She threw her arms around him, her love for him so great she didn't think her body could contain it. "Yes."
Epilogue
The Fourth of July was blazingly hot out by Matt's pool. The kids, and most of the adults too, were staying cool in the water.
Daniel was glad to find a rare moment alone with his mother while Tasha was playing with kids and puppies. Both Jeremy and Noah were ecstatic that their little furry friends would finally be able to stay with them.
"They are absolutely adorable," Mom said.
"Yes, they all are."
Especially his gorgeous, talented, smart, and sexy Tasha. He'd never been happier. He'd always known love would do that; he just hadn't realized how many different meanings there could be for the word perfect. And Tasha was finally happy too.
She'd connected with her friends and reestablished her business. The clients were rolling in again. She was crafting some super-secret special interactive program that would be an adjunct to his how-to videos. That was all he knew, since she shut down her computer every time he entered the room so her huge surprise wouldn't be spoiled. Whatever it was would be magnificent, he was certain of it.
Her gray clouds were gone, her shadows dispelled. She was the woman who had been lurking beneath the surface that first day he followed her into her cabin.
And he never wanted to leave.
Daniel slipped his hand around his mom's, squeezing. "I have you to thank for finding Tasha."
She smiled softly, watching the puppies and kids wrestling and rolling on the grass. "I wish I could say that were true. But you found her all on your own. I wasn't much help this time. More of a hindrance, I'd say."
A weight seemed to have been lifted with the confession she'd made over a month ago during that long phone call. Yet he feared his mother was still walking under her own cloud.
Raising their clasped hands, he kissed her knuckles. "That's what I really wanted to talk to you about. You seem to be under the mistaken impression that it was a bad thing to allow me to grow up thinking all marriages had to be perfect."
"It made your expectations far too high."
"Do you remember what you said the day you told me I was a twinkle in your eye before you and Dad got married?"
She pursed her lips, but he sensed the smile there. "What a lovely way of describing my indiscretion. But I said a lot of things during that phone call."
"Ah, but the most important thing you said was that you loved me just the way I am. That if you hadn't gotten pregnant with me exactly when you did, I would have been someone completely different."
"You're right. You wouldn't have been my Daniel." She cupped his cheek, moisture glistening in her eyes. "And I would have missed you so much."
"Don't you see that's exactly the way I feel about Tasha? If my expectations about the perfect marriage, the perfect relationship, and the perfect wife had been any different, I might have missed finding her. I might have taken another path that didn't lead me to her. So what you taught me, Mom, is that everything happens exactly the way it's supposed to."
"Oh sweetheart." She leaned her head on his shoulder as Tasha saw them and waved. "I'm so glad you finally know everything. And that you've found the love you deserve."
"Tasha completes me, Mom."
"I know exactly what you mean."
"Because it's the way Dad completes you?"
"Yes. And Will and Harper, Sebastian and Charlie, Matt and Ari, Evan and Paige. I'm so happy for every single one of my boys."
"I love you, Mom. I always have and I always will. You never did anything wrong. You never needed to feel guilty, so I want you to promise me that you will forgive yourself for whatever mistakes you think you made. And I don't want you to ever feel like you need to hide anything from me either. Because I will never judge you. In fact, knowing what you and Dad went through, I admire both of you even more. If anything, I feel more loved because of what you sacrificed to keep me with you."
"Oh honey, thank you. I love you so much." She sniffed, then she looked past him to her big brood of Mavericks. "I love all of you. Every single one of my boys and the wonderful families you're building."
He kissed the top of her head. Then he smiled across the lawn at the woman snuffling her face into the fluffy, furry belly of a squirming puppy. The beautiful, perfect woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life.
*
Sitting under the canopy covering several lounge chairs, Gideon Jones nursed a beer, watching.
They were a cheerful bunch, these Mavericks. He was happy that Ari had found Matt and Noah. Matt was a good man, worthy of her, and she was as radiant as the child she'd been when Gideon had left her behind to join the Army.
The two would be married by the end of the summer, and she would truly become Noah's mother. Her love for the kid shone right out of her, like a beacon for all the world to see.
She'd grown into a beautiful woman, and he was so damn proud of her. But it was something he could never seem to find the words to tell her. He'd lost the ability to express the things he felt. He'd seen too much during his eight years in the service.
But he didn't think about those lost years. He didn't think about the past.
He simply watched other people living their lives. Sometimes he even smiled. Like now.
Sebastian Montgomery had actually talked Francine Ballard into the water. Charlie's mother was a dear old soul, crippled with arthritis, but always with a kind word, even for him.
"Oh my goodness," she trilled as Sebastian carried her down into the water. She wore a flowered bathing suit with a high neck and a skirt that covered her thighs.
"The water will be good for you, Mom. We should have thought of this years ago." Charlie held her hands and danced her along the edge of the shallow end while Sebastian hovered close by in case he was needed.
"She's a darling, isn't she?" Susan Spencer had come to sit beside Gideon. In her mid-fifties, with a cap of gray hair, she was vital and dynamic, moving so softly he hadn't heard her. Daniel had flown his parents and sister in from Chicago for the July Fourth celebration.
"Yes, she is," Gideon agreed.
"Why aren't you in there, honey, playing Marco Polo?"
"I'm feeling lazy today."
But the truth was that he didn't feel like one of them. He was still an outsider despite the eight months that had passed since he'd walked back into his sister's life.
He felt the ache and anger and hopelessness that had been his constant companions for years now. He'd been in the Middle East when his mom died. He'd lost track of Ari. She'd ended up in foster care. He hadn't saved her.
Having exhausted the trio of puppies--who were now lolling in the shade until they got their second wind--the kids were splashing in the pool, yelling "Marco!" and "Polo!" and having great fun with Matt and the other Mavericks. Jeremy and Will played too, plus Ari, Chi, and Rosie and Jorge. Chi and Rosie, Ari's best friends, the girls she'd survived foster care with, were part of the family now. Along with Jorge, Rosie's son. He and Noah had become best friends too.
The Maverick ladies, including Daniel's sister, Lyssa, were sunning themselves, a bevy of beauties in bright colors.
Bob Spencer, the patriarch of the clan, manned the barbecue. A charcoal smell wafted on the air.
"Bob, honey," Susan called. "You're not burning the burgers, are you?"
"No, dear, I'd never do that," he singsonged back.
A more loving couple he'd never seen--expect for the Mavericks and their ladies. Even when they were nattering, they were good-natured about it.
"Daniel," Susan hissed loudly. "Your father needs some help."
Daniel Spencer climbed out of the pool where he'd been canoodling with Tasha Summerfield in the deep end, where the children didn't venture. Tasha followed him, wearing a ball cap that read Everything's better with my tool belt on.
Daniel had always seemed a happy guy, laid-back in his work approach, at least for the most part. But wit
h Tasha, he was somehow more than just happy. Gideon wasn't sure how to describe it to himself. Ari said it was love. And she should know.
Tasha Summerfield was a different genus from the rest of them. Her father was a con man, and her brother was doing community service for his part in their father's schemes. Daniel had probably paid the lawyers beaucoup bucks to get the guy a sweet deal in which he did his service at a foundation--set up by Daniel--to help the victims of fraud. And to teach people how to spot a con and run in the opposite direction.
"How's everything going with the job?" Susan asked. "You've been such a great help to Daniel."
She wasn't a busybody, or prying. He understood that. She simply cared. And she loved her kids.
"It's good," he said.
He'd worked for Daniel for close to eight months now. He'd thought he'd be spending his time in the stores, but Daniel had been giving him more managerial responsibilities, dealing with suppliers and materials.
He was even trying to talk Gideon into coming on his DIY show.
"You're a man of few words," Susan said mildly. "I like that about you."
That forced a laugh out of Gideon.
The French doors opened, and the last arrivals spilled onto the deck. Susan jumped up to greet Evan, his arm slung around Paige. Evan's birth mom--versus Susan, who was more like his real mom--and the twins had come too. Tony and Kelsey, the twin brother and sister Evan hadn't known about until a few months ago. At twenty-five, Tony was the image of Evan, but Kelsey was the prettier of the two.
The Maverick family had become a clan over the last few months. Gideon was probably considered one of them, especially since he was living with Ari and Matt. But he needed to get out soon, before they became newlyweds. They would need their space, despite the fact that the house was a mansion with eight bedrooms and a bowling alley and home theater in the basement.
No, he had to go.
The kids climbed out of the pool and dashed to the newcomers, with Rosie and Ari calling, "Don't run," after them, as they too got out of the pool, streaming water.
Noah grabbed Tony's hand, then Kelsey's, pulling them. "You gotta come and see the puppies. There's one for me and one for Jeremy and one for Uncle Daniel."
Gideon stood, setting his beer on the side table to say hello. Once that was done, he could take to the background where he preferred to be.
Ari passed him, bussing his cheek with a quick kiss. "You need to get in the water, big brother. Have some fun with us."
But he'd long ago forgotten how to have fun.
Then Jorge grabbed his hand, looking up at him with imploring dark-chocolate eyes just like Rosie's. He was a great kid. "Come on, Gid, you gotta play Marco Polo with us."
His heart seemed to rise up in his throat as he remembered the games he and Ari used to play. It didn't matter that he was ten years older, he'd always found the time for whatever game she loved.
But that was long ago. And he'd been another person.
Rosie grabbed his other hand. "Or we're going to throw you in." She grinned at him.
Together, she and Jorge pulled him along with the force of their laughter.
"Come on," the others called. Maverick voices, Jeremy, Ari, and Chi. Even Francine.
Then the guys tackled him and tossed him in.
He had no choice but to become a part of them.
At least for now.
*
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Take a tour of Lake Tahoe with Bella Andre, Jennifer Skully and the Maverick Billionaires!
Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America, is one of the most gorgeous places on earth, with aqua-blue water and snow-laden mountains surrounding it. Even in the summer, you'll find snow on the mountain peaks.
Photo: Aerial View of Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe
Of course the area has both winter and summer recreation. The ski resorts are fabulous, from Heavenly to Kirkwood, Squaw Valley, Northstar, Diamond Peak, and many more. In the summer months, there's water sports, hiking trails, bike paths, steamboat trips, and of course, a drive around the lake. Which is what we'll be doing on our tour of Lake Tahoe. For the more adventurous, you can bike around the lake.
Photo: Heavenly Ski Resort
Depending on how many stops you make, driving around Lake Tahoe--a trip of more than 70 miles--can take anywhere from three hours to the whole day. The more stops, the more there is to enjoy!
Let's start our tour with the town of South Lake Tahoe, which sits on the border of California and Nevada. At Stateline, you've got several casinos to choose from on the Nevada side if you like gambling and fine dining. A nice attraction on the California side is the Heavenly Gondola, which you can board right in the middle of town. And it's not just for skiers. At the top, you'll find gorgeous panoramic views of the lake and the mountains. There's also shopping and dining in town, plus Van Sickle Park. From there you can hike all the way up to Heavenly and the Tahoe Rim Trail, a spectacular 165-mile trail all through the mountains around Tahoe.
Photo: Tahoe Rim Trail
On our tour, we're going out to Highway 89 and around the lake counterclockwise. There's so much to see, so we'll just cover the highlights. As we drive through Camp Richardson, we'll find summer cottages and cabins to rent, horseback riding, biking, and a fabulous ice cream parlor. Next up is Tallac Historic Site, which was originally the summer retreat of several prominent San Francisco families. And on the left, there's Fallen Leaf Lake, which you'll get to know intimately in Wild in Love. From Fallen Leaf Lake, the adventurous hiker can take a walk up to Grass Lake, where Daniel and Tasha have their lovely picnic on a gorgeous day. And share a passionate kiss by the lakeshore.
Photo: Sunrise at Fallen Leaf Lake
We'll find a fabulous view as we continue along the ridge to Emerald Bay. Be sure to stop at one or more of the many lookouts, but don't miss Inspiration Point. Get the camera out!
The little island in the middle of Emerald Bay is Fannette Island. And we can also see Vikingsholm down on the shore. From the parking area above, it's a mile's walk down to the 38-room Scandinavian Revival mansion, which was built in the late 1920s. A very cool place to visit, but just remember, what goes down must walk back up! Point of interest: The lady who built Vikingsholm also had a teahouse constructed on Fannette Island, where she used to take her guests for high tea.
Photo: View of Fannette Island from Vikingsholm Castle
In the same area, we can see the roaring Lower Eagle Falls right at the side of the road. On the other side of the highway, we can also hike up to Eagle Falls. There are trails with gorgeous views all along Highway 89, which is also known as Emerald Bay Road.
Driving on, we come to D.L. Bliss State Park, where we'll find some great hiking trails along the cliffs above the lake, in addition to Rubicon Point Lighthouse. Farther on, we come to Sugar Pine Point State Park, which gives us some marvelous inland trails.
Once we reach Tahoe City, we leave Highway 89 and turn onto Highway 28 to continue around the lake. Incidentally, if we were to keep going on Highway 89, we'd come to Truckee and the Donner Memorial State Park, which preserves the camp of the doomed Donner Party.
Photo: Walking bridge over the Truckee River
Having made that turn, we're now in North Shore. So stop in Kings Beach, a little beach town with old-fashioned hotels, fun shops, and a great place for a late lunch after all the hiking on the way here. We definitely don't want to miss Incline Village, which is right on Crystal Bay. On the Nevada side, there's gaming, but we'll also find golfing, spa retreats, shops, dining, skiing at Diamond Peak, and lovely beaches.
Photo: Kings Beach
Continuing on, our next stop has to be Bonsai Rock, where we find several small trees growing out of a big rock in t
he water. Doesn't sound like much? Then check out some sunset pictures from this spot and see how absolutely amazing it is.
Now we've reached the junction with Highway 50, and a must-see along here is Logan Shoals Vista Point, with its fabulous views. Another camera alert! More stops along the way are Cave Rock in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park and Zephyr Cove.
And then we roll back into South Lake Tahoe just in time for dinner and dancing at one of the casinos!
Bella Andre and Jennifer Skully Q&A
When did you first want to become a writer?
Bella: I was a songwriter first. For a decade I wrote songs and performed all over the world. But I was always a massive reader--it's not unusual for me to read a book a day, even now. When I finally started to work on my first book (Sparks Fly), it just felt so right.
Jennifer: Just about when I learned to read, I started to write stories. I wrote my first book for my high school English class. Everyone else wrote two short stories, but I asked the teacher if I could write a book! I don't think she actually believed I'd finish it. But I did. Then I promptly lost it somewhere deep in the closet because it really was horrible.
How do you get your ideas?
Bella: I've always looked at the writing process as magical. As long as I show up at my computer (or with a notebook and pen), the stories keep coming. And I'm forever grateful that they do!
Jennifer: Ideas come from everywhere--a news story, a funny article, a dream, a small incident in daily life. I love people-watching. Sometimes I just make up stories about the people I see, and suddenly they become the premise for a new book!
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite and why?
Bella: I've written 57 books to date (with 58 and 59 currently in progress). I've always found it impossible to pick a favorite. I love all my different series and books for different reasons. With the Sullivans, I love how tight-knit the family is and how they'll do anything for each other. With the Maverick Billionaires, I love how such incredibly successful men are still so down to earth and normal...not to mention sexy as sin! And with my Married in Malibu and Four Weddings and a Fiasco books, I love getting to write stories about people's wedding days.