“Lovely to see you again, too. It was a beautiful wedding.” Frost said, assuming that, as the mother of the groom, she would have had some involvement and would appreciate the compliment.
Gloria raised her hand airily. “I had absolutely nothing to do with it. They hired a wedding planner, she’s a little…” Gloria checked around to make sure the woman in question was nowhere to be seen, “scary. I made a couple of suggestions, and she glared at me, so I stopped.”
Frost lips tugged upwards as he said, “Now, I don’t believe that for one moment. I don’t think you’re scared of anyone.”
“Okay, fine,” Gloria chortled. “I got the things I wanted in the wedding, and then I made other silly suggestions so the planner would think she won.”
“Tell me. What did you really want?” Frost asked.
“Good champagne and canapés while the wedding photos are being taken.”
“That’s it?” Frost laughed.
“No. I wanted it served to the wedding party while they were having photos taken, not just the guests. That planner told me it wasn’t the done thing, and I wasn’t allowed. So, I requested doves and butterflies to be released after the ceremony. Then I asked for fireworks and got upset when she told me they weren’t allowed in the Australian bush—which I knew. I was just being dramatic. She then decided some champagne and canapés were fine.” Gloria grinned broadly.
“You’re very devious.” Frost held his arm out to Gloria. “May I escort you?”
“Why, don’t mind if I do.” Gloria took his arm.
Frost walked carefully, his crutch supporting him on one side, and he hated to admit it, but he leaned on Gloria a little as they walked. “I’m sorry. I’m still not great on my feet,” he apologised.
“That’s alright, Frost. I’m enjoying being on the arm of a young man.” She gazed up at him smiling, and then she added, “It’s lovely you could be here today with your woman.”
Frost looked sharply at her face. It was straight, but she had an unmistakable twinkle in her eye.
“She’s not my woman,” he replied, unable to stop the regret from seeping into his voice.
“Oh, Frost.” Gloria nudged him with her elbow, which was linked through his. “From the minute Taylor began talking about Clara, I knew she was his woman. She was the only one for him. I see the same in you when you look at Hel.”
Frost shook his head. “She’s not mine.”
“She’s yours and you’re hers. It may seem impossible now, but things have a way of working out.” Gloria winked at him.
Frost hesitated. Could it work out? He wanted to believe it could, but his job was in Canada, and Hel was adamant she couldn’t move anywhere.
“Anyway, young man. I’m needed for the photos.” She stood up on tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek before she scampered away.
Frost laughed when he noticed the sparkling gold baseball boots hidden under her long skirt. He watched her dash over to the bridal party, and his eyes snagged on Hel, who was lifting up her skirt to stop it from trailing in the dirt. He laughed again when he realised she also wore sparkling baseball boots, but hers were green and matched her dress.
He tore his eyes away from Hel and saw Sadie and Clara also had baseball boots on, and Gloria had a shoebox under her arm and was advancing on someone who he assumed was Clara’s mom. The other woman seemed to be trying to protest until she finally succumbed to Gloria’s charm. Taking the shoebox from Taylor’s mum, she opened it and pulled out another pair of sparkling baseball boots, these ones navy to match her dress.
When he looked away from the older women and back to Hel, she was staring at him. He waved, and the smile she gave him and the small wave back had him walking across to her. Well, limping across to her.
“Hi.” Frost stood in front of her, leaning heavily on his crutch.
“Hi,” Hel replied. A smile breaking out across her face as she stared at him.
“Clara invited me.”
“I know.” Hel rolled her eyes. “We had a discussion before we walked down the aisle.”
“That’s what you three were talking about?” He assumed it had been by the way the three women had all looked directly at him.
“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you’re here. But it was a surprise.” Hel huffed a small laugh. “So this is it? One perfect date.”
“Yes,” Frost agreed. “I wish things could be different,” he added sadly.
“Me too. But if all we can have is today. I’ll take it.” Hel held her hand out to him, and he didn’t hesitate, entwining his fingers with hers.
