When my publisher called to ask me about going on a book signing tour, I was hesitant to accept the offer. Since it also included several live radio appearances, I was even more skeptical. The book signing appearances paid very little, although travel and accommodation expenses were covered.
I wasn’t sure if I could handle being interviewed on live radio. I was certain I’d be at a loss for words or say something wrong or off-color. Sounding like a dumb-ass or getting embarrassed on the air were my worst nightmares. With the publisher tacking on more money for the radio appearances, I found it impossible to turn down his offer.
After discussing the situation with my grandfather and Cody, we came to agreement on my accepting the publisher’s offer. I could still manage the ranch by daily telephone conferences. I would schedule a nightly call for 8pm with J.D. and Cody. They would update me on everything that was happening at the Lazy K. Since I would only be gone for two weeks at a time, I could still keep up on the accounting and bills.
The tours went very smooth, at least enough to suit me. The daily book signings gave me a lot of chair time and allowed me to meet many of my fans. I made it through the radio talk shows without slipping up or making an ass out of myself. Often the interviews reached their limits of what the FCC would permit transmitted over the airwaves. Openly discussing sex over the air didn’t seem to bother me the least bit. All interviewers were cautioned against asking me about my personal sex life though. I was having a good time despite trouble sleeping and not eating properly.
A week back at the ranch in Colorado helped my physical well-being tremendously. Juanita was preparing foods especially for me. I couldn’t thank her enough for all her efforts. The Lazy K was running smoothly without my physical presence all the time.
During October, I’d spent time in Los Angles, San Francisco, New York and Miami. November had me in Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Tampa and New Orleans. I turned down Chicago and Dallas for obvious reasons.
With just two more cities to cover in December, I was glad the book signings and talk radio gigs were ending. With Seattle being the first of the two cities, I’d end the tour in Las Vegas. I’d be safely back at the ranch no later than December tenth.
With Seattle and its almost daily rains behind me, I caught a flight to Las Vegas. I was extremely tired from the rigorous schedule so I slept during most of the trip. It was December eighth, the first of two days in the gambling capital. I had three book signings scheduled, one right after the other. It took me most of the day to make it through the schedule. Returning to my room at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, I grabbed a quick nap before calling home.
Although I was tired, I was very upbeat about my last day on tour. It was a radio talk show stint broadcast live from the Mirage. All I had to do was make it through the early morning broadcast then catch a flight to Denver. The talk show would last for three hours with lots of banter and humor along with a call-in portion. Thank God for bottled water and aspirin! It kept my voice lubricated and my headaches under control.
The talk show started at 7am with me being introduced as the guest. One of the host, Carl Edwards, was an avid fan of mine. He asked numerous questions about my books and what was in store for the future. It was pretty much what I’d grown accustomed to being asked.
Chuck Reynolds, the other host delved into more personal matters, asking about my private life. He was pushing for intimate details about my sex life but I wasn’t going to accommodate him. His mention of my engagement ring infuriated me. My stern look and abrupt answer got him off the subject immediately.
Roni Daniels, the show’s only female host, opened up the telephone lines for call-in questions and comments. I didn’t realize I had so many fans wishing to pay me compliments on my writing. Glancing at my watch, I realized I had less than an hour to go.
“Thank God this is about over.” I thought, breathing a sigh of relief. “I can’t wait to get home.”
“We have a caller on line three!” Chuck Reynolds announced. “Please give us your first name and where you’re from.”
“Yeah. Hi! My name’s Wade.” The caller stated. “And, I’m from Fort Worth, Texas.”
“Ah! The Lone Star State!” Chuck chimed in. “What would you like to say or ask our guest, Michelle Gray?”
I panicked immediately, gesturing wildly with my hands for the call to be cut off. Chuck obviously noticed my gestures but he was intentionally ignoring them. He saw a chance to embarrass me and he was going to let it happen. Roni Daniels reached for the switch to cut off the phone call but Reynolds slapped her hand away.
“I’d just like to say that I still love her very much.” Wade stated.
“Sounds like you’re a real fan of Michelle’s books.” Chuck jested. “Or just a real fan of Michelle herself.”
“I’m her fiancée.” Wade declared. “I heard you ask about the engagement ring.”
“It’s a beautiful ring, Wade.” Chuck stated. “My compliments on your taste in diamonds.”
By this time, my panic had changed to feelings of distress. It was all I could do to keep the tears from flowing.
“Anything else you’d like to say to Michelle?” Reynolds asked, deliberately prolonging my agony.
“I’d like to ask Michelle to marry me right now.” Wade asserted. “I flew up here just to ask her.”
“Well folks, you heard it right here on live radio!” Reynolds shouted into his microphone. “All we need now is an answer from our gorgeous Ms. Gray!”
Of course, I had to say yes. Not because I wanted to avoid embarrassing Wade or myself by saying no but because I really wanted to marry him.
Chuck tried talking us into getting married the next morning during a live broadcast of the show but I wasn’t buying into it. My wedding ceremony with Wade would be private and small.
The radio show ended with a flurry of commercials and last minute quips from the two male hosts. Removing the headphones and setting them on the table in front of me, I saw Wade standing in the doorway to the broadcast area. He was wearing an expensive, tailored black suit. His familiar black western hat shaded his eyes but not the smile on his handsome face.
After a long and loving kiss, we left the Mirage. Wade had a white limousine waiting at the curb of the Mirage to whisk us away to a wedding chapel. We didn’t talk much during the brief ride except to say how much we loved each other. Our Lips were busy, pressed to each other’s.
By 1pm that afternoon, Wade and I were married. Being referred to as Mrs. Garrett would take a little getting used to. Adjusting to married life would be more difficult. I wouldn’t make the same mistakes I had with my first marriage.
Wade had booked a suite at the Mandalay Bay. It wasn’t the honeymoon suite but that didn’t matter. All we wanted was a quiet place to ourselves, some place where we could make love and plan out our future. The large hot tub was a plus. After having my luggage moved in with Wade’s, we were finally alone. Although I was tired, I couldn’t wait to make love to my new husband.
