If Cash thought the last few days were hectic, she hadn’t seen anything until she arrived at the Callahan house just before lunchtime on New Year’s Eve. It was D-day and all hands were on deck. Vanessa, the beautician from Griffith, had arrived yesterday evening and stayed at the farmhouse, so Cash hadn’t seen Linc since the day before yesterday. More than once she found herself shaking her head in dismay at finding herself pining over him. Yesterday he’d gone to a local cricket match and caught up with mates he hadn’t seen in a while, and while she was happy that he was having a good time, she was secretly counting up how many more days they had left together and doing her best to hold off the sadness.
The hairdresser had finished with Hadley and passed her along to Cash. There was no more time to dwell on anything other than making sure she did her bit to make this wedding day memorable.
Hadley was quieter than usual and Cash eyed her carefully as she applied foundation. ‘Everything okay?’ she asked quietly.
‘Yep,’ Hadley said brightly—too brightly, and Cash’s eyes narrowed slightly as she searched the other woman’s face. ‘It’s okay to be nervous if it’s just pre-wedding jitters.’ ‘Of course that’s what it is,’ Hadley said, looking Cash in the eye briefly. ‘What else would it be?’
‘I don’t know,’ Cash said, dabbing the foundation on her wrist as she blended it carefully before applying it. ‘But if it’s something else, you can talk to someone about it.’
‘It’s my wedding day … finally. I’ve been planning it forever. It’s just the normal jitters everyone gets. I’ll be fine.’
That sounded a lot like a self-pep talk to Cash, but she let it go—there was no point stressing the woman out more than she already was. Cash had done a lot of weddings in her time, and while most brides had a few nerves, there was also an underlying excitement. Cash didn’t detect any of the eagerness that usually went with the shaking hands and shallow breathing, and that concerned her a little. Still, it wasn’t her place to say anything. Maybe she could find Linc and ask him to have a talk to his sister.
It became something of a production line after that, with various bridesmaids and relatives slipping into the seat for Vanessa and Cash to work their magic. By the time Cash had finished, she only had twenty minutes to spare to get ready herself.
She’d brought along her clothes, anticipating she wasn’t going to have enough time to race home and get changed, and Lavinia had placed her things in one of the spare rooms at the rear of the house.
Cash smiled to herself as she made her way through the usually spotless house, now looking like a mini tornado had hit it. Clothing was draped over kitchen chairs, tulle seemed to be scattered throughout the huge open-plan family room. Suit coats hung on doorknobs along the hallway, and there was a general air of controlled chaos. It was contagious; Cash felt the excitement and nervous tension humming through her own body and it wasn’t even her wedding. She was still a little worried about Hadley, but surely someone else—Lavinia, Harmony, Olivia—would have picked up on it if it was a problem.
Cash hadn’t exactly been expecting to be invited to a wedding when she’d packed her bags to come out here, and she hadn’t had time to travel to Griffith to go clothes shopping, so after a quick call to Savannah the previous evening, she’d asked if she could borrow something from her friend’s wardrobe. She’d settled on a deep turquoise scoop-neck sleeveless cocktail dress, keeping it simple. She slipped her feet into her strappy heels, did a quick touch-up of her makeup and she was ready.
A low whistle from the doorway caught her unawares and she jumped at the sound, her heart thudding at the sight of Linc dressed in a suit.
‘You look …’ He paused, shaking his head a little. ‘Beautiful.’
‘You scrub up all right too,’ she managed, feeling ridiculously shy and tongue-tied. Denim was one thing … but in a suit his roguish, hard edge was only emphasised. Dear Lord. ‘Shouldn’t you already be down at the service?’
He stepped closer and slipped his hands onto her waist. ‘I haven’t been able to see you all day—I just wanted to make sure you were okay.’
‘It was pretty hectic, but we got through it,’ she told him wearily, allowing herself a moment to lean against him and breathe in his scent, which was, if she wasn’t mistaken, a very expensive brand of cologne. ‘You smell good,’ she said, grinning as she felt a slight shiver run through his body as she nuzzled her nose into his neck, enjoying the payback.
‘Groomsman gift,’ he said with a dry edge to his tone. ‘Old Mitch has good taste and clearly more money than he knows what to do with.’
‘Well, it’s certainly worth it. It’s making me want to do very bad things,’ she said, lowering her tone.
‘In that case, I better thank him then.’
‘But,’ she said, pulling away and smiling cheerfully, ‘we have a wedding to get to, so we better get moving.’
Linc gave a reluctant groan and hung his head. ‘They won’t miss us,’ he argued.
‘You’re the bride’s brother and a member of the bridal party … I’m pretty sure an odd number of groomsmen to bridemaids is going to stand out.’
‘Fine,’ he growled, ‘but the minute all this groomsman crap is done, we’re leaving the party, got it?’ He tugged her closer for a swift, commonsense-erasing, kiss, before setting her away from him again. ‘We’ve got some bad things that need to be done.’
Cash watched Linc as he headed down the hallway with his sure, purposeful stride and couldn’t help the grin she felt spreading wide across her face. Once outside, she walked down the red carpet that led towards the rows of seating placed in front of a raised platform. A beautifully decorated arch spanned the small stage, with gum leaves and native flowers woven into it to form a breathtaking centrepiece. Banksia, protea and flowering gum in deep shades of crimson decorated the aisles, and the sweeping landscape beyond them provided a stunning backdrop.
Her gaze swept over the men lined up in their black suits, making a rather impressive sight. She felt for them dressed in their heavy clothing, though; it was hot and although it was later in the afternoon, the sun still had a sting to it. Her eyes held Linc’s just a moment longer than was polite, and she bit back a smile at his knowing grin as it sent a wave of heat through her.
Lavinia looked her usual serene self, dressed in a soft musk lace dress and matching hat. Watching her now, you’d never suspect she’d been running about doing all the cooking and organising for Christmas and a wedding. Gran sat beside her, a contented smile hovering on her lips as she looked around at her clan. The rest of the Callahans took up the majority of the next few rows and Cash glanced across at the groom’s side to get a look at Mitch’s parents. His mother was a professor at the University of Sydney and his father was a doctor—Mitch, apparently, came from a very academic gene pool.
She looked around curiously searching for the famous guests everyone had been talking about and spotted a few familiar faces. You knew you were at a celebrity wedding when you could count at least one Stefanovic brother in the crowd. She noticed some prime-time celebrities, journalists who featured on prominent news programs and the odd TV presenter, most of them seated on Hadley’s side. A little buzz of excitement ran through her, despite herself.
As Cash found a seat on the bride’s side, towards the back, she glanced across at her neighbour, doing a double-take before gathering her wits and manners to smile politely and say a friendly hello. She was sitting next to Talitha Cummins. Thankfully she seemed used to having people react like idiots and graciously ignored Cash’s dumbfounded expression. They swapped small talk and within minutes Talitha had put Cash completely at ease. Cash wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but she felt stupid for assuming she’d be anything but a normal, down-to-earth person.
Music broke the gentle murmur of conversation between the waiting guests and all eyes turned to the procession of bridesmaids gliding elegantly down the aisle in dresses of varying shades of pink through to red. It made a stunning image as they lined up across from the men at the front of the platform.
Olivia stopped, taking her position as maid of honour, looking beautiful in a deep ruby dress that flowed about her legs and hugged her curves. She looked tiny compared to Harmony, who came to a stop beside her, looking tall and graceful in crimson. Cash saw her send a glance across at the men, smiling serenely before dropping her glance down to her bouquet as the music changed, announcing the arrival of the bride.
For a moment Cash continued to watch Harmony curiously. She saw her lift her gaze, but not to watch the bride coming down the aisle, as everyone else was doing, but to look at the groom. Maybe she was one of those people who liked to watch the groom’s expression as he watched the woman of his dream floating towards him. But Cash couldn’t quite interpret the look on Harmony’s face. Was she remembering her own wedding to Don? Her face held an almost wistful look, maybe even sad.
Cash’s attention was dragged from Harmony as Hadley neared and she felt her breath catch. She was stunning. Cash had never quite understood why people cried at weddings, but to her horror she discovered her eyes were beginning to prickle with tears. Hadley was an absolute vision. She wore a misty tulle strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline that was decorated with beads and flared into a soft swirl of skirt with a dropped waist. The way the material draped across her torso and hips made her look like a Hollywood starlet from the 1940s. Cash had seen Hadley’s hair earlier after the hairdresser had finished with her, but now, seeing everything come together, she couldn’t believe how perfectly the loose waves and curls suited the dress. She looked as through she’d stepped straight out of another place and time.
Robert was every ounce the chuffed father of the bride as he walked his daughter down the aisle, kissing her cheek tenderly before placing her hand in Mitch’s and heading back to sit beside his wife. Cash swallowed over the lump in her throat that came after watching Lavinia slip her hand through her husband’s arm and lean close, dabbing delicately at her eyes with a handkerchief.
The ceremony was brief and went off flawlessly. Within minutes, the vows had been read, rings exchanged, and the bride had been kissed. The Callahans beamed from the front row as they hugged their daughter and new son-in-law. The Samualses were a little more stand-offish but seemed happy nonetheless.
The groomsmen escorted the bridesmaids down the aisle. Cash noticed Griffin was paired with Olivia Dawson, while Harmony seemed a little flustered to be partnered with the rather handsome brother of the groom. She looked around for a glimpse of Don to gauge his reaction but couldn’t see him anywhere. No doubt he was taking an important business call somewhere. But it was Linc she feasted her eyes on. He had his head tilted slightly to listen to whatever the woman on his arm was saying, and Cash couldn’t drag her gaze away. She knew the bridesmaid was a cousin of Hadley’s, she’d had a brief conversation with her while doing her makeup earlier, and they made a striking couple. If she hadn’t known they were related, maybe she would have felt a little threatened by the sight of their heads close together. Then Linc lifted his gaze and found her, and she felt it touch her as though he were standing right there beside her. She could read the message loud and clear in his eyes. ‘I want you,’ it said, as clearly as if he’d spoken the words in her ear.
This was going to be the longest evening she’d ever had to endure.
After the ceremony, Cash followed the other guests as they moved towards the large shearing shed the Callahans had spent months readying for the occasion. She knew Lavinia had her doubts about holding the reception in the old building—it had been abandoned for years. However, Hadley had been determined. She saw a beauty in it that no one else could see … until now. Late evening sunshine streamed through missing timber planks in the walls of the shed, casting a bright golden glow across the now-gleaming floor. Fairy lights had been stapled around the large posts that supported the roof, and big decorative lanterns hung from the beams above. Tables were scattered throughout the shed, set with crisp white linen and gleaming cutlery. Candles graced each table, and the flicker of the flames, dancing in their tiny glass jars, gave the space a warm ambience. A table out the front held the modest, yet gorgeous, wedding cake, and timber crates artfully arranged made the perfect display case for an assortment of cupcakes in shades of champagne, cream and ivy.
Waiters came around with tall flutes of champagne and large trays of hors d’oeuvres. Everything was breathtakingly perfect, and uniquely Hadley. If the woman ever wanted to hang up her flak jacket, she could have an awesome career in wedding planning.
Cash had found her seat—next to her new best friend, Talitha, the two had been admiring each other’s shoes and just discovered a mutual love of sneakers—when the wedding party arrived, making a grand entrance after their photo shoot.
Cash studied Hadley, searching for any sign of her earlier apprehension, but saw only a bright flawless smile as she and Mitch greeted family and friends. After they’d taken their seats, the reception took on more of a party atmosphere, and Cash noted that everyone relaxed considerably, except perhaps the Samualses, although it was a little hard to tell with them.
As the evening wore on, the drinks began to flow more freely and people mingled. She jumped slightly when a deep voice sounded close behind her, and she turned to find Lincoln smiling down at her. ‘Dance with me?’ he asked quietly.
Cash glanced around and noticed the dance floor area was fairly crowded.
‘Come on, Cash, just this once? No one’s gonna care,’ he said.
‘Okay.’ Why not? Soon he’d be leaving. Tonight was probably one of the few remaining nights they had left together. The wedding was over, she hadn’t even spoken to Griff since their argument and, quite frankly, she’d been desperate to be in this man’s arms all day.
He took her hand in his and led her through the crowd, turning to draw her in close as they moved slowly in time to the music. It was hard to remember she shouldn’t really be melting against him, despite the urge her body had to do so.
‘I can’t wait to get you out of here tonight,’ he murmured low enough for her to hear, while keeping a polite, friendly smile on his face.
‘You won’t have to ask twice,’ she smiled back. Anyone looking on would never suspect the tone of their conversation; at least Cash hoped they wouldn’t.
‘Do you know the first thing I’m gonna do when I get you alone?’
Cash supressed a faint shiver of anticipation and widened her eyes innocently, ‘No, do tell.’
‘I’m gonna rip off your—’
‘Linc,’ a slightly slurred feminine voice cut in. ‘They’re about to do the speeches and they need you back at the table,’ Olivia said, swinging her gaze across to Cash. ‘Sorry to steal him away from you,’ she added, and ran a hand up and down the lapels of his tux jacket as she held Cash’s gaze.
Cash lifted an eyebrow at Linc as he gave the woman a tolerant smile, stepping away from her busy hands and giving Cash an apologetic glance. ‘I’ll be right back,’ he promised.
Cash watched them move away, surprised by Olivia’s uncharacteristic behaviour. Had she really just stared Cash down while she pawed at Linc? Granted, she hadn’t spent a great deal of time with Olivia, but she’d never got the impression she was this … predatory.
After the song ended, the best man took the microphone and asked everyone to take their seats. As expected with journalists, the speeches were funny and well written, the toasts heartfelt and the stories about Hadley and Mitch highly entertaining. Then Bob Callahan got up to talk and afterwards there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Lincoln and Griff stood up next and gave a speech about their baby sister and read out a compiled list of their many combined talents, ranging from cattle castrating to close combat training, to remind their new brother-in-law who he was dealing with now that he had the welfare of their little sister in his hands. She almost felt sorry for the guy—something told her they hadn’t been altogether joking.
Throughout the speeches, Cash’s attention was repeatedly drawn back to Olivia, who seemed uncharacteristically animated. When she got up to respond to the best man’s speech, she stumbled a little and had to be righted by Mitch and Hadley as she passed behind their chairs. She saw Hadley whisper something to Olivia, who shook her head and continued to make her way to the microphone. A low murmur of voices trickled around the tables and Cash held her breath, hoping this wasn’t going to be as bad as she feared.
‘Well! What a wedding, huh?’ she started. An ear-piercing squeal came from the speakers and Olivia took a step back, teetering on her high heels a little before clutching the podium for support. The best man jumped up and adjusted the microphone, handing it back to Olivia after a hesitant glance towards the bride and groom.
‘My best friend in the entire world got married,’ Olivia said, pausing with a somewhat dejected face. ‘I’m happy for you, Hads,’ she said, turning her head to look at Hadley, ‘I really am. It’s just that I always thought we’d be getting married together, you know? Remember when we were like, ten, and we planned our double wedding?’ She chuckled into the mic, but the laughter seemed to go on for an uncomfortably long time and, to Hadley’s horror, turned into a full-blown sob. ‘Where did my life go so wrong, Hads?’
Hadley stood and crossed to her friend, putting her arm around her shoulder and leading her outside away from prying eyes.
An awkward buzz of conversation followed the departure, but the best man was used to handling crises like this, thanks to his years as a news host. He smoothed over the hiccup and wrapped up the speeches to announce that cake, tea and coffee were now being served.
Cash spotted Hadley coming back inside and, to her surprise, Olivia also returned moments later, seeming to be over her mini breakdown as she let loose on the dance floor. Tomorrow she was going to be dealing with a world of regret, but tonight, apparently, she was partying like there was no tomorrow.
She noticed Hadley speaking to Griffin off to one side, the two of them glancing across at Olivia now and again. Eventually Griff made his way through the other revellers to Olivia, who had managed to climb up on one of the tables and start dancing. Cash was impressed she was managing to keep her balance so well in those lethal-looking heels. At Griff’s arrival, Olivia broke out in a wide smile and waved him to come up and join her. She seemed oblivious to the set expression on Griff’s face, which, even from this distance, Cash could tell was bordering on furious. Seeming to have no luck in talking her down, Griff took another step closer, swooping the drunken woman into his arms amid cheers from the guests and carrying her through the crowd and out of the shearing shed.
‘Is it just me or does that remind you of a scene from An Officer and a Gentleman?’ Harmony asked from beside her.
Cash bit back her surprise at the almost friendly tone and laughed. ‘It’s very Richard Gere-like,’ she agreed. If you ignored the fact that Griff looked like he’d rather strangle Olivia than make mad passionate love to her. ‘I don’t think she’s going to live this down for a while,’ Cash added.
‘Nope. It’s going to make for some juicy gossip over the next few days.’
‘I wouldn’t have picked Olivia as the type to party hard,’ Cash said doubtfully.
‘She’s not … usually,’ Harmony said dryly before taking a sip of her wine, ‘but, then, nobody’s perfect.’
‘Harmony,’ Cash started hesitantly. ‘Is everything okay?’
The woman sent her a swift, sideways glance, before taking another sip. ‘Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?’
‘No reason.’ It’s none of your business, the little voice tried to warn her once more. ‘I know we don’t know each other that well, but if you ever need to talk to someone …’
‘Thanks,’ she said briskly, straightening. ‘I need to find the kids. It’s getting late.’
Cash watched her walk away and pushed aside the lingering disappointment that followed their exchange. For the briefest of moments she’d thought they’d actually made a breakthrough. It was like trying to win over a skittish animal, only she’d run out of time and it looked like it was never going to happen before she had to leave.