The Wedding Must Go On (11 page)

Greg stepped up to a fine muscled animal with a glossy black coat and equipment that pronounced him a stallion. His palms smoothed over the horse’s flank. ‘I’ll take this one.’

When all four were mounted, Marla said, ‘Greg and I thought we might take a ride on our own, if that’s okay.’

While Roxy exclaimed, ‘Of course that’s okay,’ Nate grinned and mentally punched the air at the same time Mr Glenrowan gave instructions to them all.

‘You’ll find canteens in your saddle bags. Compasses too. It’s a big place. Don’t stray too far. And, each couple—you keep close together.’

Fifteen minutes later, after a head-clearing stint, cantering over a dusty red flat, he and Roxy brought their horses up to a slight incline.

‘Where’d you learn to ride like that?’ he asked, resetting his hat on his head.

‘Pony club.’

‘You’ll have to show me your blue ribbon collection some time.’

Swaying in the saddle with the horse’s gait, she grinned. ‘I wasn’t that good, I’m afraid. I only took lessons over a couple of summer breaks.’

‘All you need now to really look the part is a pair of breeches and a dressage cap.’

‘Don’t forget the crop.’

‘You’d use a whip to get a horse to move?’

She arched a teasing brow. ‘I wasn’t thinking about the horse.’

While he laughed, a few clicks of her tongue had Roxy’s mount picking up pace and reaching the crest with his own steed close behind. Nate wasn’t normally one to gape, but the majestic scene spread out before them was one of the most breathtaking he’d ever seen.

Fields of wild flowers, interspersed with eucalypt woodland, stretched out, covering, it seemed, every square inch of land from east to west. Pinks, golden-yellows, intermingled with patches of snow-white. The carpets of blooms, swaying in a sleepy breeze, looked so soft and smelled so
fresh, both he and Roxy could only sit, speechless, and absorb one of nature’s most striking canvases.

When Roxy’s horse shook its head and blew a noisy breath out of her nostrils, still mesmerized, Roxy walked her mare down the slope and through the wide flowing river of petals. Overhead, Major Mitchell cockatoos squawked. With pink-tinged wings wide, they swooped before settling on tall branches to preen and flaunt their stunning crests.

He and Roxy stopped beneath the shade of a clump of trees. After dismounting, Nate made sure the horses were secure while Roxy roamed around, deep in thought as she ran her palms over a hundred different flower tops.

‘I thought the Outback was supposed to be all red dust and dry grass.’ Sighing, she surveyed the panorama, then lowered to flop back among the blooms. ‘It makes me want to try something different,’ she murmured, winding one arm around her head. ‘Become a photographer or, better yet, a painter.’

Lowering beside her, he broke the stem of a soft pink flower and drew lines up and down her nearest arm with the petals.

‘Or a florist,’ he said. ‘I do love a pretty bouquet.’

‘How about flowers in your hair?’

He threaded the stem behind her ear and, looking into his eyes as if she might see her reflection there, she touched the decoration.

‘My grandmother used to press flowers to keep the memories,’ she said.

‘That’s sweet.’ He pretended to clear his throat. ‘I’ve, er, never been into flower-pressing myself.’

She laughed. ‘Me neither. It seemed silly to try to keep your brightest memories alive by looking back on something
all shrivelled and drained of colour. But lying here now, I understand why she did it. It’s the connection … an association.’ As she gazed up at the sky her expression took on a faraway look. ‘Right now, it doesn’t seem silly at all.’

She casually lay out her hand for him to take. Holding his breath, Nate took a mental snapshot of her lying among the petals, that flower in her hair, and, with only a flicker of hesitation, he lay down beside her and twined her fingers with his.

O
N THEIR
way back, Roxy and Nate stopped to check out an old windmill and a run-down shepherd’s shack. They even enjoyed some Red Kangaroo spotting, staying well back and quiet while the roos lay sprawled beneath a tree, scratching themselves, or bounding off into a horizon that rippled with heat waves. Roxy had fed kangaroos in sanctuaries but seeing them looking so magnificent and at ease in their natural habitat was something she’d remember for ever.

When the sun blazed down almost perpendicular in the sky, they set their hats firmly on their heads, swung the horses around and cantered back. Later, as they were lashing reins over the homestead’s front rail and drinking from their canteens to appease dry throats, Greg and Marla appeared, rounding a verandah corner.

When Marla saw them, a glowing smile lit her face. Leaning in, she spoke quietly to Greg, who acknowledged them too, and together they moved to join their friends, arms slung around one another’s backs.

Nate spoke out of the side of his mouth. ‘Mission accomplished.’

Roxy’s chest tightened with relief and happy tears rose to sting her eyes. Seemed Nate was right. Those two truly
were
meant to be together, no matter what. They’d
overcome that social media gaffe—those questionable pictures that had cut Marla to her core—and now they looked set to ride off into the marital sunset. Of course, Marla would need a gown—
the
gown—and Greg would have regained the personal strength needed to get back on board the Sparks Martin Steel train. Roxy released the pent-up air from her lungs. She could hardly believe this crazy scheme had paid off and everyone would find a happy ending.

But then she edged a look Nate’s way and she held the spot where her stomach kicked. This short time spent here with him had made her feel so energized, different. Alive. And as he removed his Akubra and Frisbee-ed the black felt hat onto the verandah floorboards—with his strong bristled jaw thrust forward and a smile of victory lighting those incredible blue eyes—Roxy had to hold her jumping stomach again.

She’d gone into this plan reluctantly but also with blinkers removed. She’d known that, even when Nate felt so good pressed up against her, ultimately, succumbing completely to his charm would mean she’d pay a price one day. He’d made clear he wasn’t interested in developing their relationship past ‘fun’ and ‘now’. Problem was that being with Nate was
so
much fun, and not purely the sex, although that was stellar.

Riding beside him today—talking about each other’s respective businesses, then his sister’s plans for the anniversary party and onto how she’d always dreamed of having her own horse—she’d felt as if they
fitted
, like today’s dry breeze through those windmill blades, or that surprise field of flowers and their rich red soil.

She might not
want
to think that way—feel that strongly—but there it was. She’d like to believe she wouldn’t be upset if
he never called again. But in her heart she knew she would be hurt, and deeply.

Dragging her from those thoughts, Nate took her hand and together they mounted the steps to join their friends.

Greg nudged his chin at the horses, drinking their fill from a vintage water trough. ‘You really worked them.’

‘How did your ride go?’ Nate asked.

‘Fabulous.’ Marla caught Greg’s gaze. ‘But we’ve been back a while.’

‘Occupying yourselves how?’ Nate asked, without a hint of shame.

‘Talking.’ Greg studied Marla too. ‘Making plans.’

‘Or, more correctly,’ Marla said, ‘remaking them.’

Sensing the time was right, unable to hold the emotion back a second longer, Roxy came forward and flung her arms around her friend.

‘I’m so relieved you two are all sorted. I’ve felt sick about the whole thing, particularly bringing you here.’ Coming away, sighing, Roxy finished, ‘But it’s been worth it.’

Nate’s grin was ear to ear. ‘Hate to say it, but I told you so.’ He stuck out his hand for Greg to shake. ‘Congratulations—again.’

His brow furrowed, Greg studied Nate’s hand while Marla pressed her lips together and shifted her weight to the other leg as if she was uneasy. She said, ‘This isn’t quite what you think.’

Nate’s hand dropped. ‘You’ve made peace, right?’

‘Ready to exchange vows?’ Roxy asked.

‘We are back together—’ Greg combed his hair back ‘—but we’ve decided to put on the brakes and take things slowly.’

‘We’ve both had time to think,’ Marla added.

‘And we’ve talked a lot.’ Greg exhaled. ‘Thing is,
Marla still wants to go spend time with her brother in Los Angeles.’

‘And Greg needs time to take over the family firm.’

At Marla’s last remark, Nate’s spine straightened and his nostrils flared. ‘Take over? When did this happen?’

‘My father and I spoke day before yesterday,’ Greg said. ‘He could see how lethargic I’d been. He told me that I needed direction and that he’d been planning the big handover next year anyway.’

Nate’s chin lifted as he muttered, ‘Son of a gun.’

‘It feels right.’ Greg growled at himself. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t let you know straight out the gate.’

Examining the parched timber near his riding boots, Nate thought a moment before a genuine smile graced his face. ‘Like I said—’ he held out his hand again ‘—congratulations.’

While the men shook and clapped each other’s backs, Marla explained, ‘We figured we’d try a long-distance relationship. If we survive that, we’ll survive anything.’

Roxy wanted to be clear. ‘So, no wedding?’

Marla squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘But we do want to stay on here with you two. Have some fun. Build some memories.’

Thinking of the flower Nate had threaded in her hair, the one she’d slipped in her shirt pocket and had pressed against her heart, Roxy found a smile and nodded.

‘That’d be nice.’

It wasn’t until everyone had hugged that she thought again of that gown, the contest and how now there was no hope. And on the heels of that came another recollection. One that zoomed large in her mind and sent a shower of icicles sailing through her middle.

Her gaze shot to Nate at the same time he blinked, frowned and his gaze shot to her. Without asking, she knew
they were remembering the same conversation … his offer if all else failed … her acceptance if it should come to that.

To wear that gown herself and become Nate Sparks’s wife.

Visible through their bedroom window, grey clouds laced with black rolled and rumbled in from the east. Glenrowan Homestead was due one heck of an afternoon storm, albeit nothing compared to the one brewing here inside this room.

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ Roxy dropped her riding boots in a corner, then crossed to enter the attached bathroom. ‘Of course I won’t marry you.’ She closed the door.

Turning away from the sprawling view, he leaned against the window jamb, crossed his arms and spoke loud enough for her to hear.

‘We had a deal.’

‘I’m certain it wasn’t written in blood,’ she called back.

‘If that gown doesn’t make its walk down an aisle by the end of this month, any chance of you winning that contest is blown.’

‘I wouldn’t have won anyway.’ She emerged from the bathroom. ‘It wasn’t meant to be.’

‘You said the same about Greg and Marla.’ Moving towards her as she sat on the edge of the bed to remove her socks, he conceded, ‘They may not be exchanging rings but clearly they’re a couple again.’

‘A long-distance couple.’

‘Who will phone and visit and, some time down the line, I believe tie that knot.’

‘Because of that look they share?’ Socks off, she stood and set her hands on her hips. ‘That special ingredient.’

‘That’s right,’ he said simply.

‘But you and I don’t share that-that-that …
thing
, right?
Because if we did, you would never suggest we get married, however good the reason.’

Her beautiful mouth was tight, pressed from pink to almost white. She was upset and he wasn’t quite sure why. Their friends were reunited, although, no, not betrothed to be married again. But he’d stepped up to the plate to cover that contest problem with the gown. So why did she have her claws out? Wasn’t as if he was doing
himself
a favour, going through with his end of the bargain.

He’d try to be logical. ‘Roxy, someone needs to wear that gown in a wedding ceremony.’

She shook her head firmly. ‘Wouldn’t feel right.’

For Pete’s sake. ‘Forget about how it
feels
.’

Her jaw shifted a little and she sighed as if she’d never see another Christmas.

‘I can’t.’

Nate dragged a palm down his exasperated face. If
he
could think of this proposal in a purely pragmatic sense, surely she could. Certainly he didn’t want to be a married man, but this was for show, for a limited season only. As she bundled up some delicates he tried again.

‘The deal was we say the words and get an annulment.’ Then, like a godsend, a light bulb flashed. ‘In fact, what happens if we don’t sign any papers? Then it won’t be legal, binding.’
Genius
. ‘Is there anything in the contest about that?’

A little colour returned to her lips. ‘I’m not sure. I don’t think so.’

‘Then it’s problem solved.’

‘You really are a fix-it man,’ she said, but she didn’t sound as if she approved.

‘All I know is that I don’t give up easily.’

He’d seen what could happen if a man threw up his hands too soon. Bottom line, he wasn’t his father. He was
an achiever and, dammit, he was going to achieve and so was Roxy!

He thrust out his chest. ‘So, are you in or out?’

‘Out. And before you try to railroad me, just listen. Times are slow everywhere. To be honest, I was almost ready to close my doors, there were so many unpaid bills. But with Ava’s deposit I’m almost up to date. And I managed to speak to Cindy briefly before our ride. I didn’t want to tell you and jinx it, but she said she has another couple of ladies who are a bee’s knee from sliding across some cash.’

He found an impressed face. ‘That’s sound great.’

She nodded. ‘Being in the running was exciting, but the competition was
huge
. I was only ever chasing rainbows. You know that as well as I do.’

‘Frankly, I think you have a good chance.’

‘Thanks, but you know nothing about the industry.’

‘I know how that gown looked on you.’

The image he’d stored in his mind floated up … flowing satin, cinched waist, beading that glittered like diamonds and made her look like a queen. You
bet
he thought she had a good chance.

But her expression was resigned, almost a mask, while her shoulder gave a jerk. ‘Guess we’ll never know.’

‘You’re being stubborn.’

‘And you’re feeling as if you need to pay me back for coming here, doing this for our friends. But you don’t.’

He blinked and his arms unravelled. ‘You are coming with me to my parents’ anniversary do, aren’t you?’

He knew this …
affair
wasn’t meant to drag on. They weren’t on the road to getting anywhere near serious. But he thought they’d settled that question. She was going to the party. Hell, he was looking forward to walking in, having her on his arm.

Before she could answer, her cell perched on the dressing table buzzed. Surprised, Roxy crossed and collected the phone. She inspected the ID and a sunny smile spread across her face.

‘It’s Cindy. Probably to say she has those other deposits.’

Roxy chirped out a greeting and Nate watched on as she listened more and more intently. Then her face slipped like syrup off a plate and Nate’s midsection looped and tied in a double knot. When she turned as white as that china vase on the dresser, he held onto her shoulders for support.

Whatever the news, it wasn’t good.