Chapter 8
Derek stood on the top stops of the Silver Lake church. The sun was shining, but he hardly noticed. By his side was his beautiful bride, the diamonds in her ears almost as bright as her eyes. Aiden had kept him calm that morning—the best best man ever, he joked—and all his friends and family were there to be part of it. A perfect day. The fact that the hassle of wedding invitations and the million other decisions was behind them was just a bonus. Now he was married to the most beautiful, most talented, most driven woman he knew. They were a family and their whole life was ahead of them.
“Can you believe it?” he whispered to Olivia as they started down the steps hand in hand. “I’m your husband.”
“And I’m your wife,” she whispered back, glowing with the excitement of the day. “I love you.” She stopped at the bottom of the steps and kissed him. A light breeze carried the sensual jasmine scent of the perfume Olivia always wore, and which she matched in the bouquet she was carrying. “For now and for always.” Olivia’s lace overlay gown was deceptively simple, hugging every curve and flaring out at the bottom slightly, mermaid style. She wore a satin bolero for church, but it would be coming off soon. The dress had a plunging neckline, with netting to hold everything together, but it was the deep cut of the back that was the star of the show. Derek’s hand crept up under the cropped jacket now, touching her bare back. He was anxious to get her alone tonight.
* * *
Linney had watchedthe service with her grandmother on one side of her and Kirsten on the other. Anna and Danny, who were sitting in front of them had just turned around to chat.
“It was a beautiful wedding,” Linney said. Anna was dabbing at her eyes and Danny stroked her arm tenderly. Kirsten sniffed and Linney reacted. “Don’t you start crying too! It’ll be your turn soon enough,” she teased.
“Or yours, maybe,” Anna jested, as she folded her handkerchief and put it back in her purse.
“That would be nice,” Linney’s Gran said. “I’d like to see you settled, dear. Maybe you’ll bring Mac home to meet me.”
“I’m working on him,” Linney said, but her voice was flat.
The group made their way to the back of the church, following other guests. Danny took her grandmother’s arm as she shakily descended the steps. “Thank you,” Linney mouthed to him at the bottom, and he nodded. Gran seemed even more frail than she had at Easter, and Linney realized she needed to put on her research hat and start looking at retirement homes. For when they needed to, she told herself. Gran didn’t need one just yet. She put that thought away as they reached an impromptu receiving line in the church gardens.
The wedding party had been small—just Aiden, who Linney had met several times in Toronto—and Olivia’s best friend from law school. Linney gave Aiden a friendly hug, and a perfunctory kiss on the cheek to the maid of honour who she didn’t know well. Moving down the line ahead of her, Gran congratulated Derek’s mother.
“Well, you did it!” Linney said to Derek and Olivia when she reached them. “Congratulations, you two. May you have all the happiness you deserve.”
“Thank you, Linney.” Olivia reached out politely to hug her.
Derek’s hug was warmer, almost crushing her. “I’m so glad this part is done!” he whispered in her ear.
They both looked much more relaxed listening to Aiden’s best man’s speech as dinner came to a close. Aiden had everyone in stitches, telling stories of when he’d first met Derek in school. “I predated Olivia,” he joked, “but as soon as Derek met her, it was like he completely forgot who I was.” There was laughter, and he moved smoothly into his closing. “I’m hardly one to give marriage advice, so let me draw from literature. Antoine de Saint-Exupery wrote that love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction. Derek and Olivia, may you always look outwards together.” He raised his glass. “Please join me in a toast to the bride and groom.”
Linney lifted a slim champagne glass along with the other guests, and there was much applause. She looked over at Olivia and Derek as they kissed. The happy couple was savouring every second of their reception under a big white tent at Derek’s home on the lake.
There were many more toasts and laughter as friends told stories until the sun set, the twinkle lights came on, and music filled the air. Derek and Olivia wound their way among the tables, thanking their guests for coming. Olivia charmed the Silver Lake locals while Derek impressed guests from the city with his earnest devotion to Olivia and his job.
When the dancing began, Olivia took her father’s arm and Derek offered his to his mother. Olivia’s father, after dancing with Derek’s mother, approached Linney.
“Thank you, but I’m sure my gran would like to dance first.”
With a wink, Linney set off to find Anna and Kirsten, leaving her grandmother to enjoy a slow spin around the dance floor.
“He should have been here, Linney,” Anna admonished when Linney slid into a slip-covered chair between her friends. “If Mac loves you the way you say he does, he should want to meet your friends and be part of our celebrations.” Linney had no answer for that, so she deftly changed the subject.
“Can you believe it’s been ten years since Kirsten and I were your bridesmaids? Where has the time gone?”
“It just gets better every year,” said Danny, smiling down at Anna and it was clear they were still as much in love as they had been at their own wedding. “You two should try it!”
Suddenly the music sped up and Linney grabbed Kirsten’s hand. “Let’s dance!” she said, pulling her friend from her chair.
* * *
Derek and Oliviaspent their wedding night at Silver Lake’s tiny inn. It had seen better days, but the rooms were large and you could tell they’d been luxurious in the past. It was either that or leave their reception early to drive back to their city apartment before their flight to Mauritius the next day, so Olivia had reluctantly agreed to stay at The Manor House.
Derek battled back a yawn as they climbed the stairs to their room just after one in the morning, his tie already loosened. He’d been careful not to drink too much, but the energy he’d felt on the church steps had been sapped from the excitement of the day. Was this how every groom felt, he wondered, as he thought about giving Olivia a proper wedding night.
They stopped at the door to their room and Derek put the key in the lock. He pushed it open.
“The traditional way?” he asked.
Olivia nodded, and he picked her up and carried his wife over the threshold. “I love you,” he said, setting her down gently.
“I love you too.” Olivia stifled a yawn. She stepped out of her rhinestone-encrusted high-heeled sandals and Derek kissed her shoulder, undoing the few buttons on the back of her dress. The gown slipped to the floor, and she tried to hide another yawn behind her hand. The relief of planning the perfect day, coupled with perhaps one too many champagne toasts, had caught up with her and she was drained.
“Tired?” Derek asked as he unbuttoned his shirt.
“Honestly? Exhausted.” She sat on the corner of the bed, and Derek was unable to fight back a huge yawn of his own, making her laugh. “You too?” Derek nodded. “How weird would it be if we just slept tonight?” she asked.
Derek looked at her, surprised by the suggestion, but honestly relieved. “Sure,” he replied, drawing out the word. “As long as you’re okay with that, and we make up for it when we get to Mauritius tomorrow.”
“Deal,” Olivia said, taking her earrings off and sliding under the covers. Derek joined her and spooned her tightly. They were asleep instantly.
The beaches of Mauritius were exactly as advertised, and although Derek and Olivia had planned to spend a few days relaxing and then do some hiking and other watersports, they found they spent far more time in their honeymoon suite than out of it—making up time and time again for the wedding night.
* * *
Linney fulfilleda promise to Derek to have breakfast with Aiden the morning after the wedding. She’d spoken with him about it at the reception and he’d agreed to join her for a quick spin in the kayaks.
“Great speech last night,” Linney said, as they pushed off from the dock. Linney had a small picnic basket in the stern hatch.
“Thanks,” Aiden said as he concentrated to avoid tipping over his kayak. “When do you go back?”
“Tonight, actually,” she said. “It’s a short visit. Too short in fact.” She looked over at him and laughed.
“What?”
Linney pointed to his paddle. “Make sure the long edge is up.”
“This is harder than it looks!”
“We’re not going far.” Linney pointed to a small island off to the right. “We’ll have breakfast over there.” The pair paddled silently, except for the splashes when Aiden dipped his paddle into the water less than gracefully.
They arrived at the island and Linney hopped out of her kayak to helped Aiden get his to shore. She pulled out the hamper, and they sat on the stone outcrop as she poured coffee from an insulated carafe and began arranging plates of pastries, eggs, and fruit. Linney raised her coffee cup.
“To the married couple.”
“To Derek and Olivia. They’ve beaten us both to the alter!”
Linney tore off the end of a croissant. “You didn’t bring a date to the wedding. I’d say the alter is a ways off for you.”
Aiden laughed. “A very long way! But what about you? You’ve got a pretty serious guy in London, right?. Why didn’t he come?” He grabbed a hard-boiled egg.
“Mac had things to do. He couldn’t spare the time.” Even to her, the excuse sounded thin, so she was thankful Aiden didn’t pursue it. Instead, he stood up and stretched.
“I think I understand why Derek loves it here,” he mused. “I read somewhere that the human eye can see far more shades of green than any other colour. And that being in nature can lower your heart rate, reduce stress, and even speed up healing times.”
“I’ve read those studies too. And I believe it. I love London, but my trips home are what keep me grounded. I think Derek feels the same way. I know I always feel so much calmer after I’ve spent time back home at the lake.”
They finished their breakfast, and as they put away the empty containers into the hamper, Aiden spoke. “Thanks for bringing me out here. Way better than breakfast at a restaurant.”
“Anything for Derek’s best man. But we have some good breakfast spots. Make sure you come up sometime when Derek and Olivia are here and have them take you out to Vi’s Café or the Doughnut Hut. Two different experiences, but both great.”
“I’ll take your word for it. I don’t have a lot of spare weekends.”
“You work as hard as Derek, then.”
“Guilty as charged. But it sounds like you work just as hard.”
Linney reddened. “You caught me!”
The pair kayaked back to the dock, and Aiden thanked her again as he got ready to go. “Maybe I’ll see you in Toronto sometime when you’re here to see the newlyweds.”
“You never know. Safe drive back to the city.” Linney waved as he backed his car out of the driveway and took off.
Her phone buzzed, and Linney sat on the porch stairs with the hamper to read MJ’s text.
Your boyfriend is grumpy.
??
He looks like crap. Comes in late every day, barks at the interns. Gemma’s pissed.
Sigh.
Gotta be honest with you. He’s been out late at the pub every night since you left. And I wouldn’t be surprised to find out he has a bottle in his desk. You need to know. He’s acting strange and people are noticing.
It was like a kick in the stomach and Linney put her phone down and closed her eyes. MJ wasn’t one to sugarcoat the truth, but the fact she’d said it so plainly was a surprise. Linney knew Mac had always been a heavy drinker. But he’d always been professional in the newsroom and his work had never suffered. She felt a tension headache forming and realized she hadn’t had one since she’d been home.
Linney got up and moved to the porch swing, clutching a throw pillow tightly. If she were honest with herself, she knew that Mac had been drinking more in the last year. A lot more. She’d had suspicions about what was in his coffee in the morning for several months but had never asked. She didn’t want to know. Linney gulped. Maybe it was worse than she thought. She was afraid she was going to have to face some unpleasant truths soon. Squirming uncomfortably, she picked up her phone again.
Oh no.
Miss you.
Miss you too. Hurry back.
Later that day, after Linney put dinner in the oven for her and Gran, she leaned against the kitchen cupboards. Six o’clock. So eleven in the UK. She pulled her phone from the back pocket of her jeans and her fingers hovered over the keyboard. She started typing and then deleted it. She started over but deleted it again. Finally, the words came to her.
Hey. Hope all is well. Miss you and can’t wait to see you.
Linney held her breath, waiting for a reply. Nothing. She looked at her watch. Had she got the time difference wrong? If MJ was right, Mac should still be at the pub. Suddenly her phone buzzed.
Ha ing a pint witg the boys. Miss you. Miss you i bed with me. come jome soon. Thr things I want to do witj ypu …
Linney’s heart sank. She did not want to deal with this. A tear rolled down her cheek as she typed.
Be safe, ok? See you in tomorrow.
* * *
“I’m back!”Linney called as she opened the door to her flat, breathing heavily after dragging her luggage up the stairs. Mac had promised to be there, but he wasn’t. Charitably, Linney guessed that Gemma had him out on an assignment. Still, she wished he had left a note. She unpacked and took a long hot shower, rinsing the travel day away. Starting the laundry, she sat down to sort through the mail. It was probably for the best he wasn’t there, she justified to herself. Gave her a chance to acclimatize.
Her phone dinged later that afternoon.
Going to the pub with the gang. Come!
Linney was still tired, but if she wanted to see Mac, she supposed she’d have to go to him. She sent a heart emoji back and pulled on her coat. When she arrived at the familiar watering hole, she waved to colleagues and gave Mac a quick kiss. “Just one drink, okay?” she murmured. He nodded, and she pulled out her phone to show the wedding pictures to the group.
Conversation soon turned to the latest stories of the day, and who was working on what. MJ was working late, Linney learned, which explained why she wasn’t there. Linney nursed her beer, stifling several yawns behind her hand, while Mac had a second, a third, and ordered a fourth, his stories getting wilder and louder with each one. He loved being the centre of attention.
When it was clear he wasn’t ready to leave, Linney finally gave up. She needed some sleep, and so she tugged at his jacket. “I’m going home, okay? Don’t be too long.”
“Spoilsport,” he sneered. “You just got here. Can’t you stay and wait?”
“Seriously, Mac. I’m tired and jetlagged.”
“Fine,” he huffed, snapping at her. “Go home. You left me for a week already for some stupid wedding. What’s another day? I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Linney wiped a tear away as she walked the short distance to the tube station. What she would have given to be able to text Derek for advice. But her best friend was on his honeymoon.