by Renee Swann
Troy handed me the last muesli bar. His hands cupped my face as he kissed me. “Love you.” He slid into the back.
I waved as they sped off. Was I ever going to see him again?
I chewed on my thumbnail. An hour had passed and there were no signs of them. Had I lost my husband before I married him? I checked my phone for the hundredth time - still no service. Where was he? Was he safe? And was he bringing food?
Ten minutes later, I heard a rumble of an engine. It cut off. I sat up and peered out of the back window.
Troy smiled at me as he loped over. He leaned through the window. “Are you glad I’m back or that I brought food?”
I unlocked the door. “A little of both.”
He lifted me into his arms for a beat then dropped me on my feet and pressed his lips to my forehead. “Roni and Ryan.” Troy gestured behind himself. “They’re good people - from Cairns. She’s a little-” He searched for the right word. “Eccentric. Owns a cupcake bakery.”
I felt my eyes widen. “Cupcakes?”
He nodded. I flicked my eyes to them. Roni grinned and waved.
“She wants to bake for Ruby’s birthday,” he said, “I told her yes. Do you mind?”
“Not at all. But, they are strangers, Troy.”
He placed his hands on my shoulders. “There’s nothing to worry about, you’ll see.”
She jogged over. “Hi! Troy’s told us a lot about you.”
“Oh?” I slid my eyes to him. “He better have been nice.”
“He was. Super nice.” She flashed another grin.
Ryan ambled over and nudged her.
“Oh, and I got you an iced coffee.” She offered me a plastic take-away cup. “Troy told us you were a caffeine addict.”
“Just a little.” I returned her smile and took it. “Thanks.”
She vibrated with energy. “I can bake anything you want me to for the party - cake, cupcakes, pastries, m-”
Ryan rolled his eyes. “Never mind her. She had a double espresso back at the petrol station.”
Roni raised her hand. “Guilty.”
“We’ll let you guys go. You must want to get back on the road.” Ryan reached for her hand.
“Call us about the party!” she said, “Troy’s got our number.”
“Okay, I will.” I returned their waves as they sped past then swivelled to face Troy. “This has turned out to be the worst damn day of my life.”
He cut his eyes from them to me.
Uh-oh. “Except for the day we broke up.”
“Sure.” He held up a paper bag. “C’mon, let’s eat.”
“You didn’t have lunch?”
He propped himself up against a tree. “No. My fiancée was alone and starving. Why would I leave her longer than necessary?”
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. How lucky was I, to be marrying him?
“I got’cha two burgers.” He smirked. “Thought I was gonna get my hand ripped off last time.”
“Hm. Don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or not.” I shovelled fries into my mouth then blew a sigh. “I can’t wait to get into bed.”
He arched an eyebrow.
“With or without you, doesn’t matter.”
“Soon as I finish eating, I’ll get the Prius running again.”
My lips tugged into a grin. “Love you, awesome car nerd.”
I flopped face-down onto the mattress. “Bed. Feels good.”
“Uh-oh.” Troy pitched his messenger bag onto the bed. “You’re speaking in broken sentences. You must be really tired.”
“Mm-hm.”
“You wanna grab an early dinner or crash first?”
“Food.”
“Okay. I’ll go get us something.” His lips pressed into my hair. “Back soon.”
My eyes closed and I drifted into slumber.
Moments later, a ringing dragged me out of my sleep. Troy’s phone vibrated on the bed-side table. I groaned and tugged the pillow over my head. It stopped and I convinced myself that I was dreaming. After a beat, the phone rang again. I sighed, peeled back the corner of the pillow and stared at the screen - Lauren.
Should I answer it? Whatever she had to say, I could handle. I reached for it. “Hello?”
“Who’s this?” she said.
“Monique.”
“The bitch trying to steal my family? Yeh, I heard about you.”
I sat up. “I’m not trying to replace you, Lauren. I could never do that.”
“Right.” She snorted. “Is Troy there?”
“He’s out. Did you want to leave a message?”
Beep, beep, beep.
Super.
The door opened and Troy stepped through. “Hey, Gorgeous.” His eyes roamed over my face. “What’s up?”
I rested my chin in a hand. “Lauren called. Said I was a bitch.”
He heaved a sigh, dropped the containers on the table and sat next to me. “Sorry.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “Not your fault.”
His brow furrowed. “She’s the mother of my daughter. It partly is.”
I reached for a container and flicked it open. Fries. “She’s jealous. And nuts - no offense.”
“None taken.”
“She’s not going to make it easy for us, is she?”
His arm curled around my shoulders. “Don’t you worry about that.” His lips brushed across my temple.
Us getting married had to be hard on her.
“So.” He grabbed a handful of fries. “You wanna watch some TV? I think there’s a repeat of The King of Queens on.”
“Sure.”
Before I passed out again, I called Mum.
“Hi, Darling!” she said, “How are you?”
There was no simple answer. Between spending hours by myself, not knowing if my fiancé was alive, to the problems with Lauren, I wasn’t sure how I felt.
“Moni?” Concern flooded her voice.
I had taken too long to answer. “I’m fine.”
“Ah-ha. And I’m Martha Stewart.” She was silent for a beat. “Where’s Troy?”
“Shower.”
“So, you wanna tell me what’s really going on?”
I filled her in.
“She hurt my step-granddaughter-to-be? What’s her address?”
I smirked. “What are you going to do - send her a nasty letter? You are on the other side of the country,” I said, “Speaking of, when are you coming for a visit?”
“Soon.”
“Let me know. I’ll buy you a ticket.”
“No. I’ll buy my own ticket, thank you.”
I heard a male voice in the background. “Who’s that?”
“Jay,” she said, “He, uh, wanted to borrow the Ute again.”
His dad had one. Something’s up. “What are you hiding?”
The bathroom door opened.
“I’d better go,” she said and hung up.
Troy strolled out, a towel secured around his waist. “Who’re you talking to?”
“Mum.”
His eyes widened in mock curiosity. “Oh? How is she?”
“There’s something she’s not telling me. And Jay was there.” My brow creased.
“I’m sure it’s nothing.” He turned his back to me as he dressed.
“What are you hiding from me?”
He pulled a shirt over his head. “I’m not hiding anything.”
I marched over and grabbed his jaw. “What happened to no secrets?”
“I promise, it’s nothing bad.”
My grip slackened.
“It’s a surprise,” he said, “I can’t tell you anything more.”
I released him. “Fine.” It had better involve chocolate.
He tugged on a pair of track pants, a smirk growing on his lips. “You’re so cute when you’re frustrated.”
“I am?”
“Yep.” His arms knocked my legs from under me then pitched me onto the bed. His fingers unbuttoned my shirt, brushing his l
ips across the bare skin as it was revealed.
I tugged on his collar and he shifted closer, his lips trailing up my neck.
“We have an early start tomorrow, remember?” I said.
“And?” A hand slid over my stomach. “I’ll buy you a double espresso in the morning.”
* * *
“Make it a quadruple,” I said the next morning as we waited in line for breakfast. I didn’t get a lot of shut-eye. Restless night, I guess. Too much on my mind.
His head swivelled in my direction. “You’re talking espresso, not pancakes, right?”
“Yep.”
“Hm. Not sure I wanna be in the same car as you after that.”
I nudged him with my elbow. “Ha ha.”
“We’d better stock up on munchies, too - just in case.”
“I see some muffins.” I nodded towards the display case.
“I’ll get us a couple of those and some fruit. I bet you’re sick of those muesli bars, huh?”
“A little.” I never wanted to see another. “I just want to get home and sleep for a week.” I slumped into him.
He secured an arm around my waist. “Blueberry pancakes?”
“Yes.”
He nodded across the room. “Grab that table. And try not to fall asleep.”
I yawned. “No promises.”
A minute later, he joined me. “They were out of blueberries.”
“That’s not funny,” I said, “No jokes until I have my coffee.”
“Someone’s grumpy this morning.”
“That someone’s fiancé is hiding something.”
The waitress delivered our breakfast. Troy checked his phone for the fifth time.
I ripped into the pancakes. “Expecting a call?”
He hesitated. “You know that surprise I talked about last night?”
I nodded. “The one you wouldn’t tell me anything about - no matter how hard I pressed?”
“I’m kinda relying on some people to help me pull it off.”
“Sounds big.”
“Monumental.”
Hm, what could it be? He had already proposed. “And you won’t tell me anything?”
“There’ll be cake.”
“Ooh.”
“But no-one’s getting back to me - could be an epic failure.”
I reached for his hand. “As long as the cake’s good, right?”
He returned my smile. “Right.”
An hour later, we were on the road again.
“We need some tunes.” I plucked a stack of CD’s from the glove box and flipped through them.
“Whoa, whoa! Was that a country album I saw?” His lips tugged into a smirk. “I thought you hated country music?”
“Not when I was nine.” I smiled as I examined the CD. “It was a gift from Dad.” I always was Daddy’s little angel. He would bring me home trinkets and all kinds of cool stuff from his trips. Sometimes he even let me tag along.
Troy squeezed my hand. “You wanna stop for some post-breakfast breakfast before we leave civilisation? Or coffee?”
“Sure.” I swiped at my moist eyes. “A vat of coffee.”
“Comin’ up.” He swung into a petrol station then jogged inside. Moments later, Troy returned. He passed me a take-away cup and a chocolate bar.
I felt my lips pull into a smile. “Thanks.”
He leaned through the window and pressed his lips to mine. “You’re welcome.” He marched to the other side and slid in. “Let’s go home.”
“Ruby’s gonna go nuts when she sees you,” said Troy.
“Are we picking her up before we head home?”
His eyes drifted to the clock on the dash. “Yeah. School’s nearly out.”
“Awesome.” I couldn’t wait to see her either.
Troy found a parking space and cut the engine. I drummed my fingers on my thigh.
A hand covered them. “Any minute now.”
The bell sounded. A stampede of kids escaped the buildings, filling the yard. Ruby paused by the gate, her eyes searching. And then I realised, she wouldn’t know my car. I stepped out and waved to her.
Ruby sprinted across the pavement, a big smile on her lips, and slammed into me. “Moni!”
“Hey Sweetie,” I said.
“I missed you so very much.”
I kneeled and crushed her to me. “Ditto.”
“Even though Mummy wouldn’t let me talk about you.” Her face dropped.
“Oh?”
“She gets really mad.”
Troy appeared beside me. “Hey, Kiddo.”
“Daddy!” Ruby pounced at him.
He picked her up and swung her around. “Let’s go, hey?” He winked at her.
She giggled.
“You are both keeping secrets now?” I said.
“A really big awesome secret,” she said.
We managed to squeeze Ruby in the back.
“You okay there, Rubes?” I adjusted the rear vision mirror to see her.
She nodded.
“There’s a bag of toys next to you from when I was your age. I thought you could pick out the ones you want.”
“Thank you.” She reached in and pulled out a purple unicorn.
Troy swivelled. “Wow, that’s pretty cool, hey Ruby?”
“Can I keep this one?” She held it up.
“Sure.” I swung out of the lot. A minute later, I turned onto our street.
Ruby hopped out. “C’mon! You’ll love your office!” She led me up the driveway.
“Hold up, Missy.” Troy jogged ahead to unlock the door.
“Daddy, cover her eyes,” said Ruby.
Troy’s gentle hand clamped over them.
“Geez, must be something special,” I said.
“No peeking,” she said.
I heard the door swing open. They ushered me forward.
“Step,” said Troy.
I lifted a leg then the other.
“We hope you like it.” He spun me around. “Plenty of shelves and storage.” His hand peeled away to reveal lilac walls.
I perched on the futon and prodded the mattress. “Perfect for mid-afternoon naps.”
Troy returned my grin. “Our exact thoughts.”
Ruby sat next to me.
I tucked her under my arm. “This is amazing. I love it.”
“But, we have another surprise.” He held out a hand.
I took it and he hauled me up, securing fingers over my eyes again.
“Is it a puppy?” I heard Ruby giggle.
“No, silly.” She tugged me forward.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see in a moment,” he said.
I heaved a sigh. I hated not seeing where I was stepping. “Troy ...”
“Just a sec,” he said, “There.” His hand slipped away.
Mum, Jay and Troy’s mother stood before us.
“What’s going on?” My eyes flicked between them. “Mum? What are you doing here?”
Troy dropped to one knee and reached for my hand. “Will you marry me today?”
I froze. “Are you serious?”
He nodded. “Very.”
Ruby peeked around Troy. “Say yes! Say yes!”
I breathed deep. “Yes.”
“How did you want your hair?” said Mum, “Up or down?”
“Uh. I haven’t really thought about it,” I said.
“Not to worry.” Mrs DeGaris sorted through eye shadows. “Makeup?”
“He hasn’t seen me in any yet,” I said, “Why start now?”
Mum smiled and shook her head. “I’ve known about this for over a week, but I still can’t believe my little girl’s getting married.” She swiped at her eyes.
Julie handed her a tissue. “Well, I’m glad my son’s marrying you and not that tramp - ooh you won’t tell Troy I said that will you?”
“I will take it to my grave.” I drew a cross over my heart.
Mum brushed strands of my hair. “You don’t see
m one bit nervous.”
I shrugged a shoulder and smiled. “I have been waiting twelve years to marry him.”
“You really are meant for each other,” said Julie.
“How do you feel about curls?” said Mum.
“I like ‘em.”
Ruby wandered in. “Nanny, can you do my hair, too?”
“Sure thing, Beautiful.” Julie slid a chair closer to mine.
“How long have we got?” I said.
Mum plugged in the curling iron. “Plenty of time.”
Ruby bounced in her chair. “It’s not even dark yet!”
“You excited Rubes?” I clutched her hand.
“Yep! You make Daddy very happy.”
My smile widened. “Thank you.” My thoughts trailed to the ceremony. “Oh my God. I haven’t got anything written for my vows.” My heart beat accelerated. “What am I going to do?”
“Speak from the heart, Dear,” said Mum.
Jay’s voice floated into the bedroom. “Everyone decent?”
“Yes,” I said.
He slipped through the door. “I need a moment alone with the bride.”
“Why?” said Mum.
“Secret best man business,” he said.
They held their place.
His eyes flicked between Mum and Julie. “I got orders from the groom.”
“Come on, Rubes.” Julie towed her out of the room.
“You, too, Mrs Cullen.” He thrust a thumb over his shoulder with a smirk.
“Fine, I’m going.” She squeezed my shoulder as she passed. The door clicked shut behind her.
“What’s up?” I said.
“First off, I wanna apologise for lying earlier.” He sat in the other chair, brow furrowed. “Troy called when he bumped into you.”
I waved a hand. “That’s in the past.”
“Awesome.” He was silent for a minute.
“Secret best man business?”
“Oh, yeah.” He beamed and plunged a hand into his pocket.
“I thought Patrick would have been best man?”
“He is. However, Pat didn’t do an online celebrancy course.”
“Hold up,” I said, “You are marrying us?”
“Yup.” He waved a necklace in front of me. “You like?” He placed the string of tiny diamond flowers in my palm.
“He spoils me too much.” My finger traced a flower, smaller than the tip of my pinkie. “All I care about is spending the rest of my life with him and Ruby.”
“You really are a good one, Mon.” He stood then bent to press his lips to my head.