They’d waded out further, jumping up to avoid being knocked over by waves breaking at chest height. Jack had let go of her hand as they’d had to start swimming, being lifted up and then sliding down the roll of waves that weren’t ready to break. Jack had dived through some of them, popping up beside her like a dolphin, his brown skin glistening and a huge grin on his face.
‘This one,’ he’d shouted, and Harriet had turned her head to see a wall of water coming relentlessly towards them.
There had been no time to panic. She’d needed to turn and point her body towards the shore. To kick her feet to keep at the front of the wave and then hold her breath as it began to break and cover her in foam as she’d shot forward. Within seconds, she’d been in water that was shallow enough to stand up, salt water streaming down her body.
Jack hadn’t paused for any longer than it took to give her a thumbs-up before he’d turned back.
‘Good, huh?’ he’d called. ‘Let’s do it again.’
They’d stayed in the water for nearly an hour, catching wave after wave, and it had been the most exhilarating therapy Harriet had experienced since her accident. It was not only good for her body...it was doing something wonderful for her soul. She loved the sea and being in the surf.
And...there was no avoiding the truth now, she loved Jack as well.
So, here she was, hiding behind her camera as she stayed to share in the family celebration of Jack’s grandmother’s birthday. Having dried herself off after the swim, she was also hiding in her favourite maxi dress with its strappy top and swirly skirt that had a ragged hemline reaching her ankles. Her hair had gone super curly after being soaked in salt water, she had no make-up on and bare feet but it didn’t matter. Harriet hadn’t felt this happy in a very, very long time.
She was tired and her leg was aching but it was actually a joy to be wandering around capturing candid shots of this huge, loving family. She caught an auntie stooping to kiss and comfort a toddler who’d fallen over. A father laughing up at the baby he was holding above his head. The grandmother who was sitting regally on a beach chair that had been draped with flowers and, of course, the action shots of the fierce but friendly soccer game.
She’d never known what it was like to have a close family and this was completely at the other end of the spectrum. They would just absorb whoever Jack chose as his partner in life, wouldn’t they? The wedding would be a huge celebration and someone would always be there to help if they needed a babysitter or something. Their children would have an endless supply of cousins to play with.
A stab of envy dimmed the happy shine of the afternoon for Harriet.
She wanted to be that girl.
And she knew she never could be.
A little later, she had to abandon her camera to sit on the grass with a plate of delicious food. She was amongst a laughing group that included Jack, two of his sisters and several of their children. A sea breeze had picked up but, focused on eating, Harriet didn’t notice that she’d lost the safety barrier of more than her role of photographer.
‘What’s wrong with your leg?’ a small boy asked.
‘Um...’ A glance down showed that her skirt had folded back and her bad leg was completely exposed in all its misshapen glory. Hurriedly, she tugged the fabric free and covered her scars.
‘I...um...’
‘Harry had an accident.’ Jack spoke up from the other side of the group. ‘She had climbed down a mountain and then a big rock came down and landed on her leg.’
‘Wow...’ The boy’s eyes grew as round as saucers. ‘You can climb mountains? That’s cool...’ And then he turned to his mother. ‘Can I have some ice cream now?’
‘Go on, then...’ His mother ruffled his curls. ‘Bring some back for your sister, too.’ She smiled at Harriet. ‘That must have hurt so much,’ she said. ‘But it looks like you’re recovering well.’
‘That’s because she’s got the best personal trainer around these parts,’ Jack put in.
‘Says you.’ His sister grinned. ‘Hope you’re not paying him too much, Harry. I think he just wants an excuse to keep fit and have someone to play with.’
Harriet just smiled. They thought she was paying Jack? That she didn’t qualify as being a real friend? Any fragments of longing to be part of a family like this evaporated. She really didn’t belong here...
Her appetite had vanished. The conversation moved on swiftly but Harriet wasn’t contributing. The return of the little boy, holding two enormous ice-cream cones, gave her the excuse she needed. She scrambled to her feet, ignoring the shaft of pain that trying to look normal doing so provoked.
‘That looks really good,’ she murmured. ‘I might go and find one, too.’
Not that she wanted an ice cream. What Harriet wanted right now was to escape. She had come with Jack, though, so she’d have to wait until he was ready to leave. The best she could do for the moment was to find a rubbish bin for her picnic plate and then wander off down the beach to find a quiet spot to sit for a while.
Minutes ticked past as she watched the waves gather momentum and then break up to roll onto the sand. She heard the sound of many voices singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and then bursts of clapping as speeches were probably being made. She needed to go back but if she waited a bit longer, maybe the cleaning-up process would be underway and Jack would be ready to drive her back into the city. Had he noticed her absence? Would he be angry at how rude she’d been?
‘Hey...’ The smile on Jack’s face as he walked towards her didn’t suggest anything like anger. ‘My tribe got a bit much for you?’ He flopped down onto the sand beside her. ‘Sorry about that.’
‘Don’t apologise. Your family is lovely. I just...’
‘Needed some space. I get it.’
The breeze was tugging at the hemline of her dress again so Harriet held it down. She caught her breath in a gasp as Jack put his hand over hers and pulled it away.
‘You don’t need to do that,’ he said quietly. ‘Don’t let your scars embarrass you.’
‘They’re ugly,’ Harriet muttered. ‘I hate them.’
For a moment they sat there in silence that was broken only by the soothing sound of the waves. Harriet closed her eyes. She didn’t want to see that empathy in Jack’s face. But she didn’t try and hide her leg again either. He’d seen it before.
The touch of his fingers on her leg was so shocking that Harriet froze. She couldn’t even open her eyes.
‘I don’t think they’re ugly,’ he said softly. ‘I think they add to your beauty.’
Now it was even hard to breathe. Nobody had touched her leg when it wasn’t medically required for the longest time. Nobody had touched any part of her body like this for even longer.
As if it was...something special. Something to be honoured.
‘It’s evidence of the kind of strength you have, Harry,’ Jack continued. ‘You should be proud of what you’ve achieved. I’m proud of you...’
It was embarrassing to feel so close to tears. It was worse to open her eyes, see the way Jack was looking at her, and have to fight the urge to lean in and...kiss him?
But, dear Lord, he looked as if he was thinking the same thing. As if the only thing he wanted was to kiss her.
She couldn’t let it happen. No matter how much she longed to be touched the way he had touched her leg, she couldn’t do that to Jack. She would be taking advantage of their friendship. Risking losing it even. She was misinterpreting that look, that was all. Making it something she wanted to see? He was proud of her and he was invested in her success because he’d put so much time into it himself.
Such a short time ago, she’d thought about the girl who might be lucky enough to become part of his family. Someone a lot younger than herself. Someone who would be introduced as more than simply a ‘friend’. Someone who might be used to being part of a real family
and wouldn’t feel awkward or like they didn’t really belong. Whatever the reason, she’d known that it wouldn’t be her.
Harriet pushed back at that desire so hard it was enough to get her to her feet.
‘Thanks,’ she said lightly, pasting a smile onto her face. ‘It’s just as well your family doesn’t know how bad your rate of pay as a personal trainer is.’
She knew Jack was following her. She could also sense that he had been bewildered by her comment and didn’t know what to say in response. The silence felt awkward, even when he broke it.
‘Do you know, you’re walking on sand almost without a limp?’
‘Just as well, with the wedding coming up in a couple of weeks.’ This was better. A line of conversation that would take them well away from anything too personal and cover up that weird moment when a kiss had hung in the air between them, just waiting for one of them to make the first move. ‘Have you been measured up for your suit yet?’
‘Not yet. I think that’s happening this week.’
‘It’s going to get busy.’ Harriet nodded. ‘My bridesmaid duties are hotting up.’ They were nearly back to where the party was finally winding down. ‘I don’t think I’m going to get much time for any training before then.’
She couldn’t miss the flare of surprise in Jack’s eyes. Or the tiny frown that followed, as if he was drawing a more significant meaning from her words. Then he nodded and turned away.
‘No problem. You ready to head back yet?’
‘Sure. Let me just go and find my bag.’
They walked in opposite directions. Harriet to gather her things and Jack to say his farewells to his grandmother and other family members.
Harriet could feel the distance between them growing more than physically.
It felt as if they’d been at some sort of crossroads back there. As if there’d been an offer of something hanging in the air but it hadn’t formed enough to be accepted. Or, more likely, rejected. She had chosen to walk away and Jack was respecting that.
It had been the right thing to do.
So why did it feel so very wrong?
CHAPTER SIX
‘YOU LOOK PERFECT.’
‘You think?’ Sam glanced over her shoulder at the full-length mirror and just the movement of her head gave the impression that the shimmering fall of her dress was floating in a sea breeze.
Harriet did a quick twirl to make her own skirt float a little, too. ‘I would never have thought to wear something yellow but I really love it.’
‘It’s my frangipani theme.’ Sam touched one of the tiny white and gold flowers dotted amongst the soft braids that was an elegant style, just messy enough to be perfect for a beach wedding. ‘We chose the fabric of your dress to match the centre of the flowers.’
Harriet dipped her head to sniff the bouquet she was holding. ‘They’re gorgeous. And so tropical. Perfect choice.’
‘I was going to go for gardenias because they smell so wonderful and they look all white and bridal but then I got into researching the meanings of the flowers and...’ A poignant smile touched Sam’s lips. ‘I couldn’t go past frangipanis.’
‘Oh?’ Harriet moved towards the silver tray with the flutes of champagne they hadn’t touched yet. ‘What do they mean?’
‘They symbolise intense love and a lasting bond between two people and the strength to withstand tough challenges. The boys have got them in a buttonhole, too. With a little spray of ferns behind them.’
‘Nice. I love that.’
Harriet handed Sam a glass of champagne, noting the immaculate French polish they both had, on their toenails as well as their fingernails. They had pretty sandals to wear so she had submitted to the pedicure in the salon this morning and tried to ignore that her scarred leg was on display. Now she was pleased that she had. Not just because her hands and feet looked so good but because it had been a lovely time, with both Sam and Blake’s mothers sharing the pampering. It had felt like family. Not like the exuberant and welcoming gathering of Jack’s family on the beach the other week but still close and warm and special.
‘Oh... I’ve got something for you.’ Sam pulled a tiny package from her bag. ‘It’s just tiny but I wanted you to have something to remember today by. I got one for both of us.’
‘I’m not likely to forget it. I can’t believe I’m even here. Hamilton Island is stunning.’
The gift was a pretty ankle bracelet, a silver chain with tiny ceramic flowers. Frangipanis.
‘It’s gorgeous. Does it matter which ankle you put it on? Am I going to be advertising my single status or anything?’
Sam laughed. ‘I’m sorry it’s not a huge wedding with some surprise guest who’s going to sweep you off your feet.’
Harriet was looking down at her ankles. In this long dress, it looked like both her legs were perfectly normal so it didn’t matter which one she chose.
What did matter was that she couldn’t even think about her ankles or legs without her brain taking her instantly back to that moment when Jack had touched her scars so gently.
When he had pretty much told her that he thought she was beautiful.
When that kiss that hadn’t happened had seared itself into her brain. And her heart...
She put the bracelet onto her scarred side. Because she liked the symbolism of withstanding tough challenges.
And the lasting bond between two people. A sharp pang of loss made her catch her breath. She hadn’t had either of those things with the man she’d thought she’d been going to marry. But she was over Pete now, she reminded herself firmly. Completely over him. And, in a different way, she had both of those attributes with Jack. A tough challenge that he’d been with her on, every step of the way. And friendship was a loving bond, wasn’t it?
If she still had that with him?
She took a long sip of her champagne, unable to answer that question. She hadn’t seen him in the last couple of weeks. Ever since that family party at the beach. He’d told her to text him if she found she had any free time and wanted a training session.
She hadn’t made any contact at all. They hadn’t been on the same flight to Hamilton Island from Sydney and the wedding preparations had meant, of course, that she and Sam were separated from the groom and his best man. She wouldn’t see him until she accompanied Sam down the strip of white carpet on the beach to the spot between the palm trees where Blake would be waiting for her, Jack by his side.
Would she even be able to make eye contact with Jack, given the kinds of things she’d been thinking in the lonely hours of the nights since that almost kiss?
A knock at the door interrupted her anxiety. It was Sam’s mother.
‘I have to go and find my seat in a minute but the photographer wants a few more of the “getting ready” shots. Can he come in again?’
‘Sure.’ Sam smiled at Harriet. ‘Let’s get one of our matching ankles.’
* * *
‘Hey... I’m the one who’s supposed to be nervous, not you.’
Jack’s smile was wry. ‘Guess I’m not used to being in the spotlight. Or in a suit, for that matter.’
‘You and me both, mate. But today’s for Sam and I wanted it to be perfect for her. I did draw the line at a tie, though.’
‘Good thing, too, in this heat.’ The open-necked white shirt beneath the cream linen suit was ideal for a beach wedding and Jack felt right at home with sand between his toes and the mottled shade of palm trees overhead. If he ever got married, he’d want a setting like this. His family would all be keen for a trip home to Samoa, wouldn’t they? And island parties were the best...
It was unfortunate that any thought of having a wedding of his own or finding a bride inevitably took his thoughts straight to Harriet Collins because that made him fidget again.
He was nervous but it had nothing to do with the small
crowd of people now settled into the rows of white chairs on the beach. Or that he still had best man duties to perform, like making a speech later.
It had everything to do with the fact that he was going to see Harriet very soon and he hadn’t seen or heard from her since that moment on the beach when he’d stupidly given in to the urge to touch her skin in a way that no personal trainer ever should. When he’d had to fight an even more overwhelming urge to kiss her because, for a crazy blip of time, he’d thought she wanted him to.
And now she’d run away. As he’d known she would if he ever took that step closer.
Sure, she’d been busy helping Sam. There must have been all sorts of last-minute details that had to be organised and women had a lot more to do in the run-up to a wedding than the men did. When one of his sisters had got married a while back, there’d been endless discussions about hairstyles and manicures and goodness knew what else.
But how long did it take to send a text message, even if it was just to say that she didn’t have time for a training session? He’d deleted more than one message on his own phone before hitting ‘send’ because instinct told him that if she was avoiding him or running away, chasing her would only make it worse.
‘You’ve lost the rings, haven’t you?’ Blake had noticed his restless movement again.
‘No way. Toby’s got them, remember?’ He turned his head to smile at the small boy wearing a miniature version of their suits. He was sitting on his mum’s lap in the front row on the groom’s side of the gathering. His new stepdad gave Jack a thumbs-up signal and grinned.
‘I miss having Luc in the team,’ he murmured. ‘We were a bit remiss in not giving you a stag night, too.’
‘Not into that kind of thing,’ Blake said.
‘No kidding...’ Jack’s smile was more relaxed now. Blake’s hair might be tied back the way he kept it at work in the emergency department but he’d already pushed up the sleeves of his jacket enough to make a personal, casual style statement. It was just as well that casual beach shoes had been deemed appropriate or the groom would probably be wearing his beloved cowboy boots as well.
Rescued by Her Mr. Right Page 8
