Paradise Found Read Free Page B

whether Tony’s antagonism wasn’t based on jealousy.
    Matt hadn’t inherited a family concern as so many do. He had started with a modest job with a firm of haulers, learning the ropes before graduating to his own haulage business. From small beginnings it had grown into a name to be reckoned with. Although the trading name was just ‘Hunter’s’ now, in the days when Zoe had known Matt it had been ‘Hunter & Talbot.’ Had the Talbot been a relative of Tony’s on his father’s side? Was that why Matt had made Tony his heir? And what had happened to the partnership?
    The ringing of the telephone broke off her conjectures. When she answered it, Zoe was slightly dismayed to hear Nerissa’s voice. At the best of times Tony’s mother could hardly be described as a soothing influence. ‘Just checking that the bride-to-be is okay.’
    â€˜I’m fine, thank you, Mrs. Talbot. It was thoughtful of you to ring.’
    â€˜I’m not so old that I can’t remember the night before my wedding. I was in a terrible state. You wouldn’t believe it.’ Oh, yes, Zoe would. Her future mother-in-law twisted her fingers and fidgeted and made a big panic production out of everything. ‘I’m pleased to hear you sounding so calm.’
    If Nerissa thought that, either she wasn’t very perceptive or Zoe was a better actress than she’d credited herself with being.
    â€˜Has my brother been round to introduce himself?’
    â€˜Yes, and to bring my wedding gift.’
    â€˜Matt is very unorthodox. Anyone else would have waited until morning, but he was most insistent. He’s a very forceful man; it’s best to go along with him.’
    â€˜Yes, I . . . er . . . can imagine.’
    â€˜Weddings aren’t his scene at all, and he has a very full work schedule. You should be flattered, Zoe dear, that he’s squeezed the time in to be here for yours and Tony’s wedding. Although why . . . ?’
    Was Zoe supposed to say how flattered and thrilled and delighted she was that Matt proposed to attend the next day’s ceremony? The words would have stuck in her throat. And what did she make of that puzzling,
Although why?
    Nerissa ended the lengthy pause by asking, ‘Did you like the gift he brought you?’
    That was easier. ‘It’s beautiful. I couldn’t help but like it.’
    â€˜I’m delighted. Matt bought a gift for Tony, too. Cuff links. You can also expect the traditional check.’
    â€˜Your brother is very generous.’
    â€˜It’s easy to be generous when you’re loaded,’ Nerissa said in a dry, waspish tone that held Zoe’s tongue silent. ‘Are you glad that you listened to me and decided on the gown?’
    Like every girl, Zoe had dreamed of a long wedding gown and a veil, but when the time had come she had wanted to relinquish it in favor of a two-piece suit and less bridallike hat. She had even got her outfit picked out. It would have been different if her parents had still been alive and she’d been getting married from the family home. But they weren’t. Zoe had no really close relatives, just distant cousins and one elderly aunt who wasn’t in the best of health and couldn’t tackle the long journey, so she wouldn’t be at the wedding. Another regret was that Tony’s maternal grandmother wouldn’t be able to come for the same reason. She lived even further afield—in France, the country her husband’s work had taken her to in mid-life. She loved the warmth and the people, and on becoming a widow she had seen no reason to pull up stakes and decided to remain in Provence. Zoe had still to meet her.
    All in all, anything on a grand scale had seemed pointless to her. But when she hinted at this, Nerissa had practically gone into a state of shock, saying that it wasn’t fair to deprive her of the glory of a full-scale wedding. She had