24
Cody
Cody smiled inwardly at the cool stares coming his way from Heath, Finn, and Tyler. He’d never felt intimidated by Willow’s dad and uncles before, but then he’d never been engaged to her before. Still, it was amusing to see them scrutinising him over a roast dinner and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Hard rain splattered against the window and side door to Fran’s house, creating the only sound for a while, and no one seemed to be eating much.
Are they going to say something? Should I? I could ask about Viv’s court case. No, maybe not the best time. Think, think. Say something .
‘Storm’s picking up,’ said Cody, giving the window an innocent glance.
‘Let’s hope it’s dry for your sudden wedding,’ said Finn, keeping eye contact as Cody looked his way.
Okay, so we’re doing this .
‘I know it seems rushed, if that’s what you’re getting at, but we know what we want.’ Cody wished any concerns had been mentioned two days ago when the announcement was made and Willow first flashed her ring.
One corner of Finn’s mouth twitched. ‘You haven’t been together long enough to know what you want.’
Cody eyed them one by one. The same face in different size bodies, ranging from muscular to trim, with Finn sitting firmly in the middle.
‘No one’s angry,’ said Tyler quickly. ‘It’s just a worry, that’s all.’
Cody turned to him. ‘I’ve known Willow all my life.’
Tyler simply smiled. ‘Yeah, but you weren’t a couple.’
He was right, but Cody still shrugged. ‘It’s what we want.’
Heath was quiet until Finn gave him a pointed look. ‘We’ll have to get busy clearing out the barn if that’s where you want your reception.’ He glanced at the rain thudding against the window pane. ‘Once this stops.’
Finn’s dark eyes widened in astonishment at his older brother. ‘Really? That’s all you have to say?’
Heath looked at Cody. ‘You love her, right?’
Cody nodded.
‘That’s what counts,’ Heath told Finn.
Finn shook his head. ‘I’m not saying they don’t love each other. I’m just saying they don’t have to get married the second they realised that.’
It was understandable everyone would feel a little thrown by the sudden announcement. Cody was still coming to terms with it himself. But the last thing he wanted was for Willow’s family to have doubts about him. It was bad enough he had his own secret concerns, thanks to the stupid drawing that looked nothing like him.
‘If my daughter’s happy, I’m happy,’ Heath told Finn. ‘And I trust Cody.’
‘Me too,’ said Tyler.
Finn flapped one hand across the table. ‘I think he’s trustworthy too, but it still doesn’t mean they have to rush into things. They’re young—’
‘And so was I when I wanted to marry Rhett,’ interrupted Heath.
‘Wasn’t that just because she was pregnant though?’ asked Tyler.
Heath shook his head. ‘No, it…’ His voice trailed off, and all three men stared across the table at Cody.
What’s with the look? Oh, they think she’s pregnant .
‘Whoa! There is no shotgun wedding going on here. I can assure you.’
That I know of. She could be pregnant. She didn’t want to use protection and doesn’t mind if we start having kids straight away. I’m not telling them. I need to clear the air .
‘Look,’ Cody added, ‘I know this is a bit soon, but we already know we’re going to be together forever, so what difference does it make when we get married? Willow wants us to make a start on our life here straight away. Her grandad’s unexpected death really rattled her, so now she doesn’t like the idea of wasting time, thinking life’s too short to not go after what you want.’
‘Is it what you want though?’ asked Heath, softening his glare.
‘Yes.’
Heath turned to Finn. ‘You going to give them your blessing now?’
Finn rolled his eyes at his brother, then looked at Cody. ‘I’m not against this, or you, I just want my niece to be happy. To be sure. It’s easy to get carried away with things when you’re loved-up and living in the clouds.’
‘Like you?’ said Tyler, laughing.
‘I’ve got more miles on the clock than this one.’ Finn gestured at Cody.
Tyler tilted his head, reaching for a Yorkie. ‘Yeah, but out of everyone, you should know the most what it’s like to fall in love with your bezzie mate.’
Finn huffed. ‘I was in love with Viv for years. Cody and Willow have only just moved into that zone. These things take time getting used to. Ask Viv. She only fell in love with me at the beginning of this year. She still hits surreal mode every now and then.’
Cody knew how that felt, especially when Willow was naked in his arms, not that he was about to share that info. Maybe Finn was right, and they should wait till next year, at least, but he couldn’t help but think it wouldn’t make any difference, unless some other dude came along during that time with a face matching the psychic drawing.
Understanding the conversation but not needing to hear it any longer, Cody finished his roast dinner. Zach had already given him a talk about being responsible, so it wasn’t as though he hadn’t heard it all before. Part of him felt insulted that they thought they had a right to interfere.
‘Storm’s getting worse,’ said Fran, entering from the hallway. She stopped in her tracks, giving the impression she was assessing the room. ‘What’s going on here?’
‘Dinner,’ said Tyler, holding up a piece of Yorkshire pudding. ‘Oh, and Finn acting like he’s Willow’s dad.’
Finn frowned. ‘No, I’m not. I’m just making sure Willow and Cody know what they’re getting themselves into.’
Tyler raised his eyebrows. ‘You make it sound like they’re about to climb Mount Everest.’
Fran chuckled. ‘Marriage is a journey, that’s for sure, and there are a few mountains along the way.’
Finn and Heath’s pagers went off, telling all the RNLI needed them. They kissed their mum, then rushed out the side door, with Fran telling them to be safe.
Cody cleared his plate, then washed it up at the sink before leaving for his room to find Willow. Even with her family mostly happy for their upcoming nuptials, he still wanted to leave the conversation, in case Fran and Tyler felt the need to continue where Finn had left off.
Willow wasn’t in his room or hers, so he sat on his bed and watched the rain for a bit before video calling Humphrey for a quick chat.
‘I’ve just got in from work,’ said Humphrey, looking shattered. ‘I prefer it when I can work from home, but they like us to come in sometimes.’
‘You enjoying it?’
Humphrey beamed. ‘Yeah. Busy, but loving it. Hey, your graphic novels are selling like hotcakes. You happy with that?’
‘Surprised more than anything, but thanks to you I’ve got some money in my pocket, so at least I can pay for some of my wedding.’
‘It’s not thanks to me. You created them. I just showed them off. Anyway, I thought Zach was helping out with the wedding.’
Cody settled back against the headboard. ‘A little. There’s not much to pay out for really. Willow wants some sort of woodland wonderland set up in the barn, so it’s just decorations, food, and drink. Her parents are paying for all that, including her dress, I’m paying for the register office, and Zach’s covering anything else, which basically means he’ll be getting me a tailor-made suit.’
‘You don’t sound as excited as I thought you’d be.’
‘I am. It’s just, well, everyone thinks we’re rushing things.’
‘Only matters what you think.’
Cody smiled. Just the thought of being with Willow warmed his heart in every corner.
The voice of Humphrey’s mum calling him for dinner ended their chat, leaving Cody to stare back at the rain.
He approached the window, gazing over at the treehouse in the near distance. It had always been their special place.
Oh, what a year!
A lot had been packed in, when he thought about it. He wished he could go back a few months and spend some more time with Willow whilst they were travelling. He wished they could have fallen in love then, before she got drunk and decided to live life under the rules of Mystic Maureen.
The memory of Kip groping Willow on the bridge popped into his head, causing his fists to clench. He so wanted to smack him in the mouth that day.
Get out of my head .
He went to turn from the window, when Fran’s voice softly called into the room.
‘Willow, you in there?’
‘No, Fran. It’s just me.’
Fran entered, smiling as she joined his side. ‘You okay, love?’
Cody gestured at the window. ‘Just watching the rain.’
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
‘I used to love a good storm, but that was before my boys signed up as boat crew for the RNLI.’
‘I can’t imagine anyone would be out at sea with this brewing.’
Fran breathed out a quiet laugh. ‘You’d be surprised.’ She touched his arm lightly and smiled. ‘Have they asked you to join yet?’
That wasn’t something he was prepared to do. Not with his weak swimming skills and unpredictable motion sickness. ‘Nope. Not sure I could fit any other jobs in at the moment anyway.’
‘Yes, you do enough around here, and I’m glad you’ve fitted in so well. Benton would be pleased. I know.’
He watched her smile gently at the sky as lightning replaced the gloominess for a second.
Fran motioned towards the field. ‘You know, this all used to be nothing but wild pastures. There was only this house and Finn’s, a couple of barns, and the Gatehouse.’
Cody tried to imagine the land empty and unloved.
‘Benton’s father didn’t farm,’ added Fran. ‘He was an alcoholic. Could barely sort himself, let alone a business. My husband didn’t have the best start in life. He and his siblings were as abused as their mum, more so when she left. His sister moved out as soon as she could, and his little brother ended up as messed up as their dad.’
Cody felt blessed to have his brother.
Fran inhaled deeply, gazing at the rain dripping down the window. ‘We lived here for a while, then over in the house our Finn has. It was a bit cramped, but we were happy there, then we came back here to the main house. Benton never wanted to leave this place, and when he decided to take the farm on, he only had the idea of a Christmas tree farm. He never had any good Christmases growing up and really wanted one of those happy, holly jolly advert types. So he started planting trees, determined to turn Silver Wish Farm into a place of joy.’
‘I can imagine it wasn’t easy for him.’
‘No, it wasn’t. But he used to say that you might not be able to lose your trauma, but you can find ways to work around it. He certainly did. He started small, then built his way up to what you see now.’ She turned to Cody, her soft features and healthy glow fading just a touch. ‘I don’t want anyone to ever forget his story, love. It’s important to me that whoever lives here knows this land’s backstory. My husband was inspirational, and I think people like that should have their name remembered.’
‘There’s no chance of Benton Silver’s name going anywhere all the while Willow’s around. She has always talked more about him than anyone else in her family. She thought the world of him.’
Fran smiled out at the soggy field. ‘I know she did. They were very close. She’s the only one who really took to this place. Finn loves being a firefighter, and Heath’s at his happiest when in his workshop, and my Tyler, well, he’s been part of that sweet shop in Pepper Lane since he was at school. Not sure what’s going to happen to the place now the owner has just died.’
‘Oh, I didn’t know that. Tyler never mentioned anything.’
‘Tyler’s always been one to keep things to himself, but I know he’s worried the shop will be sold off. He likes working here as well, but there was something about that old place that kept him smiling. Shame the old man died.’
Cody nodded. ‘I remember him. Mr Masonville.’
‘That’s right.’
‘At least Ty has a job here. And Willow’s already told me to hang on tight as December approaches, as it’s all hands on deck around here.’
‘Yes, especially now we have the Frozen Forest. You’ve not seen Tyler in his Postmaster’s costume yet.’ Fran giggled. ‘We’ll have to see what we can dress you as.’
Cody patted his flat stomach. ‘Not sure I’ll make a great Santa.’
Another bolt of lightning lit up the dark sky, making them both jump.
‘Thanks for taking me in, Fran, and for including me in your family.’
Fran leaned into his arm, nudging him lightly. ‘Hush now, lovely. You have always been one of us. Even when you weren’t around, Willow would talk about you. Sully this, and Sully that.’ She glanced over her shoulder. ‘I thought she’d be back for her dinner by now.’
‘I don’t know where she is. Probably shutting up shop.’
Fran shook her head. ‘No, she said she was going over to the stables to help Rhett settle the horses, then she was popping into the treehouse to pick up a laptop, then she’d be right back.’
They both looked at the treehouse at the same time.
She wouldn’t go in there during an electrical storm. Surely she knows the danger lone trees in the middle of fields face. She—
A bolt of lightning struck the old tree in one short sharp flash, ripping the top left half clean off. The roof of the treehouse scattered around the grass, taking one wall along in the explosion as Fran and Cody gasped in horror.
Fran immediately pulled out her phone and called Willow.
Willow’s phone buzzed on the chest of drawers behind them, causing Cody to rush out of the room.
Please, God, don’t let Willow be in the treehouse .