Life is full of beginnings, endings and continuations, and this was a hell of a good beginning, Lily thought as she, Violet and Holly entered the tiny bluestone church. Lily had to bite back the tears as she prepared to walk slowly down the aisle ahead of Violet in the church that both the Becketts and the McKellans had been part of for generations. The pews were full – it seemed that most of Violet Falls had come out to witness the marriage. The early afternoon sun flooded through the old stained-glass windows and filled the church with a myriad of colours. From the entrance, Lily saw Flynn, Mac’s best man, nudge him in the ribs. When Mac looked at him, Flynn gestured with a nod and a grin in the direction of the aisle. The look on Mac’s face when he turned and watched Violet walk towards him was something Lily would never forget. She knew that he loved her sister but it wasn’t until that moment she really saw just how much.
Sarah McKellan sat in the front row, sandwiched between her two other sons, Jason and Dan. Lily noted as she passed that Sarah was already dabbing her eyes.
Lily tried not to tear up as Violet and Mac exchanged their vows but it proved an impossible task. She glanced over to Flynn who grinned back at her before giving her a wink.
The ceremony ended with Mac taking Violet in his arms and kissing her. Applause and a collective ‘Ah’ seemed to roll through the church as he picked up Holly and set her on his hip before taking Violet by the hand and escorting her back down the aisle.
Flynn offered Lily his arm as they followed Mac and Violet out.
‘You look beautiful,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘I’m loving the way that pretty dress skims over your body.’
Lily turned her head and smiled up at him. ‘Thank you. And you look devilishly handsome yourself. I never thought you’d scrub up so well. Who knew what was under all the denim and sheep shit?’
‘Liar. I know that you think I’m hot.’
‘Hmmm, hot and maybe a little bit vain,’ Lily said with a grin.
‘Just telling it how it is,’ Flynn said as they walked down the church steps and into a cloud of confetti. ‘So are you ready to get out of here?’
‘We can’t – there’s still photos and a reception to go.’
‘Wouldn’t you rather skip the whole thing? I was thinking we could go somewhere a bit less crowded and you could show me just how hot you think I am.’ He let go of her hand and draped his arm around her shoulders.
‘As tempting as that is, have you forgotten that you’re meant to be giving a speech at the reception?’ Lily said with a laugh.
‘Okay, you win. I guess I’ll just have to try a little self-restraint and not throw you over my shoulder like a Neanderthal.’
‘Flynn!’
‘Can’t help it, Lily. You drive me crazy,’ he said as he dipped his head and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. ‘I want you now – hell, I want you all the time.’
The only way Lily made it through the photo session at the botanical gardens was by ensuring she didn’t stand too close to Flynn. The afternoon sun was warm but Lily knew the heat she was feeling had very little to do with the weather and a whole lot more to do with Flynn Hartley’s near proximity. She made herself busy by helping Violet with her veil and making sure that Holly didn’t end up twirling into the rosebushes.
After about half an hour the wedding party made it to the reception. Mac had thrown McKellan’s Run open to pretty much anyone who wanted to celebrate his wedding. The house was filled with a variety of flowers in pale shades. Lily could smell the scent of roses as soon as she stepped inside. Tables and chairs were scattered throughout the great room and Dan and his staff from the Millstone had set up a lavish smorgasbord alongside the far wall. The French doors leading to the courtyard were opened wide and as Lily walked past she saw a local band, ‘Amp’, setting up. The whole feel of the place was one of welcoming, laidback country elegance, which seemed to reflect both Violet and Mac.
There was laughter, music and good food as everyone came together to celebrate Mac and Violet’s wedding and wish them well. The afternoon passed in a warm and fuzzy bubble of happiness that Lily swore she’d never forget.
It was late afternoon when Flynn caught her by the hand and pulled her into the courtyard. The band was playing an old slow love song as he took her in his arms and started to sway to the music. The sun was low in the sky but still held its heat, rays warming the stones of the old courtyard and the lavender bushes that ran around its edges. The air was filled by their fragrance.
‘Are you having a nice time?’ Flynn held her a little closer.
Lily looked up into his dark eyes and smiled. It felt good to have him hold her like this. She laid her head against his shoulder. Flynn had been trying hard to prove himself to her and Lily was beginning to think that he was solid, maybe even dependable. She prayed that she was right because all her talk to her friends about just being with him for fun was a big fat lie.
Lily wanted him in her life – not just for a few carefree months but for always. She was in love with him and that was the truth. She hoped that he cared enough about her to try to make something out of what they had and not run like he’d done with every other girl in his past.
‘Yes, I am, thank you. I swear I’ve never seen Violet so happy.’
‘Yeah, and Mac’s been walking around all day looking smug. You know he’s been in love with her ever since they were in school?’
‘I kind of figured that was the case. It must have been hard for Mac to watch her go out with Jason.’
Flynn shook his head. ‘Almost killed him.’
‘I thought there might be some tension between them but it doesn’t look like it.’
Flynn looked over to where Mac and Jason were talking by the bar. ‘Things are always going to be a bit tricky, I reckon, seeing Jason is Holly’s father. But I think Jason is genuinely happy for them.’
‘Hmmm, well he’s never been my favourite person, not after the way he treated my sister all those years ago. But, I suppose I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Although if he ever hurts Violet or Holly – or hell, even Mac – he’s going to have me to answer to.’
‘Feisty!’
Lily grinned back. ‘You’d better believe it. No one messes with the people I care about.’
‘Am I included in that?’
‘Maybe you are.’
‘I like that.’ He dipped his head and gave her a quick kiss. ‘So, are you ready to sneak away yet?’
‘Aren’t you meant to give a speech? Besides, we can’t leave until the bride and groom do.’
Flynn let out a sigh. ‘You’re no fun, Lily Beckett, and that’s a fact.’
‘That’s right, I’m a regular party pooper.’
‘Tell you what: I’ll stop asking if you promise that you’ll come swimming with me the moment Violet and Mac leave.’
‘Swimming tonight? Are you serious?’
‘Yep, it’s going to be a warm night. Let’s head up to the falls.’
‘Really?’
‘Well, a man has to cool off somehow. Besides, I want you all naked and slippery against me,’ he said with a widening grin.
Lily looked around at the other couples on the dance floor. ‘Shhh, they’ll hear.’
‘Like I keep telling you, I don’t care. So, will you come?’
Lily gave him a slow smile. ‘Yes, I will.’
‘Great. Now I get to spend the rest of the day imagining what it’s going to be like to slip those straps from your shoulders and watch that dress slide off your amazing body. God, I’m getting all hot and bothered just picturing it,’ he said as his fingers moved over her bare skin and trailed down the spaghetti straps.
Lily felt an ember of want begin to glow within her but she took a breath and tried her damnedest to ignore it.
‘So stop picturing it.’
Flynn leant forward and whispered in her ear. ‘Hell, babe, that’s like asking me to hold back the tide – bloody impossible.’
***
‘Okay, can everyone settle down for a minute!’ It was an order rather than a request; Flynn stood up and tapped an empty glass with a knife. His voice cut through the noisy room and the crowd turned to look at him.
Flynn loosened his tie before he continued. ‘We all know that Mac and Violet wanted today to be a relaxed get-together. They wanted you all to feel welcome and able to sit back and enjoy good company, great music and fantastic food. However, it was decided that we needed at least one short speech, so this is the only formal bit of the evening.’
Lily looked up at Flynn from her seat. She gave him a smile of encouragement. Not that he really needed it – Flynn was used to being the centre of attention. His hand tightened around hers for a second before letting go.
‘I’m sure Mac would probably prefer someone else to give the speech …’ He glanced over in time to see Mac nod his head in agreement. ‘See, now that just hurts!’
Mac let out a laugh. ‘Oh, just get on with it,’ he called out as he draped his arm around Violet’s shoulders and pulled her close.
Flynn squared his shoulders. ‘I’ve known Mac all my life and—’
‘Hey, I thought you said this was going to be short,’ Dan called out.
Flynn sent him a dirty look. ‘Anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted, I just wanted to wish you and Violet the very best for the future. Everyone here knows that you both deserve your happily ever after, especially after it took you so many years to get her to agree to marry you. On that note, I also have to say a special thank you to Violet,’ he said, turning to look at her. ‘Thanks for accepting his proposal: at least now I won’t have to put up with him moping about, talking about you and, whenever possible, stalking you.’
‘Ah, shut up!’ Mac shouted out with a grin.
‘Flynn, maybe you’d better tell me a bit more about the stalking?’ Violet said with a mischievous gleam in her eye.
‘Hey, I thought you were meant to be on my side!’ Mac said as he hugged Violet.
‘Always.’
Mac dipped his head and kissed her deeply.
‘Guys, focus for a second,’ Flynn said as he rolled his eyes. ‘Come on, you two, there are children present.’
Violet pulled back and gave an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry.’
‘Nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart,’ Mac said before he leant in and kissed her again.
Flynn cleared his throat loudly as a ripple of laughter flowed through the room.
‘As I was trying to say, we all wish you a lifetime of happiness, love and good fortune.’ He looked down and smiled at Lily beside him. ‘We can only hope to find the love of our lives, but you two have done it!’ Flynn’s gaze reluctantly left Lily’s as he continued. ‘Anyway, let’s all raise a glass: to Mac, Violet and Holly, and to the wonderful family they have just become.’
It took Lily a few seconds to remember how to breathe; that look of Flynn’s seemed to say so much, and to her it felt like a declaration to the whole room. Heat flushed her cheeks as she glanced across the room. Jill was giving her a huge grin and a thumbs up and Lily bit back a grin. She turned her head and fell straight into the eyes of Charlotte Somerville. Charlotte stared back at her; she wore a thin smile but Lily caught a look of sadness in her eyes. It was obvious that Charlotte still cared for Flynn, even though, from what Lily had heard, she’d been the one to end their arrangement in the first place.
Lily looked away and tried to put it out of her mind. Today was all about Violet, Mac and Holly, not remorseful ex-partners. With Flynn’s toast finished, the revellers went back to, well, revelling. It wasn’t until an hour or so later when Lily was heading to the kitchen that Charlotte appeared by her side.
‘Can we talk?’
‘Sure,’ Lily said cautiously.
Charlotte’s hand reached out and touched her arm. ‘I just wanted to say that I’m glad Flynn has found happiness. He once said that he didn’t do commitment and yet he has with you.’
Lily looked down at Charlotte’s hand before raising her eyes to the other woman.
‘Thank you, Charlotte.’
Charlotte shook her head. ‘I care about him. I waited for him but he wasn’t ready … but obviously he is now.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Lily said.
‘It’s not your fault – just bad timing along with a hundred other things. I wish you well,’ Charlotte said as she gave a little shrug.
‘Thanks, that’s kind of you.’
‘Not a word most people would use about me,’ Charlotte said with a tight smile as she dropped her gaze. ‘But I hope it works out for you both.’
Lily wasn’t sure but she thought Charlotte’s eyes filled with tears as she turned away and disappeared back into the party.