Текст книги "Sometimes Moments"

Автор книги: Len Webster

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 14 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

After turning for the steps that led to her front door, Peyton stopped at the sight of Callum sitting on a step with a bundle of pink cherry blossoms in his hand.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

He stood up, a smile on his face. “I needed to see you, Peyton. Your message had me driving back.”

“But Oliver’s—”

“You’re what’s important to me right now. You have no idea how much your message hurt me. It made me realise how little time we have and I didn’t want to waste it. Oliver knows.”

Peyton stepped in front of him and looked into those grey eyes she loved. No matter how much the ending would hurt her, she needed and missed him.

“I meant that message,” she said.

He nodded. “I know you do, Pey. But I would never find her. Not when she’s been here my entire life. If I could have forever with a wife, I’d want her to be you. No one could ever get me to fall hopelessly in love like you have.”

Words that mask our timely death.

“How long have you been waiting here?” she asked as she took the cherry blossoms from him.

“An hour. I thought I’d surprise you.”

“Are these from the tree?” she asked.

He nodded with a smile.

Peyton frowned at the beautiful flowers. Today had so many twists and turns and Callum’s surprised appearance had been one of them. But she couldn’t forget the fact that she had come between Madilynne and Graham and that Jay had terminated his business relationship with the hotel.

“Callum,” she said, looking up to meet his eyes.

“Yes, Peyton?”

She swallowed hard before she asked, “Do you believe in the hotel and me?”

His eyebrows met and his eyes filled with concern. “I’ve believed in you since we were kids. I’ve always believed that you would do great things for the hotel. I stand by this belief.”

Her eyes started to water. Jenny was right. He did believe in her—unlike Jay. She quickly wrapped her arms around him, her head resting on his hard chest, and she let out a sob.

“Thank you for coming back,” she cried as he circled his arms around her.

“I was always going to come back for you, Peyton. I just needed time. I just needed you to be patient with me,” he said, rubbing her back.

She held the cherry blossoms tighter in her hands as they rested against his back. This, she knew, was a sometimes moment. She knew that she would look back and smile on this memory. But she knew that imminent heartbreak was fast approaching them.

“Being in your arms, after everything… This goes against everything I believe in when it comes to you,” she said. “I’m meant to hate you, but instead, I’m foolishly and hopelessly in love with you.”

Callum held her tighter, like it was the last time he’d hold her. “I know, Peyton. Just know I’m sorry for what comes next. Only because I’m aware of how hard you’ve fought against me. You’ve defied your morals and beliefs…and your pride. I don’t deserve to have you in my arms, but I’m thankful to have you love me in the slightest. I’m so sorry for what happens next, Peyton. I am so sorry.”

He was talking about their end. The thought broke her heart, but she had always known what she was doing when it came to him. She had to prepare for life after him all over again.

I wouldn’t trade our sometimes for forever with anyone else.

“Pey, wake up,” he whispered in her ear.

She groaned and snuggled into something hard. A chuckle and movement occurred under her.

“Come on, Peyton. Time to get up. We’ll miss it,” he tried once more.

“Miss what?” she asked still half asleep, her eyes remained closed.

“What we used to do. Sneak out and watch the morning pass us by from the pier.”

Peyton slowly opened her eyes to see that the something hard she was sleeping on was Callum’s naked chest. She smiled at the sight she thoroughly enjoyed. Hugging the blanket around her naked body, she removed herself from his chest and glared down at him.

“Really?” she asked biting back a smile.

Callum sat properly and kissed her lips. “Yes. Now stay still. Do not move,” he instructed.

Peyton arched an eyebrow at him. Callum smiled, reached over the bed, and rummage through the bag he’d brought over after dinner. Then he turned to face her, and Peyton noticed what he was held.

She let out a laugh. “You still have that?”

“Don’t knock the Polaroid,” he teased. “Now, stay right there. You look breathtakingly beautiful with the sun seeping through the window.”

When she was just about to burst out laughing, a flash stunned her and a Polaroid picture slid out of the camera. Then Callum held it up to her, and she looked at it, astonished. She blinked twice. The Polaroid had captured a genuine smile that made her look beautiful. Even though her hair was all messy from sleep, she appeared happy and free.

“That’s how I see you, Pey. You are undeniably beautiful when you smile.”

Her heart swelled at his compliment and she knew she was blushing.

After setting the picture down, she took the camera from Callum and held it up. Closing one eye and looking through the tiny glass box, she counted to three before she took a picture of him. Before he could take it away from her, she studied it.

A lump formed in her throat as she asked, “Can I keep this?”

Her eyes met Callum’s, and he tilted his head at her. She returned her focus to the picture she had taken of him. It was there—that smile and look in his eyes. She had the old Callum back, even if it were only in a picture. He was still there, the one who had claimed her heart and was free. She’d treasure this one picture since it was all she’d have of him by the end of the month.

“Only if I can keep the one of you,” he countered.

Peyton looked up and smiled. “You have a deal,” she said.

Callum took the camera from her and brought her close to him. After a moment, he positioned the camera in the direction of their faces and took a picture of them. When she turned to face him, his lips found hers, and the sound of the shutter went off.

“I was not ready for that!” Peyton complained once she pulled back.

Callum had a pleased grin on his face as he held up the picture of them kissing. “You look pretty ready here.”

Peyton stood up from the bed, dragging the blanket from him and leaving him exposed. “I can say the same thing about you,” she said, eyeing his lap.

“Doesn’t help that I know you’re completely naked under that blanket,” he said, not bothering to cover himself. Then Callum turned and snapped a shot of the cherry blossoms on the bedside table.

“Why are you taking so many pictures?” she asked as she walked to the bedroom door.

“To reflect on,” he replied. Then he held the camera up, smiled, and took another one of her.

“Do not come into the bathroom with that. I’m warning you, Callum. I would say come join me, but I really need us to get going so we can get to the pier. Otherwise, I’m going to be late for the Swan’s checking in,” Peyton said firmly to demonstrate her seriousness.

If her were to even kiss her longer than with a quick chaste one, they’d wind up in bed. Last night, he’d taken away the pain. Lost in the pleasure, she’d forgotten Jay’s hurtful actions and the future of the hotel. All she’d cared about was keeping her with him for as long as time and Callum would permit her.

“Meet you back here in thirty?” Callum asked, reaching for his discarded underwear and pants.

Peyton’s eyes lingered below his waist. If she didn’t have to work, she’d jump him right then and there. Instead, she nodded and said, “Thirty.”

His arm brought her closer to him, and Peyton rested her head on Callum’s shoulder. Peeking up at him through her lashes, she saw him staring out at the lake. The sadness that swept his face had replaced the carefree one he’d had while they had been in bed. Something was always hanging over him. That same something had him guarded.

With a deep breath, she turned her gaze back out at the water. She would always love Daylesford. All her favourite memories had happened in various parts of town, especially the ones that were made within the walls of The Spencer-Dayle. Peyton looked over at the hotel. It was beautiful. She would do everything in her power to keep it standing.

“Graham messaged me this morning, Peyton. He said that Jay’s pub terminated their relationship with the hotel. He’s worried that Jay could affect the rest of the town.”

The blame could be heard in his voice, but all she did was nod against him.

“I still have Graham’s farm,” she said.

Callum was silent for a moment before he sighed. “You lost the pub’s business relationship because of me, didn’t you?”

Peyton sat up, lifted her legs from over the edge of the pier, and turned her body to face him. “It’s not your fault, Callum,” she tried to assure him.

His eyes gave her the attention she wanted. Reaching over, she took his hand in hers and pulled him to face her.

“It is not your fault,” she repeated.

His posture slouched. “No, it is. You would have never seen that notice of termination if I had just stayed away. God, Pey, I never wanted this to happen to you or the hotel.”

She smiled when he said Pey. Callum was becoming more comfortable around her. Squeezing his hand once, she grinned before she threaded her fingers with his, loving the feel of his touch. Peyton brought their joined hands to her lips and kissed the spot where their hands connected.

“The hotel will be okay,” she said.

“And what about you?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“And us?”

She stilled at his question. Then she turned his wrist over and stared at where he had marked his skin with her name. Sometime after he’d left, he’d cared enough to tattoo her name on him. It gave her hope, but when she met his eyes, she saw the goodbye in them.

“I’m not sure, Callum,” she answered truthfully.

“You can’t be unsure,” he said softly.

She gave him a tight smile. She didn’t know if they’d be okay when they got to goodbye. Deep down, she had been delusional and believed it would never catch them.

“Sure I can. Just like how grey isn’t sure what colour it should be. If it should be black or white. So, it decides to be unsure. It decides to be grey. I am grey. We are grey.”

She believed they weren’t sure how to get to goodbye. The moment they did, the future would blend with the past and the present. They had less than two weeks left.

Callum’s mouth pressed into a fine line. “That’s a beautiful way to mask our ending, Peyton Spencer.”

Letting go of his hand, she turned and let her legs dangle over the edge of the pier. She looked out at the lake, enjoying the purity in the image. “It gives me enough denial to make it to the ending, Callum Reid. I tell myself that we’ll be okay and part ways with a mutual understanding, but honestly, I’m not sure. There are no bright lights waiting for us at the end.”

Softly swinging her legs above the water, she kept her eyes on her lap. The sound of a camera shutter had her turning her head and Callum held the Polaroid in his hand.

“There are always bright lights waiting for you, Peyton. I know it.”

She looked at the photo as it started to develop. Seconds later, she saw that it was an image of the hotel. Callum handed it to her and she clutched it, knowing that, no matter what happened, she would always have The Spencer-Dayle and all the memories that had been created in it and around it.

“This is the brightest light that’s waiting for you. You don’t need any of them. You’re a survivor and you will be something great.”

Her heart throbbed at his belief. Peyton turned and saw the way that he looked at her. Love. It was love that filled his eyes. A love so beautiful and unattainable. A love she couldn’t keep.

“Want to go lie in the boats until I have to start work with Jenny?” she suggested once she stood up.

Callum chuckled and picked up the camera and the pictures they had taken on their way to the pier. “Like old times?”

She nodded her head. “Like old times.”

It didn’t take them long to walk off the pier and around the lake to the boathouse. Once they stepped onto the wooden boardwalk that wrapped around the building, they made their way to the posts. Then Callum got into the wooden boat first and held his hand out to her before he helped her in

They didn’t untie it from the post. Instead, they lay down and stared at the blue, cloudless sky above. It’s what they’d always done. They’d watch clouds and time pass them before she’d have to go home for dinner or get back to the hotel.

It was a bittersweet moment, lost in the past and the present. Both so similar, but this time, she was aware of the end. Last time she had been oblivious to it. Ignoring their impending end, Peyton took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

You were right, Mum and Dad. Forgive and forget. It’s time I let the past go, and soon—Callum too.

When the boat rocked slightly, she opened her eyes to see that Callum had moved closer to her. Feeling his gaze on her, Peyton tilted her head and was met with his saddened eyes. The smile she had developing stalled and instead her lips made a fine line.

Callum inhaled deeply before he blinked. Slowly, his hands reached up and brushed her cheek then it returned to the wood of the boat. The moment his touch left her, she had already missed the way it affected her heart.

His lips parted before he asked, “Do you know what a sometimes moment is, Peyton?”

We did it. We’re coming up to the ending.

Peyton swallowed the lump in her throat. She’d heard him whisper it as she’d fallen asleep the first time he slept in her bed. She was scared to hear him define what she was basing their time on. She was scared to hear him admit that it wasn’t forever. But the truth was that she had always known.

“It’s us,” she replied in a soft voice, knowing that he could hear the sadness lacing it.

Callum gave her a tight smile. “In a way, we are sometimes moments. What we have right now embodies it. Sometimes moments are the moments you’ll look back on later in life and smile. They were points in time that were occasional and brief. They are a reflection of a memory. They are moments that are looked upon fondly. They are what we live and breathe and know as now but look back on someday. They are not forever, Peyton. They are reflections. They are the times you think of when you’re married and have children. You’ll think of me and smile because we had something in that tiny period of time we had together. That, when you have your forever, you will look back at the moments we shared. Even if it’s rarely, they were ours. They were our sometimes moments.”

Sometimes doesn’t mean forever.

“And is this a sometimes moment, Callum?” she asked.

Callum nodded. “Every moment we’ve experienced since I returned to Daylesford has been a sometimes moment, Peyton. Memories that I hope you’ll look back on one day.”

She thought of the times they’d shared the past few weeks. Every kiss, every touch, every breath of air and ‘I love you.’ They were more than she could have believed she’d share with anyone. She hadn’t imagined being close to anyone after him. Peyton had believed that she’d live a lonely life, wondering what life’s pleasures were about. But he’d come back and restored her faith in a better, happier life—even with the pain.

Callum’s thumb brushed her tear away and he kissed her lips. “Thank you for our sometimes moments, Peyton. I will hold on to them for far longer than my last breath.” Then he pulled her into his arms.

She lay her head on his chest and looked up at the sky. The moments they had shared, although brief, were treasured. They were moments where she believed that he was hers and that she was loved.

She breathed him in and memorised the beats of his heart. She took in her surroundings and the man who held her. Then she closed her eyes and let every sound and movement Callum made sear themselves into her heart.

Life is a cluster of sometimes moments, more beautiful when more are grouped together. Our sometimes moments will be my forever moments. There is no one else after Callum Reid, the boy who kissed me under a cherry blossom tree and the man who gave me a forever in a sometimes.

“Y ou finally made it,” Callum said once Peyton had walked up the small hill.

She stood next to him and said, “I had to wait for my parents to leave, and Jenny’s covering for me.”

Callum wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you’re here. I wanted you to be here when it happens.”

Peyton squinted up at him. “When what happens?” she asked, slightly suspicious.

He rolled his eyes before untangling himself from her. Then he picked up his SLR camera and adjusted the lens. “Look out at the lake, Pey.”

When she looked in the direction that he’d suggested, the view took her breath away. It was beautiful. The setting sun filled the sky with purples and reds, and the water sparkled before her eyes. She had never seen the lake look more beautiful than in this moment.

The sounds of the camera shutter had her turning her head. She watched the awed expression on Callum’s face transform as he looked at the photo on the screen. He saw the beauty. He saw the innocence of nature. And Peyton saw that in him. Her heart throbbed at the sight of him taking in the view. The way he appreciated life had her envious of his perspective on the world, and a slow smile developed on his face.

When he turned and his eyes met hers, the sparkle in them made her breathless. And it was in that moment that she knew what she had always known deep down.

I’m in love with Callum Reid.

“Pey, wake up.”

A nudge had Peyton groaning.

She hugged the blanket around her and said, “Callum, I don’t have your kind of stamina. I’m not an expert at lasting long when it comes to sex. Give me a couple of hours.”

He shook her this time, so she rolled on her back and opened her eyes.

“As much as I love the idea of sex right now, that’s not why I woke you up.”

Peyton sat up and rubbed her eyes. Before she could even ask him what was going on, Callum handed her the phone.

“It’s Jenny,” he said.

She looked at the clock on her bedside table to see that it was just after two a.m. She knew Jenny would never call her this late, especially with this week’s guests having already checked out. It had been four days since Callum had told her that their time was limited and four days since she had started operating the hotel to guests. The feedback that she’d received from her customers had been great, and it had given her the confidence boost that she’d needed. Now she could concentrate on Marissa’s wedding and the building of the lakeside dance floor.

Peyton scratched her head before she put the phone to her ear.

“Peyton!” Jenny cried out hysterically.

Peyton stilled. “Jenny, are you okay?” she asked desperately.

A million scenarios on Jenny’s safety ran through Peyton’s head. She couldn’t lose Jenny. She couldn’t lose anyone else.

“Jenny, please talk to me.”

There was a loud bang in the background, and Peyton looked at Callum. He was just as confused as she was.

“What’s going on?” Callum asked.

Peyton shook her head to tell him that she didn’t know.

“Peyton…”

“I’m right here, Jenny. Tell me that you’re okay. Do I need to come get you?” Peyton asked as she threw back her blanket and stood up from the bed. Then she walked to the hook near the door and grabbed her dressing gown, slipping it on over her silk nightdress.

Jenny let out a sob. “It’s the hotel, Peyton.”

Peyton froze. “The hotel?”

Callum was by her side instantly, holding her. His supporting touch couldn’t stop Peyton’s throbbing heart. Fear overtook every inch of her body. Flooding she could fix. A fallen tree on a cabin would dent her finances, but it wasn’t impossible. A broken window would be easy to replace.

“It’s on fire, Peyton. The hotel’s on fire.”

The phone slipped out of her hand and fell onto the floor. Numb. That’s what she felt. Her heart had stopped functioning and she was sure her lungs had, too. She was breathing, but her lungs weren’t inhaling the oxygen.

Callum let go of her and bent down to pick up her phone. Before he could even stand, she bolted out of her room and the house.

Shoes weren’t important. More clothes to protect her from the winter night weren’t a concern. She ran. Faster and harder. Stepping on sharp rocks as she desperately sprinted to the lake. She felt pain. In her chest, her lungs, the side of her body, and her feet. But she didn’t care. She heard her name being yelled out from behind her, but she kept her legs moving up the hill and to the lake. She didn’t stop to see if there was smoke or flames—she just kept running.

The moment she reached the path to the hotel, she slowed down, taking careful steps towards the hotel. Tears ran down her face as she painfully willed her body forward. Flames and smoke. That’s all she saw. Dark, black smoke filled the sky, providing the backdrop for the fire that engulfed the building.

She had never felt so helpless. In front of her, she watched everything she had ever loved and treasured die before her very eyes. Each memory of her parents, Jenny, the staff, and Callum. The flames were destroying the future she had carved for herself. It was symbolic. The hotel’s burning down was a reflection of her future—she didn’t have one.

When a part of the hotel collapsed, she fell to her knees, sobbing. And when she heard voices around her, all she could do was stare at The Spencer-Dayle sign as it burned before it fell to the ground.

She was voiceless. All that came out were sobs and strangled sounds she had never made. Her hopes and dreams were dying. The last four years of keeping the hotel alive were now a waste. A loud explosion blew out some windows and she heard people gasp the moment parts of the building started to collapse. The fire was relentless in its destruction of her hotel. Arms were around her, but she didn’t have to turn to know it was Callum.

“Don’t just stand there. Save it! Do something!” Jenny screamed.

Peyton cranked her neck to see her manager pointing at the burning building. Timmy, the firefighter Peyton had gone to school with, looked conflicted as he held the hose. When his eyes met Peyton’s, there was an apology in them.

“I’m so sorry, Peyton,” Callum whispered as he put his hand on the side of her head and brought her to his chest.

“It’s gone,” she managed out.

The tears continued to fall—the only form of water near the hotel. Peyton focused on the firefighters to see them standing there watching the fire consume The Spencer-Dayle.

“Why aren’t you trying to save it? It’s your job!” Jenny cried.

Timmy flinched and his eyes averted hers. Peyton followed his stare to see him looking at Jay as if he were asking if it was okay to put out the fire.

“They’re just standing there, staring at Jay,” Peyton cried unbelievably.

After what seemed like for the first time, she blinked, hoping it was just a dream. But it wasn’t. The fire still burned and the smoke entered her nostrils.

She watched Jay shake his head at Timmy. She knew Callum had seen it too when his arms loosened around her. Timmy’s older brother, Thomas, had been Jay’s best friend in high school. And growing up, Timmy had idolised his brother and Jay, doing anything to received their approval.

“Stay here,” Callum instructed.

Before she could stop him, Callum stood up and marched over to Jay. Callum didn’t say anything as he punched Jay in the jaw. Jay stumbled back, holding the side of his face.

“Right now, Timmy. Put out that fire!” Callum yelled.

When Timmy didn’t move, Callum shook his head, walked to the firefighter, and pulled the hose out of his hand. Then he pointed the water to the building, but it did nothing to extinguish the flames. The hotel was far too gone to be saved.

Peyton walked over to Callum. His eyes met hers and she could see the refusal in them. He didn’t want to give up on trying to save it. And for that, she fell in love with him all over again. She blinked away the tears as she stepped next to him. Giving the hotel one last look, she mentally said goodbye to it and her parents. She wrapped her hands around the hose and pulled it away from him.

“No, Peyton! I can save it. I can save it!” he cried.

She shook her head. “It’s gone, Callum.”

Tears filled his eyes. “You don’t deserve this.”

She dropped the hose and wrapped her arms around his waist. “It’s not about if I deserve it or not. It’s happening.”

Callum wrapped his arms around her and apologised numerous times. That’s when Peyton closed her eyes, knowing that everything she would love would leave her. The last thing that remained was the man in her arms. Soon, she’d say goodbye to him, too. She held him tighter because in this moment he was the only tangible thing she could hold onto.

“I love you,” she said into his chest, knowing it could be one of the last times she’d say it out loud.

“I love you, too, Peyton.” He kissed her head before he said, “Come on. Let’s get you to safe distance.” Then he unwrapped his arms from around her and took her hand.

This was their moment of defiance against the town. They could take away her hotel but they couldn’t take away what they had. In the near future, it would be Peyton and Callum who’d destroy what they had. Not the town.

A ute pulled up near them, and Graham and Madilynne got out of the car. If Peyton weren’t so broken, she’d smile at the sight of them together. The moment Graham raced towards them, Callum let her hand go in time for Graham to wrap his arms around her. She couldn’t cry in his embrace. It was like she was dry inside.

“Why the fuck are they just standing there?” Graham growled in her ear.

Peyton tensed. Graham was never one to cuss. Suddenly, he pushed past her. Peyton pivoted to see him storm off towards the firefighters.

Timmy was saying something, but she was too far.

Graham picked up the hose and slammed it into Timmy’s chest. “Do your job! You listen to Jay again and I will make sure you lot see a commission!”

The firefighters all nodded and went to their engine, pulling out the equipment. But she knew it was too late. With a heavy sigh, she walked towards them and looked at the men who would rather see her hotel die than save it. She would be the bigger person, no matter how much they had scarred her. It wasn’t because they deserved to be pardoned but because her aunt and uncle had taught her forgiveness. And Callum taught her that sometimes, it’s better to just let go.

“It’s long past saving. Please make sure it doesn’t travel too far back and burn the rest of the town. People’s lives and homes are at stake,” she said.

It was like common sense had clicked in their eyes, and they all nodded and mumbled their apologies to her.

Graham wrapped his arm around her back and led her towards Callum and Madilynne. “We’ll rebuild it, Peyton. We’ll make it better,” he promised.

“I know, Graham,” she replied quietly as they passed by Jay and some of the firefighters.

When Peyton locked eyes with Jay, he was emotionless. Graham stopped and let Peyton go.

“I can’t believe you told them not to save the hotel. Fine. Be angry at her for being with Callum. Taking away the hotel’s partnerships was one thing but letting it burn to the ground? You’re a son of a bitch, Jay.”

She wanted to yell and scream at Jay. She wanted to hurt him, but she just wasn’t that person. In all honesty, she was far too tired inside. And what good would hurting Jay do? She had all but lost The Spencer-Dayle. She had spent so many years trying to keep it afloat, but it had all been for nothing.

Peyton stepped away from Graham and stood in front of Jay. As she stared at him, she saw no remorse in his eyes. There was no salvaging a friendship with him.

“I would never wish this on you or the pub, Jay. I would never wish it on any of the town’s businesses. Whatever you wanted to achieve out of this, I hope you got it. Hate me all you like, but I have always been in love with Callum. I’m sorry you can’t find a way past that and be my friend.”

She could never trust Jay again. She’d believed in him. Believed he was a good person. Tonight revealed that he wasn’t. He was a selfish man full of pride. Realising that they’d never be friends again, she walked into Callum’s waiting arms and let his heartbeat distract her from her own stalling ones.

“Peyton.”

Jenny’s voice had her pulling away from Callum. She noticed Jenny covered in ash, and in her hand, she was holding something.

“It’s the only thing I could save. I couldn’t get farther. The flames and the smoke were too overwhelming. I’m sorry I couldn’t save some of your parents’ things.”

Peyton saw that it was the picture Callum had taken of the lake. And that’s when she burst into tears and hugged Jenny tight. “I would rather the hotel and everything in it burn to ash than lose you, Jenny. You shouldn’t have risked your life for the picture.”

Out of anything that could have been saved, Peyton was glad that Callum’s picture was it. The moment he had taken it, she’d known she was madly in love with him. It was a picture she’d always want, no matter how much pain he had caused her with his leaving.

Callum took the framed picture and said, “Thank you for saving this, Jenny. I appreciate it more than you could possibly know. I’m going to take Peyton home now. You go home to your husband. We’ll survey what’s left in the morning.”

Peyton let go of Jenny and wiped at her cheeks.

“There was no one inside during the fire. I’ll call those with bookings tomorrow morning and explain the situation. I’ll handle everything, Peyton. I’ll deal with the Reynolds’ wedding, too,” Jenny said, trying to reassure her.

“That’s okay, Jenny. I’ll speak to Oliver in the morning. Come on, Pey. I’ll get you home.” Callum’s hands entwined with hers, his thumb caressing hers. “Graham, you mind dropping us off at Peyton’s?”

“Yeah, I’ll take you both. Madilynne, do you want me to drop you off at home?” Graham asked, leading them to the ute.

Callum opened the car door for Peyton, and she got in the backseat. Then he clicked her seatbelt in place before he got into the backseat with the picture sitting in his lap.

Madilynne got in the front seat and said, “No. I’ll stay at yours for the rest of the night. I don’t want to hear what my dad says about tonight.”