McKellan's Run

by Nicole Hurley-Moore

  ‘Well, look, could you get him to give me a ring? I can’t say we’ve managed to sort everything out with Jason, but at least we’ve put a halt to Celine trying to extract money out of Mac.’

  ‘What?’

  There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment or two.

  ‘Ah, I see I’ve let the cat out of the bag. Sorry, it really wasn’t my place to say anything. It’s just I was so damned mad with Celine.’

  ‘Sarah, I don’t understand.’

  ‘Well, uh, I shouldn’t say any more.’

  ‘What’s happening, Sarah, is Mac in trouble?’

  ‘No, Violet, look I’ll tell you but please don’t say anything to Mac,’ Sarah said.

  ‘Okay, I promise.’

  ‘Celine told Mac that if he didn’t pay her she’d make things very difficult for you and Holly.’

  ‘What did Mac say?’ asked Violet.

  ‘He was totally prepared to pay the money. You know how much he cares about you. He’d do anything for you,’ said Sarah.

  Violet’s heart seemed to contract and her vision blurred as tears welled.

  ‘He did that?’

  ‘Of course he did. Mac loves you.’

  ‘Yes, he does,’ answered Violet as she clutched the phone to her ear.

  ‘I didn’t mean to blurt it out. I suppose Mac had his reasons for not telling you. He probably just didn’t want you to worry. Oh and you’ll be relieved—or maybe not—to know that even though this happened, the wedding is going ahead. Lord only knows what Jason is thinking and why he’d want to marry Celine after a stunt like this, but Celine will be staying at Jason’s cottage until the wedding and I think she’ll be completely supportive of everything you choose.’

  ‘Oh?’ said Violet, wondering why on earth Jason would want to go ahead and marry Celine. She knew, despite everything, that Jason had a core of decency, but she couldn’t say the same about Celine.

  ‘Would you get Mac to call me?’ asked Sarah.

  ‘Sure, I’ll tell him as soon as he gets back.’

  ‘Thanks. Oh and Violet, don’t worry. I know things seem complicated now but I’m sure we’ll work it all out.’

  ‘Thanks, Sarah, and thanks for telling me about Celine.’

  ‘I couldn’t not,’ said Sarah, sounding worried nevertheless. ‘Talk to you later, Violet. Bye.’

  ‘Bye.’

  Violet hung up the phone and retrieved the mixing bowl. About ten minutes later, the front door opened and Mac and Holly came in laughing. Mac carried two bags of groceries while Holly held a large brightly coloured box.

  ‘Mummy, look at the pretty dolly Mac bought me!’

  Violet ran her hand over her daughter’s hair. ‘Let me see. It’s beautiful, Holly, I hope you remembered to say thank you?’

  ‘She did,’ Mac said, taking the bags through to the kitchen, then opening one and taking out a small bunch of bright pink, yellow and orange gerberas. ‘And these are for you,’ he said, handing them to her.

  ‘Thank you, they’re beautiful,’ said Violet.

  ‘You look worried. Is everything alright?’

  ‘Yep, all good,’ said Violet taking a vase from the cupboard under the sink.

  ‘So you say, but I think there’s something wrong.’

  Violet busied herself with the flowers and didn’t look him in the eyes. ‘There’s nothing wrong. Oh, your mum called. You forgot to take your mobile so she wants you to call her back.’

  ‘Did Mum upset you?’ Mac asked, as he came and stood behind her. His hands circled around her waist and he held her tight.

  Violet could feel his warm body against her back. It was comforting and Violet knew that whenever she was with him, Mac always had the ability to make her feel special, wanted and protected. McKellan’s Run was in his blood, it was the family legacy that defined him and yet he’d been willing to give up a substantial amount of money for her and Holly. It was unimaginable and Violet felt humbled at the depth of his love for her. She turned her face against his chest and willed herself not to cry.

  ‘Since when would your Mum ever say anything to upset me? She’s the most wonderful woman. How could you even think that?’

  ‘I don’t know. Everything was great and you were smiling when we left and now we’re back to you looking as if you want to cry.’

  ‘It’s nothing, Mac. Really.’

  ‘So there is something wrong. I knew it!’

  Lord, he was like a dog with a bone. But before Violet could try and persuade him everything was fine, Holly came to the rescue.

  ‘Mummy, Mac, I can’t open the box and get the dolly out.’

  Mac let Violet go. ‘Duty calls,’ he whispered in her ear before he turned and grinned at the little girl. ‘Okay, I’m on it. Here, Holly, give it to me and we’ll see if we can rescue the doll from its prison.’

  Holly giggled as she handed him the box. ‘You’re silly, Mac.’

  ‘Thanks. I try.’

  Mac and Holly headed over to the table and started to undo the box. Violet smiled as she watched them. Holly’s head was bowed over the box in concentration as Mac attempted to take apart every little tie twist, plastic tab and sealed plastic bubble.

  ‘Hey, I think we have it now,’ Mac said as he tried to yank the doll out.

  ‘No Mac, see, her hair is still stuck there, and there’s another tie around her tummy,’ said Holly.

  Mac glanced up at Violet. ‘They don’t make this easy do they?’

  ‘No they don’t, but I think you’re doing a good job,’ said Violet as she retrieved her mixing bowl. Gosh, it was odd how life could spin and change so quickly. She’d known for a while that Mac loved her, but now she realised just how much.

  ‘Really, then why are you looking at me funny?’

  Violet turned away and hid a smile. ‘Mac, I really have no idea what you’re talking about.’

  Back in the cottage, Jason turned on his side and rested Celine’s head in his hands. She looked beautiful.

  ‘Even though that was immensely satisfying, it doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten what you’ve done.’

  Celine wiggled up the bed and lay against the soft pillows.

  ‘I know—’ she said with a sigh. ‘And I completely understand.’

  ‘So what’s the deal? Why are you so bloody mercenary?’ Jason sat up and leant back against the bedhead.

  ‘All I can do is apologise again about all that business with Mac. It’s Dad, he keeps ringing to see if I can get him some more money. I know you’ve already lent him a lot but he won’t take no for an answer.’

  ‘Celine, I gave him twenty thousand dollars and lent him another hundred and fifty thousand.’

  ‘What? Oh, I didn’t know it was so much.’

  ‘Yeah I know.’

  ‘I’ve tried to reason with him but he has this way of talking me around. I suppose it’s partly because since his last divorce there’s only been the two of us.’

  ‘He manipulates you, just like he tries to do with everyone else.’

  ‘Yes, I know you’re right. It’s just that he’s been there for me. I try to say no and he makes me feel so damn guilty—like I’m betraying him. I know one day I’m going to have to stand up to him but I’ve always tried so hard to please him.’

  Jason glanced at her. ‘It’s your life, Celine. You’re not a little girl anymore. You risked our relationship trying to please him.’

  ‘I know, I know.’

  ‘Okay, so I get the whole Mac, money and your dad thing but what the hell are you doing with this wedding?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Oh, come on, Celine, you’ve picked holes in everything Violet’s done and you’ve been so difficult to please.’

  ‘It’s our wedding, Jason. It’s meant to be perfect. I have an idea in my head and I want it to match the reality. I know I’ve been difficult at times but . . .’

  ‘Difficult! I suppose that’s one way of putting it. Let’s be honest, y
ou’ve been appalling to Violet.’

  ‘I just don’t think we share the same vision for the wedding, that’s all. I’m not being picky. I’m just making sure that I get what I want,’ said Celine with a shrug. ‘I don’t see anything wrong with that.’

  ‘If you say so. I thought you might’ve been uncomfortable because the family likes her, or something like that.’

  ‘Not at all. I just don’t warm to her and I can’t understand what all the fuss is about her.’

  ‘What fuss?’

  Celine gave him a hard look. ‘Oh you know exactly what I’m talking about. Ever since I’ve arrived it’s been, “Violet this, Violet that. Don’t upset Violet and isn’t she pretty, clever and every damn thing else.” Not to mention that she’s the mother of a child you didn’t even know you had. I’m sick of everyone pandering to her. This is my wedding, not hers.’

  Chapter 27

  ‘Hey, Lily,’ said Violet when her sister finally answered the phone. ‘Sorry to call so late.’

  ‘Not a problem, I wasn’t asleep. Is everything alright?’

  ‘No, not even close.’

  ‘What’s up? Holly isn’t sick or anything?’

  ‘No, Holly’s fine. It’s just the whole McKellan wedding, its causing more trouble than I ever thought possible.’

  ‘Come on, Violet. You’re planning the wedding of Holly’s father and your ex-boyfriend; old feelings and memories are bound to be stirred up.’

  ‘It’s not just that. Jason worked out he’s Holly’s father and he’s threatening to go to the courts for custody,’ said Violet.

  ‘No fucking way.’

  ‘His fiancée tried to blackmail Mac into giving her money. Despite her having no interest in kids she said she’d support Jason in any custody battle.’

  ‘Oh, come on you’re just making this up. God, tell me you’re making this up!’

  ‘Nup. Celine was trying to convince Mac to give her a large sum of money or she’d do her. And if that wasn’t enough, Mac’s in love with me and I’ve fallen headlong in love with him.’

  ‘Violet, my head’s spinning. I’m so happy about you and Mac but what the hell are we going to do about Jason and Celine? Shall I come up? If I leave now . . . what’s the time?’

  Violet glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘Almost midnight.’

  ‘Well, I can be back in Violet Falls just before two o’clock.’

  ‘No, stay where you are. I’m fine, and Mac and I will work this out. I don’t want you to worry.’

  ‘Yeah, as if.’

  Lily was silent for a moment, before saying, ‘So you really love Mac?’

  ‘Yeah, I do.’

  ‘That’s great about you and Mac. So what’s happening with Jason and the wedding?’

  Violet leant back against the couch. ‘To be honest, I’m sick to death of the whole affair. Celine’s been appalling at every single turn and now Jason has decided he wants to play daddy. I wish that I had never agreed to help out.’

  ‘So what are you going to do?’

  ‘I suppose I have to see it through. You know, professional pride and all that. Not to mention that I couldn’t bail on Sarah.’

  ‘So how much longer do you have?’

  ‘Three days and then I’ll be free of Celine at least.’

  ‘And Jason?’

  ‘He says he wants to be in Holly’s life. He says he made a mistake all those years ago and he’s not the same person.’

  ‘You have every right to feel the way you do. Jason was a total arsehole. But I just wonder as Holly gets older maybe she’d want to be told about Jason. Most people want to know, if it’s possible, where they come from.’

  ‘You’re right, I hate it but you’re right. It’s just that I really fear that once he gets to know Holly he’ll want to have joint custody,’ said Violet.

  ‘You’re allowed to feel like that. Just try and keep an open mind. Not for Jason but for Holly. One day she’ll want the truth.’

  ‘I know that part of what you’re saying is right but Mac adores Holly and she adores him and I’d prefer her to see him as her father.’

  ‘And Jason comes along and starts to screw everything up?’

  ‘Yeah, basically.’

  ‘You can’t change the past, Violet. Besides you wouldn’t want to. Even though Jason McKellan is an arsehole, without him you wouldn’t have Holly.’

  ‘Point taken. Hey, when did you get to be so smart, little sister?’

  ‘Born with it. It’s a Beckett trait,’ Lily said with a laugh.

  Violet could understand that the bridal party would want a quick run-through of the ceremony. It made perfect sense that everyone needed to know what was going on and where they had to stand. But what she didn’t understand was Celine’s desire to go over it again and again and again.

  Violet stifled a sigh as she leant against the wall of the courtyard while Celine and her bridesmaids walked down the imaginary aisle for the fourth time. The only person who appeared to be enjoying the whole thing was Holly, who was sitting with Sarah looking totally rapt.

  Violet looked towards Mac who was standing with his brothers. He looked uneasy, while Dan let out a loud yawn and even Jason’s mouth was set in a grim line.

  Yep, the groom and his men certainly didn’t look happy.

  ‘Really, Dan, is it too much to ask for you to take this seriously?’ Celine snapped as she stopped halfway down the aisle.

  ‘I didn’t yawn on purpose,’ Dan muttered.

  ‘Well, now we’re going to have to start again.’

  Jason shook his head. ‘I don’t think so, Celine. This is the fourth time you’ve walked down the aisle and you’re yet to make it to the front.’

  ‘This is important, Jason,’ said Celine. ‘It’s our final wedding rehearsal.’

  ‘Yeah, but you don’t have to rehearse walking up and down this many times. I think you’ve already got that down. Besides, everyone’s got places they’d rather be. I’ve got to ring the office, Mac needs to be doing stuff around the farm and Dan’s got a restaurant to run. And I’m sure the bridesmaids have things to do too. Let’s just get on with this and get it over and done with,’ Jason said.

  ‘How can you say that? This is important, it’s our wedding,’ cried Celine, her voice shrill.

  ‘The wedding, yes. The rehearsal, no.’

  Mac caught Violet’s eye and winked at her.

  ‘You could at least pay attention, Mac,’ Celine said as she stomped down the aisle with her bridesmaids hurrying in her wake.

  ‘I am, Celine,’ Mac said evenly. ‘Anyway, isn’t your dad giving you away? Shouldn’t he be here as well?’

  ‘I said earlier that he’s got an important business meeting he couldn’t get out of. He’ll be here in time for the wedding. Now, can we please just focus on the rehearsal?’

  Violet bit back a giggle and pretended to inspect several large vases that were lying nearby.

  ‘I guess she told him.’

  Violet glanced up to see Flynn standing next to her.

  ‘I suppose she did,’ said Violet, smiling.

  Flynn’s gaze shifted towards the bridal party. ‘Celine’s good-looking, but man, she’s a piece of work.’

  ‘You have no idea,’ said Violet.

  ‘Ah well,’ said Flynn, ‘how’s everything with you?’

  ‘Fine,’ said Violet, ‘but I can’t wait until this wedding is over.’

  ‘Yeah. I’ve been meaning to say that I’m really glad you and Holly moved back. It’s been really good for Mac.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Violet. ‘Holly and I are really happy here—Holly’s even enjoying this damned wedding rehearsal. And I’m so happy about Mac.’

  ‘I’ve never seen Mac like this, Violet,’ said Flynn. ‘I knew he liked you a lot when we were at school, but you and Jason were so in love there was never going to be any chance for you and Mac. These past years he’s never taken any woman very seriously. He’s always been caring and everything
, but what he feels for you is something different altogether. He really loves you, you know.’

  ‘Yes, I know and I can’t tell you just how fortunate I am.’ For a second, tears blurred Violet’s vision and she wiped them away with the back of her hand. Raising her head she looked straight into Mac’s eyes. He gave her a questioning look and Violet smiled back, but her tears must have been obvious because Mac broke from the wedding rehearsals and walked straight up to her.

  ‘Mac, where are you going?’ said Celine, turning around.

  ‘Something’s come up,’ said Mac.

  The breath seemed to catch in Violet’s throat as he took her in his arms.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.

  Violet wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hung on. ‘Nothing Mac, everything is fine.’

  ‘Violet Beckett you’re a lousy liar. You were crying, I saw you,’ he said as he rested his head against hers. ‘Did Flynn say something to upset you? Because if he did I’ll—’

  ‘Flynn didn’t upset me. It’s just that I finally worked something out.’

  ‘Oh and what’s that?’

  ‘That I’m fond of you.’

  ‘Fond of me? Can’t you do better than that?’

  ‘Maybe . . . How about I’m quite fond of you?’ Violet said with a teasing grin.

  Mac’s arms tightened around Violet as his mouth crushed down on hers. The kiss scorched its way right down to Violet’s toes. It was hot, possessing and it consumed her. Her fingers spiked through his hair as she anchored him to her. He kissed her until she forgot where they were and that they weren’t alone.

  She sucked in a breath as Mac pulled back and broke the kiss. He nuzzled the side of her neck which set off a wave of ricocheting heat through her body.

  ‘I love you,’ he whispered against her ear.

  ‘I know you do,’ she said as she looked over his shoulder. The entire wedding party were staring at them with slack-jawed surprise. The exceptions were Sarah and Holly, who both had a smile from ear to ear. ‘Maybe you should put me down, everyone is looking.’

  ‘Nah, I don’t think so. I’ve only just got you,’ Mac said before he kissed her again.’