‘Flynn, I’m okay, just a bit bruised.’
He frowned and was far from convinced, but he wasn’t about to upset her now.
‘Alright, if that’s what you want. But how are you going to explain being hurt?’
‘Um, I’ll just say that I fell over when I was running. It’s not exactly a lie.’
‘Okay, if you think that’s best,’ Flynn said as his frown got deeper. ‘I’ll follow you to the hospital and we’ll take it from there.’
‘Thank you. I’ll see you soon,’ Lily said with a smile.
‘You sure will.’
Flynn gave Cheryl a nod before walking over to Steve’s car.
‘Is she okay?’ Steve said as he walked over towards them.
‘She’s going to be fine, but this wasn’t an accident. The car slowed down and kept level with her before it ran her off the road.’
‘A warning?’
Flynn shrugged his shoulders. ‘Maybe.’
‘Well, warning or not, I think it sheds some light on the other stuff that’s been going on.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The graffiti and the vandalism that happened at Lily’s shop. We put the first down to kids and the broken windows as a drunken night that got out of hand, but now I’m thinking it could be something more.’
‘They’re connected,’ Flynn said with a nod.
‘Yes, I think they are.’
***
It had been four days since Lily was released from hospital. The diagnosis had been a slight concussion, a bruised leg and a few nasty scrapes and bumps. The doctor had insisted she stay in overnight just to be on the safe side, but by the next morning he’d been happy enough to let her hobble home. On paper her injuries didn’t seem much at all; pity they still hurt like hell.
Sergeant Barker had been in touch. The police were looking into the case but Lily didn’t hold out much hope. Let’s face it: her vague description of a big, dark car didn’t narrow down the body of suspects much. This was Violet Falls, and nearly everyone drove SUVs in various dark colours.
Lily let out a satisfied sigh as she stood in the doorway and looked at the bare bones of her shop, with its newly painted white walls, modern kitchenette and small bathroom. It was a beautifully prepared blank canvas – now all she had to do was plan where everything was to go and dress it. Lily had asked Johnno to divide the storeroom, so now instead of a voluminous space she also had two decent-sized fitting rooms. The shop was perfect – at least, the ground floor was, and the rest of it wasn’t too far behind.
She winced as she walked up the stairs. Her leg still hurt, not that she would ever admit that to Flynn. He was hovering over her and treating her like some sort of china doll. She’d tried talking to him and telling him that she was okay but her words didn’t seem to get through. Lily just hoped that the impressively technicoloured bruise that ran over her hip and thigh would hurry up and fade away. Because if he caught sight of that … well, heaven knows how he’d react.
Making her way into the front room of the first floor, she paused for a second. Light and airy with great proportions, it was going to make a fantastic office. She could picture her desk over by the far wall and the French doors to the balcony open wide. The smaller room behind it had been fitted out as another storeroom. Sticking to her design, Johnno had added hanging space along one wall and a series of shelves and cupboards on the other. All she needed now were a couple of dress racks on wheels and everything would be ready for her designs.
Lily smiled despite the lingering twinges of pain after hauling herself up the stairs. She felt as if she was standing at the beginning of something exciting, a new business and a new love – it was a heady mix of optimism and exhilaration. Coming back to Violet Falls was the best decision she’d made in a long time.
***
‘Seriously, why would you even think about moving out of here?’ Violet asked as she stood in her bedroom while Lily fussed with her wedding dress.
‘I don’t know – I just thought that with you both moving to McKellan’s Run you’d want to rent this out, that’s all,’ Lily said, attempting to tie a bow for a second time without success. ‘Will you stop fidgeting? I’m trying to fix your dress.’
Violet looked over her shoulder. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. This is your home as much it is mine.’
‘Well, in that case, we’d better work out how much you want in rent.’
‘If you don’t shut up about this, I may be forced to slap you.’
‘Violet, it’s your house, you should be getting something out of it.’
‘I am – you. So can you stop being a goose and just drop the whole subject?’
‘But Violet, I—’
‘Are we really going to argue on my wedding day?’
Lily shook her head. ‘No, we’re not – and thank you.’
‘There’s nothing to thank me for. Now, are you finished?’
‘There, you’re done,’ Lily said as she adjusted the sash that was now tied into a small but perfect bow. She took a step back and studied her sister for a moment. ‘You look beautiful, Violet, you really do.’
‘I feel beautiful, and that’s all due to you. Lily, this is the most stunning dress I’ve ever seen.’ Violet gently ran her hand over the deep cream lace skirt. It was a simple design, but the effect of Lily’s vision and hard work, including a copious amount of beading, had transformed it into something sublime.
‘You asked for a spaghetti-strap dress that wasn’t over the top or puffy. It’s still the same design, but I just went down the vintage romantic path instead.’
‘I love it, I really do. I’m glad you talked me into changing the straps for these beaded appliqués.’ Violet turned around and looked at her back in the mirror.
The dull silver appliqués formed a gentle V at the back of the dress, and from them Lily had sewn hundreds of bugle beads in long, free-flowing loops so they cascaded off Violet’s shoulders and down her back. There was a wide band of the same beading around her waist. The dress had an ethereal feel to it as well as being reminiscent of another era. There was a sense that Lily may have found it in one of the old trunks in the shop’s attic.
Violet pulled Lily into a careful hug. ‘You’re so clever.’
‘Well, thank you,’ Lily said as she gave Violet a squeeze. ‘I’m so happy that you like it.’
‘What’s not to like? It’s beautiful and it makes me feel pretty and special.’
‘You look like a princess, Mummy,’ Holly said as she twirled on the spot in her pale pink flower girl’s dress. ‘Look, at me! I’m a ballerina, or a fairy, but I’m not wearing my wings.’
Lily and Violet stood arm in arm as they watched Holly do another spin.
‘Ooh, that was good,’ Violet said. ‘Maybe you’re a fairy ballerina?’
‘You’re almost done, sweetie, but we still have to put this on,’ Lily said as she picked up the small circlet of tiny flowers. Holly stopped twirling long enough for her aunt to fix it to her head. ‘Just a sec, Holly. Violet, pass me another bobby pin please.’
‘Sure,’ Violet said as she grabbed a couple more pins off the dressing table. ‘Just stay still for Aunty Lily a tiny bit longer.’
‘There … and we’re done,’ Lily said with a grin as she stepped back and studied her niece. ‘Beautiful.’
‘So are you,’ Holly said.
‘Well, thank you.’ Lily checked out her reflection in the floor-length mirror. She was in a soft dull green that Lily liked to think of as a sea-foam dress. It had the same vintage feel to it as Violet’s gown. ‘Not too bad at all.’
Violet chuckled. ‘Not too bad – you know damn well that you look gorgeous.’
‘Oh, I almost forgot your something blue,’ Lily said as she grabbed her bag and dug around in it. ‘Okay, so this is more of a bluey purple, but it could also cover the something old criteria.’
‘What is it?’
Lily held up the old brooch. ‘It’s a little viol
et brooch. I found it when I was cleaning up the attic. I can’t prove it but I have the feeling that it could have belonged to the first Violet Beckett.’
‘It’s beautiful.’
‘It is, and it’s my present to you. The original Violet would have wanted her namesake to have it,’ Lily said as she pinned the flowers to the dress strap. ‘There, you look perfect.’
‘Thank you,’ Violet said as pulled her sister into a tighter hug.
Lily pulled back and sniffed. ‘Come on, before we start crying.’ Lily picked up the small bouquet of dark cream roses and handed it to Violet. ‘Are you ready?’
Violet nodded and her eyes teared up. ‘Absolutely.’
‘Then let’s go and get you married before you ruin your makeup,’ Lily said as she gave her sister another hug.
Chapter 22
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 th
e 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.’
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