BONUS CHAPTER

Unmasking Mr. Crown

​

You are cordially invited…

​

Wedding Weekend

Natalie/Dash

 

One arm locked around her sister’s waist, Natalie steered a staggering Kate toward the waiting party bus. Both women had traded heels for Birkenstocks, which made the task a skosh easier. In lieu of a traditional rehearsal dinner, Dash hosted a pre-wedding cocktail party at a historic theatre in downtown Nashville. An overwhelming success, the event left most guests to wonder how the wedding reception the following night could top it. In true Dash fashion, he’d spared no expense, wanting everyone, especially those out-of-town guests who’d traveled to Nashville, to kick off the weekend in style. 

​

“That future husband of yours….sure knows how…to throw a party,” Kate slurred, her tongue thick after that last round of shots.

​

“He went all out, didn’t he? But you wanna know a secret? Miranda and I planned the whole thing. We conspired on every detail, then she fed each one to Dash, but in such a way that he thinks he came up with all the ideas on his own.”

​

“Which is lesson one…always make them think it’s their idea.”

​

Natalie guided Kate up the stairs into the bus, a black hole of loud music and flashing strobe lights and windows so darkly tinted they were probably illegal. She locked eyes with their driver, a jovial young man in an all black suit that hung on his tall, thin frame like a tent. With her free hand, she made a slashing motion across her neck. The driver nodded and quickly depressed several buttons on a control board. The music cut off at the exact moment the overhead interior lights came on. Kate moaned and shielded her eyes, while the rest of the wedding party breathed a collective sigh of relief. 

​

Kate flopped down on a bench seat, then fell into a fit of tequila-induced laughter. Colt eased into the spot beside her, his big brown eyes reassuring when he spoke to Natalie. 

​

“I’ll take it from here. I promise she’s in good hands.”

 

“Thanks, Colt.” Natalie, forever in event planner mode, turned and made a quick headcount. “Where’s Dash?”

 

“Looks like the groom has made other transportation arrangements.” Cecil pointed toward a limo pulling to a stop right outside the bus.

 

A driver emerged and opened the back door. Dash stepped out, a small bouquet of gardenias and white roses in hand. He’d ditched his blazer, along with the custom tie Miranda gifted him, printed with the words, ‘Sorry, ladies, I’m spoken for.’ His hair, now hidden beneath his favorite UT baseball cap. His shirttail, hanging free from the waist of his starched Wrangler jeans. The party bus erupted with whoops, hollers, and applause, which launched a shine of embarrassment on Natalie’s cheeks. 

 

“There might be one little thing I didn’t share with you, hon.” Miranda said, smoothing Natalie's wind-blown hair into place with a loving hand. “One last spin alone before y’all become husband and wife.” 

 

Miranda pulled double duty for months, playing surrogate mother to her and to Dash. Nothing but one hundred percent selfless devotion to them. Tonight, fully in her element, Miranda oversaw every detail, leaving the bride and groom free to focus on the fun. In less than twenty-four hours, Natalie would take her father’s arm and walk down a grassy, candlelight aisle at dusk toward her person, the man of her dreams—a life-changing moment sweeter by the presence of this wise and wonderful woman.

 

“I love you, Miranda,” Natalie whispered, her eyes misty.

 

“Enough fussin’ over her, honey. Let her go get her man,” Cecil hollered.

 

Natalie kissed the cheeks of everyone inside the bus, minus the driver, of course. Foster stood and wrapped his arms around his baby girl for a minute, his eyes welling up. From his coat pocket, he removed a wrinkled envelope, its corners bent and starting to yellow. The moment her gaze fell upon it, she froze.

 

Omg! The letter! 

 

She’d known of its existence for years, but with her focus pulled in a thousand different directions, she’d pushed it to a hidden corner of her mind. Natalie looked over and locked on her sister’s gaze, now glassy with more emotion than alcohol. Kate gave a silent nod of reassurance. 

 

Foster pressed the envelope into Natalie’s hand. "What I wouldn’t give to have your mother here. If I could trade places with her, I would. You need her so much more than you need me."

 

Tears slid silently down Natalie’s cheeks. "That's not true." 

 

Foster took a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped them away before pulling her in for another embrace. Less than two seconds passed before Kate snuggled in with them, their bodies locked in love. Noah pulled his cell phone from his pocket and snapped several pics of the three of them, this moment too important to not capture in some way.

​

"I'm sorry she can't be here with us. I'm so sorry," he said in a whisper.

 

"She is here, Pop,” Natalie said.

 

“She’s always with us,” Kate added.

 

After a minute, the three broke their hold. Foster pressed the handkerchief to his own eyes while Kate wiped a smudge of mascara off Natalie’s cheek. Cecil made a comment about his own mascara needing attention and laughter erupted. A moment of much needed levity. Another round of goodbye hugs were given before Natalie exited the bus into Dash’s outstretched arms. The bus driver gave the horn two blasts before driving off into the night. Natalie’s eyes filled and she hid her face against Dash’s chest. 

 

“Hey, hey…” Dash pulled back, his eyes full of concern. “It’s not that big a deal. Just a limo ride back out to your house. I know how you love a late night charcuterie board. I’ve got one waiting, along with a bottle of your favorite wine. I figured we’d be starving and ready for some time alone.”

 

“No, it’s not that. My father handed me this.” Natalie showed him the worn envelope. "It's a letter. From my mother. She wrote one to Kate too, which my father gave her the night before she and Malcolm married. I’d forgotten all about it until now. Kate’s letter wrecked me. I’m not sure I can do this right now."

 

"Then you don’t have to. Wait until we’re back at the house and you can read it in private.” He thumbed once last tear from her cheek. 

​

Natalie dropped her gaze, the details of Kate’s wedding flooding her mind. While she and Foster pushed for something grand, Kate and Malcolm insisted on something small. They married at sunset on Foster’s back patio. Judge McBride had done the honors, officiating the ceremony in front of forty guests. In addition to being one of the most emotional weddings she’d ever attended, it also revealed Natalie’s gift for event design. She’d honored their mother at every turn, and would again tomorrow her own wedding.

​

“I know I said this a thousand times, but it’s true. My mother would have loved you, Dash. I wish you could’ve known her. She was so special,” Natalie said, emotion gripping her voice like a vice. 

 

“I know she was. And in that regard, you’re her spitting image.” 

 

“I wish I could’ve known your mom, too. I know she’s so proud of you.”

 

“I think she would be, and she’d be crazy about you. I bet our moms are together right now, watching this whole thing play out from a cloud.” He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. 

 

The quiet drive back to Foster’s turned out to be a much-needed respite. After three hours of nonstop hugs, talking, dancing, and toasts, the hour-long ride alone calmed them both. They covered everything, from the party highlights to the final wedding details. He praised her again for not playing into the Bridezilla stereotype. She scolded him for taking care of that role all by himself. Between Noah and Dash and even Foster, it had been a little like planning a wedding with Butch and Sundance, all the way down to Dash’s insistence on a live longhorn. For photo ops, he’d said. Doing it for the ‘Gram. Hilarious and ironic, considering Dash Benning had never used a single social media app in his life.

 

The limo turned off the highway. The headlights shone through the massive oaks and maples along the winding drive. When their beams revealed her family home, Natalie found something she didn’t expect. Not a single light burned inside. She cast her gaze toward the casita. Dark as well. Other than exterior lights, welcoming them back with their soft glow, the property appeared to be deserted.  

 

“Looks like we’re the last ones standing,” Natalie said.

 

“Either that, or they’re off in the party bus somewhere—which I wouldn’t put past them.”

 

The driver parked and hopped out to get the door. Dash counted out several bills and tipped the man while Natalie waited. The cool night sent a shiver through her and she pulled Dash’s jacket up over her shoulders. A symphony of crickets and cicadas played around them. She looked up at the sky, inky and milky and littered with stars. For the last ten days she’d aggressively stalked multiple weather apps, praying their predictions for thunderstorms wouldn’t come to pass. It looked like they were in the clear.

 

Come on, Mother Nature. I need you to hold this pattern for another twenty-four hours. Mom, Rose, put in a good word for us up there too.

 

With the tip of his hat, the driver offered additional congratulations then drove away. Natalie turned toward the house but Dash reached out and took her hand. He spun her around and into his arms, dancing her around the driveway for a minute.

 

Natalie flipped the brim of his baseball cap around to the back of his head. With access to his lips in no way obstructed, she kissed him hard, ignoring the sting of stubble against her chin. 

 

‘I have an idea…” She took his hand. “Follow me.”

 

Natalie led him into the house. Once inside, she motioned to his boots, which he removed as quietly as possible. She took off Dash's jacket and tossed it over the back of the sofa next to her father’s—proof that the party bus had delivered everyone safely back. Hand in hand, they tiptoed past Foster’s room and climbed the stairs to her bedroom. The door to Kate’s old room was closed, but Natalie had a pretty good idea she’d crashed in the casita with Colt. She flashed Dash a thumbs up. 

 

“I think we have the whole upstairs to ourselves. We’re safe,” she whispered.

 

“Until your old mattress springs give us away,” he teased. 

 

Inside her dark room, Natalie lifted her hair up, motioning to the zipper running down her back. Dash was more than happy to oblige, and in seconds her white sleeveless sheath dress fell to the floor. 

 

“While I’m back here…” he said, nuzzling her neck as he fingered the hooks on her bra. 

 

A beat later, her bra joined the dress at their feet. Natalie turned to face him, her hands immediately working the buttons of his shirt. Dash surprised her, pressing his hands to hers and halting her actions. The sigh he released sent ripples of concern through her.

 

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

 

“As much as I don’t want to, I’m gonna tuck you into bed, alone, and go back to the casita.”

​

A smile the size of his home state broke across her lips.

 

”Dash Benning, you are way more of a traditionalist that you give yourself credit for.”

 

Natalie pulled her favorite oversized t-shirt over her head and ducked into the bathroom for a few minutes. She returned to find a fully dressed Dash lying on the bed, the letter from her mother resting on her pillow. Her chest tightened with fear and anticipation as he patted the spot beside him. Natalie curled up next to him, her hand shaking as she opened the envelope. She started to pull the letter into view, but stopped and held it out to him.

 

"Will you do it, please?"  

 

Dash nodded and pulled the letter from the envelope. He unfolded it and silently read the first few lines.

 

"Houston, I think we have a problem."

 

"What?" she asked, scanning his eyes for a clue.

 

"It's written in your mother's native tongue. My grasp of French is limited to fries, champagne, and kissing." He handed the letter back. "And even if I could read this, I wouldn't."

 

"Why not?"

 

"I think it's best that you and your mom had some one-on-one time."

 

"But—" Natalie began.

 

"Your mother's waited a long time to talk to you. And I think it's best she has you all to herself. Now tell me you love me and say good-night."

 

“I love you.”

 

“And I love you. I’ve never said those words to another woman in my life. Forty plus years, woman. You were certainly worth the wait.”

 

Dash held her face, kissing her in that same dangerous way that made a piece of her heart fall away on a quiet London street. He stood and walked to the door of her bedroom, turning back one last time.

 

"Good-night, Ms. Earhart." He winked.

 

"Good-night, Mr. Crown." She smiled, blowing him a kiss.

 

Dash tiptoed out of her room, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the letter. Without reading it, she flipped to the last page—and her mother's closing. Seeing Mom there immediately brought tears. She returned to page one and began reading.

 

***

 

My Angel Girl,

​

It's hard to believe that I'm sitting here, watching you while you sleep, and you are two weeks away from your birthday. Yet, when you read this, it will be with the eyes of a woman. Seeing you here in your bed, with that gorgeous hair fanned out across your pillow—what a vision you are! And how did you get so big? You're so long! I remember the first night you slept in this bed. Your father was so worried that you would get lost. You were this tiny thing floating in a sea of pillows and stuffed animals. And now here you are, my beautiful girl, all grown up and about to start a new chapter in her life. I know that as I write this, somewhere in the world is someone who is already dreaming of you. Someone who will grow up to make all your dreams come true.

​

When your father spoke to me that first time, I knew. There was no hesitation. Our eyes met and it was over. We were lucky. We didn't have to work at it. It just was. And it still is. After all this time, when he looks at me, it's still with those same eyes full of brand new love. Your father is my tall, thoughtful horseman. He's the jovial storyteller to the world, but deep inside is another person. A person who's reserved for me. And it's with his quiet love I know I can make it through the day. With one look or one touch, he sends me back to that very first day. He makes me laugh, and sometimes he makes me cry. But above everything else, he makes me feel. To really love someone is to feel everything through that person—love, lust, joy, jealousy, disappointment, sorrow, fear. I pray that your special someone will make you feel in ways you never have before. When I feel lost, your father is my compass. When I feel tired, he is my pillow. When I feel thirsty, he waters my soul. These are my prayers and hopes for you, my darling—that the person you've pledged your life to will water your soul everyday.

​

I want you to know that I am with you always—especially on your wedding day. Wherever you are—whether on a beach or mountaintop, standing in an English garden or on the steps of a cathedral—look up, and whatever you see, there I'll be. The sunshine on your face will be my smile. The clouds in the sky will be my prayers. The wind in your hair will be my arms around you. And should the sky turn dark and begin to rain, keep smiling, my precious girl, because those will be my tears of joy.

​

I love you more than you will ever know. How blessed I have been to hear you call me mother. To feel your tiny arms around my neck. To taste your sweet baby kisses. To know that despite what the world thinks of me, that you love me no matter what. The joy you have brought to me and to your father cannot be written, cannot be sung, cannot be expressed with words of any kind. Your joy is a life force for which there is no description. You exist, and therefore I am filled with immeasurable joy.

​

I read a poem many years ago about mothers. The first line began with the words, "Precious is she that gives life, not once but a thousand times." I think about these words every time I look at you. I may have brought you into this world, but you have given me life a thousand times over. Every kiss, every smile, every tear, every frown, every secret, every laugh, every dream...everything. And now you will share all the things I hold so dear with someone who I pray will love you as deeply as I.

​

Enjoy every precious moment of your new life. And if your father is by your side, give his hand a squeeze and whisper these words for me: Today. Tomorrow. Always.

​

All the love I can give,

Mom

 

***

 

While the average bride gets around five hours of sleep the night before her big day, Natalie surprised everyone, herself included, by pulling in a full eight hours in her childhood bedroom. After crying through her mother’s letter, she’d tiptoed back downstairs and grabbed an ice pack from the freezer. Waking up swollen and splotchy was not an option. She pulled up her favorite true crime podcast on her phone and had fallen asleep in record time. 

 

Natalie listened to the activity happening downstairs. The opening and closing of cabinets. Duke jumping around, his nails clicking on the hardwood floors. The whistle of a tea kettle. 

 

Kate’s up.

 

She checked her phone and found a dozen texts from friends and colleagues, sending best wishes. Noah sent a gif—a scene from Jim and Pam’s wedding from The Office. Her wedding planner, Eliza, texted an update. She and her team would be arriving in a few hours and so far, no hiccups of any kind. No message from Dash though, which wasn’t surprising. The man was not big on texting. 

 

Natalie slipped into the bathroom. When she returned, she found Kate in her bed, all fresh faced and clear eyed as though she'd spent the prior evening at a church social. 

 

“Not sure if you’ve heard, but there’s this little thing called a wedding happening tonight.” Kate said. “Are you planning to join the rest of us anytime soon? Colt’s about to fire up the Blackstone. He’s promised the grandest brunch of our lives.”

 

“A little faith, please? I budgeted time for all events down to the nanosecond, and that included my sleep schedule,” Natalie reassured her. “I also hired one of the best wedding planners in Nashville, which means if I’m relaxed, you can relax. Is Dad up?”

 

“What do you think? Colt and I heard him open up the main barn doors at the crack of dawn. I hope you budgeted a nap for him, otherwise he won’t last the night.”

 

“Any sign of Dash?”

 

“As a matter of fact, yes. The groom was waiting outside our bedroom door this morning. He asked that I give you this.”

 

Kate reached behind her back then brought a tiny white gift bag into view. Tissue paper embossed with a lace pattern peeked out from the top. 

 

“I made him swear not to buy me anything for today. He promised he wouldn’t,” Natalie huffed.

 

“Well, he lied. And shame on you for thinking he’d keep that promise in the first place. And based on the size and weight of this bag, he dropped some coin. ”

 

“It might be something silly, like breath spray. Do you know what it is?” 

 

“I do not. There’s a card inside and he said to read it first. If you want some privacy, I’ll—”

 

She shot Kate a hard look. “Don’t even think about it. Shove over.”

 

Natalie climbed back in bed. She removed the tissue and reached inside the bag. Her fingers brushed against one small box and one envelope. Natalie opened the card first. The cartoon drawing on the front made her laugh—two horses, dressed as a bride and groom, tethered to a fence post. Below it, the words Gettin’ hitched! Her heartbeat shot from a trot to a gallop as she read his inside message aloud.

 

Amelia,

I always thought the “something blue” part was tricky, until I saw these. 

I’m counting the minutes,

Thomas

 

Natalie looked at Kate, her eyes wide with curiosity and excitement. She tore through the wrapping paper on the small box, shrieking with delight when she discovered it held the last thing ever she expected: sapphire and diamond earrings. She immediately burst into tears.

 

Kate wrapped her in a tight hug, rocking her gently back and forth. “Sorry, but I had to lie too. Dash made me promise.”

 

No matter the occasion, their mother wore sapphire and diamond stud earrings. Her signature jewels, which had once belonged to their grandmother. She’d lost one after chaperoning a school field trip to the zoo when Natalie had been in third grade. The lone stud had lived alone inside her jewelry box ever since. Foster begged her to have it made into a ring or pendant, but it never happened.

 

“I’ve looked at them for months, and I can’t tell which one is Mom’s original. The jewelry designer Dash found did a fabulous job.”

 

“I can’t believe he did this,” Natalie whispered, touching each stone with the tip of her finger. 

 

“You’ve got a good one, Nat.”

​

***

 

Dash tucked his shirt into his suit pants, the countdown clock ticking with less than an hour until go-time. His Best Men, Colt and Cecil, had showered, dressed, and headed up to the main house a half-hour earlier, leaving Dash alone with his thoughts. From the bedroom window, he had a great view of the barn. A small crowd had already gathered for pregame hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Soon, they’d make the short walk down to the river, to the exact spot where the Powell family portrait had been taken. In front of a hundred and fifty-ish guests, Judge McBride would perform a second Powell wedding, making Dash the happiest man alive.

​

"Dash!" Miranda’s voice echoed throughout the empty casita.  

 

"Come on in," he hollered back. 

 

He pulled on his jacket and took another look in the mirror over the dresser. The navy suit fit him like a second skin, and the color, as usual, made his blue eyes pop. He made one final adjustment to his tie. Miranda stuck her head into the bedroom. She gave a whistle of approval when their eyes met. 

 

“Paul Newman’s got nothin’ on you, hon. When Natalie sees you, she’s gonna melt.” She shook her head. 

 

Miranda should talk. Dressed in a long flowing gown in the most amazing shade of periwinkle, she looked years younger than her real age. Her hair, a classic bob, was styled in waves instead of her signature sleek do. 

 

“Me? What about you? You look stunning. We’ll have to put a choke chain on Cecil to keep him off you.”

 

Miranda laughed. “I seriously doubt that, unless he gets into the bourbon. Bourbon makes him frisky. Now, Colt said you needed help. What can I do?”

 

Dash made a motion with his hand. Miranda followed him back into the living area. “I have this box and I can’t get it open.”

 

“A box of what?” she asked. “And you better not say condoms.”

 

From a duffle bag on the coffee table, he pulled out a gift box, wrapped in white paper and tied with pale pink ribbon. He blew out a breath, determined to make it through his speech without breaking down. He’d made several attempts at writing her a heartfelt letter, but couldn’t organize his thoughts to convey a strong enough message. Like the vows he’d soon say in person at the ceremony, he wanted to look into Miranda’s eyes and speak from the heart.  

Based on her expression, one that had gone from carefree to cautious in less than two seconds, Miranda gave her head a vigorous shake to keep her emotions at bay. She pointed at Dash with a firm finger, her eyes welling up.

 

"I know that when you pictured yourself as Mother of the Groom, you..." his voice trailed off, completely overcome with emotion for his surrogate mom. “I wish it could be Eli standing here with you.”

 

"Honey, stop..." she pleaded, her bottom lip quivering.

 

Dash swallowed hard then took Miranda in his arms. He held her for several moments as tears tumbled from his eyes.

The rest of the words he'd planned to share would have to wait for another time. He was lucky to get out the few he had.

"I can promise you this. I may not be your son...but I love you as if I were." 

​

***

​

Noah stood behind Natalie, carefully adjusting the train of her gown.

​

"I know Randy Fenoli is a genius designer and a gay icon, but I'm not sure about this." He stood back and studied the dress with discernment. "I feel like the bodice should have been cut a little longer in the back. There's this tiny little pucker of silk..." He smoothed his hand across the fabric.

 

"Noah, it's fine." Natalie swatted his hand away.

 

She turned and gazed out the window. Mother Nature had delivered in full. Clear skies all day. And now, the sun began its descent. Golden Hour. Natalie thought of the letter and her mother’s secret code.

 

I’m smiling too, Mom. I know you’re right here with us.

 

Natalie touched her earlobes, double checking that her earrings were securely in place. The wedding planner, Eliza, popped in with an update and time check. Guests were seated. Candles had been lit. Musicians, tuned and ready. They’d need to be in the bus driving down to the ceremony in five minutes.

 

”Your father’s outside, ready and waiting, and the photographer is in place to capture his first look. We’re ready when you are,” Eliza said, passing Natalie her bouquet before exiting the room.

 

Natalie’s gaze bounced between Kate and Noah. Her sister and her best friend. Their faces glowing with hope and happiness. She hadn’t prepared anything, wanting to keep it light and her makeup intact. In truth, she didn’t trust herself. One emotion-filled word and her face would morph into Niagara Falls.

 

“Lady and gentleman, let’s do the damn thing.” She raised her bouquet and struck a triumphant pose. 

 

Eliza whispered something into her headset. The front door opened. Natalie stepped carefully across the threshold, Noah and Kate right behind her, each with a section of her dress in hand. When her eyes met Foster’s, the old man brought one hand to his mouth, his eyes wet with tears. Rapid shutter fire from the photographer's camera popped like tiny firecrackers. The videographer circled them as they walked toward each other. 

 

“You look so handsome.” Natalie’s voice cracked.

 

"Oh, sweetheart, you are beyond words. You in that dress..." 

 

"What? This old thing?" She flashed a wide grin, turning a little from side to side.

 

"Darling, the only old thing that'll be hanging on you this evening is me."

 

He brushed her cheek with a light kiss. The photographer took several more candid shots, then a few posed pics with Kate and Noah.

 

“Did you see Dash?” Natalie asked.

 

"Yes, I've just come from the casita. All of them are walking a hole in the hardwood floors. Nothing but constant pacing. I offered to fix them a drink, but they refused."

 

"Sure, get the groom and the best men all liquored up before the ceremony," Kate rolled her eyes.

 

"It was only a nip to calm the nerves," Foster assured them.

 

"What about me? The Gay of Honor? I'm a nervous wreck yet no one's offered me a drop. I mean, I know we had mimosas at brunch but that hardly counts."

 

"I bet you're packing, aren't you?" Natalie held out her hand to her father. "Come on. Give it up."

Reluctantly, Foster rolled his eyes, reached inside his pocket, and pulled out a small, silver flask. Natalie took it from him, examining the neat monogram engraved on one side.

 

"Well, at least you went with something classy."

 

"I'll take that, thank you." Noah swiped the flask and tucked it into his breast pocket. "If you're a good boy, you can have it back at the reception." Noah informed him. "Of course I'll have to refill it first..."

 

"I'm not arguing." Foster put up his hands in a show of surrender.

 

Eliza stepped forward. “Natalie, it’s time.”

 

The woman motioned to the bus driver—a different bus and driver from the night before. A white bus this time, with equally dark windows but an overall classier vibe. Everyone assisted in getting Natalie up the stairs and settled. Noah pulled the flask from his jacket and passed it around. They drove past the barn, which had taken on a completely different look since Natalie had checked on everything a few hours before. Round tables, dressed and ready. Live band, equipment in place. Award-winning barbeque cook-off team, hard at work.

 

Foster's arm circled Natalie’s waist. “It’s beautiful, sweetheart. I’d say we're in serious trouble.”

​

“How so?” She locked on his eyes with a confused look.

 

”Do you know how many people are gonna ask to use this barn for their events now? I can train horses or host weddings, but I’m too old to do both.”

 

”I can’t thank you enough, Pop. You’ve given me the wedding of my dreams. Dash and I are so grateful.”

 

“I love you so much, honey.” He touched her earring.

 

"I love you too," she said, blinking back tears. "Today, tomorrow, and always."

​

***

​

It was almost midnight when the bride and groom made their exit. The reception was even more perfect than anyone envisioned, save the moment Natalie got tangled in her dress, lost her balance, and fell against the gift table, sending a large floral arrangement crashing to the ground. 

​

Not a dry eye could be found during Foster’s and Natalie's father-daughter dance. Dash and Miranda joined them, her eyes sparkling as brightly as Dash’s gift to her–the new diamond pendant hanging around her neck. But the true highlight occurred when Dash and Natalie took the floor for the first time as husband and wife. There wasn’t a tune that qualified as their song. Sure, they’d listened to plenty of Willie the night they met, but no song seemed to fit the First Dance bill. Colt asked if he might make a secret selection. For months the wedding party wondered, speculated, and begged to know. Suggestions were made but Colt remained tight-lipped about his choice. Even Kate had no idea. To everyone's delight and surprise, the band leader handed Colt a microphone as he stepped up on the small stage. A few chords in, the crowd began to howl. Dash and Natalie's first twirl as husband and wife was a shoeless Texas Two-Step as the Best Man serenaded them with a pitch perfect rendition of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire.

​

Bucking tradition, Natalie asked that all single men join her for the bouquet toss. Noah shrieked when Blaine’s long, muscular arm shot up and snagged it from the air. Applause thundered, followed by an uproar of laughter when Blaine dropped to one knee, but only to adjust his shoelace. Noah stomped away, playing the role of wounded lover, but only for a few seconds. He turned back and jumped into Blaine’s arms. Everyone cheered.  

​

The party continued while Dash and Natalie slipped away to change clothes. When they returned to the barn, their guests were lined up, sparklers in hand, ready for the big send off. Dash took Natalie’s hand and they walked through their guests, an excited Duke barking loudly, right on their heels. After a dramatic dip and one final kiss for the photographer, they piled into the back of a long, white limousine. Foster made one last tearful goodbye before the driver closed the door and drove away. Bride and groom rode in silence for a minute, needing to catch their collective breaths.

 

"Wanna know a secret?" Dash asked.

 

"Always."

 

Taking her hand, he rubbed the gorgeous diamond on her finger with his thumb. "Not to brag, but I've pulled off the greatest heist in history," he whispered.

 

"And how's that, Mr. Crown?"

 

"I've convinced the most beautiful woman in the world to wear this ring and be mine for the rest of my life." He took her hand and kissed each fingertip. His lips traveled up the length of her arm, to her chest and neck.

 

"Dash, we're in a limo!" She squirmed, eyes locked on the faint outline of the driver's head, hidden behind a window of tinted glass.

 

"Isn't it great? So much roomier than my car."

 

A knock came from the front window of the limo. Dash pulled back and smiled, holding her gaze as he pressed the intercom button on the door.

 

"Yes?" Dash said.

 

"A gentleman left something for the two of you in the bar cabinet," the driver responded.

 

"Thank you," he answered. 

 

Dash slid the door to the bar cabinet open. There sat a neatly wrapped box. He lifted it, surprised by its weight, and handed the gift to Natalie.

 

“It better not be from your father. He's already done too much."

 

“It’s probably from Noah and Blaine. It would be just like them to hide a gift for us in here.”

 

"Whatever it is, it weighs a ton," Dash remarked.

 

Natalie slipped the card from under the bow and read it out loud.

 

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Benning,

​

Good God, seeing that in print is some crazy shit. I want you to know how happy I am for both of you. I wish you nothing but the happiest days to come. I realize there's nothing I could possibly buy you that you don't already have or can't get on your own. So, I decided to go the sentimental route with a little help from my favorite artist. A lot of help, actually. Hell, she did all the work, but the whole thing was my idea.

​

Colt

 

"He certainly has a way with words, doesn't he?" Natalie teased.

 

"Let's see where the sentimental route led him." Dash pulled the bow off the box and opened the lid. Inside they found a sculpture of a fox and a rabbit standing hand in hand, dressed in their gala best, gazing at one another with complete affection.

 

"They're so human-like. How does she do it?" Natalie asked, inspecting every tiny, impeccable detail. "If it wasn't so damn heavy, we could have had this on top of our wedding cake."

 

Dash examined the piece. "That sister of yours is something else." 

 

"As is your step-brother," she added.

 

Dash looked into the eyes of his beautiful, loving wife. No matter the role, she was always engaging and exciting. And now she shined as his bride. Their journey had been anything but smooth sailing. The twists and turns that penned their story had been unexpected and at times, painful. Yet somehow, miraculously, they'd found happiness. Miranda's eloquent words reverberated in his head, still every bit as powerful as the day she'd spoken them.

​

The universe keeps pushing the two of us back together. And when the universe deems it to be so...

​

Only one woman had ever completely captured him. Her eyes, her voice, her smile. A thousand little pieces of perfection. A thousand little whispers of love. It didn't matter what the universe offered up...he'd always come back home.

 

To her.

 

To Natalie.

​

​

​***

 

I hope you enjoyed this bonus chapter. Dash & Nat forever!

(and maybe one day, I'll expand this to a series, with stories about Kate/Colt, Miranda/Cecil, and Noah/Blaine)

 

I'd be super grateful if you could take a moment and leave an online

rating/review of UNMASKING MR. CROWN. 

Reviews are a valuable tool and truly help boost an author's signal.

​

Thanks for reading!

Suzy