Page 16 of Best Laid Plans

Lucy was adventurous and as curious about the world as he was, so why hadn’t she been keen to get away? She’d apparently wanted nothing more than to get straight back to Willowbank, to settle down in a veterinary practice.

Her father was a doctor and she’d claimed that she was anxious to follow his example. She’d worked hard to get her degree and she’d looked on travel as a waste of time. Why work at menial jobs simply to earn enough money to move on to the next travel spot, when she could stay in Willowbank and build her career?

At the time, when Will left on his big adventure with Cara in tow, he’d had a vague idea that he might eventually return and find work closer to home.

The news of his brother’s engagement to Lucy McKenty had come out of the blue and he’d been shocked by how much it had worried him, by the urge that had hit him to hurry home. Not that he could blame Lucy for falling in love with Josh.

Everyone in the entire Willow Creek district had loved his outgoing, confident brother – and Josh Carruthers had a habit of getting what he wanted, especially when it came to women.

Will could easily imagine how his brother had flirted with Lucy. Hell, yeah. Josh would have charmed and courted her so expertly she wouldn’t have known what had hit her. And Josh would have offered her the exact life she wanted – marriage and a family, with a sheep station thrown in as the icing on the cake.

But had Josh really, deeply cared for Lucy? Had he wanted to make her happy?

It surprised Will that he still let these questions bother him after all this time.

‘You look down in the mouth.’ Jake’s voice sounded at Will’s elbow. ‘Everything OK?’

Will turned guiltily and forced a grin. ‘It’s been a fabulous night,’ he said, hoping to avoid answering Jake’s question. ‘Ace wedding, mate.’

‘Glad you’ve had a good time.’ Jake nodded his head in Lucy’s direction. ‘She’s a lovely girl.’

It was pointless to pretend he didn’t know who Jake meant. Will nodded. ‘Yeah.’ He shoved his hands deep in his pockets as if the action could somehow comfort him.

‘Mattie told me you two used to be really close.’

‘Close friends,’ Will corrected and he did his best to dismiss this with a shrug, but Jake was watching him in a way that made his neck burn hotly.

Jake smiled. ‘You look as miserable as I felt four months ago, before I sorted everything out with Mattie.’

‘This is totally different. More like a mystery than history,’ Will muttered glumly.

‘Perhaps. But in the end, it all comes down to the same thing.’

Will glared at his friend. ‘I didn’t realise that a marriage ceremony turned a man into an instant relationship guru.’

Jake’s smile faded. ‘Sorry. Was I sounding smug?’

‘You were.’ Will gave another shrug. ‘But I’d probably be smug, too, if I was in your shoes.’

‘Except that you’re right,’ Jake said, looking more serious now. ‘I know nothing about you and Lucy.’

A heavy sigh escaped Will and he realised that despite his fierce reaction, he’d actually been hoping that his friend could reveal some kind of magic insight that would help him to clear the air with Lucy. Anything to be rid of this gnawing guilt he still carried.

‘I think we’re heading off soon,’ Jake said. ‘I guess I’d better find my wife and finish our farewells.’

They shook hands and Will wished his mate all the best and it wasn’t much later before the guests started gathering on the footpath to wave the happy couple off.

In the light of a street lamp, Will could see Lucy’s golden hair shimmering palely as she kissed Mattie and Jake, before she drifted back, to watch their departure from the edge of the crowd.

Mattie was laughing as she stood at the car’s open door and lifted her bouquet of white roses. Will saw Lucy backing even further away, almost trying to hide.

Then the roses were sailing through the air in a high arc. There were girlish squeals of laughter and hands rose to try to grab the flowers, but Mattie’s aim was sure. The bouquet landed square on Lucy’s nose and she had no choice but to catch it.

A cheer went up and Lucy gave a bashful smile and held the bouquet high, no doubt knowing that all of Willowbank would love to see their favourite vet married.

But she was probably grateful that everyone’s attention quickly returned to the bride and groom. Jake was already helping Mattie into the car.

Over the heads of the crowd he sent Will a flashing grin and Will answered with a thumbs-up.

---