Page 35 of Lime Tree Hill
They hadn’t seen each other since then, but the memory of that kiss lingered until she’d almost forgotten why she disliked him. And as she’d left the packing shed that day, hurrying home with her heart thumping in her chest, she’d failed to stop the chatter that was Mitchel Harrington. His smell, the way he kissed with passion, and the feel of his hands as he held her face—like she was precious to him. And those three small things amounted to one big thing. Trouble.
Tayla turned from the mirror when Tim knocked. “Come on, you,” he called through her door.“We don’t want to be late. He’ll think you’re not coming.”
She opened the door and did a twirl, her hands shaking with nerves.
“Wow. Look at you. Now that’s how a bride’s done right there. Fabulous.”
“Thanks.” She held out her hands in front of her. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
“Most brides are.” Tim pulled her in for a hug. “But he’ll show. You won’t be left this time. I promise.”
She frowned. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because Mitch Harrington is a man of his word. And while your reasons for doing this are as unconventional as that gown, I truly admire your courage.”
Tayla swallowed the lump forming in her throat. If they didn’t leave soon, she’d shoo Tim out the door, then lock herself inside the house until she came to her senses. “Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Tim always smiled freely, but there was one smile he saved for the special people in his life, and that was the one he gave her at that moment. “Right, let’s go take a peek through the lens. My fingers are itching to make magic.”
Tayla followed him into the living room, her dress making magic of its own. “Who was at the door earlier?”
“A florist.” Tim picked up an impressive bouquet of autumn wildflowers from the hall table and handed them to her. “Looks like your fiancé has a touch of the traditional in him after all.”
Mitch going to the trouble of sending her flowers warmed her inside. “They’re beautiful.” She inhaled deeply. “And smell divine.”
He pointed to the attached envelope. “There’s a message.”
Tayla removed the rough paper card from the envelope and read to herself as Tim repeatedly clicked the shutter.
Tayla,
Thank you for taking a chance
and trusting me to share this time with you.
And while I don’t want to be a dick about it,
I just want you to know…
that practice kiss was perfect.
Mitch x.
A warm blush crept up Tayla’s neck and face. She turned to Tim and laughed. “Put that camera down right now.”
“No way. That’s my best shot so far.”
Two hundred yards from the Eastern Pacific Highway, a plantation of pine trees flanked the rock formations of the coast, like sentinels keeping watch over the bond between land and sea. Mitch had picked the spot, and when Tim and Tayla arrived an hour before sunset, apart from the odd seagull and a scurry of wild rabbits as they drove up the gravel road, the place was deserted.
Tayla stepped from the car, her skin taut with a sudden chill as she inhaled salt-filled air. She could do this. Mitch wasn’t here yet, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t show. Watching Tim set up his gear, she smiled. Her friend was passionate about everything he did, but photography had always been his greatest love.
For the next while, he directed the photo shoot with his usual flamboyant flair. And as she stood between the pines in her nude-colored sandals, the last of the sun’s rays streaming through the branches and illuminating the satin of her skirt, Tayla felt strangely serene.
“Okay, face this way.” Tim adjusted the lens. “Good, good. Look down. Drop the flowers to your side. That’s great. Perfect. We’ve got this.”
“What’s the time?”
“Never mind.” He clicked off another few shots.
