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.`S-scratches on his arm?' she quizzed weakly as if that was all she'd beenable to grasp of the unexpected revelation.`He wouldn't let go of my wrist, so I-er retaliated,' Rowan shrugged, trying to make light of it now thather petlt-up feelings had finally been released.`But why did he have hold of your wrist at all?' in the same faint, perplexed voice.`Because he wanted an assurance from me that we wouldn't stay in the district,' Rowan convenientlyconcealed more than she revealed.`He's that set against my seeing Evan?' forlornly.`He's that set against both of us,' came the sardonic correction.`At a guess, I'd say I'm the one he objectsto most.' Or, if she hadn't been before, she probably was now!`But why?'`Why we most of all, or why either of us?'`Either of us,'- Tanya elucidated with a frown.Rowan reached for a cigarette from the packet onthe small table between their two beds and, lighting it, expelled the smoke slowly.`I told you the answerto that on the beach yesterday.Because we don't come from his socially acceptable circle, that's why.The Fraser Delaneys of this world go to the Palm Garden,' referring to the Kurrawa Bay Hotel's tree andshrub enclosed dining area, `for their immaculately prepared barbecues, they don't brush sand off theirsteaks on the beach like we do, you know,' she half laughed ironically.`Besides, he's probably alreadygot some girl with the proper background all picked out for Evan and he doesn't want you upsetting hisplans.'`Evan's never mentioned anyone, though, and I've certainly never seen him with anybody else,' Tanyacommented doubtfully.`Oh, I didn't say Evan necessarily knew anything about it,' she was hastily reassured.`Just that Frasercould quite possibly have it in mind.On his five-year plan for future developments, or somethingsimilar.'Tanya digested this in silence for a while and, obviously cheered by the somewhat less depressingexplanation, her lips resumed their more customary upward curve.`Somehow I get the impression thetime you spent with Fraser hasn't exactly endeared him to you,' she speculated wryly.`You mean, it shows?' quipped Rowan in an ironic tone, and drew deeply, steadyingly, on her cigarette.`Only a little,' Tanya grinned.`So would you care to tell me just what happened at the beach house thisevening?'`Nothing in particular,' Rowan denied with a shrug.`It's just his general attitude that sets me burning.He's so damned sure of himself!' Her eyes sought her companion's sympathetically.`And that's why I'mpositive he'll never countenance you and me working for Evan.He's made up his mind we're bad news,and nothing on earth is going to make him change his opinion.I'm sorry, but I really think you're justgoing to have to reconcile yourself to the fact that we don't have any chance but to move on to newfile:///E|/My%20Library/books/ROMANCE/kerry%20ally.call%20home%20TXT/somewhere%20to%20call%20home.txt (16 of 82)05/05/2010 14:43:44file:///E|/My%20Library/books/ROMANCE/kerry%20allyne/1983%20%2.here%20to%20call%20home%20TXT/somewhere%20to%20call%20home.txtpastures.'`But if Evan can get us work.' Tanya held out hopefully.Not that Rowan supposed he could, but.`Well, even if he did, where are we going to live?' She spreadher hands questioningly.`We can't afford to stay here,' indicating the hotel, `and even if we could,Kurrawa Bay's too far from the plantation anyway.'`I know, but Evan's already considered all that.' Tanya could hardly get the words out quickly enough inher desire to pass on the information.`There's a small village about a kilometre or so from the plantationand we can get accommodation there.Apparently one of the girls who works for them grafting theyoung trees, or something like that, I think he said-lives with just her widowed mother in a large oldhouse in this village and, in-in preparation for tonight,' she lowered he eyes shyly, blushing, `he had aword with them during the week to see if they'd be prepared to take in a couple of boarders.'`Whereupon they said yes, the extra money would come in very handy,' inserted Rowan drily.`How did you know?' Tanya gazed at her in amazement.Her look was returned with a rueful smile.`It was a foregone conclusion, wasn't it, what with yourpleased expression, the widowed mother in the large house, and all?'`Put~:ike that, I guess so,' Tanya laughed.`Although it does solve our problem regardingaccommodation, doesn't it?'--`Hmm.' Rowan pressed her lips together wryly.`Now all that needs to be done is for someone to solve our problem concerning Fraser Delaney.'`And I still think Evan's already done that,' put in her friend stoutly.Then, abruptly, her expressionclouded.`Or is it just that you don't fancy staying in the area any longer?'Of course she didn't, after tonight's galling episode! Though she could hardly say as much when Tanya'sreason for wishing to extend their visit was such a valid one [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]