Page 60 of Return of the Outback Billionaire

Time: Sunset

RSVP: Landing means I Do

‘I’m your best man if that’s what you want,’ said Reid. ‘And there’s a wedding party waiting for you just over those trees. Gert is matron of honour and Tomas is the FOB—that’s father of the bride—and he’ll be giving Bridie away. I am bang up on wedding abbreviations after today. Old Ernie reckons he can legitimately marry you as long as you have some ID. I think he’s dreaming, but what do I know?’

‘Take us down.’

But Reid didn’t take them down. Instead he flew over the clump of trees to reveal a pathway of rocks that led to a small group of people. Bridie stood out like a beacon in a slim white gown with tiny shoulder straps and the rest of it pretty much fell straight to the ground. Her riot of hair had been pulled away from her face and styled instead to cascade down her back. She held a posy stuffed haphazardly with desert flowers, the kind he’d taken to finding for her after a night beneath the stars.

‘Reid. Take us down.’

‘Those are the words I wanted to hear. Right after Yes, oh, wise, hardworking and patient brother, I want you to be my best man.’

‘I want you to be my best man.’

‘What happened to wise, hardworking and patient? You can’t hog all the good words.’

‘Reid, that woman down there is my North Star, my refuge and my soul. Get me down there before she changes her mind.’

‘They’re landing,’ said Gert, and Bridie’s heart soared.

Proving her love for Judah by springing a surprise wedding on him had seemed like a good idea at the time, but as everything came together, with Reid dropping her back at the homestead before flitting off to collect Gert, and then Ernie, and finally Judah, second thoughts had taken hold. What if Judah didn’t want to marry her yet? What if he did want to marry her but wanted a different kind of wedding altogether? One that took a year or two to plan and involved many aristocratic guests? Maybe his inherited title meant he had to follow lots of rules before it was official?

Not that he was necessarily one for rules. He had his own unwavering code of honour and she loved him all the more for it.

She took a deep breath. In, out. In, out. While a brilliant afternoon sun gently kissed the horizon.

‘It’s normal to be a little bit nervous,’ said Gert. ‘And usually, it’s the man standing here waiting for his bride.’

‘Yay for equality,’ offered Bridie weakly. She hadn’t really thought this part of the afternoon through. Standing there scouring the sky and waiting for him to show had been excruciating.

She took a deep breath and exhaled noisily. She had given him the chance to simply fly away. Give him the invitation when you’re on the last word, she’d told Reid. And then take him wherever he wants to go.

She’d had no plan B for if he didn’t arrive, other than painfully, publicly falling to pieces. Why was it taking Reid so damn long to land the helicopter?

‘Turn around and let me fuss over you,’ said Gert, taking charge. The older woman’s concerned blue gaze met hers as she tucked a strand of Bridie’s hair behind her ear. ‘You look so beautiful. So very ready to make that man happy, and there’s no one who deserves happiness more than him.’

‘I know.’ She blew out another breath. Heaven knew what she’d be like in childbirth. Probably hyperventilating all over the place. ‘I’ve got this.’ She took Gert’s hand and placed it over her racing heart. ‘See?’

‘Relax, child. He’s here.’

She was never not going to associate the sound of the helicopter powering down with this moment. ‘Is he heading our way?’

The older woman nodded and squeezed Bridie’s hand before letting go. ‘Tomas, you stand over here next to Ernie and I’ll stand here, and all Judah and Reid have to do when they get here is step into place.’

Which they did.

Judah turned towards her, outback strong in dusty boots, well-worn jeans, collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up and eyes that searched her face. ‘Hey.’

‘Hey.’ Forget butterflies in her stomach. She croaked like a frog.

‘Beautiful sunset,’ he said next, and Reid elbowed him in the ribs.

‘North Star,’ Reid muttered around a fit of totally fake coughing.

Judah jostled him back, his gaze not leaving her face. ‘And still nowhere near as incredible as you,’ he added quietly. ‘Are you ready to take on the world with me?’

‘I’m ready.’ So very ready to love this man for ever.

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