Just for Now: Escape to New Zealand Book Three

by Rosalind James

  “Want a beer?” she offered at the halftime break.

  Jenna smiled ruefully. “I think I’ve done my drinking for tonight, thanks. I have to get up and catch my plane tomorrow. That’s going to be hard enough as it is.”

  “Why don’t you stay over till Monday, come to the wedding Sunday?” Sarah asked. “Unless you have special plans. Finn said you’d be on holiday anyway. I can change my room for one with two beds. You’d give me some company. Be my date, eh. You wouldn’t need to be fussed about the kids, either. Mum’s already booked a babysitter for them for the reception.”

  “Dan and Ella won’t want somebody added to the guest list at the last minute like this, though,” Jenna protested.

  “Let’s find out,” Sarah suggested. She turned in her seat. “Oi, Dan! Can I bring Jenna to your wedding, take Kieran’s spot?”

  “Good as gold,” he called back from his spot two rows up.

  “Sorted.” Sarah turned back to Jenna with satisfaction.

  “Pretty formal,” Jenna laughed. “Just about as formal as going to a rugby game two days before your wedding.”

  “Not just any rugby game,” Sarah pointed out. “A test match in Dunedin doesn’t happen that often. Having a chance to see Finn play—that’s not something Dan’s going to pass up.”

  “Is Ella all right with that too?”

  “Course,” Sarah answered in surprise. “She’d be here too if she didn’t have so much to do.”

  “All right,” Jenna said. “I’m accepting this as a major cultural event. And thank you for the invitation to stay with you. I’d like that very much. I don’t have anything to wear, though. I only brought clothes for a couple days. Certainly nothing appropriate for a wedding.”

  “Excuse to go shopping,” Sarah decided. “Sweet as. I’ll take you to the Meridian Mall tomorrow. We’ll get you sorted.”

  “I don’t want to put you out,” Jenna began.

  “How much shopping d’you think there is in Motueka?” Sarah demanded. “Or Nelson, for that matter? I’ll tell you. Bugger all. I’m going with you, and that’s that.”

  “I don’t know,” Jenna said dubiously, tugging upward on the scoop neckline of the metallic copper-and-black print dress, then turning to see how the skirt looked from behind. “I like it, but isn’t it too low in front?”

  “Nah,” Sarah said confidently. “It’s perfect. If I’d ever looked like that, believe me, I’d’ve taken advantage of it.”

  “For a wedding, though,” Jenna protested.

  “Your girls aren’t having a song and dance,” Sarah told her. “Just peeking out a bit to wave a wee hello. We’ll find a black shawl for the church. Good as gold.”

  The shop assistant chimed in. “It’s lovely on you. Like your friend says, just a hint of cleavage. The skirt’s not far above the knee, and not too tight, so you’re not showing too much down below. Cleavage or leg, one or the other. That’s the rule.”

  “Does it make my bum look big, though?” Jenna asked.

  “You’re balanced,” the assistant smiled. “That’s obvious, in that dress.”

  “Here.” She dove into a neighboring carousel. “See if you fit this.”

  Jenna took the wide black patent belt with its double row of buckles and fastened it around her waist. The assistant nodded. “Even better. Makes your waist look tiny on top of that skirt. You have a beautiful figure. No reason not to show it. Add some heels, and the boys’ll be sitting up to take notice, I guarantee it.”

  Jenna hesitated. “Excuse us a moment.” She took Sarah’s arm and walked a bit apart.

  “What is it?” the other woman asked.

  “It’s Finn,” Jenna explained. “He told me once that my swimming costume was too . . . revealing. I’m a little concerned about what he’s going to think of this.”

  Sarah stared at her in astonishment. “Your cossie. The one you wore in the spa last night?”

  “Yeah. I know, ridiculous, right? You’ll notice I’m still wearing it these days. But still. I am the nanny. Maybe I should be more conservative.”

  “Not tomorrow, you’re not the nanny. Tomorrow you’re my date,” Sarah told her firmly. “And I demand that my dates be dead sexy. Finn can go stuff himself.”

  “Here we are. Undies,” Sarah told Jenna, pulling her into a lingerie boutique adjacent to the shoe shop where they’d just found the perfect pair of black heels.

  “I have underwear, though,” Jenna told her. “At least, I do once I wash some.”

  “Huh,” Sarah snorted. “I saw your undies. Not nearly good enough.”

  “How do you look?” she called a few minutes later from outside the dressing room.

  “Bloody hell,” she said when Jenna pulled open the door to allow her inside. “Those are the goods, all right. And I have another idea too.”

  “Why do I need all this?” Jenna protested. “It’s expensive. Why can’t I just wear what I have? Nobody but me is going to see it.”

  “That’s when you need it most of all,” Sarah explained. “You need to feel sexy to look sexy. Which is why we’re doing hair and nails next, and having our legs waxed. And maybe a bit more,” she smiled mischievously. “My shout. Girls’ day out. I don’t get them very often, and I’m taking full advantage of this one. I already booked us in, so don’t argue. Because looking good where everyone can see it isn’t enough. You need to know what’s under there, imagine how gobsmacked all those boys would be if they could see what you’ve got. That’s your secret weapon.”

  If Finn had thought Jenna’s cossie was too sexy, Sarah thought with satisfaction, wait till he got a squiz at her in that dress. She hadn’t missed the way his eyes had tracked Jenna when she’d moved around the room at breakfast that morning, or that he’d laughed and smiled more than she’d seen in ages. And she didn’t think it was all down to winning the Championship.

  She hadn’t liked Nicole above half. From what she’d heard and seen, none of the women Finn had dated since her death had been much chop either. But Jenna was different. She was exactly the kind of woman he needed in his life, if only he had the sense to see it.

  She’d give that a bit of a nudge. Then it’d be up to him.

  Chapter 19

  “Hi, Jenna!” Harry bounced in the pew of the church the following afternoon. “Come sit by me!”

  “Shhh,” Jenna cautioned him as she slid in beside him. “Use your quietest voice, please.”

  “Your dress is very pretty,” he said in a stage whisper.

  “Thank you. You look very handsome yourself,” she told him. “You too, Sophie. That outfit looks even nicer than I remember.”

  “Nana helped me with my hair,” Sophie explained, touching a hand to the pink headband that matched her dress. “I couldn’t make the headband go right, and Daddy couldn’t either. I wanted to ask you to help, but he said no.”

  Jenna smiled. “Your Nana did a good job. You look lovely.”

  “Thanks for taking them shopping,” Maureen Douglas told her above the children’s heads. “I was a bit worried, with Nyree gone. And Finn’s hopeless.” Her blue eyes looked Jenna over warmly. “You look lovely yourself. That dress is stunning with your hair.”

  “I thought, maybe a bit much with the red tones,” Jenna confessed. “But Sarah convinced me.”

  “And I was right, wasn’t I, Mum?” Sarah asked, sliding in beside her. “Don’t I have a gorgeous date, Dad? Kieran’s been well and truly replaced.”

  John Douglas smiled wryly. “You have a cheek, Sarah Bee. But yeh, both you girls look very pretty. I’m glad you could join us today, Jenna.”

  “Thank you for including me,” Jenna said. “Everyone’s been so kind.”

  “We’re grateful to you for everything you’ve done for the kids,” Maureen told her. “We’ve heard heaps about Jenna, haven’t we, John? It’s nice to have the chance to get to know you a bit ourselves. Since our grandchildren are pretty special to us.”

  They turned towards the front, qu
iet now, as the music changed and the groom and his groomsmen came out from the side door at the front of the church.

  “There’s Daddy,” Harry whispered excitedly. Jenna squeezed his hand and shot him a reminding glance, and he subsided.

  Finn did look handsome, though, she thought, the severe lines of the black dinner jacket and white shirt setting off his powerful physique. He was the tallest of the four men standing together near the altar, and by far the most imposing, though none of them were small.

  Finn saw her looking at him, and a corner of his mouth quirked up in a smile. He wiggled his fingers at his kids, seeing them unable to resist the temptation to wave at him, even under their grandmother’s and Jenna’s admonitory influence on either side. Then his eyes returned to Jenna. She’d done something with her hair, and it fell in soft, shining auburn waves onto her shoulders. He couldn’t see much else from here, except that she looked pretty.

  His attention was diverted by the swelling music, the sight of the two bridesmaids beginning their slow walk down the aisle, followed by the maid of honor and the bride. His cousin had done well for himself, Finn thought as he watched the procession. Ella was down-to-earth and warm, like Dan himself. They seemed well suited. He’d give this one a good chance of lasting. Not like his own marriage. He couldn’t help thinking about it, whenever he went to a wedding these days. And there’d been heaps of those.

  Lately, seemed like everyone he knew had been getting married. Pity he couldn’t always feel happy about it. He hated that he’d become such a cynic. But when he saw one of his teammates marrying a woman who reminded him of Nicole . . . well, he couldn’t help wondering how long it’d be before she’d realize that being married to a professional sportsman meant days and weeks apart, and a husband who came home from a game wanting nothing more than to lie in the spa and have a bit of quiet for a day or two, before heading back into training to do it all again the following week. And how long it would take her to get bored, start looking for excitement someplace else.

  Jenna sighed as the bride and groom kissed, husband and wife now. They both looked lit from within, and she envied them their obvious belief in their future happiness. She found herself praying their marriage would work, that they’d find the kind of partnership she’d always dreamed of. She had to blink a tear or two away as they walked up the aisle to the swelling music, followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Finn grinned at his waving kids as he passed, a pretty bridesmaid on his arm, and Jenna felt a pang of jealousy. She’d like to have been the woman by his side.

  She pushed the errant thought aside. She was going to a party, and thanks to Sarah, she looked better than she ever had. She was going to enjoy feeling like an attractive single woman tonight. Maybe even dancing a bit.

  Harry and Sophie weren’t as thrilled, though, when they were reminded of the program for the evening.

  “Why do we need a babysitter?” Harry asked. “Why can’t Jenna stay with us?”

  “Jenna isn’t working now,” John chided. “She’s having her holiday, and she doesn’t need to be bothered with you tonight. Don’t be a nuisance, Harry.”

  “Don’t you like taking care of us, Jenna?” Harry asked, his lip quivering. “I thought you liked us. I didn’t mean to be a nuisance.”

  The excitement of the day had been too much for him, Jenna saw. She crouched down as best she could in her heels and gathered him in for a hug. “Hey, now. Of course I like taking care of you. I love being with you both, you know that.” She gave Sophie a squeeze as well. “I need some grownup time, that’s all. I’ll see you both in the morning before I leave, OK?”

  “OK,” Harry sniffed, Sophie adding her own sober nod. Jenna rose to her feet again, and Maureen offered her a grateful smile as she left with the children to meet the babysitter in the lobby.

  “Sorry,” John said, abashed. “I didn’t put that right.”

  “He’s a bit overtired,” Jenna told him reassuringly. “They both are. It’s been a busy weekend. It was a good idea of yours and Maureen’s to give them this quiet evening.”

  “What’s going to happen when this job’s over, d’you reckon?” Sarah asked as the two of them made a stop in the ladies’ toilets before heading to the ballroom for the reception dinner. “Seems like the kids have got awfully attached to you. Harry in particular. Does that concern you?”

  “A little,” Jenna admitted. “They’re both sensitive children. Sophie doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve like Harry does, but it’s tender all the same. And on some level, kids know that a nanny isn’t the same as a mum. That she’s working, and she can leave. Harry and Sophie are lucky, though. They’ve had Nyree with them since they were small. And Finn doesn’t seem to have brought women in and out of their lives. Nobody they’ve been attached to, anyway.”

  “Nah,” Sarah agreed. “Don’t think he’s had anyone that serious, not since Nicole died. But that brings me back to it. What about you?”

  “I’ll still see them,” Jenna said, surprised at the question. “As long as that’s all right with Finn, and I don’t know why it wouldn’t be. I’m planning on teaching in Auckland in the new year. I hope to be spending some time with them at the weekends. I guess I’d better discuss it with Finn, though.”

  “He doesn’t seem keen on losing you himself,” Sarah said dryly.

  Jenna shot her a quick glance and picked up her purse to leave. “I hope not. I think the job’s been working out well for both of us.”

  “Huh,” was Sarah’s only response.

  “Auntie Hetty’s pissed already.” Finn’s cousin Stewart, the groom’s brother and best man, nodded across the ballroom to where an improbably red-haired woman was shrieking with laughter.

  “Hmm?” Finn brought his attention back with a start from Jenna, sitting several tables away with his sister, mum, and dad. And several young men from the bride’s side, all of whom seemed fascinated by her. The reason was plain to see. Sarah had told him she’d taken Jenna shopping for the wedding, and that she’d found her “quite a nice dress.” He’d have been happier with his sister’s choice if he’d been able to join them, instead of being marooned here at the head table. As it was, he was having a hard time keeping his eyes off her. “Pardon?”

  “Auntie Hetty,” Stewart repeated patiently. “And Sean isn’t much better. Like mum, like son, eh.”

  Finn looked with disgust at his cousin Sean, now weaving his way across the tables towards him, even though dinner was still in progress. “Aw, geez. Going to have this again.”

  “Price of success, cuz,” Stewart grinned.

  Sean wobbled to a stop in front of Finn. “Enjoying the party, mate?” he sneered. “At the best table as usual, I see. Not down the back with the peasants.”

  “Reckon you could’ve been a groomsman yourself,” Finn said levelly. “If Dan’d been able to count on you not getting cut before the evening’s even got well underway.”

  “Yeh, right,” Sean scoffed. “Like I’d ever be chosen over the famous Finn Douglas. The Golden Boy. The fucking All Black.”

  “Watch your mouth,” Finn said sharply. “You’re at a wedding. And there’re ladies here.”

  “Yeh, noticed there’re ladies here,” Sean retorted. “Even your bloody nanny’s special, isn’t she? Blow that for a joke. Why the hell isn’t she upstairs looking after the kids?”

  “Jenna’s a guest here tonight,” Finn told him, eyes hard. He stood up, deliberately looming over his smaller cousin, and took a menacing step towards him. “And that’s enough. Rack off.” He stared Sean down until the younger man’s eyes shifted under his own and he turned to leave, still cursing Finn under his breath.

  “Wanker,” Finn muttered, sitting down again but keeping a careful eye on Sean as he made his way back to his own table.

  “He’s always been rough as guts,” Stewart agreed.

  “He’s always been a dickhead,” Finn corrected him.

  “That too. Worse than ever these days. You don’t have t
o see much of him. Lucky you.”

  Finn looked over the maid of honor’s head at Jenna, dancing with yet another of his young cousins. So far, in addition to his current partner, he’d danced with one bridesmaid, the bride’s mother, and the groom’s mother. One more bridesmaid to go, he reckoned, and he’d be free. Unless his mother and sister thought he should ask them. He groaned inwardly. Surely not.

  The song ended at last, and he returned Isabel to the table and turned to Zara, about to sit down again herself. “Would you like to dance?” he asked, as politely as he could manage.

  His cousin laughed. “Normally, I’d say yes. But I’m not too keen on dancing with someone who’s looking over my shoulder at somebody else the entire time.”

  He gave her a rueful grin. “Has it been that obvious?”

  “Well . . . yeh. To me, anyway. You’re off the hook. Go get her.”

  “Thanks.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You’re a great girl.”

  “Yeh, yeh.” She waved him away. “Someday my prince will come. Bugger off.”

  He began to make his way to Jenna, being claimed now by yet another partner, one he didn’t recognize. Another of Ella’s relatives, he guessed. Who was clearly looking down her dress. He started towards them, veered off in another direction as an idea struck him. He made his way around the dancers to the corner of the big room, where a DJ sat with his laptop in front of him, monitoring the playlist.

  “Mate.” Finn stopped in front of the white-clad table. “Can I ask a bit of a favor?”

  The young man looked up, recognition clear in his face. “Reckon you can. What can I do?”

  “You must have a fair few slow songs in there,” Finn guessed. “How about playing, say, four of them for me, starting now? The best you have.”

  The DJ nodded. “Four songs, guaranteed to pull. I could do that.”

  “Don’t shock any grannies,” Finn warned. “But . . . far as you can go, short of that.”