AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her father shook his head. ‘You’re not late.’ He paused, his eyes softening. ‘But even if you were, you’d be more than worth the wait. You look beautiful, Daisy. Truly lovely.’
She smiled. ‘You’re my dad, Dad! You’re supposed to think that.’
‘Yes, I am.’ Leaning back against the sofa, her father smiled back at her. ‘But that doesn’t make it any less true. And if you don’t believe me, wait until Rollo sees you.’
Picturing her husband-to-be’s reaction, Daisy felt her skin grown warm. She knew just how he would look at her...the way his green eyes would
narrow and darken. Her heart contracted. Last night he had stayed in Manhattan, and she had travelled to the Hamptons with the rest of the wedding party. And even though it had been less than a day she missed him.
As though reading her thoughts, her father reached out and squeezed her hand. ‘Not long to go,’ he said quietly.
Daisy nodded. Her dad was right. In less than an hour, and exactly one year after they’d met in his office, she would become Mrs Daisy Fleming.
They had decided on a small, intimate ceremony on the beach at Swan Creek. Daisy had always loved the idea of being married barefoot, with just the sound of waves instead of music, but she’d expected Rollo to want some huge high-profile society wedding.
He’d been adamant. The wedding was not for show. Only those nearest and dearest to them would be invited: her parents and David, his mother and Rosamund, and, of course, the Dunmores. And now it was really happening.
She shivered with nervous excitement.
‘Are you cold?’ It was her father’s turn to look anxious. ‘Do you need a cardigan or something?’
Dropping her gaze to her elegant white silk slip dress, Daisy laughed. ‘Honestly, Dad! I’m about to get married. I’m not going to wear a cardigan.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘It’s not even cold.’
It wasn’t. A light breeze was blowing in from the ocean, and even though it was early evening the air was pleasantly warm.
‘Must be wedding nerves, then.’ Her father spoke lightly, but there was a glimmer of concern in his eyes.
She shook her head. ‘I’ve never been more certain of anything, Dad.’
And with good reason.
A lot had happened over the last year. In collaboration with James Dunmore, Rollo had renovated his old apartment block into modern but affordable family homes, and Daisy had successfully completed her first year at university. More important, though, he had worked hard to forgive his mother, and together he and Daisy had spent time getting to know her and Rosamund. They weren’t quite a family yet, but there was love and the beginnings of trust.
Her father cleared his throat. ‘You really love him,’ he said quietly. ‘And it is real, isn’t it?’
She nodded. ‘I do. And it is.’
As part of her resolution to live her life as honestly as possible, she had told her parents everything that had happened with Rollo. David too had admitted his gambling problems, and it had been hard for her mother and father to hear the truth. But after their initial shock their love and support had remained unchanged.
‘Of course, I’m just your dad, so I’ve never believed anyone could deserve you.’ He smiled. ‘But I don’t think I’ve ever a seen a man so in love.’
She nodded, her heart pounding, suddenly overwhelmed by emotion.
‘Right, then!’ Her dad stood up and held out the simple posy of white daisies she’d chosen as a bridal bouquet. ‘Are you ready?’
In reply, she slipped her arm through his.
* * *
Outside, the sun was starting to set, lighting the sky with a pinkish-gold haze.
Rosamund, her bridesmaid, was waiting at the edge of the beach, eyes bright with tears. ‘Oh, Daisy, you look beautiful.’
But there was only time for a quick hug and then they were walking over the dunes towards the sea.
And there Daisy stopped, covering her mouth with her hand.
In front of her, all across the sand, lanterns glowed in the fading light. Lanterns arranged in the shape of a daisy. And standing beside the minister, in the centre of the petals, was Rollo—so golden and handsome in his white shirt and cream linen trousers that she could hardly breathe with loving him so much.
