She’d kicked off her high heeled shoes and they were now stowed under the table. She was thinking rather fondly about the end of the night when she could head for home. It would be so nice to greet her dogs, then curl up in bed with a glass of water and a headache tablet.
Tom leaned towards her. ‘Lucy, it’s our turn to dance.’
She winced. ‘Is it really?’
Tom was already on his feet. ‘Come on. Gina and Will are already up. You know the wedding party is expected to take a twirl on the dance floor.’
Bother. She’d forgotten about that. She suppressed a sigh as she fished beneath the table for her shoes. Ouch. They pinched as she squeezed back into them.
She looked over at the dance floor and saw that Tom was right. Gina was already dancing with Will and, for no reason that made sense, her silly heart began to trip and stumble.
‘Lead the way,’ she told Tom resolutely, slipping her arm through his. Thank heavens he was a reliable old friend. At least she could dance with Tom till the cows came home without being attacked by dangerous palpitations.
Unfortunately, Tom didn’t seem to be quite so enamoured with her as his dancing partner. At the end of the bracket, other couples joined them on the dance floor and Tom leaned close to her ear. ‘Would you mind if I asked Gina for a dance?’
‘Of course I don’t mind.’ She took a step back to prove it. ‘Please, go ahead. You must dance with your wife.’
Tom happily tapped Will on the back and Lucy retreated to the edge of the timber dance floor. Over her shoulder, she watched the men’s brief smiling exchange. She saw Will’s nod and her heart began to race as she guessed what might happen next.
It was logical—a common courtesy for Will to ask her to dance—but there were times when logic and courtesy flew out of the window. Times like now, when her out of date, unhelpful feelings for Will made simple things complicated.
On the surface, one quick dance with an old friend should have been a piece of cake. But on a super-romantic night like tonight, Lucy was trembling at the very thought of dancing publicly in Will Carruthers’s arms.
She couldn’t help thinking about that kiss all those years ago, when she’d made a fool of herself at Will’s farewell party. She turned, planning to hurry back to her place at the table.
‘Lucy!’
Will’s voice sounded close behind her and she froze.
‘I won’t let you escape that easily.’ His tone held a thread of humour, but there was also a note of command that was hard to ignore.
His hand brushed her wrist and the touch was like a firebrand. Lucy was helpless as his fingers enclosed around her, as he pulled her gently but decisively towards him. ‘Come on,’ he urged. ‘We’ve got to have one dance.’
He made it sound easy, but when she looked into his cool grey eyes she was surprised to see a cautious edge to his smile, as if he wasn’t quite as confident as he sounded. Which didn’t help her to relax.
A number of wedding guests were watching them, however, and the last thing she wanted was a scene.
‘One dance?’ Lucy forced lightness into her voice. ‘Why not?’ She managed a smile. No way did she want to give the impression she was trying to dodge Will. One dance was no problem at all. She would dance with him till her feet fell off.
Will led her back onto the dance floor.
Gulp.
As soon as he placed one hand at her back and took her other hand in his, she knew this wasn’t going to be any version of easy. She drew a jagged breath.
‘Smile,’ Will murmured as he pulled her closer. ‘This is a wedding, not a funeral.’
He took the lead and Lucy obediently pinned on a smile.
She’d only danced with Will a handful of times, long ago. Even so, she could remember every single detail—his habit of enfolding her fingers inside his, the way he smelled of midnight, and the way her head was exactly level with his jaw.
Tonight, every familiar memory felt like a pulled thread, unravelling her poorly stitched self control. Being this close to Will played havoc with her heartbeats, with her sense of rhythm. She kept stumbling and bumping into him and then apologising profusely.
After the third apology, he steered her to the edge of the floor and he leaned back a little, and he smiled as he looked into her face.
Will said something, but Lucy couldn’t hear him above the music and she shook her head, lifted her shoulders to show she had no idea.
Leaning closer, she felt her skin vibrate as he spoke into her ear. ‘Are you OK? Would you like a break?’
That would be sensible, wouldn’t it?
She nodded. ‘Yes, please.’
A reprieve.
Maybe not. Will stayed close beside her as she returned to the table and, before she could resume her seat, he said, ‘There are chairs outside. Why don’t we go out there where it’s cooler and quieter, away from the music?’
Lucy’s heart stumbled again. Going outside where it was quieter suggested that Will wanted to talk.
Part of her yearned to talk with him, but she wasn’t sure it was wise. What could they talk about now? They’d covered the basics last night after the rehearsal, and Will had been away for so long that they’d lost their old sense of camaraderie.
Besides, further conversation would surely lead to uncomfortable topics like her relationship with Josh. Wouldn’t it be wiser to simply keep their distance now?
But the look in Will’s eyes as he watched her sent a fine shiver rushing over her skin and she knew that wisdom would lose this particular battle and curiosity would win. She secretly longed to hear what Will wanted to talk about.
‘I’m sure a little fresh air is a good idea,’ she said and she went with him through a doorway in the side of the marquee into the moon silvered night.
They found two chairs abandoned by smokers and, as soon as Lucy sat down, she slipped off her shoes and rubbed at her aching feet.
Will chuckled softly.
‘I’m not used to wearing such high heels,’ she said defensively. ‘You should try them. They’re sheer torture.’
‘I don’t doubt that for a moment, but they look sensational.’ He released a button on his jacket, letting it fall open. His shirt gleamed whitely in the moonlight and he stretched his long legs in front of him.
After a small pause, he said, ‘I meant what I said in my speech. You look lovely tonight, Lucy.’
Her cheeks grew warm again. ‘Thanks. Mattie chose our dresses. She has very feminine tastes.’
He let her self-effacing comment pass.
‘It’s been a perfect wedding,’ she said to make amends, but then she was ambushed by an involuntary yawn. ‘But it seems to have worn me out.’
‘You’ve probably been working too hard.’
She shook her head. ‘My work doesn’t very often make me tired. Weddings, on the other hand…’
‘Can be very draining.’
‘Yes.’
He was watching her with a lopsided smile. ‘It’s not always easy to watch your friends tie the knot.’
‘I…’ Her mouth was suddenly dry and her tongue stuck to its roof. She shot Will a sharp glance, uncertain where this conversation was heading. She tried again. ‘I’m really happy for Mattie, aren’t you?’
‘Absolutely,’ he said. ‘Marriage couldn’t have happened to a nicer girl.’
Lucy nodded. A small silence limped by. ‘I suppose weddings are tiring because they involve lots of people.’ Hunting for a way to disguise the fact that Will’s presence at this wedding was her major problem, she made a sweeping gesture towards the crowded marquee. ‘I’m more used to animals these days. They’re so much quieter than humans.’
‘And I’m used to rocks.’
Lucy laughed. ‘I dare say they’re quieter too.’
‘Silence is one of their better attributes.’ Will chuckled again. ‘Sounds like we’ve turned into a pair of old loners.’
‘Maybe,’ she said softly, but she knew it
was hazardous for her to talk of such things with this man.
Quietly, he said, ‘It’s happening all around us, Goose.’
Goose… her old nickname.
Only her father and Will had ever called her Goose, or Lucy Goose…and hearing the name now made her dangerously nostalgic.
She tried to shake that feeling aside. ‘What’s happening all around us?’
‘Friends getting married. Starting families.’
Lucy stiffened. Why did he have to bring up that subject? ‘It’s hardly surprising, given our friends’ ages.’
‘Yes, and we’re older than all of them.’
Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock…
Lucy closed her eyes as the familiar breathless panic gripped her. No. She wasn’t going to think about that worry tonight. She’d declared a moratorium on all thoughts that involved babies, having babies, wanting babies, losing babies. She couldn’t imagine why Will had raised such a sensitive topic.
Or perhaps he didn’t know about her miscarriage. After his brother’s death, she’d barely spoken to Will at the funeral and then he’d moved as far away from Willowbank as was humanly possible. Since then, if they’d run into each other, it had been by accident, or because their friends had invited them to the same Christmas party.
Will had always been polite but he’d kept his distance and Lucy had always been busily proving to him that she was managing damn fine splendid on her own.
So why this?
Why now?
Lucy knew her sudden breathless fear would not be helped by a continued discussion of marriage and babies with Will Carruthers.
‘Is there a point to this conversation, Will?’ She thrust her feet back into her shoes and grimaced as they pinched. ‘Because I don’t enjoy being reminded of how old I’m getting.’
She jumped to her feet, only to discover she was shaking violently. Her knees had no strength whatsoever and she had no choice but to sink down again.
She was too embarrassed to look at Will.
In a heartbeat, he was bending over her solicitously. ‘I’m sorry. I thought I was stating the obvious. Marriages, births, christenings all around us. Are you all right? Can I get you a drink?’
‘I’m fine,’ she lied, dragging in oxygen. ‘But I…I should go back inside. Mattie might need me.’
‘Are you sure you’re OK?’
She gulped another deep breath. ‘I’m certain.’
Will’s hand was at her elbow, supporting her as she got to her feet again, and she hoped he couldn’t feel the way her body trembled.
With her first step she swayed against him. He put his arm around her and it felt amazingly fabulous to have his solid shoulder to lean on. ‘I swear I haven’t had too much to drink,’ she said.
‘I know that. You’re just tired.’
She supposed he was right. What else could it be?
‘As soon as this reception is over, I’ll drive you home,’ Will said.
‘There’s no need.’
‘No arguments, Lucy. You don’t have your car here, do you?’
‘No,’ she admitted. ‘I left it at Mattie’s place.’
‘My vehicle’s here. If you’re tired, you need a lift.’
By now they’d reached the doorway to the marquee and Lucy could see Gina handing around a platter of wedding cake in pink and silver parcels.
‘Oh, heavens,’ she cried, slipping from Will’s hold. ‘I should be helping with the cake.’
‘Are you sure you’re up to it?’
‘Of course.’
And, as she hurried to help, she knew that it was true. She was perfectly fine when she was safely away from Will.
That went well, Will thought wryly as he watched Lucy hand around platters of wedding cake.
Already she was smiling and chatting and looking a hundred times happier than she had a few minutes ago when he’d crassly reminded her that life was passing them by.
Watching her with a thoughtful frown, he recalled the countless conversations they’d enjoyed when they were friends. They’d shared a mutual interest in science, and so they’d been totally in tune about many things. It was only later, when they’d talked about life after university, that their friendship had run into trouble.
Lucy was adventurous and as curious about the world as he was, but unlike him, she hadn’t been keen to get away. She’d apparently wanted nothing more than to get straight back to Willowbank, to settle down in a veterinary practice.
Her father was a doctor and she’d claimed that she was anxious to follow his example. She’d worked hard to get her degree and she looked on travel as a waste of time. Why work at menial jobs simply to earn enough money to move on to the next travel spot, when she could stay in Willowbank and build her career?
At the time, when Will had left on his big adventure with Cara in tow, he’d had a vague idea that he might eventually return and find work closer to home.
The news of his brother’s engagement to Lucy McKenty had come out of the blue and he’d been shocked by how much it had worried him, by the urge that had hit him to hurry home. Not that he could blame Lucy for falling in love with Josh.
Everyone in the entire Willow Creek district had loved his outgoing, confident brother—and Josh Carruthers had a habit of getting what he wanted, especially when it came to women.
Will could easily imagine how his brother had flirted with Lucy. Hell, yeah. Josh would have charmed and courted her so expertly she wouldn’t have known what had hit her. And Josh would have offered her the exact life she wanted—marriage and a family, with a sheep station thrown in as the icing on the cake.
But had Josh really, deeply cared for Lucy? Had he wanted to make her happy?
It surprised Will that he still let these questions bother him after all this time.
‘You look down in the mouth.’ Jake’s voice sounded at Will’s elbow. ‘Everything OK?’
Will turned guiltily and forced a grin. ‘It’s been a fabulous night,’ he said, hoping to avoid answering Jake’s question. ‘Ace wedding, mate.’
‘Glad you’ve had a good time.’ Jake nodded his head in Lucy’s direction. ‘She’s a lovely girl.’
It was pointless to pretend he didn’t know who Jake meant. Will nodded. ‘Yeah.’ He shoved his hands deep in his pockets, as if the action could somehow comfort him.
‘Mattie told me you two used to be really close.’
‘Close friends,’ Will corrected and he did his best to dismiss this with a shrug, but Jake was watching him in a way that made his neck burn hotly.
Jake smiled. ‘You look as miserable as I felt four months ago, before I sorted everything out with Mattie.’
‘This is totally different. More like a mystery than history,’ Will muttered glumly.
‘Perhaps. But, in the end, it all comes down to the same thing.’
Will glared at his friend. ‘I didn’t realise that a marriage ceremony turned a man into an instant relationship guru.’
Jake’s smile faded. ‘Sorry. Was I sounding smug?’
‘You were.’ Will gave another shrug. ‘But I’d probably be smug too, if I was in your shoes.’
‘Except that you’re right,’ Jake said, looking more serious now. ‘I know nothing about you and Lucy.’
A heavy sigh escaped Will and he realised that, despite his fierce reaction, he’d actually been hoping that his friend could reveal some kind of magic insight that would help him to clear the air with Lucy. Anything to be rid of this gnawing guilt he still carried.
‘I think we’re heading off soon,’ Jake said. ‘I guess I’d better find my wife and finish our farewells.’
They shook hands and Will wished his mate all the best and it wasn’t much later before the guests started gathering on the footpath to wave the happy couple off.
In the light of a street lamp, Will could see Lucy’s golden hair shimmering palely as she kissed Mattie and Jake, before she drifted back to watch their departure from the edge of the
crowd.
Mattie was laughing as she stood at the car’s open door and lifted her bouquet of white roses. Will saw Lucy backing even further away, almost trying to hide.
Then the roses were sailing through the air in a high arc. There were girlish squeals of laughter and hands rose to try to grab the flowers, but Mattie’s aim was sure. The bouquet landed square on Lucy’s nose and she had no choice but to catch it.
A cheer went up and Lucy gave a bashful smile and held the bouquet high, no doubt knowing that all of Willowbank would love to see their favourite vet married.
But she was probably grateful that everyone’s attention quickly returned to the bride and groom. Jake was already helping Mattie into the car.
Over the heads of the crowd he sent Will a flashing grin and Will answered with a thumbs-up.
The car’s exhaust roared as they took off and the rear window was covered in ‘just married’ signs written in toothpaste, which only served to prove how old-fashioned this town really was.
Will, however, was watching Lucy. She stood in the shadows at the back of the throng, clutching the wedding bouquet in one hand while she used the other hand to swipe at her tears.
CHAPTER FOUR
LUCY wished the ground would open up and swallow her. It was bad enough that everyone knew the bride had deliberately thrown the bouquet to her. To cry about it was beyond pathetic, but to do so in front of Will Carruthers was more embarrassing than she could bear.
Turning her back on him, she gave one final swipe and an unladylike sniff and she willed her eyes to stay dry. It wasn’t a moment too soon.
Will’s voice sounded close behind her. ‘We can leave whenever you like,’ he said.
She drew a deep slow breath and turned to him with a smile on her face. Any number of people would have given her a lift, but she was determined to show Will that his comments about the two of them being a pair of old loners had not upset her.
‘Could you give me just a moment?’ she said. ‘I’d like to say goodbye to a few people.’
‘By all means. I’ve said my farewells. Let me know when you’re ready.’
‘I shouldn’t be long, unless Mrs Carey needs my help with anything else. Shall I meet you at the truck?’
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