by Robyn Grady
When Marla saw them, a glowing smile lit her face. Leaning in, she spoke quietly to Greg, who acknowledged them too, and together they moved to join their friends, arms slung around one another’s backs.
Nate spoke out of the side of his mouth. ‘Mission accomplished.’
Roxy’s chest tightened with relief and happy tears rose to sting her eyes. Seemed Nate was right. Those two truly were meant to be together, no matter what. They’d overcome that social media gaffe—those questionable pictures that had cut Marla to her core—and now they looked set to ride off into the marital sunset. Of course, Marla would need a gown—the gown—and Greg would have regained the personal strength needed to get back on board the Sparks Martin Steel train. Roxy released the pent-up air from her lungs. She could hardly believe this crazy scheme had paid off and everyone would find a happy ending.
But then she edged a look Nate’s way and she held the spot where her stomach kicked. This short time spent here with him had made her feel so energized, different. Alive. And as he removed his Akubra and Frisbee-ed the black felt hat onto the verandah floorboards—with his strong bristled jaw thrust forward and a smile of victory lighting those incredible blue eyes—Roxy had to hold her jumping stomach again.
She’d gone into this plan reluctantly but also with blinkers removed. She’d known that, even when Nate felt so good pressed up against her, ultimately, succumbing completely to his charm would mean she’d pay a price one day. He’d made clear he wasn’t interested in developing their relationship past ‘fun’ and ‘now’. Problem was that being with Nate was so much fun, and not purely the sex, although that was stellar.
Riding beside him today—talking about each other’s respective businesses, then his sister’s plans for the anniversary party and onto how she’d always dreamed of having her own horse—she’d felt as if they fitted, like today’s dry breeze through those windmill blades, or that surprise field of flowers and their rich red soil.
She might not want to think that way—feel that strongly—but there it was. She’d like to believe she wouldn’t be upset if he never called again. But in her heart she knew she would be hurt, and deeply.
Dragging her from those thoughts, Nate took her hand and together they mounted the steps to join their friends.
Greg nudged his chin at the horses, drinking their fill from a vintage water trough. ‘You really worked them.’
‘How did your ride go?’ Nate asked.
‘Fabulous.’ Marla caught Greg’s gaze. ‘But we’ve been back a while.’
‘Occupying yourselves how?’ Nate asked, without a hint of shame.
‘Talking.’ Greg studied Marla too. ‘Making plans.’
‘Or, more correctly,’ Marla said, ‘remaking them.’
Sensing the time was right, unable to hold the emotion back a second longer, Roxy came forward and flung her arms around her friend.
‘I’m so relieved you two are all sorted. I’ve felt sick about the whole thing, particularly bringing you here.’ Coming away, sighing, Roxy finished, ‘But it’s been worth it.’
Nate’s grin was ear to ear. ‘Hate to say it, but I told you so.’ He stuck out his hand for Greg to shake. ‘Congratulations—again.’
His brow furrowed, Greg studied Nate’s hand while Marla pressed her lips together and shifted her weight to the other leg as if she was uneasy. She said, ‘This isn’t quite what you think.’
Nate’s hand dropped. ‘You’ve made peace, right?’
‘Ready to exchange vows?’ Roxy asked.
‘We are back together—’ Greg combed his hair back ‘—but we’ve decided to put on the brakes and take things slowly.’
‘We’ve both had time to think,’ Marla added.
‘And we’ve talked a lot.’ Greg exhaled. ‘Thing is, Marla still wants to go spend time with her brother in Los Angeles.’
‘And Greg needs time to take over the family firm.’
At Marla’s last remark, Nate’s spine straightened and his nostrils flared. ‘Take over? When did this happen?’
‘My father and I spoke day before yesterday,’ Greg said. ‘He could see how lethargic I’d been. He told me that I needed direction and that he’d been planning the big handover next year anyway.’
Nate’s chin lifted as he muttered, ‘Son of a gun.’
‘It feels right.’ Greg growled at himself. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t let you know straight out the gate.’
Examining the parched timber near his riding boots, Nate thought a moment before a genuine smile graced his face. ‘Like I said—’ he held out his hand again ‘—congratulations.’
While the men shook and clapped each other’s backs, Marla explained, ‘We figured we’d try a long-distance relationship. If we survive that, we’ll survive anything.’
Roxy wanted to be clear. ‘So, no wedding?’
Marla squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘But we do want to stay on here with you two. Have some fun. Build some memories.’
Thinking of the flower Nate had threaded in her hair, the one she’d slipped in her shirt pocket and had pressed against her heart, Roxy found a smile and nodded.
‘That’d be nice.’
It wasn’t until everyone had hugged that she thought again of that gown, the contest and how now there was no hope. And on the heels of that came another recollection. One that zoomed large in her mind and sent a shower of icicles sailing through her middle.
Her gaze shot to Nate at the same time he blinked, frowned and his gaze shot to her. Without asking, she knew they were remembering the same conversation … his offer if all else failed … her acceptance if it should come to that.
To wear that gown herself and become Nate Sparks’s wife.
Visible through their bedroom window, grey clouds laced with black rolled and rumbled in from the east. Glenrowan Homestead was due one heck of an afternoon storm, albeit nothing compared to the one brewing here inside this room.
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ Roxy dropped her riding boots in a corner, then crossed to enter the attached bathroom. ‘Of course I won’t marry you.’ She closed the door.
Turning away from the sprawling view, he leaned against the window jamb, crossed his arms and spoke loud enough for her to hear.
‘We had a deal.’
‘I’m certain it wasn’t written in blood,’ she called back.
‘If that gown doesn’t make its walk down an aisle by the end of this month, any chance of you winning that contest is blown.’
‘I wouldn’t have won anyway.’ She emerged from the bathroom. ‘It wasn’t meant to be.’
‘You said the same about Greg and Marla.’ Moving towards her as she sat on the edge of the bed to remove her socks, he conceded, ‘They may not be exchanging rings but clearly they’re a couple again.’
‘A long-distance couple.’
‘Who will phone and visit and, some time down the line, I believe tie that knot.’
‘Because of that look they share?’ Socks off, she stood and set her hands on her hips. ‘That special ingredient.’
‘That’s right,’ he said simply.
‘But you and I don’t share that-that-that … thing, right? Because if we did, you would never suggest we get married, however good the reason.’
Her beautiful mouth was tight, pressed from pink to almost white. She was upset and he wasn’t quite sure why. Their friends were reunited, although, no, not betrothed to be married again. But he’d stepped up to the plate to cover that contest problem with the gown. So why did she have her claws out? Wasn’t as if he was doing himself a favour, going through with his end of the bargain.
He’d try to be logical. ‘Roxy, someone needs to wear that gown in a wedding ceremony.’
She shook her head firmly. ‘Wouldn’t feel right.’
For Pete’s sake. ‘Forget about how it feels.’
Her jaw shifted a little and she sighed as if she’d never see another Christmas.
‘I can’t.’
N
ate dragged a palm down his exasperated face. If he could think of this proposal in a purely pragmatic sense, surely she could. Certainly he didn’t want to be a married man, but this was for show, for a limited season only. As she bundled up some delicates he tried again.
‘The deal was we say the words and get an annulment.’ Then, like a godsend, a light bulb flashed. ‘In fact, what happens if we don’t sign any papers? Then it won’t be legal, binding.’ Genius. ‘Is there anything in the contest about that?’
A little colour returned to her lips. ‘I’m not sure. I don’t think so.’
‘Then it’s problem solved.’
‘You really are a fix-it man,’ she said, but she didn’t sound as if she approved.
‘All I know is that I don’t give up easily.’
He’d seen what could happen if a man threw up his hands too soon. Bottom line, he wasn’t his father. He was an achiever and, dammit, he was going to achieve and so was Roxy!
He thrust out his chest. ‘So, are you in or out?’
‘Out. And before you try to railroad me, just listen. Times are slow everywhere. To be honest, I was almost ready to close my doors, there were so many unpaid bills. But with Ava’s deposit I’m almost up to date. And I managed to speak to Cindy briefly before our ride. I didn’t want to tell you and jinx it, but she said she has another couple of ladies who are a bee’s knee from sliding across some cash.’
He found an impressed face. ‘That’s sound great.’
She nodded. ‘Being in the running was exciting, but the competition was huge. I was only ever chasing rainbows. You know that as well as I do.’
‘Frankly, I think you have a good chance.’
‘Thanks, but you know nothing about the industry.’
‘I know how that gown looked on you.’
The image he’d stored in his mind floated up … flowing satin, cinched waist, beading that glittered like diamonds and made her look like a queen. You bet he thought she had a good chance.
But her expression was resigned, almost a mask, while her shoulder gave a jerk. ‘Guess we’ll never know.’
‘You’re being stubborn.’
‘And you’re feeling as if you need to pay me back for coming here, doing this for our friends. But you don’t.’
He blinked and his arms unravelled. ‘You are coming with me to my parents’ anniversary do, aren’t you?’
He knew this … affair wasn’t meant to drag on. They weren’t on the road to getting anywhere near serious. But he thought they’d settled that question. She was going to the party. Hell, he was looking forward to walking in, having her on his arm.
Before she could answer, her cell perched on the dressing table buzzed. Surprised, Roxy crossed and collected the phone. She inspected the ID and a sunny smile spread across her face.
‘It’s Cindy. Probably to say she has those other deposits.’
Roxy chirped out a greeting and Nate watched on as she listened more and more intently. Then her face slipped like syrup off a plate and Nate’s midsection looped and tied in a double knot. When she turned as white as that china vase on the dresser, he held onto her shoulders for support.
Whatever the news, it wasn’t good.
CHAPTER TEN
‘WHAT’S happened? What’s wrong?’
Roxy heard Nate’s question. She tried to focus. But she simply couldn’t.
A state of total shock. That was it. The world around her was receding. External noise was muffled, far away, unimportant. Her brow was damp and her head felt dangerously light. This couldn’t be real. Not when things were beginning to come together for everyone.
Over a desert-dry throat, she rasped, ‘I can’t believe it.’
‘Believe what?’
His grip on her shoulders tightened until the pressure points of each fingertip made her wince and she swam up from her daze.
‘It’s all gone bad.’
‘For God’s sake, Roxy, tell me. I’ll fix whatever it is.’
A wave of dizziness whirled around her head and she slumped. ‘I was too complacent. I should never have left.’
He inhaled slowly. ‘Okay. From the beginning, tell me what happened.’
She met his intense gaze at the same time the churning in her stomach grew and crawled up to her throat. Lord, she was going to be sick. ‘I need to get back to Sydney.’
‘Come again?’
‘The shop was burgled last night. They took near all my accessories and trashed some gowns.’ Hearing herself explain out loud made it all somehow real. More frightening. Repercussions were beginning to dawn.
‘You don’t have security?’ he was asking.
‘I cancelled when mounting bills got too much.’
‘You must have insurance.’
‘Some, but the premiums companies charge these days … some ask for more than I earn.’
He scrubbed a hand over his face. ‘It’s a blow, but you’ll get over it. You have to stay strong. Focused.’
Yes. She should. Only one problem. She was numb and couldn’t, couldn’t, feel any other way.
He started to pace the room.
‘Surely you still have customers—what about Ava and Violet, for instance?’
‘They don’t want the gown.’
He stopped dead. ‘But they both loved that dress.’
‘Violet found another one she loved more. Cindy said she was happy to leave half the deposit to compensate for the inconvenience. When Cindy tried to argue, Violet mentioned her daddy was a litigator.’ She dragged her watery gaze up from the worn rug. ‘I can’t take a lawyer’s daughter to court over a deposit, especially now.’
‘Half a deposit’s better than none,’ he reasoned. ‘And you have those other two gowns as good as sold, right?’
Nausea made her mouth water. Swallowing, Roxy shook her head. ‘Yes. And no. Cindy got the deposits. Unfortunately, those gowns were ruined in the break-in.’
‘Roxy, if you need money, I can help. You don’t have to pay me back.’ She imagined him drawing out a mental cheque book. ‘How much do you need?’
‘I don’t want your money.’
‘I can afford it. I’ve invested well over the years—’
‘I’m not a charity case, particularly after.’
Her words trailed off, her gaze dropped and a heartbeat later he coughed out a humourless laugh.
‘I’m not offering you money because we slept together, if that’s what you think.’
‘Would you offer if we hadn’t?’
He frowned. ‘That’s … not a fair question.’ Who said anything about being fair?
‘I appreciate the sentiment,’ she said, bringing her case out from the cupboard, ‘but I only want to get home. If you can organize something in a hurry, I’d be grateful.’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE next morning, Roxy walked into her shop, feeling as if she’d been away an eternity. The place was a mess. Some rows of gowns remained unsoiled, hanging pristine as she’d left them. One end of the glass counter was still intact, with sparkling accessories adorning clean satin beds. Nearer to the door, however, the glass was smashed and jewellery as well as other trimmings had been removed. To her soul, Roxy felt violated.
Making sure the sign read ‘closed’, she shut the door and demanded both rubbery legs carry her forward.
Her work. Her life. She dragged her gaze around as her stomach sank and her throat grew thick. How could people do this? She’d worked so hard and now she was as good as ruined. She’d have been better off working for a chain store stacking shelves. No risk involved there. No worry about overhead bills. No need to start again.
The salon’s back door swung open and stylish tufts of blonde poked through. Cindy’s expression brightened when she saw her company, but the smile wilted as her gaze swept the outside room.
‘After the police left, I cleaned up best I could,’ Cindy said, edging forward, her hands clasped tight before her.
And beyond her own grie
f and sense of despair, Roxy noticed her cousin’s puffy eyes and realized she’d been crying. She reached for Cindy’s hand, squeezed, and the younger woman’s dark blue eyes brimmed.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Cindy said. ‘You left me in charge and I let you down.’
‘This isn’t your fault. It’s not anyone’s,’ Roxy grunted, ‘except the brainless jerks who broke in.’
A tear slid down Cindy’s cheek and Roxy drew her close for a big ‘please don’t worry’ hug. When she was certain her cousin was okay, she patted her back a final time, then crossed to drift around the various racks, trying to piece together what was missing, what had been destroyed.
‘I didn’t think you’d want to open today,’ Cindy said, ‘so I kept the closed sign on the door.’
Roxy nodded but refrained from mentioning that, most likely, she wouldn’t open again.
‘You go home and take your mind off this.’ Roxy crossed to the unharmed end of the counter. ‘I have some phone calls to make.’
‘I can help. Organize dry-cleaning, or put in orders for new jewellery.’
The burn of raw emotion backed up higher, pushing and demanding release. But Roxy bit down, held back. She didn’t want to upset Cindy more than she already was. Besides, what good would tears do?
‘Thanks.’ She ran a hand over the counter. ‘But I don’t have the money for that.’
‘Oh.’ Cindy’s petite shoulders stooped. ‘Then what are you going to do?’
‘At this point …’ Roxy sighed. ‘I don’t really know.’
After Cindy reluctantly collected her bag and, with another heartfelt hug, said goodbye—she’d be in touch—Roxy stood behind the battered counter for a torturously long while, hoping that over-exposure might desensitize her pain. Didn’t work. It seemed unreal that this time yesterday, she’d been floating on her own private cloud, horse-riding through a vast ancient wonderland. Lying in that field of flowers, she’d felt completely content. Blissfully satisfied.
Now …?
Rounding the counter, she entered the back room. In the far corner, Marla’s contest dress hung high and safe, covered in light plastic. Roxy’s heart lifted a little and a tiny smile hooked one corner of her mouth. At least she still had her dream dress. Although now, frankly, she had no idea what to do with it.