighed with pleasure when his lips covered hers. “How was your day?”
“Busy but good.” Trent took a seat next to her at the table and pushed his box toward her.
“I have a gift for you too.”
Trent looked at the tie-shaped box Skye handed him and then smiled up at her. “This is a surprise. But, ladies first.”
Skye tore into the wrapping paper and pried the lid off the cardboard box. Inside sat a stuffed cartoon alligator with a smile on its face and— “Oh my gosh,” Skye gasped at the same time she burst out laughing at the engagement ring hanging off a stuffed tooth.
When Skye looked over at Trent with surprise and pure joy, she found him on one knee. He reached for the ring and held it between his fingers as his eyes met hers. “I knew you were special from the first conversation we had. I love how you fought for yourself, how you fought for us, and how you fought for our love. I can’t tell you the happiness you’ve brought into my life since you ran into town with Big Bertha hot on your heels. You’re compassionate, you’re brilliant, and you’re so courageous it’s inspiring. Nothing would make me prouder than to be your husband. Skye, will you marry me?”
Skye sniffed as the stupid happy tears made her perfect image of Trent on his knee before her blur. “Yes!” she cried as she used her right hand to swipe at the tears. She held out a shaking left hand and was bursting with happiness when Trent slid the ring home. Then she threw herself into his arms and they whispered how much they loved each other. Take that, Hollywood rom-coms! Nothing could compete with her real life happily ever after—alligators and all.
Trent felt as if he could finally breathe. She’d said yes! He pulled back from the hug to capture her face between his hands and kiss her with all the love and hope he had for their future together..
Skye kissed him back with her whole heart before pulling back with a laugh. “Now my gift won’t compare,” she said with a giggle as she wiped the happy tears from her eyes. She wasn’t the only one misty-eyed. Trent could admit having her agree to be his wife would have brought him to his knees if he weren’t already there.
Skye shoved the long flat box forward. Trent tore off the wrapping paper and opened it up expecting to find a turkey tie. Instead, he blinked in confusion as he looked down at the knitted thing in the box. It had a peach-colored pouch on one end and a red knitted handle attached to it. The tip of the handle was topped off with a black triangle knitted thingy.
“It’s great. Um, what is it?” Trent asked as he held it up. He could put some nuts and bolts in the pouch and he guessed he’d close it with that little tie on it that seemed to cinch it up. Or maybe the handle somehow closed it. Oh, wait, the handle was hollow. “Oh, I know what this is. It’s a hammer warmer.”
Laughter snuck out of Skye’s mouth as she struggled to keep it together. Trent was sure he was missing something. “It is a hammer warmer, but a different kind of hammer. It’s called a willie warmer.”
Willie? He didn’t have a hammer by that brand.
“Let me show you,” Skye said and her voice suddenly wasn’t laughing as she reached for his pants. Willie warm—ah! Now he got it. Skye kissed him hard as she slipped her gift on.
“Oh, that’s really warm,” Trent said, looking down at his snuggly erect hammer. “Wait, is that Santa Claus?”
“Ho-ho-ho,” Skye said as she yanked him forward to her, leaning back onto the tabletop and sending the stuffed Bertha toy flying.
“Well, Miss Jessamine, have you been naughty or nice this year?” Trent asked as he began undressing her.
“I think you’d better get used to calling me Mrs. Faulkner.”
His lips were on hers, her hands were on him, and when she pulled off his willie warmer, he kind of missed it. Good thing he wasn’t cold for long.
“Are you all ready for this?” Skye asked.
“Do I take your purse now or later?” Trent asked with a wink as the limousine pulled up to the red carpet.
Skye laughed and then felt bad for doing so. It was Trent’s first awards show and this was not his thing. However, she was going to take him to every black-tie function imaginable from now on based solely on how sexy he looked in his tuxedo.
“Don’t worry. I’ll hand it to you if it’s necessary. Just smile and have fun. Talk to whoever you want and get as many pictures as possible.” Skye gestured for Trent to get ready.
The door opened and Trent’s wide shoulders blocked part of the camera flashes. He got out and turned around to offer his hand. Skye took his hand in hers and got out of the limo as gracefully as she could in the long gown. It was an ice-blue silk dress with a plunging back that hugged her curves before flaring out at the hem. If she weren’t in Hollywood, she’d be freezing, but January in L.A. was barely chilly and the lights would quickly warm her.
“Skye! Skye!” the reporters shouted as she posed with her group and then posed separately and finally with just Trent. She didn’t answer any questions here. Instead, there was a gauntlet of different media outlets, to stop at. At some she posed only for photo ops, while at others she gave interviews to select television and print outlets.
The carpet seemed to go on forever as she smiled, posed, and made her way to the main interviewer. She stepped up onto the little podium and waved at the fans before turning to her interviewer.
“This is so exciting. I’m here with Hollywood’s hottest actress, Skye Jessamine,” the interviewer named Orchid said. “You are presenting this year, but if all the rumors are true, you’ll be up for multiple nominations next year and the year after.”
Skye gave her a twenty million dollar smile and nodded. “That’s right. Tonight I’m presenting best picture, but after my wedding, I’ll start shooting Marie Lockend’s film. As soon as that wraps, I’ll begin on the Gemma Davies adaptation.”
Orchid looked excited as she practically sparkled with gold bronzer. “And I hear you have a family relationship with Gemma Davies.”
Skye gave a little laugh and turned to hold out her hand for Trent. Trent paused for a moment, but then stepped up next to her on the small podium. “I’m not related to Gemma, but my fiancé is her nephew. It’ll make next Thanksgiving dinner very interesting if she doesn’t like my performance.”
Orchid laughed and Skye worried she would get attacked by a bronzer cloud. “And this is your soon-to-be husband, Trent Faulkner?”
“Yes. He’s the renowned furniture designer and owner of TAF Designs. We couldn’t be more excited for our wedding.”
“Any details you’re willing to share about your big day?” Orchid asked.
“Sydney Davies McKnight, owner of Syd, Inc., designed not only the gorgeous gown I’m wearing tonight but also designed my wedding dress. The rest is a secret for our wedding day.”
“Your dress is stunning!” Orchid announced as she asked the cameraman to get a full 360 view of it. “Now, that clutch is adorable! Tell me about it.”
Skye raised the little clutch covered in lace for the camera to see. “It’s a Syd, Inc., clutch in the same material as my dress. However, my dear friend Mitzy Coburn handmade this lace alligator appliqué for me. Come on up here, Mitzy.”
Trent stepped down and held out his arm for Miss Mitzy who beamed up at him as she slipped her hand onto his arm. Trent turned and held out his other hand for Mitzy’s grandson to take and together they all squeezed onto the podium. Mitzy’s grandson moved to stand in front of Skye and Mitzy. Skye put a hand on his shoulder and looked down at the boy. “Can you tell my friend here who you are and what your name is?”
J.R stood up straight in his little tuxedo and beamed a big smile at Orchid. “My name is J.R. Coburn and I’m turning five next week. Miss
Skye is my friend and she even had a cupcake on the plane for me,” he said in his adorable Southern accent.
Orchid laughed as she bent down to interview J.R. “Is there anything else you’d like to say?” Orchid wasn’t stupid. Kids were ratings gold.
J.R. beamed up at his grandmother and then back at Orchid. “Only that I have the bestest Mimi in the entire world.”
Skye thought her smile might explode across her face as Mitzy teared up. Skye put her arm around Mitzy. “She’s not only the bestest Mimi but is also the bestest knitter. In fact, she’s my mentor at knitting club.” Skye might have been telling Orchid that, but she was really telling Mitzy’s family who were back in South Carolina, watching.
“Knitting club? Skye Jessamine knits?” Orchid’s fake smile dropped as plain old shock made her blurt that out.
“That’s right. I’d like to give a shout-out to Miss Winnie, Miss Ruby, Edie, Dare, and all my dear friends in knitting club.”
“What does she knit?” Orchid asked Trent, who suddenly looked a lot less shy.
His lips twitched and Skye prepared to put her hands over J.R.’s ears if necessary. “She’s gotten really good at it. Skye made her whole family scarves for Christmas. Let’s see, she’s also made some potholders, a couple of hats, and of course my favorite, the hammer warmer.”
Orchid blinked and wanted to ask more but the producer was moving them along. Marie Lockend was up next to interview; she was up for best director this year and that took precedent over hammer warmers.
Trent helped Mitzy and J.R. off the podium while Skye lifted her dress and stepped down. When she looked up, Marie winked at her. “Hammer warmer? I need more details.” Marie kissed her cheek, then stepped up to begin her interview.
Trent held out his arm for her and Skye laced her hand through his elbow to rest on his arm. She looked past Trent at Mitzy who’d dropped Trent’s arm and made a beeline for one of Hollywood’s hunkiest men.
Broken Shadows: Shadows Landing #5 Page 23
