“Do you think this man will follow you to Napier?” About the Author Title Page CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN Copyright

“Do you think this man will follow you to Napier?”

“I hope not. I don’t want to see him again—ever.” The last word was spat with vehemence.

Ryan regarded her with concern. “In that case, you’ll have to take care you’re not caught on the rebound,” he warned. “If a handsome stranger comes along and is particularly nice to you—you might fall flat at his feet Metaphorically speaking, of course,” he added with a twinkle in his eye.

“That’s most unlikely,” she retorted coldly. “Just as you appear to be allergic to women, I’m in a similar frame of mind concerning men. At the moment I look upon them as being anything but trustworthy.”

“Thank you very much,” he growled. “Not even present company excepted, I notice.”

Judy decided to be frank. “I just feared you might be referring to yourself as the handsome stranger,” she said, while giving a light laugh to soften her words.

Miriam Macgregor has written eight books of historical nonfiction, but turned to romance in 1980. Many years on a sheep and cattle farm in New Zealand gave her an insight into rural life. She lived on the coast at Westshore, a suburb of Napier, where her desk overlooked Hawke Bay, a corner of the South Pacific Ocean. She has recently swapped the Pacific Ocean for the Atlantic and emigrated to Middlesex, England. She enjoys painting in oils, watercolors and pastels, and does her own housework and gardening while planning her romantic novels.

A Most Determined Bachelor
Miriam Macgregor

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHAPTER ONE

THE small boy tugged at Judy’s sleeve. ‘Isn’t Uncle Ryan here to meet us?’ he queried anxiously.

Judith Arledge’s blue eyes scanned the crowd in the small New Zealand airport. A buzz of happy chatter vibrated on the air as people greeted friends or relatives who had recently disembarked from the plane that had just touched down at Napier. It was nice to be welcomed with enthusiasm, she thought wistfully, then wondered about the man who was supposed to be meeting herself and Robin.

Where was Ryan Ellison?

‘We’d better sit down and wait,’ she said with a hint of resignation, then took Robin’s hand and led him towards two empty seats.

‘Where is Uncle Ryan?’ the boy demanded fretfully.

Judy gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile. ‘Perhaps he’s been held up. No doubt he’ll be along soon.’ This, she hoped, would prove to be a fact, otherwise she didn’t know what to do or where to go.

Searching in her mind for comfort, she recalled the words of Robin’s grandmother. ‘Ryan will definitely be there to meet you,’ Hilda Simmons had promised, when making arrangements with Judy to take the little boy from Christchurch, in the South Island, to Napier, in the North Island.

But—how shall I recognise him?’ Judy had queried doubtfully. She was not at all happy with the task that had been presented to her, and not for the first time wondered how she’d been catapulted into accepting it. But at least it would give her a short period away from Christchurch, which was something she felt herself to be in dire need of.

Hilda Simmons had been anything but vague. A faint snort had escaped her as she’d said, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll spot him at once. Ryan Ellison will stride into that airport as though he owns the place. Every woman will turn to look at him. I can tell you he’s a man who stands out in a crowd I suppose it’s his success that gives him such an air of confidence.’

‘But—what does he look like?’ Judy had persisted.

‘Tall—broad-shouldered—dark auburn hair. But you needn’t be concerned about him recognising you.’ The older woman had cast a dismissive glance over Judy’s blonde wavy hair. ‘It’s Robin he’ll be searching for. My Verna’s son—you understand?’

Robin’s voice interrupted her thoughts. ‘Judy-is Uncle Ryan my real uncle, or just a pretend uncle like Uncle Alan?’

Judy shifted uneasily in her seat. ‘You can forget Uncle Alan,’ she told him firmly. ‘You’ll not be seeing him again.’

‘Why?’ Hazel eyes regarded her with surprise.

‘Because I’ll not be seeing him again, either,’ she said through compressed lips.

‘Why?’ The boy’s eyes widened.

She tried to remain calm. ‘Because he’s not to be trusted, so please don’t mention his name again—ever. As for Uncle Ryan—I’m not sure where he fits in.’ She realised the boy knew little about his relatives, and that for some reason his mother and grandmother forced him to lead a sheltered life. It made her speak guardedly while turning to brush back his fringe of dark brown hair, that held hints of red when the sun shone on it. ‘It’s possible that Uncle is just a courtesy title,’ she added.

‘What’s courtesy?’

‘It means being polite,’ she explained patiently. Then, regarding the freckles sprinkled across his nose and cheeks, she went on, ‘As you are only six, and he’s a mature man, it’s more polite for you to call him Uncle.’

‘Are you mature, Judy?’

She smiled ruefully. ‘At twenty-three I should be, although I’m now beginning to wonder about it.’ How could a mature person be taken in by a man as disloyal as Alan Draper? she pondered. She should have seen through him from the beginning.

Robin swept away her bitter thoughts. ‘Shall I be going to school in Napier?’

‘No, dear. It’s July. The schools are still closed for the winter holidays. Your grandmother says you’ve been rather bronchial lately, and as Napier is a warmer place than Christchurch she thought it would be wise to get you away from the cold South Island winds. That’s why she rang Uncle Ryan about spending some time with him.’

‘What’s bronchial?’

She simplified the answer. ‘Chest colds that make you cough a lot Have you been like that?’

He shook his head.

Judy frowned, her blue eyes regarding the boy thoughtfully. She saw quite a lot of Robin. Almost every day after school he came through a hole in the hedge dividing his grandmother’s and her parents’ properties, but so far she’d noticed nothing bronchial about him. He appeared to be a perfectly healthy lad who wolfed down the cookies and orange drinks she often provided for him. In fact it was this kindness to the lad that had landed her in her present situation.

Sitting at the kitchen table one day, Robin had said casually, ‘My Gran is very, very cross. She’s so angry she’s nearly crying.’

Judy had looked at him in amazement. She could imagine Hilda Simmons being cross, because it was a state not at all foreign to her. But for her neighbour to reach the stage of tears was something she was unable to visualise. Should she go next door to see if there was anything she could do to help? Judy was the type of person who liked to help.

At the same time she hesitated, fearing that Hilda Simmons might consider she was intruding upon a private matter. Nevertheless, the thought of her being so upset disturbed Judy, particularly as she was an elderly widow whose daughter, Robin’s mother, was away at present. Tentatively, she asked, ‘Why is your gran so upset?’

His mouth half full, Robin said, “Cos Mrs Fulton won’t do something she wants her to do.’

Judy looked at him thoughtfully. ‘Could I help? Is it something I could do for her?’

‘I don’t know...’

Judy made a decision. She might be putting herself in the position of being told to mind her own business, but if her neighbour needed assistance she felt it should be of fered. Impulsively, she said, ‘Finish your drink and we’ll go and see your gran.’

Robin had not exaggerated the extent of his grandmother’s anger. She was frothing mad, yet her face cleared and a speculative look crept into her eyes as Judy stepped into the neighbouring kitchen.

‘Robin said you need a little help,’ the latter began.

‘Oh, I do—I do!’ Hilda Simmons exclaimed. She was a tall, dominant woman of generous proportions, and her dark eyes held a piercing glint. People usually found themselves doing as she demanded, but in this case she did not appear to have been completely successful. ‘That wretched Pulton woman has let me down,’ she went on in an aggrieved tone. ‘She’s one of my bridge players. She was going to Napier and had promised to take Robin with her. She was to leave him with Ryan—but now she’s had to cancel her trip.’

Who was Ryan? Judy wondered at that stage.

Hilda’s wrath then turned towards her daughter. ‘It was very selfish of Verna to go skiing at the beginning of the school holidays,’ she complained. ‘She has no right to put the responsibility for Robin on me. She knows he’s becoming more than I can cope with. She knows I can’t allow my good works to suffer because of a small boy who is often very naughty.’

The last words were accompanied by a dark glare towards Robin, who stood listening with a sullen look on his small face and his lower lip thrust slightly forward.

‘It would be dreadful if he had one of his tantrums in front of my bridge ladies,’ Hilda added, the mere thought causing a hint of horror to creep into her voice.

Judy made no reply. She considered Hilda Simmons to be an overbearing woman who was capable of coping with anything. Nor did she find it difficult to imagine her placing the responsibility of Robin on somebody else herself. As for the ‘good works’—they were little more than afternoon bridge parties which resulted in a few dollars going to charity. Even so, Hilda’s next words had given her a shock.

Taking a deep breath, the older woman drew herself to her full height as she said, ‘Well—you asked if there was anything you could do to help. As it happens, there is. You can take Robin to Napier and leave him with Ryan Ellison.’

‘Me-?’ The word came out like a squeak as Judy gaped at her.

‘Of course you’ll be paid. That should be a help, considering you’re currently out of work.’ Hilda paused before adding thoughtfully, ‘I feel sure he’ll be safe with Ryan.’

Her last words surprised Judy. ‘Safe? Safe from what?’

Hilda ignored the question as she said, ‘Don’t allow him to talk to any strange men. One hears so much about these ghastly people...’

The thought made Judy shudder, but she managed to speak calmly. ‘I think you’re worrying needlessly, Mrs Simmons. Air hostesses will do the job for you. Children often travel in the care of hostesses. They’re very reliable—’

Hilda pursed thin lips. ‘But they’d be strangers to Robin, whereas he knows you,’ she said, with unexpected grandmotherly concern. ‘I’m afraid he’s not very good with women he doesn’t know, although he’s quite at ease with men.’

A sigh escaped Judy. ‘Very well, I’ll take him. Job-hunting will have to wait until I return to Christchurch.’

Hilda breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Thank you, my dear. And don’t forget to warn Ryan about what happens if the boy becomes unduly upset. You know what I mean...’

Judy had nodded without uttering the dreaded word bed-wetting.

Hilda stood looking at Judy reflectively, her dark eyes taking in the latter’s lovely face, with its clear complexion, straight nose and sweetly generous mouth. The blonde hair curling about the slim shoulders made her look much younger than her twenty-three years, and, almost as if noticing her neighbour’s beauty for the first time, the older woman spoke firmly. ‘Of course there’ll be no need for you to stay in Napier. Ryan’s housekeeper will take care of Robin as soon as he becomes accustomed to her. You may come home the next day.’

Judy felt puzzled. ‘I can? But—who will bring Robin home?’

‘Naturally, Verna will make the trip to fetch him. It’s high time she made contact with Ryan again. Actually—he should have married her years ago.’ Hilda’s eyes blazed with a flash of anger. ‘But has he done so? No—he has not. According to his housekeeper, he’s thrown himself into agricultural pursuits and has become a veritable land baron. She said it’s difficult to know whether he owns the land, or whether the land owns him. She also said his house sees as much social life as a hermit’s cave. But of course Verna would alter all that.’

Robin broke into Judy’s ponderings, his voice holding an anxious note as he said, ‘I don’t think Uncle Ryan is pleased we’re coming to stay with him. That’s why he’s not here to meet us.’

Judy sent him a curious glance, but forced herself to speak casually. ‘Why do you say that?’

“Cos Gran kept frowning when she talked to him on the phone. She was very, very cross. I think Uncle Ryan was cross too.’ His eyes looked at her pleadingly. ‘Judy—could we go home—now?’

She felt disturbed. ‘No, dear, I’m afraid that’s impossible. At least, not today.’ Had a word of welcome been missing from the other end of the line? she wondered. Her arm went about Robin in a comforting gesture as she added, ‘If Uncle Ryan stays cross with us we shall go home very soon.’ she promised.

By this time the airport was emptying. Luggage had been collected, people were departing, and it was then that Judy became aware of the man who stood watching them. Judging him to be about thirty, and over six feet in height, he stood with his arms folded across a broad chest. Their eyes met and their locked gazes held for several long moments while instinct told her that this was Ryan Ellison.

‘A man who stands out in a crowd’, Hilda Simmons had said, and Judy could only agree that he would make any girl look twice. But she hadn’t expected him to be quite so handsome, and as he came towards them her legs suddenly felt weak and shaky. Olive-green eyes swept over her, and when he spoke it was with a deep, vibrant voice that fitted in with the rest of him.

‘Is it possible you’re Mrs Fulton and that this lad is Robin Bryant?’ he queried.

It took her a moment to gather her wits. ‘Mrs Fulton? No—I’m Judith Arledge. But this is Robin... I presume you’re Mr Elison?’ As he nodded she went on to explain, ‘Mrs Fulton was unable to make her visit to Napier, so Mrs Simmons arranged with me to bring Robin to you. Didn’t she tell you about this change of plan?’

His tone became crisp. ‘Indeed she did not.’

Observing his sudden scowl, she said, ‘Is there a problem with that?’

‘It’s possible—unless you have friends in Napier with whom you can stay. However, we’ll discuss it later. I presume you have suitcases?’ He lifted Judy’s cabin bag, then led the way to where the main luggage was to be collected.

Holding Robin’s hand, she followed meekly, the problem being easy to guess. Mrs Fulton, she realised, would have left the boy with this man and then gone on her way, whereas she herself expected to stay with the lad at least for one night. But this, from the sound of his tone, did not suit Ryan Elison, and suddenly Judy felt very forlorn and unwanted. Depression settled upon her as she identified their two suitcases, but she tried to shake it off by telling herself she was overreacting.

A short time later they were seated in a dark green Range Rover, little being said as Ryan drove them round the harbour, where yachts rested in the calm waters of the Napier Sailing Club’s marina. Beyond the masts several fishing boats lay at anchor, and after passing a small shopping area they were rewarded by the sight of Hawke Bay, its wide, circular wave-crested expanse rimmed by distant coastal hills. On the seafront ahead of them lofty Norfolk pines rose from a long grassy verge bordering the road. And across the road from the trees stretched a row of houses, their windows glistening from the rays of the late westering sun.

Ryan stopped the vehicle in front of a wide, white two-storey house that faced the bay. A garage formed part of its base, and instead of a garden the frontage had been paved, to form a parking area between the house and the road. It was large enough to accommodate several cars, its austerity softened and made colourful by tubs filled with winter-flowering pansies, anemonies in bud and shrubs of red japonica that stood in brilliant contrast against the wall.

He switched off the ignition, but instead of getting out of the Range Rover he turned to stare at Judy. ‘Miss Arledge—you’ ve not yet explained your situation,’ he reminded her smoothly. ‘Do you-or do you not have plans for your accommodation in Napier?’

She almost quailed beneath the hardness of his tone. ‘No—I’m afraid I haven’t—’

His lips tightened. ‘You mean you’re expecting to stay with me? Is that what you’re trying to say?’ The question was rasped.

‘If—if you’ll have me,’ she returned in a small voice.

‘Well—I must say this is an unexpected turn of events,’ he admitted bluntly.

Her delicate brows rose as she met his gaze with frankness. ‘I’m well aware that something about me niggles at you, Mr Ellison, but I’m darned if I can work out what it can be—or what I’ve done to merit your antagonism?’

His dark brows drew together. ‘Please understand that it’s nothing personal. It’s just that I didn’t think I’d be expected to offer hospitality to a girl such as yourself.’

‘There’s something wrong with me?’ Her eyes flashed at him indignantly, widening until the reflection from her deep blue padded rain-jacket made them glitter like sapphires.

‘Yes—plenty,’ he snapped. ‘You’re too damned attractive to be staying in a house alone with a man and a small boy. I don’t have young women living with me—and I intend to keep it that way.’

She spoke softly as light dawned. ‘I see. You have a girlfriend who would object?’

‘Not exactly.’ His tone had become terse. ‘However—I do happen to have a reason.’

‘But we wouldn’t be alone,’ she reasoned. ‘You have a housekeeper. Mrs Simmons said so.’

He spoke harshly. ‘Hilda Simmons—or the dragon as I prefer to think of her—was mistaken. Kate Coster, who attends to my washing and housework, has her own cottage next door. She does not live with me.’

Judy’s jaw sagged slightly. ‘Oh, I see...’

Robin’s voice piped up from the seat behind them. It sounded tearful. ‘Don’t you want us to stay with you, Uncle Ryan?’

The man sent a startled glance over his shoulder, and it seemed as if he’d momentarily forgotten the little boy’s presence. ‘Yes, of course I do,’ he said hastily. ‘It’s just that there are times when things can be inconvenient.’

Robin’s voice became even more plaintive as he asked another question. ‘Uncle Ryan, have you got a toilet in your house?’

‘Of course, old chap. We’ll go inside right away.’ Turning to Judy, he said, ‘We’ll continue this discussion later...before you leave. Perhaps you can also throw light on one or two points that have been puzzling me.’

Before you leave. she noticed, but made no comment.

As they left the Range Rover and went towards the front door she also noticed that Ryan carried Robin’s suitcase but had left her own in the vehicle. It made her realise he was adamant in not wishing to have her stay in his house, and that he fully intended to find other accommodation for her. The knowledge gripped her with a surge of disappointment, but she kept it well hidden by remaining silent as she followed him upstairs to the main living quarters.

Robin’s most urgent need was attended to, and then he was shown into the smallest of four bedrooms opening off a passageway. It held a single bed with bedside table, a dressing table and a built-in wardrobe. He opened the door of the latter, and, having surveyed its emptiness, turned to the tall man with a wistful query. ‘Uncle Ryan—have you got any toys?’

Ryan looked vaguely amused. ‘Did you expect to find some in there?’

Robin nodded. ‘Gran makes me put them away in the wardrobe. I don’t want dolls and things for girls...’

Ryan flicked a glance towards Judy, then spoke in a serious tone. ‘I dare say we can both do without dolls. I’ve been avoiding them for years. As for toys, tomorrow you and I shall visit the shops to see what we can find for boys.’

‘And Judy—she’ll come with us?’ Robin asked anxiously.

‘We’ll see about that,’ Ryan said in a noncommittal tone, ‘Miss Arledge will probably be busy doing other things.’

Judy turned away to stare unseeingly through the window. It was easy to guess at what this autocratic man considered she’d be doing. No doubt winging her way back to Christchurch on tomorrow’s first night. She bit her lip as she again became gripped by a sense of having been rejected. Then came frustration, because she was unable to see what to do about it.

Of course, if she returned to Christchurch so rapidly she’d be doing exactly as the dictatorial Hilda Simmons had decreed. But she hadn’t visited the coastal city of Napier befone, and now that she was here the desire to have a look at the place was strong. It had nothing to do with Ryan Ellison, she assured herself firmly. Her recent experience with Alan Draper had turned her off men. Although she had to admit that there was something about this particular man that interested her—something that made her feel it would be nice to get to know him a little better, if only she could find a way past his initial hostility.

Ryan cut into her thoughts. ‘I can hear Miss Coster in the kitchen. She’s probably making a cup of tea.’ He guided Judy towards the living room, which had a dining alcove adjoining it, the latter being attached to the kitchen by an archway instead of a door.

Kate Coster came forward to meet Judy. She was a tall, gaunt woman, with straight grey hair and a small tight mouth. Her pale grey eyes blinked in surprise as they took in Judy’s youthful appearance, missing nothing—not the depth of blue in her large eyes, the slight wave in her blonde hair, nor the golden lights that made it shine.

Ryan said, ‘This is not Mrs Fulton, as we expected, Kate. This is Miss Judith Arledge.’

Judy smiled and held out her hand. Determined to be pleasant, she said, ‘Most people call me Judy.’

Kate Coster ignored her outstretched hand and spoke bluntly. ‘Well, I must say you’re not what I expected. You look as though you’re still in the sixth form, or maybe just out of it.’

A cool smile touching his lips, Ryan explained, ‘Kate was a school teacher before she reached the retiring age.’

Kate nodded. ‘Yes, indeed. I know exactly how to handle children, especially the naughty ones.’ She bent a cool gaze upon Robin, who had been staring at her with apprehension written all over his face. ‘So he’s to be here for the remainder of the school holidays. I hope he’s a good boy.’

‘Yes, of course he is,’ Judy said faintly, while becoming conscious of Robin’s tenseness as he gripped her hand

‘Come and talk to me, Robin,’ Kate commanded, in the tone of one who would stand no nonsense.

‘No-I don’t want to,’ Robin gasped, then slipped behind Judy and flung his arms around her while burying his face against her skirt.

Ryan became impatient. ‘Just ignore him until he knows you better,’ he advised Kate. The point is that I have a problem. I didn’t think before, but it’s obvious I need a woman to care for Robin while he’s here. Someone with more maturity than Miss Arledge—who, as you’ve noticed, appears to be just out of the schoolroom.’

His words had an effect upon Judy. Her chin rose, her cheeks became flushed and her eyes flashed blue sparks as she faced him furiously. ‘Mr Elliso—I’ll have you know I’m more than capable of caring for Robin,’ she flung at him.

‘I didn’t say you weren’t,’ he snapped.

‘Then what are you saying?’ Her breatbing had become agitated as all her recent frustrations began to spill over. ‘Please be frank so that I can understand the situation.’

‘I’ve already told you,’ he snarled. ‘However, I’ll spell it out again. The situation is this—I have no wish for a girl such as yourself to be living in my house. Is that clear enough?’

‘Perfectly clear... although it’s beyond me to know exactly what it is about me you’re so afraid of,’ she said with cold dignity. She took a long, deep breath. ‘So, what will you do about Robin?’

‘I’ll appeal to Miss Coster for help,’ Ryan informed her smoothly. ‘I shall make it worth her while to take care of the boy.’ He turned to the older woman. ‘Will you agree to do so, Kate? You can either stay here or take him to your cottage.’

Kate Coster looked so startled by the suggestion she could only gape at him. Nor did she appear to be particularly pleased by it. She frowned, and although her thin lips opened, no sound came from them.

‘It’ll be worth your while, Kate.’ Ryan pursued softly.

‘You know I can be generous when the mood takes me.’

‘Oh, yes, I do indeed,’ Kate admitted. ‘Oh...well...I...I suppose I’ll do it,’ she said with reluctance. ‘But he’ll have to be a very good boy and do everything I say at once. I shall not tolerate the slightest disobedience. Do you understand, Robin?’ She glared at the boy menacingly.

Judy was appalled by Kate’s manner and attitude. The woman’s a fool, she thought. She might have been a school teacher, but this was not the way to deal with children—especially Robin—and not for one moment would she consider leaving him in Kate’s care. But the boy had been sent to Ryan. She herself had delivered him. And because Ryan had no wish for her to be in his home the situation had become problematic.

Robin’s voice rose on the air. ‘I don’t want to be left with her,’ he wailed tearfully.

The boy’s loud protests were ignored by Ryan. ‘Well, that’s settled, then,’ he said with easy satisfaction. ‘Kate will take over. I’m sure everything will work out well. OK, Kate—he’s all yours.’

‘No...no...no...’ Robin shouted, while clinging even more tightly to Judy, at the same time beginning to stamp his feet.

‘Stop this nonsense at once,’ Kate snapped at him.

‘Don’t leave me, Judy,’ he pleaded between gasps of weeping. ‘Please, Judy...don’t leave me with her—’

Judy began to feel desperate, her frustrations almost bursting within her as she put her arms about Robin in an effort to comfort him. She was assailed by a feeling of helplessness, and then Robin’s pleadings gave rise to another question, which she flung at Ryan above the noise of the boy’s weeping. Glaring at him above Robin’s head, she demanded wrathfully, ‘Mr Ellison—would it be too much to ask what plans you have in mind for me? As you intend throwing me out of your house, shall I be left on the road or tossed into the sea?’ Agitation caused her voice to shake.

‘Nothing so drastic, Miss Arledge,’ he retorted coldly. ‘If you’ll come over to the window I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping this evening. It’s not far away.’ He strode across the room and stood waiting for her to join him.

Judy had already noticed that most of the windows faced the ocean, and now curiosity caused her to comply with his request. Keeping her arm about Robin, she drew him with her as she went to stand beside Ryan.

He pointed towards the left, where two wide buildings were situated near the waterfront. They were surrounded by lawns and gardens. ‘The first building is a motel,’ he explained. ‘The second is its restaurant. If the motel hasn’t a vacancy I’ll find you one elsewhere, and tomorrow I’ll arrange for your return flight to Christchurch. There’s no need for you to worry about anything. Robin will be quite all right with Kate. He’ll get over his upset.’

But Ryan’s words set Robin off again. Sobs shook his body as he said between gasps, ‘I want to be with Judy. I don’t want to be with...with that other one. I don’t like her. She’s crabby and cross.’ The wails grew louder.

Kate’s stern tones rose above the din Robin was creating. ‘Didn’t I tell you to stop this nonsense at once?’ she scolded. ‘You will come with me and have your face and hands washed.’ She crossed the room and grabbed his arm, making an effort to drag him away from Judy.

But the action had dire results. Robin threw himself into one of his famous tantrums, which was something Judy had been secretly fearing. His sobs switched to loud yells as he wrenched his arm from Kate’s grasp. His small fists flayed at her, then his leg swung as he kicked her on the shin with his heavy winter shoe.

Kate sprang back with a horrified shriek. ‘You little brat—’ she ranted furiously. ‘This is a tantrum if ever I’ve seen one.’

‘That’s right,’ Judy informed her calmly. ‘Robin’s very good at tantrums. I’ve seen quite a few of them.’

‘Hell’s teeth—can’t you shut him up?’ Ryan barked at her.

His tone brought Judy’s own temper seething to the top. ‘Now you listen to me, Ryan Ellison,’ she raged at him above the noise of the boy’s gasping sobs. ‘Robin is my responsibility and I won’t desert him if he’s not happy. If I go to that motel he comes with me. Is that understood? And you can explain the reason for it to his grandmother.’ Her face flushed as she held Robin in her protective embrace.

As if by magic her words silenced the boy, who had grasped their meaning without any trouble. His oear-filled eyes gazed up at Judy imploringly as he pleaded, ‘Promise, Judy... Promise you won’t leave me? Promise... promise... promise...’

‘Yes, darling, I promised.’ She opened her shoulder bag and drew out a bundle of tissues. ‘Wipe your eyes and blow your nose...there’s a good boy. And don’t let’s have any more fuss.’

Ryan made no secret of his relief. ‘At least you seem to be able to control him.’

Kate examined her shin, then demanded aggressively, ‘How often do these tantrums occur?’

‘Only when he feels very deeply about something,’ Judy informed her. Then she sighed and went on in a resigned tone, ‘If you’ll pardon my frankoess, I can only point out that your manner towards Robin was stern and bossy for no reason at all. It made him feel frightened and insecure. Anyone who is accustomed to dealing with young children would have realised that he’s had a long and tiring day. He was up early, leaving all that’s familiar, to catch a plane from Christchurch to Wellington, and then there was a wait before boarding a different plane to Napier. After all, he’s only six.’

‘The little man has had a busy day,’ Ryan drawled in what sounded like a more kindly tone.

Judy pursued her efforts to make excuses for Robin. ‘And that is not all. You—Mr Ellison—have made no secret of the fact that you don’t want me here. That’s upset him badly because I’m his link with security and all that’s familiar.’ She paused to take a deep breath, then went on warningly, ‘If I agree to your plan and leave him here, he’s likely to sob his heart out for most of the night And when he becomes upset to that extent he’s liable to wet the bed—and I’m not just talking about tears on the pillow!’

‘Bedwetting!’ The word was jerked out of Kate with a gasp of horror. ‘Oh, dear...oh, dear...we can’t have that.’ She turned a pathetic face towards Ryan. ‘I’m sorry...I don’t think I can cope with the boy. I’m too old. I’m beyond handling children who can be as difficult as this one. I’m afraid you’ll have to make other arrangements—’

‘It’s all right, Kate,’ Ryan said irritably. ‘I suppose Miss Arledge will have to stay here after all.’ He sighed, as though the thought exasperated him.

Judy looked at him with disdain while wondering what on earth had made her imagine she’d like to get to know this man better. Then her tone became scathing as she said, ‘Thanks a million for the charm and warmth of your invitation, Mr Ellison. However, I can assure you that staying here is the last thing I wish to do.’

His mouth twisted slightly as he frowned at her. ‘So—what action do you intend to take?’

Feeling suddenly exhausted, Judy spoke wearily, ‘If you’ll be good enough to take me to the motel, I’ll stay there as you suggested—providing they have a vacancy, of course. Robin will come with me and tomorrow we’ll go back to Christchurch. It’s as simple as that.’

‘I’m afraid it’s not as simple as that,’ he retorted, in a voice as hard as granite. ‘The boy stays here with me. He’s been sent to me and there must be a reason for it. The dragon does nothing without a reason. Perhaps you can help me fathom it out—unless you’ve been sworn to secrecy?’

‘Secrecy? What utter rubbish!’ Judy exclaimed, while gaping at him incredulously. ‘I must say you’re a strange man with some very odd ideas, Mr Ellison.’

‘Am I indeed? Well, perhaps I’m approaching this from the wrong angle. Perhaps I’m being over-protective of my hermit’s cave—as Kate likes to refer to this place.’ He sent a mocking glance towards his housekeeper, then his manner changed as he took several steps closer to Judy and stood staring down into her face.

Speaking softy, and keeping his deep voice low, he said, ‘Judy—will you try to overlook these eccentricities you see in me? I’d be grateful if you’d stay so that we can talk this over.’

So, she had suddenly become Judy, she noticed. And why was her previous attraction towards this man rearing its head again? It was something she’d have to control, and to prevent him from seeing any hint of eagerness in her eyes she turned to stare through the window as she said, ‘Very well, I’ll stay—but we’ll talk only after Robin has been fed and put to bed.’ Despite her calm assertion, the thought of spending the evening with this man made her pulses quicken.

CHAPTER TWO

RYAN turned to Kate with a request. ‘Perhaps you could show Judy the food we have in the fridge? I’m sure she’ll find something suitable for Robin. While you’re doing that I’ll bring her suitcase up from the Range Rover.’

Kate sniffed and led the way to the kitchen. ‘Rather you than me with that boy,’ she muttered, with a hint of sympathy.

Judy rose to the child’s defence. ‘He’s a dear little boy and I’m very fond of him.’ Then she smiled disarmingly. ‘After all, most children become cross when they’re tired and hungry.’

Kate sniffed again as she opened the large fridge. ‘Then you’d better let him have some of this meat and vegetable casserole. You can heat it up in the microwave. Or perhaps you’d prefer to give him a plain boiled egg with fingers of toast. I’ll leave you to make up your own mind about it. Goodnighl’

Judy watched her open a door in the kitchen, then make her way down a back stairway. Miss Coster, she realised, was feeling disgruntled with the world in general, but there was little that she herself could do about it A sigh escaped her as she searched for a small saucepan in which to boil an egg. Robin, she knew, was in no state to be confronted by vegetables, whereas he enjoyed poking toast soldiers into a softly boiled egg.

An hour later, with a very drowsy small boy fed and put to bed, Judy was feeling more relaxed. She had renewed her make-up, and had changed into a damson-colored dress which made her eyes seem a shade purple. She was also feeling more confident, and as she sat opposite Ryan in the living room, while sipping a delicious Spanish sherry, it was hard to believe that this was the same man who’d been so annoyed when he’d learnt she was not Mrs Fulton.

To her relief, he now appeared to be resigned to her presence, and was treating her as a normal guest instead of something untouchable that had found its way into his hermit’s cave. The fact that he had no wish to entertain a young woman such as herself appeared to have been forgotten. Or had it been temporarily put on hold until he’d learnt all she could tell him?

However, he didn’t rush matters, and her crystal glass had been refilled before the questions began. It was enough to make her realise that the sherry was intended to loosen her tongue, although she knew there was little she could tell him.

Ryan leaned back in his chair, his long legs stretched before him, his olive-green eyes hooded as they examined the liquid in his glass. ‘OK... so tell me about the workings of the dragon’s mind,’ he requested lazily.

Judy laughed. ‘I’m afraid it’s beyond my powers to do that.’

Frowning, he said, ‘As I remarked earlier, she does nothing without a reason—and as she’s never gone to this extent before, I can’t help wondering what it is.’

Judy shook her head vaguely. ‘Apart from bronchial trouble, I can’t imagine what it can be—although I can hardly believe she’d send Robin to Napier without giving you a reason.’

He shrugged. ‘Only the one about his need for a warmer climate. Is he really bronchial?’

‘To be honest, I’ve never noticed it,’ she admitted.

Ryan continued to frown as he said, ‘If it was so imperative for him to come to Napier, why didn’t Verna bring him? After all, she’s his mother. Or Mrs Simmons herself?’

Judy had no wish to discuss Hilda Simmons or Verna. She wanted to learn a little more about this man, whose masculinity stirred something deep within her. But she knew he expected an answer, therefore she said, ‘It seems that Verna had already left for a skiing holiday a few days before Mrs Simmons decided upon this move. The snow is supposed to be really good further south, near Queenstown.’

His mouth tightened. ‘I’ll bet it is. It’s also mighty thick on Mount Ruapehu, where rm supposed to be skiing at present However, this business of young Robin was thrust upon me.’

She felt perturbed. ‘Are you saying you’ve had to forgo your own holiday?’

‘That’s it exactly.’

‘Why didn’t you refuse by explaining it was inconvenient?’

‘Because I was reminded that I owed her, and that I owed Verna. It had a strong smell of blackmail about it, but I decided that if the dragon imagined I was in their debt I would prefer to be free of it.’ He sipped his sherry, his eyes slightly narrowed as he went on, ‘Do you ever get the feeling there’s more to a situation than meets the eye? That’s how I feel about this. There’s something I just can’t put my finger on. Are you sure she didn’t say anything else?’

His last words jerked Judy’s memory. ‘Well...she did say she thought Robin would be safe with you.’

‘Safe?’ He sat up straight and stared at her. ‘What did she mean by that? Safe from what, may I ask?’

Judy shook her head. ‘I haven’t a clue. I asked, but she brushed the question aside.’

‘Well. that settles it,’ he rasped irritably. ‘The dragon has definitely got some plot simmering.’

The statement confirmed Judy’s own thoughts, but all she said was, ‘Vema will probably be able to explain...when she arrives.’

His face became a mask. ‘Verna is coming here?’

‘Of course. Didn’t her mother tell you? She’ll come to fetch Robin at the end of the school holidays. It’ll probably please you to learn that I was ordered to return to Christchurch almost at once.’

‘So I’m likely to have Verna here instead of yourself?’

She nodded. ‘Perhaps sooner than you expect.’ How did he feel about that? she wondered, covertly watching his face and hoping for a reaction to the thought of Verna’s arrival. But his expression remained unfathomable, and she then tried to tell herself that the question had no real interest for her. Or did it?

After that a silence hung between them, until she glanced at her watch and was amazed to see how the minutes had slipped by. A hunger pang told her it was time she ate, and hesitantly she said, ‘I’ve no wish to appear to be taking over your kitchen, but—would you like me to do something about the food Miss Coster has left in the fridge?’

Ryan took a hasty glance at his own watch. ‘Yes, it’s time we had supper. Let’s do things together. I’ll find cutlery and tablemats while you put whatever you wish into the microwave.’

She stood up and moved towards the kitchen. ‘Let’s do things together’, he’d said. It sounded pleasant, but of course she knew that he meant nothing of a familiar nature, and the sooner she controlled her wayward thoughts the better. Remember Alan Draper, she reminded herself. All men are the same.

As he took plates from kitchen cupboards he said, ‘While you’re here you’ll be attending to meals, so as far as the kitchen is concerned—it’s all yours.’

‘Thank you—I’ll take care of it’ She smiled while studying which elements to switch on beneath the previously prepared carrots, Brussels sprouts and potatoes—the latter to be mashed.

He came to her aid, standing close enough for his arm to brush her own as he pointed out the various heating areas on the shiny black ceramic stove-top. It caused her to catch her breath, but she gave no sign of her racing pulses as she murmured a faint, ‘Thank you.’

If he noticed that her colour had risen slightly he ignored it by saying casually, ‘I must say you’re very good with Robin. A real little mother, in fact.’

Praise from Ryan was unexpected. It caused her colour to deepen.

He went on, ‘I was impressed by your care in making sure his teeth were cleaned before bedtime.’

A shaky laugh escaped her. ‘That’s because I was a dental nurse. You could say I’m very tooth-conscious.’ She paused, then went on ruefully, ‘You’ll notice I said was a dental nurse.’

‘You were made redundant?’ he asked, while eyeing her sharply.

‘Not exactly.’ She spoke with quiet dignity. ‘Until recently I worked for a dentist who had a one-man practice. The poor man died from a brain haemorrhage. His death put me out of a job, and so far I haven’t found another.’

Judy sighed while recalling the morning she’d been phoned by a tearful newly widowed woman and given the sad news. She’d been told to cancel all appointments, then shut the door and go home. Later she’d assisted by settling accounts and making an inventory of all surgery equipment.

‘I don’t suppose dental nurse jobs are very thick on the ground,’ Ryan said, while watching the shadows of sadness linger on her face.

‘They’re not...that’s why I was free to bring Robin to you. But that’s enough about me. You can’t possibly be interested.’ Then, feeling a change of subject was indicated, she said with sincerity, ‘I’m sorry your holiday has been disrupted—although there’s nothing to stop you from keeping to your plans. Robin and I would be all right staying here, so long as you don’t object to us occupying your house while you’re away.’

He said nothing while opening red wine and placing it in a bottle-holder. Then his mouth tightened as he remarked in a mocking tone, ‘You sound as if my absence would be preferable to my presence.’

‘It wouldn’t matter to me one way or the other,’ she responded coolly, while knowing this to be a lie.

He met her blue-eyed gaze steadily. ‘Aren’t you forgetting the small matter of the boy being safe with me? While you’re both in Napier I intend to remain close.’

Judy’s smooth brow wrinkled as she put portions of the casserole into the microwave. ‘I’m still unable to understand what Mrs Simmons meant by that,’ she admitted.

‘Me too—but you can bet that the dragon had something in mind. She’s very astute.’

Judy did not pursue the subject. She knew Hilda Simmons well enough to realise that her neighbour was inclined to dramatise and exaggerate most situations. Nor did she wish to mentally dwell upon the older woman, and in an effort to clear her thoughts she found herself wishing that the present amicability between herself and this man could be a little deeper than the mere surface.

A short time later, while serving him with food at his own table, she began to enjoy herself. It was like being his hostess, and she became aware of a small, happy glow of excitement within her. Despite his initial antagonism there was something about him that appealed to her. The shaded lights gave an aura of inscrutability to his clean-cut features, and she wondered about the direction of his thoughts. Was it possible they’d ever rest upon herself with any degree of friendship? Or was he even now happily contemplating the thought of Verna’s arrival?

As if to confound her, he raised his wine glass and said, ‘Here’s to our better acquaintance.’

Automatically she raised her own glass while repeating his words. Did he mean them? she wondered. In an effort to clear the confusion from her mind she stared through the alcove window to where the full moon hung like a silver dollar over this tranquil corner of the South Pacific Ocean. Darkness had now fallen, and the curve of the bay was brilliantly outlined by house and streetlights situated round the shore. Close at hand, and below the window, cars sped along the seafront road, the muted swish of their passing making the room seem like a haven of peace.

He said, ‘You’ve become very quiet and thoughtful. What’s put you in this mood?’

She raked in her mind for a logical reply, but could only come up with, ‘You spoke of our better acquaintance—but you’re ahead of me. You know much more about me than I know about you. It’s hardly fair.’

His dark brows rose. ‘Didn’t the dragon give you a nmning commentary on my entire life?’

‘Why would she do that?’ Judy said carefully, knowing it would be unthinkable to tell him what Hilda Simmons had said concerning his land activities—or that she considered he should have married Verna years ago.

He helped himself to more mashed potatoes. ‘Well—if you’re really interested—I grow food for export.’

‘What sort of food? Unless you think I’m prying...?’

He paused, as though wondering where to begin, then, staring into his wine glass he said, ‘I grow apples for export to the UK. Buttercup squash to go to Japan. There are acres of sweetcorn, where the cobs will end up frozen or in cans, also green peas that’ll receive a similar fate. There’s a large area of grapes, which will go to this country’s wine-makers, and in a couple of months’ time the asparagus cutters will arrive at dawn each morning to harvest the spears coming through the ground.’

Judy’s mind boggled as Hilda’s words flashed into her memory. ‘You must be a...a positive land baron,’ she exclaimed, the words just slipping out.

He regarded her through narrowed lids. ‘Land baron? That’s what Hilda Simmons always says... Are you sure she didn’t discuss me?’

Judy brushed the veiled accusation aside by asking, ‘How do you manage all these areas?’

‘Each section has its own manager, who is an expert in that particular line. He employs whatever staff he needs. We hold manager meetings to discuss procedure, like rotation of crops and the fertilisation of the soil. The ground has to be fed, you understand.’

She watched his lips as he spoke, noticing the sensuous lines of his mouth. He’d know how to kiss a girl, she found herself thinking, then dragged her thoughts back to a more even keel by saying, ‘I must say you seem very young to have become a land ba—I mean to have acquired so much land.’

Ryan shrugged. ‘I’m a mature thirty-two,’ he informed her. ‘Nor does the credit for land ownership rest with me. About a hundred years ago one of my paternal ancestors bought arable land when it was much less costly than it is today. It’s been passed down from father to son, some of whom added to it After the death of my parents it came to me. I feel it’s my duty to take care of it.’ A look of pain crossed his face.

‘You’re an only child?’ she asked gently.

‘That’s right’

‘What happened to your parents?’ She hardly knew how she dared ask the question, but something stronger than herself seemed to be at work. It was like a force that made her want to know more and more about this man.

Ryan spent several moments in silence before he said, ‘They were killed in a car accident. An idiot speeding to pass a car caused a head-on collision. It happened soon after I’d left school, so to keep myself sane I threw myself into farming, so that I could carry on where Dad had left off. I felt I owed it to him.’

‘I’m sorry,’ she said in a hushed voice, the thought of such an accident filling her with horror. At the same time sympathy made her long to reach out and touch him, and it was only with an effort that she kept her hands to herself.

Restlessly, he left the table and began to pace about the room. ‘Normally I don’t talk about it...and now I’m wondering why I’m telling you,’ he said, in a tone that betrayed irritation with himself.

‘Sometimes it’s good to talk,’ she pointed out gently. ‘Please come back to the table and finish your meal.’ Then, considering him thoughtfully, she went on, ‘You must have spent time in Christchurch to be so well acquainted with Mrs Simmons—and Verna.’

Her reference to Verna was ignored as he returned to the table, where he said, ‘My mother and Hilda Simmons were schoolfriends who always kept in touch with each other. In fact Mother was Hilda’s bridesmaid when she married Hugh Simmons. He died a few years ago. During my own schooldays Mother used to take me to stay with the Simmonses. Then Hilda rang me recently and demanded that I return the compliment by giving young Robin a period beside the sea in a warmer climate. I thought I could manage, with Kate Coster’s help, but you saw what happened with the boy.’

‘You agreed to do it for Verna’s sake?’ Judy asked with insight.

‘Yes—I suppose you could put it that way,’ he admitted gruffly, then his lip twisted as he added almost accusingly, ‘I can’t believe the dragon omitted to tell you there was a time when Verna and I were fairly close.’

‘But obviously it ended,’ Judy observed, while avoiding a direct answer.

‘By mutual consent,’ he muttered in a low growL

She looked at him reflectively. ‘I think it’s possible you still have feelings for Venla...otherwise Robin wouldn’t be here.’

‘One doesn’t forget old friends,’ he retorted tersely. ‘Now then—do you mind if we get off this subject?’

‘Gladly,’ she responded with a smile, while realising that he hadn’t told her what she really wanted to know. Not that his feelings for Verna were her concern, she admitted to herself. In an effort to break the awkward silence that had fallen between them, she said, ‘Would you like to finish the last bit of casserole?’

‘Might as well,’ he said, but before she could serve it on to his plate they were startled by cries of distress that floated along the passage from Robin’s bedroom.

‘Judy...Judy...Judy...!’

She dropped the spoon and sprang to her feet, then raced along the passage to find the little boy sitting up in bed with tears streaming down his face. His body was shaking with sobs, and as she clasped him to her she pressed his head against her shoulder. ‘It’s all right, darling—I’m here,’ she assured him, with motherly love and tenderness. ‘Did you think I’d gone away? You must’ve been dreaming.’

‘I...I thought Uncle Ryan had sent you away,’ he gasped, while clinging to her as fresh tears fell.

‘In that case you were definitely dreaming,’ Ryan said from the doorway, where he stood watching Judy’s efforts to console the distressed boy.

‘Have you forgotten I promised I wouldn’t leave you?’ Judy asked soothingly as she reached for tissues from the bedside table. ‘Now settle down and go to sleep.’ Gently she mopped his face, then gave him an affectionate hug before pressing him back against the pillow.

Robin turned appealing eyes to Ryan. ‘Please, Uncle Ryan...promise you won’t send Judy away?’

Ryan came further into the room to stand beside Judy. ‘I wouldn’t even think of it, old chap,’ he assured Robin, in a voice that was slightly husky, then, unexpectedly, he placed his arm about Judy’s waist and drew her against his side. ‘Judy and I are the best of friends now. Isn’t that so?’ He grinned down at her while uttering the last words.

Judy felt herself go scarlet as, for the sake of the boy, she stammered, ‘Y-yes...I...I suppose so...’

Robin sat up abruptly, his hazel eyes sparkling with interest as they stared at Ryan. ‘Are you Judy’s boyfriend now...’stead of Uncle Alan?’

Judy gave a small gasp. ‘I did ask you not to mention him!’

‘Sorry, Judy...’ Robin looked contrite.

Ryan chuckled as he looked down into her face again. ‘So he was Alan—was he?’ Then he turned to the boy again and said with what sounded like sincerity, ‘Don’t worry, yon and I both know we can’t do without Judy.’

But Judy knew better than to take any notice of his words, although she was more than conscious of the disturbing influence his touch was having upon her. Apart from sending tingles through her body, it had made her blood race, and as the pressure of his arm about her waist increased she began to tremble.

Noticing it, he said, ‘What’s the matter? You’re like a fluttering bird.’

She groped in her mind for a reason, then gave a nervous laugh. ‘You can put it down to not being accustomed to having the responsibility of a small child put upon me.’

He spoke casually. ‘I can help. We’ll take care of him together.’

‘Thank you.’ There was that word again. Together.

Staring at them wide-eyed, Robin appeared to be satisfied by the sight of them standing so close to each other. He blew his nose on more tissues, then settled down beneath the bedclothes. Judy moved from Ryan to tuck him in. Robin’s lids fluttered and he appeared to be asleep before they had left the room.

When they returned to the dining alcove Ryan said, ‘I’ll make coffee.’

Judy watched through the archway as he became busy in the kitchen, then was unable to resist a reprimand. ‘You shouldn’t have lied to Robin,’ she said in a serious tone. ‘You know perfectly well that I’m not your girlfriend.’

He carried the steaming mugs to the table. ‘I didn’t lie to the boy,’ he said, while placing one before her. ‘At the moment you’re the best girl I know. I couldn’t have handled him without you. I’m now well aware of that fact.’

His words sent a warm glow through her, although she felt the need to repeat her words. ‘But I’m not your girlfriend .’

‘Perhaps not in the sense you mean, but I’m hoping we can start again and at least be friends. That’s if you’re willing to make the effort, of course.’

She stared into her coffee cup, well aware that she was more than willing to meet him halfway, yet she felt reluctant to reveal the fact. This intriguing man—this land baron whose appearance and apparent wealth probably drew women from all sides—needn’t know she was ready to join the queue of ardent admirers who were willing to swoon at his feel

His voice came reflectively. ‘In any case, I dare say Robin is too young to know anything about girlfriends.’

Judy laughed. ‘Don’t you believe it. At the ripe old age of six Robin has his own special girlfriend. Her name is Sally and she lives nearby. She’s in his class at school, and on most days she feeds him cookies at playtime, having taken one for Robin as well as for herself. It proves that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.’

Her words lightened the atmosphere between them, but did not remove the thoughtful expression from Ryan’s face. Regarding her intently, he said, ‘Tell me about Uncle Alan—whoever he is. I take it he no longer exists in your world?’

‘Correct.’ The word was snapped out.

He lifted her left hand, then held it nearer for clearer scrutiny. ‘Do I-detect a pale mark on your third finger—as though a ring has been removed?’

She snatched her hand away. ‘Yes. It’s been returned to Alan—’ She broke off, biting back further words and feeling infuriated with herself. Why couldn’t she keep her stupid mouth shut?

His eyes held a spark of interest. ‘Does this mean you’re footloose and fancy-free?’

‘Yes, it does—and I intend to stay that way,’ she declared firmly. ‘As for Alan Draper, I’m trying to forget him—therefore I have no intention of discussing what proved to be a most painful experience.’

He grinned. ‘Excuse me—are you the same person who recently said that sometimes it’s good to talk?’

‘It depends upon the subject,’ she reasoned, and at the same time she warned herself against revealing any more—because to speak of finding her fiancé locked in the arms of another woman would be too embarrassing for words.

Thinking of it now, she wondered if she’d ever get the memory of that night out of her mind. They had been at a birthday party, but had been there for only an hour when Alan had appeared to be missing from the crowded room. Judy had felt concerned for him, because she’d known he’d been drinking. However, she had not made a fuss. Instead, she’d checked through the house, and had just completed the task when the host had handed her a torch and told her to look in the cars parked along the drive.

In the back seat of one of them she’d found Alan with a redhead named Carol Reed. Judy had shone the torch in their startled faces. She had taken one glance at the dishevelled state of their clothes, then, snatching the car door open, she’d slipped the engagement ring from her finger and had thrown it at Alan. After that she’d run home, gasping and sobbing through the dimly lit streets.

Within a short time everyone who had been at the party knew what had happened, and soon the news of it had filtered through to the rest of her friends. But when these people had rung to offer sympathy they’d merely filled her with a desire to get away and hide. And then, out of the blue, had come the request to take Robin to Napier.

Judy had discussed the matter with her parents, who considered it had come as a godsend. It would give her something else to think about, and if she decided to find herself a job in that North Island city they would quite understand. In fact, it might give her a new lease of life.

Dragging her mind back to the present, she became aware that Ryan was observing her face through narrowed lids. She feared he was reading her expression, and this became evident by his next words.

“This painful experience—I have a suspicion you’re living it all over again?’ he suggested, with a hint of unexpected sympathy. ‘I also suspect that whatever happened still hurts.’

She nodded, finding it impossible to speak as the memories continued to jab at her.

‘This man—do you think he’ll follow you to Napier if he happens to learn where you ace?’

‘I hope not. I don’t want to see him again—ever.’ The last word was spat with vehemence.

Ryan regarded her with concern. ‘In that case you’ll have to take care you’re not caught on the rebound,’ he warned. ‘If a handsome stranger comes along and is particularly nice to you—you might fall flat at his feet. Metaphorically speaking, of course,’ he added with a twinkle in his eye.

‘That’s most unlikely,’ she retorted coldly. ‘Just as you appear to be allergic to women, I’m in a similar frame of mind concerning men. At the moment I look upon them as being anything but trustworthy.’

‘Thank you very much,’ he growled. ‘Not even present company excepted, I notice.’

She decided to be frank. ‘I just feared you might be referring to yourself as the handsome stranger,’ she said, while giving a light laugh to soften her words. At the same time she hoped he’d feel assured she had no intention of setting her sights on himself.

His face remained inscrutable as he said, ‘I can see your hurt has gone very deeply indeed. It puts you into the dangerous state of being thoroughly vulnerable—so I’m warning you again to watch your step.’

‘I’ll do that,’ she informed him gravely. ‘Thank you for your concern, even if it is only your imagination that tells you so much about me.’

‘It’s not imagination,’ he told her quietly. ‘I’ve watched you with the boy, not only in the airport lounge, when you were unaware of it, but also since you’ve been here. It’s been revealing. It’s easy to see you’re an affectionate and caring person, but you’re also one who needs to be loved in return. That’s what will make you easy prey, or—as I said—vulnerable.’

She looked at him thoughtfully, then dared to ask, ‘What about you, Ryan? Are you so emotionally under control that you prefer to live entirely without female company?’

He gave a faint snort. ‘Who says I live entirely without female company?’

‘It’s the impression you’ve given me.’

‘Then allow me to correct it. When I need a woman I can always call on Cynthia.’ The statement came out casually.

Her eyes widened. ‘Cynthia...?’ Hearing him mention the name of a woman had given her a shock.

‘Cynthia Birch. She’s a friend who lives at Te Pohue on the road to Lake Taupo. When I go fishing at Taupo, or skiing on Mount Ruapehu, I usually call in and have coffee with her. She’s inclined to rely on me for advice concerning her financial affairs.’

‘She’s fortunate in having someone such as yourself to guide her.’

‘Well—it’s only been since her divorce.’

‘I see.’ She stared down at her empty plate.

‘Are you sure about that? Is there anything else you’d like to know?’ he drawled, while watching her from behind hooded lids.

‘Not particularly,’ she returned in an offhand manner, at the same time knowing this to be a lie. In fact there were several points now jumping about to arouse her curiosity, but they were not questions she felt could be asked—at least not on such short acquaintance. They’d be sure to bring forth a snub strong enough to ruin the delicate amicability that had sprung up between them.

Exactly how deep was his friendship with this woman? she wondered. And then there was the question of Vema. Did he still have any depth of feeling left for her? ‘One doesn’t forget old friends’, he’d said, and Judy wished she knew what had come between them to end their romance.

And then another question that had often simmered in Judy’s mind returned to niggle at her. It concerned the identity of Robin’s father. Did Ryan know of his whereabouts? She had never set eyes on the elusive Mr Bryant, nor was his name ever mentioned. Not that it was any business of hers, of course, although she had often wondered if Verna, as a single parent, was using a fictitious name for the sake of appearances. But now that Robin was going to school he’d soon be asking questions for himself, especially on sports days and at break-up time, when the other boys produced their fathers. Where was his father? he’d soon be wanting to know.

Even as she pondered this question Judy looked at the man sitting at the table. The rays from the nearby standard lamp fell on his thick auburn hair, highlighting the gleam of red in it, and she was reminded of similar glints of red in Robin’s hair. Startled, she was forced to wonder if Ryan could be the boy’s father—was this why Hilda Simmons had sent the boy to Napier? Did she hope that father and son would find a mutual bond, so that when Verna arrived matters could be brought to a successful conclusion?

The thoughts swam about in Judy’s mind until suddenly she told herself she was being stupid. She was jumping to conclusions and assuming a situation which probably didn’t exist. If Ryan was Robin’s father she felt sure he would have acknowledged him years ago—although why she had such faith in his integrity she was unable to say. It was just that he seemed to be an honest person who meant what he said—someone who was totally different from Alan Draper.

She was so lost in her thoughts she almost jumped when Ryan raised his hand to run a long tanned forefinger down her cheek. His touch sent a tremor through her body and her face flushed.

His eyes glinted as he observed her reaction, then his voice became a low murmur as he asked, ‘Is something worrying you?’

She forced herself to meet his gaze. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Because you’ve been silent for several long minutes and I’ve been watching the changing expressions on your face. They’ve made me wonder if you’re concerned for your safety in this house.’

She caught her breath. ‘You mean from you? No...it hadn’t even occurred to me.’

His dark brows drew together. ‘Does that mean you consider me to be a sexless wimp?’

She gave a faint smile, while allowing her eyes to rest upon his sensuous mouth and strong jaw. This man, a sexless wimp? Not in a thousand years would he qualify. Then she said, ‘No...I feel quite safe because I suspect you’ve no wish for me to rush screaming to Miss Coster. Besides, you need me here to take care of Robin.’

He spoke gruffly, ‘Well, there’s a lock to your bedroom door in case you begin to feel jittery about my intentions.’

Later, when she went to bed, she didn’t even bother to turn the key. There was no need, she assured herself. She held no attraction for him—nor did he hold any attraction for her. Well, maybe that wasn’t quite true, but she’d fight against it because she was finished with men and had no intention of looking at another for a long, long time. As for being caught on the rebound—huh! That would be the day! He must think she was a complete idiot.

CHAPTER THREE

NEXT morning Judy was awakened by the sound of Robin’s high-pitched voice coming from the kitchen. She sprang out of bed and shrugged herself into a wrap, made a quick visit to the en suite bathroom, and, having raked a comb through her blonde hair, hurried to the kitchen where she found Robin enjoying a plate of porridge.

Standing beneath the archway, and hardly able to believe her eyes, she exclaimed, ‘Porridge—my goodness, wonders will never cease.’

Ryan said, ‘I didn’t have any cereal that snapped, crackled or popped, which I’m told he usually demands.’

Robin licked his spoon. ‘This is good. It’s better than that stuff Gran makes. Uncle Ryan says if I eat porridge every morning I’ll grow up to be just like him.’

Just like him. The words clicked in Judy’s mind, seeming to confirm her thoughts of the previous evening.

Ryan sent her a wink while spooning marmalade on to buttered toast. ‘The secret lies in raw sugar and creamy milk. Would you like to try some? It takes only three minutes in the microwave.’

‘No, thank you. Tea and toast is all I ever have for breakfast.’ Then, suddenly conscious of her appearance, she added hastily, ‘I’d better go and get dressed.’

Ryan spoke quickly. ‘No... don’t go. I like you as you are. There’s something homely about a girl in a wrap and slippers.’ He poured a cup of tea for her, then moved to put two slices of bread in the toaster. ‘We didn’t wait for you,’ he went on. ‘We thought it possible you needed the extra sleep.’

We, she noticed. It was almost as though he was beginning to acknowledge Robin and himself as a unit. Strangely, it gave her an intangible feeling of being left out, but she brushed it aside and spoke casually. ‘To be honest I was glad of the extra sleep. Yesterday had its stressful moments.’

Ryan frowned as he demanded dryly, ‘Are you referring to the welcome I gave you—or rather the lack of it?’

‘Oh, my troubles had begun before that,’ she admitted.

Robin sent her a morose look that also held apprehension and guilt. ‘I suppose you’re going to tell Uncle Ryan about me being naughty on the plane?’ he queried sulkily.

Ryan assumed a shocked expression. ‘You were naughty? What did you do? Or was it something you wouldn’t do?’ he asked with perception.

Robin hung his head. ‘I wouldn’t stay in my seat when Judy told me to. I kept running between the seats,’ he admitted contritely.

‘Up and down the aisle like a young fiend,’ Judy put in.

‘He was over-excited by being on a plane for the first time.’

Robin became defensive. ‘I was trying to make the plane go faster,’ he explained. ‘It didn’t seem to be going very fast.’

Ryan was amused. ‘No doubt it got up speed with the help of your efforts?’

Robin looked at him blankly. ‘I don’t know. A man put his arm out and stopped me. He pulled me into an empty seat beside him and we talked until the lady in uniform told me to go back to my own seat and fasten my seat belt.’

‘So what did you talk about?’ Ryan asked with undisguised curiosity.

‘We talked about Judy,’ Robin admitted with childish candour.

‘Me...?’ Judy demanded indignantly. ‘What did he want to know about me? I’d never seen the man before.’

‘He wanted to know your name,’ Robin informed her. ‘He said he thought you were very pretty.’

‘Nothing wrong with his eyesight,’ Ryan remarked in a droll tone.

A flush crept into Judy’s cheeks but she said nothing. ‘Don’t allow him to talk to any strange men,’ Hilda Simmons had warned. Obviously she was right, but in this case there was little Judy could have done to prevent it. Then she felt herself shrink as Robin gave out more information.

‘I told him you were taking me to stay with Uncle Ryan. He asked if Uncle Ryan was your boyfriend.’

Judy’s cheeks became even more pink. ‘He had a darned nerve,’ she snapped, while avoiding Ryan’s eye.

The latter chuckled as he spoke to Robin. ‘So what did you say?’

‘I said that Uncle Alan was her boyfriend, but that perhaps she might swap him for Uncle Ryan.’

A gasp of fury escaped Judy. ‘You said what?’ she exploded.

Ryan held up a hand to soothe her. ‘Simmer down and let him go on.’ Then he turned to Robin. ‘So, what else did you tell this man?’

The boy thought for a few minutes then admitted, ‘I told him that I had a girlfriend and that her name was Sally and where she lives—and guess what? He said he knew her, and that Sally’s mother is his cousin.’

Ryan spoke doubtfully. ‘This is beginning to sound a little too far-fetched.’ He fixed Judy with a stern eye and demanded, ‘Did you speak to this man who was obviously trying to pick you up?’

His last words made her feel angrier than she already felt. ‘Of course I spoke to him. Before disembarking I thanked him for bringing Robin’s racing along the aisle to a halt. Believe me, with the fear of a tantrum hanging in the air I was more than grateful for his help.’ She paused to draw a deep breath, then went on, ‘Nor do I think it’s too far-fetched for Sally’s mother to be his cousin. In a country where the entire population is little more than three million people, cousins are not usually difficult to find.’

Robin’s shrill voice piped up, ‘What are cousins? Have I got any cousins?’

Judy smiled at him. ‘I’ll leave Uncle Ryan to explain while I shower and dress. He’s known your mother for a long time—so he should be able to tell you all sorts of things.’ The glance she flicked at Ryan was full of significance.

Ryan turned to regard her with a penetrating stare. She knew he was about to ask what sort of things she had in mind, but before he could do so she hurried away to her room.

A few minutes later, as she stood beneath the soothing waters of the en suite shower, she recalled Ryan’s care and attention to Robin at the breakfast table. Fatherly was the word that sprang into her mind, and then the boy’s own words leapt to join it. ‘Uncle Ryan says if I eat porridge every morning I’ll grow up to be just like him.’

‘Is that a fact?’ Judy murmured her thoughts aloud. ‘So how does Uncle Ryan know you’ll be just like him? Surely the answer is clear. It’s because he’s your father, m’lad. That’s why your grandmother has sent you here to await your mother’s arrival...and then...?’

Judy turned off the taps and began to towel herself vigorously. Again she warned herself that there was too much guesswork going on in her mind, and if she had any sense she’d just take each day as it came. She’d enjoy Ryan’s company while she could, and when Verna arrived she’d leave, with the hope that Robin had found his father.

When she returned to the kitchen she discovered that Ryan had cleared the table and tidied the worktop. And, although she waited for him to pursue the subject of why she expected him to have knowledge of Robin’s relatives, he failed to do so. Instead she became aware of his interest focusing upon her own appearance, his eyes resting on her blonde hair before lowering to gaze at the rounded mounds of breasts beneath her dark red jumper.

‘I suppose you know you’re looking most attractive,’ he remarked in a low voice. ‘The men will be goggle-eyed.’

‘Thank you.’ She savoured the compliment while hoping her inner pleasure didn’t show too much. ‘They’ll be here for a meeting?’

‘No. They’re pruning apple trees at one of the orchards. It happens during winter between leaf-fall and bud-burst. I’m taking Robin with me while I check their progress. You’ll come with us to keep an eye on him,’ he stated firmly. ‘I hope you won’t be too bored.’

The request to accompany them had come as an order rather than as an invitation, and for one mad moment she thought of refusing him. However, she decided to let the niggle pass. As for boring her-he must be joking. And to hide her eagerness to see part of his domain she spoke with quiet dignity. ‘Of course I’ll come...if you want me.’

If she’d expected a response to her last words she was to be disappointed, because he merely regarded her in silence, his frown indicating that something about her disturbed his peace of mind. But before she could utter a query Robin, who was hopping impatiently from one foot to the other, tugged at his sleeve.

‘When are we going, Uncle Ryan? Can we go now?’

Judy spoke to the boy. ‘Have you cleaned your teeth? Have you been to the toilet...?’

Robin shook his head. ‘Aw, Judy... Uncle Ryan and me...we gotta go out in the Range Rover right now.’

She spoke with gentle firmness. ‘You’re not going anywhere until you’ve done those things—and don’t forget to wash your hands.’ Then, as the little boy ran towards the bathroom, she turned to Ryan with an apologetic smile. ‘I’m sorry to cause this delay, but these things are important.’

‘Yes, of course they are. Don’t worry, your efforts are not wasted. I’m really most impressed.’ His mouth twisted slightly and the words came mockingly.

Their tone jarred on her, causing her eyes to widen into a glare of sudden anger. ‘Are you suggesting I’m deliberately trying to impress you?’ she almost hissed. ‘If so, you’re very much mistaken. I’ll leave that to Verna—’ She stopped abruptly, appalled by what she’d said.

He eyed her narrowly. ‘Vema, huh? She’s coming here to impress me, rather than to just collect Robin? Well, now...that’s most interesting.’

Judy shook her head in a helpless manner. ‘Please forget what I said, because I really don’t know—’

‘You must know something to have made that remark,’ he cut in, his tone like granite. ‘Why do I get a strong smell of the dragon’s breath? Is this some of her scheming?’

Her slim shoulders lifted slightly. ‘I suppose it’s to do with why she sent Robin to you. I don’t think he’ll be long,’ she added, hoping to get off a subject that was making him scowl.

‘There’s no hurry; I’m not yet ready to leave. Last evening Kate was in such a tizz she forgot to take her wages. I thought I’d drop them in to her in case she needs it. I’ll probably stop and chat for a few minutes.’

Watching his athletic form descend the back stairs, she decided he had an unusually kind nature, and that few men would be so thoughtful. There was also a controlled strength about him, and suddenly she began to look upon his dominance as a gift of clear thinking, which enabled him to make the right decisions. But he was not meant for her. He was meant for Vema, she felt sure, and sooner or later they’d make up their differences. And then Robin would have a father.

Sighing, she closed the back door, and at that moment the phone rang. She went into the living room, lifted the receiver and gave Ryan’s number. Her answer was greeted by a momentary silence before a female voice from the other end said, ‘Is Ryan there, please?’

‘No—I’m afraid he’s out for a short time.’

The voice said, ‘Is that you, Kate? It doesn’t sound like you.’

‘It’s not Miss Coster. It’s Judy Arledge speaking.’

‘Judy Arledge?’ The caller’s voice sharpened. ‘May I ask who you are and what you’re doing in Ryan’s house while he’s absent from it? I don’t recall him ever mentioning a Judy Arledge.’

‘I’ve come to stay with him for the rest of the school holidays,’ Judy explained rather inadequately, while feeling there was no need to go into details for this unknown person.

‘The rest of the school holidays—but there’s over a week to go.’ The words came faintly, yet held a hint of agitation. ‘Are you a school teacher? Am I right in assuming you’re Miss Arledge?’

‘Yes, you’re quite right. May I ask who’s speaking so that I can tell him you rang?’

‘Indeed you may.’ The caller’s tone sharpened again. ‘It’s Cynthia Birch speaking. Ryan and I are very close friends—and I can hardly believe he has a...a single woman staying in the house with him. He’s always been adamant in his refusal to do so—so how did you manage it, Miss Arledge?’

Something in her tone jarred upon Judy. Or was it the fact that Cynthia Birch had claimed to be very close to Ryan? ‘I’m sure Ryan will fill you in with any details you wish to know—’ she began.

Cynthia’s voice rang with determination. ‘If you don’t mind, I’d like to know a few of them now. Where have you come from?’

Judy answered politely, ‘From Christchurch.’ And before more questions could come she added quickly, ‘I’ll tell Ryan you rang. Goodbye.’ She replaced the receiver.

She hadn’t actually hung up on Cynthia, but it had been near enough to make her feel guilty. After all, why should she care if this woman and Ryan were close? It shouldn’t concern someone like herself...someone who was finished with men...and in an effort to convince herself she almost muttered the last thought aloud.

The question was still niggling at her mind when Ryan returned. She was in the living room when he walked in the back door, and for several long moments they just stood and looked at each other through the archway. The expression on his face was inscrutable, and as slow strides began to take him towards her she became conscious of a strange fluttering in her breast.

To control her nerves she drew in a deep breath, then spoke calmly. ‘There was a phone call while you were out.’

He stopped in his tracks to stand very still. ‘Did you get a name?’

‘Yes—she said to tell you that Cynthia Birch rang.’ Judy swallowed, but said nothing further, while watching for a reaction of some sort. How would he cope with both Cynthia and Verna—when she arrived? As for herself—it seemed clear that she wouldn’t stand a chance.

A short time later they were in the Range Rover, which sped along a country highway where stands of evergreen trees gave shelter from winter southerlies, and where the bare wood of golden willows made splashes of orangeyellow beside streams. Away to the west the high Kaweka Mountains were thickly coated with snow, their dazzling whiteness giving evidence of winter.

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