Five minutes before the ceremony was due to start, Andrei took his place at the altar, and Father Gabriel walked in moments later. To say Andrei was relieved to see him was an understatement. Even though Rowena had assured him the priest was on board, Andrei knew his father's influence. A small part of him had expected Father Gabriel to run straight to his old man and squeal on him. Thank God the man had proven he could be trusted. "You'll be glad to know the roof of the Lord's house is being fixed as we speak, and the homeless shelter will remain open for the rest of winter. You've truly answered our prayers, young Ivanov!" "Why didn't you do it?" Andrei asked. "Why didn't you tell my father?" "Because you asked me not," Father Gabriel replied. If the response had come from any other person, Andrei would have been deeply suspicious because, in his world, people rarely stuck to their promises, and even fewer actually meant what they said. Andrei imagined things worked a li
It took Colleen some time to calm her down, explaining the two cars trailing them were actually their security. "They work for Andrei," Colleen said, taking her hand. "They've been following us since we left Morningside Mews. I totally forgot to tell you. I'm so sorry." When Holly still didn't look convinced, Colleen pulled over on the side of the road. The SUVs followed suit, and a moment later, a familiar face filled Holly's window. "Miss Anderson, I'm Bastian. It's a pleasure to officially meet you," said Andrei's man when she rolled down her window. "Is everything okay?" he added, but his eyes were on Colleen. "Everything is fine," Holly replied quickly, feeling utterly foolish for not listening to her friend and acting like a scaredy cat. "It's nice to meet you, Bastian." "Miss Anderson was feeling a little nauseous, that's all," Colleen added. "Wedding jitters." "I understand," Bastian said, flashing his pearly whites, his gaze constantly scanning their surroundings. "W
If Holly thought their trip to Pine Crest was rough, their trip back to Rock Castle was downright terrible. It was the stuff plane crash fears were made of. Luckily for them, despite the bumpy flight, they managed to land at the heliport east of town with little trouble. After hugging Willow goodbye, Holly made her way to Eric's car, and asked him to drop her off at Morningside Mews. "What's happening at Morningside Mews?" Eric asked. "I have to pack up the place," Holly replied. It wasn't a total lie. Over the next two weeks, before her surgery, she'd have to pack up the place. Just not today. Today, she needed the privacy of her old place to prepare for her wedding in peace. "I thought there were speciality places for that, you know, to help you move—" "There are," Holly cut him off. "But I prefer to handle it myself." Her response seemed to satisfy Eric, and he didn't pester her for the rest of the drive. But half an hour later, he was reluctant to leave her alone. "Are
After dropping Holly the pin to their wedding location, Andrei headed to Indigo, making a surprise stop, to Colleen's dismay. "What brings you by? I'm about to close shop." "So early?" Andrei frowned, checking the time on his Cartier. "It's Friday," Colleen retorted as she stepped aside and let him. "And?" "And some of us have lives, you know. I have a date with Mark." "I'm afraid you'll have to delay it for a wee bit. I need to check the books!" "Right now?" Colleen shrieked, her irritation burning bright in her eyes. "You have shitty timing, Ivanov!" she hissed over her shoulder as she pulled out her laptop from her bag and fired it up. "There," she said, pushing it at him. "Knock yourself out." Andrei sat behind her desk, and while he checked the monthly financial reports and read through Colleen's business growth plan for the next quarter, he tasked her with finding him a few wedding-esque items—like something old, something blue and something borrowed. "Who are they f
"Is the church service over already?" Holly asked, taking her mom's hand as she sat beside her. "All the screaming and shouting made everyone uncomfortable." "I'm sorry," Holly said, and she genuinely meant it. The last thing she wanted was to add to her mom's grief. "Don't be," Lois said, patting Holly's cheek. "You were speaking your truth, that's all. And sometimes, I wish Agnes was as brave as you." "How so?" Holly asked, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "Aunt Agnes was one of the bravest people I knew. Look at how hard she fought to live." "She didn't fight for love, though. And sometimes I think that's what made her sick." "What do you mean?" "Remember her wedding dress?" "The one you left in my room?" Holly said, nodding. "Yeah, that one!" Lois laughed softly. "I think I'm ready to tell you everything now." "About Aunt Agnes and Edward?" Lois nodded. "They were madly in love, your aunt and Edward. But he wasn't from a wealthy family. He came from a long line of m
It rained cats and dogs on Friday, with the gloomy clouds blanketing the Midlands sky adding to the already mournful atmosphere hanging over the farm. Holly's heart was just as heavy. But since no one else knew today was supposed to be her wedding day, all she could do was grieve for her dashed dreams in silence. After a light breakfast none of them had the appetite for, they set off for St. Luke's, and by 9:00 AM, when the priest opened the service with a prayer, kickstarting the first leg of her aunt's final sendoff, Holly was beside herself with sorrow. How she made it to the podium, she would never know. But what was even more baffling was her stunning delivery of a eulogy she'd prepared late last night when her mom realised they needed a speaker. Willow and Liam had politely declined, pointing out they didn't know their aunt well enough, so as her favourite, Holly was automatically the chosen one. She'd written a three-page long speech. But as soon as she stood in front of t