but is also the bestest knitter. In fact, she’s my mentor at knitting club.” Skye might have been telling Orchid that, but she was really telling Mitzy’s family who were back in South Carolina, watching.
“Knitting club? Skye Jessamine knits?” Orchid’s fake smile dropped as plain old shock made her blurt that out.
“That’s right. I’d like to give a shout-out to Miss Winnie, Miss Ruby, Edie, Dare, and all my dear friends in knitting club.”
“What does she knit?” Orchid asked Trent, who suddenly looked a lot less shy.
His lips twitched and Skye prepared to put her hands over J.R.’s ears if necessary. “She’s gotten really good at it. Skye made her whole family scarves for Christmas. Let’s see, she’s also made some potholders, a couple of hats, and of course my favorite, the hammer warmer.”
Orchid blinked and wanted to ask more but the producer was moving them along. Marie Lockend was up next to interview; she was up for best director this year and that took precedent over hammer warmers.
Trent helped Mitzy and J.R. off the podium while Skye lifted her dress and stepped down. When she looked up, Marie winked at her. “Hammer warmer? I need more details.” Marie kissed her cheek, then stepped up to begin her interview.
Trent held out his arm for her and Skye laced her hand through his elbow to rest on his arm. She looked past Trent at Mitzy who’d dropped Trent’s arm and made a beeline for one of Hollywood’s hunkiest men.
“Hi, Blaze.” Skye waved to the hunk as she pulled out her cell phone and joined them. “This is my good friend, Miss Mitzy.”
“It’s good to meet you, Miss Mitzy,” the six-foot-six muscled action star said with a grin.
“Can I get a picture of you two?” Skye asked.
Blaze nodded and Mitzy flushed pink. “Do you have a heart condition?” Blaze asked.
“No, why?” Mitzy answered.
“Good.” Blaze grabbed Mitzy, bent her over his arm, and kissed her smack on the lips. Skye videoed it but by the explosion of flashes that went off, it hadn’t been necessary. That photo would be everywhere in minutes.
“Oh my,” Mitzy said, patting her hair once she was upright again. “Well, young man, I’ll knit you something for being so nice and have Skye send it to you.”
“Nice.” Blaze grinned and then looked over at the young actor who played a vampire in last year’s blockbuster and had been voted as having the sexiest eyes by the media. “Miss Mitzy’s knitting me something. Suck it up, vamp.”
Mr. Sexy Eyes, whose real name was Patrick and who would be her co-star in Gemma’s adaptation, joined them to say hello to everyone. Of course, he played it up when he turned to Miss Mitzy. Video cameras closed in on them as they quickly became the red carpet centerpiece. “Miss Mitzy, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Can you help Blaze and me with something?”
“Of course, young man,” Miss Mitzy said seriously.
Patrick pulled Mitzy close and she actually giggled right before he planted a kiss on her lips.
“So, tell the world who the better kisser is,” Patrick said with a wink after pulling back.
Mitzy smacked him playfully on the arm, but the smile on her face was something Skye would never forget. “I’d say it’s too close to call so we better try it again.”
Skye leaned over to Trent and whispered in his ear. “And just like that, America has a new Sweetheart.”
Epilogue
Spring, Shadows Landing . . .
Trent stood in front of the riverbank behind his house. An arch of pastel flowers was directly behind him as he watched Skye walk down the aisle between the rows of white chairs filled with friends and family. The assembly was a mix of Hollywood, Shadows Landing, and Keeneston. Trent couldn’t imagine anything better.
Skye met him by the arch. He didn’t even notice when her father put Skye’s hand in his. Trent’s eyes were only on his bride. Reverend Winston began the service, and before he knew it, Trent was kissing his bride. A camera flashed, but there were no paparazzi here tonight. They all thought Skye and Trent were off in Italy to get married, thanks to a body double seen boarding a private jet in Charleston and the reservation they’d made under a not-so-fake name at an Italian vineyard.
However, he and Skye had agreed to publish one photo. They put it up for auction. The site that bought the rights to the exclusive photo made the check out to the Daughters of Elizabeth charity