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I nod and give him a thumbs up, then turn my attention to the view outside the window.
It’s a spectacular trip. Alex flies us up the Waimakariri River valley, with the vast, flat, open fields of the Canterbury region on either side, and then before long we’re heading into the Southern Alps. The slopes are thickly forested, and Alex points out landmarks as we go, like the gleaming waters of Lake Coleridge in the distance, and the wonderfully named Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall.
I’m stunned by the scenery. But that’s not the main reason why my pulse shows no signs of slowing down. I can’t believe I’m getting married today.
It’s not how I’d imagined my wedding would turn out. Mum and I discussed it sometimes when I was young, the way I imagine all girls do, talking about my dress and who’d be my bridesmaids, which church I’d get married in, and what kind of reception I’d have.
And, despite the fact that my husband-to-be is a billionaire, I’m not having any of those things. No church, no bridesmaids, no magnificent dress or reception.
I told James that I wasn’t particularly religious, but I feel some sadness now at the thought that I’m not getting married in church. I don’t know why. I suppose marriage is more sacred to me than I realized. I don’t think the undercurrent of shame at what I’m doing is going away anytime soon.
When we went shopping, the girls joked that they were going to help me turn this fake marriage into a real one. I felt a sweep of excitement at the time, but now I just feel embarrassed. James and I have lurched from disaster to disaster, and even though I think he finds me attractive, I’m sure he doesn’t view this marriage as anything other than a means to an end. I shouldn’t have let the girls talk me into believing I stood a chance.
I think about the outfit in my bag they made me buy and cringe a little inside. Maybe I won’t wear it. Perhaps I’ll just wear the cream pants I brought with my white tee for going home tomorrow.
But the outfit is beautiful, and I feel a swell of stubbornness at the thought that I won’t get to wear it. Screw it. If nothing else, we have to make it look as if this is a real ceremony, right? So I’m going to wear it, and if he thinks it’s a little over the top, well, he shouldn’t have let me loose with his credit card.
Alex sets the helicopter down south of the Waimakariri River in one of the few fields in the area. A minivan is waiting for us, and the driver puts the bags in the back, we climb in, and then he sets off for the lodge.
When he pulls up out the front, the four of us climb out with jaws dropping. The large wooden lodge is nestled in the forest, with a magnificent view of the snow-topped mountains, and a small stream behind it.
We retrieve Leia, then make our way up the steps to the front desk.
“Mr. Winters,” the receptionist says with a smile as Alex approaches. “Welcome to Kea Lodge.”
“This is Mr. Rutherford and Ms. Wihongi,” Alex tells her. “They’re the couple who are getting married this afternoon.”
“Oh, congratulations,” she says enthusiastically. “You must be so excited.”
“Over the moon,” James says, amused, and I blush.
She smiles. “Everything’s ready for you, and Sharon will be arriving shortly, ready for the service at four. If you’d like to check these forms and sign at the bottom, we’ll get you to your lodges and you can rest before the big event.”
I exchange a glance with Missie as the two guys check the forms. It’s just occurred to me what’s going to happen.
We’re staying the night here. Oh shit. In the same room?
“Here you go,” the receptionist says, and she hands the two guys a key card each. “Mr. Winters, you and Ms. Macbeth are in the Mountain Daisy Lodge. Mr. Rutherford and Ms. Wihongi, you’ll be in the Buttercup Lodge.”
James takes the key card automatically, then stares at Alex.
Alex stares back.
James puts his hands on his hips.
Alex lifts his eyebrows. “Gotta make it look good, you said.”
James runs his tongue across his top teeth and glances at me. I’m too in shock at the thought of sharing a room with him to react.
Conscious of the receptionists trying not to listen, he clears his throat, then says, “Okay, come on.”
The four of us follow the porter out. He takes us across to the individual private lodges on the other side, unlocks Alex and Missie’s, and takes their cases in.
“Thank you,” Alex says. “See you guys in the foyer at 3:45?”
“Sure,” James says, throwing him a look. He picks up Leia’s carry seat and follows the porter to the farthest lodge from the main building, and we go inside.
All thoughts flee my head at the sight of the beautiful lodge. It’s open plan, with the bedroom, living room, and kitchenette forming one big space, with huge windows that look out onto the forest and the mountains beyond. A fancy bathroom contains a deep bath and a shower.
