Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars(83)

Gemma swallowed hard before answering. “Why don’t you play it for me?”

The smile he flashed her made her hold onto the bookshelf, her legs were trembling so bad. “I thought you’d never ask.”

His fingers worked over the strings as he sang clearly:

“It couldn’t be real, falling that young,

That’s what I was told by everyone,

But there was something about you,

That stayed with me through,

My lonely nights and months on the road,

And when I saw you again, I couldn’t let you go.”

Gemma’s eyes filled with tears, and she covered her mouth with her hand.

“I love you, I know you; don’t want to forget you,

’Cause you’re the one I want, yeah I always knew,

No other woman in the world could

ever make me feel the way you do.

You got to me. Oh darling, you got to me.

And I just can’t shake you.”

As he finished the song, he walked toward her, taking his time until he stood right in front of her. Gemma was crying so hard she could hardly see, and she stood perfectly still as he reached out to wipe a tear from her cheek.

“What did you think?”

“Oh, Travis, it was so lovely, I . . . does it mean—”

“Gemma, I’ve had some time to think.” His hand cradled her cheek. “I’ve decided that if you’re in this, then so am I.”

“I’m in this, I swear, I’m in this all the—”

Cutting off her vehement assurances with his kiss, she could do nothing but wrap her arms around his waist and return it. The kiss continued for several minutes, neither of them wanting to let go. Finally, Travis took her shoulders in his hands and laid his forehead against hers.

“I thought I blew it. I thought . . .” she gasped.

“I love you. That’s all I know, all I’ll ever know.” Sliding down to his knees, he held onto her hand and kissed her knuckle as he reached into his pocket to pull out the diamond ring he’d bought her in Vegas.

“Gemma Anne Carlson, you’ve put me through the ringer, there’s no doubt about it. Our life will never be simple or easy, but I’m ready to take on every obstacle it wants to throw at us, as long as I get to spend the rest of it with you.” Slipping the ring onto her finger, he continued, “We share a bittersweet past and a roller-coaster present, but I have a good feeling that the future is going to be a smoother ride. So, I’m down on my knees, asking you for the second time if you’ll marry me. What do you say, Gem? You in?”

Squeezing his hand hard, she said, “I’m in.”





Epilogue




* * *





Four weeks, six days, and eight hours later

It’s a Royal Wedding in Rock Canyon!

Ladies and Gentleman, today we celebrate as Travis Bowers (Country Music’s King of Rock), sweeps our very own Gemma Carlson off her feet (again) as the two recommit to each other in front of God, their friends and family, and the eye of SAURON (AKA Mrs. Marcie Andrews). I will be there, cheering them on, in a red and black dress . . . Or will I? LOL! Come on, folks, like I’d make it that easy for you? Congratulations to Gemma and Travis! Oh, and as for our favorite neighborhood barista and bartender . . . I’ll be watching you two! ;-)

GEMMA SAT IN the little antechamber of the church, waiting anxiously for the vow renewal ceremony to begin.

“Will you hold still, for Pete’s sake?” Gracie said irritably, holding Gemma’s veil as Katie Connors put the last pin in Gemma’s hair.

“I’m excited, what can I say?” Gemma smiled in the mirror. Gracie stood behind her and slipped the veil below the cascade of brown curls.

“Excited, good. Lopsided hair, bad,” Gracie said, as Katie laughed.

The door opened, and Callie, Gemma’s mom, and her sister Dawn came into the room.

“They’re getting ready to start,” Callie said, sounding a little nervous.

Gemma was happy that Callie had agreed to be one of her bridesmaids. Big crowds tended to make her nervous, but she’d been a real trooper, and Gemma reminded herself to ask Travis about that interview. They’d been so wrapped up in each other and Charlie the last month, they hadn’t had time to think of anything else.

As Gemma stood up, the women around her gave a collective gasp.

“Oh, Gemma, you are beautiful,” her mother said, giving her a hug.

“Thanks, Mom,” Gemma said happily. She was so excited about all of the work the people of Rock Canyon had put into the ceremony and reception, and she almost started giggling when she thought about her mother and Mrs. Andrews nearly coming to blows over the bouquet flowers. She hadn’t cared one wit about the flowers, the food, or even the dress. All she’d cared about was standing up in front of the people she loved and remarrying Travis.

After his song, he’d stayed two days with her, and they’d needed the time to themselves to talk. Gemma had never been so honest in her life, except maybe with Gracie, but it had been such a relief to open up to Travis and feel his love and acceptance.

The makeup sex hadn’t hurt either.

A loud knock sounded on the door, and her brother James walked in, covering his eyes with one hand. “Are you decent?”