IT WAS A perfect day for a wedding.
‘Darcie, could you possibly stand still for a half a second?’ Maggie did a slow inspection around the now dressed bride. They were at the residence with barely fifteen minutes left before they were to leave for the church.
‘I’m so happy I could burst, Maggie.’
‘Don’t do that,’ Maggie pleaded. ‘I’d have to fasten these tiny buttons all over again.’
‘What do you think of the dress?’ Darcie posed in front of the full-length mirror. ‘Does it look OK?’
‘OK?’ Maggie’s voice went up an octave. The dress was a stylish combination of silk and hand-made lace with a fitted bodice, tiny cap sleeves and slim-cut skirt. ‘Honey, you look stunning.’ Maggie’s gaze had a misty look. ‘Jack’s eyes will be out on stalks.’
‘That’s if he can see at all,’ Darcie said dryly. ‘I can’t believe his brothers hauled him off to the pub for a buck’s do the night before the wedding!’
‘Well, boys will be boys,’ Maggie countered practically. ‘And, anyway, Jack stuck to the soft stuff mostly, according to Sam.’
‘Mmm.’ Darcie didn’t seem convinced.
‘Oh, Darce.’ Maggie laughed. ‘Relax, would you? Even if Jack ended up a bit tipsy, he’s had all day to sleep it off.’
Darcie gave a reluctant chuckle. ‘Then it’s lucky we decided to have the wedding in the late afternoon, wasn’t it? For everyone’s sake.’ She paused and sobered. ‘Maggie, thank you so much for standing up with me and for your endless kindness and friendship.’
‘Oh, tosh.’ Maggie shook her dark head. ‘Friendship is a two-way street. And yours has been invaluable to me as well. Now, hush up.’ She gave an off-key laugh. ‘Or we’ll both be bawling and ruining our make-up. Shame you’re not getting a honeymoon, though.’
‘Price of being doctors in the outback.’ Darcie looked philosophical. ‘But we’re getting a couple of nights away. Jack’s arranged for someone to fly us across to the coast. Posh hotel and all the trimmings.’
‘Oh, yes...’ Maggie waggled her eyebrows. ‘Breakfast in bed?’
Darcie’s face went pink. ‘All that. I’m so happy, Maggie.’
‘Sweetie, you deserve it.’ Maggie’s look turned soft. ‘Oh, I meant to ask, how are your parents enjoying Sunday Creek?’
‘They’re loving it.’ Darcie picked up their bouquets of red roses and handed one to Maggie. ‘It was so sweet of Louise to invite them to stay at Willow Bend.’
‘Willow Bend is such a beautiful property,’ Maggie agreed. ‘And they’ll get a real taste of station life as well.’
‘Your transport’s here.’ Lauren stuck her head in the door. ‘Oh, my stars! Darcie, you look incredible!’
‘Oh...thanks, Lauren.’ Darcie gave a shaky laugh. Suddenly she was all butterflies. What if Jack didn’t turn up? What if his brother, Dom, forgot the rings? What if they both messed up their vows? With trembling fingers she reached up to touch the delicate silver heart at her throat. Jack’s gift to his bride. She blinked back the sudden possibility of tears. ‘Do we have time for a glass of wine?’
‘No, we don’t,’ Maggie said firmly. ‘It might be fashionable to be late but personally I think it’s plain bad manners. Besides which, Jack will be wearing out the carpet and the priest will be getting tetchy.’
‘Oh, he won’t,’ Darcie remonstrated. ‘He’s been lovely to us.’
‘Come on, guys.’ Lauren began to usher them out into the hallway. ‘Your chariot awaits.’
‘Do you have all our stuff, Lauren?’ Maggie raised a quick hand in question.
Lauren held up her big purple holdall. ‘Spares of everything and the bride’s pashmina in case it gets chilly later.’
‘Thanks. You’re a star.’
‘Happy to be your lady-in-waiting,’ Lauren said cheerfully, and the little party began to move forward to the front veranda.
‘Wh-what’s that?’ Darcie’s voice squeaked with shock. She pointed to the buggy and two handsome grey horses that were drawn up outside.
‘It’s your transport,’ Maggie said. ‘Isn’t it fabulous?’
Darcie’s mouth opened and closed. ‘But Louise promised to lend us their Mercedes!’
‘She did.’ Maggie grinned. ‘And it’s for Lauren and me. You, my dear, are travelling in style by horse and coach.’
‘You wanted a real outback wedding,’ Lauren reminded the bride.
‘But horses!’ Darcie looked helplessly between the two women.
‘Aren’t they a picture?’ Maggie looked so pleased. ‘Sam found them for us. And they’re accustomed to this kind of thing, so you’ll be quite safe.’
‘Besides, the locals will want to wave to you along the way,’ Lauren put in. ‘You’ll be like a princess.’
Darcie began to laugh. ‘I can’t believe you’ve all done this to me!’
‘Oh, we’re not devoid of innovation out here,’ Maggie said innocently. ‘Now, here’s your dad come to escort you.’
‘Good afternoon, ladies.’ Professor Drummond greeted the little group and then took his daughter’s hands, holding her at arm’s length, his gaze suspiciously moist. ‘Darcie...you look radiant. And so grown-up...’
‘Oh, Dad...’ Darcie choked back a slight lump in her throat and thought this was how it should be on her wedding day. It would have been unthinkable if her father had not been here.
‘You look very lovely, Maggie.’ The professor took his eyes off his daughter for a moment.
‘Thank you, Richard.’ Maggie acknowledged his compliment with a dignified little nod.
‘Richard!’ Lauren hissed in a shocked stage whisper. ‘Isn’t that a bit disrespectful? Isn’t he a lord or something?’
‘No.’ Maggie snickered behind her hand. ‘He asked us to call him Richard when he and Darcie’s mum hosted a pre-wedding do a few days ago.’
‘Now, are we ready, ladies?’ Professor Drummond tucked Darcie’s arm through his and proceeded to walk her carefully down the flight of shallow steps.
Darcie aimed her bouquet towards the horses and buggy. ‘Are you all right about this, Dad?’
‘It’s really quite comfortable.’ He turned his head and smiled at her. ‘And our driver, Jay, is a very interesting chap. We had a most pleasant journey in from Willow Bend.’
‘You came all that way in a buggy?’ Darcie was astounded at her usually conservative father’s easy acceptance of the rather out-there mode of transport for her wedding.
‘Here, Darcie, give me your flowers while you hop aboard,’ Maggie instructed. ‘And don’t panic. The seat is well sprung and it’s spotlessly clean. You’ll arrive in perfect order.’
‘I’m just grateful I’m not wearing a hooped skirt,’ Darcie vented as she placed her foot gingerly on the buggy’s running board.
‘Then we might have had a problem,’ Maggie conceded, watching as Darcie settled back in the red leather seat and reclaimed her bouquet. ‘Safe journey.’ Maggie gave a jaunty finger wave and stepped back. ‘See you at the church.’
* * *
Darcie’s heart was cartwheeling as she stood in the church porch beside her father.
‘You look beautiful, darling,’ he said. ‘Jack is a very lucky man. And a fine one,’ he added with obvious approval.
Darcie took a steadying breath. ‘Is he here, Dad? Can you see him?’
Maggie, who had arrived seconds earlier, said briskly, ‘Of course he’s here!’ Lifting a hand, she brushed a tiny tendril of hair from Darcie’s cheek. ‘Now, are we ready?’ she whispered.
Darcie nodded and swallowed.
‘Good.’ Maggie gave a smile of encouragement. ‘Then let’s do it.’
* * *
Standing in front of the altar, Jack felt his chest rise in a long steadying breath. She was here at last, his English bride, his Darcie, his love. She had almost reached him when he turned, lifting a dark brow in admiration.
Seeing the familiar broad sweep of her bridegroom’s shoulders, the proud set of his head, Darcie stifled a whirlpool of nerves and found the impetus to walk the last few paces to his side.
‘OK?’ he murmured, reaching for her hand. Darcie nodded, and clung for dear life.
‘Welcome, guys.’ Standing in front of them, Father Tom Corelli beamed across at the bride and groom. ‘Now, before we get on to the real business, I believe you have something personal you wish to say to each other.’
‘Thank you, Father.’ Darcie struggled with her prickling eyes and turned to face Jack. He smiled encouragingly at her and they took hands. Darcie drew in a steadying breath and began.
‘Jack, you are my rock. You have listened to me and supported me both personally and professionally. My love for you is as wide and deep as the outback sky. You are my true north. And I will love you always and for ever.’
Raw emotion carved Jack’s face and he wished he’d thought of something so poetic. But he’d do the best he could.
‘Darcie, you are my true love. You are as strong and brave as the finest trees of our forests, yet as tender and beautiful as our most delicate wildflower. And I will love you always and for ever.’
Darcie made the rest of their formal vows in a haze of happiness, hardly registering when she and Jack exchanged rings. When Father Tom pronounced them husband and wife, they kissed. And kissed again to a ripple of applause and a few whistles from one or two daring members of the Cassidy clan.
Smiling broadly, the priest ushered them to an especially prepared table at the side of the altar. And as they sat to sign the register, Lauren delighted them by singing a huskily sweet rendition of ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’.
‘I had no idea!’ Darcie’s whisper was shot with amazement.
‘Just our little surprise for you.’ Jack’s expression was tender. ‘And I have another for you as well, Mrs Darcie Cassidy.’
‘Oh?’ Darcie blinked and tried to speak and wondered if it was possible to overdose on sheer happiness.
Jack’s smile began slowly and then widened. ‘We’re having a proper honeymoon,’ he said. ‘A whole week to ourselves. We’ve got us a locum.’
Darcie looked fascinated. ‘Who?’
There was a gleam in Jack’s blue eyes. ‘One of the flying doctors.’
Darcie’s eyes flashed wide in disbelief. ‘Are we talking about Brad Kitto here?’ she whispered.
Jack nodded. ‘As a wedding present, he’s kindly offered to give up a week of his leave for us.’
Darcie was dumbfounded. ‘But Brad?’ she emphasised in a stage whisper. ‘You always looked on him as something of a rival.’
‘That was then.’ Jack seemed unfazed.
‘But didn’t you feel uncomfortable about accepting his offer?’
‘Why would I?’ Jack looked at his bride, his entire heart in his gaze. ‘After all, my love, you’d chosen me.’
* * * * *