Bought: One Bride

Holly realised she was going to learn a lot about her husband-to-be during the ten days they would be away. Their return ticket was for Thursday week, docking back at Darling Harbour on the Friday.

“You know your mother told me recently that the best way for two people to find out if they can get along is to go away together.”

“In that case, we’re doing exceptionally well so far. Already an hour on the boat and we haven’t argued once.”

“You’re obviously on your best behaviour. But can you keep it up?”

“It’ll be a challenge,” he said with a devilish twinkle in his eye. “But I’ll do my best.”

Holly punched him on one of his rock-hard biceps. “Your mother didn’t tell me you were so bad. She always said you were such a good boy.”

“Never believe anything mothers say about their sons,” he said as they reached their cabin. “But speaking of my mother,” he added once they were inside, “I got an email from her this morning. Clever Melvin took a laptop with him and gave me his email address. So I sent them an announcement of our engagement.”

“Oh, Richard, you didn’t!” Holly had assumed he’d keep that a secret for a while. “I hope you didn’t tell her about the shop business. I like your mother, Richard. And she likes me. The last thing I want is for her to start thinking I’m some kind of fortune hunter!”

“Trust me, she doesn’t. I did tell her I’d bought the shop for you and she was very happy about it. I also told her that I was crazy about you and that I was taking you away to Tassie for a well-needed break. I also informed her that we were getting married as soon as she got back.”

Holly blinked. “And…and what did she say?” Holly couldn’t help wondering how Mrs Crawford interpreted Richard saying he was crazy about her. Did she think that meant he’d fallen in love with her; that he was finally over Joanna’s death?

Holly supposed it didn’t matter if the woman thought that. Other people would. To be honest, Holly preferred that they did. She didn’t want people thinking their marriage was like Reece and Alanna’s.

“Mum was tickled pink. She said we might have a double wedding.”

“She and Melvin?”

“Yep. He popped the question and she said yes.”

“That’s wonderful!”

“Yes, they’re well suited, that pair. Just like us.”

Holly could see that she and Richard were quite well suited. But he was twelve years older than she was. Older and much more experienced. She wondered if he was like a father-figure to her. If that was his main attraction for her.

“You’re thinking again,” Richard said. “I hate it when you do that. I never know quite what you’re thinking.”

“Don’t you?” That surprised her. She imagined he’d always read her every thought and move. “You mean I’m a woman of mystery?”

“Irritatingly so at times.”

“What am I thinking now?” she said, her eyes raking down over his body.

“Now that, I can read,” he growled.

“Be careful now,” she said laughingly when he pulled her down onto the narrow bed with him.

“Why don’t you shut up, woman?” And he kissed her.

It was a good hour later before Holly got round to taking the seasickness tablet.

“What would you like to do now?” Richard asked after they’d both straightened their clothes and combed their hair.

“We could pop along and check out that café we came past,” she suggested. “Or, even better, we could go along to the bar and have a drink? We don’t have to drive anywhere.”

“We?” he said, his eyes narrowing on her as he moved very close.

The smallness of the cabin plus his looming over her by some inches reminded Holly of what a big man Richard was. He was intimidating in size, as well as in manner.

But she wasn’t afraid of him any more. Not one little bit.

“You don’t think I’m going to let you do all the driving during this trip, do you?” she tossed up at him saucily.

“Hmm. Perhaps we should get one thing straight, madam. I like to do the driving in my own car.”

“Is that so?” she returned, arms crossing. “Me-thinks we’re just about to have our first argument.”

“No, no,” he said, lifting up his hands in swift surrender. “No arguing. You can drive. Sometimes. If you’re extra careful.”

“Typical male.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “I’m a typical male. Sorry about that. But when we get back to Sydney I’ll buy you your own car. What would you like?”