Epilogue
Dear Journal,
It wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t tell you how everything turned out.
Maggie married Lassiter at the old church in town. She was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen her. She deserves Lassiter. He is a prince among men, and their happiness is inspiring. They live out at his horse ranch, but sometimes, they stay in the cabin on his property. Maggie says it’s peaceful there. They sip whiskey and listen to the wind blow and watch the moon hang in the sky surrounded by stars. Lassiter never goes off anymore; his “ways” changed. He says Maggie makes him happy.
Lucy and Bobby are deliriously in love. Bobby says my sister drives him mad, and he’s never been happier. I can tell he means it from the bottom of his heart. Bobby surprised Lucy with a trip to Tiffany’s and bought her a ring, and Bobby said Lucy screamed so loud that the manager threw in a discount. He said she’d given good word of mouth, which Bobby said was appropriate, given the recent circumstances in Pecan Creek.
Of course you know that Cat and Evert got married. They’re expecting a baby now, which has everybody dropping all kinds of hints to Jake and me. Evert never mentions his messed-up kick anymore, but he says he can’t wait to teach his son or daughter how to kick footballs and soccer balls.
Averie’s dating the new high school football coach. It’s a match made in Texas. Gossip in town has it that Averie and the coach christened the fifty-yard line of the new football field, but I couldn’t tell you if that’s true or not. You know how gossip is—a good story just seems to take on a life of its own.
As for Kel, well, Debbie happened to see the billboard on the day of the parade as she was driving into town. People said she shrieked like mad and practically ran Kel over in her excitement. They say it’s like the old days now. Let’s just say Kel can’t keep chickens. He says they’re afraid of his wife, and for some reason, that makes him grin.
Jake knows why it’s so funny, but he says it’s buddy talk, and he’ll never tell any of the really good stuff on his military brothers. I’m just glad Kel and Debbie are happy again. She really is a nice woman, and her kids aren’t ugly at all. I don’t understand why Jake says they’re ugly, but it seems to be something Kel gets, so that’s all that matters. Men have a weird sense of humor at times. I can tell you that Kel’s oldest daughter recently was voted Princess Pecan Creek for the Snowball Dance, and that Facebook pictures of her in her gown caught the eye of a New York modeling agency.
The Pillars’ businesses have gone wild. I had no idea those women were such amazing raconteurs and entrepreneurs. I’ve learned a lot from them. They love Maggie and recently installed her as Jake’s assistant mayor. Maggie says she doesn’t do anything but greet the people who are thinking about moving to Pecan Creek, but the Pillars say Maggie’s a born charmer, and they respect that. Everyone loves Maggie.
The parade was such a success that Jake moved us all into Pecan Fanny’s. The kitchen is large enough for all of us—Dodie, Minda, Charlotte, Vivian, Lucy, Maggie and me—to work in comfort. Lucy runs the order data base, and Maggie takes the orders by phone. Lucy’s just about too busy to help anymore. After the reporters swarmed the town and discovered Pecan Creek, and everybody heard about the family life here, we’ve been swamped with newcomers. Thanks to the Breakfast at Tiffany’s tour of the Sex Shack, Lucy’s in huge demand for interior design. All the new people in town want her sense of fun and élan in their homes. Jake says, best of all, we’re in compliance with the health department now. He seems really proud of that. My pecans—Maggie’s recipe—are selling beyond my wildest dreams, and Jake had a sign made to replace the Pecan Fanny’s sign. It’s neon, it’s huge, and it says Hotter than Texas in big red letters that light up at night. I think it’s a bit much, but I don’t tell Jake that. The Pillars say it’s perfect, and they’re the definitive word on “proper” in this town.
Jake and I are getting married in June. We want a traditional wedding with all our family and friends around. But don’t tell, Journal—we’re already married! We took a quick trip to Hawaii after Christmas, and because I didn’t want to be too traditional, we got married there. It was the most romantic thing that has ever happened to me in my life.
And then Jake made love to me on the beach.
It was like that love scene in From Here to Eternity, only much, much more magical.
Even when we’re just floating on the creek or driving the blue Oldsmobile down country roads, it’s magical. When we sleep at night in the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas room, Jake holds me tight, and it’s like nothing I ever dreamed I’d have. Even Paris loves living in Jake’s family home, never more than when she’s swimming in the brand-new pool Jake put in the backyard, always heated to a perfect ninety degrees Fahrenheit for those winter days when he feels like making love to me. Which is just about any day that ends in Y.
At night, I can see the pecan trees sheltering the grove, and I’m so thankful for my mother’s recipes that brought us here. That was the real journey, wasn’t it? It really wasn’t ever just about the pecans. It was about us being together, being a family.
Thanks for everything, Journal. I always knew you were there for me, in case I ever needed to talk to someone. I guess that’s what journals are for: to chronicle the journey, the starts, the stops, the downs and the ups.
But I don’t need you anymore. I’ve got Jake.
And he’s got me.
How’s that for a happy ending?
Love always in Texas,
Sugar Cassavechia Bentley
About the Author
USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Tina Leonard decided to become a writer when her grandmother told her she should be the next writer in the family. Sixty-seven projects later, Tina writes what she loves with humor, sexiness and fun. With 2.6 million books sold, Tina plans to keep writing the books her readers enjoy.
Tina received her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee. With two children in college, Tina is fighting off the urge to go back for a master’s degree. Happily, her writing schedule keeps her busy with independent, adventurous heroines and heroes in the truest sense of the word.
When not writing, cooking or working out, Tina loves going out with friends, reading and spending time with her family. After living in many states over the years, Tina calls Texas home.
You can visit Tina at www.tinaleonard.com, and www.facebook.com/tinaleonardbooks. She loves to hear from readers!