Emergency Response (2 page)

Three days later Mackenzie sat beneath the shade of a large market umbrella at Eagle’s Ridge, the organic paddock-to-plate farm and café Kate and Joel had recently opened. The sun shone and clouds floated by. Every now and then an eagle swooped and soared, searching for food, and in the distance a horse whinnied. It was the perfect setting for Kate and Joel’s pre-wedding celebration.

Small groups of family and friends talked and laughed together as they stood in clusters on the lush green lawn with wine glasses in hand and smiles on their faces, but Mackenzie didn’t join them. She hardly knew anyone, and being the introvert she was, she was keeping to herself. From beneath the wide brim of her sunhat she studied Kate’s parents Michael and Elizabeth as they mingled and chatted with guests. The pride they displayed for their daughter caused a familiar stab of envy through Mackenzie’s heart. What would it feel like to be loved like that?

Over the sounds of chatter, Mackenzie heard a man’s distinctive laughter ring out. It was Nathan, Kate’s very attractive older brother.

“My sister reckons she won’t be late,” he declared.

Mackenzie laughed quietly.
Yeah, right!

She had been in the bridal party for each of her sisters’ weddings, and in her experience nuptials 
never
went according to plan. Her super organized friend liked to be in control but Mackenzie had no doubt Kate would be late to her own wedding. It was inevitable with brides.

Nathan stood with a group of people, beer bottle in hand, and her stomach flipped. He was gorgeous. The casual jeans and shirt fitted his body perfectly, and she gazed with appreciation at his long lean legs and cute backside. At thirty-five, he was the same age as she was, but his face showed no evidence of the years other than a few laughter lines around his brown eyes. Clean-shaven with neatly trimmed dark brown hair, he carried off the Aussie boy-next-door look to perfection. A man like that was exactly Mackenzie’s type.

He chatted with a group of women, looking relaxed and at ease in their company. One of them hung off his every word, peppering the conversation with head tosses and little touches on his arm. Probably batting her eyelashes too. Mackenzie groaned, feeling sorry for Nathan and all the other men who had to put up with the woman’s silly antics. Mackenzie hated the whole flirting thing, but what did she know? Maybe that’s why she was still single.

So why was
 he
 single? Earlier that day when Kate had told Mackenzie her brother was waiting for the right girl to come along, Mackenzie’s over-active imagination had run wild. Perhaps
she 
could be the right girl for Nathan Kennedy?

She stared longingly at him again before her daydream came to a screeching halt. A little voice screamed at her,
“W
hat would
he
see in
you
?”
 She filed her dream away with all the others. What did it matter if her heart sped up every time she looked at him? It wasn’t as though he was going to take any notice of her – she was just one of his sister’s friends. Besides, she wasn’t pretty enough for a guy like him, so there was no point getting her hopes up. After this weekend they’d probably never see each other again.

On the other side of the garden Joel whispered something in Kate’s ear, causing her to blush and giggle. He then leaned over and kissed her full on the lips. Mackenzie smiled dreamily. If only someone would kiss 
her
 like that one day.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Mackenzie did a double take and her pulse quickened. She’d forgotten about Joel’s twin brother. What was his name? 
Luke? Lachie?

“I’m Liam,” he said, sitting down beside her. “Joel’s better-looking half. We haven’t met.”

For some reason the Irish accent caught her off guard. “Mackenzie Jones.”

She stuck out her hand, startled when he grasped it and brought it to his lips.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mackenzie Jones.”

Mackenzie extracted her hand. “Likewise.”

“Do you mind if I join you?”

“No, not at all.”

He pulled his chair closer and sat, crossing his long legs at the ankles. He held his beer bottle to his lips and took a long pull, watching her through partially closed eyelids. This man was sexy and dangerous, the opposite of his easygoing brother, Joel.

“You say you’re the better-looking half, but I thought you were identical twins,” Mackenzie said.

He grinned, showing off deep dimples. “Ah, we might be identical, but you have to admit, I’m the better-looking one.”

She smiled. “I don’t think I’ll answer that.”

“So, 
Mackenzie
.” His blue-gray eyes fixed on hers. “That’s an interesting name.”

Was he flirting with her? If he leaned any closer she’d be wearing his overpowering aftershave. Her throat tightened and she tried to swallow but her mouth was dry. Good-looking men never hit on her.

“My father named me. I know it’s usually a boys’ name, but all of us have names which can be either boys’ or girls’ names.” She was talking too much, stumbling over her words, making no sense.

“Well I think it suits you … Mackenzie …”

He said her name again and his cute Irish accent caused a shiver to zip down her spine. Flustered, she ran her damp hands down the front of her dress. Maybe it was simply the sun and the alcohol making her feel strange, not Liam. She needed to move the attention away from herself.

“They look so perfect together don’t they?” she said, motioning toward Kate and Joel.

“Yes, they do. Kate is perfect for my brother.” He leaned forward in his seat and rested his elbows on his thighs. “But you’re changing the subject,
Mackenzie
. You didn’t tell me what you were thinking about.”

“Oh,” Mackenzie said, with a small laugh. She took a sip of her wine. “You
definitely
don’t want to know what I was thinking.”

“Maybe I do.”

She was glad her hat covered much of her face – she was definitely blushing.

“It was nothing.”

“Aw, come on, you can tell me.”

Whether it was the romance of the day, the glass of white wine warming her insides, or the man with the adorable accent beside her, Mackenzie’s resolve broke.

“All right,” she said. “I was just wishing someone would kiss me the way Joel kisses Kate.”

There. She’d said it.

Liam’s eyes widened. “Seriously? No one has ever kissed you like that?”

Mackenzie opened her mouth to give him a sarcastic reply but never got the chance. In one swift movement, he placed his hand behind her head and pulled her toward him and she fell, almost landing in his lap. His lips met hers, and before she had time to react, he tried to push his tongue into her mouth.

Planting her hands on his chest, she pushed him away. “What was that for?”

Liam smirked. “You wanted to be kissed.”

“No I didn’t!”

His eyes twinkled. “You just told me you were sitting here wishing someone would kiss you the way Joel kisses Kate. You asked me to kiss you.”

Mackenzie pushed back her chair and stood, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. “I didn’t mean I wanted to be kissed by 
you
! I meant I want someone who
 loves
 me to kiss me the way Joel kisses Kate.”

Liam stood the same time as she did and stared down at her. “What’s one little kiss between friends?”

“Friends?” Mackenzie spluttered. She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “I just met you!”

He laughed. “Relax Mackenzie. You’re so uptight. That’s why you needed to be kissed.”

She opened her mouth then closed it again. Uptight? The nerve of the guy! Was he drunk?

“I’ve been watching you all day, Mackenzie,” he continued, ignoring the daggers she was giving him. “You’re insecure. You don’t think you’re as beautiful as the other women here. I can see it written across your face, but you’re wrong. You’re one very sexy woman and I wanted to show you that by giving you a little kiss.” He shrugged and swayed a little. “What else can I say?”

Yep, definitely drunk.

“What else can you say? How about nothing?!” She picked up her bag and slung it across her shoulder. “I think you’ve said more than enough.” She turned on her heel and marched toward the house, hoping no one had seen their little exchange. Nor the tears of humiliation forming in her eyes.

How was she going to get through the wedding tomorrow?

Of course Kate was late.

Mackenzie stepped out of the small red brick church and shaded her eyes with one hand. She stared down the hill toward the main road but there was still no sign of the cars. Kate was over half an hour behind schedule and Joel was getting nervous.

The pungent smell of pine needles filled Mackenzie’s nostrils and she looked up, grateful for the shady canopy overhead providing much- needed relief from the relentless sun. When it was obvious the bridal party was running late, the crowd of guests and onlookers had moved inside to the cool recess of the church to escape the scorching temperatures outside. Mackenzie didn’t mind the heat and had volunteered to remain on lookout duty.

She peered toward the main road again. Squinting in the bright sunlight, she smiled with relief. In the distance a cloud of dust hovered low on the horizon. That had to be them.

Minutes later two four-wheel drives pulled off the gravel road into the church grounds, bumping their way slowly over the dry grass and twisted pine tree roots toward her. The bride was here!

Mackenzie ducked back into the church and gave the thumbs-up sign to the minister who was squinting expectantly in her direction. He gave a tiny nod and the gathered guests took a deep breath and released it almost in unison. The groom wasn’t about to be left standing at the altar!

Mackenzie glanced at the three men who stood impatiently at the front of the church. Nathan was shifting from one foot to the other, looking worried. She caught his eye and gave him a quick smile. Relief washed over his face and he returned the smile. Again, it struck Mackenzie how handsome he was. Today in his dark suit and white shirt, he looked like a model. She refused to look at Liam.

Back outside, Emma O’Connor, Joel and Liam’s younger sister, was the first to step out of the car. At twenty-two she was naturally blonde, thin and stunning. Emma looked down, carefully placing her feet on the narrow strip of red carpet outside the front of the church so her high heels didn’t touch the dirt. Mackenzie didn’t know why she bothered – by the end of the day everything would be covered in a thin layer of pale yellow dust. Turning back to the car, Emma accepted two bouquets of flowers from Melissa Bennett. Like Emma, Melissa was also blonde and petite. As well as being one of Kate’s closest friends, Melissa was also the unit manager where Mackenzie worked in Sydney – the place where Mackenzie, Melissa and Kate had become friends years earlier.

If Emma or Melissa were surprised Mackenzie was the only one waiting to greet them outside the church, they didn’t show it. They looked toward the church in anticipation, smiling the way all bridesmaids do as the music floated through the open doors. Behind them, their car inched forward, leaving them standing side by side to wait for Kate.

A late model Range Rover pulled up beside them seconds later. Across the polished bonnet, white ribbons fluttered in the hot wind. The bright afternoon sun bounced off the windscreen. Inside, behind tinted windows and sitting in air-conditioned comfort was Kate and her father Michael.

When the car came to a standstill Michael opened the rear passenger door for Kate and Mackenzie gasped. All brides were beautiful, but Kate looked incredible.
She’s got a better backside than Pippa Middleton.
Mackenzie sighed, half in pleasure and half in envy. She always felt like this at weddings.

“Hope you’re prepared for the heat,” Mackenzie called out as Kate’s head emerged from the car’s cool interior.

Mackenzie couldn’t even guess what the temperature had climbed to, but figured it had to be much hotter than the thirty-six degrees predicted. It was two weeks since the seasons had changed and summer was officially over, but someone had forgotten to let God know. Thankfully, Kate and Joel had decided on an indoor wedding. At least it would be cool inside the century-old brick church and the reception venue would be air-conditioned.

“You
did
remember to put on sunscreen didn’t you?” Melissa asked, looking at Kate’s bare shoulders.

There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and Mackenzie’s own skin tingled even though she’d lathered on sunscreen earlier that morning.

A hot northerly wind whipped across the paddocks and gusted through the pine trees, bringing with it a cloud of dust. Boughs creaked and branches swayed. Mackenzie touched the back of her neck. Wispy pieces of her dark brown hair had already fallen out of the elaborate up-do and clung to her skin, forming little curls where the sweat gathered. Her makeup was probably sliding off her face too.

The photographer appeared from nowhere. “That’s perfect, Kate!” he said, clicking away from different angles. He took a few more shots before stepping back so Michael could help Kate from the car. “You look amazing,” he said.

He was right. Mackenzie sucked in her stomach and looked down at her strapless dress, smoothing the material across her waist and hips. Had it been worth spending so much money on “suck it in” underwear? The sales lady in Myer had promised it would reduce her shape by two dress sizes, but she had lied – the dress Mackenzie ended up buying was still a size fourteen. She wasn’t fat, but she still felt frumpy beside her skinny friends.

Kate’s tinkling laugh floated toward Mackenzie, interrupting her negative thoughts.
Stop it
, she told herself sternly.
This day is all about Kate, not you.

Michael Kennedy held out his arm for his daughter, his face lit up with a radiant smile. “Well darling, are you ready?”

“I’ve never been more ready,” Kate said.

Melissa leaned over and adjusted the train of Kate’s dress, straightening it so it hung perfectly. She squeezed Kate’s arm. “Today is the first day of the rest of your life, Kate. Try to savor and enjoy every moment, because trust me, the hours will fly by and pretty soon all you’ll have are the photos to remind you of how special this day was.”

Mackenzie had initially been relieved when Kate had overlooked her for bridesmaid duties, but now, watching Melissa and Emma fuss over Kate, she felt on the outer. She brushed the unpleasant thoughts away and gave herself another mental shake. She had to stop the ridiculous jealousy that always sprang up at weddings.

She was about to step into the church when Kate reached for her hand. “Mackenzie, it means so much to have you share this day with us. I’m so glad you came.”

Hot tears pricked Mackenzie’s eyes. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, Kate. It looks like moving to the country was the best decision you’ve ever made.” Mackenzie laughed. “I might have to try it myself. Now, go inside and get married!”

Mackenzie ducked in front of her friends and took her seat in the back of the church. As she did, the strains of the old pipe organ, together with the string quartet playing the bridal march, filled her ears. Even though Mackenzie had been a bridesmaid more times than she liked to admit and had seen all manner of wedding ceremonies, she still loved a traditional church wedding.

Facing the front of the church, she clutched the back of the wooden pew and watched Joel. It was her favorite part of any wedding ceremony – the moment the groom first laid eyes on his bride as she walked down the aisle.

Joel O’Connor was not about to be disappointed.

*

Half an hour later the service was over. Mackenzie pulled a scrunched up tissue from the bottom of her bag and dried her tears, hoping she didn’t have mascara smudged down her cheeks. Kate and Joel made their slow exit up the center aisle, hugging people as they went, followed by their bridal party. Mackenzie smiled when she caught Nathan watching her. As he walked past her, he gently touched her arm. A few steps later, he glanced back and gave her another encouraging smile, and her heart melted. He was such a sweet man.

The bright sunlight outside the church made her squint and she instantly wished she hadn’t when she heard the photographer clicking away on his camera. She hoped it wasn’t pointed in her direction, but knowing her luck, it probably was.

Mackenzie searched the crowd for Nathan. He and Emma were partners, and despite a fourteen-year age difference, they made an attractive couple. Mackenzie’s eyes moved quickly from Emma to Nathan and her heart did another small flip. He was hot. She forced her mind elsewhere. There was no way he would notice her.

She glanced at Liam and then looked away. Her exchange with him the night before was still playing on her mind. And on her emotions. She hated to admit it, but his words had rattled her. “
You’re a sexy woman,”
he had said. Mackenzie was lots of things, but in her opinion, “sexy” definitely wasn’t one of them. All the same, it had felt nice to be noticed.

When the wedding party headed off for photos Mackenzie got in her own car and headed for the reception venue. Joel and Kate had chosen a private historic homestead just outside of Birrangulla for their wedding reception. The owners of the home had converted the former stables into an intimate dining room that seated fifty people. Only a small group of Kate and Joel’s family and friends were invited.

The night was indeed low-key – the way Kate and Joel wanted it. The food was incredible and Mackenzie enjoyed herself despite spending the whole time avoiding Liam. After the main meal, the lights were turned down and the DJ cranked up the music. Mackenzie’s table consisted of Kate’s friends from the intensive care unit at the Birrangulla Base Hospital where Kate was the new unit manager. Like most functions where nurses were invited, the women outnumbered the men, but it didn’t appear to bother them. They had taken off their shoes and looked like they were settling in for a long night of partying and drinking. They spent most of the night on the dance floor, having a fantastic time.

The squeal of the microphone pierced her ears and Mackenzie turned to see Liam step up to the lectern. It was time for the best man speech. A movement on the other side of the room caught her eye. She watched as Nathan picked up his chair and carried it above his head toward her. Heads turned to follow his progress and Mackenzie caught the look on Liam’s reddened face. He had been upstaged and he wasn’t impressed. She shuffled her seat sideways to make room for Nathan at the table and he plonked his chair down beside hers, noisily flopping into it.

“Having fun?” he asked.

“Shhh,” she hissed. Everyone at the table stared at them.

“Shouldn’t you be sitting up there?” she whispered, pointing to the bridal table.

“And leave you sitting here alone? No way. Liam’s taking care of his brother and I reckon my sister can take care of herself. I couldn’t stand back watching you on your own.”

Mackenzie frowned. “I’m fine.” She massaged her temples where a killer headache was suddenly brewing. She was in for a long night. She checked her watch. Only a couple more hours and she would be free to leave without being rude.

“Anyway, it’s only Liam and he’ll carry on about nothing for a bit. That’s what the best man does. I’ll be quiet when Dad gets up to speak.”

Nathan didn’t bother to lower his voice and heads turned again. Liam, still in the middle of speaking, froze and glared at them. Nathan returned the look. For some reason there was no love lost between the two men. What was that all about?

“Shhh!” Mackenzie implored again. Nathan was embarrassing her and she hated being the center of attention.

“Have you missed me?”

Mackenzie frowned. “What are you talking about?” she whispered back.

“I just thought you might have missed me,” he said. “You know, since you don’t know anyone here. I wouldn’t want you to be sitting on your own feeling lonely all night. How about we have a dance later?”

What was it with men when they’d had too many drinks? Up until then, she was having a lovely night, full of laughter and conversation with Kate’s friends. Despite knowing hardly anyone, she hadn’t felt lonely once – Kate’s friends had welcomed her and made her feel right at home. So why should she even notice Nathan’s absence? As much as she might have harbored a secret daydream of a possible future with him for three and a half minutes the day before at the barbecue, she wasn’t stupid enough to think dreams like that came true. She rubbed her forehead again, willing the headache to go.

Thankfully, Nathan remained quiet for the remainder of the speeches and half an hour later Kate and Joel put the knife through their wedding cake. At that exact moment, a flash of lightning lit up the entire room. “Oohs” and “aahs” were heard as everyone waited for the thunder to follow. Instead, the next flash of lightning cut the power and the entire venue was plunged into darkness and silence, lit only by the candles on each table. A crash of thunder followed. The lights flickered and then came back on and the crowd cheered when the DJ turned the music up.

As people made their way back onto the dance floor, another flash of lightning illuminated the room and Mackenzie saw a storm of a different kind approaching. Liam was striding toward them.

Mackenzie sighed. As she had predicted, things
never
went according to plan at weddings.

“What the hell was that all about?”

Mackenzie heard the anger in Liam’s voice, saw the clenched fists by his side.

“Nothing, mate!” Nathan stood, holding up both palms.

“Do you want to take this outside?” Liam asked.

“I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about,” Nathan replied.

“You interrupted me while I was trying to speak.” Liam’s lips pressed together in anger.

“You deserved it,” Nathan said.

The two men stood face to face, their chests puffed out like roosters, squared off and ready to fight. There was no difference in height between them.

“Why did I deserve it?” Liam demanded.

“I saw what you did to Mackenzie yesterday at the barbecue!”

Mackenzie’s eyes flew open. Had Nathan seen Liam try to kiss her? She frowned in confusion. What did that matter to Nathan?

“You should bloody well learn to keep your hands off,” Nathan growled. “You think you’re God’s gift to women and it’s about time someone tells you you’re not! Real men don’t crack onto women the way you do.” Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “I know all about what you tried with my sister too.”