I blushed at the compliment.Managing people hadn’t been strange at first – having people turn to me to answer their questions or have the final say on the colour of the walls.But, after a while, I found myself looking forward to leading staff meetings or annual reviews, where we could give people pay rises.My worries about my dyscalculia, my anxiety about numbers, hadn’t disappeared.But Ren led on the meetings with accountants or meetings with Niall about investments and returns.I focused on the people, which had always been my strength anyway.
‘Josh is a good egg.He just needs someone to turn to every now and then.’
Ren pulled me to a stop, playing with an errant hair that had escaped my hair tie.
‘You’re very good at your job, Sunshine.Let me say it, and let yourself hear it.Okay?’
‘Okay,’ I smiled.
‘Come on before someone else pounces on us about tomorrow.’
Excitement bubbled in my chest.Tomorrow.
God, it had come around so fast.
Ren tugged me along, his long legs setting a faster pace past the packed restaurant with people enjoying their long Friday lunch.
Sleeper steps led us down to the more remote part of the farm, past a small paddock for cows, and towards the far edge of the property, where the restored apple orchard spread out in full bloom.There, between two ancient apple trees, stood an ornate archway in soft oak, woven with carved flowers and fruit.My legs moved faster than my brain, dragging Ren with me.As I got closer, I saw the detail.Lilies and citrus fruits had been painstakingly carved by hand into the wood.
I reached out, fingers gliding over its smooth, glossy finish.
‘It’s so beautiful,’ I said.‘Kat is going to love it.’
‘Dad and Liam did a brilliant job.’ Ren’s hand found my shoulder blade, rubbing it gently, like he knew exactly how much this meant.Weddings made me feral.It was something about the anticipation, the crisp champagne, everyone dressed up to the nines.But this wedding was even more important.Because it was family.
Kat and Liam.My cousin and Ren’s brother.It meant everything to us.
And crucially, it was the first wedding Ren and I were hosting at Everly Heath Farm and we had 24 hours until go-time.I turned to Ren, looping my arms around his shoulders.His hands skimmed down to my hips, and I arched my neck, an unspoken invitation he answered with a kiss there.
‘Do we have everything?’
‘You know we do.’
‘Are you sure?’ I pulled back, scrunching my nose.‘What if we run out of bog roll?’
Ren chuckled, tucking a stray hair behind my ear.‘We’ve still got that lifetime supply you got from Costco, Sunshine.We’re fine.’
‘And the bridal suite?’ I pressed.‘What do you think?I know we haven’t finished the painting in that corner of the bathroom.I can do that tonight.It’s not all perfect—’
‘Honey.’ His voice dropped, low and lovely.‘Kat loves that room.She designed it, remember?She’d accept bare plaster in there if it meant she could soak in that roll-top tub and look out over the farm.Everything’s ready.We’re ready.’
A smile crept across my face.
‘We are, aren’t we?’
‘You betcha.Liam’s got his surprise—’ he nodded towards the archway, ‘—but I’ve got mine.’
‘What are you plotting?’ I asked as he led me through the trees to the far end of the orchard.Quiet.Remote.
There a bench sat, one I’d never seen before.
Ren took a seat on the bench, fingers tracing the edge of a small brass plaque on the back.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF LILY HUNTER.ALWAYS WITH US.
I stood still, fingertips grazing her name.
‘It’s beautiful, Ren.’
