The Bridesmaid's Hero (2 page)

Serena bit her lip, her hazel eyes close to tears. “What can we do? I can’t hide the shoe problem, and I can’t walk down the aisle barefoot.”

Gina hugged her sister. “I’m so sorry. If only I hadn’t tried to drag you to the car. It’s all my fault and I’ll take the blame.”

“I’m a klutz in heels” Her voice faltered. “I should have told Debbie I needed flat shoes.”

“You did tell her, but she wouldn’t listen. As usual.”

Harry plucked the two-inch heel out of the gravel. “It’s a clean break and I should be able to reattach it.”

“Seriously?” Serena pushed a long dark curl off her beautiful face. “You can fix it?”

He nodded. “I have a repair kit in the car. The adhesive glue will do the trick.”

A smile curved her lips, her relief palpable. “Harry, you’re a lifesaver. Debbie won’t need to know about this.”

“Agreed,” Gina said. “This can be our secret.”

Serena lifted her knee and stared at her damaged shoe. “Can I walk on it?”

“Nope. We’re short on time and walking on it could make it harder to repair.”

“How will I get back to the car?”

He scanned the short distance between Serena and the car. Broken glass littered the gravel and dirt beside the road. “I’ll carry you.”

“No way.” Her gaze locked with his, her wide eyes communicating her discomfort.

“It’s your best option.” He crossed his arms over his chest, his tone resolute. “You can’t hop in heels and there’s glass on the ground. Walking in bare feet isn’t an option.”

She glanced in the direction of the car. “You’re right.”

Gina clapped her hands together. “Good idea, Harry. I’ll open the car door.”

“Thanks, Gina.” He passed the broken heel to Gina and moved closer to Serena. Her subtle perfume surrounded him, a pleasant floral scent. “If you can wrap your arms around my shoulders, I’ll hook my right arm under your knees.”

Her eyes brightened. “I’m not usually the helpless female, but thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He bent his head closer to hers, relieved she’d agreed to his plan. Time was against them and every minute counted. His boss, Jack, wouldn’t be happy if they arrived late. 

Serena reached up and grabbed hold of his shoulders. He squatted and picked her up in his arms, her slim legs hidden beneath the folds in her skirt.

She snuggled closer and he sucked in a calming breath. He could get used to having her in his arms. Not a good plan—she was way out of his league. Beautiful, and already a successful chef in her early twenties, she could have her pick of city guys with more to offer than him.

He strode to the car, his muscles adjusting to the extra load. He was used to working with horses and she was a lightweight by comparison. Too soon, he reached the car and lowered her onto the seat.

“Thanks.” She sounded breathless, as if the close proximity had affected her as well.

He smiled. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

Gina followed him to the rear of the car. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Reassure your sister that her shoe will be as good as new by the time we reach Sunny Ridge.”

“That I can do.”

He located a bath towel and two tubes of adhesive glue before returning to Serena. Gina trailed behind.

Serena looked up, meeting his gaze. “Will it take long?”

He shook his head and placed the clean towel on her lap, covering her knees and bulky skirt. “Only a few minutes.”

“That’s a relief.”

He removed her broken shoe from her foot and placed it on the towel. “You’ll need to hold the shoe and heel together for at least thirty minutes.”

Her eyes sparkled. “No problem. I’m grateful you can fix it.”

“We have an emergency kit to cover all kinds of disasters. I’ve hand-sewn seams and hems at the last minute.”

“That’s impressive.”

“It’s all part of the job.”

Gina handed him the recalcitrant heel and walked around to her side of the car.

He glued the heel to the shoe, locking it into place. “All done. By the time we arrive in Sunny Ridge, it will be ready to wear.”

“What happens if it comes loose again?”

“Do you have your phone?”

She nodded.

“I’ll give you my number. Call me if it breaks, and I’ll fix it.”

“Thank you, and I hope I won’t need to call you.”

He grinned. “I’ll be close by if you need anything.” The glue should hold, but it was more effective if it dried over a longer period of time. He’d take any excuse to watch over Serena—the prospect made his job a whole lot more interesting.

Chapter Two

Serena retrieved her phone from a hidden pocket in her skirt and added Harry’s number to her list of contacts. He repeated the number out loud, but she didn’t want to take any chances. “I’ll send you a message soon to check I have the right number.”

“No worries.” He stretched in his seat and rolled his broad shoulders. “We’re about fifteen minutes from the park.”

Gina twisted a loose curl around her finger. “We’re supposed to be there now. Debbie is going to be furious.”

“I know, and I now have phone reception.” Serena pressed send on her message to Harry.

His phone beeped. “Got it.”

“Excellent.” She stared at the shoe resting on the towel in her lap. Would the heel stay attached for the whole wedding?

Her phone beeped multiple times as six messages from Debbie scrolled on the screen. Serena called Debbie, who answered within seconds.

“Serena, where are you?”

“We’re less than fifteen minutes away.”

“Why? What happened?” Debbie’s shrill voice echoed in the car.

“We had a few unexpected delays.”

“Mom and Dad are here with Crystal, and the photographer is waiting on you two.”

“Don’t stress. Harry is taking good care of us.”

Debbie sighed. “That’s what he’s being paid to do. Please tell me nothing went wrong with the car.”

“The car is awesome. We stopped to help an injured cyclist.”

“Near the pine forest?” Debbie asked, the worry in her voice evidence that her usual good nature was still under today’s bridezilla exterior. “We passed a guy riding solo.”

“That’s him, and it’s a long story.” Serena identified her mom’s agitated voice in the background. “Start the photo session and we’ll be there shortly.”

“Okay, stay safe. I hope nothing else goes wrong.”

“Everything will be fine, and we’ll see you soon.” She disconnected the call and Gina grabbed hold of her forearm.

“Is Debbie losing it because we’re late?”

“She’s coping. We’re missing out on photos.”

Her sister pulled a face. “As if we didn’t pose for enough photos before we left.”

“You need to get used to the idea of smiling nonstop for the rest of the day.” She ran her fingertips over the shoe’s soft pink satin fabric. “Harry, I’m worried about my shoe. What if I stumble again? Will the heel come loose?”

He shook his head. “It’s unlikely, but I can’t make any guarantees. Try to take it easy and place as little pressure on it as possible. I’ll check your shoe before we drive to the reception venue.”

Gina giggled. “You can hold onto my arm during the photos. It’s the least I can do to help.”

“Of course, but what happens when you’re not around? I don’t have a date for the wedding.”

He met her gaze in the rearview mirror. “You left your boyfriend in Canberra?”

“No boyfriend.” No time for a serious relationship.

Gina clicked her tongue. “I told you Serena doesn’t have a life. She needs to leave the kitchen if she wants to meet her future husband.”

She groaned. “Now you sound like Mom. And, before you get too excited, your turn will come if you’re still unattached at my age.”

“Twenty-four is hardly over the hill. Mom should be happy that she has one of her daughters married off. At least Debbie eventually agreed to Mom’s request for a church wedding.”

“A good point, and that won’t be a problem for us.” Debbie’s reluctance to have a traditional church wedding was one of the many issues that had created family disharmony during the wedding preparations.

Gina smiled. “I like the Snowgum Creek Community Church building. My old school friends still attend services there.”

Harry turned off at the highway exit and drove past the welcome sign for Sunny Ridge. “Serena, are you planning to go to church in Snowgum Creek?”

“Yes, and I haven’t been there in ages.”

“It’s a nice church community,” Gina said. “I’ll reintroduce you to my friends tomorrow night. Harry, will you be there?”

“Probably not. I have a few minibus group bookings for transfers from the bus station to your parents’ B&B.”

Serena lifted a brow. “You’re a bus driver.”

“It’s one of my many jobs.”

“Is this your car?”

He laughed. “I wish. It belongs to my brother, Josh. He and Kate are driving the vintage cars for a wedding in Snowgum Creek today.”

“It’s a busy time of year for weddings,” Gina said.

“It sure is. Josh and Jack recently invested in the BMWs, and they’re fully booked on weekends until Christmas.”

“It sounds like they have a lucrative business,” she said.

“Your parents going upmarket with their B&B has attracted tourists and helped their business grow.”

Serena nodded. “The B&B is fully booked for most of spring, too, starting tomorrow afternoon when we reopen after the wedding. I’ll hit the ground running.”

“You sure will.” He braked as they approached a red traffic light. “The church is around the corner, and we’re stopping at the park on our left for the photos.”

Serena let out a long breath. “I’m so glad we’re here.”

The light changed to green and he made the turn, steering their car into a spot beside the bridal car.

Gina gave her an encouraging smile. “I’ll go ahead and distract Mom and Debbie while Harry checks your shoe.”

“Good idea.” Serena wiggled her toes into her shoe, the heel looking brand new from the outside. Her parents waited with the photographer under a gum tree on the far side of the park. Debbie and Crystal were nearby at a drinks table with Jack.

Harry opened her door. “I can walk with you, and help you take some weight off your shoe.”

She stared into his dancing blue eyes. “You don’t need to. I’ll try to be careful.”

“It’s not a short walk and the stone paving is uneven.”

Serena closed her eyes for a moment, a small groan escaping from her lips. If she walked barefoot, Debbie might guess that something was wrong. She couldn’t trust Gina to stay quiet, either.

“You can take my arm for support—do whatever it takes to keep that heel intact. Jack messaged me and he’s concerned about your sister. She’s totally stressed out.”

“I know. But if I do that, my mother will make all the wrong assumptions and have us married by November.” She rolled her eyes. “I know the way her mind works. Is that what you want?”

He grinned. “It’s up to you, and your mother probably won’t be the only one to draw conclusions. Small town gossip can be intense.”

“I don’t care about small town gossip.”

“You will. You have to live here for the next few months.”

She stepped out of the car and linked her arm through his, her grip firm on his forearm. “My mother’s matchmaking is scarier.”

“Have you seen my mother in action when she gets an idea in her head?”

“Not yet.” Serena tested the stability of her shoe, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “They may have hatched a scheme to match us.” Harry’s mother had become one of her mom’s closest friends.

He rubbed his hand over his jaw. “Anything is possible. My mom has been doing a lot of extra work at the B&B to help your mom.”

“She’s on light duties for a few months.” Her parents stood together on the lawn, smiling for the photographer. “Debbie’s making the photographer hide my mom’s cast in all the photos.”

“It’s that big a deal?”

“Debbie’s a perfectionist. If my shoe breaks, it will be a disaster.” She held his glittering gaze. “If you can handle the heat, I’m in.”

“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

She walked close to Harry, clutching his muscular forearm as they strolled along the path toward the bridal party. Her pulse picked up speed, her hands clammy. No need to pretend an attraction. Her feelings for Harry were strong and real and unexpected.

He lowered his head and whispered in her ear. “How’s your shoe holding up?”

“So far so good.”

“I could always carry you.”

She chuckled, her face warming. “They’d have us eloping by next weekend.”

“I haven’t got time to elope next weekend. Too much work scheduled.”

She lowered her lashes. “That makes two of us.”

Debbie rushed over, prominent worry lines between her eyebrows. “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

Serena moved away from Harry, her confidence in his successful shoe repair growing with each step. “No, everything is great.”

Her mother greeted them, a luminous smile on her face. “Serena, come with me and I’ll check the hairpins in your up-do are still intact. The photographer is waiting.”

“Sure, Mom.”

Harry cupped her elbow. “Would you like a drink?”

She nodded, her throat parched. “Water would be lovely, thanks.”

“Coming right up.”

She followed her mother into the sunlight, a short distance away from the others.

Her mom grasped her hand, her voice soft. “What’s going on with you and Harry?”

“Nothing. We just met, remember?”

“Hmm, it looks like more than friends to me. Since when do you walk around arm in arm with a guy you’re not dating?”

“Mom, you’re reading too much into things. He’s just being a gentleman.”

“You haven’t denied that you’re interested in him, and that means his mother owes me a cream cake.”

“Huh?”

“I knew you and Harry would be perfect for each other.” Her eyes lit up, a dreamy expression encompassing her face. “You won’t need to wait three months for a proposal.”

“Mom! Don’t be ridiculous.”

Her mom hugged her close. “Don’t worry, Harry’s mom and I will make sure you’re wearing Harry’s ring by Christmas.”

***

Harry walked over to the drinks table. Serena’s broken shoe had presented a new challenge for this job. Now an animated conversation was taking place between Serena and her mom and, judging by the looks darting in his direction, his stroll with Serena across the park had been noted.

Jack stowed an empty bottle in a trash bag. “You finally made it.”

“Yeah, we had a few issues to overcome.”

“Anything I need to know about?”

Harry’s gaze lingered on Serena. Her mother fussed with her lustrous dark hair, repining a few long curls that had fallen loose on her shoulders. He turned his back on the women and lowered his voice. “Serena’s heel broke off her shoe.”

“No way.” Jack shook his head. “How did that happen?”

Harry filled him in with the details. “The girls don’t want Debbie to know.”

“A good call. The bride will flip out if anything else goes wrong. We don’t need to concern her with a problem that may not eventuate.”

“Agreed. The other issue is Serena. She’s afraid the adhesive won’t hold the heel in place, and she’s trying to minimize the weight on her damaged heel.”

“Ah, that explains why it looks like you’re hitting on a bridesmaid.”

Harry braced his arms over his chest. “We didn’t know what else to do, and I did warn her to expect gossip.”

Jack shoved his hands in his suit pockets, standing taller. “You know we have rules about fraternizing with clients during a job. But what you do later is your own business.”

“I understand, and this is an exceptional circumstance.”

“That’s for sure, and I reckon Josh would agree.”

“Serena has my number, and I’ll stay nearby.”

Jack nodded. “Whatever you do, don’t disappear together. The gossips would have a field day and it could impact our business.”

“I’ll be discreet, and I’ll message you if anything goes wrong.”

His frown deepened. “A good plan and I’ll pay attention, too. She should be okay to walk down the aisle.”

“She doesn’t want to disappoint her sister.”

“Understandable. The bride needs to calm down and relax.”

Harry picked up a bottle of water. “I’m praying nothing else goes wrong.” Serena should be enjoying her sister’s wedding rather than worrying about her shoe falling apart.

***

Serena stood inside the church entrance with Gina and Crystal. Her father and Debbie waited behind them. The music changed tempo, their cue to start walking down the aisle.

Gina squeezed her hand. “We’re on.”

She nodded and shifted her weight onto her good shoe. Her sister strode ahead and she followed, taking slow steps and concentrating on her posture and balance. The aisle seemed long, and she plastered a bright smile on her face. Harry stood near the back row in the far corner, his gaze riveted on her feet.

She caught his eye and he gave her a toe-tingling smile. One look, and her insides turned to mush. Her back straight and head high, she focused on the task at hand and tried to mask her worries.