Chapter Nineteen
As it turned out, Isabella didn’t see Sebastian when she and her father called out to Prickle Creek Farm later that night. There’d been some problem over at Daniela, Ned’s farm, and everyone except for Gran and Jemima was over there sorting out some issue. Ned and Jemima were heading straight to Sydney after the wedding, leaving the children with Ned’s parents when they took a quick honeymoon to the north coast. So the farm had to be running like clockwork.
“My last chance to have a break for a long time.” Jemima patted her stomach with a smile, and Isabella thought how beautiful she was. Even after travelling the world, and having a fabulous job, Jemmy was happy here in Spring Downs.
Dad had told her Jemima’s story about ten times. Isabella was sure that it was another ruse to convince her to stay.
“Do you want to stay until everyone comes back?” Gran had looked at her shrewdly when Isabella asked where everyone was.
“No, but thanks anyway. We’ll have to get going. I’ve still got some last things to organise before I come out tomorrow. What time do you want me here?”
“As early as possible. Did you see I got the boys to move the portable cool room to the back of the laundry? It’ll save you a lot of time tomorrow.” Helena pointed to the small white building on wheels just visible through the kitchen window.
“That’s great. Thank you.” Isabella glanced around the huge country kitchen. “This is going to be a great space to prepare everything.”
“The roster with the CWA ladies is on the fridge,” Gran said.
“And Lucy and I have decorated the shed. Poor Angie’s been at a conference all week.” Jemima gestured to the door. “Do you want to come and have a look? The only thing we have to do—”
“The CWA ladies have to do,” Gran butted in with a smile.
Jemima nodded. “…is to put the white tablecloths on about noon. The florist is coming with the flowers just after that.”
“Is there anything else you need, Bella?”
She looked towards the laundry. “Just one tiny favour?”
“Yes?”
“Do you mind if I use your laundry to wash my chef uniform after we are finished? Dad’s washing machine leaves more rust stains than it cleans the clothes.”
“Of course. And you know we expect you to join in the celebrations, too.”
Isabella shook her head. “No, this is your family time.”
Helena smiled. “We’ll see.”
…
Just after seven the next morning, Isabella pulled up in the house yard of Prickle Creek Farm. Apart from the dogs barking at the bright yellow car, all was quiet. She unloaded the food from the car into the kitchen and then moved the Citroën so it was out of sight behind the hayshed. By the time there was any sign of life in the house, she had the ovens going and three pots bubbling away on the stove. She looked up as a movement in the doorway caught her attention. Her mouth dried, and she couldn’t look away.
An expanse of glorious tanned bare chest filled her vision. Sebastian was standing there, bleary-eyed and running his hands through his hair. It was the first time Isabella had seen his hair loose and was surprised how much younger it made him look. As she looked more closely and took in the dark shadows beneath his eyes and the pale face, she smiled. It could have been the Simpsons satin boxer shorts that made him look youthful, too.
“Had a rough night, did you, Seb?”
He jumped and peered into the kitchen. “Bella? What are you going here?” His voice was raspy. “Is it morning already?” He winced as he stepped into the light.
“Um, I hear there’s a wedding here today, and I’m cooking for one hundred guests.”
He put his hand to his head again. “Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.”
“A hangover doesn’t suit you,” she shot back as she crossed to the stove and picked up the wooden spoon. She didn’t hear him cross the room as she stirred the curried chicken. When she turned and came face-to-face with a bare chest, she lifted her eyes and tried to stay calm.
“Would you like a coffee?”
“I’d kill for one. Damn that Liam. He can put the drink away and come up roses the next morning. My head feels like it’s got little men with jackhammers inside it.”
“How about a headache tablet?” Isabella forced herself not to run her hands over that smooth chest as she took his hand and led him to the table. “Sit down and I’ll make you a strong black coffee.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” She smiled and went about her preparations as Sebastian sat there and watched her. Self-consciousness flooded through her as he took in her chef uniform. If it had been anyone else, she wouldn’t have noticed them, but every time she moved or bent over or stretched to the high cupboards, she was aware of him watching.
Finally, he stood and pushed the chair in and mumbled something about having a shower. As soon as he’d gone, Isabella relaxed again. As much as she could, while she tried to get the image of his broad bare chest out of her mind.
Isabella supervised the setting up of the flowers in the shed and then took over organising the CWA ladies when they arrived, getting them into teams to set tables and do the last-minute food jobs like whipping cream and putting the salads together.
Finally, it was three o’clock and Helena came into the kitchen, wearing a pale-blue suit with a posy of rosebuds on her lapel.
“All okay here? Everything smells delicious.” She smiled as she looked around before she took Isabella’s arm and steered her outside. “The girls want you to come and say hello before the ceremony. I said I’d come and get you.”
Isabella followed her up the hallway, keeping half an eye out for Sebastian, but there was no sign of anyone until Helena opened the door to a huge bedroom. Lucy was pretty in pink, and Angie was wearing an oyster-coloured sheath that hugged her petite figure.
But it was Jemima who brought tears to Isabella’s eyes. She shook her head wordlessly as she looked at the beautiful woman with the huge pregnant bump. Jemima wore the full bridal gown, with the veil and the train.
She smiled at Isabella. “The first time Ned and I got married it was in a courthouse with his kindergarten teacher. I wanted him to remember today as pretty special.” She shrugged as Isabella kept staring and Gran wiped away a tear. “I guess I went a bit overboard,” Jemima said.
“No, you didn’t.” Isabella hugged her. “You are stunning.” She turned to the other three women. “You all look beautiful. I wish you all a wonderful day. And now I’ve got to get back to the kitchen.” She rushed out before she started crying. She’d never been one to get emotional at weddings or envy the bride, but seeing the happiness in that room, and sensing the solidarity and friendship between the women, left her feeling empty. She hurried back to the kitchen and picked up a wooden spoon and took out her feelings on a jar of cream.
It got worse a few minutes later when Jenny, one of the CWA ladies, called them outside. “Quick, come and see. They’re in the garden and the ceremony is about to start.” As she spoke, the sounds of violin music drifted into the kitchen.
Isabella swallowed. She didn’t want to see this, but conversely, she didn’t want to not see it. Smoothing her hands over her uniform, and tucking her loose hair into her cap, she walked to the verandah and stood behind the group of women who’d been such a help so far today.
The family was in the garden. Guests sat on chairs that were positioned in a half circle on each side of the lawn where the celebrant stood with the men. An arch loaded with blooming roses and white tulle was positioned in the middle of the grass. Ned’s children: Kelsey, Gwennie, and Ryan, stood beside him at the front, and Liam stood to the side. As Isabella’s gaze reached the end of the group, her breath caught, and she’d swear her knees literally trembled.
My God.
Sebastian looked very different from the man who she’d given coffee to this morning. His dark hair was pulled back from his face. His pale-grey suit sat snugly on his broad shoulders, and he stood tall and proud, watching his family. He was absolutely gorgeous.
Isabella put her hand to the door as a jolt of feeling slammed through her. She was going to have to be very careful where Sebastian Richards was concerned.
Tears threatened as the music increased in volume and Jemima and Angie stepped out onto the lawn. Isabella was close enough to see the expression of love on both Liam’s and Ned’s faces. She brushed away the moisture from her eyes and shook her head impatiently as she turned back to the kitchen. She was here to do a job—not get all emotional.
Later that night she retreated into cowardice. It was safer than seeing him looking like that. Besides, she was filthy and hot. Once the meal was served and the kitchen was cleaned up, she stood for a moment listening to the happy voices and the music coming from the hayshed, before she slipped out to the car and drove quietly down the road. Luckily, some of the other guests were leaving so the car didn’t get any attention.
She didn’t even worry about washing her uniform. She just wanted to get home. Away from a good-looking man who made her feel something she wasn’t used to, and away from the happy family whose happiness increased her loneliness.