Page 36 of Lime Tree Hill

“But the sun’s about to set.”

“Tayla. Stop.” Tim lowered his camera and reached into the bag for another lens. “He’ll be here. Come on.”

She followed him across the stack of pancake rocks and looked out to the South Pacific Ocean. There was little to no wind, but the waves were loud and excitable. To the north, surfers bobbed on their boards—black dots in a vast sea of sunset hues—waiting for their turn in the lineup. And behind her, as the coast curved around the bay, the city of Clifton Falls dominated the distant vista.

Despite her fear of open water, Tayla loved Petrie Bay. When they were younger, she and Tim would meet at the beach at dawn and cook toast over an open fire while watching the sunrise and putting their world in order. They’d talk books and music, and sometimes, boys and how neither of them felt they belonged. It seemed like only yesterday.

Now her world was about to turn upside down. There’d be no order in the coming months. No sense of contentment as she packed up her family home and moved away from all she held dear. Her mother and father, Ruby and Lisa—her tiny Bondi apartment.All she could do was take a deep breath, brace herself, and hope she landed safely on the other side.

“Tayla?”

“Yes.” She looked up, her hand shielding her eyes from the sun.

Tim cocked his head toward the car driving down the road. “Look.”

16

THE KNOT

Tim’s carwas empty when they stopped beside it. As the celebrant cut the engine, Mitch leaned forward and peered through the windshield. “Do you see them?”

“There she is.” The celebrant pointed to the rocks. “Right. Let’s do this. We’re fifteen minutes late as it is.”

Once out of the car, Mitch strolled toward her, adjusting his tie as Luka and the celebrant followed a few steps behind. The closer he got, the faster he walked. But as she turned, he stopped. With her hair falling in burnished waves around her shoulders, the fading light catching the folds of her dress and the surf crashing over the rocks behind her, she took his breath away.

The significance of what they were about to do slammed into him like a sucker punch. “This is for you, Norman, you romantic old bastard,” he murmured under his breath.

Tayla smiled shyly, and as he regained his senses, Mitch stepped forward, one hand outstretched, urging her to join him. She lifted her skirt and navigated the rocks to where they’d stand in front of the celebrant. When she reached his side, he took her hand. It felt as cold as ice. For a moment, he wondered if she had a warm heart under that facade of indifference.

“Sorry we’re late. We got caught in a mob of sheep just past the orchard. They blocked the road for a while.” He stepped back, taking in her outfit, the flowers, and how her complexion came alive under the late-afternoon light. She’d be uncomfortable with the attention, but at that moment, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. “You look amazing. That dress is perfect.”

A blush bloomed on both cheeks as she pulled her hand from his. “Thank you. I like your suit. And thanks for the flowers.”

It wasn’t much of a compliment, but he’d take it. And as she stood in front of him, preparing to recite her vows, it was the first time he’d considered a different outcome from this sham of a marriage. The first time his fascination for her hinted at something more than the physical.

“Are you doing okay?” he murmured.

“Yes, fine.” Tayla looked back at Tim, who stepped forward to take her bouquet. Mitch took both of her hands in his, and as he rubbed his thumbs over her knuckles, he sensed her relax.

The ceremony was brief and efficient. There were no handwritten vows, no romantic love songs. Just the two of them ‘repeating after me’ while Tim viewed them through the lens and Luka stood to one side, the rings in the breast pocket of his suit.

Mitch had been on edge all day, constantly second-guessing their decision, and as he held the ring at the tip of her finger, ready to slide it into place, his hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

By contrast, when it was her turn to place his band, she did so with purpose. And when he looked into those soulful eyes, her expression softened as she smiled for the second time that day.

“By the power vested in me by the laws of New Zealand, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The celebrant beamed. “Mitch, you may kiss your bride.”

There was no hesitation on his part. He leaned in and kissed her gently, his lips confident against hers. Her reluctance was evident, but at least she kissed him back. What more could he expect?

Luka moved forward, pulling everyone into a group hug before the celebrant said her goodbyes.

Mitch looked at Tayla. “Shall we FaceTime my in-laws? Tell them the news?”

Tayla frowned. “What, now?”

“No time like the present.”

Luka laughed. “This, I have to see.”

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