The Last Goodbye (The Women of Independence) (21 page)

“I wouldn’t have missed it for
anything!” Orla Flynn pulled her into a tight hug. Danielle closed her eyes and
inhaled the familiar scent. Gran had worn the same perfume for decades.

“How was the safari?”

“It was wonderful. I’ll e-mail you the
photo album when I get the pictures sorted out.” She acknowledged a greeting
from Allison, but continued to scan the people scattered around the property. “Where’s
that husband of yours?” Orla and Grayson had developed a close relationship.

“You mean my husband-to-be. He and Jake
have gone up to the landing strip to collect his parents and Buddy and Kylie.
Sean arranged the jet for them.”

Orla rolled her eyes. “Movie stars,
private planes. What next?” She looked fondly at her granddaughter. “I’m just
kidding.”

“I know, Gran. Speaking of movie stars,
here’s Carmen.”

“Orla!” Carmen’s eyes shone with
delight. “So glad you made it back on time.”

“Hello, my dear. I hope you’re keeping
that son of mine in line.”

Carmen laughed. “I don’t know about
that, but I’m having fun trying.” She turned to Danielle. “Getting nervous?”

Danielle shook her head. “Not really.
Should I be?”

“No.” Carmen checked her watch. “But it
might be a good idea to get dressed. The ceremony’s in an hour.”

“Okay, thanks. I’ll leave you two to
catch up.” She waved at Allison, who was holding a ladder steady for Cole.
Allison nodded, spoke to her husband, and made her way across the lawn to her
friend.

“This is such a lovely idea, having the
ceremony outside, and keeping it informal.” They walked a few steps in
comfortable silence and Danielle looked sideways at her friend.  “I haven’t had
a chance to ask you. How is Katie?”

Allison beamed at the mention of her
daughter. “She’s great. Lindsey told me the other day she’s starting to talk
about boys already, but that’s normal at her age.”

“Are they coming?”

“Oh yes. She wouldn’t miss seeing her
Aunty Danielle get married.”

“Good. What about Faith? Is she coming?”

Allison’s steps faltered for a moment.
“She said she’d be here. I feel kinda guilty, you know? The three of us were so
close in high school, but recently there just doesn’t seem to be enough time.”

Danielle nodded. “I know, but that’s
bound to happen. You’re married, and I moved away...” Her voice trailed off.

“She knows we’re here for her if she
needs us.”

The friends linked arms and continued
walking across the lawn. “Is he good to you, Dani? You have the look of someone
well loved.”

Danielle threw back her head and
laughed. “You should know. But seriously, Al. Sometimes I can’t believe how
happy I am... how lucky. I get to come here whenever I like, and I live on a
gorgeous ranch with the man I love. It doesn’t get much better.”

“Too bad that producer couldn’t come.
Jake’s friend. What’s his name?”

“Sean. Sean Elliott. Yes, that would
have been nice, but he’s somewhere in Malaysia right now.” They went in through
the kitchen, where Esperanza and Maya were fussing with the food.

Esperanza glanced up at the wall clock
and frowned. “
Mija
, you only have an hour to get ready. Hurry up.”

Danielle laughed, kissed her, and then
danced away. “What would I do without you, Esperanza?”

The housekeeper’s eyes sparkled with
delight. “Something tells me you’d get along just fine. Now go.”

* * *

Grayson looked proudly at his parents as
they came down the steps of the Gulfstream, followed by Buddy and Kylie. His
parents looked like they had co-ordinated their outfits, although he knew that
was unlikely. His mother wore a raw silk suit with a rich brown blouse, and his
father wore a casual suit with open-necked shirt in a complementary colour.
Their dark tans attested to the long hours they spent working outside.

Grayson kissed his mother while his
father shook hands with Jake. The men had met several times since Danielle
moved to California, and their shared work ethic had cemented their friendship.

“Ceremony’s in an hour,” he said,
guiding them to the Jeep. “You’ll have time to meet anyone you don’t already
know.”

And then it was time, and Danielle was
walking toward him. He wasn’t quite sure what he’d done to deserve her love,
but when she floated toward him in her white floor-length dress and her
mother’s veil, he knew he’d been blessed. Jake placed her hand in his, and it
occurred to him that he’d been waiting his whole life for this woman.

She spoke her vows softly, her eyes
luminescent and trusting.

“You may kiss the bride.”

He cupped her face gently, and brushed
his lips against hers. It was hard not to crush her against his chest, but
they’d decided against any overt display of passion. Besides, once started,
they probably wouldn’t be able to stop.

They turned to face their friends, family,
and the cameras that would capture the happiest day of their lives.

“Just a moment.” Allison darted forward
and arranged the folds of Danielle’s dress. “You’re going to have to look at
these pictures for the rest of your life. Might as well get it right.”

Carmen stepped out into the aisle
between the folding chairs to get a clear shot. “Much nicer than that gown you
wore in the movie,” she said, “although it was lovely.”

“Yes, it was nice.” Danielle smiled up
at Gray. “But that was make-believe. I don’t need that when I have something
better right here.”

“What’s that?” Carmen took one last
shot.

Danielle slipped her hand into Gray’s
and raised her lips for another kiss. “Magic.”

* * * The End *
* *

Thank you for
reading.

Have you read
Allison’s story?

Loving From Afar

is Book One in
the Series

and is available
at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DGFXDLO