Married This Christmas

by Tracey Pedersen

  “Ahh… that’s the most ridiculous thing that’s happened to anyone tonight. I urged my friend to leave with her fiancé while I had a quick last visit to the toilet. Unfortunately, we all forgot that my car keys were in her handbag since I didn’t bring a purse. Of course, they headed to his house and now they’re thirty minutes away.”

  “They got a long way before you realised.”

  “Yeah. I tried to call a taxi first, but it took me twenty minutes to get through and then they told me the wait is more than an hour. By the time I called her, she was almost in bed. So, she’s going to get dressed and come all the way back. If you could drop me off, though, that would be better. Win-win.” She grinned at him and he couldn’t help but laugh at her hopeful expression. “Oh, and before you ask the next obvious question, I can get you the jack because the lock on my boot is broken. Look.” She walked to her car and banged her fist right above the badge. Like magic, the trunk popped open. “See?” She grinned at him before bending to dig around in the dark. She emerged with the jack and held it out. “Do we have a deal? A lift for a lift?”

  He laughed as he took it from her. “We have a deal, but please tell me you don’t live an hour away. I’ve had a difficult night and I’d really like to get home before dawn.”

  “I’m five minutes, promise. That’s why I’m trying to avoid having my friend come get me tonight. We can swap keys tomorrow if you can drop me home.”

  “Sounds fair. What did you mean by a lift for a lift?” She frowned at him; for a moment, he thought she would laugh. He was used to women laughing at him—or rolling their eyes, or sighing.

  Instead, she took a breath and explained. “Um, I give you the jack, you lift the car up, and then you give me a lift home.” She watched his face as he considered her words. “I thought it was funny, but maybe not.”

  “Ahh… I get it. Okay, let me change this sucker and we’ll be on our way.” He pulled a towel from his car and placed it on the ground before kneeling on it. “Send your friend my picture, so I’m not tempted to kill you.” Silence filled the air behind him and he turned to see her shocked face as she stared down at him. “Err… that was a joke. It seems neither of us have a sense of humour tonight.”

  “It’s not the funniest joke I’ve heard today.”

  “Same.” He positioned the jack near the frame of the car before looking up at her again. “For the record, her taking your keys is not the most ridiculous thing that’s happened to anyone tonight.”

  “Really? What have you got that tops it?”

  “You have no idea.”

  “So, I’m asking. Amuse me while you change the tyre.” She squatted down next to him, rocking back on her high heels, her hot pants pulling tightly against her thighs. He was distracted when she spoke again. “Don’t you have to undo the nuts before you raise the car?”

  He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Have you ever changed a tyre?”

  She laughed. “Hell no! I always go for help. I’ve watched three separate men change tyres on my cars, though—a little bit of eyelash fluttering goes a long way—and I pretty much know what to do from watching. That counts, doesn’t it?”

  “No. Now, let me get this done with no more instructions, okay?” He began loosening the nuts on the tyre as she bit her lip.

  “Are you right to drive? You seemed to have a drink in your hand all night.”

  “You’re observant.” He dropped the wheel nuts onto the towel one by one.

  “Not really. I noticed because it seemed like your glass was never out of your hand and I wondered what would happen if you dropped it on the DJ equipment.”

  “An illusion, I promise. I only drink water at work and I get the barman to put it in a beer glass. People assume it’s alcohol, I guess. I’m pleased to know the trick works, but I’m totally fine to drive.”

  “Oh. Don’t you drink?”

  “Oh, I drink. In fact, I can have free drinks all night at work, if I want. It’s not worth it, that’s all.”

  The first night you ignored that advice, you slept with Jordan. The second time, you hooked up with Jessica. It could be time to give up drinking for real.

  She laughed. “That sounds ominous.”

  “You have no idea how true that is. Let me tell you the details of my night to pass the time.”

  Forty-five minutes later, the tyre was changed, the tools were put away, and she was laughing as she slid into his passenger seat. “That’s the funniest story I’ve ever heard, and you totally win. What kind of a woman takes her clothes off and waits for you in an area they’re not meant to be in? What if you hadn’t had your own office?” She laughed again and gave him directions to her house.

  “I know, right? Don’t forget two of them thought it was a good idea. Honestly, I wouldn’t even know what to do with two women at once. I was terrified!” He turned onto the street and flicked his headlights on. “Changing the subject now, accidentally on purpose, aren’t you worried someone will steal your car, since they can get in through the back?”

  “No, not at all. It’s old and there’s no access to the rest of the car. You have to be inside it to pull the levers to get into the trunk. So, if I don’t keep any valuables in there, I’m fine. So far, you’re the first person to want my jack.” She waved her hand to the left. “Turn here.”

  “How do you get into the house without keys?”

  “I have a hidden key. This isn’t the first time I’ve been locked out.” She laughed and pointed, “This is me, the green house.”

  Fish pulled the car up outside her home. He waited for her to say her goodbyes and be on her way, but she hesitated as she swivelled in her seat. “So, after the night you’ve had, this is going to sound really pushy, but…" she sucked in her breath, making him look at her as he waited for her to get out. “Would you like to grab lunch with me tomorrow?”

  “Lunch?”

  “Yes, it’s the meal between breakfast and dinner.” She grinned at him. “Sometimes taken as brunch, especially on Sunday, when one has a hangover to contend with. We could do brunch, if you’d like an earlier start.” She smiled again, and for a second, he considered accepting her offer. Before he could speak, however, the image of two naked women intertwined with Jessica telling him he was going to be a daddy reminded him of his pledge from just a few hours ago.

  No more dating.

  “I’m afraid I can’t.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  “It’s not personal, but I promised myself tonight that I’m not going to date anyone for a while. I need a break.”

  “No problem. That makes total sense.” She opened her door and stood on the damp grass. “Thanks for the lift.”

  “Thanks for the jack.” He grinned at her and she gripped the door, ready to push it closed. “Hey, I didn’t catch your name.”

  “Oh, well, not that it matters now, but I’m Lori.”

  Chapter 3

  “We can’t get married this year. It’s already September! How would we possibly get everything organised in time?”

  “What’s to organise?” Henry slipped his arms around Rachel’s waist and nuzzled her ear, setting off a string of giggles as he continued, “I own a restaurant, so we can have the reception there. We book a celebrant, some flowers, find a dress, and we’re good to go.” He kissed her neck again and she squealed and pulled away. “I’ll get one of the chefs to make the cake. You won’t have to spend even a second worrying about the food.”

  She turned to face him, backing away and narrowing her eyes as he smirked. “Oh, no you don’t, Henry Baxter. No distracting me with kissing—or jokes about my love affair with the kitchen.” She bit her lip as the smile slipped from her features. “I don’t know if I can get ready in a few months. I’ve never planned a wedding before, and there’s a lot more involved than just food.”

  Henry gathered her into his arms again. “If you really want to put it off until next year, we can. I don’t expect you to do it all on your own, though. I’
ll do my bit—I’m convinced we can pull it off.”

  “Are you sure?” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’re so busy with the restaurant and the show. People will be watching to see what happens when you get married.”

  “We don’t care what people think, remember? We have a secret weapon, too: my assistant, who I barely keep busy.” Rachel frowned. “We’ll give Simone some jobs and she can be your personal wedding planner.” Henry smiled, pleased with his idea. As Rachel stared up at him, she noticed his eyes sparkled the way they had on the day he’d presented her with her ring. He’d looked truly serene that day, and had she been suffering from any doubts about marriage, one look at his face today would have wiped them all away.

  Doubt was the furthest thought on her mind. Getting engaged to Henry had been a physical experience, and she’d been so excited last November as she’d watched him wave an engagement ring at her and drop down on one knee. He’d been dropping hints for them to choose a date for months now, and it wasn’t just him. Lori was excited to be Rachel’s bridesmaid and would be thrilled to know an exact date wasn’t far away. Her best friend had nagged her to shop for wedding dresses all year, but she’d been reluctant to jinx the wedding by choosing too early. Now she’d have to rush to find her perfect gown.

  “I don’t think Simone is supposed to help plan our wedding. She’s meant to handle your appointments and tasks for the show.”

  “Actually, her contract says I can utilise her time any way I see fit. Right now, I see fit to have her help us get the big day happening before Christmas. You have Lori and your mum. Surely, between all of us, we can make it happen.”

  “Hmm.” Rachel gathered her courage and reached up on her toes to kiss his mouth. “Do we choose a date, then?”

  Henry let out a triumphant whoop. “Sounds like a plan!” He pulled his phone from his pocket and wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they both stared at the screen. “How about early November?”

  Rachel’s eyes widened and a choking sound slipped from her lips. Her words were almost inaudible as she whispered, “That’s only ten weeks away.”

  “The end of November, then?” Henry returned his phone to his pocket. “How about I check what dates the restaurant is booked for Christmas parties first? I don’t want anyone to have to cancel their function because I’m impatient to make you Mrs. Baxter.” He slipped his arms around her waist and pressed his forehead gently to hers. “How does that sound?”

  “Good idea. We haven’t really talked about me changing my last name, though. Maybe I want to keep mine.”

  “Do you?”

  “I don’t know.” She bit her lip. “Maybe. What would you think of that?”

  “You have every right to choose whether to take my name. I won’t hold it against you if you don’t.”

  Rachel let out her breath in a whoosh. “I’m so glad. I was worried you’d be offended.”

  “Nope, not at all. You can take any name you want.”

  “Maybe you should consider taking my last name.”

  “Really? You think Henry Canales has a nice ring to it?”

  “I could get used to it.”

  He pulled her closer and dropped a kiss on her lips. “For you, I would totally change my name.”

  “Dude, maybe she wants to keep her last name so she can go back to her old life if it doesn’t work out. You should insist on her changing it.” Clive, Henry’s front of house manager, insisted.

  “Are you serious? I’d never insist on it. Lots of women keep their maiden name these days. It’s quite common.”

  “I’m not convinced on the reasoning, though. It’s a trap.”

  Henry laughed as he checked the freezer and pulled ingredients out that didn’t meet his standards. “It’s not a trap—it’s normal. This is why you’re not married!” He dumped the offending items into a nearby bin. “We need to make sure these items are labelled better in the freezer,” he muttered to himself before voices in the restaurant made him straighten and look at Clive. “No more talk about last names. Everyone is here for a planning meeting, and I don’t want you getting me in trouble.”

  Clive gave a quick salute and hurried through the door to welcome the wedding group.

  Rachel, Lori, and Simone stood at the counter, chatting amongst themselves. Rachel’s mum insisted on being included, so they’d agreed to hook her up on speaker phone.

  Henry kissed Rachel on the cheek and directed them to a table in the back. Rachel dialled her mother and propped her phone on her handbag. “Thanks for coming, everyone,” she said, once they were settled. “I have a list of things we need to work out, but please jump in if I’ve missed anything. There’s not much time and I’m nervous I’ll mess it up.”

  “It’ll be fine.” Henry placed his hand over hers and smiled. “This is our wedding, not an invasion of another country. Nothing bad will happen if we forget a tiny detail.”

  “Unless it’s the celebrant,” Rachel’s mother spoke through the phone. “That would definitely put a damper on things.”

  Henry laughed and spoke into the phone, “Don’t worry, Janice, that’s on the list.”

  “How long can you keep me on speaker, anyway?”

  Rachel opened her notebook and rolled her eyes. “It’s okay, Mum, I have free calls. You can stay on all day, if you want. So, we’ve chosen the second Tuesday in December.”

  “A Tuesday?” Janice’s voice wafted through the phone again. “That’s a bit unconventional, isn’t it?”

  “It is a little bit, Mum, but Henry has his heart set on getting married before Christmas. It’s the only date that works for us that isn’t already booked for a Christmas party at the restaurant. People book really far ahead, so we were a bit stuck.” She looked around the table for support. “It means a photographer and a few other things will be easier to book, though.”

  “More important, it means a day off work for all of us! Good work, girlfriend!” Lori leaned across the table and high-fived Rachel. “Are we going to split up the jobs, or what?”

  “It depends what everyone wants to help with. Does anyone want a specific job?”

  They spent the next hour discussing the details and deciding who would help with each item on the list. Henry declared himself in charge of the venue for the ceremony and wouldn’t reveal the details. Rachel frowned and kicked him under the table, but he refused to budge.

  “When will you go dress shopping?” Janice asked when they’d nailed down all the details of choosing flowers, photographers, and music. “I’m definitely driving down for that. There’ll be no video calling when you choose your wedding dress.”

  Lori laughed and rolled her eyes at Rachel, who quickly set her mother’s mind at ease. “Don’t worry, Mum, Lori and I need you that day. Are you free this weekend? I’d like to get the dress sorted early.”

  “I’ll be there, dear. You tell me when and where to meet you.”

  “Okay. I’ll text you during the week. Talk to you then.” She pushed the disconnect button and flopped in her chair. “I can’t believe this was so easy! Surely we’ve missed something.”

  “No, I think we’re good.” Simone smiled at her. “I’ve never understood why people take so long to get their weddings organised. I planned mine in four weeks and it was great—small, but lovely.”

  “Where did you get married?”

  “My in-laws’ backyard. They had an outdoor area that was perfect. We only had one mishap on the day when their little dog escaped from the laundry and stole a whole roast beef off the buffet. Besides that, it went off without a hitch.”

  Lori laughed. “I bet that was sight to see.”

  “Oh, definitely. He’s tiny and dragged off this enormous piece of meat. We have photos of him pulling it across the lawn.”

  Chapter 4

  “Oh, it’s you.”

  “Don’t sound so thrilled to see me.”

  “It’s not that—I’m just surprised.” Fish rubbed his ear and shoved his fist
into his pocket, trying hard to wipe the shocked look from his face.

  “Do you have an appointment, or did you change your mind about lunch?” A big grin spread across Lori’s face as he bit his lip.

  “Sorry, I do have an appointment at eleven-thirty.”

  Lori let her mouth turn down at the corners and pretended to sniff as she scanned her calendar, “William Jackson?”

  “That’s me. What’s the sad face for?”

  “Oh, you know. Lost opportunities.” She grinned and held out a clipboard and a pen. “I’ll get over it. Here’s a customer card for you to fill in. Take a seat and I’ll let you know when Mr. Lorimor is ready.”

  “Thanks.” Fish sank into the plush chair in the waiting area of the lawyer’s office.

  What are the chances of her working at a place I found on the internet?

  “Can I make you a tea or coffee, or get you water?” Her professional tone jolted him out of his thoughts.

  “No thanks, I’m fine.”

  Lori disappeared down the hallway and Fish heard a light knock on a door, followed by the sound of it opening and closing. He filled in the customer card, placed it on the edge of her desk before she returned, and then flicked through the apps on his phone to amuse himself.

  She eventually returned and sat at the desk. “He won’t be too long.”

  “No problem, I’m early.”

  The phone rang and Lori answered. Fish looked up as her voice took on a sense of urgency. “I’ll put you straight through, Mrs. Lorimor, hold on a moment.” She got up and ran down the hall, knocking again and bursting through the door. When she returned, she sat quietly at her desk with a pained expression on her face. A few moments later, the door down the hall burst open and a man Fish assumed to be the lawyer he had an appointment with appeared at the desk.

  “Can you stay for a while, Mr. Jackson?”

  “I have no plans, except to be at work by six.”

  “Perfect. I’m sorry, but I’ve got to rush out—family emergency.”

  “Oh, that’s okay.” Fish stood.