She slapped him on the arm and moved to the refrigerator, pulling out two bottles of water. “It wasn’t about me. It was about this very talented man. Did you know they want to put him on a TV show? That’s right. He’s going to be a huge star.”

Warner took the bottle of water she offered him and opened it quickly. He had a hard time hearing people brag about him. It certainly wasn’t something he was used to.

“TV? That’s cool. Sell any of your songs yet?”

Warner swallowed the water he’d just taken in. “I’m hoping the TV show will help me do that. Though, I think if I could get someone to sign me I’d really like to do that more than sell my music.”

“Seems to me there’d be a lot more money in it.”

“I’m not in it for the money. I love music,” he said and by the look on Christian’s face he knew he understood doing something for the love of it.

“Did you know Warner has a degree in music? He’s a music teacher,” Clara added.

“Was.”

“Was, until Patricia Little got involved. But the point is Jeremy Smith wants you on TV and Savannah was there checking you out.”

Christian took a step closer to them. “Savannah? Savannah was there?”

Clara’s eyes widened. “She was. Oh, Chris, you should have seen her. She was dressed very common, but she has that hair, you know that massive hair! She’s so beautiful. But she was there with Jeremy Smith. She was there to see my Warner.”

“That’s cool, man.”

Warner shook his head. “I don’t know anything about her being there, but she’s looking for talent to open. We’ll see.”

“You’re so modest,” Clara looked at him. “Celebrate just a little. Tonight was a huge success.”

He supposed it was. He just didn’t like to get his hopes up. That was part of his plan in eloping. The sooner the better and for once he’d have something in his life cemented into place.

Warner watched Clara sleep peacefully in his arms as the breeze outside cast shadows on the wall in the moonlight. He was wise enough to absorb it all. Every moment was one to be cherished and he’d never forget this moment, or the moment her father gave him his blessing.

He understood that Carlos didn’t really know he was doing that, but it made Warner feel better.

“Clara,” he whispered as he brushed her hair from her face. “Are you awake?”

She stirred in his arms and slightly opened one eye. “Warner, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He smiled.

“What time is it?”

“Three.”

She sifted and opened both eyes slightly. “Why are you staring at me?”

“Because you’re beautiful.”

She let out a groan and tried to turn away, but he caught her chin with his finger and turned her back toward him.

“There is a flight for Vegas at ten. As of eleven last night there was still room on it.”

Her eyes opened further. “What are you talking about?”

“Let’s go to Vegas and we can be married by tonight. I don’t want to wait.”

He was comforted with the fact that she was smiling, but he could see it in her eyes. Clara still thought he was crazy.

She inched her body up on to her elbow and looked him in the eye. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Have you changed your mind?”

Her eyes softened. “No. I’ll never change my mind on you. I love you.”

Warner brushed her cheek with his thumb. “I love you too. I don’t want to wait the rest the week. Besides your father had a little talk with me and as much as he could, he gives his approval of me.”

Clara smiled widely. “I know he does. That means a lot.”

“So let’s go. I want to get married.”

In the dark her smile flashed white. “How can I possibly turn that down?”

***

Clara didn’t like not being up front with her family, but there was an excitement that buzzed through her like no other as she boarded the plane for Las Vegas.

They hadn’t gone back to sleep after Warner had awakened her with his thoughts on leaving right away. Luckily they had left the house before Christian had awakened. But, in true Keller tradition, because it was killing her more than anything, she left a note on the kitchen table.

Warner and I have left on a spontaneous vacation. We will be back on Thursday.

As the plane took off Clara rested her head on Warner’s shoulder. “I think this is the craziest, most exciting thing I’ve ever done.”

“Me too.”

“I’m scared to death.” She chuckled and Warner moved to look at her.

“Why?”

Clara sat up in her seat and interlaced her fingers with his. “This is forever. This isn’t just some funny vacation we’re taking. In a few hours I’ll be your wife and I just want to be the best wife any man could have.”

Warner smiled. “I can’t imagine you wouldn’t be.”

“Look, I’ve been around happily married people my whole life. Even when my parents were divorced they were nice to each other. My grandparents are in their nineties and they still hold hands and kiss. I’m worried that I’ll be too much work at some point and you won’t want to deal with that.”

“I seriously thought I’d be the one having second thoughts not you.”

“Oh, I’m not having second thoughts. I just want to be more to you than your mother was or than Patricia Little was. You deserve so much, Warner. I want to be the woman to give that to you.”

Warner touched her cheek. “You already are. Just the other day I was thinking about how wonderful it’ll be to have someone—always. You’re right. I’ve never had that. I suppose I should be the one warning you that maybe I’m high maintenance. Maybe I’ll be the one who feels like you’re in my way.” He let out a breath. “But know you’re not in my way.”

“I already know how you work.” She rested her head on his shoulder again. “I’ve seen you disappear when you have a song buzzing in your head. I’ve seen you go tyrant when you want something right. I think this TV show is going to bring out a beast in you no one has ever seen, and I’m ready for that.”

She felt him quake as if he were holding back tears. She gave him the moment to collect his dignity and didn’t look at him.