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“Cross your legs, and hope for the best.”
A chuckle rose from the back of my throat. “Is that what you did?”
“Something like that.” She turned toward me. “But seriously, you have nothing to be nervous about. I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised by everyone’s reactions. So get ready for some praise and some commissions because everyone is going to want a piece from you.”
“You have very high expectations and are giving me far too much credit.”
“No, I’m giving you the credit you deserve, and I’m hoping you will realize that and accept it. This is your moment. Take it in.”
Albert stood at the edge of the display, his hand holding a corner of the tarp. “I guess you’re all here,” he said. “Might as well show this thing.”
A man of few words. I stepped forward. “I think what Albert is trying to say is thank you everyone for being here today. He appreciates it.”
“That’s not what I was trying to say,” Albert said.
I shook my head and stepped toward Albert to stand beside him. He held a piece of the tarp out to me, and I took hold of it.
“On three,” he said.
The entire crowd yelled out, “Three! Two! One!” Albert and I yanked the tarp, revealing the Halloween tree and all the accompanying scarecrows. Delighted gasps sounded from every direction.
“Wow!” Gio’s little voice carried over the crowd. “That’s awesome!”
Warmth spread through my heart. I loved that kid so damn much.
“Sure is, buddy,” Franc said, and I didn’t want to admit Franc’s approval meant more to me than just about anything else.
“I made the scarecrows,” Albert said. “But the rest of the display wouldn’t have been possible without the talents of Nero Grasso.”
“What?” echoed around the crowd in a range of voices, and I swear it was every person from my family. I scanned the crowd, noticing the shock on each one of their faces, but then I watched the shock turn into awe. The awe turned into joy.
“Honey,” Mom said, her hands steepled under her chin. “I had no idea how talented you are.” She turned to Dad. “Did you?”
“He’s talented in many things, but metalwork. No. I had no clue,” Dad said.
Laurent and Franc stepped closer to the structure, admiring the little details I took pride in.
“Look at these welds,” Laurent said, and Franc bent down to get an even closer look. “Impressive, no?”
“Very.”
Chardonnay said something to Brady that caused him to roll his eyes and go in the other direction. Then Chardonnay was in front of me. She glanced at the piece, then back to me. “I’ve been wanting some sort of sculpture to put out on the main lawn of the vineyard. Think you’re up for it?”
Ideas immediately popped into my head, and my fingers itched to be back in my shop. “Absolutely.”
“Good. We’ll talk later. Stop by my office before your shift.” She headed to Phoebe, and I took a moment to take it all in.
Lanes squeezed my hand, and my heart nearly exploded out of my chest. I had my girl beside me and my family in awe of something I created. It was everything I had ever dreamed of and more.
There was just one thing left I had to do. I took Lanes in my arms and kissed her in front of the entire town. Cheers and applause erupted around us.
“Odette,” I said, finding her in the crowd. “Make sure you let everyone know this kiss was one hundred percent real, and I am in love with Lainey Burns.”
Lainey smiled, a pretty pink spreading across her cheeks. “And tell them I love Nero Francis Grasso and will always love him, even when he’s old and decrepit.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “You had to add that part, didn’t you?”
“I need everyone to know you are off the market indefinitely.”
I wrapped my arm around her and turned toward the display, the town, and my family. And for the first time in my life, I didn’t feel lost. I was exactly where I was meant to be.
