A Turn in the Road - Debbie Macomber [104]
Other couples started to arrive, and the photographer came forward to snap their pictures.
Annie greeted each couple, giving them a printed program and offering the women a dance card.
“Everything looks so real,” Bethanne told Grant. “I feel like a time traveler.” The life-size photograph of Royce and Ruth was propped against one wall, framed by tiny twinkling lights.
“Just wait until the king and queen are crowned.”
“Oh-h.” Bethanne brought one hand to her mouth. She hadn’t thought of that, but Grant had. They’d worked together to make this happen for Ruth and Royce, put aside their differences and become a team again. Even a few months ago, she wouldn’t have believed it possible, wouldn’t have believed they were capable of accomplishing this evening.
When the starring couple arrived, the band began to play, and almost before she was aware of it, Bethanne found herself in Grant’s arms as he led her onto the small, makeshift dance floor.
“That’s ‘Moon River.’ It’s the theme song from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Andy Williams sang it the night I went to the concert with Grandma in Branson,” Annie said as she and Royce’s grandson glided past Bethanne and Grant.
“Apparently, Andy made an impression on our daughter,” Grant said, smiling down at her.
“So it seems.”
“Does it feel like high school all over again?” he asked, his head close to hers.
Bethanne nodded. “It’s an amazing night.”
“And it’s only just begun,” Grant murmured.
She couldn’t imagine what else he had planned. But she was about to find out….
About an hour into the night, the band paused and Grant walked to the stage and reached for the microphone.
“The time has come to crown the king and queen of prom night,” he said, sounding every bit the professional spokesperson. “I know the suspense is almost more than we can bear.”
There was polite laughter. Jane and Diane and their dates—their husbands—gathered around Ruth and Royce.
“The ballots have been tallied and the decision made.” When he announced Royce’s name, a loud round of applause was followed by shouts and cheers.
“Speech, speech,” the crowd chanted.
Royce stepped forward, and Grant placed a crown on his head, then handed him the microphone. “There’s only one woman I want by my side this evening, and that’s Ruth,” he said.
“Then so be it.” Grant held a second crown as Craig escorted Ruth to the small stage. Grant carefully set the crown on her head as tears glistened in her eyes. Then, right in front of everyone, Royce kissed her full on the lips.
The crowd loved it. So did Bethanne, who exchanged a warm look with Grant. They’d done this. It hadn’t been easy, but all their effort was worth seeing the joy on Ruth’s face. And on Royce’s…
The music started again, and the “royal” couple walked onto the dance floor, soon to be joined by others. Without conscious thought, Bethanne moved toward Grant.
He slipped his arms around her as if they’d never been apart. As if they were still a couple. A team. The two of them against the world.
“I can’t thank you enough,” Grant whispered as he drew her close.
“You worked as hard as I did.”
“I wasn’t talking about redoing Mom’s prom night.”
“Oh?” Bethanne wasn’t sure what he did mean, then.
“I want to thank you for being the incredible woman you are, for giving my life meaning and for offering me hope that there’s a chance for the two of us again.”
She smiled up at him and closed her eyes as she allowed the rhythm of the music to carry her. Their steps matched easily, smoothly, as innate as breathing. They used to dance together like this, but that was in another lifetime….
Twenty-Eight
Max Scranton pulled his motorcycle into the driveway of the home he’d once shared with Kate and their daughter. He hadn’t been here in more than three years.