McKellan's Run

by Nicole Hurley-Moore

  ‘The other day,’ she said as she opened the door and wriggled out. ‘Is everything alright, Mummy? Your face looks funny.’

  ‘I’m fine, sweetie.’ Violet got out of the car and smoothed down the skirt of her green wrap dress, shouldered her bag and held out her hand. ‘Come on then, my beautiful girl.’

  Holly placed her hand in her mother’s and started to skip alongside her. ‘Mummy?’

  ‘Yes, sweetheart?’

  ‘I don’t have to talk to Celine do I?’

  ‘No, not at all. I think Celine is going to be very busy and very . . .’

  ‘Mean?’

  ‘Well, er, I wasn’t going to say that but why do you ask?’

  ‘Oh, she reminds me of one of the princesses in my book.’ Holly let go of her mother’s hand and rummaged in her bag. She pulled out a fairy-tale book and flicked through it. She held the book up to Violet. ‘See, Celine looks like her.’

  Violet had to admit there was a slight resemblance. The princess was blonde, pretty and looked just as shiny and put together as Celine.

  ‘Um, I guess they do look alike.’

  ‘Yes, Mummy, but you see she really looks like this,’ said Holly, flicking through a few more pages until she found what she was looking for.

  Violet tried hard not to laugh as she looked at the picture of a wicked witch.

  ‘She says nice things but she doesn’t mean them,’ continued Holly. ‘There’s a look in her eyes—a mean look.’

  ‘Yes, I understand what you’re saying, sweetheart. You don’t have to talk to her. In fact it’s probably better if you stay out of her way. We’ll find somewhere for you to sit, far away from Celine.’

  ‘Good,’ said Holly as she put the book back in her bag.

  Mac walked through the house and headed to his study. Violet had managed to transform the interior of his house into a sparkling space.

  Dear God, he’d be happy when this fiasco of a wedding was over and he could reclaim the house. A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth, maybe he should ask Violet to re-decorate some of the rooms; starting with what he hoped would become their bedroom, and then one for Holly.

  The idea definitely had merit and he was musing just how he could approach the whole thing with Violet as he pushed open the study door. Inside, Celine was standing over Holly, holding the little girl’s arm, the other hand raised as if she was about to strike her.

  ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing? Let her go now!’

  Celine released Holly and spun around, her face furious.

  ‘When I came in here to check on things, this child was opening the party favours for the dinner and ruining them with her dirty little hands. Honestly, I don’t know why she’s even here!’

  Holly ran around Celine and hurtled herself into Mac’s outstretched arms.

  ‘I don’t give a damn about your decorations. If you ever lay a finger on Holly again, I’ll forget how my parents raised me. Do I make myself clear?’

  ‘All children need to be disciplined. Look what she’s done!’ said Celine, pointing to one little glittery chiffon bag. It was open, and a couple of the pale-pink sugared almonds and one silver-wrapped chocolate heart lay next to Holly’s colouring book. The rest of the favours were still stacked in a box on the desk, untouched.

  ‘I only took one, Mac,’ said Holly, tightening her hold around his neck as she buried her head into his shoulder. ‘I shouldn’t have done it but Mummy always makes extra, and they looked so pretty.’

  ‘Shhh, it’s alright, Holly,’ said Mac as she trembled with fear.

  Then he looked towards Celine. ‘Once this wedding is over, you are not welcome in my house. Stay away from Holly and stay away from Violet and me.’

  Celine nodded.

  ‘Now get out and don’t ever try to step foot in this room again,’ Mac said as he turned his back.

  ‘She’s scary,’ said Holly, once Celine was gone.

  ‘It’s okay, honey. Did she hurt you?’ Mac asked as he sat Holly down on his office chair.

  She shook her head. ‘No, but I think she wanted to.’

  ‘Do you want me to go and get your mum?’ asked Mac.

  ‘No, she’d be really cross,’ said Holly.

  ‘Yeah, she would. How about we find my mum and go and play with the kittens? It was the reason I was coming to see you in the first place. See what I’ve got?’ said Mac pulling out from the drawer in his desk some toys that Holly could use to play with the kittens.

  Holly’s eyes lit up as she picked up a small red ball and shook it. ‘The ball has a bell in it and there’s a toy mousey.’

  ‘Uncle Dan’s bringing dinner in a little while. I reckon you can hang out with Mud and her kittens until then. What do you think?’

  ‘That’d be great, Mac. I haven’t seen the kittens for ages.’

  ‘Hah, don’t give me that. It was only a couple of days ago.’

  ‘That’s ages!’ said Holly with a serious expression on her face. ‘They’ll forget who I am.’

  ‘Nah, sweetie, that’ll never happen. I promise.’

  Chapter 30

  Violet straightened the elaborate centrepiece before standing back and surveying the whole room. Everything looked perfect for tomorrow’s wedding.

  The silence of the room was shattered as a slow song filtered through the sound system. Violet turned around as she heard footsteps across the wooden floor.

  ‘Beautiful.’ Mac ambled towards her, holding out a glass of wine. ‘Just beautiful.’

  ‘Thanks, Mac,’ said Violet as she accepted the glass with a smile. ‘I think everything is in place.’

  Mac’s eyes locked onto hers as his fingers closed over the back of her hand. Her heart did that quaking thing as he took one more step closer. He leant over and whispered in her ear, ‘I meant you, Violet. You’re beautiful.’

  Her skin tingled under his breath. ‘Mac?’

  ‘Yes, Violet?’

  ‘I should just check everything once more. I’ll need one of the guys to move the crates away from the kitchen door and make sure Dan knows about the three last-minute guests who telephoned earlier to say they were coming after all,’ said Violet.

  ‘Everything’s perfect and if you hadn’t noticed it’s late and everyone has gone home.’

  ‘They have?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Mac took the glass from her hand and set it on the table before tugging her towards him. Violet let him. She needed a hug, she needed to feel that sense of protection he imbued in her. Mac stepped in even closer and she felt his hand splay across the small of her back. Slowly they began to move with the music.

  Violet relaxed in his arms and rested her head on his shoulder. All the stress of the last month seemed to melt away and she was only aware of Mac. She was acutely conscious of the strength in his arms, his cool scent, and the hardness of his body.

  ‘When was the last time we danced together?’ he asked as he dipped his head next to her ear. The warm of his breath made her shiver. She’d forgotten what it felt like to be slow-danced around a floor. No, that wasn’t right. She’d forgotten what it was like to dance with Mac.

  ‘That party you had at the end of Year 10 before Jason went away to uni.’

  ‘You remember that long ago?’

  ‘I remember dancing with you.’ Violet leant her head against his shoulder. This felt so right. ‘We danced out in the courtyard, you whirled me around in the starlight and held me.’

  His hands ran up and down her spine. ‘I remember too, oh, I remember. But all you could think about was Jason. God, I envied him.’

  ‘Well, we’re here now.’

  ‘I’ve been wanting this since the minute I set eyes on you again,’ said Mac, his mouth hovering just above hers for a moment, teasing and tempting her. She raised herself on tiptoes and kissed him.

  At first the kiss was soft and gentle as silk, Violet sighed into him as her hand crept behind the back of his neck. Mac ran his hands thro
ugh her hair, his kiss changing from sweet to demanding.

  Violet sucked in a breath as her lips parted. Her nipples hardened and brushed against his chest as his tongue rubbed against hers. Violet ran her hands over his broad shoulders, his skin was hot beneath the cool cotton of his shirt. They kissed each other long and hard, her body calling out for more.

  Mac unfurled his fingers and slid his hands down her back. Violet’s heart picked up the beat as both his hands clasped her bottom—caressing, kneading and then without warning, lifting her up. To steady herself, she locked her legs around his waist.

  ‘Hurry, Mac,’ Violet said between kisses. ‘Get us to the couch.’

  ‘No babe, we’re going where I’ve wanted you for so long,’ Mac said as he carried her out of the room.

  Violet drew back and raised a delicate brow. ‘And where exactly is that?’

  ‘My bed.’

  Somehow they made it up the stairs, although they did pause on the landing to kiss each other wildly, full of passion and desire. Violet released all the longing she’d been suppressing. She was free of the doubts and the fears which had shackled her to the past, and Mac’s love had done that.

  A fire sparked within her. She wanted to feel his skin against hers. She needed him.

  He leant her against the door; the hard wood felt cold against her back while he fumbled with the door knob. Mac never broke their kiss but a frustrated growl came from the back of his throat as he jiggled the uncooperative handle. Finally, after an infuriating moment, the door swung open and they stumbled towards the bed.

  Mac put her down. ‘I can’t stop touching you.’

  ‘Then don’t.’ Violet’s hands moved to the side of her waist and she slowly began to undo the tie of her wrap dress. She watched Mac’s eyes darken as she let the dress pool at her feet.

  ‘You’re killing me, sweetheart.’

  She smiled, panting. ‘Believe me, I don’t want to kill you, I want to love you.’

  ‘You’re so beautiful, Violet.’

  ‘You’re totally wonderful, Mac,’ breathed Violet reaching up to unbutton his shirt. Her hands skimmed over his chest as the shirt fell away. Violet leant in close. She could feel the strong beat of his heart beneath her palm and the faint scent of his woodsy aftershave.

  ‘I want you, Mac. I need you to touch me, I need to feel you inside me.’

  ‘God, Violet,’ said Mac, crushing her to his chest. ‘I’ve wanted you for so long like this!’ His hands ran over her back and unhooked her bra, slipping it from her. He pushed down her lacy black knickers, the look on his face full of love and desire.

  ‘Perfection,’ he murmured as he slowly moved his hands down her body.

  The warmth within Violet unfurled, as Mac’s mouth clamped over her hardening nipple. She was naked in his arms and Violet knew she was right where she was meant to be.

  ‘Mac.’

  He manoeuvred them towards the bed and laid her down. He lingered above her as he kissed a trail from her breasts, all the way along her neck.

  ‘Hang on a sec.’ He pushed off the bed and Violet almost cried out at the loss of his touch.

  Violet’s mouth went dry as she watched him shed the rest of his clothes. She stared at the male perfection in front of her. ‘You’re beautiful.’

  Mac reached over and opened the small drawer on the night stand and took out a condom.

  ‘I could—’ said Violet.

  Mac shook his head. ‘Next time, sweetheart. I’m about ready to burst.’

  Mac climbed onto the bed and pulled Violet down into his arms. Violet let him, feeling full of desire for him.

  Mac’s hand started to meander over her skin—circling, skimming, teasing as he nuzzled the side of her neck. Violet arched towards him as his hand cupped her.

  Violet gasped as he slipped his finger into her. The fire within her burned hard and fast, her breath quickened, her every nerve ending engaged. He gently moved his hand until Violet was brought to the edge. She looked at him through half-closed eyes as the pleasure of his touch washed over her like a wave.

  He settled between her thighs and slid into her, inch by inch, until Violet bit back a moan. He stilled for an instant, and he looked into her eyes. ‘I love you, Violet Beckett.’

  She reached up and ran her fingers along the side of his face. ‘I know.’

  ‘This is forever, Violet. I can’t ever let you go.’

  ‘I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, Mac. Not ever.’

  Afterwards Violet linked her fingers through Mac’s, her face serious.

  ‘Sometimes I never thought I’d say this to anyone, but I love you so much. I want us to be together. You, me and Holly.’

  Mac pushed himself up on his elbow and leaned over to kiss her.

  ‘I’m sorry it took me so long to say it,’ said Violet. ‘I guess in the beginning I was afraid that this could never happen and then I didn’t want anything to jinx it.’

  ‘Never thought you were the superstitious kind.’

  ‘Only where love is concerned,’ said Violet smiling. ‘I suppose I never really thought I could, or even deserved to be, this happy. Sometimes I think I’ll wake up and all of this, all of us, will have been a dream.’

  ‘It’s no dream, Violet, and I’m sure as hell not going anywhere.’

  ‘I know that now,’ said Violet.

  ‘I love you, Violet Beckett. You’re the only woman I’ve ever really wanted, the only one I’ll ever want.’

  Chapter 31

  Violet’s eyes fluttered open and for an instant she didn’t know where she was. But then the mattress moved and Mac’s arm snaked around her waist and pulled her close. She smiled, this was a good way to wake up, and one she could get used to. Through the open window, Violet could see the dawn break over distant hills. A cool breeze filled the room but she was warmed by Mac’s body. She should be tired, as Mac’s lovemaking had kept her up most of the night, but she wasn’t. Instead there was a buzz running right through her body.

  The morning air was still but Violet could feel the potential in it. Anticipation bubbled through her; it was going to be a good day. Everything to do with the wedding was pretty much under control, though there were still a few things to do, but first she needed some coffee and then Mac.

  Gingerly, she moved Mac’s arm just enough so she could slip out of bed. The air was chillier than she’d expected and it was all she could do not to jump back into bed and snuggle into Mac. She shivered, then grabbed Mac’s shirt from the chair, slung it on and headed downstairs.

  After flicking on the switch to start the coffee machine she hunted around the kitchen for some cups. She’d just have enough time to wake Mac up with coffee, kisses and maybe a little bit more. Yeah, it was going to be a good morning.

  ‘Did you really mean what you said?’ came a voice from behind her.

  Violet swung around to see Jason hunched over at the end of the long kitchen table.

  ‘Jason, you scared me. I didn’t hear you coming in,’ she said.

  ‘Did you mean what you said, Violet?’

  ‘What are you talking about?’ she asked.

  ‘The other night. Do you really believe I’m still a good man?’

  The question hung in the air awkwardly as Violet turned and busied herself making the coffee. ‘I think you’ve lost sight of him, Jason. But he’s still there,’ she said after a while.

  ‘I’m sorry, about the other night. The kiss, I mean. I was way out of line,’ he said, as he raised his head for the first time.

  ‘It’s okay,’ said Violet, noticing Jason’s eyes were red-rimmed and he looked as if he hadn’t slept. Not a great way to begin your wedding day.

  ‘So, you and Mac, huh?’

  ‘Yes, me and Mac,’ she answered as she walked over and placed a coffee in front of him. ‘Here, you look as if you could use it.’

  ‘Thanks,’ he said simply. ‘I’m not trying to push in, I don’t have the right. I know I didn’t support you
all those years ago and that’s something I have to live with. I’m just curious about Holly. Does she know I’m her father?’

  ‘No, she doesn’t.’

  ‘Are you ever going to tell her?’

  Violet leaned against the kitchen bench and looked out the window. ‘Yes, Jason, but I want to wait a while. She’s just had Mac come into her life.’

  Jason took a gulp of his coffee. ‘Thank you, that’s more than I could really have hoped for, all things considered.’

  ‘It’s not just about you, Jason. Eventually Holly will want to know the truth.’

  ‘And what will you say about me. About us?’

  ‘That we were once, long ago, in love and had a few unforgettable summers. But we couldn’t last, it was all too much, too soon and we were so young and just starting out in our adult lives. No matter how much I might have wanted it at the time, we didn’t have a future together,’ Violet said as she stared out the window. ‘And that she’s a lucky girl because she has two great fathers—one who made her and one who chose her.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Jason, his eyes looking a little misty. ‘Mac will do a good job. He loves you both. I just wish—’

  ‘You can’t live in the past, Jase. Let it go. It’s okay.’

  ‘I have to start putting things right.’

  ‘It’s your wedding day, Jason. Cheer up and look to the future. It’s about to change.’

  ‘Yes, it is. Are you happy? I mean are you happy with Mac?’

  ‘More than I thought possible,’ Violet answered as she picked up the other two coffees she’d made and took a step towards the door. ‘Now, I’m going back to bed. I’ll see you later.’

  ‘I’m glad you’re happy. You deserve to be,’ said Jason as she walked out of the kitchen.

  Violet tried to put the conversation out of her head as she walked back up the stairs to Mac’s bedroom. She lingered in the doorway and stared at Mac. His hand was thrown up near his head, his wide shoulders spread across the white sheet and his jaw was shadowed by stubble. Violet’s fingers itched to touch him.

  She put the cups down on the bedside table and slid back into bed.