“We are here today to reflect, remember, and most importantly to honor and to celebrate his life,” the minister continued. “There is no doubt Bill’s life and sudden death has affected the lives of so many people, none more so than his six daughters and their families sitting here today.”
There was a loud sniff. Mackenzie glanced sideways and saw Bailey dab at her eyes with a tissue.
“Today is an occasion to celebrate a life lived – the life of a man called William, Bill, Jonesie, or Dad, Grandpa or perhaps even Mr. Jones – depending on your relationship with him. However you knew Bill, today we sit shoulder to shoulder in this church confident in the knowledge he enjoyed a full life – and it is that life we now take the time to celebrate, acknowledge and honor. Throughout our service this afternoon we will remember Bill in words, in pictures, in thoughts and in memories; noting the many facets of his life as a son, a husband, a father, a family member, a work colleague, a neighbor and a friend.”
Mackenzie tuned in and out, her emotions rubbed raw.
“Are you okay?” Riley whispered as she took Mackenzie’s hand in her own and squeezed it tight.
For the first time in her memory Mackenzie was glad for the connection with her sister. “Yeah, I’m okay,” she said, returning the squeeze.
“It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge it has not been an easy season for the family, with Bill’s sudden stroke three weeks ago. Of course everyone believed he would recover, but sadly he passed away unexpectedly last Saturday.”
There was more sniffing, but Mackenzie didn’t glance around to see who it was. Her own eyes remained surprisingly dry.
“You will notice there are a number of Bill’s possessions here,” the minister said, indicating the items placed carefully on top of the coffin. “Each of these represents a different aspect of Bill’s life.”
An old ruler, chalk and duster sat alongside a black gown. Her father had worn it every Monday morning at assembly, a garment from a bygone era, but he’d worn it anyway, convinced it was necessary even in a primary school of less than a hundred kids. There was a cricket bat and ball – cricket was her father’s favorite sport – and a number of other smaller items placed there by Mackenzie’s nieces and nephews.
“Today I encourage you as you remember and celebrate Bill’s life to smile, to laugh and to support one another with words and actions in your time of grief.”
This time it was Cameron who grabbed Mackenzie’s other hand and squeezed tightly. Mackenzie shuffled in her seat and leaned forward, closing her eyes. Just the eulogy and DVD presentation to go and it would all be over. She was so grateful Cameron offered to deliver the final words – there was no way she could do it.
Finally the service was finished with three simple words – “let us pray” – and Mackenzie breathed a sigh of relief. The pallbearers carried the coffin down the narrow aisle and placed it in the back of the car, ready for the drive through town to her father’s final resting place.
As Mackenzie headed toward her own car to follow the hearse to the cemetery, a voice called her name softly. She stopped in her tracks. It couldn’t be! She spun around to see Nathan standing there. In his shiny black shoes, dark suit, white shirt and striped tie, he looked incredible. Most of the locals had polished their RM boots for the occasion, paired with their best pants and buttoned-up checked shirts open at the neck. He looked very out of place among the other mourners but she didn’t care. It was so good to see him.
“Nathan!” She half squealed, half shouted as she ran toward him without a moment’s hesitation.
Strong arms caught her, enveloping her and holding her tight. The tears she had forced down during the service erupted like a shaken bottle of champagne.
After a while she sniffed, aware she was leaving damp trails down the lapel of his jacket. “You came,” she said.
“Of course I came.” Nathan’s voice was husky. Still holding her by the arms, he moved back and searched her face. “I wish you’d told me, Kenz. I would have come sooner. I only found out this morning he’d passed away.”
She had never seen his brown eyes so dark and full of compassion. She inhaled the familiar scent of his aftershave before reaching out and touching his face, feeling the smoothness of the skin. She was so grateful he’d made the effort to be there to support her family.
“It’s been such a crazy time. I’m sorry, I just haven’t …”
He put his fingers to her lips. “It’s all right, Kenzie. I know it’s been a tough couple of weeks.”
“It was so sudden in the end.”
“Did you get to talk to him?”
She nodded, sniffing again. “Yes.”
“I’m glad. I look forward to hearing all about it.”
“Oh Nath, I have so much to tell you.”
“I’ve got time.”
“Today? After the burial? We’re having an afternoon tea back at the house.”
“Today. Tomorrow. We have plenty of time to talk. I’m not going anywhere, Mackenzie.” His voice was husky and deep. “I let you walk out of my life once, and I’m not going to let it happen again. I should never have listened to you when you said you didn’t want a long-distance relationship. Birrangulla is only a few hours away from Dubbo. I should have come sooner. We can make this work. Trust me.”
Hope flooded as tears threatened. He’d come because he wanted to be with her. She could scarcely believe it.
Nathan handed her a neatly folded cotton hankie and she blew her nose loudly. She probably looked a mess. Thank goodness for sunglasses. She rummaged inside her bag for them.
“You look beautiful, don’t worry.” He was reading her mind again. With one finger on her chin he tilted her head. “Just a little bit of mascara here.” He traced his fingers beneath her lower lashes and she trembled at his gentle touch.
He was back and she was never going to let him go.
Chapter 27
By the time Nathan brought her a plate of food later that afternoon, people filled every corner of the house. And the women must have been cooking for days – there was so much food. She’d forgotten all about country hospitality. Strangers greeted her before circulating to each of her sisters. Everyone was polite and everyone had something nice to say about their dad. In the last couple of years it seemed Bill had fully immersed himself in the life of the small town. Mackenzie must have met more than two dozen people before they all started blurring together.
What seemed like hours later, she returned her empty plate to the kitchen. The small room was full of older women – members of the local church – chatting quietly as they finished cleaning up. One woman stepped forward, her eyes full of sympathy as she gathered Mackenzie’s hands in her own.
“We are so sorry for your loss, dear. If there’s anything we can do …”
Mackenzie smiled politely.
“Such a lovely man. So tragic he was on his own all these years.”
“You know he never loved another woman after your mother.”
Tears filled Mackenzie’s eyes. She knew the women meant well but their words were so painful.
Another woman touched Mackenzie on the arm. “We’ve put leftovers in the fridge for you, sweetheart. Your sisters have already taken some food home with them.”
“Thank you.” Mackenzie smiled warmly at them. “For everything.”
After hearing the front door click shut for the final time, she collapsed on the couch, kicking off her heels. She put her legs up over Nathan’s and he started to massage her aching feet. As he made slow, steady strokes, she closed her eyes and allowed the day’s tension to escape her body. Comfortable silence filled the space between them and Mackenzie concentrated on taking slow, deep breaths as her mind replayed the funeral service and burial. Everything had gone well.
“How are you feeling?” Nathan asked.
Mackenzie didn’t open her eyes. “Sad. Exhausted. Drained. Relieved too. It was a lovely day, if you know what I mean.”
“Yes, it was a lovely funeral,” Nathan agreed, still rubbing her feet. “Do you want to talk about it? Or are you just happy to sit?”
Mackenzie allowed the stillness between them to linger longer. After the busyness and noise of the day, the quiet was exactly what she needed.
“I don’t want to pressure you, Kenz. If you want me to leave, just say.” The rubbing stopped.
“I definitely don’t want you to go,” she said. Opening her eyes slightly she grinned at him. “And I don’t want you to stop massaging my feet either. That feels so good.”
He started running his hands over her legs again. “I’m glad.”
“You’re glad that it feels good?”
“I’m glad you don’t want me to leave,” he replied with a throaty chuckle.
The antique grandfather clock on the mantelpiece pealed eight times. The day had gone so quickly.
“I’m not even sure where to begin,” she said finally. “So much has happened in these last few weeks.”
“Did you get a chance to work things out with your dad?”
A small sigh escaped. “Yeah. We worked it out.”
Nathan shifted in his seat and she turned to face him. He stared intently at her. “How are things with you and your sisters? I met most of them this afternoon and they all seem lovely. Did you sort things with them too?”
Mackenzie opened her mouth to speak when there was a knock at the front door. She shot Nathan an apologetic look as she padded across the carpet to see who it was. When she opened the door she was surprised to see the minister standing there.
Mackenzie’s hands went to her mouth. “Oh gosh I am so sorry. I completely forgot! I assume this is Dad’s dog?”
The minister held a lead attached to a gorgeous little border collie with very sad eyes. He smiled warmly. “Yes, this is Nellie. Marlene Robbins said you knew I was looking after her.”
“Yes, of course. I meant to say something today but I forgot. Would you like to come in?”
“Thanks for the offer, but no, I won’t. It’s been a long day for you and I’m sure you’re tired. I just wanted to bring Nellie over in case you were planning on leaving tonight.”
Nathan joined her at the door and on seeing him the dog wagged her tail excitedly. Nathan stuck out his hand. “G’day, I’m Nathan.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Mackenzie said again. “Nathan, this is John, the minister who did Dad’s funeral today.”
“Good to meet you. That was a lovely service. You obviously knew Mackenzie’s dad very well.”
“Over the last two years, yes, we’d become good friends.”
Mackenzie stood at the door stroking the dog’s soft ears and running her hands over the dog’s coat. She was beautiful. The dog responded to Mackenzie’s touch by jumping up and squirming closer.
“Thanks for everything, John. For looking after Nellie. For caring for Dad. For the funeral.” Sudden tears prickled once more. Sensing her discomfort, Nellie butted her body against Mackenzie’s leg. She stroked the dog’s head, drawing strength from the action.
“She’s a good dog,” John said, leaning over and ruffling Nellie’s silky ears. “She’ll give you lots of love, that’s for sure.”
Mackenzie smiled sadly. “Then she’s just what I need.”
Once the minister left, Mackenzie joined Nathan back on the couch. She tucked her feet beneath her and snuggled into Nathan’s side as Nellie watched them intently with intelligent eyes. Patting her leg, Mackenzie called the dog over. She obeyed, and as Mackenzie stroked her fur, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Mackenzie and Nathan picked up their interrupted conversation. When Mackenzie told him she found out Bill wasn’t her father the night before he died, his mouth dropped open in surprise.
“You never knew?”
“I had no idea. I mean I often questioned why I looked so different to the others and I’d sometimes joke I was adopted, but I never thought much of it.”
Nathan raised his eyebrows. “I can’t believe they kept it a secret all these years.”
“I know. Crazy, isn’t it? If you look at the wedding photos it’s obvious Mum was hiding a small bump behind her bouquet. But of course I never had a reason to look for it.”
“What did your sisters say when they found out?”
Her phone rang and she glanced at the screen. “It’s Kate. Do you mind if I take it?” She gave him another apologetic smile.
Nathan shook his head. “Not at all.”
While Mackenzie filled Kate in on the funeral, Nathan found her moisturizer and began rubbing it into her feet. She had to work hard to concentrate on what Kate was saying. Nathan’s slow massage was moving from soothing to sensual.
“I know it might be too soon, Mackenzie,” Kate was saying, “but have you thought about what you’re going to do about work?”
Mackenzie laughed aloud – the first time she’d laughed properly in weeks. “No way, Kate. Don’t even suggest it. I don’t want your job and even if I did, there is no way I could be the unit manager. Plus I’m not sure I could ever go back to intensive care nursing. After working in ED I’m either going to have to do emergency or remote.”
“Woah! Relax, Mackenzie. Take a breath. I’m not offering you my job, but I’ve just heard about a part-time position in the emergency department here in Birrangulla. I thought you might be interested.”
“Oh.” Mackenzie bit her lip and then took a deep breath before settling back on the couch. Maybe she had overreacted. “Okay. Keep talking.”
Nathan stopped rubbing her feet for a brief moment and her skin mourned the loss of his touch. When he started up again his hands began to massage up and down her lower legs, smoothing the tiredness of her calf muscles. It felt so good she almost groaned in pleasure. Did he have any idea how he was making her feel?
“So are you interested?” Kate asked.
“I’m very interested.”
“What about if I told you the job comes with a house? On land? Perfect for a dog.”
“I’d still say keep talking.”
Kate continued. “The job is four days a week and the house is our house.”
Mackenzie scrunched up her nose. “What do you mean? Your house?”
“The farmhouse where Joel and I live. The house we’re building out at Eagle’s Ridge is almost finished. It should be ready for us to move in around the middle of February – well before the baby is born. The job in ED starts straightaway, though. If you want it, you’re more than welcome to come stay with us from now until we move out.”
“So I’d just take over your lease?”
“Yep, I’ve already spoken to the real estate agent. She’s more than happy with that.”
“And the job? Do I have to apply?”
Nathan raised his eyebrows and then smiled, obviously picking up on the direction of the conversation.
“Well, yes, technically, but I’ve already spoken to the director of nursing, and she’s more than happy to give you a job. I’ve pretty much talked you into the position. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Wow. Well that’s a lot to take in. I’ll have to think about it.”
“I don’t think there’s anything to think about,” Kate said with a chuckle. “I think you have one good reason to say yes.”
Mackenzie looked steadily at Nathan. He returned her gaze, his eyes darkening to a deep chocolate. “Yes, Kate, I’ve got a very good reason for saying yes, and he’s sitting right here next to me.”
Mackenzie disconnected the call and told Nathan what Kate had offered.
“It sounds perfect. What do you think? Will you take it? Or do you need more time to think about it?”
Mackenzie shifted position on the couch and snuggled closer. She nudged Nathan in the ribs. “You always ask so many questions,” she said with a smile. “I don’t need time to think about it. Yes, I’ll take the job.”
He grasped her hand, lacing their fingers, and the flicker that had been burning inside her all afte
rnoon burst into life. Goose bumps exploded on her skin as her body went from cool to warm. As she leaned toward him, Nellie barked, causing them to jump apart like teenagers who had just been sprung by their parents.
Mackenzie groaned. “How many more interruptions are we going to have tonight?”
She put the dog outside and returned. Picking up her phone, she waved it in the air. “And I’m switching this onto silent too.”
She didn’t know who moved first. All she knew was he was holding her protectively in his arms. Her hands slipped beneath his shirt and she caressed the warm skin on his back, her hands tracing his muscles.
He bent his head slowly toward her and she closed her eyes. She had missed him so much. At first, his kiss was merely a flutter of his lips against hers, tentative and questioning, before it became more urgent. She tasted the familiar sweetness of his mouth and returned his kiss with equal passion, hoping she left him in no doubt about how much she wanted him. When he abruptly pulled away her racing heart almost stopped.
He licked his lips and a shadow crossed his face. “Are you sure this is what you want, Kenz?” His voice was thick with need as his finger traced the curve of her cheek and stopped at her chin.
She nodded. She had never been so sure of anything in her life.
“I wanted to be here tonight to comfort you, not to take advantage of you or try to get you into—”
Mackenzie reached up and put her finger to his lips. “Shh! You’re not doing anything I don’t want,” she murmured.
“But it’s been a big day for you. You’re emotional and tired and—”
She pulled him closer and pressed her mouth against his to stop him talking. Their bodies melded together and she sighed with pleasure as his fingers threaded through her hair and massaged her head. When he buried his face in her neck, she groaned as heat flooded through her. She wanted him. She needed him. Now.
He sensed it and they walked hand in hand to her old bedroom, unspeaking. At the door he stopped, put his hands on her hips and lifted her up so her legs wrapped around his waist. She clutched the back of his shirt, her heart galloping, her breathing shallow.
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