28
Cody
‘Lyme Regis is lovely. Why have we never been here before?’ Cody turned from the hotel window to see Willow rummaging around in her handbag on the bed.
‘You know, now that I think about it, we haven’t visited a lot of places in our own country. We need to make a to-do list of places to see right here,’ she said.
‘Sounds good to me. Although, let’s travel here in warmer months. November isn’t the best time of year for a holiday in the UK.’
Willow chuckled. ‘Yes, well, we weren’t expecting to get married and have a quick honeymoon.’
‘I like to think of these two nights away as a pre-honeymoon. A warmup for what’s to come in January. I’m looking forward to a couple of weeks in Greece.’
‘We probably won’t get many opportunities to travel for our anniversary each year, as it’s so busy now at the farm.’
‘Hmm, I’m surprised you agreed to this.’
Willow approached the window to stare out at the amazing view of the sea. ‘We had to go somewhere. We just got married. It’s tradition. We’ll head back this way in the springtime. Ooh, we could do one of those trips where we travel the coastline of the country, stopping off at each town, then venture inwards once we’ve done that.’
Cody agreed. ‘We’ll need to map out our trips. At least that’s our holidays sorted for the next few years.’
Willow snuggled into his side. ‘Let’s go for a nice peaceful walk while we have the chance. It’ll be manic when we go home. I can’t believe how fast this year has gone. Hey, it’ll be our first Christmas together. Ooh, there might be some ornaments we can buy here for our tree.’
‘Come on then, you get yourself ready, and we’ll see what Crimbo bits are around here.’ He watched her enter the small bathroom to the side of their room, then went back to enjoying the view.
A young couple was snuggled together by a parked car, sharing a kiss and each other’s warmth. Cody smiled at them, thinking of how Willow would be wrapped in his arms as soon as they stepped out into the cold. He was sure. He still couldn’t believe they were married. It was so surreal, but oh so right.
Cody sat on the bed, gathering the woolly hat and scarf Willow had made for him. The level of happiness running through him was off the scale.
He had to laugh, as the play they’d ended up in popped into his thoughts. What a bizarre time and definitely a story for the grandkids.
What was I thinking agreeing to become an actor?
Cody started questioning his sanity, and then his backstory with Willow. Maybe his soul always knew she was his destiny. He sure as hell didn’t feel comfortable with any other woman, and there wasn’t a person alive who could drag him into something he didn’t want to do except her. Had she really had a hold over him all that time? Seemed likely. Now he wondered if she had been tied to him without knowing.
‘Hey, Wills, do you think once you have a bond with someone it can’t be broken?’
Willow came out the bathroom, hair tied back and lip balm in place. ‘I guess. You and Humphrey bonded the day you met.’
‘He reckons we came here on the same spaceship.’
Willow giggled. ‘I think we did too. Explains a lot.’
‘It’s weird, isn’t it? You know, just feeling a connection with someone. It’s not always romantic either, is it?’
‘What’s brought this on?’
He glanced her way as she sat to his side to put on her boots. ‘I was just laughing to myself about me performing in a play all because…’ He trailed off, not wanting to mention an ex-partner’s name on their honeymoon getaway. Not that he viewed Kip as anything other than a prize idiot who tried to con Willow. ‘Sorry.’
‘It’s okay. We need to be able to talk about anything. But I get it, perhaps this isn’t the time.’ Willow’s phone buzzed, causing her to rummage in her bag. ‘Get your coat on while I get this. Oh, it’s just my email notifications. It can wait.’
‘No, that’s okay. You check that in case it’s work you need to forward to your dad. I need the loo anyway.’
Willow yawned, stretched, then gazed over her shoulder as Cody entered the bathroom. ‘I’m not getting much sleep with you around.’
Cody laughed. ‘I reckon we’ll need another nap when we get back.’ He heard her chuckle, then silence filled the air as he sorted himself for a relaxing walk with his wife.
Expecting to see Willow wrapped in her coat and scarf by the time he left the bathroom, he was surprised she was still sitting on the end of the bed. Something was off. Her cheeks had paled, and her mouth was gaping.
Oh, God, please don’t tell me someone’s died .
The suspense was killing him. If it was Zach, he wanted to know straight away. It was all too good to be true lately. The fun. The laughter. Falling in love. Getting married. He knew something would go wrong. Willow’s face held a thousand stories, but which one was about to break his heart?
‘Wills, what’s wrong?’ He swallowed hard, not wanting to know, wishing whatever had rattled her would just bugger off and leave them alone.
Her mouth closed, then opened again, then closed, and it was more than he could bear.
Cody sat by her side and took a silent calming breath. ‘What’s happened?’ he asked softly as his heart thumped and swirled.
She met his eyes and blinked a few times before opening her mouth once more. ‘I had an email.’
‘Yeah?’
‘From Mystic Maureen.’
Cody narrowed his eyes at the mention of the name. Just for a moment he lost all words, but then Willow lightly touched his hand, bringing him back into the room. ‘Are we seriously doing this right now, Wills?’
She nodded slowly whilst biting her lip.
I’ve just got over this woman, and now she’s back in our life, and Willow’s allowing this. On our honeymoon .
He unclenched his fist, trying to relax. ‘Let me guess, she wants more money? An offer you can’t refuse. She’s ready to sell you some more crap.’
‘I emailed her to tell her off for messing with people.’
‘Oh, so is she having a go back?’
‘No. Something strange has happened, Sully.’
‘No shit!’
‘Don’t be mad,’ she said softly, stroking his knuckles.
‘Why are we having this conversation? What has she said now that’s made you look like you’ve seen a ghost?’
‘It’s an apology.’
‘Oh, well, that’s due,’ he snapped.
‘No, listen. Something went wrong. She’s explaining.’
‘Explaining what? That thanks to her you could have ended up with some loser who would have just used and abused you.’
‘I would never have ended up with someone like that. Give me some credit. I’ve always known what I wanted for my life, so I’d be no match for someone like him. You’ll never work with a partner unless they’re a team player. And, let’s face it, he was definitely a solo act. I didn’t choose him, I chose you, and I didn’t care about the psychic picture. Please remember that.’
Cody lowered his gaze and sighed. ‘I do. It just aggravates me when I hear her name, and I wasn’t expecting to hear it on our honeymoon.’
‘I wouldn’t mention her either if it wasn’t important.’
‘Okay. Let’s get it over with.’
There’s another soulmate you’re supposed to be looking for. Go ahead and break my heart. I’m not sticking around for this .
Cody shot up and marched over to the window, unsure of his next move. He could hardly breathe thinking about Willow with another man or having regrets about getting married, perhaps asking for a divorce.
‘Okay, I’m just going to spit this out because I can see you’re freaking out.’
He turned to glare her way. ‘You think! Who have I got to be worried about this time?’
‘No one, Sully. Please, just stop. Even with what I’m about to tell you, you will never ever have anyone else to worry about. I love you. I married you. I’m having my kids with you. Get it, you soppy sod. It’s you and me forever.’ She sprinted over to slobber him with kisses till he smiled.
‘All right, all right. I’m sorry. It was just triggering, that’s all.’
‘I understand, but this needs to be said. Now, shut up and listen to your wife.’
Cody let her lead him back to the bed, where he kissed her cheek, then nodded.
Willow inhaled deeply and smiled. ‘So, she emailed. The long and short of it is, back when she was doing my reading, she got a call to say her sister had been in a car accident. She had no time to think or carry on with her work, so she left some basic instructions for her son to file her jobs and send them off, as she was going to have to go live with her sister for a while. She’s not been home long, so she’s only just discovered he sent the wrong drawings to people. Apparently, my written reading was meant for me, but the picture I was sent was incorrect.’
Cody looked at his hand she was lightly squeezing. ‘Well, we could have told her that idiot wasn’t for you.’
Willow chuckled. ‘Yeah, but I’ve got the drawing of someone else now.’
‘Great! Hope you got a refund.’
‘No, Sully. Look.’
It took a moment for Cody’s brain to kick into gear. The psychic drawing looked a lot like him. He couldn’t argue with that, but surely that couldn’t be right. How on earth would some woman in America know what he looked like?
‘Uncanny, right?’ said Willow, pressing into his arm.
‘Is this real? Did you get her to do this just to settle my mind or something? Because you didn’t have to. I was already over all that nonsense. I know we’re soulmates. I’m good. Honest.’
Willow breathed out a laugh. ‘No, I didn’t get her or anyone to do this. Don’t be daft. I knew we were past this. Wouldn’t have married you if I had doubts. We love each other, and we’re meant to be, no matter what anyone says. But look, Sully. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. I still can’t. She was real. She really can draw people’s soulmates. Blimmin’ heck, what a gift. She should be on the news.’
‘I think it’s better if she stayed out of people’s business. I mean, look what damage it almost caused us.’
Willow held his hand and smiled. ‘Yeah, but now what are we supposed to make of this?’
‘I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry.’ He examined the drawing again.
Yep, it’s definitely me .
‘Can we just say goodbye to Mystic Maureen now, please?’ he added.
Willow laughed. ‘I can’t wait to tell Jo.’
‘We’re not showing that picture to everyone.’
‘Oh, come on, it’s so freaky.’
He had to admit, it was bizarre.
‘Hey, Sully, does it make you feel a bit better though?’
Cody shook his head. ‘Doesn’t make a difference anymore. Probably would have a while back, but not now. It is funny though, in a weird way.’
‘It’s totally bonkers.’
‘So was you getting sloshed and contacting her in the first place.’
Willow beamed, making him smile. ‘Even if that never happened, we would have kissed eventually.’
He leaned in close to her mouth. ‘You reckon?’
‘Hundred percent. Do you know how I know?’
He teased her lips with his own. ‘How do you know?’
‘Because I love you, Sully.’
Cody pressed their mouths together, then drew back to meet her eyes. ‘I love you too, Mrs Sully.’
Willow pushed him down on the bed, peppering his face with light kisses. ‘Here’s to the unknown future. Whatever it may bring.’