DAWN PAIGE GREY Young Adult Romance

Chapter 19 - The Elephant in the Room

An uncomfortable silence hovered round the dinner table. The family stole secretive glances across at Dawn and Luke. Eve broke the silence. She coughed and stood up.

“Right, enough of this nonsense. We’re all tiptoeing around the ‘elephant in the room’, so to speak. Dawn is back and wedding is still on, so I’d like to make a toast to the happy couple and the happiest day of their lives.”

Dawn’s father stood up and raised his glass and said, “To Luke and Dawn and their wedding day.”

Everyone clinked glasses and smiled nodding their approval.

Dawn smiled her thanks to her family. It had been ages since they’d all sat together at dinner and she loved them all dearly. Even Annie was here this evening sitting across from Dawn and next to Chris. Dawn could not help noticing how much attention he was paying to Annie and secretly hoped Annie felt attracted to her brother too.

After dinner the men offered to clean up while the ladies went to discuss the bridal shower. Eve quickly ushered Dawn and Annie outside to the summer house where they sat sipping at their champagne watching the golden sunset painting the sky.

“Dawn would you like to have your bridal shower in Perth or here at the farm. It seems as if we might have to opt for a large venue as all the ladies have replied yes to their invites.” Eve looked from Dawn to Annie, waiting for a response. 

"Aunty Eve, I really don’t mind and honestly don’t want you going to so much trouble. I think Annie and I were going to settle for a girl’s night out at the club.” Dawn replied looking at Annie for backup.

Annie smiled. “Dawn, maybe your Aunt is right. You should have it somewhere really nice if so many ladies want to come.”

“I just wanted a girly night out to let my hair down. My last night of freedom, before I have to give up being just me ….. And becoming a wife.”

“Dawn, don’t be ridiculous. You sound like you’re being sentenced to a jail term instead of a life of wedded bliss. Pull yourself together and smile, dammit. It’s not a funeral you’re going to, it’s your wedding and we’re not planning a wake but a bridal shower. Now have some respect for your father and all the trouble he’s gone to, to make your day special. I won’t even mention how much money he’s spent especially as you had to have a brand new wedding dress.”

Dawn started to open her mouth to protest but Annie quickly interrupted, “I’m sure it’s just wedding nerves Dawn is going through and everything will be just fine on the day.”

“But Annie, you and I were going to have a night out with the other bridesmaids and …..”

“It’s okay Dawn, really I don’t mind that your Aunt has organised everything, honestly I don’t. It’s probably better anyway, you’ll get so many nice presents this way, whereas our night out would’ve probably just have given you a massive headache the next day.”

Dawn shrugged her shoulders. “Oh alright Aunty Eve, I didn’t realise you’d taken control and sent out invitations.” She commented rolling her eyes at Annie.

“Dawn after the way you’ve behaved recently, that sort of attitude is not going to do you any favours. Your father and I are trying to make this day for you as special as possible. The least you can do is to show a little gratitude.”

“I’m sorry Aunty Eve. I’ll behave and be as good as gold from now on, I promise.” Dawn smiled at her Aunt.

“Oh, honestly Dawn, you will be the death of my one day!” her Aunt exclaimed and downed her glass of champagne. After a brief silence she spoke again, “So we’re in agreement then, you’ll let me carry on and organise your bridal shower. Of course you can help Annie.”

“Ummm,” Annie bit her lip before replying, “It’s really okay, I honestly don’t mind you taking over. I need to spend more time with my father anyway and I’ll just turn up for the occasion.”

“You are still going to come, Annie? I’m going to need your support amongst all those stuck up ladies my Aunt’s invited who I probably don’t even know.”

“Dawn!” her aunt scolded.

“Sorry, Aunt Eve. Promise that will be my last naughty remark .”  Looking apologetically at her Aunt, she immediately sat up straight, crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap, just the way her aunt had always taught her to sit …. The way a lady should sit.

Eve glared at her niece, shook her head and stormed off back into the house.

“Damn and blast,” Dawn muttered under her breath, “such pomp and ceremony, I didn’t want all that. It’s enough to put a person off getting married completely.”

“Dawn, please don’t even go there again. You see what trouble your walkabout caused and Luke loves you and wants to marry you.”

“Oh, I know Annie. It’s probably just wedding nerves as everyone keeps telling me, so I’ll just play nice and go with the flow.”

“Dawn, really …. You’ll see, it will all work out okay and be a fabulous day, just like you’ve always dreamed about. A fairy-tale wedding, marrying your prince.”

Dawn smiled and gave her friend a hug, “Best friends forever Annie. Don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“I’ll always be your best friend Dawn, no matter what …..” ‘or who I have to give up’ she thought to herself as she hugged Dawn back.

~~~

In the kitchen the men were busily clearing up when Eve walked in slamming the door behind her.

Steven looked up and frowned when he saw the expression on his sister’s face and deep inside he wished his wife had not died giving birth to their only daughter. He was positive she would know how to deal with Dawn and make sure everything ran smoothly. She’d always taken life calmly finding a solution for every problem. Eve had done her best with Dawn, but as she grew up there was definitely a personality clash and they butted heads more often than not. Secretly he wished the wedding day was already over so life on the ranch could return to normal.

“Steven, your daughter is impossible.” Eve exploded and turned on Luke, “I do wish you the best of luck Luke. Maybe you should’ve left her where she was ….”

“Eve, that’s enough! This is supposed to be a happy occasion not a tsunami, now calm down and I will have a talk to Dawn tomorrow. Tension is running too high tonight. Things will look better in the morning.” Steven confronted his sister, taking her by the arm into the bar lounge. “Let me pour you a drink and then I think we all need to turn in for the night. After a good night’s sleep things will look brighter in the morning.”

“A new day, a new Dawn,” Luke said as he poked his head round the door. “I’ll say goodnight and see you all in the morning.”

“Goodnight Luke.” Steven and Eve called after his disappearing figure.

Luke found Dawn still sitting outside chatting to Annie. “Annie, would you mind if Dawn and I had a few moments to ourselves before we go to bed please?” He avoided looking at Annie as he spoke and looked directly at Dawn.

Annie stood up quickly and gave Dawn a hug. “Of course Luke.” She said without looking at him and hurried indoors to her room. A sick feeling welled up in her stomach. She really was struggling with her emotions seeing Dawn and Luke together, but she knew this is just how it had to be.

Luke took Dawn’s hand and pulled her up, “Walk with me Dawn.” 

She smiled and holding his hand they walked in silence down towards the barns.