A Forever Masterpiece (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 3) (41 page)

Almost normal, anyway, but Hunter loved their version.

"All right. Prepare for takeoff." He started the plane, put the headset on, and waited for the cue.

Being behind the pilot's side of the plane was just what Hunter needed. With confidence, he eased the small aircraft in the air. He took a quick look at Becca to see her gazing back at him with a huge smile. "Feast your eyes on the view, angel. I'm waiting for the next Rebecca Beckman masterpiece." He smiled at his beautiful bride and focused back. The water below them changed to shades of red and orange as the sun sank lower. Deep reds filled the sky as the rays hit the clouds. Perfect.

"Do you feel free?" Becca asked. She didn't look at him. Hunter checked on her once again real quick to find her staring out the window.

"I feel very free. I didn't think this day would come." Hunter pulled on the yoke again, taking them higher. "That's one hell of a view, huh?"

"It sure is. It's almost magical. And our family is down there watching, enjoying every moment of this trip."

I love you, Becca."

"I love you, Hunter."

An hour later, Hunter landed. He and Becca stepped off the plane, both feeling the excitement and the rush.

Cheers from everyone awaited them as they ran off the small tarmac.

"I did it!" Hunter said proudly. "One by one, I'm getting my life back on track. Thank you all for your continuous support." He took Becca's hand and brought it to his lips. "Especially you. I vowed that one day I'd become the man you deserved and give you everything you want and need, but it's because of your love that I can keep working to be that man."

Becca's eyes watered. "You've always been that man. You just didn't see it before."

"This was the perfect idea to get married and take my first spin here on the island," Hunter said as he pressed a kiss to her hand again.

A place where so many memories were made. They lost so much here, but they also gained even more here. Hunter stared back at the waters and made another silent vow to treasure all he had in his life.

Epilogue

"You two need to get a room. Seriously," Shara teased. "Newlyweds. How long until this wears off?"

"Hey, at least you don't live with them," Jesse piped up. "Mom and I will go inside and there they are, kissing and looking all in love, like they're the only two in the world."

Becca and Hunter pulled apart, laughing. "You two need to be quiet."

"They do kiss a lot." Henry ran in between them. "But they're cool."

"See? Henry's sticking up for us." Becca laughed as she tapped his nose playfully.

"Only because we're in Hawaii." He stuck his tongue out at them.

"Gee, I see how it is." Hunter let go of Becca and chased Henry. They both laughed as Hunter picked him up and ran toward the waves in the ocean.

"This has been a great vacation. It's really cool that we all got to come with." Becca turned at the sound of her mother's voice. For the past seven months, she'd been so lucky to get to know the woman who'd given her a better chance at life. Ever since coming to live in the house built for her and Jesse, she'd been doing so much better. Sometimes her health and mental state still affected her, but Becca noted she wasn't as tired any more and she had a much better understanding between past and present. Finding answers did well for everyone.

They still hadn't found her sister, but from the sounds of it, she didn't want to be found. And in a few minutes, she'd meet her other brother for the first time. He returned from overseas a month ago and had contacted Jesse, wondering why their mother had been moved. Even though they'd been taken from their mother after her breakdown and the nearly fatal night their father's crimes exploded in their world, Jesse and his brother still kept in contact with Elizabeth. He'd been completely shocked to find out he had a sister and never remembered about her, but he was eager to meet Becca. They spoke on the phone a handful of times, the conversations awkward.

Hunter's PTSD had finally become manageable. Even with Sylvia and Vince's actions, Hunter's nightmares were very few and far in between, and he'd been working hard to get back to where he was so he could fly full time.

In just a little while, they were going to fulfill one of her dreams- to swim with the dolphins. It was so great to be able to take a family trip!

Sienna ran after Hunter and Henry, and the three splashed around in the waves at the shore. Beverly returned to their spot on the beach with Miranda. Eva went off to get a massage. Shara's sister Fern even came along.

Somehow, Becca and Hunter managed to put the past behind them. They had countless appointments with psychologists to help them cope with the mess of secrets that built up after twenty years. Amelia had visited when she came to Virginia to claim her daughter's body. She'd been extremely upset, but almost seemed thankful Sylvia's manic depressive cycles wouldn't hurt her any longer. Sylvia had been a very distraught person, even if a lot of it was all in her mind. They could have a sense of peace.

Henry struggled with his mother's loss. He even stopped talking for a short time, but Becca worked with him. She taught him sign language and made sure his teachers and counselors knew not to belittle him for his muteness. He picked up a little bit of interest in painting, but he preferred playing sports. He was good with his sister and, despite his traumatic year, was an outstanding kid. Becca loved motherhood, even though the kids weren't hers biologically. She made sure to honor the memory of Cherie and Kyle, so that their kids always knew they were loved by both sets of parents.

Elizabeth also loved having children nearby. Ever since moving, her ex-husband stopped making calls to her. Jesse checked on his status every so often to make sure he'd never get out of prison. Becca tried not to think about him or let what Vince said get to her. She wasn't and never would be anything like her father. Shara had been right. Months went by and the guilt eased, but sometimes, it still flared up. Time would heal her wounds, she hoped.

"You and I have a date soon, Mrs. Beckman." Hunter ran up to her soaking wet and picked her up. "We get to fulfill one of your dreams today."

"You're so cold!" Becca squealed, not caring a bit. She kissed her husband as he spun her around.

"He's here." Jesse held up his phone.

Hunter set Becca down.

"Ready to go meet your brother?" Elizabeth appeared very nervous.

Becca hugged her. "I'm ready, Mom." The word slipped from her lips normally, as if she'd always called her that.

Elizabeth kissed her cheek. "You called me Mom," she whispered, grasping Becca's hand.

"I did. I hope that's okay."

"Of course it is. I just didn't think I'd ever hear it."

A very tall man approached them, wearing a pair of black slacks and a long sleeved button down shirt. He wore a pair of expensive sunglasses over his eyes. That must be her brother. He seemed so out of place for a Hawaiian beach location.

"Elijah," Mom whispered, opening her arms for a hug. To see a tall man give such a hug to a fragile woman like Elizabeth was a little daunting.

"You look good, Mom. So much better than I've seen you in a long time." He let her go and faced Jesse. "Hey big brother." Another awkward hug exchanged.

Hunter stood beside Becca when her brother locked his gaze on her. He took his sunglasses off. "So you're my sister. I had to do a double take. You look so much like Mom."

"I-I get that a lot," Becca stammered. Elijah moved closer and pulled her in a hug. Slightly uncomfortable at first, she hesitated, but hugged him back.

"And you're my sister's husband, Hunter. Wow. When I heard this whole story, I couldn't believe it. I guess ... welcome to the family, huh? Hell, I don't know what to say here."

Hunter shook his hand. "I think we're all still adjusting."

Mom smiled. "You're just in time to join us. We're all about to go swim with the dolphins. It's one of Becca's dreams."

"Sounds good. I need to go change first, though." Elizabeth and Jesse followed Eli back to the resort.

"I always wondered what it would be like to have a brother," Hunter mused. "I guess in-laws will do the trick." He laughed. "Know what we'll need?"

"What's that?" Becca pulled him close.

"A painting of our next adventure." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "I'm excited."

"I am too."

Becca and Hunter strolled along the beach as they made their way back to Beverly, Todd, and the kids as they waited for her family to return. "I love that we get to do this as a family."

"Who's ready to swim with the dolphins?" Hunter asked fifteen minutes later, when everyone had returned. Choruses and cheers rang out.

"Always and forever?" he whispered to Becca just before they jumped into the water.

"Always and forever." She held out her thumb. They sealed their lifelong promise and went to live another dream.

About The Author

Books by Nikki Lynn Barrett

On The 12th Date Of Christmas

Tis The Season for Forgiving

A Masterpiece Unraveled

A Forever Masterpiece

The Melody In My Head

The Key To My Heart

Fallen Idol

If you enjoyed
The Masterpiece Trilogy
, check out a book in my other series, which is also a contemporary romantic suspense.
Fallen Idol
is the fourth book in the
Love and Music in Texas
series, but can also be read as a stand-alone.

Kyra Sanders had a promising career in country music in her teen years. She gained popularity and fame, riding high atop the the charts. Then one deadly accident changed things, sending her spiraling downward to the point she went into a hiatus from music.

Six years later, Kyra's making her return to the music scene. With an album in the works and a new song on the radio, her career is back on track, until a call from Texas with news of an accident forces her to halt her plans.

Matt Greer is working through the aftermath of his ex-wife's abandonment when she chose to leave him and their fourteen year old son to pursue her own musical dreams. He's had enough of troubled musicians and the havoc they bring to his life Kyra surprises him in a good way, but it doesn't mean he wants anything to do with a singer who comes to town with trouble on her trail.

It's hard to avoid each other in a small town, especially when their families are close. Matt should stay away from the woman who could lead danger right to their town, and it's possible she already has, but he can't help how drawn he becomes to her.

The sparks ignite, but danger lurks in the distance, only getting closer as time goes on. For two people who want different things out of life, it's possible to find healing together...

"I know it's a far cry from the parties you're used to." Matt leaned close to talk near her ear.

"That's a good thing," Kyra snapped, immediately regretting it. Was he going on his judgmental kick again?

"Kyra-" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I misjudge you once, and you always think that's what I'm doing?"

She was about to apologize when the song changed from an upbeat one to a slow country ballad. Kyra laughed. This was her song! "Seriously? Did you put them up to this?"

Matt shook his head. "Nope. I never suggested the music. But since this is your song, literally, I think we should dance." He held out a hand.

She stared down at it. "Are we supposed to dance?" So he knew her song. It surprised her, but made her feel good, too.

"Dancing is permitted. We're here to help out, and there's nothing that says we can't dance. Hey look, Blaine and Randy are out on the floor, too." He gestured. "Come on."

She stepped into his embrace and swayed to the music. Her music. This was a first. Kyra had never danced with a sexy man to her own song before. His arms tightened around her waist.

"So how old were you when this song came out?" Matt whispered in her ear.

"Sixteen," she replied, glancing around the room as they moved. A few yards away from them were Andrew and Daisy. So far, she'd handled the crowd pretty well. Good.

"Just two years older than Andrew is now, and you had multiple number ones already." Matt mused. "What's that like?"