31
Heath
Graduation day was possibly the proudest time of Heath’s life. His one and only child was sitting with her friends at the front of the large theatre where the ceremony was taking place. A defining moment for his girl. University, her travels, the family she had grown up with, all there shaping her, guiding her, creating the person she would become.
The moment Willow stepped out of a back room wearing her cap and gown brought Heath’s heart to his eyes, along with a tear. She looked incredible, and he didn’t think it possible to love someone more.
Rhett’s hand had tightened slightly in his just before she pulled out her phone to take a hundred or so pictures of their baby.
They sat close to an aisle, clapping until their hands tingled, waiting for the announcement that Willow Silver had been awarded a first-class honours degree.
Standing. Cheering. Clapping their weary hands even harder. Heath, Rhett, and Fran raised the roof as Willow shook hands with the host handing out the certificates, had her picture taken, beamed up into the audience, and made everyone laugh by curtsying before leaving the stage to sit back with her friends.
‘Oh, Heath,’ said Fran, linking her arm around his. ‘I know your dad is here right now.’
Heath swallowed hard. All day, he had the same thought. Willow was Benton’s pride and joy. There was no way he would miss her big day. Somehow, he would have got his hands on an angel pass or something.
The celebrations continued further along the building in a large hall, where free drinks and nibbles were handed out, and everyone took more photographs than they had in their lives.
Willow tossed her hat, cheered with her classmates, and supped Prosecco with her best friend, Cody Sullivan.
Heath handed Rhett a glass of orange juice as they found a corner to sit in for a bit of respite from the party. ‘I can’t stop looking at her.’
Rhett smiled warmly. ‘I know. Can you believe we made that human?’
Pure joy filled him. ‘We did good, didn’t we?’
‘We got something right.’
They clinked glasses and grinned.
Fran was in amongst a group of Willow’s friends, knocking back fizz and showing them dance moves that made her look as though she had an invisible hula-hoop.
Rhett leaned on Heath’s arm, gaining his attention. ‘This is one of the best days of my life.’ She slid her chin up his biceps. ‘I wish I’d gone to uni now.’
‘Yeah? I wish I’d done a lot of things. But you and me, we’re going to start doing stuff. We’ve got some catching-up to do.’
She pulled him closer and kissed his cheek. ‘What you got in mind?’
‘We’re going to take some holiday time, for a start. Our honeymoon will get the ball rolling. Life can’t be just Silver Wish Farm.’
Rhett straightened. ‘Ooh, about that. I have something I wanted to run past you.’
‘Now or later?’
‘Anytime.’ She shrugged and gestured to the opened glass doors that led to a long balcony.
Heath walked with her, glad to breathe some fresh air. The alcohol fumes from all the opened bottles inside were stronger than any he’d ever smelled in any pub.
The August sun shimmered down, warming all who made its acquaintance. The noise of the city below them was muffled, and the sky above clear of clouds. Heath was happy to stand out on the veranda all day.
Rhett led him to the end, where they glanced down at the river below to see some paddleboarders moving along slowly with the gentle flow of the water. ‘It’s lovely here, isn’t it?’
‘Yep.’
Their arms connected on the rail as Rhett faced him. ‘It’s about Silver Wish Farm.’
Now he was intrigued. ‘What about it?’
‘I had an idea for the stables. If it’s all right with you, and your family, of course, I’d like to rename Lucky Riding Stables.’ He went to speak, but she wasn’t finished. ‘I want a new start to go with the changes we’ve made. So, I’m thinking… Silver Wish Stables. I mean, it’s Willow’s name anyway, and she’ll inherit the lot one day, so it makes sense for—’
Heath kissed away the remainder of her sentence. Words were no longer needed. The emotion of happiness overwhelmed him completely. How much more joy could he take in one day? He was sure to burst.
Rhett chuckled on his lips. ‘I guess you don’t mind then?’
He pulled his face back so he could have full eye contact, as she needed to know just how on board he was with her idea. ‘You know, it’ll be your name too soon.’
It wasn’t just the sun warming her cheeks, he could tell. Rhett Smithson wasn’t that much of a mystery. He had her number years ago, and now he knew he had her heart.
I don’t know if you made this happen, Dad, but if you did pull strings, thank you.
‘What you thinking about, Heath?’
‘My dad.’
Rhett glanced down at the sunlight bouncing off the river. ‘I think about him a lot.’
‘He always liked you and Viv.’
‘He came to my house every day to check on me. Did you know that?’
It warmed Heath to know that snippet of information. ‘No.’
‘Every day.’ Rhett sighed as she snuggled under his arm. ‘He was the best dad.’
‘He was.’
‘And I’m glad my daughter has an incredible father as well.’ She looked up at him, and they shared a smile. ‘You’re a good man, Heath Silver.’
Willow grabbed their shoulders, making them jump. ‘Selfie time.’ She beamed, holding her phone aloft, and proceeded to snap away whilst laughing, smiling, and sharing kisses.
They took turns wearing Willow’s cap, raised their glasses to toast the phone, and recorded a short video, where they told each other how ridiculously proud they were and that they loved each other so.
Even the trip home failed to lessen the glee. And as soon as they arrived back on the farm, Finn lit the barbeque, the party music hit the speakers, streamers exploded everywhere, and more fizz was poured.
Heath blinked back the water threatening his eyes as he stood back on his own watching life re-enter his home after such a bad start to the year.
The Gatehouse Café was close to opening, the BB hot on its heels, the family war hero could once more rest in peace now his medal was in the safe hands of the Imperial War Museum, and Silver Wish Farm had an extra addition in the form of stables.
Rhett trotted up to his side. ‘Hey, with the exception of all the graduation banners, this is how I want our wedding to be. Well, you know, with some more flowers.’
Heath grinned. ‘Flowers? You want flowers?’ He tossed her over his shoulder before another word was spoken, laughing at the small squeal she made.
The field where rows and rows of growing blooms spread far and wide was where Heath plonked Rhett down. The sweetest smell and bees and butterflies surrounded them, creating a fairy-tale meadow.
‘How many flowers do you want?’ he asked, arms out.
Rhett twisted her mouth to one side as she glanced around, turning in a circle. ‘Hmm.’ As she came back to face him, he removed his hand from behind his back to reveal a single daisy in his palm.
With the greatest of care, Heath placed the tiny flower in her hair, just above her left ear. ‘Daisies represent new beginnings.’
Rhett reached up to lightly touch the flower. ‘How do you know that?’ she asked quietly, as though unable to speak at all.
Heath expanded his arms to their glorious surroundings. ‘Seriously?’
They shared a warm smile, then an even warmer kiss.
‘We’re kind of like these flowers, Heath. Years back, we planted a seed. It may have taken time to grow, but it’s bloomed now.’
He gave a slight nod. ‘Everything grows if you give it enough care.’