Throughout that period, Lauren and John saw each other as much as time and distance allowed. It was apparent to anyone who spent any time with them that they were totally in love with one another.

Her parents were so thrilled that she’d met someone who “knocked her socks off and blew her away.”

On the first of July, Madison gave birth to a healthy ten-pound, three-ounce baby girl. Lauren was asked to be godmother to Julie Anne Murphy, named for the month of her birth.

On the Fourth of July, Fallen Springs had its annual parade. There were floats and beauty pageants, the high-school marching band belted out tune after tune, and many local businesses decorated fancy convertibles in which local beauty-pageant contestants who had qualified to enter the Miss North Carolina Pageant rode, on the backs of the cars. In their fancy dresses, they waved at the crowds gathered along the sidewalks. There were hot dog stands, burgers, Carolina barbecue, and roasted corn on the cob. Locals sold jams, jellies, pies, and cakes.

Lauren viewed all this and knew how lucky she was to live there and experience life in a small town. Later that night, they all watched the fireworks. Her parents, Mr. G, and Sandra Marie were there, too, as they’d all become like family. And, of course, John was there. She couldn’t remember ever being so happy. Her life was as close to perfect as could be.

Angela had called the day before, telling her that Mr. Giampalo’s biography would hit the stores in November, and preorders would most certainly guarantee this would be another best seller under her belt. Lauren kept this to herself because she didn’t want her news to overshadow the holiday and Madison’s giving birth to Julie.

Later that night, when she and John were alone, he asked her to marry him.

“You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Lauren. I don’t care where we marry or live; the details will work themselves out. I just want you. Forever and always.” It was so unexpected that she burst into happy tears and said yes so many times, he finally brought his mouth to hers to seal the deal.

He kissed her again, and she felt desire so strong, so intense, she’d didn’t think she could stand being away from this sexy, kind, perfect Mr. Hunk much longer.

She told him about the nickname she had bestowed on him when she had first seen him.

“And I remember thinking you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Though I didn’t have a nickname for you.”