Chapter 25 #2
‘Is everyone ready?’ Charlie waited until everyone had nodded before continuing. ‘Okay, on the count of three. One, two, three.’
Nicola angled the tree again and began pushing as the plywood scraped against the doorframe.
‘It’s moving, but be careful, so we don’t take any paint off the door. Push a little harder, but slow it down,’ Charlie instructed. ‘And go.’
As they pushed, the tree finally dislodged, causing Charlie to jump back as the plywood creation fell against the slabs of the pathway.
Nicola reached out and grabbed Jill’s arm to save her from falling and Gerald gripped hold of the door handle to steady himself.
As they all cheered, Jill gripped her husband as they ran outside to carry it to the small trailer attached to her car.
After watching them walking down the garden path, Charlie joined Nicola inside and chuckled. ‘It had me worried there for a moment.’
‘Haha, me too.’ Nicola smiled as Charlie wrapped his arms around her. ‘At least we no longer have a massive tree towering behind the reception desk.’
‘No, I can imagine that might have raised a few questions from your guests.’ Charlie kissed her on the forehead.
‘So, what was the plan, to slip in, take the tree and leave without warning us it was going?’ She grinned as she thought of what a surprise it would have been for her and Laura to suddenly notice the missing tree.
‘Nope, my plan was to pop in and try to get your attention.’
‘Really?’ She felt a flutter in her stomach as she thought about how often he was going out of his way to see her recently. ‘That would have been a nice surprise.’
‘Well, what can I say? I just like your company.’ He kissed her again on the top of her head.
Leaning her chin back, she studied his eyes.
He liked her company? Did that mean he was feeling the same way as her?
Not being able to wait until the next time they saw each other.
The number of times they’d met up this week suggested it and she was trying, and failing not to read too much into it.
‘What about the farm? I thought you were super busy at the moment?’
He shrugged. ‘We are, but it’s all being taken care of. And, let’s be honest, the farmhands know what they’re doing more than me.’
‘I suppose they do.’ Wrapping her hands around his neck, she drew him closer. ‘I’m going to miss you so much when you sell Little Mead.’
Charlie slumped his shoulders, a shadow forming across his face. ‘I will too, but let’s not think about that now.’
‘I guess not, but we do need to talk about it at some point.’ She bit down on her bottom lip.
As much as she didn’t want to, they both knew they had to face up to reality at some point.
It was so easy to just push it to the back of her mind, to almost forget that he was only here for the time being, but on the other hand she knew she was falling for him and if they didn’t have that conversation soon, it might just be too late.
‘I know.’ He tucked his finger beneath her chin, their lips touching before he drew back again.
‘Hi, Nicola.’
Jumping back from him, Nicola turned to see Suzy walking into the hallway, the long train of her ivory wedding dress sweeping across the oak floorboards. ‘Suzy, is everything okay?’
‘Perfect. It’s just perfect.’ Her eyes gleamed with happiness. ‘I was just running up to my room to grab a present I have for Owen. I was going to wait until after everyone had left, but I don’t think I can.’
‘I can run up and get it for you if you like? Save you going up?’ Nicola smiled.
‘Thank you, but I’m happy going.’ She fiddled with the straps of her gown and laughed. ‘I need to readjust, anyway.’
‘Okay. Well, give me a shout if you need any help.’ Nicola smiled.
‘Charlie, isn’t it? You’ve taken over from Farmer Williams at Little Mead?’ Suzy turned her attention to Charlie.
‘That’s right. For the time being.’ Charlie nodded. ‘He was my uncle.’
‘You must stay, then. My dad used to work up there on Little Mead.’
‘Oh no, I’m not really dressed for the occasion.’ Charlie’s cheeks pinked as he tugged on the edge of his checked flannel shirt.
‘Nothing wrong with what you’re wearing. We wrote on the invites that we specifically wanted people to feel comfortable in whatever they chose to wear. You’re more than welcome to stay and experience a Meadowfield wedding.’ Suzy grinned and looked pointedly at Nicola. ‘Take Nicola for a dance.’
‘Okay, thanks.’ Charlie nodded reluctantly and watched as Suzy climbed the stairs, carefully carrying her train draped over her arm to save herself from tripping, before he turned to Nicola. ‘I’ll get going.’
‘Aw, really? You’ve not got time for one little dance?’ She held her index finger up, suddenly wanting nothing more than to dance with him.
Leaning across, he kissed her on the forehead. ‘How could I say no?’
‘Great.’ Taking his hand, she led him outside, weaving back through the tables and chairs to the dance floor.
By the looks of it, most of the guests were up and dancing, enjoying the music and the ambience of the wedding reception.
Pulling Charlie towards a space on the dance floor, Nicola turned back to look at him.
She hadn’t danced in ages, years. Not since she and Nathan got together.
He hadn’t liked dancing. Always said it was just people putting on a silly show, letting themselves look foolish for the humour of others.
She hadn’t agreed. She loved to dance. Or she had, but what Nathan wanted, Nathan got.
She twisted her finger around a strand of hair as she stood awkwardly in front of him, suddenly unsure of herself.
‘Here.’ Stepping forward, Charlie wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling close to him as he swayed in time to the music.
Taking Charlie’s lead, she placed her hands around his neck and tried to match his slow movements.
As they clung to each other, enjoying the feel of him in her arms, she closed her eyes, listening to the music and his rhythmic breathing.
If only things could stay like this forever.
If only they had time to get to know one another properly.
Opening her eyes, Nicola peered over his shoulder at the couples surrounding them, each and every one of them lost in their own world, their own circle.
‘This is perfect,’ Charlie whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her skin.
She smiled up at him. Yes, this was just perfect. Everything else could wait. All the worries about the future were just that. Bridges they’d cross when they came to them. For now, Charlie was here in her arms and she just needed to enjoy what they had between them.