Chapter Eighteen
The next week passed in a blur as the wedding preparations took up everyone’s time. Sebastian had been kept busy on many errands for Gran, Angie, and Jemima, but he didn’t mind. Every trip to town was another opportunity to call in and see Bella. Every night this week was taken up with rehearsals, dinners, and making sure his camera gear was right for the wedding, so there was no chance of taking her out anywhere. He’d called her a few times and knew she was as busy as everyone else with the wedding catering. Yesterday afternoon, he and Liam and Ned had driven into Dubbo to collect their monkey suits, as Sebastian referred to them.
“Do I really have to wear that?” he’d complained as they stood in the formal hire suit.
“Yep. You do.”
“I’ve never worn a suit in my life,” Sebastian said, staring at the light grey suit and white shirt.
But no arguments were accepted, and the three men headed back to the Prickle Creek Farm where Gran hung the suits in her wardrobe.
The next day when he was in for smoko, Gran asked Sebastian to go into town. “I need more strawberries.”
Even though Bella was catering for the wedding, Gran had been cooking up a storm as well.
“I’ll come, too. I have to go to the produce store,” Liam said. Sebastian bit back a comment. If Liam was there, it would be a quick trip into town and straight back to work.
Liam dropped Sebastian at the IGA grocery store with a wide grin. “Say hello to Bella. I’m sure you’ll be there as soon as you’ve got the strawberries for Gran.”
“A milkshake wouldn’t go astray,” he replied with a smile.
“You’ll be next, mate.” Liam’s grin was wide.
“Next what?” But he knew what Liam was getting at.
“In your own monkey suit.”
“Not a chance.”
…
Bella came down from the kitchen upstairs when Dad hollered up the stairs that she had a visitor. She wiped her hands on her apron and pushed her hair back into the cap she wore. She was back in full chef mode and loving it. Sebastian was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, and her heart kicked up a beat.
“Hi there,” she said.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Only a quick visit. Liam’s picking me up in five minutes.” He was carrying a bag from the grocery store.
“How’s it all going out there?” she asked.
“It’s a madhouse.” Sebastian shook his head. “But everyone seems to be happy. Are you organised?”
“Yes.” She tipped her head to the side. He looked hot and tired. “A milkshake?”
“Thought you’d never ask.” His smile sent a quiver down her back, and she tried to ignore it. All too soon, she’d be heading back overseas, and Sebastian was well aware of that. Besides, he’d kissed her on the cheek, not the lips.
Not that I’m disappointed. Not one little bit.
That explosive kiss at the races was the only time he’d kissed her properly, unless you counted the kiss at the airport. She knew he’d just been showing off when she’d won the title. The kiss had meant nothing more than “look at me, I’m kissing the winner.”
She knew she was being unfair to him, but she wasn’t being very honest with herself. It was too risky.
Isabella slipped behind the counter and made a milkshake for Sebastian while Dad chatted to a group of customers from a coach that had come into town late in the morning. She put the tall anodized milkshake cup in front of him on the table and pulled out the chair opposite.
“Thank you.” She smiled at the look of utter bliss on his face as he sipped at the straw.
“Double ice cream?” he asked.
She nodded.
“You’re a wonderful woman, Bella.”
Again, that silly little quiver in her tummy. Maybe she needed to eat something.
He put the cup back on the table. “After all this wedding kerfuffle is done with, I can get back to taking the photos for my contract. Are you still okay to come out on the photo shoot with me the weekend after the wedding?”
“Sounds good,” she said.
“I was talking to Liam about it before I came into town. He and Angie aren’t going away for a couple of months, and he can spare me for an extra couple of days. That’s if you don’t mind having a long weekend away from your dad?”
“That’s fine. I’m happy to help. Where are we going?”
“We’ll be roughing it out on the other side of Narrabri, at a place called Yarrie Lake. As well as a gorgeous landscape, there’s an array of telescopes up there, and I thought I’d have a look at taking some photos there. There’s a mountain, and there’s a great view, if it’s clear. Plus, it’s not too far away.”
“So we’ll be camping?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.
“Yes. Have you got a swag?” Sebastian asked and then immediately shook his head. “Of course you won’t have one. Don’t worry. I’ll borrow a spare one off Liam.”
“Um, what’s a swag?” she asked feeling a bit silly.
“I forgot you didn’t live here for very long. You didn’t ever go camping?”
“Uh-uh.” She shook her head.
“A swag is a canvas bedroll with zips, a thin foam mattress. It zips up and it’s waterproof.”
“Luxury,” she said with a smile.
“I’m really looking forward to getting out in the bush with my camera.” He looked at his watch. “I’d better get back.”
Isabella was really looking forward to spending time with Sebastian, too.
There was no harm in a holiday fling.
The scraping of the chair leg on the floor snapped her out of her thoughts.
“Liam will be chafing at the bit if I don’t get out there.” He picked up the bag of fruit, went to lean over towards her, and then must have changed his mind. Instead, he lifted his hand and nodded. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow bright and early.”
“Dad and I are coming out this afternoon with some of the food.” She followed him to the door and out onto the footpath. “Your gran actually asked me to stay the night.”
Was that a flicker of interest in his eyes?
“And?”
She shook her head. “I said no. It’s a family night.”
He stood there staring down at her, and she was damned if she could figure out what he was thinking.
“Fair enough.” He gestured to the ute coming along the street. “Here’s Liam. I’ll see you when you come out later.”
“Okay. Bye.”
Isabella stood staring after the ute as it disappeared around the corner. There was something different about Sebastian, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. He did still want her to help with his photo shoot, though.
With a shrug, she headed back up to the kitchen.