The Bridesmaid's Hero
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Authors: Narelle Atkins
THE BRIDESMAID’S HERO
A SNOWGUM CREEK NOVELLA
Narelle Atkins
Published by Narelle Atkins
Canberra ACT Australia
The Bridesmaid’s Hero, A Snowgum Creek Novella
Copyright © 2016 by Narelle Atkins
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial or other purposes, except for brief quotations in printed or electronic reviews, without prior written permission from the author.
Narelle Atkins
PO BOX 512
Jamison Centre ACT 2614
AUSTRALIA
www.narelleatkins.com
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Cover Design © 2016 Karinne Campbell
Book Layout © 2015 BookDesignTemplates.com
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
The Bridesmaid’s Hero/ Narelle Atkins. -- 1st ed.
ISBN: 0994333420
ISBN-13: 978-0-9943334-2-1
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
For my husband, Jay, and my children who encourage me along every step of my writing journey. I love you.
I appreciate the support I’ve received from my dear friends during the writing of this novella. Susan Diane Johnson (Suzie Johnson), Stacy Monson, Andrea Grigg, and Nicki Edwards - my wonderful critique partners. Thank you! I also thank my reader friends for their helpful feedback and support: Jen B, Lisa B, Raylee B, Karinne C, Tracey H, Daniela M, Heather M, Jane P and Merlyn S.
Many thanks to my freelance editor, Iola Goulton, and my cover designer, Karinne Campbell.
CONTENTS
Serena Blaxland leaned back into the soft leather rear seat of the white BMW hire car, her bare shoulders tense. Wedding planning had transformed Debbie, her easygoing older sister, into Bridezilla in her quest for a perfect day. She’d never forgive them if they kept her waiting.
The front door of their parents’ Snowgum Creek home remained open. Serena’s younger sister was inside the farm house. Why was it taking Gina so long to find a missing tube of lipstick? She’d been in there ten minutes already.
Serena fidgeted with the hem of her knee-length pale pink bridesmaid dress, her immaculate French manicure catching the early afternoon sunlight. Her nails had never looked this good, but the manicure failed to hold her interest.
The handsome driver of their hire car had captured her full attention.
He paced the length of the front veranda, his elegant suit accentuating his tall, muscular physique. Harry Westmore. The name suited him.
Harry returned to the car and crouched beside her open window, his fair hair ruffled and eyebrows drawn together. “The rest of the bridal party left fifteen minutes ago. Should I find out what’s holding up your sister?”
She shook her head, meeting his concerned gaze. “I’ll give her a few more minutes before I go inside and yell. Unlike Debbie, Gina has no concept of punctuality.”
“The bride was determined to leave on time.”
“That’s Debbie for you.”
His eyes, the color of the cloudless sky overhead, hinted at his impatience.
An idyllic September spring day, and they had a long drive ahead. The bride had left with her parents in a matching BMW. The chief bridesmaid had snubbed Serena and Gina by catching a ride to Sunny Ridge with her boyfriend in his luxury sports coupe. Debbie hadn’t been impressed by Crystal’s last-minute change of plans.
Gina flounced onto the veranda, slamming the front door behind her. Two inch heels didn’t slow her progress across the lawn. “I found it, finally.” She held the lipstick in the air as if it was a precious gem.
Serena let out a deep breath. If Harry drove the speed limit, they should make it on time to Sunny Ridge Community Church in the large town west of Snowgum Creek. Pre-wedding photos were scheduled in the adjoining park.
He opened the car door for Gina and she slid into her seat behind the driver, her skirt a tangled mess around her thighs.
Gina bit her lip. “I hate this skirt.”
“Be thankful it’s not floor length.”
“True, but I wish Debbie had asked what we thought before she chose our dresses.”
“It’s her wedding.”
“And don’t we know it.”
She let Gina’s comment slide. Her younger sister’s relationship with Debbie was fraught with issues, and Harry didn’t need to hear their complaints. He’d already witnessed Crystal’s emotional outburst. Debbie’s best friend had refused to travel to Sunny Ridge in the bridesmaids’ car.
Harry started the car, a quiet purr compared to the cough and splutter of Serena’s aging hatchback. “Ladies, are we ready?”
“Let’s go.” Gina buckled her seat belt. “I hope we won’t be late.”
Serena suppressed a groan. “Me too, because Debbie doesn’t need the extra stress. Harry, I’m ready.”
“Okay.” He maneuvered the luxury car over the cattle guard at the front entrance next to the prominent Blaxland B&B sign, onto a short dirt track leading to the main road. “We have enough time.”
“Oh, good.” Gina stashed her lipstick in her purse. “I’m already in Debbie’s bad books.”
Serena tightened her grip on the door handle. “What did you do this time?”
“You know how Crystal kept talking on and on during the bridal party photos about her bayside home and glamorous life in Melbourne? Before her boyfriend turned up in his fancy car.”
She nodded. Debbie’s best friend was trouble. Crystal had made a sarcastic comment about the casual attire Serena had worn for her two-hour drive from Canberra to her parents’ home yesterday afternoon. Her comfortable old jeans, sweater and sneakers had been practical as she’d cleaned her apartment and packed her car for her three month stay in Snowgum Creek.
Gina’s defiant attitude surfaced, her arms folded tight over her torso. “Debbie caught me doing an eye roll behind Crystal’s back. She pulled me aside and used her teacher voice to lecture me.”
Harry’s mouth twitched. He snagged Serena’s gaze in the rearview mirror and winked.
She lowered her lashes, a smile tugging at her lips. He was flirting with her, despite meeting her less than an hour ago. She couldn’t deny his self-confidence held a certain appeal, and an underlying attraction had simmered from the moment their gazes had locked.
Gina patted her arm. “You’re not listening to me. Debbie is being a pain, as usual.”
“It’s okay.” She softened her tone. “Debbie will be too busy to worry about what you’re doing.”
“I hope so.”
“It’s only one day, and she told me last night that they’re going straight back to Melbourne from Phuket after their honeymoon.”
“Well, it would have been nice to know they won’t be visiting me in Sydney on their way home.”
“I’m sure they were planning to tell you.”
Gina grunted. “Are they still flying out from Sydney on Monday?”
“I don’t know.”
Harry cleared his throat. “Jack and Kate are driving them to Sydney tomorrow in one of the bridal cars.”
“Really?” Gina wriggled in her seat and adjusted her voluminous skirt. “I thought Debbie would insist on flying. She always complains about the long drive from Melbourne to Snowgum Creek.”
“Your sister got a great deal on the car hire rate because Jack and Kate are catching up with family in Sydney.”
Serena smiled. “That works out well for everyone.” Jack, a local farmer, was driving the bride’s car to the church. She’d heard about Kate, the runaway bride from Sydney who had married Jack and settled in Snowgum Creek.
Harry tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “What music do you like? We have ninety minutes to fill in.”
“What do you have?” Gina asked.
“We can select a playlist by genre or artist from the car system, or you can plug in your own device.”
Serena shrugged. “I really don’t mind.”
“Background music is fine. Serena and I have some catching up to do.”
“Sure.” He pressed a few buttons on the dashboard and a recent Billboard hit played on low volume.
“Anyway, Harry,” Gina said. “I’ve been looking forward to chatting with you, too. My mom appreciates you helping out in the stables, and you can also help Serena settle into life in small town Snowgum Creek.”
Serena widened her eyes. “My temporary life in Snowgum Creek. Only until Christmas. I have a job to return to in Canberra.”
He nodded. “I heard you’re a chef, like your father.”
“I’m a pastry chef. Dad’s the accomplished chef who accumulated the hats in Canberra before he retired here with Mom.”
“Dad hasn’t really retired,” Gina said. “Between running the apple orchards and the Blaxland B&B with Mom, he’s busier than ever.”
“Your folks work hard,” Harry said.
Gina sighed. “Mom’s broken arm hasn’t slowed her down. I’m looking forward to a holiday when I get back to Sydney on Tuesday. Studying is much easier than farm work.”
Serena couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Try my job for a week, and you’ll understand why coming here is like a vacation.”
Her sister wrinkled her nose. “Your long work hours are antisocial. I’d hate to have to work evenings and weekends and miss out on time with my friends.”
“You get used to it. My Kingston apartment is close to the restaurant and I’m not spending hours sitting in Sydney traffic.”
“True. The traffic is so annoying.”
Harry loosened his tie. “You won’t find any traffic in downtown Snowgum Creek. Maybe a few roos jumping around the outskirts of town at dawn and dusk.”
“Sounds like Canberra.” Gina fussed with her seatbelt. “The only kangaroos you’ll find in the middle of Sydney are in the zoo.”
Serena shook her head. “Gina, you’re exaggerating. I haven’t hit a roo since I lived in Murrumbateman. It’s only the roads near the nature reserves where you come across a roo.”
Harry indicated left at the sign post to the Hume Highway. “This road often has roos on it at all times of the day.”
“Hopefully not today,” Serena said. “We can’t afford any more delays.”
He nodded. “We’re travelling well and should arrive in time for the pre-wedding bridal party drinks and photos.”
The road wound through a pine forest, mature trees shading the car. Their ride was smooth, the top-of-the-line suspension evening out the bumps. Harry was relaxed in his seat as he reined in the powerful engine and cruised at the speed limit. The white bridal ribbon attached to the front of the car fluttered in the breeze.
A straight stretch of road with paddocks on either side opened up and a cyclist appeared on the distance horizon, riding ahead of them.
Serena narrowed her eyes. “Why is that cyclist riding alone in the middle of nowhere?”
“The closest town is only five minutes away.” He slowed the car as they approached the cyclist. “But you’re right—they usually ride in pairs or groups in the more remote areas.”
“I wouldn’t ride out here by myself,” Serena said.
“Do you ride?”
“All the time. Cycling is big in Canberra.”
The cyclist wobbled and fell to the ground, his bike landing on top of him.
Serena gasped. “We have to stop.”
“Yep.” He braked and drew the car to a halt on the side of the road behind the cyclist.
Gina flung open her door. “I’m first aid trained.”
“Me too, Gina.” Harry’s voice held a firm edge. “I’ll take care of this. You can’t afford to ruin your dress.”
“I really wouldn’t care if I wrecked this dress.”
“Gina!” Serena stepped out of the car and pointed to the ground near the injured cyclist. “I think I’ve found the problem.”
A red-bellied black snake lay in the sun on the road, unperturbed by the activity taking place around it. The cyclist moaned on the ground, only ten feet away from the snake.
Harry squatted beside the man, his first aid kit already open. “You okay?”
The man shook his head. “The snake…”
Serena took slow steps toward the snake, not wanting to startle it. “It doesn’t look like you rode over him. He’s a pretty snake—”
“You must be kidding!” The cyclist shuddered, pushing his bike aside and edging further away from the snake. “I hate snakes.”
Harry met Serena’s gaze, his serious tone underlining his words. “Please be careful and keep an eye on the snake.”
She nodded. The cyclist had bloodied knees, his face pale as he glared at the snake.
Harry gave the cyclist his undivided attention and asked him a bunch of questions.
Serena placed her hands on her hips, her heels unsteady on the bumpy ground. The poisonous snake stayed in the same position, its black and red skin glistening in the mid-afternoon sunshine while Harry administered first aid.
Her sister caught her elbow and whispered in her ear. “He should stick to cycling in the city.”
“Gina, be quiet. He’s upset enough.”
“I’ve lost count of how many snakes I’ve seen over the years.”
“This one is docile. I’d be hiding in the car if it was a tiger snake.”
“Absolutely. We’d be calling an ambulance right now and praying they had antivenin on hand.”
Harry helped the cyclist to his feet. “Are you okay to continue riding?”
“Yeah, mate. Thanks for stopping. The snake spooked me but I’m fine now.” His gaze roamed over Serena and Gina, an appreciative smile bringing a splash of color to his cheeks. “Enjoy the wedding. I hope I haven’t delayed you.”
“We’ll get there in time.” Serena took a step back toward the car and the snake raised its head. “The snake’s on the move.”
The cyclist picked up his bike. “I’m outta here. Thanks for everything.” He took off, the bandages on his knees not appearing to hinder his progress.
The snake took its time, sliding off the road and disappearing into the long grass beside the paddock.
Harry glanced at his watch. “We need to get moving.”
“Yes.” Gina grabbed Serena’s hand and pulled on her arm. “Come on.”
“Wait a sec.” Her heel was wedged between rocks in the gravel.
Gina ignored her, maintaining a firm grip on Serena’s hand as she stepped forward.
Serena stumbled. Her foot broke free and she regained her balance. She took a step and wailed. “No.”
Gina paused. “What’s wrong?”
Her stomach tightened. “The heel broke off my shoe.”
“Oh, no.” Gina let go of Serena’s hand, her mouth gaping. “Debbie is going to blame us for ruining her wedding.”
***
Harry rushed over to the girls.
What now?
His gaze travelled down Serena’s toned leg and landed on her flat shoe. A shoe that had had a heel attached a minute earlier.