“I can’t think about that right now,” Penny said.
“Think about what?” Rowan asked.
“We’re talking about a wet weather plan for the wedding,” Charmaine replied.
“That’s a good idea. I hear there might be a storm,” Rowan said.
Penny shot him a look of frustration.
“What?” he asked with a laugh. “Did I say something wrong?”
“I don’t believe it’ll rain. I’m holding out for sunshine.”
He sighed. “Okay, honey. That’s fine — don’t you worry about it. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you,” Penny said, immediately perking up. “But the weather is going to be perfect.”
Sixteen
THE WINDthat whipped around the point and along the beach outside her house in the early hours of the morning made Penny’s heart thump a little faster than usual. She walked onto the deck, wrapped in her bathrobe, and stared over the ocean as she sipped her morning coffee.
She was getting married today.
Nerves fluttered in the pit of her stomach as a wave of excitement rolled through her body. They would finally be husband and wife after so many years of back and forth. She was ashamed it’d taken her so long to see what was right in front of her — that Rowan Clements was the man she loved.
She’d always felt that way about him, she realised now. But she’d pushed him away with their little spats and disagreements. He irritated her because he got under her skin in a way she didn’t know how to process. But now that she’d finally accepted her own feelings, she’d never been happier. And everything would be perfect as long as the weather didn’t change.
At that moment, dark clouds skidded across the sky, blocking out the rising sun. The wind changed direction and buffeted the coastline. She shivered and pulled her robe more tightly around her body.
Taya slipped through the back door of the beach house and looped an arm around Penny’s shoulders. “The weather isn’t looking great.”
“No, but it’ll be fine. We only need half an hour for the ceremony. Surely it won’t rain until this afternoon.”
“Surely not,” Taya said.
“I’m getting married.”
“Yes, you are. And the two of you are going to be blissfully happy together.”
“You think so? I’m not the easiest person in the world to live with. And I’ve never lived with a man, other than my stepdad, before now.”
“You’ll be fine. You’ve lived with your brother, Rob.”
“That’s true, but only for short stints, and he drives me crazy.”
Taya laughed. “I have no experience with siblings, but I’ve heard that’s normal. You and Rowan love each other, and you’re going to be okay. You’ll fight, everyone does, but when you love each other, you can work it out.”
“He’s giving up so much. What if he stops believing I’m worth it?”
“There is no true love without sacrifice. It costs each one of us to love someone well. Whether it’s giving up nights out on the town, or resisting the urge to spend all your money on sheep collectibles, or sacrificing time we could be recharging in order to listen to someone’s hard day, or rising from bed early in the morning to drive a child to Little Athletics training…”
“I remember you doing that for Camden,” Penny interjected.
“That’s right, and even though I hated getting up before the sun while it was cold outside, I did it because I loved her. Love and sacrifice are never far apart. He’s giving something up for you now, but you’ll do the same for him. That’s how marriage works. Now, let’s eat some breakfast with Bea and Evie before they devour all the pancakes. We’ve got a busy day ahead.”
Seated in the car at Point Prospect, Penny stared out the window of the minivan. Rain lashed the vehicle as the wind howled around the headland. Palm trees waved their fronds and dove towards the earth with every gust of wind. She wore a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, with her makeup and hair already done. She’d planned to change into her dress on site so she didn’t wrinkle the fabric. A small white veil hung over the back of her hair, which was pulled into a loose chignon with curls draped down either side of her face.
“It’s not looking good, honey,” Taya said, seated behind her. “What do you want to do?”
