Daylight, a Timeless Series Novel (40 page)

“Oh.”
Wedding stuff
…I cringed. I’d forgotten to go see Lilly after my dancing lesson. She was probably searching for me by now. She’d been a little testy lately. I got the impression she wanted the wedding to be as perfect as possible. Several times I’d had things taken away from me when I didn’t do it right, which was completely out of character for her. But we all dealt with stress differently.

The yellow truck stopped in the circle drive. A man with slicked back sandy-blond hair stepped out.

“Hey there, Danny-boy!” His Irish accent was thick. The man circled the truck as Daniel stood and shook his hand firmly. “And who might this be?” He winked.

“Cheyenne, Callon’s fiancé,” Daniel replied.

“Aye, so you’re the one, are you? I’m Ryan Campbell, It’s good to meet you finally. I’ve seen you hiding around and figured I’d meet you when I met you.” He gave a broad smile and looked towards the house. “Looks like the weather might just hold up for the next few days.” He turned back. “Is Lilly around? I have the things she asked for.”

“Sure, let me get her,” Daniel said and gave me a quick glance. He disappeared into the house
, and I inched closer to the truck, taking a peek in the back.

White canvas
and metal poles were rolled together, circular tables and white folding chairs were leaned up against the side. Boxes labeled
china, lights,
and
glasses
were pushed towards the back. Pillars and other miscellaneous things were piled together.

“It’s going to be a beautiful sight,” Ryan said thoughtfully. “Lilly described what she wanted it to look like.”

I looked up and smiled. Lilly had given me a few hints, but she wanted it to be a surprise.

“My family has served the O’Shea
’s for many generations,” Ryan said, “and we look forward to many more generations of Campbell’s continuing on.” He hesitated for a moment. “I’m glad Callon has found himself a bride. That there will be more O’Shea’s around in the future.”

“I’m glad he found me too,” I replied.
My life would have had a very different future if they hadn’t—a future that mostly likely would have involved Marcus.

The front door closed. Lilly
’s pace was brisk and her eyes focused on the truck’s contents. I moved back.

“Ryan
.” Lilly pulled him in for a hug. “I think you might have outdone yourself!”

Ryan blushed and shrugged. “Just doing what I was told, ma’am.”

“Let’s get this truck moved to the back of the manor to unload then, shall we?”

Ryan nodded and headed for the driver
’s door.

Lilly turned on me and looped her arm in mine
, guiding me back to the manor.

“You were supposed to come and find me, Cheyenne,” she reprimanded.

“Sorry, I got distracted.” I decided it best to keep my focus on the ground.

“I see.”

We paused at the front door.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I know that I’ve been a bit pushy the last few weeks. I hadn’t realized how bad I’ve been till Dex pointed it out to me. I didn’t mean to…”

I squeezed her hand.

“It’s okay, Lilly. I know you want to make the wedding as
special as possible.”

She shook her head. “No, it’s not the wedding plans that have me on edge.” She looked down, her eyes tearing up. “It’s Colt’s betrayal. I’ve just used the wedding as an excuse.” She pressed her eyes closed, her black hair falling into her face. “It’s so unlike him, so out of character
, that I’m still so shocked and angered by it.”

Now it was my turn to look away.

“I’ve known him since before he turned Timeless,” she whispered. “He was very different to Callon and Daniel—and not just physically, with his lighter hair. He had such an adventurous spirit. But he always put family first. He loved his brothers and his father more than anything.” She touched my cheek. “And I could tell he loved you just as much. I just can’t believe he’d…” She trailed off, and we stood in silence for a few moments. Memories of Colt teased at my mind, and I had to wipe a stray tear that had escaped. It all should have been so different…

The truck’s engine roared to life
, and Lilly pulled away.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” She wiped
her own tears from her cheeks. “We need to focus in on happy things, like your wedding.” She forced a smile. “Come on. I’ll have you work on a few small things, but you’re banned from going out the back terrace or peeking till the big day. Got that?”

I nodded
, and arm in arm again we entered the manor.

Tomorrow was the day
. June twenty-first, the day I would marry Callon. I started towards the terrace doors in my bedroom, only to stop. Lilly had asked me not to peek out onto the back terrace as they were setting things up. She wanted it to be a complete surprise.

I blew the hair out of my eyes. I’d been banished to my room now
that the final touches were being added. It was funny; whether it was in the cabin in Montana or here, it seemed I was always a prisoner of four walls. I’d gotten too used to my recent freedom, and now I was about to go stir crazy. No one could keep me company, either, because Lilly needed them to assist. Not even Callon could come because he and Dex were working out the final details for our security.

I returned to my pacing, my feet pa
dding on the wood and then carpet. I’d wear a hole in the carpet soon if time didn’t pass any faster. I’d already tried reading, listening to my iPod and even strummed a few notes on the guitar without success…my mind kept running to Colt when I should have been thinking of Callon.

I stopped and pressed my eyes closed for moment. My throat grew tight
, and pain knocked at my heart’s door again. If it had been anyone else, I’d have been upset and angered, but with Colt it was ten times worse. I’d given him my heart in the past, and he’d been careless, yet I’d forgiven him. I thought my heart was crushed forever when I watched him die, but then I found out he hadn’t. The hope I held on to shattered with his betrayal, destroying everything I believed in. This was beyond forgiveness.

He’d casually crushed each and every member of his family without a second thought, and we were expected to move on…

A soft knock at my door drew my attention. I wiped away the few tears that had fallen. I needed to be happy; my future was here with Callon, with my family.

“Come in,” I called.

Layla, Andre, Bree and Nakari entered, their brows moist with sweat. Apparently Lilly was working everyone hard. A twinge of guilt set in. I should have been helping too.

“It’s time to get
beautified, Cheyenne,” Bree beamed as she pushed past Andre and Nakari, carrying a basket of what appeared to be beauty supplies. “First up on the list is a pedicure and manicure.”

After hours of being alone with my own thoughts, I was grateful for the lighthearted
, happy conversation. Even Nakari seemed to be enjoying herself; there was a different side to her that I was finally seeing. A lighter, carefree side.

“Geez, Andre,” Nakari said with a twinkle in her eyes. “I’m
gonna need sandpaper for your heels! When was the last time you had a pedicure?”

Andre pulled her foot from the tub of water and splashed Nakari.

“I don’t recall asking for your opinion, Miss Still-Living-In-The-Seventies.” Andre crinkled her nose and then pointed to her toes. “I think blue polish is the
in
color for the season.”

Nakari snorted. “What would you know about
in
colors? The last time you painted your nails was back in 1950!”

Laughter broke out.

“Just because I don’t find it necessary, that doesn’t mean I don’t know fashion,” Andre replied. “I just choose not to voice my opinion all the time, unlike some people.” She stuck her tongue out.

“She’s only doing it now because of Maes,” Bree chimed in. “She wants to look good for her puppy.”

“Listen, Mrs. Daniel O’Shea-wanna-be, at least I know where I stand with my puppy,” Andre replied.

Bree narrowed her eyes.

“So you’re admitting you have a thing for the dog, huh?” Nakari’s green eyes lit up as she stopped scrubbing Andre’s feet.

“I’m admitting nothing. I just said I knew where I stood with him,” Andre replied and pretended to busy
herself with the bottle of polish.

Nakari and Bree giggled under their breath.

“Andre, the one who swore off all men…” Nakari trailed off.

I smiled. Andre was in deep with Maes
, whether she wanted to admit it or not.

“All done, Cheyenne,” Layla tapped my hand.

I took in my finger and toenails. They were the same blue of my dress, or at least close enough. It had been ages since I’d taken the time to paint my nails. I’d been too preoccupied with other things.

“Thank you, Layla,” I replied. “They’re lovely.”

Layla turned. “You’re up, Nakari,” she said, “Cheyenne needs her hair styled, and we all know you and Bree are the best. I’ll finish up old troll toes over here.”

“Hey now,
they’re
vintage
,” Andre replied with a small grin.

“This way.” Bree pointed to a chair they’d set up near a small table and mirror. Irons, pins, brushes and combs
had been carefully laid out, along with a good supply of makeup.

“Don’t worry.” She touched my shoulder while I sat. “We’ll make you look beautiful.”

I gave a faint smile, not knowing exactly what her words meant. Apparently I was a mess now.

My head was pulled from one side to the other as Nakari and Bree took turns curling, pinning and arranging my blond locks. Before I could catch a glimpse of what it looked like, they started with the makeup
, and it was easier just to keep my eyes closed. I knew I was finally done when I heard Lilly sigh.

“Oh, Cheyenne,” she beamed, “
you look stunning.”

I smiled and was about to look in the mirror when I was whisked away. It was time to put my dress on.

“Don’t worry,” Andre said. “You’ll get to see the whole package when we’re done.”

Carefully I undressed with their help so I didn’t mess up the creation they’d just completed. I stepped into the icy blue silk dress and waited patiently for them to help me get it all set into place.
I leaned on Andre and Bree while Layla and Nakari assisted with my strappy heels.

They all stepped back, warm smiles spreading
across their faces.

“Now you’re done,” Nakari said and pointed towards the mirror.

“We’re going to get ready ourselves, so stay put until Callon comes for you.” Lilly squeezed my hand. “We’ll see you in a bit.”

I watched them depart without looking into the mirror. I wanted to wait till I was alone to
see what they had done.

My breath caught when I finally saw my reflection. I didn’t recognize the woman before me. The dress was simple yet exquisite, regal yet refined. It had an empire waistline and a simple v-shaped halter. The bodice flowed seamlessly to the floor and hugged my shape just
right, giving the appearance I had curves. I turned to see the low cut back. The silk shimmered as the late afternoon light touched it.

When I finally looked up, I saw that they’d given me a partial up-do. Not a hair was out of place, each curl placed with care. My fingers grazed my neck
. They’d even left a few ringlets to dangle off my neckline.

I stood and stared at the stranger before me
, wondering how she’d gotten to this point, wondering how much she’d overcome. The journey had been long and hard—and was far from over, but she’d made it this far. Scratched and bruised, clawing her way to the light…she’d made it—barely.

A knock drew my attention
, and the door opened. A tall, dark figure loomed in the hallway, fingers grasping the doorknob, staring. Callon.

He stepped forward
, and my heart began to beat faster. I’d never seen him like this before, so breathtakingly handsome. He wore a black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt and white tie. His vest was the same color as my blue dress. He’d shaved, and his hair had been cut like Lilly threatened. He’d slicked it back with his natural waves showing their texture. His lips curled in a partial smile, and his eyes danced like I’d never seen before. The mixture of brown, green, and amber were spellbinding tonight. And he didn’t bother to hide his admiration of me.