In a Lifetime

by Ariadne Wayne

  The water was soothing against my tired muscles. While I regularly worked out, working on the land had been an effort and a half. And I’d enjoyed it.

  Maybe I could make it on a farm after all.

  I stepped out of the shower, plucking a towel from the railing and wrapping it around my waist. Inside, the house was warm; it wouldn’t take long to dry off.

  Walking back into the bedroom, I opened my bag, pulling out fresh jeans and a T-shirt. I threw them on the bed and turned toward the door to close it.

  “I timed that right, then.” Vanessa stood in the doorway, in an even shorter shirt than earlier. This one barely covered her breasts. She had that eyebrow raised again as she looked me up and down. I’d never felt so naked.

  “Timed what?”

  “Arriving in time to see the view.”

  “Are you flirting with me, Miss Brown?” I laughed.

  “Whatever gave you that idea?” She took a step into the room, pursing her lips as she looked me over again. “I already know you’re a lost cause. You’re in love with Smella.”

  My heart stopped as I looked at her. Was it that obvious? The past two years I’d tried to hide it, and even made Ella think I didn’t like her at the start. Had her sister seen right through me?

  Vanessa laughed. “You should see the look on your face. Totally knew it. Everyone’s in love with Ella.”

  I exhaled a breath that I felt as if I’d been holding forever.

  “Are you jealous of her?” It was my turn to cock an eyebrow.

  “Little Miss Perfect? Sure. Though I’m not jealous she’s getting married. Your boy Sam is a douche.”

  I narrowed my eyes. What had he done to deserve that? He adored Ella. “What are you talking about?”

  She ran her finger across the foot of the bed until she stood inches from me and shrugged. “I don’t know. Just a feeling.”

  “Your dad said something similar. Has Sam done something?”

  Vanessa shook her head. “No. Dad gets feelings about these things. I trust him. I think he’s a bit psychic.”

  “Has he ever liked any of your boyfriends?”

  She looked up at the ceiling. “No.”

  “I think he’s more dad than psychic, then.”

  Her eyes met mine, and she twisted her mouth. “I guess you’re right.”

  I smiled. “Sam loves Ella. He’ll take good care of her.”

  “I hope my sister isn’t being a pain in the butt.” Ella’s voice came from the doorway. I didn’t know how much she’d heard, but I hoped I’d said the right thing.

  “She’s fine. We’re having a chat.”

  Ella moved toward us, hooking her arm around her sister’s shoulders and looking down at her. “As long as you’re not being mean to Matt.”

  “I might take you seriously if you were looking him in the eyes. They’re not in the middle of his chest, Ella.” Vanessa smiled triumphantly and I grinned as Ella went a deep shade of pink.

  “I’m not married yet. I’m allowed to look.” She flicked her hair back over her shoulder, catching my eye. That mischievous twinkle made my stomach do flips. Damn it. And then she winked, sending a signal in my body that went from my brain directly to my cock. I needed both of them out before anything further happened.

  “Neither of you are allowed to look right now. I have to get dressed,” I said.

  “I think he’s telling us to leave, sister dearest.” Vanessa smiled sweetly, and I rolled my eyes as Ella joined in. They might play like they didn’t like one another, but their unity told an altogether different story.

  “That’s exactly what I’m telling you. Some privacy would be nice.”

  “We’ll leave you to it. Want me to make a coffee?” Ella asked.

  “Your dad offered me a beer. I’ll take you up on that coffee suggestion later though.”

  She pulled Vanessa toward the door. “Good. I want you to feel at home here, too.”

  “Can he be my roommate?” Vanessa asked her.

  I laughed, shaking my head as Ella closed the door behind them. I did feel at home.

  I pulled my shirt over my head, drying myself as I put the remainder of my clothing on. Fresh jeans and a clean shirt made all the difference as I walked out to the kitchen.

  “Have you got any dirty clothes, love?” Mrs Brown asked.

  “I’ve got a few changes of clothes; I’ll be fine.” I smiled at her.

  “I’m doing a load of washing this afternoon. I’ll grab them and get them washed if you want me to.”

  “I don’t want to put you out.”

  She looked at me with those same eyes that Ella had, the ones that opened up her soul, and I saw kindness and motherly caring.

  “I do washing nearly every day. Another pair of jeans and a shirt aren’t going to make a difference. Are they on your bed?”

  I nodded.

  “I’ll grab them and give them a wash. No point in storing stinky clothes away.”

  I turned at the sound of footsteps. Eric was right behind me with a bottle of beer in his hand, chilled and open. “Here you go. I bet this’ll go down a treat after today. Thanks for the help, Matt.”

  “No problem. I enjoyed it.”

  We made our way into the living room, where Sam and Ella were curled up on the couch together.

  “Any time you want to come and help out, you’re more than welcome. Any friend of Ella, and all that,” he said, grinning at me as he sat.

  “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Matt always did like getting dirty.” Sam laughed, and I held in my exasperation. There it was, written all over Eric’s face. He thought Sam was looking down on him, and I couldn’t do anything now that particular horse had bolted.

  “Not my fault you’re too precious to do a bit of hard work.” I laughed. That pleased the old man; he was smiling again. Something told me that this wasn’t an easy time for him, his daughter about to marry someone he clearly didn’t like very much.

  “Hey, we went down the road and took a look at the church while you were gone,” Ella said, nudging me as I sat on the couch beside them.

  “I’m assuming it’s still there.”

  She poked her tongue at me. “Yes, smarty pants. And it’ll be amazing tomorrow.”

  I looked down at my beer. In twenty-four hours she would be Mrs Mason, and I really would have to get over her.

  But I had a plan for that.

  IN A REVERSAL of the night before, I helped Ella’s mother with the dishwasher before heading outside. That dazzling sky hit me again with its beauty, so simple with the tiny pinpricks of light peeping through the darkness.

  “I’ll be glad to go home; my hayfever goes nuts out here.” Sam’s voice came from the doorway, and he meandered across the deck toward me.

  “What hayfever?”

  “That’s what I mean. I never got it before I started coming here.”

  I rolled my eyes as he sat beside me. “I love this place. I could see myself living somewhere like this.”

  “You can have it.” He leaned back, closing his eyes. “I do sleep like a baby, though. Must be all the fresh air.”

  Shaking my head, I smirked. “You do cry like a baby. It’s fitting.”

  Sam punched my arm. “Hey, you’re not allowed to pick on me. I’m getting married tomorrow.”

  Don’t I know it.

  “To you and Ella,” I held up the coffee cup I’d brought outside, and he touched his beer against it.

  “Thanks, bro. It means everything that you’re here. And Mum and Dad being here in the morning will be awesome. They’ve never met Ella’s folks. Maybe then her dad won’t give me such a dirty look. Pretty sure he’s in love with you.”

  Sam stretched his legs out, yawning. Bed wasn’t far away for all of us, tomorrow being such a big day. In the afternoon, there had been a marquee assembled, and meat had arrived for the dinner. There would be a pig on a spit, and the thought of that alone was enough to make my mouth water.
r />   “He’s a nice guy. I can see where Ella gets her charms from.”

  Sam spat his beer all over the deck, laughing. “From her mother. Her dad is a cranky old bugger.”

  “Maybe with you.”

  He sighed. “Anyway, what are you doing after the wedding?”

  I took a sip of coffee. “I’m going to travel for a bit once you two are safely married. I’ve got a trip planned for the UK and beyond. I didn’t want to drop it on you, but I figured I should tell you before I disappear.”

  He cocked his head, narrowing his eyes. “You’ve never mentioned travelling before.”

  “It was always something I was going to do eventually. Feels like the right time.”

  Sam nodded, slapping me on the shoulder. “Fair enough. We’ll miss you.”

  “Besides, how would you and your lovely wife start your life alone together with me tagging along?”

  He laughed. “She’s lovely, but I’m not?”

  “Sorry, man, my heart’s not in it for you. I’m not that type of guy.” I patted his shoulder in return, grasping it tightly. “Be happy, and take care of that lady of yours. I’ll be back.”

  Sam took a deep breath, grinning like the damn Cheshire cat. “I’m getting married. Never thought I’d say those words. Couldn’t have found a better woman than Ella.”

  “You two are good together. Keep it that way while I’m not around to get you out of trouble.”

  He laughed. “We are going to miss you. Ella’s family love you. I can’t quite put my finger on it; they’re nice and everything, but I don’t know if they like me much.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know about that. Ella’s mum seems to like you.”

  “I think Ella’s mum likes everyone.” He looked at me slyly. “You seem very cosy with Vanessa.”

  “She’s sixteen.”

  He grinned, taking a swig of his beer. “Nearly seventeen. Still legal.”

  “That’s gross, man. She’s a kid.”

  “Yeah, but she’s stacked. Sweet little thing, too. Bit mouthy though.”

  I took a deep breath, holding in the anger that was building. I could punch him now, but the last thing I wanted to do was to ruin Ella’s wedding and fall out with her. No matter what, I still wanted her as a friend.

  “What’s wrong with you? She’s Ella’s sister, and she’s a child.”

  He rolled his eyes. “When did you get so uptight?”

  “When my friend started perving on sixteen-year-old children.”

  We stared one another down, his lips twitching as if he was trying to decide if I was serious or not.

  “Sam.” Ella’s voice came from inside, and Sam put his hands up in surrender.

  “Fine. Whatever. It’s not like I’d go there anyway.”

  Ella walked toward us, perching between Sam and I on the seat. She’d showered, the scent of honey stronger than ever, and I smiled at her, ignoring Sam.

  “Hey, Ella. After your groom?” I asked.

  Her cheeks pinked as she grabbed Sam’s hand. “Just a few things we need to sort out.”

  “He’s all yours.”

  Her eyebrows dipped as she looked back and forward between us. “Are you two okay?”

  No.

  “We’re fine.” Sam kissed her on the cheek.

  He stood, pulling her up by the hand. As they got to the door, Ella looked back over her shoulder, one eyebrow raised, clearly still puzzled by what she’d walked in on.

  And then I was alone, left with my thoughts and the stars. Of all the time we’d spent leading to this moment, this was the hardest.

  Tomorrow I’d say goodbye to any last hope.

  10

  MATT

  The wedding day. The day I would watch my best friend marry the woman we both loved.

  I’d skirted around it so much in my head, but there it was. I was in love with Ella, and had been from day one. It wasn’t enough to be her friend; I still wanted her.

  We’d got to the car when I stuck my hand in my pocket, grabbing Sam’s arm with my other hand in panic. “The rings.”

  Sam rolled his eyes. “You’re an idiot. Go back and get them, and hurry. If we throw off the timing for today, Ella will kill me.”

  I laughed. “Whatever. Pretty sure she’d forgive you anything.”

  He climbed in the car while I turned back toward the house. The rings were on the cabinet beside the bed in my room. They’d given me one job, and I’d nearly failed at it.

  Inside, women were everywhere. Vanessa, a couple of other ladies I didn’t really know but I’d been told they were old friends of Ella’s. Sam’s mother and Ella’s mother were in the kitchen, laughing at me as I came running back into the house.

  “I forgot something.” I shrugged, heading up the hallway to the bedroom. I breathed a sigh of relief as I spotted the two little boxes I was supposed to be responsible for.

  “Matt.” Ella’s voice came from her room as I went back toward the kitchen and the back door.

  I poked my head in the room. “What’s up? I have to run.”

  Her back was to me, and she slowly turned with the biggest smile on her face I think I’d ever seen. “What do you think?”

  My heart fell to the floor. Her dress was similar to the one she’d worn the night I’d first seen her, with the heart-shaped neckline that showed off her cleavage. It was clinched at the waist and then flowed outward in material of the purest white.

  Ella looked like an angel.

  “Matt?”

  “I … you …” She frowned as I fumbled my words, unable to form any at the sight of her. “You look incredible, Ella.”

  Her smile lit up the room when it returned, and she studied my expression closely. “Are you sure? I want it to look perfect.”

  “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in all my life,” I blurted out, meeting her eyes as her mouth fell open, uncertainty crossing her face. “Uh, I have to go.”

  I raced the rest of the way to the car, jumping in the back seat and pulling the door closed behind me.

  “Everything okay?” Sam’s eyebrows were raised.

  “Fine.” My heart pounded so hard, he must have been able to hear it. Surely. If I hadn’t been a goner before I would have been after seeing Ella in her bridal gown. I could complain about how unfair it was, but she loved him as much as he loved her. It wasn’t as if he was forcing her into this.

  Sam’s dad was driving. He had some talkback station playing on the radio, we couldn’t even listen to music to relax. Not that Sam needed to. I was much more stressed than he was.

  I fiddled with my tie, running it through my fingers, the image of Ella still playing through my mind.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to hook up with Vanessa?” Sam said.

  I closed my eyes. “I told you, she’s young and not my type.”

  Sam laughed. “I’m beginning to think that no one is your type.”

  I nodded. “Forever alone.” I looked out the window to rolling paddocks as we passed. It really was beautiful out here, peaceful.

  He grinned. “I’m really doing it, Matt. I can’t believe today I get to marry Ella. I love her so much, man.”

  I swallowed down any resentment. Sam did love her, and he would take good care of her. I couldn’t fault him for that.

  We pulled up outside the church. It was small and beautiful, like something out of a country postcard, with ivy growing up the walls, the roof reaching up into a steeple.

  I’d never thought about my wedding day, never planned for anything or had any dreams of what it might be like. This was perfect.

  “Cool-looking place,” he said, as if reading my mind. “Ella had her heart set on it. We were lucky we got it this weekend; it’s pretty solidly booked. There’s a big garden out the back that’s popular for photos. Perfect.”

  “It looks fantastic.” I patted him on the back. “Congratulations, my friend. Let’s get you married.”

  As hard as it was to see Ella marryin
g someone else, I was happy for Sam. My emotions were conflicted, but one thing was true. I loved Sam, too, and wanted him to get his happy ending.

  We walked up the old stone steps and into the church. The minister stood up near the altar, and smiled as we approached.

  I hung back while Sam went to speak with him. It was homely in here—small wooden pews, embroidered cloths everywhere. It was so like Ella to like something a bit old-fashioned.

  “Matt, we have to wait around here, and we’ll get plenty of warning Ella’s coming.”

  “If she doesn’t stand you up.” Even if I didn’t feel the way I did, I needed to give him as much crap as I could. He would be doing the same for me.

  “I wouldn’t blame her if she did.” He grinned. Turning serious, he squeezed my arm. “Thank you for being here. There is no one else I’d rather have by my side. We’ve been through everything together, haven’t we?”

  “School, university, puberty …” I laughed.

  “Sometimes I think we’re stuck on that last one.”

  “Speak for yourself.” I sat down in the front pew.

  “Are you really going away?”

  I nodded as he sat beside me. “Europe. I’ve got a job lined up in the UK for a while, and then I’m going to travel. I don’t know how long for.”

  “It’ll be weird without you around.” He fiddled with his tie rather than meet my gaze.

  “I haven’t been around for ages. It’s been you and Ella. I’ll miss you two, but I need to do this.”

  “It’ll still be weird. I always thought we’d do some big overseas trip together, but Ella turned the whole world in its head.” He smiled, that satisfied smile that tied my stomach in knots. I wanted what he had, but I couldn’t hurt him to try and get it.

  Sam stood as his parents arrived, and I took another look around before joining them. I don’t think I’d ever seen his mother so happy.

  Ella’s mother wasn’t far behind, and she smiled at me as she took her seat. No matter what, I’d enjoyed my time here, getting to know Ella’s family. They were such good people.

  “Ella’s right behind me, love,” Ella’s mother said to Sam, and he nodded toward me. We took our places at the front of the church and waited for her to appear.