Always(Time for Love Book 4)(54)

“This is so cool,” she said to Amanda, who was standing next to her.

“I know,” Amanda answered. “When Sarah and I discussed holding a joint engagement party, we were originally thinking of Magda’s Place at the Hunter Valley. We’ve all fallen in love with that hotel, plus it’s next door to Connor’s family’s property. But Jeff suggested another place. Imagine my excitement when it turned out to be the Carmichael Sanctuary.”

Brenna chuckled. “I jumped out of my skin with glee when I heard.”

“Heard what?” Sarah asked from behind them.

“That we’re all staying at the Carmichael Sanctuary for two whole weeks to celebrate your engagements, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. I wonder if we’ll be rubbing shoulders with other famous people.”

Sarah grinned. “Only if they’re on the guest list. But you know what? Jeff told me they had to piss off some very important people,” she said in a low voice. “As you know, the place is uber exclusive and private, so it gets all booked up in advance by celebrity types who want to get out of the limelight and simply chill out during the holiday period. But Jeff gave instructions to cancel all bookings at the resort to accommodate us and our families. When Jeff told me the names of some of those people who lost their bookings, my jaw almost got detached from my face.”

“Wow,” Brenna said.

“But on the bright side for those celebs, not only did they get a refund, but they also got an offer to stay at the Sanctuary for free for double the time they’d originally booked for, and at any time of their choosing. So in the end, everyone was happy.”

“All aboard, peeps,” Greg called out.

They all piled into the Hummer: Magda, Brenna and her four best friends, Ash, Connor and the three Carmichael brothers. Brenna thought it would be great if their families also got picked up by this Hummer. Most of them had staggered arrival, and would be joining them in the next couple of days.

The trip to the Carmichael Sanctuary from the airport was almost an hour, but Brenna didn’t even notice. The vehicle was well stocked with drinks and nibbles, and the conversation amongst friends was free flowing.

She held hands with Ash all the way, only letting go when she absolutely had to.

She couldn’t wait for Christmas Eve to come, when she had a surprise waiting for him with Gemma’s help. He’d probably be shocked, but hopefully it would be a surprise he’d love.

“We’re almost there,” Zach said. “Can’t wait for you to see it, babe,” he added to Rebecca, who smiled eagerly at her husband.

Magda sighed loudly. “Oh, what a shame. I’m enjoying this drive with you young people.”

They all chuckled.

“Here we are,” Greg said as they approached an elegant gate that was already wide open.

“Do you ever close that gate?” Gemma asked. “I imagine some of the guests who stay here would prefer it closed?”

“Actually, it’s almost always open,” Greg said. “Our guests choose this place to have privacy away from their crazy or hectic everyday lives, so it has become accepted practice that they don’t tell anyone that they are due to visit here. When no one knows where they are, reporters or paparazzi don’t know where to go. Plus, the locals are very respectful of the privacy of well-known people who come to the area. A lot of our guests visit the local shops and restaurants, and the fact that they’re around doesn’t get out to the wider world. The more that our guests feel the freedom to move around, the more they spend and leave great tips, so it’s win-win for visitors and locals alike.”

“But the paparazzi know that famous people visit here though, don’t they?”

“Sure. Those who do come don’t get farther than the driveway. We have a security team which mans the premises twenty-four/seven. Uninvited guests are intercepted and escorted out before they get to the main buildings. And since the paparazzi don’t know who exactly is here at any point in time, it’s not really worth their while to bother coming here. Most of them realise that.”

“That’s good to know,” Gemma murmured.

“Don’t worry, Gem. They won’t be around to hound you. I’ll make sure of it,” Greg said with a grin.

Gemma smiled, flushing a little.

Brenna raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this little interaction between Greg and Gemma. She glanced at Magda, who’d previously said that something was brewing between the two. She noticed that Magda was keenly watching Greg and Gemma, with a secretive smile on her face.

Her surreptitious observation was broken by Ash whispering in her ear.

“Excited?”

She nodded, smiling at him.

He grinned back—in an unusual way.

Hm. She was getting more and more certain that Ash was hiding something. She’d been noticing his mysterious smiles lately, and she could generally tell when he was suppressing his excitement. His lips curved in a certain way and his eyes got a particular glint.

She wouldn’t ask him about it, though. It would spoil the fun for him. As for herself, even if she’d guessed that a surprise was coming her way, she still didn’t know what it was and when she was going to get it. So she could still act genuinely amazed.

Ah, she wondered which surprise would be better—his or hers?