The Sweetest Secret

by Jacquie Underdown

  Not that he hadn’t tried to get some help, but he didn’t go back after the first session. It was a waste of time; he had spent the full hour protecting his thoughts.

  ‘Maybe not a shrink then. Maybe a counsellor. What about Felicity? You know and trust her. And she really helped Mitch out.’

  Felicity was a family friend who ran the local Women’s Health Centre, but she was also a fully qualified counsellor.

  Sam drew a noisy breath in and out. ‘I’ll think about it.’

  ‘Yeah, do give it some thought.’

  Sam cleared his throat. Enough about him and his mental state. ‘Anyway, let’s get started here or we’ll have nothing set-up by the time the guests arrive.’

  With the pergola fully decked-out by lunchtime, Sam headed out to see his mother. She wasn’t going to attend tonight’s party—these late-night shindigs were too much for her now.

  He no longer had her favourite flowers to take, so he wanted to make a quick call to Ellie (any excuse, he knew that deep down).

  Ellie didn’t open her shop on a Saturday unless inundated with orders. But he hoped she might have something leftover she could put together for him at this late notice.

  There was one other option in Alpine Ridge, an older lady who sold flowers from her home. Sam used to supply her with flowers until she started falling behind in her payments, then stopped paying him altogether in the end.

  That would be a last resort because their relationship fell apart after he said he couldn’t supply her anymore.

  He pulled over onto the side of the track and dialled Ellie’s number.

  ‘Hi, Sam.’ Her voice was delicious, a lower timbre than most women, slightly husky, sex for the ears.

  ‘Hi, Ellie. I have a favour to ask.’

  ‘Sure. What is it?’

  ‘I’m heading out to see Mum. And I always take her flowers. But, of course, I don’t have any. You aren’t by chance anywhere near your shop and have something in stock?’

  ‘You’re in luck. I’m at the shop now. I’m putting together Tom and Amy’s engagement present.’

  He sighed with relief. ‘Excellent. I’m on my way.’

  ‘Ok, great. Just knock on the door so I hear you.’

  ‘See you soon.’

  When he arrived, Ellie let him in. Her grin was wide—genuinely happy to see him.

  Before, there was always some hesitation about her, some restraint.

  He eyed her more closely, wondering what had changed.

  ‘Come through,’ she said and led him out to the back.

  On the table was a big square box about ten centimetres deep. The box was visually segmented into nine smaller squares each bursting with colour co-ordinating flowers and gifts. He noted magenta cattleya orchids, sweet little pale pink freesias, and white iris’s set between deep maroon candles and colour coordinated ornaments.

  ‘That looks incredible, Ellie. I’ve … not seen anything like that.’ His mouth was getting in the way of his words, stunned at the talent this woman possessed.

  ‘You think so?’ she asked with a sweet grin.

  ‘Definitely. Is this for Tom and Amy?’

  She nodded, eyeing her handy work. ‘Yeah. Something different, you know?’

  ‘They’ll love it.’

  She pressed her hand to her heart. ‘I’m so glad. I wasn’t sure. I mean, I don’t know them so well yet.’

  ‘It’s perfect.’

  ‘What did you get them?’

  ‘A six pack of wine,’ he said, deadpan.

  She did a double-take between him and her present. ‘You’re joking?’

  He rolled his head back and laughed. ‘Of course I’m joking.’

  She playfully hit his arm.

  ‘A scrapbook. I started it with a few photos of Tom and Amy I got developed. They can add to it over the years.’

  Her head tilted to the side as she smiled. ‘Naw, that’s really thoughtful. You’re good at that, aren’t you?’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘Thoughtful gifts.’

  ‘I’m not sure.’ He laughed. ‘I don’t know how to answer that without sounding cocky.’

  She laughed with him. ‘I can see how I was setting you up there.’ Ellie reached to the end of the work desk, beside bits of stems and discarded petals, scissors and ribbon, to a quaint bunch of green cymbidium orchids tied in a hessian wrap. She handed them to him. ‘For your mum.’

  His eyes widened, heart warmed. ‘Gorgeous. Thank you.’

  Her lips curled at the corners, more generously on the left side of her mouth. ‘The flowers are gorgeous, or you were calling me gorgeous?’

  He laughed. ‘How about both.’

  She lifted a shoulder, tilted her head to meet it. The cutest smile filled her face and a gentle blush glowed on her cheeks. If he weren’t mistaken, he would think she was flirting with him.

  And didn’t that flirting speak to him, filling his chest with heat, elevating his mood.

  Ellie was exquisite, and each time he saw her, she confirmed it more and more.

  ‘Gorgeous, what do I owe you for these?’

  She chuckled, pressed her palm and fingertips to his chest, just briefly, but enough for his next breath to draw in more hastily. ‘Nothing. They’re a gift for your mum.’

  Again that heat shifted around his heart, now spreading lower. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘So why the visit to your mum today? Is she not coming to the engagement party?’

  The jovial mood ebbed. ‘Late night parties are a bit too much for her these days. Mum has dementia. For her health, she has to live in an assisted care home.’

  All the joy on Ellie’s face fell away, replaced by a deep frown. ‘I’m so sorry, Sam. That must be very difficult for you all.’

  He shrugged, nodded. ‘It is.’ He wasn’t going to play it down because having Mum in such a state was hard and completely horrible. ‘I’ll go out and visit her today, just so she doesn’t feel like she’s missing out. Not that she’ll remember the engagement anyway. But I still like to keep everything open with her. For as long as I can anyway.’

  ‘Of course. Well, I really hope she loves the flowers.’

  He smiled, though it wasn’t as wide as it was a moment ago. ‘I know she will.’ He stepped closer, reached for her, resting his hand just behind her ear.

  She smelled like flowers and woman and everything he wanted.

  Leaning in, he kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you for coming to my rescue,’ he said closer to her ear.

  He drew away, she stepped back.

  ‘My pleasure.’ But her words came out like a whisper. She cleared her throat.

  The air between them was charged like someone had filled the room with the fizz of a freshly popped bottle of champagne. His heart thumped at his ribs.

  ‘I better head off, otherwise I’ll be late for tonight.’ Not wanting to leave, but needing to, preferring to continue what was happening right here and now with Ellie, but knowing he must see his mother.

  ‘Sure. I’ll see you later on.’

  Sam left, sucking in large gulps of the chilled air as he made his way to his car. He laid the bunch of flowers on the passenger seat and sat behind the wheel looking at the long street in front of him.

  That interaction was so much different from all the others. In a word, he could describe this change as acceptance. It felt like she had finally accepted him, faults and all. His fingers tingled, his toes, his scalp. What a brilliant sensation.

  After a long moment, he started the engine and headed off towards the nursing home.

  Chapter 15

  Ellie lugged the big box of flowers and gifts, lid on, down the entrance hall to the table that held all the other guests’ presents. She found a space between the large array of boxes and colourfully wrapped presents and squeezed hers in between them. With the cold temperatures, the flowers should last well, even with the lid closed.

  A boisterous rumble of chatter, laughter and music came from ou
t back. Ellie followed a couple of guys, around Tom and Amy’s age, through big foldable doors onto the back patio.

  The enormous space contained long rows of tables and chairs set up lengthways and decorated with balloons, colourful table runners, and candles.

  On the outskirts were tall round tables where people could mingle while standing.

  A small square makeshift dancefloor was positioned off to the left, close to the house, and a DJ had his computer and sound system set up. Music pumped, not too loudly, but enough to fill the atmosphere with cheer.

  Eight big heat lamps were placed around the patio, leaking warmth into every available space. Between all that were people of all ages, adorned in chic dresses, crisp long-sleeved shirts, hair styled.

  ‘Ellie,’ Amy said, spying her from among a group of people at one of the standing tables. She beckoned Ellie over with a waggle of her fingers.

  Ellie kissed Amy’s cheek. She uttered her congratulations on their engagement while eyeing Amy’s tight white, thigh-length dress. ‘Amy, you look absolutely stunning.’

  ‘Thank you. But I can definitely say the same about you. Holy hell, watch out everyone, Ellie just arrived.’

  Ellie could sense the heat burning in her cheeks, never one to accept compliments without blushing, but a blossoming warmth of happiness filled her, for her tight-fitting calf-length black dress, that fishtailed front and back to accentuate her best parts, was a hit.

  Ellie was no Amy—she wasn’t petite. Ellie had height and soft rounded lines from chest to bottom, and she was just fine with rocking it.

  ‘Ellie, this is my grandfather Louis. I promised him a holiday, and winter seemed like the best time for that considering he’s from London and wouldn’t know warm weather if it hit him in the head.’

  ‘Nice to meet you,’ Ellie said with a nod.

  Amy then went around the small table, introducing Ellie to Amy’s parents and siblings. Wonderful of them to make the flight from the UK to Australia for her.

  ‘We’re just so proud of Amy,’ said Louis, his voice shaky with age and thick with the posher of English accents. ‘She hasn’t had an easy time of it here, finding where she fits in, but she’s fought hard and it’s paid off.’

  Amy slung an arm around her grandfather’s waist and pressed her head on his shoulder. ‘I couldn’t have done it without you.’

  This sparked Ellie’s curiosity, hearing that Amy had had a tough time.

  Amy smiled. ‘It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it later,’ she said, obviously reading that curiosity in Ellie’s expression.

  ‘Ellie has opened a new store in town—a florist, beside my shop,’ Amy said.

  ‘Lovely,’ said Mrs Jenkins.

  And so it went, sharing pleasantries with these friendly strangers, but all the while Ellie’s stomach twisted and pulled in anticipation of seeing Sam.

  A waiter stopped by with a tray of red and white wines—one of the upsides of being engaged to a winemaker, Ellie was sure. She grabbed a red and smelled the ruby vintage before taking a sip, letting the peppery, dark plum notes spill over her tongue and down her throat.

  These guys made a brilliant wine, no doubt about it.

  ‘You look like you’re enjoying that?’ A deep, husky voice from beside her.

  Sam.

  Her stomach tensed, heart leapt.

  She turned to face him. ‘I most definitely am.’

  He was dressed in a designer-cut long-sleeved blue shirt and black pants, his hair neatly combed. Sexy as sin.

  He pressed a hand to her waist, leaned in for a kiss. ‘How are you?’

  He smelled like cologne and soap and masculinity, and Ellie had to stop herself from swooning. ‘I’m really good. You?’

  ‘Great.’

  While he said hello to the rest of the table, she caught her breath. Every inch of her flesh was tingling, warming, from being so close to him.

  Tom and Mitch joined the small circle. Each was dressed similarly in different coloured pale shirts and ties and long pants. Mitch and Sam were well shaven while Tom was neatly stubbled.

  Three pairs of the most irresistible brown eyes set within faces possessing strong jaws and carved noses gazed at her as the men said hello.

  Was there ever a more make-you-pant, steal-your-breath trio of brothers? The heaters were suddenly much too hot.

  Ellie exchanged a sideways glance with Amy. Amy giggled in such a manner that let Ellie know she knew exactly what she was going through.

  Her insides were ignited as blood flowed fast and hot through her body.

  Even Mrs Jenkins was having trouble keeping her jaw closed.

  Ellie took a step back, allowing the brothers to say hello to Amy’s family. Not a bad view from behind either.

  ‘I’m going to introduce my family to the rest of the guests. Can you guys take care of Ellie for me?’ Amy asked, looking from Tom to Mitch then Sam, and back to Tom. ‘Actually, Tom, you better join me.’

  When they politely excused themselves, Ellie and the remaining two brothers fell into position around the small circular table. Sam on one side, Mitch on the other. Both towered over her, and she was a tall woman to start with.

  ‘How have you been, Ellie? The shop back up and running?’ Mitch asked, then motioned his head at the waiter to bring drinks over.

  Ellie rested her glass on the table. ‘Thankfully, all the townsfolk were so willing to help me out. It was a horrible thing to see all my hard work ruined, but if there’s one positive to come out of it, my little shop is now known all around town.’

  Mitch laughed. ‘What did I tell you? Kiss your secrets goodbye. If something happens—anything at all—the rest of the town is going to know about it.’ He and Sam grabbed a glass of red from the waiter’s tray.

  ‘I’ve certainly been initiated.’

  ‘Not all bad, though, right?’ Sam asked.

  ‘Not at all. I’ve met some wonderful, kind people these last few weeks.’

  ‘Now we just need to find out who the arsehole was that vandalised your shop and Sam’s glasshouse.’

  Ellie nodded, her stomach flipping. It always made her nervous to know that whoever it was, was still out there, free to do whatever the hell they wanted. She sipped at her wine before saying, ‘The sooner the better. I have to admit, it leaves me with an uneasy feeling.’

  Sam moved closer; she wasn’t sure he was even aware he had done so. But she didn’t altogether dislike the sensation of his arm brushing against her shoulder.

  ‘Hopefully Roger will find the culprit and then we can get back to our normal lives,’ Sam said.

  ‘Not that I’ve had a chance to fall into a routine yet.’

  ‘You try running a vineyard then,’ Mitch said with a laugh.

  Sam chuckled. ‘No two days are the same. Ever. We are at the mercy of Mother Nature.’

  ‘And she can be a cruel master,’ Mitch said.

  Ellie shook her head. ‘I would have no idea what you guys have to deal with.’

  Mitch gestured at Sam. ‘Well, Sam is the man to rectify that. He’s the go-to guy if you want a tour of the vineyards.’

  She peered up into Sam’s smiling eyes.

  ‘I’d suggest a cycling tour, but it’s bloody freezing at the moment,’ Mitch continued. ‘So, Sam might have to take you in the car. Pack a nice lunch, a bottle of wine.’

  Sam glanced at his brother across the table with narrowed eyes. ‘I know what you’re doing. Rachel taught you well, I see.’

  Mitch grinned cheekily, a hint of forced innocence in the shape of his mouth. ‘Don’t know what you’re talking about.’

  Ellie glanced at the two brothers, trying to discern what this was playing out between them.

  Mitch cleared his throat. ‘So lovely to catch up with you, Ellie. But I’ve got to go make a call to the nanny to see if my daughter got to sleep okay.’

  ‘Sure. No worries. I’ll see you around.’

  He winked and headed off, leaving Ellie and
Sam alone.

  Sam swallowed a mouthful of wine and gently rested his glass on the table, though he still held the stem between his fingers. ‘His daughter was already asleep when I picked him up earlier.’

  Ellie furrowed her brow. ‘Then …’ The answer dawned on her. Mitch, Tom and Amy had purposefully organised themselves so that Sam and Ellie ended up alone together tonight. ‘Oh,’ she whispered.

  ‘Mitch’s wife Rachel was a serial matchmaker. I think she’s rubbed off on him.’

  Ellie smiled, then hid her chagrin behind her glass as she sipped at her wine. ‘I see.’ She glanced up at him from under her eyelashes. ‘And how do you feel about that?’

  Sam licked his lips, leaving a glossy shine, and met her gaze. ‘I can think of many worse situations to be in.’

  Little pangs of excitement twanged in her belly. ‘Me too.’ Her attention strayed to the table as she had another drink, emptying her glass. ‘I’ve been thinking.’

  ‘About?’

  ‘About you,’ she said, voice a little breathless, as she looked into his eyes again.

  A small grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. ‘And?’

  ‘I want to apologise.’

  He chuckled. ‘For what?’

  ‘For believing you’re the bad guy.’

  Sam stilled, then quickly looked away. ‘What if I am the bad guy, Ellie?’

  She shook her head, gripped his forearm, so he turned back to face her. Under his dress shirt, thick muscle met her fingers. She didn’t allow it to distract her. ‘I’ve been confusing you with men from my past. You’re not like them. You’ve only ever shown me, again and again, that you’re nothing like them.’

  Ellie released her grasp.

  ‘You don’t know me,’ Sam said this slowly, not very loud and with a strong hint of remorse.

  He was right; she didn’t know him. But after spending time with him and realising her own flaws when it came to relationships, she wanted to get to know him.

  Her heart sped up because she was going to put everything on the line, something she hadn’t done for the better part of a year, too scared to take the next step, too afraid of the pain of potential heartbreak. ‘I know you enough to give you a chance to show me who you are.’