Queen of Harte's Read online

  ‘I need to be in the hospital tomorrow,’ Julian said barely above a whisper.

  ‘Tomorrow,’ Eva squeaked.

  ‘There’s no point in wasting any more time. I’ll leave for Texas early in the morning.’

  ‘Texas?’

  ‘Yes, Eva. Lilly Rose lives in Dallas. So that’s where the surgery will happen.’

  ‘Okay. We’re going to Dallas, then.’ Eva nodded her head keeping up but her heart lagging behind.

  ‘No! I’m going,’ Julian corrected.

  ‘NO, actually. We’re both going.’ Eva held up her left hand and wiggled her wedding finger. ‘See this?’ Eva pointed to her engagement ring with her other hand. ‘This means we’re in it together from here on out. Everything and anything. If it’s important to you, then it’s important to me. You go to Dallas for life-changing surgery, then I damn well go, too. Period.’

  Julian shot Eva a coquettish grin and Eva’s insides fluttered. She wanted to pull him to the floor and make love to him right there on that very spot. She blushed wondering if the house was still full of hiding guests or if Julian had sent them all home. She’d bring that up in a minute. This was a much more important conversation.

  ‘Okay, baby. You win. If the doctor says you’re okay to fly, then fine.’ Julian softened.

  ‘Julian, I’m pregnant not ill. I am coming and that is final.’

  ‘Okay, okay.’ Julian raised his hands over his head jokingly as he surrendered.

  ‘Good, that’s figured out, then,’ Eva said tossing her head to one side, triumphant in battle.

  A few silent moments passed as Eva and Julian stood, their fingers woven together, their bodies close enough to feel each other breathe. Eva’s head was spinning. She was euphoric and terrified all at the same time.

  ‘What are the risks?’ Eva asked reluctantly, afraid to spoil the moment but desperate to know the answer. She knew the real battle was just around the corner. Shit, this was sudden!

  ‘There are risks, Eva. But they’re a lot better than the alternative.’

  Eva winced. It hurt to hear Julian talk about the possibility of anything going wrong. Secretly, she wanted him to tell her there was a one hundred percent success rate and every patient left there with a bunch of roses and a pet, bright pink unicorn. But glitter and rainbow lies to take the edge off wasn’t Julian’s style. He was more likely to drink copious amounts of whiskey and head into surgery with a kick-ass attitude. This was one occasion where Eva would be reaching to help him crack open the bottle.

  ‘Life and death, Eva. It’s all just a big game,’ Julian said assuredly. ‘We have to play with the hand we’re dealt.’

  ‘Bring it.’ Eva forced herself to smile, despite her jelly insides. ‘Julian Harte, this is the final round. You better win this one. Do you hear me?’

  ‘Count on it, baby.’

  Chapter 37

  Julian walked toward the sitting room. Eva wasn’t sure if she should follow. He looked deep in thought. Maybe she should give him some space to take it all in, she thought. His head must have been exploding with old memories. The sitting room door was closed and Julian stopped in front of it. He turned back to Eva and stretched out his hand. She hurried towards him and slipped her hand into his again, like their hands were two halves of a whole.

  ‘Are you ready?’ Julian asked.

  ‘Me?’ Eva tapped a finger against her chest. ‘Shouldn’t I be asking you that question?’

  The corners of Julian’s lips turned up into a subtle smile and Eva knew whatever was on the other side of that door wasn’t anything of her planning. Whatever it was, it was making it hard for Julian to keep a straight face. Bubbles rushed around Eva’s tummy like a Jacuzzi of excitement.

  ‘I think we’re both ready, Mr. Harte.’ Eva smiled.

  Julian turned the handle and stepped into the room. Eva shot a deep breath out through her lips pressed into an o shape and took the next step. Her forehead pinched as she stood centre floor in the sitting room. Everything was exactly as it been earlier when she’d given the house one last look over. The cream, marble fireplace housed a small, open fire. And perched proudly on top was a digitally remastered old photograph; the photo of Julian as a child in his mother’s arms. It was Eva’s favourite thing in the whole house. She knew how much that photo meant to Julian and she couldn’t wait to see his reaction when he noticed it.

  She didn’t have to wait long. Julian picked up the silver frame and ran his finger over the glass.

  ‘Wow,’ he said.

  Eva waited but he didn’t say more. He didn’t need to; his face said it all. The stress of sneaking behind Julian’s back, Mia’s control freak tantrums, Shelly’s meltdown every time she had an argument with a builder, Nathan’s odd dodgy contact, and Pam’s inability to keep a secret and almost giving the surprise away a couple of times; it was all worth it just to see that look on Julian’s face.

  ‘This is beautiful. Thank you,’ Julian said putting the picture back down, ‘but it’s missing something.’

  ‘Oh, really?’ Eva said, unimpressed with Julian’s choice of words. She’d tried so hard to get it perfect. One photo was all she had and Julian guarded the damn thing with his life. It was next to impossible to get her hands on it to make a copy, but she’d succeeded.

  Julian lifted Eva’s hand to his lips and kissed it softly. He was grinning like a Cheshire cat, and Eva knew he was messing with her head, but she couldn’t help grinning back.

  ‘What?’ she sang.

  ‘It needs another photo. Something just as special,’ Julian explained.

  Eva’s hand instinctively reached for her belly.

  ‘It’s a bit early for a photo of that,’ Julian joked. ‘Gorgeous as you are, I don’t think a photograph of your belly button is the look we want on our mantel.’

  ‘Our mantel?’

  ‘Welcome home, baby,’ Julian whispered. ‘This place is all yours. All ours. If you want it.’

  Eva nodded, excitedly. She couldn’t think of anywhere she’d want to raise her child more.

  ‘And the photo?’ Eva said not letting the subject change.

  Julian pulled out his phone and held it up in front of Eva. ‘Say cheese.’

  Eva smiled. ‘Me?’

  ‘Yes, you. You in that dress on our wedding day?’

  ‘You want me to wear this to our wedding?’ Eva shook her head, confused.

  Julian nodded.

  ‘I love this dress,’ Eva said, running her hands down the soft satin, ‘but the groom isn’t supposed to see the dress before the big day.’

  ‘I didn’t,’ Julian smiled.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Surprise. Surprise. Surprise.’ The double doors between the sitting room and dining room burst open and Eva’s family and friends spilled through. ‘Surprise.’

  ‘Will you marry me, Eva?’ Julian asked once more.

  Happy tears were glistening in Eva’s eyes.

  ‘Oh, don’t cry, hun. You’ll ruin your make-up,’ Shelly said running up to hug Eva.

  ‘Evangeline,’ Julian said, gaining her attention again.

  ‘You mean right now, don’t you?’ Eva said.

  ‘I mean right now.’

  Eva caught a priest out of the corner of her eye. She turned around and smiled recognising Father O’Malley straight away.

  ‘It’s lovely to see you again, Eva,’ Father O’Malley said. ‘And under such happy circumstances today.’

  ‘It’s lovely to see you too, Father,’ Eva said. ‘A little bit of shock, but lovely.’

  Eva turned back to Julian. ‘Oh. My. God. I can’t believe this. Wow. How did you…did you know about the restoration of the house all along…who helped you organise this? Oh, my God.’

  ‘You worked so hard on a surprise for me because you wanted me to be happy. Well, that’s all I ever want for you. I want to make you happy, every day for the rest of my life.’

  ‘I am happy, Julian. I’m so, so happy.’


  ‘Were you all in on this?’ Eva said turning to face everyone. ‘Mia, did you know? He tells you everything, you must have known.’

  ‘He didn’t tell me this, Eva. We were all as surprised as you.’

  ‘How then?’ Eva said

  ‘I did have a little help,’ Julian smirked.

  Anne and Samantha stepped forward.

  ‘Sorry, sweetheart. We weren’t going behind your back or anything. You deserve the best day of your life and when Julian asked us to help, well, we just couldn’t refuse,’ Samantha said, knocking shoulders with a conspiring Anne.

  Eva smiled brightly. The two elderly ladies were like a pair of old friends and their body language, happy faces, and blossoming friendship confirmed to Eva that Samantha wasn’t going anywhere. She fit in in Dublin. Just like Eva did.

  Chapter 38

  Eva stood in the master bedroom staring at her beautiful dress in the freestanding mirror. If anyone had told her last week when she was picking the mirror out in the furniture store that next time she looked into it would be on her wedding day, she would have laughed and told them they were crazy.

  Shelly passed Eva a bouquet of beautiful, cream orchids as Mia clipped a long, floor-length veil in Eva’s hair.

  ‘There,’ Mia said, stepping back. ‘You look amazing.’

  Eva could see the sincerity in Mia’s reflection as she spoke.

  ‘Eva. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything I put you through. I was so afraid of losing Julian. I didn’t think I had any choice but to push you away.’

  Eva shook her head. ‘Now’s not the time, Mia.’

  ‘Please, Eva. Let me say this. Now is the perfect time.’

  Eva turned around to face Mia. ‘I never wanted to steal Julian from you, Mia. But you decided from day one that I was the enemy. It wasn’t fair. I never deserved that.’

  ‘I know. I know,’ Mia said. ‘But Julian is different around you. And I thought that would mean he would be different around me. I thought that if he loved you then he’d stop caring about me.’

  ‘That would never happen. You’re too important to Julian. And Daniel. You will always be friends.’

  ‘Maybe we could be friends, too?’ Mia said, slightly stumbling over her words.

  Eva tossed her shoulders. ‘Yeah. Maybe. Someday.’

  ‘Okay. I’ll take that,’ Mia said.

  ‘Mia, I don’t hate you, if that’s what you think. I actually understand – kind of. I know what it’s like to lose everything and I get that you were afraid of losing your life as you know it. It doesn’t excuse your behaviour, but it does kind of explain it.’

  ‘Thank you, Eva. I’m not sure I would be as understanding if it was the other way around.’

  ‘You wouldn’t be,’ Eva assured.

  Mia laughed. So did Eva and Shelly. It was a joke, but it was even more funny because all three women knew it was also true.

  ‘C’mon,’ Shelly said, linking her arm around Mia. ‘My best friend is marrying your best friend today. Don’t know about you, but I’m bloody excited.’

  Eva was a little shocked as Mia broke away from Shelly and grabbed Eva tightly for a huge hug.

  ‘I am excited,’ Mia said releasing Eva, and Eva actually believed her.

  There was a gentle knock on the already open door and Eva spun around without hesitation to smile at the man who was going to walk her down the aisle.

  ‘Holy shit, you’re a stunner,’ Nathan said, stepping into the room.

  ‘Thank you,’ Shelly chirped in, ‘but Eva looks nice too, doesn’t she?’ Shelly joked.

  Nathan shot his girlfriend a playful look. Eva wouldn’t be surprised if Shelly and Nathan were announcing an engagement of their own soon.

  ‘Are you ready, Eva?’ Nathan asked.

  Eve turned to catch her reflection in the mirror one last time. So this is what normal looked like, she thought, beaming brightly. Normal girls got married to the man they loved. Normal girls shared that special day with the most important people in their lives. And normal girls knew what it felt like to be so happy you just might burst. Evangeline Andrews, soon to be Harte, was just a normal girl – at last.

  ‘I am most definitely ready,’ Eva replied. ‘Game on.’

  Nathan stuck out his elbow and Eva slipped her arm around.

  ‘Thank you,’ Eva whispered. ‘All of you. Julian and I are very lucky to have such great friends.’ Eva specifically looked at Mia as she spoke. Normal girls could even allow old enemies to become new friends.

  Chapter 39

  The garden was a little chillier than Eva was expecting and the cool spring breeze caught in her throat as she stood just behind the open patio doors leading from the house into the garden. Today had taken such a huge turn in direction that Eva was still reeling as she tried to take it all in. Julian was never done surprising her. Her mind wandered to thoughts of Julian’s pending surgery, the risk and the fear. She knew everything Julian had been doing over the last few months was his way of preparing her for life without him. The charity, healing her family, and now this. Julian was saying with actions what he didn’t say with words. He was saying good-bye. This was the most important and amazing day of Eva’s life and she was so excited to become Julian’s wife, but her heart was aching with a fear of the future.

  ‘Can you give me a minute?’ Eva said turning to Nathan who was standing beside her, smiling with pride and ready to walk her down the aisle.

  Nathan nodded understandingly. ‘Sure. I need to pee anyway.’

  Eva giggled. ‘Really? That’s the best excuse you could think of?’

  Nathan laughed, too. ‘Well, you did kind of put me on the spot. I’ll be in the kitchen. Call me when you’re ready, okay?’

  ‘I’ll just be a sec. You know, I just need a moment to get my head around all this.’

  ‘Eva…’ Nathan’s toned changed as he said her name. ‘Are you okay? Are you sure you want to do this?’

  ‘I’m really, really sure, Nathan. I want my happily ever after. I just want it to last forever…not maybe just twenty-four hours.’

  ‘Oh, don’t you dare think like that. I can’t believe I’m going to say this but…’ Nathan pulled a face like the words tasted funny in his mouth. ‘Julian Harte doesn’t do losing, Eva. He will show this new kidney who’s boss. Just wait. It’s all going to be okay. Actually no, it’s all going to be great. You deserve great, Eva. You really do. And Julian deserves to be the man to make sure you get it. He’s not going anywhere. I know it.’

  I wish I knew it, Eva thought, her hand rubbing her tummy and the little part of Julian growing inside her.

  Eva watched as Nathan walked slowly away. She looked up at the sky. A duvet of thick white clouds was broken up by scattered splashes of sunlight streaked across like a messy water painting. If ever there was a time heaven was looking down on her, this was it.

  ‘Dad,’ Eva whispered still staring up. She ran her hands down her sides, over the silky material of her dress. ‘It’s my wedding day,’ she said struggling to hold back tears. ‘I wish you could be here. Every girl needs her father to give her away. I forgive you, Dad. I’m so sorry it’s too late, but I forgive you. Please, I‘ve never asked you for anything, but today I’m asking you for something huge. Please help Julian. I can’t lose him. I just can’t.’

  Eva dabbed at her eyes with her fingertips, hoping she wasn’t sporting some very unflattering panda eyes as she heard Nathan come back.

  ‘You ready now?’ Nathan asked softly, not noticing she’d been crying.

  Phew.

  ‘Yes.’ Eva took a deep breath in through her nostrils, pulled her body up as tall as it went, and shot the air back out roughly through her mouth. So ready.

  Julian was waiting with his back to her at the end of the garden aisle under a silver, iron arch laced with stunning white roses. Father O’Malley waited facing Julian. Eva could see they were chatting and laughing. Samantha stood next to and a little further back than Julian. Meli
ssa, Shelly, and Pam were next, all standing side-by-side as if waiting on an invisible line. Waiting on the other side of Julian was Daniel. He was dressed smartly in a miniature replica of Julian’s suit and he looked so adorable that Eva just wanted to squishy hug him. Eva smiled realising that Julian’s son was also his Best Man. Mia was next, then Anne, Anthony, and Mr. Thompson. And that was everyone. It was a small group, and only people who were very important in both Julian and Eva’s lives were invited. It was perfect.

  Shelly kept turning around every few seconds. She finally stepped forward and sang Beyoncé’s “Halo” as Eva and Nathan began to walk out into the garden. Tone deaf and a cappella as Shelly was, Eva couldn’t help but love it. It was fun, just like Shelly.

  Julian turned around just as Eva and Nathan reached him. Julian shook Nathan’s hand, they exchanged mutual head nods, and Nathan patted Julian on the shoulder. Eva was smiling so hard her cheeks actually hurt. Somehow, a friendship had formed there, and she loved it.

  ‘Libertas supra omnia,’ Julian leaned in to whisper in Eva’s ear as Nathan left to take his place between Shelly and Pam.

  ‘Freedom above all,’ Eva mouthed back, surprised by Julian’s choice of phrase at the moment.

  ‘Are we ready to begin?’ Father O’Malley asked bright-eyed.

  Julian looked at Eva, letting her lead on this.

  ‘Yes. We’re very ready,’ Eva replied.

  ‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…’ Father O’Malley began.

  Julian held both of Eva’s hands in his as he stood facing her. Eva’s whole body felt warm inside. She couldn’t take her eyes off Julian. He looked delicious. Every so often, her mind would wander to thoughts of his tight abs hiding under his suit, or her eyes would drop to his pants and she’d feel a warm hue light up her cheeks as she imagined him inside her.