This Loving Feeling (A Mirror Lake Novel)

by Miranda Liasson

  She was crying now. “I love you, too, Lukas. I always have. I was thinking Stevie and I could come with you sometimes—in summers, on vacations. We can work it out.”

  “Yeah,” he said, pressing his forehead against hers, “we can work it out.” And there, on the old stage, in front of over three thousand people, with Ed Sheeran crooning a love song behind them, and the crowd going wild, Lukas kissed her.

  Lukas lifted Stevie up in his arms and all three of them hugged.

  Then Stevie ran off stage, and Lukas kissed her until she really did see stars.

  EPILOGUE

  “I’m glad you’re engaged but when are you two going to get married?” Effie asked from her seat in the wicker rocker on Lukas’s front porch where she sat with many of the Rushford family and friends. It was nearly sunset, and the kids were running around on the lawn playing freeze tag while Ben and Tom were getting the fire pit started to roast marshmallows for s’mores. Everyone was relaxing, enjoying the good company and the fine summer evening. And celebrating Lukas’s and Sam’s engagement.

  Lukas couldn’t believe the changes the past few months had brought. Or that the old house he’d bought would be brimming with people, kids’ laughter echoing though the yard. Mom and Pop Ellis would be really happy about that.

  “I know you don’t approve of us living together before we’re married but at least we’re engaged,” Sam said, gently rotating her new engagement ring in the waning light.

  “Wish you two were as old-fashioned as that beautiful ring,” Effie grumbled.

  It was an antique European-cut stone with a filigreed setting Lukas had worked with a jeweler to create. But of course it didn’t nearly do Sam justice.

  “I’m so glad you’re back to being sweet,” Sam said with a wink at Lukas.

  Effie leaned over and tilted Sam’s hand so it caught the last rays of the sun. “It is a sparkler. And it’s vintage, like me.”

  Lukas grinned at his beautiful fiancée. Once they’d decided to be together, they just couldn’t stay apart, and they hadn’t wasted a single minute. They had too much time to make up for. Sam had moved in and they’d set to making the house a home.

  Despite not touring this summer, Lukas found that his new single was still skyrocketing. He’d managed to be creative about traveling, and had insisted on plenty of home time, take it or leave it, and they’d taken it. He hadn’t regretted a single second.

  Neither, it seemed, did Stevie. He’d finally unpacked his backpack. Maybe it was because he loved having his own room. That was painted dark gray—not black—with flames. A compromise.

  “I’d marry her tomorrow,” Lukas said, “but we’re waiting for Stevie’s adoption papers to be finalized. Then we can really celebrate.”

  “And once we get married I’ll officially adopt Stevie, too,” Sam said.

  “They found your brother yet?” Meg asked Lukas.

  “Actually, the PI called me yesterday. Nico’s in Philadelphia. It’s a matter of getting him to go to a notary and sign. I’m flying there tomorrow. And I’m hoping maybe I can get my brother into rehab this time.”

  “That’s great news,” Ben said, walking up to the porch with a plate of s’mores.

  “Not until I hold the papers in my hand,” Lukas said, rubbing his palms together a little nervously. They were so close, and he was holding his breath until the feat was accomplished. What if Nico said no? What if he wanted Stevie back? Anything could happen.

  “Stevie seems really happy,” Olivia said. “I thought it was so cute that Stevie bought Annabelle that little necklace.”

  Lukas laughed. “He made me take him to Target to pick it out.”

  Brad rolled his eyes.

  “It’s okay, brother,” Sam said, patting Brad on the back. “Now that you don’t have me to worry about anymore, you can focus on your own children.”

  “But until then,” Brad said, “I hope you’ll let me walk you down the aisle.”

  Sam hesitated just a little before she answered. “You’ve been the only father I knew growing up,” she said. “And I’d be honored.”

  “You know, Sam,” Joe Malone said, “I’m officially volunteering to be Stevie’s new grandfather. If that’s okay with you two.”

  “As long as that doesn’t conflict with you being my boss,” Sam said. “Thanks for giving me my job back, by the way.”

  “I’m thrilled my best art teacher’s coming back,” Joe said.

  “I’m your only art teacher,” she said, giving him a hug.

  “And thank you for giving the gift of an art endowment to the school,” Joe said.

  “You know she gave the rest of that money to the theater,” Effie said. “Since our family donated so much, I think I want a bigger portrait.”

  “No way, Effie,” Sam said. “It was hard enough to get you to sit for the first one.”

  “I hope Stevie needs an honorary aunt,” Jess said, just joining the crowd.

  “And uncle,” Evan added, circling his arm around Jess, who actually blushed.

  “Hold on a minute,” Alethea interrupted. “I’m officially the new Ya Ya. And I’ve always felt that Lukas is the son I’ve never had.” She beamed a maternal look at Lukas. “If you want, Joseph,” she said to Joe, “you can be Papou.”

  “Um, thanks, Alethea,” he said, clearing his throat, “but being Irish and all, I’ll probably just stick with Granddad.”

  “Well, it’s settled, then,” Sam said, linking her arms through theirs.

  Lukas got up and put his arm around Alethea. “I’m lucky to have you, Alethea.”

  She waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, you’re just saying that because I bring you baklava.”

  “I do love your baklava but I love you more.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. She really was a good woman. Determined that Stevie learn all about Greek culture, too.

  “Now just go and find your long-lost brothers,” she said, patting his arm. “So you can get your family back.”

  “I’m actually working on that, Alethea. You’ve inspired me.”

  She clasped her hands together as if in prayer. “Oh, more Greek boys. More family. That would be a miracle!”

  “Hey,” Brad said, sounding just a tad sensitive. “Don’t forget about me, Ya Yas and Granddads. I had a big influence here. I taught Sam a lot.”

  “Sure did,” Sam said with a wink. “Like how to stay away from bad boys.”

  “Good thing you didn’t listen,” Lukas said. Then he turned to Brad. “And may your daughters never listen either.”

  “Spikonos, are you cursing me? Because if you are, I’ll wish you more daughters than you can count on one hand.”

  Actually, daughters sounded good. And sons. Brothers and sisters for Stevie to grow up with.

  “Now that everyone’s here, I have an announcement,” Sam said. Lukas looked over at her, startled.

  “Oh my God, you’re pregnant!” Alex said.

  “Nope.” Sam reached under a wicker seat cushion and pulled out a folder. “I have an update for you, Lukas. Your PI didn’t exactly find Nico, but he found your brother Roman. Roman knew where Nico was and got him to sign the papers. Congratulations. You’re officially a father.”

  Lukas blinked a couple of times. It was nearly dark, and he thought he might be seeing things. He took the folder when she handed it to him, but he couldn’t speak.

  Suddenly Sam was at his side, in his arms. “You did it,” she said. “Stevie’s ours now.”

  “Yeah,” he said, a little dazed. “Stevie’s ours.” There was wine for everyone and congratulations all around. Lukas held Samantha tight. “Marry me tomorrow.”

  She laughed. “I would, except that Meg’s ordered me this gorgeous dress and it won’t be in for six months.”

  “Find another dress.” That was probably a dumb thing to say, but he was a little overwhelmed. About how he got a son and a wife—and hell, an entire big extended family. How his life was complete in ways he never would have dre
amed possible. How he got another chance with the woman he never forgot.

  “I love you, Sam. I’m so glad you gave me another chance. I promise I’ll do right by you this time.”

  “Okay . . . ,” she said softly.

  “Okay what?” he asked, still not letting go.

  “I’ll get another dress. The sooner we’re married, the sooner I can get my name on those adoption papers.” She smiled. “Oh yeah, and I can’t wait to be your wife. I love you, too.”

  “Shall we go tell our son the news?” Lukas asked Sam.

  “You see? Love isn’t complicated,” Effie said to no one in particular. “It’s simple. Sometimes you just have to take a risk.”

  Sam beamed at Lukas and said very quietly, “And sometimes the riskiest love turns out to be the safest one of all.”

  And sometimes someone like him, who didn’t think he could ever learn to love, can hit the jackpot. “But not too safe,” he said. “I mean, safe might sound just a little boring.”

  “Somehow, I don’t think we’re going to have that problem,” Sam said.

  Lukas whispered, “Well, I’m glad you took a risk on me.” He stopped to kiss her softly on the lips, and whisper something else about a promise for later meant only for her ears. Then he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and they set off into the yard to find their son.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Thanks as always to Jill Marsal, my agent, for all you do. You are awesome.

  To editor Alison Dasho and the Montlake team, thank you for all your work and support. A thousand thanks to Charlotte Herscher, my developmental editor, whom I’ve been blessed to work with on all three Mirror Lake books and who continues to amaze me with her vision and insights of how imaginary people think. Thank you for bringing out the best in this book.

  Thanks to Scott Calamar, for your tireless editing, fact checking and all your expertise. And for making sure all my characters kept the same names they started out with!

  Many thanks to my friend Sandra Owens, who read an early draft of this book, and to the Sunshine Critique group (Chris Anna, Mary, Sheri, Vicki, and Wendy), my NEORWA sisters, and my Lucky 13 Sisters, wonderful friends and writers all, and a constant source of support.

  In my city of Akron, Ohio, we have a real Jewel on Main Street, the Akron Civic Theater, which was renovated like the one in the book (well, maybe without as many shenanigans and without the help of a world-class rock star). This spectacular theater from the 1920s has the same star-filled sky with moving clouds and the façade of a Moorish castle as does the Palace Theater in Mirror Lake. It’s also a venue for many community events and an amazing place to visit. Thanks to Val Renner for her backstage tour and for answering my unusual questions (i.e., How do you turn on the stars and clouds?)

  Many thanks to my Greek friend, who shared with me aspects of his Greek heritage and made sure my Greek references were correct. Efharisto.

  Thanks to my oldest daughter for carrying a blankie for the first four years of her life. And for naming it Bobby. Love you, honey!

  Thanks to my children who are understanding of the crazy hours of this job. I hope you see the passion behind the hard work and wish the same for you as you pick your own professions.

  Many thanks and much love to my wonderful hubby, the funniest guy I know, who always patiently lends an ear, and spoke with me about this story as if Sam and Lukas were standing with us in the same room. I couldn’t have written this without you!

  Lastly, Dear Readers, thank you so much for coming back for more antics in Mirror Lake. I love every note you send saying how one of my stories has picked up your day. It’s been a real honor to bring you back to the Rushford family for another visit.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo © 2013 Scott Meivogel

  While growing up, Miranda Liasson was a willing courier for the romance novels her mother traded with their next-door neighbor, as it gave her a chance to sneak a peek at the contents. Today, Liasson writes award-winning romances herself, creating stories about courageous but flawed characters who find love despite themselves. She received the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award for Best Contemporary Series Romance for Baby on Board—Help! She resides in northeast Ohio, where she shares her home with her husband, three children, and Posey, a rescued cat with attitude. Follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MirandaLiassonAuthor and on Twitter @mirandaliasson.