Melody listened as Lindy tried to persuade her daughter and Brodie to decide on a date for the wedding.
‘Give them a break, love,’ Gareth said. ‘She’s only just said yes. There’ll be plenty of time for a wedding.’
Melody could see Lindy was having none of it. ‘I’m going to need to start planning everything soon though,’ she argued. Lindy grabbed Lettie’s wrist to get her attention. ‘Do you think you’ll want to have the reception at Hollyhock Farm?’
‘Mum, seriously.’ Lettie scowled at her. ‘I know you’re excited, but Brodie and I haven’t had a moment to think about any of these things yet.’
‘Don’t worry, Lindy,’ Brodie said, giving his soon-to-be mother-in-law a peck on the cheek. ‘We won’t leave you out of any of the planning.’
Melody caught Lettie’s eye and could tell she had other ideas. It was going to be an interesting few months in the Torel household.
Melody felt Zac’s arm slip around her waist and she looked up at him. ‘I’m so happy for them,’ she whispered.
‘Me too, but would you think I was selfish if I said I hope they won’t mind if we decide to go soon?’
‘No. I was thinking the same thing.’
He bent to kiss her. ‘I like that we’re on the same wavelength.’
Melody did too. She noticed Lettie place her hand against Brodie’s cheek and kiss him.
‘I agree,’ Gareth said, cocking his head in his wife’s direction. ‘Come along, Lindy. Time we were off to do that packing.’
Melody couldn’t miss Lindy’s surprise.
‘Since when do you pack a suitcase?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘I think Lettie and Brodie need a bit of time alone together.’
Lettie rushed forward and hugged Melody. ‘Sorry to interrupt your evening, but Mum did insist.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ Melody said, hugging her back. ‘I’m over the moon for you both. I’m sure you’ll be very happy. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss celebrating with you all.’ She meant what she said. Lettie had been a good friend to her, and Melody couldn’t be happier to see Lettie and Brodie this content. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow when I get back and you can tell me all about Brodie’s proposal.’
‘I will, don’t you worry about that.’ Lettie laughed, grabbing hold of Brodie’s hand.
‘See you tomorrow, lovey,’ Patsy said, kissing Lettie, then waving at Melody and Zac. ‘Enjoy your evening.’
‘I’m sure they will,’ Gareth said. ‘Let’s leave the pair of them alone.’
‘Yes,’ Zac said, congratulating his sister and Brodie again before taking Melody by the hand. ‘We’d better get a move on too.’
Melody could barely contain her excitement when Zac parked at the car park above the slipway leading to the beach at Les Laveurs.
‘Are we taking a walk on the beach?’ she asked, confused about why they were there. ‘Or are we visiting the Military Museum?’ She doubted they would be doing the second option. However impressive the museum was, it wasn’t a romantic place to visit.
Zac took her bag from her and then her hand in his and led her along the path with long Marram grass either side but didn’tanswer her. All he did was smile and give her a wink. ‘You’ll soon find out,’ he said, continuing to walk.
They passed the museum and a set of steps leading to the beach but kept going. Just when she was thinking that maybe he had planned to camp somewhere for the night, Zac stopped.
She turned and looked up the pathway leading to the boat-shaped Art Deco folly, thinking how it should look out of place standing proudly above the beach but seemed to fit in perfectly well to the landscape somehow.
She waited for Zac to walk on again, or say something and when he didn’t do either, she looked at him, wondering if she was missing something. He turned to her and smiled but still didn’t speak.
Then it dawned on her and she gasped. ‘You haven’t booked us to stay here. Have you?’ She could barely breathe; the anticipation that he might confirm her suspicions was too intense.
‘I have.’
Melody’s mouth dropped open and she quickly covered it with her free hand. ‘Honestly?’
