New Zealand Brides Box Set

by Diana Fraser

  Gabe shook his head. “Yes, Dad. I know, I was there. Well done.” Again, his father gave a quick glance over Gabe’s shoulder. This time he smiled and Gabe was able to take his father’s hand from his shoulder without undue force. Just a last clap on the back. “What on earth is going on. Have you all gone mad?” He turned to see Maddy standing in the porch dressed in a long white bridal gown. Amber’s hand reached into the hallway and handed her a posy of flowers, and quickly brushed away a crease in the dress, before disappearing, leaving Maddy alone.

  “You’re getting married?” he asked, hardly able to breathe.

  “I hope so.”

  He swallowed. “Who to?”

  “To you, if you’ll have me.” She sucked in a deep breath. “Gabriel Connelly, will you marry me?”

  Gabe looked around, wondering if this was a trick, but his father had also disappeared. There were just the two of them on the family veranda, whose furnishings were eclipsed by the russet and golds of the misty autumnal afternoon.

  “Really, Maddy? You bring me here, six months to the day that Jonny asked you to stay here and ask me to marry you? You’re doing exactly what Jonny wanted you to do. You’re doing this for him, aren’t you?”

  “No, please believe me I’m not. I needed those months to be on my own and to think about things. You gave me that space, and I’ve used it.”

  “And at the end of that time, you return and say you want to marry me. Again, Maddy, I ask you, why?”

  Her smile dropped. “Because… because I love you.” Her voice was hoarse. “You asked me how I felt before I went away, and I was feeling too crazy to answer you properly. But now I can. I was scared to have feelings, but you gave me the time to heal, to think things through.” She threw her arms up helplessly. “Time to miss you so much that I knew I couldn’t live without you. Gabe, I love you. Will you marry me?”

  He shook his head and took the bouquet from her, smoothing his thumbs over the back of her hands. “And I love you. Nothing has changed there. But how can I be sure you’re not simply doing what you think I want, what Jonny wanted?”

  “I knew you’d say that. I knew that you were just as lacking in trust as I was. So I’m going to do something that will prove to you I’ve changed. I want to show you exactly how far I’ve come, show you that I’m no longer afraid to stake a claim on life, on someone’s heart.”

  He smiled. “And how do you intend to do that?”

  “I’ve lived my life in the shadows too long. Pretending I’m not there so I won’t be noticed, moving to someone else’s plan.”

  “You’re going to step out of the shadows.” He stroked her hair. “Darling, I hate to tell you this, but you’ve been walking in brilliant sunlight ever since I saw you. You might see yourself in the shadows, but no one else does.”

  “Then it’s time I became the woman who I appear to be, the woman I was destined to be.”

  “Good,” he said softly. “And how do you propose to do this?”

  “I’ve asked you twice now if you’ll marry me and you haven’t given me a proper answer. I’m going to ask you one more time, but not here, not in the shadows of the veranda.”

  “Where then?”

  “Come with me.” She tugged his hand and followed her down the steps and around the side of the house, to the rear, which looked out across a narrow stretch of grass down to the beach and out onto the water.

  The first thing he saw was Aimee, his niece, crouching over a daisy chain, her white dress bunched around her knees. “Hey Aimee? What are you doing here?”

  Aimee jumped up and ran squealing out of sight. He followed Maddy down the path until they emerged onto the sunlit back lawn where one by one his family revealed themselves to him. They stood around an arch which was covered in flowers.

  For once Gabe was at a loss for words. No one said anything, just grinned stupidly at him. His father stood beside Max whose smug expression could only be read as “it’s your turn now, bro”. Lizzi and Pete stood close, holding hands, watching Gabe with barely suppressed grins. Rachel and Zane—his best mate—stood openly grinning, obviously enjoying Gabe’s discomfort, and Amber was there also. Except Amber’s eyes were shadowed and were looking at Maddy. It made Gabe turn to Maddy who’d walked over to the arch and stood waiting for him.

  Gabe smiled at everyone and walked up to Maddy. She cleared her throat, but he reached out and took both her hands in his.

  “Maddy!”

  “I want to ask you—”

  “No! Stop right there.”

  There was a collective intake of breath from everyone, and Amber gave an unconcealed squeal of horror.

  “I don’t want you to ask me anything, Maddy, I really don’t.”

  She looked stunned, but Gabe pressed on, knowing with all his heart that this was the only course of action he wanted now. Her mouth opened and a barely audible “why?” emerged.

  “Because”—he dropped down to one knee—“I want to ask you if you’ll do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

  It took several seconds for everyone to comprehend that the tables had turned.

  He could see a myriad of feelings and thoughts flit across her face, usually closed to everyone, but not to him, not now. The pain of rejection had been replaced by a look of delight, quickly followed by disbelief. Instinctively he rose and took her in his arms. “I want you to marry me, Maddy. I’ve never loved anyone as I have you, and I never will. I want to be by your side for the rest of my life. Will you have me?”

  The tears trickled from her eyes before her head nodded and a strangled sound emerged.

  He grinned. “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes!”

  He kissed her briefly and then looked around for his father. “Dad? I take it you’re going to do the honors here?”

  “Certainly am, son. I wouldn’t let anyone else marry you two.”

  His family jostled around, congratulating them before settling back into a group as his father took center stage beneath the arch with them, and began to read out the words of the marriage ceremony.

  As Gabe listened to the vows which Maddy had written, he heard her expression of love, and he heard the words of his brother Jonny. It was almost as if Jonny was there as Maddy’s closest relative, giving her away in marriage, just as he’d intended when he believed that he wouldn’t survive to be with her.

  “And will you, Gabriel Connelly, take Madeleine MacGillivray to be your lawfully wedded wife. Yours to cherish, in sickness and in health, for as long as you shall both live.”

  “Yes. I’ll cherish her always.”

  * * *

  As Maddy’s new family surrounded her, hugging and kissing her, congratulating her, and laughing at the last-minute turn of events, she felt cherished, like she never had before, in the arms of the man she adored, surrounded by a family who she knew would always be there for her. It was Jonny’s final gift to her—a marriage not made in heaven, but here on earth, between two people who loved each other more than life itself.

  Epilogue

  Gabe took a swig of beer but didn’t take his eyes off the astrolabe which took pride of place on the dresser, surrounded by family photographs and other treasures. His gaze rested on the inscription which he’d seen many times since he’d retrieved the object from the sand, but whose meaning he hadn’t known until today. It felt like the final link, a final settling in his heart.

  Suddenly, the door suddenly burst open and Maddy entered the house on a rush of cold air. She shivered loudly as she unpeeled her scarf and shrugged off her coat and hooked them on the coat stand.

  “Man, it’s cold out there!”

  “Cold? I thought you Scandinavians were used to the cold!” Gabe teased, rising to greet her. She laughed, more easily now than she used to, and kissed him, her cold nose brushing his warm cheek and rousing his desire for her. He wondered if it would ever diminish; he doubted it.

  “Denmark seems a lifetime away.”

  “A lifetime? Where�
��s my scientific wife gone? It’s been fifteen months to be exact since you arrived in New Zealand.”

  “Fifteen months? Is that all? Shows it doesn’t take long to feel at home.”

  He loved it when she said things like that. He caressed her swelling stomach, and kissed her again. “So have you been at the new dig?”

  “Yes. There’s a lot to do, but it looks promising.”

  He frowned. “You shouldn’t be working so hard now you’re pregnant.”

  “Come on, you know I’m careful. Besides, since when has a doctor told a perfectly fit woman to stop work?”

  “Since that woman is his wife.”

  “Gabe,” she said in a warning tone.

  “Madeleine,” he said in the same tone. He pushed away a strand of her hair from her cheek. “You know I’ll always support you in everything you do, but I also made a vow which I intend to keep—to cherish and care for you.”

  He was rewarded with a look of love. “I know. And I love that. But there’s no need to worry.” Her hand strayed to the swollen curves of her stomach. “I can look after myself.” She glanced toward the kitchen and sniffed appreciatively. “Talking of which…” Maddy might have opened up emotionally over the past year, but some things didn’t change—she still loved her food. He sat down again so he could see her better. “Anyway, I wasn’t working,” she continued.

  Gabe grunted in surprise. Maddy grinned at him, but didn’t elaborate. He refused to ask where she’d been—that smacked of a possessive husband and while he might cherish her totally, he had no desire to try to control her.

  “Something smells good!” she said, pulling off her cardigan as she went. She peered into the oven. “You’ve made dinner. Not only smells good, but looks good, too!”

  “Yes, well, I know which sister to go to for specific skills—Rachel for cooking, and Amber, not for cooking.”

  “Amber’s art skills are in hot demand and it doesn’t look like her new man is concerned about her lack of culinary prowess.”

  “True.” Gabe frowned. He hadn’t yet made up his mind about Amber’s new man. He wasn’t like anyone in the family, and certainly nothing like any of Amber’s previous boyfriends.

  His musings were interrupted by Maddy’s arm snaking around his shoulders as she sat on his lap. She wriggled a little and he groaned. “Just as well you’re my wife, Ms Madeleine,” he said pushing her hair back from her cold cheek, “or otherwise what I’m about to propose would be considered indecent.”

  She raised an eyebrow and wriggled on his lap again. “Aren’t you going to ask me where I’ve been?”

  “No.” He wasn’t going to admit that where she’d been was the last thing on his mind at that particular moment. He tried his best to re-focus. “But you’re welcome to tell me if you like.”

  She pouted, and he grinned. She never used to pout. And he’d spent many happy hours exploring that pout. He reined in his focus once more.

  “Next door,” she said.

  He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Which next door?”

  “Mrs. King. I took her some groceries. She’s not feeling so well since her family returned home.”

  “Mrs. King is taking advantage of you.”

  “Is that right?” she asked, bringing her body, still cold from the chill winter air, tight against his warm one. It was all he could do to concentrate on what he was saying.

  “Yes. There’s nothing wrong with Mrs. King. I saw her a few days ago.”

  Maddy cocked her head to one side. “I know she’s okay physically. But she’s lonely. And I know all about lonely, now that I’m not.”

  His heart melted all over again. He swallowed and grunted something which might have been ‘well,’ or might have been ‘okay’. Whatever word his grunt formed, Maddy understood and kissed him again.

  “So how’s your day been?” she asked.

  “Busy. I worked late tonight.”

  She inspected his face and brushed her finger under his eyes. “You’re looking tired. It’s you who works too hard, not me.”

  And he knew it. Since Jonny had died he’d felt he had to live his life for two people—for him and Jonny. But maybe no longer. He glanced at the astrolabe once more. Maddy shifted and followed his gaze.

  “It’s not been all work and no play,” said Gabe. “Ben called round earlier.”

  “Ben from the university?”

  “Yes, that Ben. I think he was hoping to talk with you about the dig, but we had a beer and he saw the astrolabe.” Gabe was watching her carefully. “And he translated the inscription on it.” He turned Maddy’s face to his. “You didn’t know, did you?”

  “What?” She glanced away, and he couldn’t see her face. “About the inscription? I know it’s there, but I can’t remember the exact translation. Ancient languages aren’t my specialty.” She shook her head and turned back to him with a smile. “Fancy a cup of tea?” She stood up and filled the kettle.

  “No, thanks.” He unhooked the astrolabe from the wall and traced his finger over the engraved brass, mentally reciting the words which Ben had told him. “So you did know the translation at one time, then?”

  She hesitated before switching on the kettle. “Yes.” She turned to him, leaned against the kitchen bench, and folded her arms. “Yes,” she repeated. “Jonny knew it. He loved poetry and apparently the inscription was a quotation from some Persian poet.”

  “Rumi,” he said.

  She nodded and smiled. “Rumi! That’s right.” She came and took the astrolabe from Gabe. “Did Ben translate it for you?”

  Gabe swallowed and nodded. “He took a photo, and he’s going to send me a full translation.”

  “Cool. That’ll be interesting. I can’t really remember the translation which Jonny told me. It seems a long time ago.”

  Gabe smiled briefly as the final line which Ben had translated for him echoed around his head once more, as it had been all evening. He’d tell her later, but not now. She’d moved on, just as he and Jonny had wanted her to do.

  He turned to see Maddy linger, looking at the astrolabe as she re-hung it on the wall. She traced the inscription lightly with her finger. A shadow of a sad smile settled briefly on her face before she turned and left the room. He wondered whether she knew more than she was letting on. Somehow he didn’t think he’d ever know, didn’t think he’d ever completely lift the veil of mystery from Maddy. And somehow he knew he didn’t want to.

  He turned his attention back to the astrolabe whose Persian characters were muted in the antique brass, worn away by human hands and the elements, but still decipherable. Especially the final sentence which had been protected by the raised edge. He whispered the words softly to himself.

  There are a thousand ways to go home again.

  And Jonny had found a way—a way for them all.

  The End

  Afterword

  Thank you for reading the first three books in my New Zealand Brides series. I hope you enjoyed them! Reviews are always welcome—they help me, and they help prospective readers to decide if they’d enjoy the book.

  Amber’s, Rob’s and Cameron’s books will follow. In the meantime, you might like to try my Italian Romance series.

  * * *

  An Accidental Christmas is about Ursula who appears to have everything—everything that is, except a love with whom to share her life. Rather than return to her empty home after attending a wedding, she sets off into the Italian countryside in an attempt to escape Christmas. But the snow begins to fall, the road winds higher up the mountain and her rental car breaks down. And she finds she’s landed in the midst of a traditional Christmas with no place to hide. An excerpt follows.

  * * *

  You can check out all my books on the following pages. And, if you’d like to know when my next book is available, you can sign up for my new release e-mail list here, or via my website—dianafraser.com.

  * * *

  Happy reading!

  * * *

&nbs
p; Diana

  An Accidental Christmas

  Book 4 of Italian Romance—Demetrio and Ursula

  “You can't always get what you want… you get what you need…”

  * * *

  Ursula has given up on Christmas and is doing her level best to avoid it—family, presents, traditions—the whole package. Trouble is, when she becomes lost in the snowy mountains of Italy, with a car that won’t start, and nowhere to stay, she finds she’s landed in the midst of a traditional Christmas with no place to hide.

  * * *

  Widower Demetrio is devoted to his family, his land and tradition. And then he falls for Ursula—a beautiful woman from a very different world to his—and knows he has to get her to fall in love, not just with him, but his life. So he tempts her… one tradition in return for one more day together.

  * * *

  But can Demetrio’s traditions and love do the impossible? Can they make Ursula stop running from her emotions, and instead, embrace them?

  * * *

  Enjoy a heart-warming escape to Italy and An Accidental Christmas!

  Excerpt

  They walked carefully toward the frozen waterfall—its long, sleek plumes of water hard and unreal. At that moment, the sun rose over the hillside casting its bright light onto the ruffled sheets of ice. Ursula had never seen anything as beautiful—not in her native Sweden, nor in any of the cosmopolitan cities in which she spent most of her life. “It’s stunning.”