“No, it’s just the beginning.” Rex kissed Grandma on the forehead. “Remember what I told you before, Kat. What some would call the end of the story is really just the beginning of the adventure.”
“Amen to that,” Scott said, slipping in beside me. He looked back and forth between my grandparents. The joy in his voice resonated as he said, “I never saw two people better suited.”
“Yes, some couples are made to be together,” I said, snuggling against my honey.
“Oh, yes,” my grandmother said. “Take Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette, for instance. They make the loveliest couple, don’t they? I was just telling her that over lunch the other day.”
Should I tell Grandma that they were married only on television and that their show had ended decades ago? Nah, better not.
“Talk about a great team,” Rex said. “One that almost didn’t happen.”
“Sounds like us,” Grandma said.
He turned to me. “Do you know the story of how Bob and Suzanne came to play a husband and wife on that show?”
“No idea.”
“They were both guests on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and TV producers noticed chemistry between the two.” He looked back at my grandmother and smiled. “There’s no denying chemistry when it’s there.”
“Amen to that,” I said.
“I was always a little jealous of Suzanne Pleshette,” Grandma said. “That beautiful dark hair. Those gorgeous eyes. And that perfect figure. Did you ever see anyone so beautiful?”
“Actually, yes.” Rex took hold of her hand and kissed it with dramatic flair. “This moment, in fact.”
Grandma chuckled. “Suzanne, eat your heart out!”
The two of them apparently needed some time alone. Scott and I shifted to one of the nearby tables, pretending to be interested in the silent auction items. Thankfully his parents joined us, along with Bryan and Julia. Everyone seemed to be in a happy, carefree mood. Nancy was full of questions about Acapulco. I avoided them, more than a little embarrassed that I’d seen the beach only from my window. And the airplane, of course.
“It was so good of you to come back in time for the fund-raiser,” Julia said. Her cheeks flushed pink. “I, um, I’m not sure I’d leave my honeymoon for a fund-raiser.”
“We were happy to do it,” I said. “Besides, the honeymoon isn’t limited to a place.”
“Speaking of places . . .” Charles gave us a curious look. “I’m assuming you’ll both be living at Scott’s place in Malibu?”
“Well, we’re staying there tonight,” I said. “Not sure about long-term. We’re talking about that.”
Several people from the cast and crew of the show entered the room, creating quite a stir with their loud chatter. As I heard the familiar voices, I turned and gave a little wave.
Athena drew close, giving me a “Well? How was it?” look. I simply smiled. There would be plenty of time for girl talk later. Right now we had work to do.
Or not. Athena seemed stuck on the events of the past few days, not today’s fund-raiser.
“You won’t believe the calls that have come into the studio,” she said. “All weekend long. And someone gave the paparazzi my home number. Can you believe it?”
“Probably Grandma.” I laughed. “But I’m sure she doesn’t remember doing it.”
“Everyone wants to know what’s happening with Jack and Angie next season,” Athena said.
“I’ve been a little curious about that myself,” I admitted. “Will they live happily ever after?”
Athena grunted. “Depends on how you look at it, I guess. There will be quarrels and struggles and all sorts of funny bits to add tension.” I lost her at this point. She took to preaching. About writing, anyway. “Tension is what drives the story, Kat. Mountains and valleys, remember?” On and on she went, talking about that goofy plotline thing again.
“Of course,” I said when she finally paused for breath. “But they can still live happily ever after.” After a moment of introspection, I added my thoughts on the matter. “Someone very wise once told me that the real love story is the part that happens after the initial feelings have passed.”
“Exactly. Mountains and valleys,” she repeated. “So I guess it’s safe to say that Jack and Angie will live happily ever after, as long as you factor in the humorous bits we’re going to give them.”
“Oh, give them lots,” I said.
“Trust me.” She waggled her thinly plucked eyebrows. “You have no idea what I’m going to put you and Scott through, since you left me out of your wedding.”
Yikes. I could hardly imagine. Still, whatever it was, I’d handle it. With Scott at my side, I could handle just about anything.
Soon we all kicked into gear. The silent auction was set to begin at 2:30, the entertainment portion of the fund-raiser at 3:00. Thankfully the room filled with people, and folks started placing their bids right and left. My eyes grew wide as I took in the prices they were scribbling down on the silent auction items. Julia’s eyes were even wider.
“I didn’t expect this sort of response, Kat,” she said, her eyes filled with tears. “This is going to change the lives of those children.”
“That’s the idea,” I said. “We want to give them hope—”
“And a future,” Scott chimed in, appearing behind me. “And in case I haven’t mentioned it, Kat and I are going to be making a private donation as well. Oh, and we plan to come to Ensenada in a few months to help with the actual building.”
“R-really?” Julia shook her head. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
As I hugged her, I whispered, “Just keep doing what you do. God’s hand is on you.”
She nodded.
Scott looked at me with a smile. “We’re going to be traveling a lot.”
“Oh?”
“My parents want to know if we’ll come to Alma soon. Dad wants my help designing the store. How do you feel about that?”
“Are you kidding? A trip to the spinach capital of the world? I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather go.”
“Be prepared to be inundated with fans,” he said. “We’re all the rage in Alma.”
I had to laugh at that one. But speaking of being all the rage . . . at a quarter to three, I heard several women in the room gasp. Many of them gathered around the stage, which made me even more curious. Coming closer, I saw Brock Benson, one of Hollywood’s most popular actors. He stood front and center, talking to Rex. Scott gave him a little wave.
“Hey, Brock.” Within seconds, the two were engaged in a conversation about today’s event.
“Brock Benson?” Athena began to fan herself. She looked back and forth between Rex and Scott. “How . . . I mean, how did you do that?”
“He’s a friend of Scott’s.” I shrugged. “And he loves helping kids. So Scott asked and he said yes.”
“Amazing.”
“Not really, Athena,” I said. “Remember, Hollywood stars are really just people like you and me.”
“They put their pants on one leg at a time,” Scott’s father said, sidling up next to us.
“Yes, they do,” I agreed.
“Oh, but what lovely pants.” Athena stared at Brock and sighed. Loudly.
Scott’s dad slapped himself in the head, muttered, “Good grief,” and headed off in a different direction. Me? I just laughed.
A few minutes later, Brock picked up a microphone and welcomed everyone. The crowd settled into their seats, ready to enjoy the festivities, and Brock opened in prayer. Those of us who were participating waited backstage in the wings. As Brock prayed, I thanked the Lord for so many things. Oh, how he had blessed me. And I had a feeling the adventure really was just beginning.
First up was Candy. Of course, she pulled out a Shirley Temple number. Those darling blond curls and that cute, frilly dress suddenly felt appropriate after all we’d been through together. I saw her now as an innocent child who’d been injured by the adults in her world. On so many
levels, I could relate to her. And she knew it too.
She looked my way, her eyes wide as the music began.
“You can do it, Candy!” I gave her a thumbs-up and she nodded. Didn’t take long, however, for me to see why her eyes were so wide. Off in the distance, her parents sat . . . together. Seeing them like that immediately brought a lump to my throat. Hopefully they’d laid down their all-too-adult battles long enough for this little darling to have a normal life. As normal as a child star could have, anyway.
Candy pulled off a delightful rendition of “On the Good Ship Lollipop,” and we all cheered her on.
Next came Toby. I knew he had some sort of surprise up his sleeve but wasn’t sure what until he put on a derby, grabbed a cane, and started into the theme song for Hello, Dolly!
I knew the kid was talented. I’d seen him act before, of course. And sing. And dance. But to do all three at one time? Not bad for a five-year-old. If we had any real talent scouts in the audience, they were probably scoping him out right now. Not that he would be going anywhere. No, I had it on good authority that all of the children would be back for the next season of Stars Collide. And speaking of children, I had to wonder if Athena and the other writers would add a baby to the mix. Or at least the news of a baby. I grinned just thinking about it. It did my heart good to see life moving on . . . both on and off the set.
As Toby sang, Grandma slipped into the spot next to me. “Hello, Dolly!” She released a happy sigh. “I always loved that movie.”
“Me too.”
“Can’t tell you how happy I am that Barbra Streisand got the part and not me,” Grandma added. “I’m not sure I could’ve done it justice the way she did.”
“Big of you to admit,” Rex said, slipping an arm over her shoulders. “But don’t worry, Lenora. Your acting days aren’t behind you. I have a feeling there are plenty of scenes in your future and you’ll play them well.” He waggled his bushy brows. “Now that you have a real-life partner, I mean.”
“So true.”
The audience roared with applause as Toby took his final bow.
Rex gave Grandma a quick hug. “Now, let’s go out there and knock ’em dead, kid.”
“Don’t think we should carry it that far,” she said. “But I’ll give it my best. You do the same.”
“Only my best for you,” he whispered.
Grandma took the stage. She got a hearty cheer from the audience, and all the more as several of her old movie clips played in the background. I heard a couple of people gasp and even heard one lady say, “That’s Lenora Worth! I own every one of her movies.”
I hoped Grandma heard too.
Or not. Looked like she was a little busy setting up for her scene. We’d practiced together, so I knew just how it would go. Rex entered stage left, dressed like Dean Martin. I couldn’t help but marvel at how much he looked like the real deal. And Grandma Lenora was in her element. As Rex entered, her face lit up. I could read the love in her eyes. No acting here. These two might be performing a love scene, but it was one borne of years of waiting.
Grandma delivered her opening line, the actual line from the Dean Martin special she’d been in all those years ago. Back and forth they went, one line leading to another. Talk about a sweet scene. And cute too. At the end, Rex—er, Dino—swept her into his arms and planted a kiss on her that she would surely never forget.
The crowd went crazy, especially the kids. Athena looked my way, her eyes wide and her mouth rounded into a perfect “O.”
“Kat,” she whispered. “Is there something I need to know?”
I just smiled. There would be plenty of time to share the news of their engagement later.
Or maybe right now would be a better option. With the whole room looking on, Rex eased himself down on one knee—not an easy task—and popped the question. For a moment the audience members took it as part of the act. Until he called my grandmother by her name and went into a soliloquy about her exquisite beauty.
When Grandma responded with a vibrant “Yes!” the crowd went crazy. Rex pulled out one dazzler of a ring and slipped it on her finger, then rose and gave her one last romantic smooch.
I glanced at Athena, who mouthed the words, “Mountains and valleys,” then grinned.
This was definitely a mountaintop moment.
But talk about a hard act to follow! I was thrilled that Scott was up next. For whatever reason, he hadn’t told me what he planned to do. I’d given it the old college try, guessing everything from juggling to card tricks. My heart jumped into my throat as he entered the stage with an acoustic guitar in hand.
I knew he sang a little. I’d figured that much out the first season of Stars Collide. But to accompany himself in front of such a large crowd? No way.
He looked directly at me, love pouring from his eyes, and then started strumming. I recognized the melody, of course: “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.” Okay, so he didn’t exactly sound like Elvis, but when I closed my eyes, I could almost believe he did. Almost. My honey had great pitch.
He continued on with that silky smooth voice, and I was captivated. Caught up. Transported. Carried away to a different place. Calgon, take me away! I listened to every word, realizing he was singing them just for me.
Athena must’ve been watching me as I listened. She jabbed me with her elbow. “I want what you have.”
My eyes popped open. “What I have?”
She sighed. “Yeah. You’ve got the real deal, Kat. Sometimes I think it will never happen to me.”
“Never say never.” I gave her a hug. “Your day is coming.”
Scott finished his song and the crowd went crazy, especially the ladies. I’d never heard so much whooping and hollering. Since the initial reaction to Brock Benson, anyway.
Brock took the stage again, announcing me. I entered the stage, my knees knocking. Something about a live performance nearly did me in. Talk about nerve-racking. I stared out at my audience, my heart working overtime. I knew they were all wondering what in the world I’d chosen to do. Would I sing? Act? Dance?
None of the above.
Instead I reached for a poem, one I’d found in my grandmother’s trunk. The words were my mother’s penned for me—her baby girl—just one week after I was born. Grandma Lenora had passed the poem on to me on my wedding day, and it was perfect. Perfect because it reflected the heart of God for his children. Perfect because the kids in attendance today needed to know just how much I cared about them. And perfect because it somehow reminded me that my mother had loved me more than life itself.
For a fleeting moment, I thought about my father . . . and all he had missed. It was truly his loss. If he’d stuck around, he’d know that he had a strong, confident daughter ready to take on the world. With the Lord’s help, of course. And with the love of a great husband.
I managed to get through the poem, my voice breaking as I read. My mother’s words cut to my very soul, and I could almost envision her standing here, reading them herself. Apparently so could my grandmother. I heard her sniffles from the wings. Glancing her way, I offered a smile.
Somehow I finished without crumbling. And so did the other participants in the show. In the end, the audience members rose and gave us much more applause than we’d probably earned. Still, it was great fun.
When all was said and done, Brock made the announcement we’d all been waiting for. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have raised $86,750 for the orphanage.”
“No way.” Julia shook her head, clearly unable to comprehend such a thing. “Did I hear him right?”
I nodded. “You heard him right. And if I know Brock, he’ll be first in line to help you build. Behind Scott and me, I mean.”
“I . . . I don’t know how to thank you all.” She burst into tears, and I wrapped her in a warm embrace.
Grandma drew near, a worried look on her face. “Everything okay over here?”
Julia looked up and, through her tears, whispered, “I’m just . . . so . . .
happy!”
“Oh, me too!” Grandma giggled. “What a glorious day . . . all the way around.”
I laughed. “No kidding. Now that you’ve announced your engagement to the masses, I guess we’d better get busy planning a wedding.”
Grandma shook her head. “No, sweetie. Just a private little ceremony at the house will do for us. Oh, and speaking of the house, it’s high time we talked about living arrangements.”
Here it comes. The part where she says she wants Scott and me to move into Worth Manor. For all I knew, she was probably building on a west wing as we spoke.
“I’ve never had a honeymoon before. Never even been married. So I hope you don’t mind that Rex and I will need a little privacy.”
“W-what?”
Her cheeks turned pink. “I, um, I figured you and Scott would be moving into his place.”
My honey drew near, slipping his arm around my waist. “Actually, I’ve been looking at a house in Beverly Hills just a few blocks from you, Lenora. I think it would be perfect for Kat and me.”
“You . . . you have?”
He nodded. “Brock Benson’s place. He showed it to me last week. He’s downsizing to a condo so he can devote more time and effort to the kids in his after-school program.”
“Wow.”
“Mountains and valleys,” Athena said, passing by.
I could only nod. Looked like the script of my life was really coming together nicely. Oh sure, I knew there would be tough days ahead. I was a realist, after all. We would somehow walk Grandma through this valley called Alzheimer’s, and we would be stronger people because of it. But in the meantime, I would enjoy living on the mountain. I might even conquer the “God is my Father” issue, now that I had Rex Henderson in my life. Talk about the ideal father image. And when I thought of the godly father Scott would one day make, I could easily picture the Lord’s heart for me.
Yes, things were definitely on the upswing.
Scott pulled me to the edge of the stage, holding tight to my hand. “So, what do you think about the house idea? I knew you’d want to be close to your grandmother, so it seemed like the best option.”
“Better than best,” I said. “You’ve thought of everything.” I slipped my arms around his neck and gave him a gentle kiss. “I love you, Mr. Murphy,” I whispered.
Stars Collide Page 27
