It Will Always Be You (Starlight Walk Series #1) by L.C. Zingera Read Free Book Online Page B

Thorne sat back and let her,
she’d been gracious enough to come here after his behavior last time.
    “Ladies and
gentlemen, thank you!”
    Once again,
tumultuous applause. Loretta waved her hand, quieting them, quickly they
obeyed, and silence reigned.
    “Many people
over the years have written to me, to tell me what this song has meant for
them. It marks some of the most special moments in many of our lives, and now,
I think it is time for me to tell you what it means to me,” she paused, drawing
in a slightly nervous breath. Thorne, along with every member of the audience
leaned forward in his seat. “It was written for me by a very special
songwriter, Ben Vasili, who was the love of my life and passed away not long
after it was written.” Loretta’s voice quivered slightly and she paused once
again as though struggling to regain her composure. A sympathetic sigh rolled
like a wave through the audience. Thorne felt his own throat tighten, what was
it about this woman that could evoke such emotion in her fans?
    “It is the song
that will always remain closest to my heart, it also launched my career. That
this very same song could launch Regan’s career too, has been an exceptional
blessing, she has become a very dear and valued friend. But…” she held up her
hand as the audience once again broke into enthusiastic applause for Regan. “It
was also on the very same day she sang this beautiful song, that Regan met
Thorne.”
    Loretta motioned
to Thorne, he’d completely lost control of his own show and he was loving it.
He obeyed the summons and walked forward; she took his hand and placed it in
Regan’s, smiling up at him. “The song brought them together. Ben would be
proud. Thorne loves you, Regan, do you love him?”
    Regan nodded
tearfully.
    “Then what are
you going to do about it?”
    The audience was
going wild. Regan’s eyes met Thorne’s. “I love you,” she whispered, her voice
echoing through the microphone and reverberating softly around the studio. The
audience quieted and waited in complete silence along with her for his response.
His heart was full, and he knew his eyes were filled with everything she hoped
to see mirrored there. But he didn’t say a word. He swallowed hard trying to
catch his breath but couldn’t seem to find his voice. She dropped down on one
knee.
    “Thorndike
Lundquist, will you marry me?”
    Now the audience
were crying and laughing and cheering him on Say yes! Say yes! Say yes! They
chanted over and over again.
    He expelled a
pent up breath, and with one humorous look at the audience and a glance at the
true lady that Loretta was, and had always been, Thorne finally allowed both
his gaze and his heart to connect with Regan’s.
    The cameras
zeroed in for the close-up.
    “Yes,” he said
softly. “I will marry you. I love you, Regan.”
    At last, as he
gathered Regan in his arms, with Loretta and his audience applauding, Thorne
understood the power that had made the great lady sing with such emotion that
she could touch the hearts of everyone who heard her. The love she spoke of,
between himself and Regan, she had once shared with Ben Vasili. But now Ben was
gone, and she only came alive when she sang his songs. Though now, even
Loretta’s gaze appeared alight with renewed life and emotion, as if admitting
the truth and telling her story had somehow set her emotions free.
    ***
    Vance was eyeing
Loretta speculatively as they exited the stage.
    “Forget it!” she
laughed playfully, as she caught his gaze and read his animated expression.
    “I was only
going to suggest dinner,” he said with a straight face, crossing his arms over
his chest, head on one side.
    “That’s all?”
    “For now,” he
conceded with a grin.
    In the
intervening years since she lost her great love, she had gained happiness only
from her songs and Rugly. Until she had heard Regan, and something inside her had
reawakened. The years melted away, and as she looked at Vance, she felt