make the decision to move back into your own house, or move away entirely.”
His eyes widened. “You’re shutting me out?”
“No, I’m asking for some space. If you can’t give me that, then, yes, we might have to consult our lawyers, and separate our business interests. But I don’t want to do that, Dad. Do you? I just want to be allowed to live my own life and make my own mistakes just like everyone else.”
He stared down at her for a long time, his face a mask of indecision, and slowly nodded.
“Okay. I’ll leave you in peace. Apologize to the Millers for me and call me when you get back.”
She went on tiptoe and kissed his averted cheek. “Take care, now. I love you, and love to everyone.”
He opened the car door and then swung around to look at her again. “I never wanted to hurt you, Silver. I’ve always tried to do what I thought was best for you.”
“I know that, Dad.” She risked a smile. “You haven’t even run off with all my money, which puts you right up there among stage parents.”
She surprised an answering smile out of him and he shook his head. “That’s my girl. Are you sure Ben Miller is the right guy for you?”
“Yes, Dad. I am. I love him very much.”
“Then that’s good.” He blew her a kiss, his voice shaking. “Speak to you soon.”
She stayed where she was, watching his car drive away, images of him laughing down at her in movie studios, arguing on her behalf, protecting her from the wrath of directors and fellow actors.... He’d done his best and she would always be grateful for that. But he needed to understand that things were changing, and he needed to find a new direction for his own life. Her mom would help him with that; Silver knew it in her soul.
“So, you love that Ben Miller guy, yeah?”
She swung around to see that Ben had emerged from the house and was leaning against the wall in the shadows. She walked toward him and stopped where she could still look up at him.
“Yes, I do love you. Is that okay?”
He reached out a hand and cupped her chin, his brown gaze serious. “You have to ask? I love you like crazy.”
She melted into his arms. “Then that’s definitely okay.”
He kissed her quickly and fiercely. “I don’t know how we’re going to make this work, but—”
She stopped his words with her mouth and he didn’t attempt to argue her out of it.
“Jeez!” She buried her face in Ben’s shoulder as Jeff Miller came through the door. “You’re worse than Adam and Lizzie!” He raised his eyebrows. “Are you coming, then?”
“Coming where?” Silver asked.
“Back to Pablo’s.” He winked at her. “He’s got a big plot of land that he’s more than willing to sell you so that you can build yourselves a decent house.”
“What?” Ben looked between the two of them. “What have you been up to?”
“You can’t expect a movie star to live in a hovel, Ben, so I had a chat with Pablo last night, and he’s got some land to show you.” Jeff started for his truck. “He also says that he might be willing to sell the whole place to you when he decides to retire.”
“What?” This time it was Silver who answered him. “Really? That’s fantastic!”
She turned back to Ben who had gone quiet and was staring at her in shock.
“That’s okay, isn’t it?” Silver asked. “Me being here with you—you managing the Gomez ranch—me running my production company and taking the occasional movie role?”
His smile came so slowly that she almost forgot to breathe.
“Did I ever tell you that you are amazing?”
“I don’t think you did,” Silver replied demurely. “But if you’d rather live in L.A.—”
She squeaked as he came in low, picked her up over his shoulder, one hand firmly placed on her butt, and headed after his father. Her life might be about to get way more complicated, but she wasn’t going to regret a single thing. She’d found a man who loved her as much as she loved him, a place where they could be together and a future.
What more could any world-famous movie star ask for?
Epilogue
“I think I look okay,” Silver said as she did a final twirl in front of the mirror. Her custom gown was pale blue with silver embroidery and made her look like an old-time movie star. She gazed regretfully at the sandwich on the table. “I can’t