chapter Five
She moved back and cupped his face with her hands, stroking his bristles with her thumbs. “I wouldn’t mind,” she said, surprising herself by meaning it. “If you and Aroha… you know. I wouldn’t mind.”
A shadow of a smile crossed his face. “Dear Honey.” He turned his head and kissed her fingers. “Such a big heart. But let’s not talk about it. Not today.”
She nodded, swallowing.
He heaved a sigh and forced a smile. “So. Off to court tomorrow?”
She let out a long breath, deflated. “Crap. I’d forgotten about that.”
He laughed and moved away to put the lid on the rubbish bin he’d obviously gone out to fill. “I’m sure they’d let you off jury service if you told them you’re getting married at the end of the week.”
She shrugged. “It’s good to do your civic duty. And besides—I’ve been called before. It’s only a one in ten chance you’ll get chosen, and even then the lawyers can challenge you if they don’t think you’ll decide in their favour.”
“I guess.” He walked back to her. “So what movie are you seeing tonight then?”
“The latest Bond. It’s supposed to be really good.”
“Yeah, I saw the trailer. Looks great.”
“You could always come if you wanted.”
He grinned then. “I’m sure Dex would appreciate me playing gooseberry.”
“He wouldn’t mind.”
“He’s hoping to get you in the back seats and make out,” he advised.
She whacked his arm. “Dad. We’re not sixteen. If Dex is paying fifteen bucks to watch a movie, he wants to watch the movie, not make out. Besides, there’ll be plenty of time for that at the weekend.” She giggled. Suddenly it didn’t seem so far away.
Cam smiled fondly. “I’m amazed the two of you stuck with it. I have to admit, I didn’t think you’d be able to wait when you first announced it.”
“Me too,” she admitted. “It’s been difficult in one way, but easy in another. I…respect him, I suppose, for being willing to wait for me. I just hope…”
“What?”
She gave a tremulous smile. “I hope he turns up.”
Cam laughed. “He’ll be there.”
She didn’t laugh back. “He’s done it before, Dad. What if he changes his mind at the last minute?”
“Then Koru, Jude and Chase will drag him there by his hair.”
“That’s not comforting. I mean what if he decides on the day he doesn’t want to go through with it? I don’t want a shotgun wedding. I want him to be there because he wants to be there.”
Cam held her by the arms and looked firmly into her eyes. “What happened with him and Cathryn is nothing like what you two have. From what I understand, that was a bitter, destructive relationship that Dex had already decided was over, and that’s why she pulled her little stunt. Telling a guy you’re pregnant to get him to marry you is never going to end well. I’m just thankful he found out she was lying in time. She thoroughly deserved what she got, and I don’t think anyone blames Dex for jilting her at the altar.”
He kissed her forehead. “But what you two have is completely different. He loves you—I can see it in his eyes. He suggested you wait until your wedding night because he wants to prove to you that he respects you, and to remove the shadow of everything he’s been through before. This way there’s no worry that the two of you are getting together for anything except the desire to be together.”
Damn it. She’d tried so hard to be the strong one and yet here her father was again, comforting her. Why was she always so frickin’ needy?
She smiled brightly. “I know. I shouldn’t worry. And I am looking forward to it, very much.” She cleared her throat. “How are the other girls? Have you seen them much today?”
He shrugged. “Missy’s Missy. You know what she’s like. Belle seems okay. Daisy would never show it, even if she was upset. Jas went out to Whangarei early so I haven’t seen her, although she texted to check on me and said she was fine. Lily’s the only one I really worry about.”
Honey nodded. “Me too. I’ll have a chat to her tonight when I get back from the movies.”
He smiled. “You’re so like your mother. Anyone would think you were the eldest. But don’t worry too much. Concentrate on your big day on Saturday, eh?”
“Yeah.” She grabbed his hand. “Come on, then. Dex will be wondering where I’ve got to.”
She led him back into the kitchen to find it empty and the table tops clean. Voices echoed from the café, so they walked through. Jude had arrived, and he sat on the table next to the one where the others were sitting, Belle and Missy either side of him, Daisy leaning against the counter, arms crossed.
“…get him drunk and then wax his eyebrows,” Jude was saying, and the others laughed. He was obviously talking about taking Koru out for his birthday. She was pleased they were going out. Her brother’s previous birthday had been non-existent, and they’d all been aware that every birthday after that would be tainted with the memory of their mother dying on the same day. Koru had been a rock for the family and a massive support for their father, and he deserved to have a bit of fun.
“If my eyebrows are getting waxed, you’re getting a Brazilian,” Koru commented.
Jude grinned, saw Cam in the doorway and raised a hand. “Hey, Mr. Summers.”
“Hey, Jude.”
As usual, whenever anybody said those words, they all broke out into the Beatles’ song and sang a few lines before falling into laughter. Honey smiled. The inimitable Jude would make sure Koru had a good time. Okay, so it would probably involve Jude plying him with too much alcohol and finding his best mate a nameless blonde for the night before finding himself a nameless brunette, but for once she didn’t care. There would be plenty of time for them all to grow up, and her siblings deserved a bit of fun.
“Sure you don’t want to come with us, Honey?” Jude asked her wickedly. “We’ll find you a stud on the dance floor, some dude who’ll make sure everything’s working before this loser finally gets around to sorting you out.” He gestured at the groom-to-be.
Honey blushed. Dex gave him the finger. Everyone else started laughing, and Cam rolled his eyes and went behind the counter to finish tidying up.
“Are the rest of you going?” Honey asked her sisters, trying to distract attention from her hot cheeks.
“We are,” said the twins together. That pleased Honey. Koru wouldn’t drink too much if the girls were with him.
“We’re heading off,” Daisy said, nodding at Reuben. Chase scowled, but they both ignored him. How long would it be before he gave up? He was like a puppy dog trailing around, Honey thought. She knew Daisy had feelings for him, maybe even loved him, although Daisy would never confide that to her. But no way would her ambitious, materialistic sister settle for anything less than a guy with his own house, car and lucrative career. Although she still handled the business side of things at Matariki, her life was now in Auckland. Chase wasn’t even in the picture anymore, and the sooner he came to terms with that, the better it would be for him.
“Right.” Jude got off the table and extended his hand to Belle to help her off. “Let’s get going.”
They all stood and spilled outside into the sunny courtyard. The bookshop had closed and the Italian restaurant in the corner was getting ready to open for the evening. The smell of jasmine hung in the air, the last remnant of summer.
Honey hugged the twins, kissed the air by Daisy’s cheek, then threw her arms around Koru, who squeezed her tightly and held her for a brief moment, the only sign she’d had of any emotion beneath his carefully cultivated nonchalant façade. Then they all walked away toward the main road, heading for their cars.
Honey cast a brief glance back over her shoulder. Her father stood in the doorway to the café, a tea towel in his hands, and he gave her a wave when he saw her look around. She waved back, swallowing against the emotion that fluttered in her stomach. Above his head, the sign glinted gold again in the sun, and she made herself take a steadying breath. Yes, he was alone, but they’d made it through the day, and he was going to be all right. He’d go home and Lily would make him dinner, and then when she got in later that night, they’d sit on the deck and have a glass of wine together, and talk a little about memories they had when they were all young. And maybe she’d cry a little, but that was okay. Everything was going to be fine.
Dex squeezed her hand, and she looked up at him. He winked at her before waving goodbye to the others and leading her up the road toward the house he currently shared with Jude in Kerikeri. “I’ll get changed and then we can head to the restaurant. You ready for something to eat?”
“Starving,” she agreed.
“Everything all right?”
She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “Everything’s fine.” And she meant it.
***
Dex had suggested going to the cinema in the hope that it might take Honey’s mind off the day, but he’d worried she would find it difficult to forget her mother’s anniversary, and might even grow upset at times. She didn’t seem particularly emotional, though, and appeared happy enough through dinner, polishing off her rack of lamb and mashed potatoes, followed in her case with chocolate torte and his with another latte. Then they watched the movie, holding hands, and she didn’t object when he snatched the occasional kiss.
Afterward, he took her home. Unusually, the large drive in front of the house held only Cam and Lily’s cars—clearly nobody else had made it home yet. Dex parked and they got out, and without speaking began their favourite walk down to where the river tumbled over the rocks, heading for Rainbow Falls a few miles further downstream.
The sun had set but the moon was nearly full, marbling the rocks white, highlighting the ripples in the river with silver.
He turned her into his arms and kissed her. “How are you doing?”
“I’m good.” She smiled up at him. Her big brown eyes seemed almost black in the moonlight, large in her pale face. She looked ethereal, and suddenly very fragile and vulnerable, and his heart went out to her. Usually this was the time when he started nuzzling her neck and pressing himself up against her, kissing her until they broke away breathless and groaning, but tonight he drew her close to him and rested his cheek on the top of her head, looking up at the moon.
“Dex…”
He kissed her hair. “Yes?”
“Is something bothering you?”
He thought about the letter, the words that circled in his head like flies around rotting meat. “No.”
She drew back. “Are you…” She bit her lip. “Are you having second thoughts? Only I’d rather you tell me now than wait until the last minute…”
Alarm shot through him. “No! God no.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Of course not. I love you. I want to marry you. And I’m desperate to get you in the sack.”
That made her laugh. “I’m glad.”
“Jeez, don’t ever think that, Honey. Don’t worry about me. It’s a busy week for both of us. Everyone gets nervous before the big day. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want it to happen.”
“I guess.” She looked doubtful.
He felt guilty. His fears had manifested as misgivings, and he hated her thinking he’d changed his mind.
He rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip. “You know the first thing I’m going to do to you when we’re married?”
The look in her eyes changed, morphing from worry to warm desire in seconds. “No. Tell me.”
He leaned closer until his lips brushed hers and hovered there, exchanging breaths with her. “I’m going to undress you slowly, and then kiss every part of your body, from your beautiful ears…” He trailed his lips around to her left ear and pressed a light kiss there. “…down your neck…” He touched his lips to her collarbone. “…down to your breasts…” He raised a hand and cupped one, stroking his thumb across her nipple and enjoying the way her lips parted in response as she drew in a breath. “…and then all the way down here.” He dropped his hand to her abdomen, then moved his fingers down to cup her.
She closed her eyes. “Dex…”
He ran his tongue across her lips, then kissed her again, slowly, lingering, as he stroked her very lightly. “You know what? I bet you taste sweet as.”
“Sweet as what?” she breathed, clearly having forgotten the Kiwi penchant for leaving off the last word.
“Honey,” he said with a grin, holding her head so he could plunge his tongue into her mouth and stifle her giggle. He kissed her hard until they were both breathless, then wrapped his arms around her again. “I love you,” he said fiercely. “And I want you. Don’t doubt it again.”
“I won’t,” she said in a small voice.
He tightened his arms. Nothing was going to come between them. Not Cathryn, not bad memories, not his past, nothing. He’d never been so determined about anything in his life.