Epilogue
One Year Later
‘If I thought farming was tough, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for with running a farm stay.’ Mila moaned as Sawyer pressed his thumb into the ball of her foot. ‘If I didn’t have you to give me foot massages, cook stir-fries, and help manage the social media side of the business along with the bookings, I’d be screwed.’
‘All in a day’s work.’ He grinned and increased the pressure, almost making her eyes roll back in her head from the pleasure of it. ‘I like having things to do to fill my days now I’m a kept man.’
‘You are so far from a kept man it’s not funny.’ She stuck her tongue out and winked. ‘Though I do like the thought of you at my beck and call.’
‘Actually, about that …’ He moved her feet off his lap and slid off the sofa, onto one knee, and she swore her heart stopped. ‘How do you feel about making our living arrangement permanent?’
‘It already is,’ she murmured, not daring to breathe as Sawyer slipped a tiny blue box out of his pocket.
‘Well then, how about you make an honest man out of me and agree to be my wife?’
He popped the lid of the box and she exhaled on a sigh.
The princess-cut emerald surrounded by diamonds was breathtaking.
And a ring she’d admired when they’d headed to Melbourne for a city-cation a few months ago.
She hadn’t thought much of them window-shopping in Collins Street at the time. They’d been eating spicy lamb souvlaki and struggling not to let the garlic sauce drip all over them as they passed the jewellers and the emerald had caught her eye. They’d barely paused because Sawyer had wanted to visit a bookshop to stock up on reading for Brett and Aimee. Or maybe that had been a distraction technique so she wouldn’t guess he’d been wanting her to choose her own engagement ring.
‘If you’re taking this long to answer my proposal, I’m starting to think I’ve made a mistake.’
She smiled and held out her left hand, which trembled a little. ‘No mistake. I’d love to be your wife.’
‘Phew, you had me worried for a second.’ He slid the ring onto her fourth finger and it fit perfectly. Her heart pounded as he lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss on her knuckle above the ring. ‘I love you and I can’t wait to marry you.’
‘I love you too.’ She cupped his cheek with her other hand. ‘How about we do it next week?’
He gaped for a moment before laughing. ‘You’re serious?’
‘Of course. We’ll keep it small. Close friends and family only. Catering will be easy to organise. Maeve from the bakery will do the cake at short notice.’ She gnawed on her bottom lip. ‘And I may already have a dress.’
It had been an impulse purchase on that same weekend in Melbourne, a simple ivory strapless sheath made from silk that had been on sale in a boutique. It wasn’t a wedding dress per se, and
she’d bought it for when Hills Homestead hosted its own B & S ball early next year, but it would do nicely.
‘In that case, I’ll get the legalities sorted and I’m all yours.’
‘Promise?’
He leaned in for a kiss. ‘Promise.’
‘This is your fault, you know.’ Mila elbowed Will, who clutched his side. ‘If you hadn’t gotten sick at the worst possible time and asked Sawyer to attend my first wedding in your stead, we wouldn’t have fallen for each other, and Gran and Gramps wouldn’t have got back together either.’ She bumped her brother with her hip. ‘I suppose you’re proud of yourself.’
‘Of course.’ Will grinned as they watched Adelaide and Jack dance beneath a eucalyptus, locked in a close embrace, unable to take their eyes off each other. ‘All part of the grand plan.’
‘And what plan is that?’
He snickered. ‘Okay. You got me. It’s all a giant fluke but I’ll take the credit if you want me to.’
‘You’re an idiot,’ she said, holding up her champagne flute. ‘But I’m glad you flew from London to make it to this wedding.’
‘My best friend and my sister marrying?’ He clinked his stubbie against her glass. ‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
They sipped their respective drinks, watching Brett and Aimee clamber all over Sawyer who pretended to hate it as he acted defenceless.
‘I’ve never seen him so happy, sis. And I think that’s because of you.’
‘I’m happy too.’ Her chest ached most days because of it. She could hardly believe how lucky she was. ‘What about you? I know you’re solo here, but that could be because of the exorbitant last-minute plane fare you had to fork out. Is there anyone special in London?’
Will hesitated before shaking his head. ‘No. Been through a messy breakup recently though, so it’s most unkind of you not to have any bridesmaids I can hook up with.’
She heard a hint of sadness beneath his levity and wished her brother could be as happy as she was. ‘The women of Ashe Ridge aren’t ready for a worldly guy like you.’
‘You’re right,’ he said, taking another slug of beer, but she detected vulnerability in his tone. ‘Looks like your groom is heading this way, so I’ll leave you to it. I see a quiche with my name written all over it at the buffet table.’
Mila watched her brother as he walked away, wondering if she’d get to the bottom of what was really bugging him before he left. Like her new husband, Will hid his feelings behind humour, but she saw right through him. He couldn’t hide the sadness in his eyes, and it worried her. Will deserved to be happy and if he wouldn’t open up to her, she’d get Sawyer on the case.
‘Everything okay, wifey?’ Sawyer slipped his hand into hers. ‘Did that bozo say something to upset you? You’re looking a little worried.’
‘I’m fine, though sounds like he went through a breakup recently and it’s affected him more than he’s letting on. Has he said anything to you?’
Sawyer shook his head. ‘We haven’t had time to catch up properly, what with you putting a rush on this wedding because you couldn’t wait to make me your husband.’
She smiled and squeezed his hand. ‘I just want everyone to be as happy as us.’
‘Not a chance.’ He pulled her close and slid his arms around her waist. ‘How lucky are we?’
‘The luckiest people in the world,’ she murmured, a second before his lips claimed hers.