Sally’s Wedding
A Contemporary Romance Short Story Series
Book 3
By
A J Temple
Published By
DeanburnPublications.com
Table of Contents:
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Other Books in the ‘Sally’ series:
Book 1. Sally’s Destiny:
Book 2. Sally’s Return:
.
Copyright Notice:
Copyright 2013, A J Temple
All rights reserved. Copyright protected. Duplicating, reprinting or distributing this material in any way and for any purpose, without the express written consent of the author is prohibited.
All characters, events and places are fictional, and any resemblance to people living or dead is purely coincidental.
Chapter 1
It was 5.30am, on what promised to be a warm spring morning as Sally ventured out for an early walk. Robert had told her that there were often Roe deer to be seen grazing by the waterside; down by the loch on whose banks the cabin rested, nestled as it was amongst a scattering of Douglas Fir and the odd Rowan and Silver Birch tree.
Having just arrived from Milwaukee in Wisconsin USA just 3 weeks earlier; in order to marry the man she had first met in a blizzard just some 4 months ago; this still felt very much like a vacation, and she was making the most of the care-free illusion that such a break from the mundane can bring.
She smiled to herself, as she visualised Robert snoring away on the bed as she sneaked out. She had always been a ‘morning person’ and the idea of a lie-in was anathema to her way of thinking. Her late father’s words came echoing through her mind “One hour in the morning, is more productive that two in the afternoon Sally; always remember that!” and indeed she did, putting the concept into practice now automatically.
“Yes indeed.” She thought to herself. “It’s the early bird that catches the worm, for sure.”
She walked quietly along the old deer-track that led to the water’s edge, appreciating the early bird-song and the first dappled rays of the morning sun as it filtered through the pines.
Twenty minutes later she heard a splash up ahead as she cautiously approached the loch; a splash which turned out to be a brown trout catching an early breakfast. Undaunted however, she walked a short distance off the track and crouched down in a hollow amongst the low heather, and stunted forms of silver birch, bent and buckled by the wind and harsh conditions; to wait for the elusive deer that Robert has told her about.
It was while waiting thus, in the undisturbed quietness of the morning, that the sound of low voices came to her ear; distant at first; but growing slightly louder as they approached.
“Ah well, so much for catching a glimpse of the deer!” She thought a little disgruntled at having her peace disturbed and the chances of a ‘deer encounter’ squashed at the same time.
She was about to get up and announce her presence, when something checked her. One of the voices was raised slightly as if aggrieved, and as they approached her hiding place she could see that it was two men – and they seemed to be carrying something between them.
“I’ve been carrying this thing for bloody miles; are we not about there yet?”
“Stop your bloody moaning Frank! You’ll not be complaining when we get paid for this I’ll bet!”
She sat where she was, out of sight as the men approached on the track nearby, arguing continually until finally they passed her by. Both were rough-looking characters, dressed in old army-style camouflage jackets; and one of them had a distinct limp – he was also carrying what looked like a crossbow. The other man, who seemed to be the one complaining, was a huge brute of a man, and carrying what was unmistakably a small deer over his shoulder. The animals cold dead eyes staring unseeing, into the black void of death. A few moments later she heard an engine start up; and glimpsing through the trees saw a small boat head out across the loch.
“Hmm, well that explains the absence of any deer this morning.” She whispered quietly to herself.
She sat for a few minutes more, listening to the sound of the motor grow faint as it rushed on its way across lock Morlich. Feeling a little unsettled by this encounter Sally decided to head back to the cabin and inform Robert that there were poachers about.
Agnes, Roberts mother; looked up as she entered the rear door into the kitchen, removing her jacket. She had made a remarkable recovery from the accident on the steps, and the last 3 weeks had seen her up on her feet again – much to everyone’s relief.
“Good morning Agnes, I see you’ve got up before that lazy son of yours! Hasn’t he got work to go to this morning?”
“Morning Sally! Yes in fact I’ve just given his door a rattle – maybe you had better go and sort him out, he only has 15 minutes before he has to get going!”
“Ok Agnes, do you have a cold wet cloth handy?” She grinned wickedly at Roberts mother.
“He he he, he’ll go daft, if you’re thinking of doing what I think you are!” Agnes ran a dish-cloth under the cold tap, and handed it to Sally.
“Ha, it will serve him right for being such a slugabed!”
“Better get ready to run!” Agnes called after her as she headed to the bedroom,
Carefully she opened the door, and sneaked over to the back of Roberts sleeping form. She gently lifted the duvet to reveal his naked muscular body, at the same time lifting the cold wet cloth to throw in beside him. The plan was to throw it and run as fast as she could out of the bedroom.
“Gotcha!”
Quick as a flash Robert spun round in bed, reached out and dragged her in beside him. Sally let out a shriek of fright and indignation as Robert wrestled the cloth from her hands, and pushed it down the front of blouse; enjoying as he did so a quick grope at her inviting breasts.
“You pervert!” Sally laughed as she struggled half-hearted to get out of his grasp.
The two of them were still wrestling about on the bed, when Roberts mum came in; forcing Robert to quickly grab the duvet to cover his naked body!
“Sheesh! I might have known you two would be up to no good! Sally, I’m ashamed of you really. Can’t you leave the poor boy alone for a minute – you’ll have him worn out well before your wedding night if you keep this up!”
“But..but it wasn’t like that honest!” Sally protested looking just a little sheepish.
“Hmmm, as you say my dear. As for you Robert; get out here now – or you leave without breakfast!”
Sally blushed furiously, as Agnes chuckled to herself on her way out the door. Turning around, Sally encountered Roberts grinning face – and swiftly whacked him with the pillow as she made for the door. “You heard your mother, slugabed! Get moving or no breakfast for you!”
She just got out the door in time, to hear the pillow slam against the opposite side. Smiling happily to herself she headed back into the kitchen.
Agnes was pouring the tea as she entered, and looked up at Sally.
“Ha, that was funny; your faces were a picture of guilt when I stepped into the room!”
“Hmm, your horrible boy can be quite mischievous at times you know Agnes!”
“He he, don’t I know it – but I think you have his measure nevertheless.”
“Yes, I thought so too – until he caught me
unawares as I was about to throw that wet cloth in beside him!”
They were both still laughing as Robert walked in to the room.
“You pair – I can see I’m going to have to think of a way of separating you both! A man has little enough chance in this world; without two scheming women to make life more difficult!” He said good naturedly, as he looked on the two people dearest to him in all the world.
“Ha, that’ll be enough from you young man!” said Agnes as he sat down at the breakfast table, and got stuck into his porridge.
“Oh Robert, while remember to tell you.” Sally spoke out. “I went for an early walk this morning to try and spot the Roe Deer you told me about?”
“Oh yes; and did you see any?” He said between gulps of hot tea.
“Yes in fact I did see one.”
“Well that’s great Sally.”
“Yes, well that’s the good news. The bad news is that it was dead – and it was over the shoulder of a rather rough looking gentleman at the time!”
Robert froze as his tea-cup was halfway to his mouth.
“WHAT! Where on earth was this exactly?”
“Well I don’t think we have time just now Honey – you have to be going in a minute!”
“Never mind that Sally; Tom will be interested to hear about this I know.”
Sally recounted the story of what she had witnessed, only later though she realising that she had not mentioned the limp.
When she had finished, Robert looked disturbed to say the least.
“Sally, I must ask you not to go these early morning walks for a while; at least not on your own.”
“What! I’m not going to let these characters ruin my walks Robert!”
“Sally please listen to me. The fact is that we have been after these men for some time now – and they are known to be dangerous.”
“What do you mean, dangerous?” Asked Sally, a little alarmed at Roberts sombre tone.
“Well late last year, we almost caught them red-handed but they escaped us by beating one of our workers senseless; then escaping through the trees to a waiting boat on the loch.
“Oh that’s terrible Robert – is he all right?”
“Yes he is now, but he was a few days in hospital with is injuries.”
Sally and Agnes looked equally horrified.
“But you never told me any of this Robert?” Agnes looked questioningly at her son.
“No mum. I didn’t want to worry you – I still don’t! The fact is that they are only interested in the poaching of deer and salmon on the estate; and should offer you no trouble – unless you accidently bump into them while they are about their illegal business!”
“I see.” Sally spoke out. “So what now then?”
“Well now I will get back to the Estate office, and tell them this latest news. I’ll let you know more when I get home after work.”
“So do you think it’s safe to go outside at all? Agnes asked him nervously.
“Mum, please don’t worry. If they wanted to anything about us here, they would have done it before now! Right, I’d better be going – just remember to stay away from that track Sally – Ok?”
Sally kissed him farewell, as he headed out the door to report on the latest happenings on the Loch An Eilein Estate. Suddenly remembering, she ran out to catch him as he got into the Range Rover. “Oh, just one more thing Robert – one of the men had a bad limp; he seemed to drag his foot a little in fact.”
“Ok, thanks Sally. I’ll be sure and tell Tom.”
Robert headed out at some speed, to meet with his friend Tom and discuss just what the next step was in the hunt for the poachers.
******
Chapter 2
It was turning into a fine day, as Sally and Agnes took the short trip into Aviemore. She had bought a two year old Jeep Cherokee, since arriving at her new home. It was not the well-favoured 4 x 4 Land Rover, but Robert declared it was nevertheless a good substitute as it was a ‘real 4 x 4,’ unlike the other ‘pedestrian options’ as he called them.
The plans for the wedding had still to be finalised, but the basic details were well covered. The wedding itself would be a relatively small affair, and Sally hoped to get the quaint little church she had loved at first sight – on the outskirts of Aviemore at the village off Coylumbridge. The wedding reception was to be held at the Coylumbridge Hotel, which was just a short drive away, and was able to cater for wedding parties.
Right now however, they had decided to go into town to collect some much needed groceries, and to have coffee and cake at an excellent café above a shop that sold outdoor clothing and hiking gear. Sally had found out on previous trips that the carrot cake was ‘to die for,’ and it was now a part of their shopping routine.
As for the incident with the poachers earlier that morning, they had both decided to put it from their mind until they seen Robert after work.
They soon arrived at the supermarket and stocked up on the essentials. It was a short stroll to the coffee shop from there.
“So what exactly are you going to do for work my dear, once all your paperwork is sorted out I mean?” Agnes asked as they entered the shop and climbed the stairs to the café above.
“Well Agnes, that is the one thing – thanks to my father – that I will not have to worry about for some time!” Sally said, settling herself down at a table that offered a fine view of the rolling hills opposite; the peaks still capped with snow, shining brightly in the early spring sunshine.
“Oh, I remember. You said that he had left you a substantial inheritance; is that right?”
“Yes indeed Agnes. It means that I will not need a job for some-time, and my application for citizenship will be rushed ahead – especially since I am getting married anyway!”
“Some-times I have to pinch myself to believe I am not dreaming all this you know Sally. I’ll be forever grateful for you for loaning us the money to help with the mortgage – that much goes without saying – but the fact is that in a short time, you’ve become to me like the daughter I never had!” With that said, Agnes wiped a tear from her eye.
Sally leaned over the table and gave her a big hug. “Well Agnes, apart from giving me a handsome hunky husband! I feel very much the same way towards yourself. My mother was never there for me, but now you have come along and I’m more than happy to call you ‘mum’ if you will let me that is?”
“My dear, I would be offended if you did not!” Agnes answered as she reached over to take her hand.
“On another subject my dear.” Agnes as asked. “Have you given any thought as to who will give you away at the wedding ceremony?”
“Well, not yet Agnes.” Sally answered. “But I won’t worry about it just now – let’s just enjoy our cake shall we!” She laughed lightly at Agnes’s frown.
They spent the rest of the morning In Aviemore, between coffee and browsing the shops for spring bargains. Sally was particularly keen on acquiring some good waterproofs, for the wet summers that usually marked a Scottish summer. She final settled on a Gore-Tex jacket with a detachable fleece lining; that the sales assistant assured her was ideal for hill-walking and hiking trips in the area.
Before they knew it, lunch-time had arrived; signalled by Sally’s stomach growling!
“Tell you what Agnes; why don’t we go out to the Coylumbridge Hotel and get lunch there – my treat! I could have a chat with the events manager while I’m at it, and get some of the details sorted out with him?”
“Well, only if you’re sure my dear; but nothing fancy mind! A light salad would do me just fine.”
“No problem, we’ll maybe just get something at the bistro.”
That decided, they got back to the car and headed out the short drive to the Hotel. They soon arrived, and managed to park almost at the front door of the hotel.
They were chatting away, when suddenly Sally recognised a familiar voice calling to her from behind them.
“Hello Sally!”
She qu
ickly turned around, and was delighted to see that it was her traveling companion on the plane over from the USA.
“Malcolm…or should I say SIR Malcolm!” She answered him with a smile.
“Ah my dear, I have been found out!” he chuckled deeply to himself. “I can assure you though; there was no intent to deceive. My friends just call me Malcolm, titles are so ‘last year’ I believe is the phrase?”
Sally laughed delightedly at his expression and the raised eyebrows. Meanwhile a cough reminded Malcolm that his wife was accompanying him and had yet to be introduced.
“Ah my apologies. Sally this is my wife Katriona.”
“So happy to meet you my dear; Malcolm has told me all about you – though he neglected to say just how beautiful you were – I wonder why that was?” She turned to look mischievously at her husband, with eyebrows raised accusingly.
“Now now my dear, you don’t want to be embarrassing the young lady do you?” He said, with hands raised in mock surrender.
Katriona gave him a light slap on the shoulder. “Do please excuse my wayward husband Sally; he tends to forget sometimes that the Zimmer is just a moment away these days!”
Katriona looked at her husband affectionately as she spoke, the love between them obvious - as was the fact the she was at least ten years younger according to Sally’s estimate. She was herself once a real beauty – that much was obvious. Even now though in her early sixties, she still was a handsome woman with the self-confidence and bearing that was still able to attract appreciative glances where-ever she went.
Sally laughed. “Not at all Katriona, he was a perfect gentleman on the plane. I was just concerned that I had talked his ears off – I was so nervous! However I don’t imagine that you would have any fear of him being led astray – not with such a beautiful wife waiting at home for him!”
“Why, that is very kind of you to say so Sally – but you know what men are like!” She smiled conspiratorially at Sally and Agnes.
“Really I must protest! We have hardly met, and yet I have three women to defend myself against..It’s quite intolerable I must say!” He shook his head in mock admonishment, as they all headed inside the hotel.
Sally’s Wedding: Book 3 Of A Contemporary Romance Short Story Series Page 1
