CHAPTER ONE MISTRESS to a married man...no way!

Miranda realised she was gritting her teeth again and conscio sly rela!ed her "aw. She#d end $ grinding her teeth right down i% she &e$tthin&ing o% 'o((y Hewson and his (lithe ass m$tion they co ld contin e as lo)ers* his %orthcoming marriage (eing no (arrier whatsoe)er to what they shared! +ell* he co ld %ind someone else to warm his (ed ne!t time he %lew into Sydney. Ad ltery was not her scene. She might ha)e (een a %ool toha)e let 'o((y $lay her along with $romises %or three years* ( t she was not going to (e sed %or his e!tra,marital $leas re. She#d seen what thatsecond,string &ind o% relationshi$ had done to her mother. Ne)er* ne)er* ne)er wo ld she go down the same demeaning and destr cti)e $ath!-Miss +ade* yo r gin and tonic..Miranda wrenched her mind o%% ( rning tho ghts and loo&ed $ at the smiling airline hostess who $roceeded to lay a ser)iette on the smallmetal drin&s tray* which e!tended %rom the wide armrest o% the %irst,class seat. A little (ottle o% gin* a can o% tonic water and a glass with ice c (eswere set down.Nice to (e treated to %irst,class ser)ice (y her new em$loyers* Miranda tho ght* and ho$ed the drin& might hel$ rela! her. -Than& yo *. shesaid* ret rning the smile.The hostess#s eyes glowed with interest as she remar&ed* -I " st noticed the (oo& in yo r la$* /ing#s Eden. Are yo heading there0.It was the (oo& Eli1a(eth /ing had gi)en her %or (ac&gro nd in%ormation* once Miranda had signed the two,year contract that tied her tomanaging the wilderness resort. A history o% the $lace and the %amily who owned it might (e dry reading* ( t mandatory in the circ mstances* andthe (est se o% these ho rs in %light to 2arwin. Miranda sternly told hersel% it was time she concentrated on her % t re co rse and $ t the $ast in the$ast.-3es* I am*. she answered* deciding to $l m( the interest (eing dis$layed. -2o yo &now it0##-I#)e (een there*. came the o()io sly enth siastic re$ly. -It#s what yo might call a legendary $lace in the /im(erly* owned and r n (y thecattle /ings. Now that they#)e o$ened $ the wilderness $ar& %or to rists and ( ilt a resort to cater %or them* it#s a )ery $o$ lar o t(ac& destination..-2id yo stay at the resort0.-Not at the homestead.. An e!$ressi)e eye,roll. -Too e!$ensi)e. A gro $ o% s stayed three days in the tented ca(ins at 4ranny 4orge..Tented ca(ins* cam$ing sites* ( ngalows and homestead s ites5%o r le)els o% accommodation to (e managed* Miranda reminded hersel% 5a %ar cry %rom a %i)e,star hotel. +as she mad to ta&e it on...two years in the wilderness0-2id yo thin& it was worth the tri$0. she as&ed the hostess.-Oh* yes! +ell worth it! I#)e ne)er seen so many ( tter%lies. The trees aro nd there were %illed with them. And we swam in a gorgeo st r6 oise water,hole %ed (y water%alls o%% the cli%%s. 4reat way to ha)e a shower..-So yo #d de%initely recommend it..-To anyone*. the hostess con%irmed. -2on#t miss the A(original car)ings in the ca)es i%

yo go to the 4orge..-I won#t. Than& yo ..+ell* /ing#s Eden had a$$ealed to at least one $erson* Miranda noted as the hostess mo)ed o%%. Its only a$$eal to her at the $resentmoment* was the chance it o%%ered to li)e her li%e on her own terms.I% she#d stayed with the Regency hotel chain* she might ha)e mo)ed %rom assistant manager in Sydney to an o)erseas $osting* an am(itionshe#d once n rsed* ( t it wo ld ha)e only ha$$ened now i% she#d also stayed sweet with 'o((y. He#d made that clear* o%%ering ste$s $ themanagerial ladder as a $ers ader to win her com$liance with his marriage* which* he#d arg ed* was only %or the $ r$ose o% cementing an alliance(etween two great international hotel chains. Another lie!The $hotogra$h o% his 7rench %ianc8e in the news$a$er was more than eno gh $roo% to Miranda that 'o((y wo ld %ind his honeymoon nohardshi$ at all.He#d o()io sly (een lying to her all along5three years o% lies. The only thing she#d ended $ (elie)ing was his threat to sto$ her getting adecent $osition anywhere else i% she wal&ed o t on him. It was sic&eningly clear he#d do and say anything to get his own way./ing#s Eden o%%ered her the $er%ect esca$e %rom that &ind o% )ictimisation. It was a one,o%% resort com$le!* not lin&ed to anything or anyonethat 'o((y Hewson co ld to ch or in%l ence.She smiled grimly as she recalled one o% the 6 estions Eli1a(eth /ing had as&ed at the inter)iew.-3o are... nattached0.2etached* Miranda had almost answered* (arely swallowing her (itterness o)er 'o((y#s slea1y $ro$ositions and mani$ lations. -I amcom$letely %ree* Mrs /ing*. she had stated. -My li%e is )ery m ch my own.. And that was how it was going to (e at /ing#s Eden* Miranda )owed. Her own li%e r n (y hersel%. She didn#t care how di%%erent theen)ironment was* what $ro(lems she#d ha)e to co$e with. Her strong sense o% sel%,worth demanded she ma&e good on her own a(ilities... not (y(eing a $lay(oy#s mistress!She o$ened the (oo& on her la$* determined on %oc sing her mind on the % t re. A ma$ on the %irst $age showed the /im(erly region5threeh ndred and twenty tho sand s6 are &ilometres* stretching %rom the sea$ort o% 'roome on the high west coast o% A stralia to the (order o% theNorthern Territory. 'loc&ed o t in green was /ing#s Eden5a (ig ch n& o% o t(ac& co ntry that wo ld (e the last $lace on earth 'o((y Hewsonwo ld loo& %or her.It might not (e the 4arden o% Eden* ( t at least it had no ser$ent in it. +ith that (lessed ass rance in her mind* Miranda t rned. the $age and(egan reading* ac tely aware o% ha)ing t rned a $age in her li%e and there was only one way to go...%orward.

CHAPTER T+O -9:ST tell me one thing* Mother. +hy choose a woman0## 'eca se yo need one. And with S san ' tler %inally o t o% yo r li%e* yo might loo& %or

more than a con)enient mistress. Eli1a(eth /ing hid these tho ghts as she assessed the de$th o% her eldest son#s annoyance at the decision she#d made. The irrita(le note inhis )oice and the ; creased (etween his (rows* $l s the tense im$atience o% his actions since he#d entered the sitting,room* did not $romise anenco raging start (etween Nathan and Miranda +ade* whom he was a(o t to meet.R nning the resort was $art o% Tommy#s ( siness. R nning the cattle station was his* and he drew a %irm line (etween the two enter$rises.7or the most $art* Nathan &e$t his world to himsel%* ( t to Eli1a(eth#s mind* that had to change.He was thirty,%i)e years old. Time %or him to get married. Time %or him to ha)e children. Passing that $artic lar ( c& to his yo nger (rotherswo ldn#t wash. It was Nathan who had inherited the ma"or share o% <achlan#s genes and Eli1a(eth didn#t want to see them wasted.-I chose the $erson with the (est 6 ali%ications to manage the resort*. she answered* raising a 6 i11ical eye(row at the man who was so )erym ch his %ather#s son. -I wasn#t aware yo held any $re" dice against women ta&ing on res$onsi(le $ositions* Nathan..He threw her a moc&ing loo& %rom the leather armchair he#d made his* since it was the only one (ig eno gh to accommodate his length and(readth com%orta(ly. -Not e)en yo co ld stic& it o t here all year aro nd..That old arg ment wo ldn#t wash* either. -I had other interests to loo& a%ter* as yo )ery well &now..His eyes remained sce$tical. -The $oint is* we all agreed a married co $le was the (est choice..-7ine* i% the marriage is sta(le*. Eli1a(eth retorted* a $ointed reminder that the last manager had le%t nder threat o% di)orce (y his wi%e. -Andwho is to " dge how good a relationshi$ is* on an inter)iew where e)eryone $ ts their (est %oot %orward0 +e#)e (een down that trac&..-Then I wo ld ha)e tho ght a single man wo ld co$e with the location (etter than a single woman*. he arg ed.Eli1a(eth shr gged. -I wasn#t im$ressed with the men who a$$lied. A (it too so%t %or my li&ing..-So what ha)e we got0 A woman o% steel0. His mo th thinned. -She#d (etter (e* (eca se I will not (e at her (ec& and call to clean $ anymess she ma&es o% it. I% she needs someone to hold her hand* Tommy can do it..-I#m s re yo can ma&e that clear to her* Nathan.. Eli1a(eth co ld not re$ress a satis%ied little smile as she added* -I% yo wish to..Nathan#s (lac& eye(rows (eetled down. -+hat#s that s $$osed to mean0.-I do (t Miranda +ade wo ld (e inclined to cling to any man#s hand.. And that* my son* may well set a se! al challenge yo #ll %ind hard toresist. -9 st what we need5a raging %eminist to $lay charming hostess to the resort g ests who e!$ect to (e $am$ered*. he commented derisi)ely.-Oh* I thin& someone who#s (een in the hos$itality trade %or twel)e years &nows how to manage g ests*. Eli1a(eth drawled. -' t " dge %or yo rsel%* Nathan. That so nds li&e Tommy#s )ehicle arri)ing now. I tr st yo #ll ma&e an e%%ort to (e welcoming..He rolled his eyes and m ttered* -I#m s re Tommy will (e in good %orm. He#ll ndo (tedly co)er any la$se on my $art..Tr e* Eli1a(eth tho ght. Her highly e!tro)erted middle son was $ro(a(ly %lirting his head o%% with Miranda +ade right now. It was secondnat re to Tommy to s$ar& a res$onse in women. He li&ed to (e li&ed. ' t the cool (londe she#d inter)iewed wo ld let his charm wash o)er her li&ewater o%% a d c&#s (ac&. Those green eyes o% hers had ( rned with a need to

$ro)e something to hersel%. They were %oc sed inwardly* noto twardly.It wo ld (e interesting to see i% Nathan drew a %lic&er o% awareness %rom her* Nathan who was what he was and yo co ld li&e him or not asyo $leased. He was a challenge* too. A challenge most women ga)e $ on. Eli1a(eth didn#t thin& Miranda +ade was the gi)ing, $ ty$e. E)en so*the e6 ation still needed the right chemistry* and no one co ld ma&e that ha$$en.S ch a ca$ricio s element5se! al chemistry5( t )ital. She co ld only ho$e...Miranda had seen it %rom the air this morning5the area com$rising the resort and the layo t o% the cattle station. She hadn#t realised the( ildings relating to each ( siness wo ld (e entirely se$arate* the -homestead. at the resort ha)ing no connection whatsoe)er to the %amilyhomestead. The %ormer was o% )ery modern design and constr ction. The latter* as it was a$$roached at gro nd le)el* gathered an all re thatto ched an em$ty $lace in her li%e.2ee$ roots had (een $ t down here* the &ind o% roots she had ne)er &nown. Nothing had (een %i!ed or solid in her mother#s li%e and Mirandahad (een glad to get o t o% it* &nowing she was an nwelcome reminder o% her mother#s mista&e* a reminder o% her age* too* as well as a resenteddistraction to the men who#d &e$t her. As soon as she was si!teen* she#d le%t and had (een in li)e,in hotel $ositions e)er since* not really letting her s rro ndings to ch her. Theywere sim$ly $laces that $ t a roo% o)er her head. She had no sense o% home* no sense o% %amily tradition* no sense o% (elonging to anything e!ce$thersel%.It %elt strange* coming %ace,to,%ace with something so di%%erent to her own e!$erience. No modern landsca$ing here. The trees that had (een$lanted %or (oth shade and ornament were old* the girth o% their tr n&s and the (readth o% their (ranches $roclaiming the growth o% more years thanany one $erson#s li%etime. The intense entanglement o% the m lticolo red (o ,gain)illea hedge s rro nding the ho se indicated longe)ity* as well.<i&e all the ( ildings on the cattle station* the homestead was white* set o%% (y an e!$anse o% green lawns. Howe)er* it sat alone* on a risea(o)e the ri)er* and the )erandahs with their ornamentation o% cast,iron (al strading and %rie1e $anels* to$$ed (y the symmetrical $ea&s o% its roo% ga)e it the a$$earance o% a shining crown on to$ o% all the land it o)erloo&ed. As Tommy /ing dro)e his 9ee$ $ to the %ront ste$s* she was $rom$ted (y the sheer scale o% the ho se to as&* -+hen was this ( ilt0.-Oh* coming $ ninety years ago*. he answered with one o% his s$ar&ling grins. -One o% the %irst /ing (rothers here54erald it was5sawsome go)ernment o%%icial#s home in = eensland and was so im$ressed with it* he co$ied the design and had all the materials shi$$ed to+yndham..Cost no o("ect* Miranda tho ght* recalling %rom the (oo& she#d read that the %irst $ioneering /ing (rothers had mined a %ort ne in gold at/algoorlie (e%ore ta&ing $ this land.-It#s )ery im$ressi)e*. she m rm red* thin&ing ho ses sim$ly weren#t ( ilt to s ch h ge $ro$ortions any more. Certainly not in s ( r(ia* sheamended* smiling r e% lly at her limited &nowledge.-It sed to ser)e many $ r$oses in the old days*. Tommy cheer% lly e!$lained. -E)eryone li)ed in and tra)ellers $assing thro gh sto$$ed (y%or days to rest $. Hos$itality has always (een (ig in the o t(ac&..-I g ess it (ro&e the sense o% isolation*. Miranda remar&ed.-+ell* ta&ing to the air %i!es that now*. he answered* his handsome %ace (eaming $leas re in the accessi(ility he $ro)ided.She#d

learnt he owned and ran an airline com$any %rom / n n rra* small $lane and helico$ter charters ma&ing $ the ( l& o% his ( siness*m ch o% which was connected to the resort. Tommy /ing was a go,getter entre$rene r* with the con%idence* li&ea(le $ersonality and gi%t o% the ga(

hat co ld sell anything. Most o% all himsel%.Miranda wasn#t a(o t to ( y. The charm came too easily* and while he might (e a shrewd ( sinessman and de%initely no lightweight %or aman only in his early thirties* he had $lay(oy loo&s> a riot o% (lac& c rly hair that (o((ed endearingly o)er his %orehead* dar& dancing eyes in)iting%lirtatio s % n* a %ace as handsome as sin* and a lean* athletic (ody e! ding charismatic energy and se! a$$eal.She#d (een in his com$any since he#d collected her %rom / n n rra air$ort this morning and as an in%ormati)e g ide he was e!cellent* ( tshe was determined on &ee$ing a )ery %irm $ersonal distance (etween them. The li&es o% Tommy /ing co ld not tem$t her into mi!ing ( sinesswith $leas re. She ho$ed he was getting that message (eca se she certainly didn#t want an aw&ward sit ation de)elo$ing (etween them.-This $lace is getting to (e li&e a white ele$hant now*. he commented as he (ro ght the 9ee$ to a halt. -+asted.... He shoo& his head o)er the wic&ed shame o% it. -4 ests wo ld $ro(a(ly gi)e their eye,teeth to stay here* ( t Nathan " st won#t hear o% it.. He grimaced* tho gh his dar&eyes twin&led cheer% lly at her as he added* -<i&e a (ric& wall* my (rother..Nathan...oldest son o% Eli1a(eth and <achlan. 9 st as well she had st died the %amily tree in the (oo& on /ing#s Eden. The $eo$le she#d metso %ar ass med she &new these details a(o t the /ings as well as they did.-It#s nderstanda(le that he $re%ers $ri)acy %or his %amily*. Miranda said* thin&ing some things came ahead o% t rning e)erything into dollars.-I% he e)er got himsel% married and had a %amily* I#d agree*. Tommy shot (ac& at her. -As it is* he#s here (y himsel% most o% the time* and thatdoesn#t loo& li&e changing..He alighted %rom the 9ee$* 6 ic&ly striding aro nd it to o$en Miranda#s door %or her. She had little time to digest this new in%ormation. Thein)itation to dine with the %amily at the old homestead tonight had seemed to encom$ass more than the act al reality o% one man. Two* co ntingTommy.-I tho ght Mrs /ing li)ed here* too*. she said as she ste$$ed o t o% the 9ee$.-Not on any reg lar (asis. M m#s %airly tied $ in 'roome* managing the $earl %arm.... Pearls... He grinned* -...( t she %lew in yesterday to (e on hand to greet yo and ma&e s re e)erything is to yo r satis%action..Her inner tension eased. She wo ldn#t (e the only woman at the dinner ta(le. Eli1a(eth /ing wo ld ndo (tedly direct the con)ersationtonight and $ro)ide a com%ort 1one. Miranda smiled. -How &ind o% her!.Tommy la ghed. -M m is a di$lomat %rom way (ac&..They $roceeded $ the ste$s* Miranda wondering " st how di%%erent the two (rothers were and how m ch their mother had to wor& at weldingtheir se$arate interests into a reasona(ly harmonio s nit. -Isn#t there a third son0. she as&ed tentati)ely* her mind seeing three names listed in$rint5 Nathan* Thomas* 9ared.' t the (oo& on /ing#s Eden had (een written some years ago.

She had ass med marriages wo ld ha)e ta&en $lace since then. Ha)ing(een wrong on that score with Tommy and Nathan* and with no mention (eing made o% a yo nger (rother %rom Tommy* she wondered i% somethinghad ha$$ened to the third son.-Oh* 9ared %lits aro nd the mining o$erations and o)ersees what#s done with the $earls. He#s hardly e)er here*. came the o%%hand re$ly.-3o #ll $ro(a(ly meet him some time or other ( t not tonight. I thin& he#s in Hong /ong at the moment.. Mining o$erations... Miranda did a )ery 6 ic& mental read" stment a(o t the /ing %amily. +hat she was meeting here was )ery serio s wealth* on a similar scale*i% not higher* than the Hewson %amily. All three o% the /ing (rothers wo ld (e sed to getting what they wanted* " st as 'o((y was. +hen theymarried* it wo ld ndo (tedly (e into a %amily who had connections to their ( siness interests and co ld $ro(a(ly (roaden and enhance them. Thatwas the way their &ind o% world wor&ed.She was an o tsider* an em$loyee who had her ses. Miranda resol)ed to &ee$ those ses strictly de%ined. No (l rred lines. Howe)er attracti)e any o% the /ing men were* they were o t o% (o nds in any $ersonal sense.She wo ld ne)er allow hersel% to (e %lattered (y Tommy#s show o% interest. I% Nathan had a (ric& wall aro nd him* it co ld stay totally intact* as%ar as she was concerned. 9ared was more or less o t o% the $ict re so she didn#t ha)e the $ro(lem o% $ro!imity with him.'est to concentrate com$letely on Eli1a(eth /ing tonight.+ith this decision %irmly settled in her mind* Miranda#s attention t rned to o(ser)ing %eat res o% the ho se she was entering. <eadlightwindows s rro nded the solid cedar door Tommy o$ened %or her. As she ste$$ed into the main entrance hall* she realised it ran right thro gh to the(ac& o% the ho se and act ally %ormed a gallery o% %ramed $hotogra$hs. A collection o% /ing#s Eden history* she wondered* ( t didn#t ha)e theo$$ort nity to loo&.Tommy wal&ed straight to the %irst door o%% the hallway and shered her into a sitting room so % ll o% riches* she was momentarily da1ed (y allthere was to see. M ch o% the decor had an Asian in%l ence* yet there seemed (e an eclectic range o% styles that somehow melded together into a%ascinating collection.Her s&ating ga1e was halted5"oltingly5(y the man rising %rom a large leather armchair* a man whose length seemed to clim( $ li&e amo ntain* (loc&ing e)erything else o t. He had to (e well o)er si! %oot* (road,sho ldered* (road,chested* one o% the (iggest men Miranda had e)er met* and all o% him emitting hard m sc lar strength that ga)e way to nothing.:nacco nta(ly a con) lsi)e little shi)er ran down her s$ine. His sheer $hysical $resence had an im$act that seemed to hit her whole ner)o ssystem* lea)ing her with an odd trem lo s %eeling that was dee$ly dist r(ing. He wasn#t threatening her. He stood o t o% co rtesy. She had noca se to %eel...) lnera(le.+ith a sense o% sel%,determination* Miranda made eye contact with him and $lastered a $olite little smile on her %ace. His

%ace co ld ha)e(een car)ed o t o% (rown granite5all hard* shar$ $lanes. E)en the c r)es o% his mo th seemed car)ed* de%ined em$hatically* as tho gh to denyany so%tness. A(sol tely nothing -$retty,$lay(oy## a(o t Nathan /ing.His thic& (lac& hair was straight. His (lac& (rows were straight. And c tting straight across the room at her were laser,shar$ (l e eyes* the)i)id intensity o% their colo r made all the more st nning (y his dar&ly tanned s&in. Miranda %elt tterly $inned (y them* na(le to (rea& their ca$ti)ating $ower... ntil Eli1a(eth /ing s$o&e.-+elcome to /ing#s Eden....Miranda "er&ed her head towards the distincti)e* %amiliar )oice. The woman who had hired her sat on an ornately car)ed armchair* its richscarlet and gold sil& $holstery %orming a stri&ing %rame %or her white hair and white $ants it. And the (ea ti% l $earls aro nd her nec&.-It#s (oth a $leas re and a $ri)ilege to (e here* Mrs /ing*. Miranda managed to re$ly with credita(le a$lom(. -Than& yo %or in)iting me..The older woman was smiling* her dar& eyes warm with some $ri)ate satis%action. She wa)ed attention (ac& to her son. -This is Nathan* whohas the controlling hand on the station. Miranda +ade* Nathan* o r new resort manager..He remained $recisely where he was* si1ing her $* silent* %ormida(le* da nting* challenging. 7or a moment* Miranda remained $inned* ( t

the long years o% training %or greeting $eo$le rged her %orward. Ta&ing the initiati)e always (ro&e the ice. She had to associate with this man* when( siness re6 ired his co, o$eration. Some &ind o% reasona(le %ooting with him had to (e de)elo$ed.3et all the stern reasoning in her mind had no strengthening e%%ect on her legs. They were alarmingly sha&y as she ste$$ed %orward to o%%er her hand to Nathan /ing. This was a man who wo ld dominate e)erything he to ched...and she was a(o t to to ch him.

CHAPTER THREE NATHAN was st nned. He#d seen many (ea ti% l women ( t none 6 ite as stri&ing as this one. 7rom head to %oot she was somethingelse...( ilt on a scale that accent ated e)ery womanly asset. And she certainly had them all!She almost matched Tommy in height* which had to $ t her close to si! %eet tall and she wasn#t wearing high heels. Her hair was an instanttactile tem$tation* a so%tly c r)ed %all to her sho lders* gleaming with a %ascinating (lend o% (londe shades %rom sil)er to straw(erry.The classical $er%ection o% her %ace was made e)en more intrig ing (y the slight cle%t at the centre o% her chin line* and the long nec& (elow it$romised an all ring s $$leness. Her honey,gold s&in glowed 5%ace* arms* legs5all (are* and her lim(s were as $er%ectly $ro$ortioned as her %ace.She wore a rather high,nec&ed* slee)eless dress that s&immed her l shly c r)ed %ig re* the s&irt %laring to " st a(o)e her &nees* a modestdress ( t (oldly colo red in an a(stract %loral $attern on (lac&. S$lotches o% lemon* orange* lime green* t r6 oise* royal (l e seemed to lea$ o%% the(lac& (ac&gro nd* a da11ling &aleidosco$e o% colo r. On her %eet were stra$$y lemon sandals. A )ery con%ident woman* Nathan tho ght* $re$ared to stand o t rather than (lend in. A strong indi)id al. Certainly no shy )iolet or clinging)ine. A long dormant e!citement (egan to stir in him. This might (e a woman worth

&nowing...an e!$erience worth ha)ing.The )is al $leas re o% her was too enticing to gi)e $. He stayed where he stood* letting her mo)e %orward to %ormalise his mother#sintrod ction. <o)ely* almond,sha$ed* green eyes* as ni6 ely distincti)e as the rest o% her. Honey,(rown lashes and (rows. +as the hair,colo r nat ral0-I#m delighted to meet yo * Mr /ing*. she said with cool deli(eration as she held o t her hand.Esta(lishing im$ersonal distance.Nathan (arely sto$$ed himsel% %rom grinning at the im$licit challenge as he gri$$ed her hand* en%olding it in his own* li&ing the so%t* sil&ywarmth o% it. His smile was controlled into a mere e!$ression o% %riendly ac&nowledgement. Playing the stand,o%%ish game s ited him " st as well*while he too& her meas re.-E)en the children on the station call me Nathan* so $lease %eel com%orta(le with it*. he ass red her. -And since the resort also o$erates on a%irst name (asis* I tr st I may call yo Miranda..-O% co rse*. she answered smoothly* starting to e!tract her hand.Nathan did not resist the mo)ement* %inding it interesting she %elt the need to (rea& the $hysical lin& with him so 6 ic&ly. It wasn#t e!actly ar de re"ection o% contact* more a discom%ort with it. 2id she sense what she was stirring in him0 +as she stirred hersel%0 Her eyes re%lected nomore than the o(liging interest o% an em$loyee to an em$loyer* not so m ch as a hint o% s$ec lation on a woman to man (asis.His mother#s words came (ac& to him... I

do (t Miranda +ade wo ld (e inclined to cling to any man#s hand. -+hat wo ld yo li&e to drin&0. he as&ed* wondering i% she was a raging %eminist. -My mother#s ha)ing cham$agne....-A glass o% water wo ld (e %ine*. she 6 ic&ly inter$osed./ee$ing a cool head* Nathan tho ght as he nodded and disconnected himsel% %rom her (y t rning to his (rother. -A (eer %or yo * Tommy0##-Than&s* Nathan*. came the ready agreement.He le%t them to sort o t seating while he got the drin&s %rom the (ar in the ad"oining (illiard room. Miranda +ade was not a woman to (er shed. That m ch was o()io s. He had the im$ression there were many layers to her* not an easy woman to tag in any sense.He wondered how Tommy was %aring with her. His (rother had s$ent most o% the day in her com$any. Had he managed to draw any s$ar&so% interest0 Resol)ing to sim$ly sit and watch the inter$lay (etween them* Nathan ret rned with the drin&s* ironically am sed at the way this meetingwas t rning o t. His annoyance with his mother#s decision had win&ed o t the moment Miranda +ade had a$$eared in $erson.She#d chosen to sit in an armchair close to his mother* right across the room %rom where he#d (een seated. Tommy (ridged the ga$* ha)ingdro$$ed onto a so%a that co ld ha)e in)ited sharing* ( t that o$tion had not (een ta&en $ (y the %air Miranda. She nodded to a drin& coaster on thesmall ta(le (eside her as Nathan a$$roached and ga)e him a %lashing smile o% ac&nowledgement when he set the glass down where she#dindicated.-Than& yo *. she said* (rea&ing (rie%ly %rom her con)ersation with his mother* then instantly res ming it.2one with grace* ( t holding him at a )ery %irm distance* Nathan o(ser)ed. He didn#t linger* didn#t attem$t to draw her attention. A two, year contract ga)e him $lenty o% time to ma&e her ac6 aintance. He strolled o)er to

Tommy and handed him the (eer.-Ha$$y with the choice0. he as&ed 6 ietly* watching %or any reser)ation in his (rother#s e!$ressi)e eyes.-Are yo 0## Tommy retorted* mischie% dancing.Nathan shr gged. -3o r ( siness* Tommy..-An asset* I thin&.. 2e%initely male a$$reciation in the ga1e he slanted at Miranda. Howe)er his mo th made a wry little mo e as he added*-Mind )ery %oc sed on the "o(..-4lad to hear it*. Nathan m rm red and mo)ed (ac& to his chair* content with the con%irmation that his (rother#s charm had %ailed to e)o&ethe s al res$onse.This now $romised to (e a most interesting e)ening. 2idn#t %eminists $reach wanting men* not needing them0 Se! al %reedom0 Ta&ing asthey $leased0 +hat i% Miranda +ade wanted what he wanted0

Miranda was grate% l the meal had (een easy to eat5 $rawns coo&ed with cocon t and ser)ed with a mango sa ce* %ollowed (y(arram ndi* and now a melt,in,themo th $assion,%r it mo sse. 2ining with the /ings was certainly a testing e!$erience* ( t she tho ght she#dmanaged the e)ening reasona(ly well* gi)en the nner)ing $resence o% the man at the head o% the ta(le.Nathan had (arely said a word d ring the dinner con)ersation* ( t she was ac tely aware o% him listening to e)erything she said* the t rn o% his head towards her* the silent %orce o% his concentrated attention. She sensed he was catalog ing her 6 estions* her res$onses* her o$inions*( ilding $ a $ict re o% the &ind o% $erson she was while gi)ing nothing o% himsel% away.The worst o% it was* she &e$t remem(ering how his hand had %elt* wra$$ed aro nd hers. May(e it was (eca se he was the cattle /ing* ( tthe im$ression he had le%t was one o% (randing her with his im$rint. She wished he wasn#t 6 ite so (ig* so o)erwhelmingly male. It made her ridic lo sly conscio s o% (eing %emale* disconcertingly so since not e)en 'o((y Hewson had triggered s ch a dist r(ingly $er)asi)e e%%ect on her.7ort nately* (oth Tommy* sitting across the ta(le %rom her* and Eli1a(eth /ing at the %oot o% it* had (een )ery rela!ed in their manner towardsher* %riendly* hel$% l* in%ormati)e. And the dining room itsel% was a %ascinating distraction %rom the man who dominated too m ch o% it. All the % rnit re here was o% (ea ti% l* $olished mahogany. China ca(inets held a magni%icent array o% treas res. The $aintings on the wallswere o% (irds and e!ec ted in s$lendid detail. E)erything loo&ed in mint condition and Miranda wondered a(o t the ho sehold sta%%. 2inner had(een ser)ed (y a middle,aged woman* introd ced as Nancy* ( t there had to (e se)eral $eo$le loo&ing a%ter this ama1ing $lace.Eli1a(eth /ing cas ally remar&ed* -I thin& it wo ld (e a good idea %or Miranda to do the reg lar to rist tri$s (e%ore the season really gets

nderway at the resort. She sho ld &now at %irsthand what she#s recommending to

g ests..Tommy %rowned. -Sam#s still laid $ with a s$rained an&le....Miranda had already met Samantha Connelly* the resident helico$ter $ilot at the resort* a generally $leasant yo ng woman* tho gh (l ntlyterse in res$onse to Tommy#s leasing o)er her tem$orary handica$.-I#m %lying down to the ' ngle ' ngle Range* day a%ter tomorrow. Miranda can come with me i% she li&es..The words were s$o&en o%%handedly* yet coming so ne!$ectedly %rom Nathan* they had the e%%ect o% a th nder(olt crac&ing thro gh the air* "olting the rest o% the com$any.Tommy#s head swi)elled towards his older (rother. -3o 0. The astonishment in his )oice heightened the weird $anic attac&ing Miranda#s stomach. She had to %orce hersel% to glance at the man whowas o%%ering her his com$any on a one,to,one (asis. It %elt as tho gh her whole (ody was screaming danger. 3et there was nothing on his %ace toindicate any s$ecial interest in her.He raised an eye(row at Tommy as tho gh his (rother was o)er,reacting to a $er%ectly nat ral s ggestion. -Some $ro(lem0. he as&ed.-And ne)er the twain shall meet e!ce$t d ring the 9 ne m ster*. Tommy drily ta nted. -Here it is only March* Nathan* and yo #re o%%ering tohel$ with resort ( siness0.-Hardly ( siness*. he retorted " st as drily. -I#m ma&ing the tri$ anyway. It#s an o$$ort nity going (egging i% Miranda wants to ta&e it $..His ga1e sw ng to her in6 iringly.Tra$$ed in a small $lane or helico$ter with him0 Her mind sc rried to %ind some e!c se not to acce$t.-+hat are yo going %or0. Tommy as&ed* gi)ing her more time.The mesmerising (l e eyes released her as they targeted his (rother again. -The head $ar& ranger wants to (orrow the Sarah /ing diarieson the local A(original tri(es. 'ac&gro nd reading. I said I#d dro$ them in to him..-+ell* that %i!es one tri$ %or yo * Miranda*. Eli1a(eth /ing said (rightly* her %ace (eaming satis%action.-' t* Mrs /ing* the day a%ter tomorrow.... Miranda %rowned. -I see this wee& as )ery ( sy* getting mysel% %amiliarised with the wor&ings o% theresort and chec&ing the inta&e o% sta%% %or the season. M ch as I a$$reciate the o%%er* Nathan5. she 6 ic&ly constr cted a loo& o% a$ologetic a$$eal-5I ha)e (arely arri)ed and....-'est to go while yo can* Miranda*. Eli1a(eth /ing inter"ected %irmly. -'esides* it won#t (e ta&ing $ Samantha#s time or sing one o% Tommy#s $ilots. This is m ch the more economical arrangement..+hich neatly whi$$ed the mat o t %rom nder Miranda#s %eet* since insistence on some other time wo ld cost the resort money.-A dawn tri$* Nathan0## his mother went on* ha)ing dis$ensed with any % rther $rotest %rom Miranda.-Oh* I daresay we can catch the s nrise*. he answered.Miranda sat seething as they settled the arrangements (etween them* totally ignoring whether what was (eing decided s ited her or not. Thearrogance o% wealth* she tho ght* mo)ing $eo$le aro nd li&e $awns to their will. She (arely 6 elled the rge to ma&e a stand against them. The$ro(lem was she wasn#t %amiliar with the o t(ac& and %irsthand e!$erience o% it $ro(a(ly was im$ortant in handling her "o( well. And* in %act* she wo ldn#t (e o("ecting at all i% it wasn#t Nathan she had to accom$any. He rattled her. She didn#t %eel in control with him. 4et agri$ on yo rsel%* Miranda*

she sternly (erated hersel%. <i&e it or not* she had to deal with Nathan /ing* and may(e getting to &now him (etter wasthe (est way. He might lose his attraction on closer ac6 aintance.-I#ll ha)e yo (ac& at the resort (y noon*. he ass red her.Si! ho rs close to him. -Than& yo *. she said* her heart %l ttering in agitation.-+hat do yo thin& o% it0.-Pardon0. +hat was he re%erring to0His eyes glinted with am sed moc&ery* ma&ing her e)en more ner)o s. 2id he sense how she %elt a(o t him0-The resort. Since yo #)e always held a city $osition* I wondered how it loo&ed to yo . I $res me Tommy too& yo on a to r o% it thisa%ternoon..-The accommodation sectors are e!ce$tionally well $lanned*. she co ld answer with con%idence. -The homestead is (rilliantly located* andthe decor )ery attracti)e. E)erything loo&s to$ class..One eye(row rose challengingly. -No sin&ing heart %eeling0 No neasy twang o%* +hat ha)e I done0##She la ghed and shoo& her head. -More* How mar)ello s! I#m really loo&ing %orward to ta&ing o)er and ma&ing the (est o% it..-A new world %or yo ..-3es..-Most $eo$le hang onto the world they &now..-I g ess I#m not most $eo$le..-An ad)ent ress0 <oo&ing %or something di%%erent0.-More satis%ying a need %or something di%%erent..-Then I ho$e all yo r needs are satis%ied here..-That wo ld indeed (e Eden..He la ghed* his whole %ace s$ringing ali)e so stri&ingly* Miranda was totally ca$ti)ated (y it. Her mind was 1inging %rom the 6 ic& re$artee(etween them and her (ody was $ m$ing adrenaline so %ast* e)ery $art o% her %elt highly in)igorated.His eyes literally danced with $leas re* shooting tingles o% it into her (loodstream as he remar&ed* -I tend to thin& Eden is what we %ashion %or o rsel)es. It seems to me that#s what o r choices are a(o t...aiming %or what will gi)e s a ha$$y sit ation..She was s ddenly hit (y a shoc&wa)e o% intimacy that had to (e t rned (ac&. Common sense insisted on ringing down a warning that li%ewasn#t 6 ite as easy as that. -:n%ort nately we can#t control the choices other $eo$le ma&e*. she re$lied* her eyes trying to cool the warmth in his.-And that can create a hell %or s..-3o can always wal& away..-' t will they res$ect that0.-Ma&e them..-I#m not 6 ite as (ig as yo * Nathan*. she retorted lightly.He smiled. -' t yo do ha)e a mind o% yo r own* Miranda. And )ery interesting it is..-Than& yo ..-Oh* I sho ld (e than&ing yo . I#m s re yo will ta&e any (oredom o t o% o r tri$ together..Miranda#s (reath ca ght in her throat. He didn#t mean the %light to the ' ngle ' ngle Range. She &new he didn#t. He meant the contin ing

nderway at the resort. She sho ld &now at %irsthand what she#s recommending to g ests..Tommy %rowned. -Sam#s still laid $ with a s$rained an&le....Miranda had already met Samantha Connelly* the resident helico$ter $ilot at the resort* a generally $leasant yo ng woman* tho gh (l ntlyterse in res$onse to Tommy#s leasing o)er her tem$orary handica$.-I#m %lying down to the ' ngle ' ngle Range* day a%ter tomorrow. Miranda can come with me i% she li&es..The words were s$o&en o%%handedly* yet coming so ne!$ectedly %rom Nathan* they had the e%%ect o% a th nder(olt crac&ing thro gh the air* "olting the rest o% the com$any.Tommy#s head swi)elled towards his older (rother. -3o 0.

The astonishment in his )oice heightened the weird $anic attac&ing Miranda#s stomach. She had to %orce hersel% to glance at the man whowas o%%ering her his com$any on a one,to,one (asis. It %elt as tho gh her whole (ody was screaming danger. 3et there was nothing on his %ace toindicate any s$ecial interest in her.He raised an eye(row at Tommy as tho gh his (rother was o)er,reacting to a $er%ectly nat ral s ggestion. -Some $ro(lem0. he as&ed.-And ne)er the twain shall meet e!ce$t d ring the 9 ne m ster*. Tommy drily ta nted. -Here it is only March* Nathan* and yo #re o%%ering tohel$ with resort ( siness0.-Hardly ( siness*. he retorted " st as drily. -I#m ma&ing the tri$ anyway. It#s an o$$ort nity going (egging i% Miranda wants to ta&e it $..His ga1e sw ng to her in6 iringly.Tra$$ed in a small $lane or helico$ter with him0 Her mind sc rried to %ind some e!c se not to acce$t.-+hat are yo going %or0. Tommy as&ed* gi)ing her more time.The mesmerising (l e eyes released her as they targeted his (rother again. -The head $ar& ranger wants to (orrow the Sarah /ing diarieson the local A(original tri(es. 'ac&gro nd reading. I said I#d dro$ them in to him..-+ell* that %i!es one tri$ %or yo * Miranda*. Eli1a(eth /ing said (rightly* her %ace (eaming satis%action.-' t* Mrs /ing* the day a%ter tomorrow.... Miranda %rowned. -I see this wee& as )ery ( sy* getting mysel% %amiliarised with the wor&ings o% theresort and chec&ing the inta&e o% sta%% %or the season. M ch as I a$$reciate the o%%er* Nathan5. she 6 ic&ly constr cted a loo& o% a$ologetic a$$eal-5I ha)e (arely arri)ed and....-'est to go while yo can* Miranda*. Eli1a(eth /ing inter"ected %irmly. -'esides* it won#t (e ta&ing $ Samantha#s time or sing one o% Tommy#s $ilots. This is m ch the more economical arrangement..+hich neatly whi$$ed the mat o t %rom nder Miranda#s %eet* since insistence on some other time wo ld cost the resort money.-A dawn tri$* Nathan0## his mother went on* ha)ing dis$ensed with any % rther $rotest %rom Miranda.-Oh* I daresay we can catch the s nrise*. he answered.Miranda sat seething as they settled the arrangements (etween them* totally ignoring whether what was (eing decided s ited her or not. Thearrogance o% wealth* she tho ght* mo)ing $eo$le aro nd li&e $awns to their will. She (arely 6 elled the rge to ma&e a stand against them. The$ro(lem was she wasn#t %amiliar with the o t(ac& and %irsthand e!$erience o% it $ro(a(ly was im$ortant in handling her "o( well. And* in %act* she wo ldn#t (e o("ecting at all i% it wasn#t Nathan she had to accom$any. He rattled her. She didn#t %eel in control with him. 4et agri$ on yo rsel%* Miranda* she sternly (erated hersel%. <i&e it or not* she had to deal with Nathan /ing* and may(e getting to &now him (etter wasthe (est way. He might lose his attraction on closer ac6 aintance.-I#ll ha)e yo (ac& at the resort (y noon*. he ass red her.Si! ho rs close to him. -Than& yo *. she said* her heart %l ttering in agitation.-+hat do yo thin& o% it0.-Pardon0. +hat was he re%erring to0His eyes glinted with am sed moc&ery* ma&ing her e)en more ner)o s. 2id he sense how she %elt a(o t him0-The resort. Since yo #)e always held a city $osition* I wondered how it loo&ed to yo . I $res me Tommy too& yo on a to r o% it thisa%ternoon..-The accommodation sectors are e!ce$tionally well $lanned*. she co ld answer with con%idence. -The homestead is (rilliantly located*

andthe decor )ery attracti)e. E)erything loo&s to$ class..One eye(row rose challengingly. -No sin&ing heart %eeling0 No neasy twang o%* +hat ha)e I done0##She la ghed and shoo& her head. -More* How mar)ello s! I#m really loo&ing %orward to ta&ing o)er and ma&ing the (est o% it..-A new world %or yo ..-3es..-Most $eo$le hang onto the world they &now..-I g ess I#m not most $eo$le..-An ad)ent ress0 <oo&ing %or something di%%erent0.-More satis%ying a need %or something di%%erent..-Then I ho$e all yo r needs are satis%ied here..-That wo ld indeed (e Eden..He la ghed* his whole %ace s$ringing ali)e so stri&ingly* Miranda was totally ca$ti)ated (y it. Her mind was 1inging %rom the 6 ic& re$artee(etween them and her (ody was $ m$ing adrenaline so %ast* e)ery $art o% her %elt highly in)igorated.His eyes literally danced with $leas re* shooting tingles o% it into her (loodstream as he remar&ed* -I tend to thin& Eden is what we %ashion %or o rsel)es. It seems to me that#s what o r choices are a(o t...aiming %or what will gi)e s a ha$$y sit ation..She was s ddenly hit (y a shoc&wa)e o% intimacy that had to (e t rned (ac&. Common sense insisted on ringing down a warning that li%ewasn#t 6 ite as easy as that. -:n%ort nately we can#t control the choices other $eo$le ma&e*. she re$lied* her eyes trying to cool the warmth in his.-And that can create a hell %or s..-3o can always wal& away..-' t will they res$ect that0.-Ma&e them..-I#m not 6 ite as (ig as yo * Nathan*. she retorted lightly.He smiled. -' t yo do ha)e a mind o% yo r own* Miranda. And )ery interesting it is..-Than& yo ..-Oh* I sho ld (e than&ing yo . I#m s re yo will ta&e any (oredom o t o% o r tri$ together..Miranda#s (reath ca ght in her throat. He didn#t mean the %light to the ' ngle ' ngle Range. She &new he didn#t. He meant the contin ing

"o rney o% a close ac6 aintance s$reading o)er the two years she was going to (e here. And that was going to (e )ery* )ery dangero s to any$eace o% mind.-+ell* don#t %orget to (e a to r g ide* as well* Nathan*. Tommy drawled. -This is resort ( siness.. +as there a to ch o% resentment in his)oice. A %lash o% si(ling ri)alry0 Miranda 6 ic&ly switched her attention to the man whose interests she wo ld (e loo&ing a%ter. -I#ll ma&e the most o% the tri$* Tommy*. she ass red him. -I &now how essential it is that I do.. She m stn#t 5 not %or one moment5%orget her $lace. He nodded.-I#m s re yo #ll %ind it an ama1ing e!$erience*. Eli1a(eth /ing $ t in with an a$$ro)ing smile.Miranda ho$ed so. She wo ld need e)ery ama1ing distraction she co ld get to &ee$ holding Nathan /ing at a distance.

CHAPTER 7O:R NEE2IN4 to $ sh Nathan /ing o t o% her mind and gain a sense o% control o)er her immediate en)ironment* Miranda %illed her %irst morningat /ing#s Eden with a sta%% meeting. Since the resort was only o$en %rom the (eginning o% A$ril to the end o% No)em(er* the % ll com$lement o% em$loyees was not yet in residence* ( t the maintenance crew and those in charge o% each accommodation le)el and amenities rolled $ to meetand assess their new manager.Miranda was )ery aware o% not ha)ing the %irsthand &nowledge o% this area* while those %acing her did. She#d had no e!$erience o% the 'ig+et* the monsoonal rains that made m ch o% the To$ End o% A stralia inaccessi(le (y road d ring the s mmer months* ( t the o$$ressi)e heato tside was eno gh to con)ince her the 2ecem(er to March $eriod was not a good time to tra)el to this $art o% the o t(ac& %or sightseeing* e)en (yair. She (lessed the %act the resort homestead was air,conditioned* or she#d (e wilting in %ront o% these $eo$le.They had s$read themsel)es aro nd the large li)ing area* which had (een designed %or the $leas re and com%ort o% to$,$aying g ests. Theslate %loor in (l e,green h es loo&ed in)itingly cool and the cane % rnit re with its (rightly $atterned c shions lent a rela!ing* tro$ical %eel to the room. A(original arte%acts and $aintings were reminders o% how close )isitors were to an ancient heritage. A wall o% glass ga)e a )iew o% the resort $ooland some o% the o tdoors chairs had (een (ro ght inside to accommodate e)eryone.Miranda had deli(erately chosen this normally e!cl si)e leis re room as the gathering $lace* wanting to set the tone o% a to$ team gettingtogether. The resort resta rant was sed %or sta%% meetings when ( siness was in % ll swing* ( t this was only the &ey gro $ who wo ld (eanswering directly to her and she needed to get them onside.They all wore cas al clothes* shorts and T,shirts* a di%%erent )ision o% sta%% %or her* acc stomed as she was to more %ormal ni%orms. Mirandahad donned a lime,green slee)eless shi%t* wanting the e%%ect o% (oth dignity and sim$licity* and she#d wo nd her hair $ %or a loo& o% neat e%%iciency*( t she 6 ic&ly decided that tailored sa%ari shorts and shirt were more the style %or this resort. St $id to loo& o t o% $lace. A$art %rom a co $le o% men on the maintenance crew* e)eryone else was yo nger than she was* )ery yo ng in terms o% managerial $ositions.:nderstanda(le in s ch a location* she 6 ic&ly reasoned. A s$irit o% ad)ent re had $ro(a(ly (ro ght them here* wanting the o t(ac& e!$eriencewhile they were still %ootloose and %ancy %ree* or at least not tied down with %amilies. She s$ent most o% the meeting as&ing 6 estions* listening tore$orts* in)iting s ggestions %or resol)ing $ro(lems* which were raised* &ee$ing disc ssions o$en while she a(sor(ed the easy camaraderieamongst the sta%% and made notes on the $racticalities o% getting things done in time %or the (eginning o% the season.O)er and o)er again* mention was made o% $ro(lems ca sed (y cancelling the reg lar time,o%% %or the transient ser)ice sta%%. They went stir,cra1y* (ecoming careless and r de to g ests. 'rea&s away %rom the isolation o% the resort restored their good h mo r. It only raised tro (le i% toomany (oo&ings re6 ired the $ost$oning o% lea)e.Miranda too& on (oard that e)eryone was &een %or her to nderstand this. Isolation was a )ery real social $ro(lem. Her mind dri%ted to the/ing %amily...a h ndred years o% li)ing in isolation...Nathan r nning the cattle station... alone* nmarried. 2id he e)er %eel stir,cra1y0 +o ld she* hereat /ing#s Eden0Paradise or hell0Too late to change her decision to ta&e this "o( on*

Miranda sternly reminded hersel%. +hate)er its di%%ic lties* she wo ld see it thro gh.Nathan had (een s (tly challenging her on that last night. Her "aw tightened as she recalled his am sed moc&ery. She wo ld show him!Ha)ing collected all the in%ormation she wanted %rom her sta%%* Miranda (ro ght the meeting to a close with a $ersonal $olicy statement*em$hasising that good hos$itality de$ended on good comm nication and she didn#t want any (rea&downs in that area. Antici$ation o% g estre6 irements was her other main $oint and she wo ld (e instit ting chec&s that wo ld hel$ to ens re this.The res$onse was nods and smiles o% satis%action. Ha)ing memorised names thro gho t the morning* Miranda made a $oint o% sing themas the dis$ersing sta%% made %riendly $arting comments. Samantha Connelly* the in" red helico$ter $ilot* stayed (ehind* her s$rained an&le $ro$$edon a %ootstool.-2o yo need hel$0. Miranda as&ed with a sym$athetic smile.-I#m here to hel$ yo *. was the dry re$ly. -:ntil I can throw away these wretched cr tches..She leaned o)er the side o% the armchair to $ic& $ the resented aids to her disa(ility. Sensing a %ierce inde$endence Miranda made nomo)e to do it %or her. She admired the head o% ( rnished co$$er c rls as it (o((ed down and noticed the well,de%ined m sc lat re in the yo ngwoman#s arms. Samantha Connelly was ( ilt on a smaller and more slender scale than Miranda hersel%* ( t she was certainly lithe and strong.-I hate (eing ho((led*. she m ttered as her %ace came $* tho gh her e!$ression was one o% wry resignation as she added* -St c& in ano%%ice instead o% %lying high..-I didn#t realise yo did o%%ice wor&* as well*. Miranda said in s r$rise.-Oh* I %ill in* ta&ing the resort (oo&ings at the / n n rra Head6 arters d ring the +et. Not so m ch charter ( siness then. I#)e loaded all the%acts and %ig res into yo r com$ ter here* so i% yo need a hand with anything ntil yo r clerical assistant cloc&s on....-I#d a$$reciate it*. Miranda said warmly.-No $ro(lem.. Samantha slid her leg o%% the %ootstool and hea)ed hersel% o t o% the armchair.Miranda had the im$ression o% a $ride that wo ld always deny $ersonal $ro(lems and minimise others as m ch as $ossi(le. The yo ng $ilothad a rather narrow* gamine %ace* her %air s&in li(erally %rec&led* yet an innate strength o% character seemed to shine thro gh its %inely (onedstr ct re and her s&y,(l e eyes wo ld ndo (tedly scorn any s ggestion o% c teness.-How did yo get into %lying0. Miranda as&ed* as they set o%% towards the wide hallway that (isected the homestead and led to theadministration and accommodation wings.-I was (orn to it*. came the dismissi)e re$ly. -Since I#m c rrently gro nded* I g ess Tommy " m$ed in and o%%ered to %ly yo aro nd the reg lar to rs.. She slanted Miranda a derisi)e loo&. -Only too eager to show yo the sights* I#ll (et..Ca tion was instantly $ric&ed. -+hy sho ld he (e eager* Samantha0.-Call me Sam. E)eryone else does.. Another derisi)e loo&. -And i% yo didn#t notice Tommy#s tong e hanging o t yesterday* I s re did. To $ tit (l ntly* Miranda* yo #re stac&ed in all the right $laces and gorgeo s to (oot. So don#t tell me he didn#t gi)e yo the r sh..9ealo sy0 The acid little thread in Sam#s tone alerted Miranda to )ery sensiti)e gro nd here. -+ell* I g ess the r sh got di)erted*. sheanswered dryly. -In any e)ent I#m not interested in a $ersonal relationshi$ with Tommy /ing..-3o #re not0. Sam sto$$ed* eyeing Miranda with sheer astonishment. -Most women %all %or him li&e nine$ins..She shr gged. -3o can chal& $ a miss as %ar as I#m concerned.. A glee% l

grin lit $ Sam#s %ace. -I#)e ne)er &nown Tommy stri&e o t. +hat a lo)ely dent in his ego!.-2o yo &now him )ery well0.-Too well.. The grin t rned into a grimace. -<i&e I#m the &id sister he ne)er had. I#)e (een wor&ing %or the /ings %or years* m stering cattle*e)en (e%ore the resort was ( ilt..

+hich e!$lained the %amiliarity (etween Sam and Tommy* the teasing and her disres$ect% l res$onses yesterday. -Then yo m st &nowNathan well* too.. The words sli$$ed o t (e%ore Miranda co ld (ite on her tong e. She didn#t want to re)eal any c riosity a(o t him. She didn#t e)enwant to thin& a(o t him.-I &now all o% them well*. Sam re$lied with %eeling* so nding e!as$erated (y them or their %amily attit des.She set o%% down the hall again and Miranda &e$t $ace with her* grate% l the s ("ect was a$$arently dro$$ed.-Come to thin& o% it*. Sam m ttered. -It#s not li&e Tommy to gi)e $.. She %rowned at Miranda. -2idn#t he e)en line $ one tri$ with yo 0.Miranda sti%led a sigh. No $oint in hiding what wo ld soon (e common &nowledge. -Nathan is %lying me to the ' ngle ' ngle Rangetomorrow*. she stated %latly.-Nathan0. Another dead halt as Sam stared wide,eyed at her. -Nathan#s ta&ing yo 0.-He#s going anyway*. Miranda e!$lained* trying to &ee$ a terse note o t o% her )oice. -He $lans to ta&e some old diaries a(o t the A(originaltri(es to the $ar& ranger there..Sam#s mo th twitched. Her eyes danced with inner hilarity. -Nothing to do with yo * o% co rse..-9 st a ready o$$ort nity*. Miranda said dismissi)ely.Sam la ghed o t lo d. -Oh* I wish I co ld ha)e seen Tommy#s %ace when Nathan (eat him to the draw..She ch c&led on and o%%* little ( rsts o% $ri)ate am sement* all the way to the main administration o%%ice. Miranda hid her )e!ation (ehindsilence* disdaining any comment* yet the memory o% Tommy#s %ace at the dinner ta(le last night &e$t $laying thro gh her mind.She ho$ed the two /ing (rothers were not going to ma&e her the meat in their sandwich. +o ld they res$ect her choice not to get $ersonallyin)ol)ed with either o% them0 It co ld (ecome )ery n$leasant i% they didn#t.Miranda#s stomach was ch rning (y the time she and Sam %inally settled in the o%%ice* (oth o% them in chairs* %acing the com$ ter on her des&. She needed to get her tho ghts %oc sed on ( siness again. Tomorrow morning she wo ld %ace what she had to with Nathan /ing. :ntil then...-He#s %ree*. Sam said with a sidelong loo& at her.-I (eg yo r $ardon0. Miranda answered distractedly* watching the monitor screen as the com$ ter went thro gh its start $roced re.-Nathan...he#s nattached right now. The woman he was seeing got married. He hasn#t started $ with anyone else yet..-+ell* I g ess he#s %eeling re"ected*. Miranda commented* ho$ing she so nded careless* tho gh she was ama1ed that Nathan /ing had(een t rned down %or some other man.-Oh* she didn#t re"ect him. It wasn#t that &ind o% relationshi$. 9 st cas al lo)ers* really* tho gh it did go on %or a %ew years..Miranda gritted her teeth as anger (la1ed thro gh her. Cas al lo)ers! More li&e a con)enient mistress who %inally wised $ and got hersel% aman who really lo)ed her. I% Nathan /ing was har(o ring the idea that she

co ld now %all into that con)enient slot* he co ld thin& again. One way or another she wo ld ma&e her $osition )ery clear to him tomorrow.-Shall we get down to ( siness0. she said coldly* drawing a startled glance %rom Sam.-S re! 9 st tho ght yo might li&e to &now a(o t Nathan..-I &now all I need to &now* Sam. He#s a mem(er o% the /ing %amily. O&ay0.+ide (l e eyes met green ice and c riosity was instantly 6 enched. -7ine!. Sam#s ga1e sna$$ed to the monitor screen. -The (oo&ings arelisted in time se6 ence and.... 7inally... ( siness!Miranda sa)agely recalled Tommy /ing saying Nathan was a (ric& wall. She )owed that the cattle /ing wo ld meet a steel wall tomorrow*with (ar(ed wire on to$ to deter any attem$t at scaling it.

CHAPTER 7I;E MIRAN2A was already at the resort heli$ad when Nathan $ lled $ in his 9ee$. She had arri)ed %i)e min tes (e%ore the arranged time o% meeting* dri)ing one o% the l ggage ( ggies* which she#d commandeered %or her se. 'eing early made her %eel more $re$ared* more on to$ o% thesit ation.E)en so* Nathan sw ng himsel% o t o% the 9ee$ and Miranda#s (reath ca ght in her throat. Regardless o% her mental shields* his $hysicalim$act got to her* a (ig (last o% strong maleness that instantly set e)erything %emale in her a6 i)er. <i&e hersel%* he was dressed in shorts* shirt*wal&ing (oots* a hat in one hand* a (ac&$ac& dangling %rom his sho lder* ( t he emanated $ r$ose% l )itality while she %elt ho$elessly $aralysed.-4ood morning*. he said* shooting a smile at her that " m$,started her heart again. -+e#)e str c& it l c&y with a clo dless s&y. A clear s nrisema&es the colo rs more )i)id..-3es* it is a good morning*. she agreed* tho gh it $romised a hot* hot day to come. In more ways than one* gi)en her instincti)e res$onse tohim.He wa)ed her towards the helico$ter on the $ad and she %ell into ste$ (eside him* concentrating on in"ecting more steel into her s$ine.-Ha)e yo read anything a(o t the ' ngle ' ngle Range0. he as&ed.-Only what was in the to r $am$hlet..-+ell* seeing says it all..Clearly he was not interested in lect ring or showing o%% his local &nowledge* ( t his interest in her was twin&ling %rom his eyes and $layingha)oc with Miranda#s ner)es.-Ha)ing tro (le slee$ing0. he as&ed. -No*. she instantly denied* wondering i% she loo&ed tired %rom last night#s tossing and t rning o)er thismeeting. -+hy sho ld I0. she challenged* wanting to $in,$oint the reason %or his s$ec lation.-Oh* the 6 iet sometimes gets to city $eo$le. They miss the (ac&gro nd noise* and other things they#re sed to.. <i&e se!0 Miranda %o nd her "aw clenching and mentally (erated hersel% %or (eing ltra,sensiti)e. On the s r%ace his comment was $er%ectly reasona(le.On the s r%ace he wasn#t saying or doing anything she co ld ta&e o("ection to. ' t nder the s r%ace she %elt the ( 11 o% $ossi(ilities that were %ar %rom innocent.-The last two days ha)e (een so ( sy* I g ess the 6 iet hasn#t im$ressed itsel% on me yet*. she answered. -It will*. he said matter,o%, %actly.-3o #ll come to li&e it or hate it. One thing can (e said de%initi)ely a(o t the

o t(ac&. It )ery 6 ic&ly sorts o t the )isitors and the stayers..-So I nderstand. I#)e (een told there can (e a stir,cra1y $ro(lem with some o% the sta%% i% they don#t get reg lar lea)e.. That mo)ed thecon)ersation to a more im$ersonal le)el!-Not " st with sta%%*. he ret rned drily. -Most women I#)e &nown..He slanted her a loo& that seemed to (e weighing i% she had the grit to (e a stayer. It set Miranda wondering a(o t the woman who#d chosento marry someone else...a woman who didn#t want to s$end her li%e on a cattle station0 ' t why wo ld Nathan /ing &ee$ the relationshi$ going %or years i% it hadn#t s ited him0-There m st (e women who were (orn and (red to the o t(ac& li&e yo *. she said $ertinently. -<i&e Sam Connelly..-Ah* Sam*. he said in a tone o% %ond ind lgence. He slid her an ironic loo&. -There aren#t many li&e Sam* (elie)e me* and she only has eyes%or Tommy. One o% these days he might sto$ chasing glitter and see the gold right nder his nose..+as that tr e a(o t Sam0 Miranda t c&ed the in%ormation away %or % t re re%erence and targeted the man who was criticising his (rother.-Perha$s he#s not inclined to loo&. Some men don#t want real commitment to a woman..-Is that $ersonal e!$erience s$ea&ing0## 'itterly $ersonal. Miranda (arely stemmed a ( rning r sh o% (lood as she %o ght those memories* determined not to re)eal her h miliationto a man who#d s$ent two years $leas ring himsel% with a woman he m st ha)e considered ns ita(le %or marriage. +hy else wo ld he ha)e let her go to another man0 +ith cool deli(eration Miranda t rned the 6 estion (ac& on him.-I was " st wondering why yo ha)en#t %o nd gold somewhere in this )ast /im(erly region..His mo th 6 ir&ed* drawing her attention to its sens al $romise. -7 nny thing a(o t gold. It has certain chemical $ro$erties. I% they#re missingit#s " st %ool#s gold..-May(e they#re missing %or Tommy*. she arg ed* all too aware o% the chemistry Nathan ta$$ed in her.-No. He co)ers it with teasing. Sam co)ers it with aggression. And Tommy#s damned %ool ego gets in the way. He#d add yo to his $ride list i% he co ld..They#d crossed the gro nd to the helico$ter. Nathan o$ened the door %or her. Miranda didn#t immediately ste$ $ to the $assenger seat. Shestood stoc&,still* her mind whirling (ac& o)er her e)ening with the /ings... Nathan* stand,o%%ish* watching* only inserting himsel% when Tommy wasconsidering ta&ing her on to r tri$s. Had she got Nathan#s $ r$ose with her entirely wrong0 Nothing to do with se! al attraction0She eyed him directly. -Is this what today is a(o t* Nathan0 P tting yo rsel% (etween me and Tommy to sa)e Sam#s %eelings0.He ret rned a loo& that simmered with a$$reciati)e warmth* li&ing her (l ntness. -7rom what I o(ser)ed* yo #re not $artic larly drawn to him*Miranda. ' t Tommy doesn#t gi)e $ easily....Sam#s words!-...and as time goes on* yo might %ind yo rsel% getting (ored eno gh to $lay with his interest. Pro!imity and a)aila(ility tend to o)ercomeother shortcomings..-I see. 3o #re warning me o%%..-No. It#s yo r choice. I don#t (elie)e in inter%ering with $eo$le#s

choices. I#d (e sorry to see Sam h rt* tho gh. It#s one thing &nowing Tommydri%ts in and o t o% a%%airs* 6 ite another watching one at close 6 arters..-I ta&e yo r $oint*. she conceded* &nowing she wasn#t interested in getting in)ol)ed with Tommy /ing anyway.Nathan nodded* then s ddenly grinned at her* his (l e eyes dancing with more than a$$reciation. -'esides* I#d m ch $re%er yo to relie)eyo r (oredom with me..-+hat0. Her mo th %ell o$en and stayed o$en in s r$rise at the a(r $t switch %rom do,gooding %riend o% Sam to man ma&ing a mo)e on her.Miranda (arely had time to register his words* let alone his intent as he ste$$ed closer* c $$ed her chee&* tilted her chin* and with his eyes(la1ing into hers* wic&edly in)iting* teasing* wanting* he m rm red* -<et#s try it* shall we0.Then he was &issing her* so%t* sed cti)e $ress res that &e$t her shoc&ed in stillness. She hadn#t (een e!$ecting it* wasn#t $re$ared %or it*and his )ery gentleness was (oth con% sing and tantalising. It was a ta&e* ( t there was nothing really o%%ensi)e a(o t...a(o t the way his mo th waslo)ing hers. 3et he really had no right to " st do it li&e this. She sho ld sto$ it. +here wo ld it lead0 +here co ld it lead0She li%ted her hands. They clam$ed onto his chest* ( t instead o% $ shing* they %o nd a magnetic attraction to the heat and m scle (ehind his

shirt* and somehow they co ldn#t sto$ sliding $ to the (ig* (road sho lders that were on a higher le)el than hers* which was a newe!$erience...reaching $ to a man...and it s$ar&ed a swarm o% $re)io sly thwarted %emale %eelings...a man whose $hysi6 e more thancom$lemented her own too genero s (ody length.The tem$tation to %eel what it was li&e with s ch a man as Nathan /ing5" st this once5dissol)ed all the reasons why she sho ldn#t. It wasonly a &iss* which he was delicately dee$ening* in)iting her acti)e $artici$ation* $romising a $leas ra(le e!$loration that wo ld satis%y her c riosity.No %orce in)ol)ed. No danger attached to it. She co ld (ac& o t any time she li&ed* dismissing the im$ lse to taste as inconse6 ential.He &new how to &iss. He was )ery good at it. So distraclingly good she was (arely aware o% his hands sliding aro nd her waist* tho gh her whole (ody was instantly and ac tely conscio s o% his when he ha led her against him. ' t (y then that was what she wanted* to %eel more o% him*re)elling in the dominant maleness he emitted and incredi(ly e!cited (y it.H ngry* rgent &isses* a gathering $assion %or them* and her hands clim(ing* cl tching his head* $ lling him down to her* her (ody archinginto his* $inned there (y his hands* eng l%ed (y a sweet storm o% sensation* riding with it ntil the growing hardness o% his wanting s$ar&ed someshred o% sanity in her mind* and the shoc& o% her s sce$ti(ility to Nathan /ing#s attraction too& hold.She gra((ed his ears and %orced his head $. He stared at her* his eyes hot and gla1ed* steaming with ram$ant desire. She stared (ac&*$anic cl tching her stomach where he was $ressed so e!$licitly against her* $anic screeching thro gh her

mind at ha)ing let this...this %oolishe!$eriment...go so %ar.-3o #re right*. he m ttered gr %%ly. -Not the time or $lace..'e%ore she had wits to ma&e any re$ly* he collected himsel% and mo)ed* scoo$ing her o%% her %eet and li%ting her onto the $assenger seat o% the helico$ter as e%%ortlessly as tho gh she were some lightweight doll. -Throw yo r hat and (ag on the (ac& seat*. he instr cted* and closed thedoor* sealing her into $osition. Miranda was a trem(ling mess* her mind st c& in a ma1e o% incred lity... nanswera(le 6 estions a(o t hersel% andher totally ina$$ro$riate and shamingly intimate res$onse to a man she (arely &new and didn#t want to &now. E)en now* her (ody was in re)olt atha)ing (een de$ri)ed o% what it had wanted %rom him. Chemistry!How did one switch it o%%0One sol tion 1i$$ed thro gh her s6 irming con% sion. 4et o t o% the helico$ter! She didn#t ha)e to go with him or e)en (e with him. She %o ndthe handle to o$en the door. Then a s rge o% $ride insisted r nning away was not the most e%%ecti)e mo)e to deal with this. She had a choice toma&e here and she had to ma&e Nathan /ing res$ect her choice. Her contract at /ing#s Eden ran two years and there was no way o% a)oiding him%or two years. A stand had to (e ta&en. +ords said. He had to (e con)inced there was ne)er going to (e a right time or $lace %or what he wanted%rom her. No way was she going to %all into the 'o((y Hewson tra$ again.She#d (arely remem(ered to toss her hat and (ag onto the (ac& seat (e%ore Nathan /ing ha led himsel% into the s$ace (eside her*triggering an aw% l sense o% ) lnera(ility. She %astened her seat,(elt and did her tmost to ignore his im$act on her senses as he settled himsel%.-Ha)e to get mo)ing i% we#re to catch the s nrise*. he said* handing her a set o% head$hones and lin&ing $ the electronics.Than&% lly he switched on the ignition and ( sied himsel% with getting them o%% the gro nd. Miranda donned the head$hones* which drownedo t the noise and allowed her to s$ea& to him ( t decided any tal&ing was (est done later. A%ter she had calmed down. +hen she co ld choose her words care% lly* not in heat. And when (eing in the wretchedly small s$ace o% this helico$ter didn#t ma&e her %eel so crowded (y him.2etermined on sh tting him o t %or the d ration o% the %light* Miranda resol)ed to &ee$ her ga1e trained strictly on the )iew. +hich was whatshe was here %or... %irsthand &nowledge o% to rist territory... and which she $roceeded to do* once they were in the air. All the same* e)en as she watched a seemingly endless )ista o% (eige grass dotted (y the grey,green %oliage o% the ni)ersally small o t(ac&trees* her ner)es were str ng ta t* waiting %or Nathan to say something. As time dragged (y* she (egan to hate the tho ght he was sim$ly sittingtight* congrat lating himsel% on ha)ing s$ar&ed a $ositi)e res$onse %rom her* and antici$ating more o% the same.-3o #ll miss the a$$roach i% yo &ee$ loo&ing o t o% the side window* Miranda..The ad)ice (oomed into her ears* "olting her o t o% her dar& (rooding.-That#s the start o% the ' ngle ' ngle Range straight ahead o% s..Relie% $o red thro gh her at his matter,o%,%act tone* and the moment she loo&ed where he directed* his domination o% her tho ghts %aded* her mind %illing with the wonder o% what lay (e%ore her.She had seen $hotogra$hs o% Ayer#s Roc&* a h ge monolith rising with

st nning e%%ect %rom a )ista o% %lat land as %ar as the eye co ld see.The ' ngle ' ngle Range ga)e the same weird sense o% not (elonging to the general landsca$e* ( t it was m ch more than a mon mental roc&. Itloo&ed li&e some ancient remnant o% a lost ci)ilisation* em(odying mysteries that no one &new the answers to any more.The $hotogra$hs in the $am$hlet hadn#t ca$t red what she was seeing* co ldn#t ca$t re the si1e and %ascination o% it. It seemed to rise o t o% nowhere* nconnected to anything else* a h ge amalgamation o% massi)e (eehi)e str ct res* hori1ontally stri$ed in orange and (lac&. The risings n )i)idly ill minated the orange sections and made the (lac& more star&.Miranda &new there were geological e!$lanations %or the colo rs5layers o% silica and lichen5and the sha$es. She#d read them in the$am$hlet. 3et the stri$es seemed so e)enly s$aced* as tho gh to some deli(erate* artistic $lan* and the striations in the roc& o% some o% themassi)e domes on the o ts&irts o% the range ga)e her the im$ression o% ( ildings ( ilt o% (ric&s* li&e $yramids with the shar$ edges ha)ingcr m(led away o)er tho sands and tho sands o% years.She &new it was %anci% l to ignore e!$ert &nowledge5this was all solid sandstone* and the %ormation was act ally dated (ac& three h ndredand %i%ty million years5( t she co ldn#t hel$ en)isaging ancient r lers (eing ( ried inside those time,worn domes.-Had eno gh or do yo want to see more0. Nathan as&ed e)enly* not $ shing either way.-More* $lease*. she answered* not gr dging those words to him.He %lew the helico$ter o)er the range in a criss,cross $attern* gi)ing her e)ery as$ect o% it. The narrow canyons or gorges had (een car)ed(y water* so she#d read* yet the roc&,%ace it had car)ed was so smooth and sheer in $laces* the im$ression o% narrow streets r nning dee$ down(eside (loc&s o% $etri%ied* window,less s&yscra$ers &e$t %lowing thro gh Miranda#s mind. I% this was the wor& o% nat re* it had (een wro ght inincredi(le $atterns.-Time we landed i% we#re to &ee$ o r sched le*. Nathan in%ormed her.-O&ay*. she conceded* realising he#d seen all this (e%ore and had (een $andering to her interest* $ro(a(ly ind lging her so she wo ld (emore ready to ind lge him. And on the gro nd she wo ld (e more accessi(le to whate)er he had in mind.He set the helico$ter down close to a gro $ o% ( ildings (eyond the massi%* $res ma(ly the $ar& rangers# head6 arters. Intensely wary o% hisintentions* Miranda swi%tly n%astened her seat,(elt* whi$$ed o%% her head$hones* o$ened the door on her side and was o t (e%ore Nathan co ld hel$ her* there(y a)oiding any macho %amiliarity he might ta&e* (eing (igger and stronger than she was.-7orgot yo r hat and (ag*. he said* handing her the items as he "oined her on the gro nd.-Than&s*. she m m(led* dee$ly )e!ed she hadn#t tho ght o% them in her h rry to get o t. The omission re)ealed her distracted state o% mind. shirt* and somehow they co ldn#t sto$ sliding $ to the (ig* (road sho lders that were on a higher le)el than hers* which was a newe!$erience...reaching $ to a man...and it s$ar&ed a swarm o% $re)io sly thwarted %emale %eelings...a man whose $hysi6 e more thancom$lemented her own too genero s (ody length.The tem$tation to %eel what it was li&e with s ch a man as Nathan /ing5" st this once5dissol)ed all the reasons why she sho ldn#t. It wasonly a &iss* which he was delicately dee$ening* in)iting her acti)e

$artici$ation* $romising a $leas ra(le e!$loration that wo ld satis%y her c riosity.No %orce in)ol)ed. No danger attached to it. She co ld (ac& o t any time she li&ed* dismissing the im$ lse to taste as inconse6 ential.He &new how to &iss. He was )ery good at it. So distraclingly good she was (arely aware o% his hands sliding aro nd her waist* tho gh her whole (ody was instantly and ac tely conscio s o% his when he ha led her against him. ' t (y then that was what she wanted* to %eel more o% him*re)elling in the dominant maleness he emitted and incredi(ly e!cited (y it.H ngry* rgent &isses* a gathering $assion %or them* and her hands clim(ing* cl tching his head* $ lling him down to her* her (ody archinginto his* $inned there (y his hands* eng l%ed (y a sweet storm o% sensation* riding with it ntil the growing hardness o% his wanting s$ar&ed someshred o% sanity in her mind* and the shoc& o% her s sce$ti(ility to Nathan /ing#s attraction too& hold.She gra((ed his ears and %orced his head $. He stared at her* his eyes hot and gla1ed* steaming with ram$ant desire. She stared (ac&*$anic cl tching her stomach where he was $ressed so e!$licitly against her* $anic screeching thro gh her mind at ha)ing let this...this %oolishe!$eriment...go so %ar.-3o #re right*. he m ttered gr %%ly. -Not the time or $lace..'e%ore she had wits to ma&e any re$ly* he collected himsel% and mo)ed* scoo$ing her o%% her %eet and li%ting her onto the $assenger seat o% the helico$ter as e%%ortlessly as tho gh she were some lightweight doll. -Throw yo r hat and (ag on the (ac& seat*. he instr cted* and closed thedoor* sealing her into $osition. Miranda was a trem(ling mess* her mind st c& in a ma1e o% incred lity... nanswera(le 6 estions a(o t hersel% andher totally ina$$ro$riate and shamingly intimate res$onse to a man she (arely &new and didn#t want to &now. E)en now* her (ody was in re)olt atha)ing (een de$ri)ed o% what it had wanted %rom him. Chemistry!How did one switch it o%%0One sol tion 1i$$ed thro gh her s6 irming con% sion. 4et o t o% the helico$ter! She didn#t ha)e to go with him or e)en (e with him. She %o ndthe handle to o$en the door. Then a s rge o% $ride insisted r nning away was not the most e%%ecti)e mo)e to deal with this. She had a choice toma&e here and she had to ma&e Nathan /ing res$ect her choice. Her contract at /ing#s Eden ran two years and there was no way o% a)oiding him%or two years. A stand had to (e ta&en. +ords said. He had to (e con)inced there was ne)er going to (e a right time or $lace %or what he wanted%rom her. No way was she going to %all into the 'o((y Hewson tra$ again.She#d (arely remem(ered to toss her hat and (ag onto the (ac& seat (e%ore Nathan /ing ha led himsel% into the s$ace (eside her*triggering an aw% l sense o% ) lnera(ility. She %astened her seat,(elt and did her tmost to ignore his im$act on her senses as he settled himsel%.-Ha)e to get mo)ing i% we#re to catch the s nrise*. he said* handing her a set o% head$hones and lin&ing $ the electronics.Than&% lly he switched on the ignition and ( sied himsel% with getting them o%% the gro nd. Miranda donned the head$hones* which drownedo t the noise and allowed her to s$ea& to him ( t decided any tal&ing was (est done later. A%ter she had calmed down. +hen she co ld choose her words care% lly* not in heat. And when (eing in the wretchedly small s$ace o% this helico$ter didn#t ma&e her %eel so

crowded (y him.2etermined on sh tting him o t %or the d ration o% the %light* Miranda resol)ed to &ee$ her ga1e trained strictly on the )iew. +hich was whatshe was here %or... %irsthand &nowledge o% to rist territory... and which she $roceeded to do* once they were in the air. All the same* e)en as she watched a seemingly endless )ista o% (eige grass dotted (y the grey,green %oliage o% the ni)ersally small o t(ac&trees* her ner)es were str ng ta t* waiting %or Nathan to say something. As time dragged (y* she (egan to hate the tho ght he was sim$ly sittingtight* congrat lating himsel% on ha)ing s$ar&ed a $ositi)e res$onse %rom her* and antici$ating more o% the same.-3o #ll miss the a$$roach i% yo &ee$ loo&ing o t o% the side window* Miranda..The ad)ice (oomed into her ears* "olting her o t o% her dar& (rooding.-That#s the start o% the ' ngle ' ngle Range straight ahead o% s..Relie% $o red thro gh her at his matter,o%,%act tone* and the moment she loo&ed where he directed* his domination o% her tho ghts %aded* her mind %illing with the wonder o% what lay (e%ore her.She had seen $hotogra$hs o% Ayer#s Roc&* a h ge monolith rising with st nning e%%ect %rom a )ista o% %lat land as %ar as the eye co ld see.The ' ngle ' ngle Range ga)e the same weird sense o% not (elonging to the general landsca$e* ( t it was m ch more than a mon mental roc&. Itloo&ed li&e some ancient remnant o% a lost ci)ilisation* em(odying mysteries that no one &new the answers to any more.The $hotogra$hs in the $am$hlet hadn#t ca$t red what she was seeing* co ldn#t ca$t re the si1e and %ascination o% it. It seemed to rise o t o% nowhere* nconnected to anything else* a h ge amalgamation o% massi)e (eehi)e str ct res* hori1ontally stri$ed in orange and (lac&. The risings n )i)idly ill minated the orange sections and made the (lac& more star&.Miranda &new there were geological e!$lanations %or the colo rs5layers o% silica and lichen5and the sha$es. She#d read them in the$am$hlet. 3et the stri$es seemed so e)enly s$aced* as tho gh to some deli(erate* artistic $lan* and the striations in the roc& o% some o% themassi)e domes on the o ts&irts o% the range ga)e her the im$ression o% ( ildings ( ilt o% (ric&s* li&e $yramids with the shar$ edges ha)ingcr m(led away o)er tho sands and tho sands o% years.She &new it was %anci% l to ignore e!$ert &nowledge5this was all solid sandstone* and the %ormation was act ally dated (ac& three h ndredand %i%ty million years5( t she co ldn#t hel$ en)isaging ancient r lers (eing ( ried inside those time,worn domes.-Had eno gh or do yo want to see more0. Nathan as&ed e)enly* not $ shing either way.-More* $lease*. she answered* not gr dging those words to him.He %lew the helico$ter o)er the range in a criss,cross $attern* gi)ing her e)ery as$ect o% it. The narrow canyons or gorges had (een car)ed(y water* so she#d read* yet the roc&,%ace it had car)ed was so smooth and sheer in $laces* the im$ression o% narrow streets r nning dee$ down(eside (loc&s o% $etri%ied* window,less s&yscra$ers &e$t %lowing thro gh Miranda#s mind. I% this was the wor& o% nat re* it had (een wro ght inincredi(le $atterns.-Time we landed i% we#re to &ee$ o r sched le*. Nathan in%ormed her.-O&ay*. she conceded* realising he#d seen all this (e%ore and had (een $andering to her interest* $ro(a(ly ind lging her so she wo ld (emore ready to ind lge him. And on the gro nd she wo ld (e more accessi(le to whate)er he had in mind.He set the helico$ter down close to a gro $ o% ( ildings (eyond the massi%* $res ma(ly the $ar& rangers# head6 arters. Intensely wary o% hisintentions* Miranda swi%tly n%astened her seat,(elt* whi$$ed o%% her head$hones*

o$ened the door on her side and was o t (e%ore Nathan co ld hel$ her* there(y a)oiding any macho %amiliarity he might ta&e* (eing (igger and stronger than she was.-7orgot yo r hat and (ag*. he said* handing her the items as he "oined her on the gro nd.-Than&s*. she m m(led* dee$ly )e!ed she hadn#t tho ght o% them in her h rry to get o t. The omission re)ealed her distracted state o% mind.

-That was so %antastic %rom the air* I#m eager to see more o% it %rom gro nd le)el*. she rolled o t as an e!c se* not wanting him to thin& he was theca se o% her haste.-+orth catching the s nrise0. he remar&ed* his (l e eyes glinting with am sed moc&ery.-;ery m ch so..-Sorry i% I o%%ended yo r dignity (y ( ndling yo into the helico$ter (ac& at the resort* ( t we were r nning short o% time. Nat re doesn#t waiton anything. I% we want it wor&ing %or s we ha)e to %ollow its dictates..+hich was a do (le,edged e!c se i% she#d e)er heard one! I% he tho ght she was going to ta&e se! al dictation %rom nat re* he co ld thin&again.-I didn#t as& %or a delay to o r de$art re* Nathan*. she said $ointedly.-Tr e!. He had the gall to grin. -' t I didn#t hear or %eel any $rotest %or 6 ite some time. +hich lea)es s with a $romising area to e!$lore*doesn#t it0.-Only i% the wish is there to e!$lore it*. she %lashed (ac& at him with a loo& that sho ld ha)e shri)elled his con%idence.It merely raised a 6 i11ical eye(row. -No $ro(lem on my side. Is there one on yo rs0.She %i!ed some moc&ery o% her own directly on him. -9 st where do yo see this e!$loration leading to0.He made a $lay% l %rown. -+ell* the start o% it s ggested we#re onto something s$ecial together. And now yo #re throwing in some mystery.No do (t a(o t a strong dash o% e!citement. +ho can tell what will come o t o% it0.He was la ghing at her* ma&ing light o% any $ossi(le reser)ations she might ha)e a(o t an o$en,ended % t re. E!ce$t it wasn#t o$en,endedto her. She saw a )ery ine)ita(le end.-That so nds 6 ite romantic. E!ce$t yo &now and I &now there won#t (e any romance in)ol)ed. I (et right now yo #re %ig ring on a two,year con)enient a%%air. And I tell yo right now5. her )oice hardened as she deli)ered the (ottom line -5I won#t $lay..

CHAPTER SI? -P<A30.Nathan /ing#s incred lo s re$etition o% her word ga)e Miranda a 6 easy moment o% do (t. Had she let her own %ears $aint a crass $ict re o% what he intended0 She watched* with gallo$ing tre$idation* while his e!$ression nderwent se)eral changes... dis(elie% shi%ting to reassessment* then distaste.He co ldn#t ha)e had anything serio s in mind with her* she %iercely told hersel%. He " st didn#t li&e ha)ing his moti)es (aldly laid o t. Pro(a(lyno other woman had e)er &noc&ed him (ac& 6 ite so

(l ntly or a(r $tly. New e!$erience %or him!9 st as his eyes too& on a laser,li&e $ro(e* a greeting rang o t. They (oth t rned to see a lean (earded man strolling towards them. Theinterr $tion was silently welcomed (y Miranda. It (ro&e the imminent threat o% % rther con%rontation with Nathan /ing and ga)e her the chance toregro $ her de%ences.The newcomer loo&ed to (e only in his early thirties and he )iewed Miranda with s$ec lati)e interest as Nathan introd ced them. -9imHos&ins* head $ar& ranger* Miranda +ade* the new resort manager at /ing#s Eden..They shoo& hands ( t there was no o$$ort nity %or any con)ersation (etween them. Nathan claimed 9im#s attention* withdrawing a $arcel o% (oo&s %rom his (ag. -The diaries. Ta&e good care o% them* won#t yo 0.9im too& the $arcel* handling it with re)erential care. -I#m m ch o(liged* Nathan. I#ll treat them with the tmost res$ect. Hard to get any historyon this area..-Personal diaries aren#t e!act historical %act*. Nathan drily warned. -My great,grandmother might ha)e (een %ed tall tales (y the A(origines o% the time. 4enerally white $eo$le weren#t let into tri(al secrets..-+ell* I#m s re I#ll %ind them interesting anyway..Miranda tho ght she wo ld* too* ( t she co ld hardly as& %or a loan o% old %amily diaries %rom a man she was intent on re"ecting.-Come along*. 9im in)ited* wa)ing to the ( ilding. -I#ll $ t tea or co%%ee on %or yo .. He smiled at Miranda as she and Nathan %ell into ste$ withhim. -3o r %irst time here0.-3es. This is an ama1ing $lace..-:n%ort nately we#re short o% time* 9im*. Nathan inter"ected.Miranda tensed. +as that tr e* or was he im$atient to get her to himsel% again0-I $romised to show Miranda Cathedral 4orge and ha)e her (ac& at the resort at noon*. he e!$lained. -I &now she#s eager to get on with thesight,seeing* so we#ll $ass $ the co%%ee* i% yo don#t mind. I#)e got some $ac&ed..+hich neatly c t the $ar& ranger o t o% the agenda* sing her own e!c se %or h rrying o t o% the helico$ter. It was clear Nathan was not goingto allow her to se 9im Hos&ins as a ( %%er (etween them. Not e)en %or a short time. Tho gh to (e %air* she didn#t &now how long it too& to get toCathedral 4orge.9im shr gged* acce$ting the arg ment witho t 6 estion. -Pity yo #re so r shed.. He $ointed to a hea)y d ty %o r,wheel,dri)e )ehicle $ar&ed(eside the road. -The <and Cr iser#s ready to go. /eys in the ignition..-Than&s* 9im. +e#ll (e o%% then..-No $ro(lem..He $arted com$any with them with a cheery wa)e and Miranda resigned hersel% to (eing alone with Nathan again.They headed straight %or the <and Cr iser* neither o% them o%%ering con)ersation. Miranda didn#t loo& at Nathan ( t she was e!tremelyconscio s o% $ r$ose% l energy radiating %rom him and &new he was going to contest her -no $lay. decision. ' t i% he &e$t it to only words* shewo ld co$e* and she didn#t ha)e to (e more than $olite in her re$lies. <et him thin& whate)er he li&ed. The only im$ortant tiling was to maintain asa%e distance.He o$ened the $assenger door %or her. She ste$$ed $ast him with a cool -Than& yo *. and hea)ed hersel% into the high ca(in* noting that hedidn#t attem$t to assist. Her inde$endent e!it %rom the helico$ter had at least made that $oint.He didn#t s$ea& e)en when they were on the road. In %act they tra)elled a considera(le distance* the silence in the <and Cr iser growingmore and more ner)e,rac&ing as the trac& they were ta&ing got ro gher and ro gher* the %o r,wheel dri)e $lo ghing thro gh dee$ sand* ( m$ingo)er corr gations* tra)ersing a roc&y cree& (ed where r nning water co ld ha)e made the crossing more $erilo s i% he hadn#t &nown which way togo.There was no sign o% anyone else now* no trace o% any h manity in the ancient land aro nd them. The cl m$s o% s$ini%e! and the high conicaltermite mo nds

added to the sense o% li%e red ced to a minimal state. It was a %ar di%%erent world %rom the one she#d &nown all her li%e and she(egan to sense she was with a )ery di%%erent &ind o% man* too...a man who made his own r les.She wasn#t r nning this game.He was. At his own $ace and on his own terms. And that realisation sent a chill down Miranda#s s$ine. His $atient silence at the dinner ta(le that %irst night* his $atient silence in thehelico$ter* now in this <and Cr iser* waiting...waiting %or what0-3o #re right*. Nathan said a(r $tly. -I#m not o%%ering romance. I#)e (een there* done that* and come o t em$ty e)ery time. 7ool#s gold..The edge o% contem$t in his )oice startled her into loo&ing at him. He sliced her a hard* challenging glance* searing in its intensity. -<oo&aro nd yo *. he directed* t rning his ga1e (ac& to the ha1ardo s trac&. -My li%e is (o nd $ in this land. It comes down to (asic needs and that is$er)asi)e i% yo li)e here long eno gh. I ha)e a great res$ect %or (asic needs. And sharing them ma&es sense to me..Miranda %rowned* realising he was tal&ing o% a star& reality he %aced day a%ter day. I% (asic needs weren#t res$ected5and shared5s r)i)alco ld )ery well (e at ris&. She#d read stories o% $eo$le who had $erished in the o t(ac&* not a$$reciating all that co ld go wrong* nor com$rehending the sheer isolation o% great* em$ty distances5no ready hel$ to call $on.-Now I#d say there#s something )ery (asic (etween s that we co ld answer %or each other*. he went on.One co ld s r)i)e witho t se!* Miranda silently arg ed* gritting her teeth against saying so* determined not to in)ite or enco rage anycon)ersation on that s ("ect.-A sharing. Not a ta&ing*. he em$hasised.Miranda remained st ((ornly silent* her ga1e trained o t the side window* ( t she %elt the hot* $enetrating (last o% his eyes on her andco ldn#t sto$ her m scles %rom tensing against it.-I#m not interested in the games men and women $lay in the world yo come %rom*. he contin ed with a relentless (eat that seemed to dr mon her mind and heart. -I don#t ma&e $romises I can#t or won#t &ee$. I#ll say how it is %or me. I want yo * yes..She didn#t act ally need that (l nt honesty* ha)ing no do (ts hersel% on mat score.

-And yo want me* Miranda..That st ng her into whi$$ing her head aro nd. -Oh* no* I don#t!. she shot at him.His eyes instantly and shar$ly derided her contention. -2eny it as m ch as yo li&e* %or whate)er reasons yo ha)e* ( t it#s not going to goaway..-Is that how yo arg ed yo r last mistress into (ed with yo 0. -Mistress0. His incred lity and the s (se6 ent sha&e o% his head le%t Miranda % rio s with hersel% at ha)ing let those words sli$. She sna$$ed her ga1e(ac& to the road* willing him not to $ic& $ on them* to sim$ly let the whole matter dro$.No s ch l c&!-I don#t &now where yo #re coming %rom* Miranda*. he

said tersely* -( t I am not married* and i% I had a wi%e* I certainly wo ldn#t (e see&ing amistress..Mistress...lo)er...what was the di%%erence when the arrangement was %or se! on ta$0-The relationshi$s I#)e had with women were all m t ally desired and not one o% them was an ad ltero s a%%air*. he went on* his )oicegathering an acid (ite. -I ha$$en to res$ect the commitment o% marriage. A $ity yo don#t..-I (eg yo r $ardon!. Miranda h rled at him in (itter resentment o% his " dgement o% her.-So what ha$$ened0. he threw (ac& at her. -The g y wo ldn#t lea)e his wi%e %or yo 0 Is that why yo too& the "o( at /ing#s Eden* ( rning yo r (oats0.It was so close to the tr th* a wa)e o% h miliating heat scorched $ Miranda#s nec&.Nathan didn#t miss it. He t rned on more heat. -Or may(e yo threw down the ga ntlet and yo #re ho$ing he#ll %ollow yo $ here. +hiche!$lains the no,go with me..-This is none o% yo r ( siness!. she seethed.-+ell* I ta&e e!ce$tion to (eing co $led with a slea1e,(ag who $lays a game o% deceit with the women in his li%e..-Then $lease acce$t my a$ology.. She managed to get %rost into her )oice e)en tho gh her %ace was still %laming.-And it most certainly is Tommy#s ( siness i% yo #re co nting on (rea&ing the two,year contract* sho ld yo r lo)er toe yo r line..-I ha)e no intention o% (rea&ing it*. she grated o t. -And I do not a$$reciate all this s $$osition on yo r $art..-3o o$ened the door* Miranda..-And I#d ta&e it &indly i% yo #d res$ect my choice to close it..'l e eyes clashed with green in an electric e!change that si11led the air (etween them. Miranda#s heart th m$ed erratically. She co ld hear it in her ears* %eel the strong thro( o% it in her tem$les. 4oose,( m$s rose on her s&in.-It#s not a choice I can res$ect* ( t so (e it*. he said tersely* and (ro&e the connection with her.The ens ing silence was incredi(ly o$$ressi)e. Miranda %elt totally drained o% energy and misera(le o)er the im$ression she#d le%t him with(y not correcting his ass m$tions. Not that he had any right to ma&e them!O&ay* she sho ldn#t ha)e sed the word* mistress* ( t it had (een what 'o((y had wanted o% her* not what she had (een. As %or Nathan/ing* may(e she#d let her e!$erience with 'o((y Hewson colo r her reading o% his last relationshi$. On the other hand* he wasn#t $romisinganything other than se!* which was all a mistress got %rom a man.I% there was one thing Miranda had learnt* it was she wanted to (e )al ed %or more than a roll in the hay. A roll with Nathan /ing might (e...aninteresting e!$erience. E)en s$ecial* she gr dgingly conceded. ' t that wasn#t eno gh %or her. Es$ecially not a%ter 'o((y Hewson. She wanted the&ind o% sharing that encom$assed e)erything* the &ind that led to marriage (eca se no one else co ld % l%il that )ery s$ecial e6 ation o% wanting to(e with each other. E!cl si)ely! +hich was hardly a li&ely $ros$ect with Nathan /ing o% the legendary /ing %amily.Miranda was still (rooding o)er this when the <and Cr iser came to a halt in an o$en cam$ing area on the o ts&irts o% the ' ngle ' ngleRange. A %o r,wheel,dri)e wagon was $ar&ed close to %o r tents ( t they all seemed a(andoned* no one in )iew anywhere.-+e hi&e in %rom here*. Nathan stated. -The cam$ing amenities (loc& is &e$t clean. I% yo want to se it (e%ore we set o t....-3es* I will. Than& yo ..She didn#t wait %or him to o$en her door. As

she strode away %rom the <and Cr iser* she tho ght he $ro(a(ly hadn#t intended to e!tend thatco rtesy to her anyway. A woman who didn#t care a(o t committing ad ltery didn#t deser)e his res$ect. E!ce$t she did care* and she hated ha)inghim thin& that o% her.No se telling hersel% it didn#t matter* so long as it &e$t him away %rom her. It was a $oint o% $ride. And re$ tation. Tho gh it went dee$er thanthat* right down to her sense o% sel%,worth.She was not li&e her mother.She was ne)er going to (e li&e her mother.She needed to li)e her li%e on her own terms and somehow she had to ma&e Nathan /ing nderstand that. And res$ect it.

CHAPTER SE;EN MISTRESS! Nathan (rooded o)er his misconce$tion o% Miranda +ade as he waited %or her to (e ready %or the tre& into the gorge. 7ar %rom (eing a%eminist* she was right at the other end o% the scale* $leas ring married men. O% co rse* a woman with her loo&s wo ld nat rally attract wealthytargets whose egos were %ed (y ha)ing a mistress with s ch s$ectac lar $hysical assets. And no do (t she#d $ro%ited (y it. The dress she#d wornto dinner that %irst night ndo (tedly had a designer la(el.+as she t rning the screws on some g y* $ tting hersel% o t o% easy reach (y this shi%t to /ing#s Eden0 Or may(e she saw the resorthomestead as a %ertile h nting gro nd. The %ew select s ites %or g ests there cost almost a tho sand dollars a night. Anyone who co ld a%%ord tostay %or se)eral days was in the millionaire class* and the managerial $osition $ t her in close $ro!imity with them* hostessing dinner each night. Itwas a m ch more intimate %ooting than she#d get* managing a city hotel.Ne)ertheless* des$ite whate)er cool calc lations went on in her mind* she had sli$$ed $ this morning. There was strong chemistry (etweenthem* howe)er m ch she might want to dismiss it. O()io sly he didn#t ha)e what she wanted o t o% li%e* so he was a waste o% her time. And* %ace it* man! She was a waste o% his. Howe)er %r strated he might %eel a(o t her ice (eating the %ire o% this morning* $ rs ing the instincts still raging thro gh him wo ld only leadto more %r stration. 'est to let go right now. The last thing he needed was to (e screwed $ (y a woman who was $ractised in deceit. Es$eciallyad ltero s deceit.The clic& o% a door o$ening alerted him to her imminent ret rn to his side. He hal% t rned to watch her. She#d crammed her hat on her head soit came hal%way down her %orehead* shadowing her eyes. The rest o% her still had the &ic& o% a m le* ( t he was not going to (e drawn (y her l sh%emininity again. <et her sell it to the highest (idder. He was well o t o% that game.

He was loo&ing at her as tho gh she had crawled o t %rom nder some roc&. Miranda instincti)ely sti%%ened her s$ine ( t her stomach was ina sic&ening &not. She c rsed hersel% again %or ha)ing allowed this man $ast her g ard. Now here he was* standing in " dgement on her* so%ormida(le and %or(idding she hated her ) lnera(ility to what he tho ght o% her. She sho ldn#t ha)e to de%end hersel%. And she wo ldn#t.She had a$ologised %or misinter$reting his last relationshi$. Nothing more need (e said on any $ersonal score. She glanced at her watch asshe neared where he stood waiting %or her. It was almost eight o#cloc&. Only %o r more ho rs to get thro gh with him.-This way*. he said* (arely waiting %or her to %all into ste$ (eside him (e%ore setting o%%.Miranda &e$t her mo th %irmly sh t. The ro te into the gorge was sign$osted. She didn#t really need his g idance. In %act* she wo ld ha)e(een (etter witho t it. He set s ch a (ris& $ace* she was so ( sy watching her %ooting o)er the ro gh gro nd* determined not to st m(le or %all*there was little time %or ga1ing aro nd.The (eehi)e domes grad ally amalgamated into a gorge whose walls rose higher and higher. As the wal&ing trac& narrowed and the terrain(ecame more di%%ic lt* Nathan too& the lead with a m ttered* -'est to %ollow where I tread.. As m ch as she (ridled against his high,handed manner* there was nothing to (e gained %rom diso(eying. The s n had gathered heat andthere was no shelter %rom it anywhere. Nathan nerringly chose the sa%est way o)er roc&s and $ast tric&y little chasms. A co $le o% times he $a sedto chec& i% she needed a hand to negotiate an aw&ward ascent or descent ( t Miranda was $ro dly determined on not acce$ting any assistance.Ne)ertheless* she re)iewed her o$inion a(o t not needing a g ide. The wal& wo ld ha)e (een m ch more ha1ardo s and longer* $ic&ing her own way. As it was* she ended $ mis" dging her %ooting on a loose section o% gra)el at the to$ o% a stony ridge* and as she too& a stee$ ste$ downto the ne!t sec re $lace* her (ac& %oot s&idded o t %rom nder her* cata$ lting her straight towards the solid mass o% Nathan /ing* who#d instantlysw ng at her yel$ o% distress.She th m$ed into him* her hands a tomatically gra((ing his arms to sa)e her %rom %alling in a hea$ at his %eet. Not that she needed to worrya(o t that. He reacted so %ast* she %o nd hersel% clam$ed to him* then ha led $ his (ody ntil her %eet %o nd steady gro nd...(etween the legs he#ds$read to anchor himsel%. ' t he didn#t let her go...and she didn#t let him go.Her (reasts were s6 ashed against his chest and it %elt as tho gh their hearts were th ndering in nison. Her $el)is and his seemed loc&edtogether* the &ey to his manhood %itting sensationally into the a$e! o% her thighs. Her hands were wra$$ed aro nd his (ice$s* lo)ing their tensilestrength. His )i(rant heat and the sheer $ower o% the man seemed to %lood thro gh her* holding her trans%i!ed with a melting %low o% insidio se!citement.She wasn#t e)en aware that her hat had (een &noc&ed o%%. Her mind was a( 11 with se! al signals that short,circ ited all warning ( ttons.Her head tilted (ac&* instincti)ely see&ing more direct contact with him. The na&ed (last o% desire in his eyes tore thro gh the wanton gla1e that had(linded her to what was ha$$ening. She s c&ed in a 6 ic& so(ering (reath thro gh li$s she realised were in)itingly $arted.She saw his mo th com$ress* his "aw tighten and a sa)age moc&ery wi$ed the (la1e o% wanting %rom his eyes. He set her %irmly a$art %romhim* swe$t $ her hat %rom where it had %allen and $resented it to her.-'etter watch yo rsel% more care% lly* Miranda*. he ad)ised acidly. -Another sli$ li&e that...who &nows what might get (ro&en0##

<i&e her credi(ility in insisting she didn@t want him. -Than&s %or sa)ing me*. she managed to m tter* cramming her hat (ac& on to hide her ( rning %ace.-Tommy needs yo o$erational*. he sl ng at her (e%ore t rning a (road* (ric& wall (ac& and setting o%% again.Miranda#s legs %elt li&e "elly. She %orced them to wor& as they sho ld* willing more energy into them. It wasn#t %air* she tho ght* staringresent% lly at the $ m$ed,o t strength o% his stride. She#d gone wea& %rom that treachero s em(race and he#d gained $ower. Nothing was %air where se! was concerned* she grimly concl ded.Twice now she#d s cc m(ed to his attraction. He seemed to ha)e some in( ilt magnet that got to her* o)erriding all common sense. She%o nd hersel% eyeing the ta t action o% his ( ttoc&s and wrenched her ga1e away. Somehow she had to switch o%% this $hysical thing with him* gether mind %oc sed on her "o( again. Nathan /ing was not the o("ect o% this sight,seeing tri$.The roc& edi%ice on either side o% them was not stri$ed as the domes were. The colo rs were still stri&ing* a mi!t re o% red and orange* yellowochre* (eige and (lac&. Miranda was wondering why this was called Cathedral 4orge* when she heard the so nd* a dee$ ha nting thro( thatseemed to )i(rate o%% the cli%% walls in a weird nearthly rhythm. She sto$$ed dead* a(sor(ed with listening to it.Nathan mo)ed on a %ew ste$s* then t rned* aware o% her %ail re to %ollow. He %rowned at her stillness* emitting im$atience. He was a(o t to)oice it when she whi$$ed $ a hand to sto$ him.-2on#t yo hear it0. she 6 eried in an rgent whis$er.He nodded* his eyes glinting with ironic am sement at her enthralment.It goaded her into as&ing* -+hat is it0##

-A didgeridoo (eing $layed against the ca)ern wall. Come on. 3o #ll see it aro nd the ne!t (end. Al(ert m st ha)e decided to gi)e theto rists a demonstration.. Al(ert0 A didgeridoo was an A(original instr ment. 2id one o% the tri(es still li)e here0Miranda s$ed a%ter Nathan* eager to e!$erience more o% what she was hearing. And s ddenly it came into )iew...the end o% the gorge...a%antastic o$en ca)ern* the side walls towering $ in incredi(ly sheer sheets o% roc&* the (ac& one c r)ed inward* sheltering a $ool o% mysterio s(lac& water s rro nded (y sand.'ehind the $ool a gro $ o% si! $eo$le sat on a " m(le o% %lat roc&s* watching an A(original man (lowing into a long hollow $ole* the end o% itresting on the gro nd as his hands mo)ed o)er the holes in the wood* controlling the emissions o% so nd.The eerie notes (oomed $ with all the $ower o% a $i$e organ in a cathedral* %illing the ca)ern* echoing o t li&e some $rimiti)e call that had$assed thro gh aeons o% time* as tho gh s mmoning the heart(eat o% the earth itsel% so that those who heard it wo ld %eel its nderlying rhythm and(e in harmony with it.It co ldn#t (e called a song. There was no melody. 3et the inter$lay o% so nds to ched some dee$ so l chord that s ddenly remindedMiranda o% what Nathan had said earlier a(o t his li%e (eing (o nd $ in this land5ancient land5where s r)i)al red ced e)erything to (asicneeds.She hadn#t com$rehended the % ll conte!t o% what he was saying ( t she had a glimmering o% it now... the star& sim$licity o% choices laid o t(y nat re* a cycle to

(e %ollowed...(irth* growth* mating* re$rod cing* death...an endless re$lenishment as long as the earth &e$t %eeding it.No romantic gloss.9 st li%e as it really was* nderneath all the trimmings that ci)ilisation had man %act red to sweeten it.The $laying ended on a long* dee$* mo rn% l note* which seemed to re)er(erate thro gh Miranda* ma&ing her tingle in a shi)ery way. The A(original man sho ldered his didgeridoo. The gro $ o% si! a$$la ded* their enth siastic cla$$ing so nding totally wrong to Miranda* somehowtri)ialising an e!$erience that sho ld ha)e (een sa)o red in silence.She was %rowning o)er it when Nathan t rned to loo& at her* his eyes hard and cynical. -The $er%ormance not worth yo r a$$la se0.She stared at him* %eeling his contem$t %or the lac& o% nderstanding that connected what they#d " st heard to a $er%ormance to (e cla$$ed.-Not e)eryone has yo r (ac&gro nd* Nathan*. she e!c sed.He raised an eye(row. -3o #re not going to show some mar& o% a$$reciation0.She str ggled to e!$ress what she#d %elt. -To me it was a comm nication* not a concert..-Oh0 And what did it comm nicate to yo 0.His eyes were a $itiless (l e* scorning any sensiti)ity %rom her. His challenge was a deli(erate $loy to con%irm the $lace he#d $ t her in5awoman witho t so l* a woman who cared only %or hersel%* disregarding the h rt she might gi)e to others.Miranda#s ga1e (ored straight (ac& at him* resentment goading her into %lo ting his s $er%icial and ins lting reading o% her character. -It ga)eme an insight into yo r li%e. And the li%e o% those who ha)e inha(ited this land. How it m st ha)e always demanded they (e att ned to its heart(eat..Her re$ly )isi(ly "olted him. His chin ( tted $ as tho gh hit (y a $ nch o% dis(elie%. His eyes %lared as tho gh she#d done serio s )iolence tohis %eelings. 7or a %ew ner)e,sha&ing moments* she %elt ca ght in a %iercely 6 esting %orce that tore at e)erything she was. Then " st as s ddenly itwas withdrawn* Nathan t rning away and wal&ing on.2enial0 7r stration07eeling as tho gh she#d (een $ l$ed and tossed aside* Miranda had to recollect hersel% again (e%ore %ollowing. The dee$ dri%ts o% sandmade wal&ing hea)y going* ( t clearly the ca)ern was their destination so there wasn#t %ar to go now* and at least she wo ldn#t (e alone withNathan here.Ha)ing consoled hersel% with this tho ght* she was dismayed to see the gro $ o% si! getting to their %eet and gathering $ their (ags. Theytrailed a%ter the A(original man who was s&irting the $ool and heading towards her and Nathan. Then she realised he was dressed in a to r g ide ni%orm and had o()io sly (een hired (y these $eo$le to gi)e them the (ene%it o% his s$ecialised &nowledge.-4#day* Nathan*. he greeted %amiliarly* his %ace wreathed in a welcoming grin.-4#day to yo * Al(ert*. came the warm re$ly* a tone o% )oice Miranda hadn#t heard %or some time. -3o #ll (e ha nting the to rists i% yo &ee$laying that on them..The A(original la ghed as tho gh it was a great "o&e. He $atted his didgeridoo. -Only calling $ good s$irits.. He %lic&ed a twin&ling glanceat Miranda (e%ore adding* -May(e yo need them..-May(e I do*. Nathan said with

a nod o% a$$reciation. -This is Miranda +ade. She#s ta&en o)er management o% Tommy#s resort. Al(ert#s atri(al elder aro nd these $arts* Miranda..She o%%ered her hand. -Than& yo %or $laying. That was 6 ite magical..He shoo& it* his dar& eyes shining ha$$ily at her comment. -Always good magic* Miss +ade. 3o staying on %or a while0.-3es..He released her hand and ti$$ed his hat to Nathan. -Co ld (e the right s$irit %or yo * old%ella..He strolled o%%* ch c&ling to himsel%. Nathan threw her a loo& that simmered with sce$ticism* then tr dged on towards the $ool. The sand%irmed as they neared it* m ch to Miranda#s relie%. Al(ert#s gro $ $assed them* (rea&ing their con)ersation to say -Hi!. Miranda smiled andret rned their greetings. Nathan merely nodded* tho gh Miranda noted he drew long a$$raising loo&s %rom the women in the gro $.Physically he#d ha)e an im$act on any woman* she tho ght* tho gh he $ro(a(ly wo ldn#t e!$end his energy on many. An e!tremely sel%,contained man* she decided* watching him stride %orward aro nd the $ool to the %lat roc&s which wo ld ndo (tedly ser)e as their resting $lace %or re%reshment. E)erything a(o t him seemed to sho t elemental male* and it was tr e what he#d said* she co ldn#t deny his e%%ect on her.In a $rimiti)e society* he#d (e the $ri1e mate to get. No denying that* either. She had no do (t he co ld and wo ld end re anything %rom thisland* and still ma&e it wor& %or him. In some 6 intessential way* he (elonged to it...as hard as these roc&s* and " st as n%orgi)ing.May(e she was a %ool to $ass $ an intimate in)ol)ement with him. Not that he was li&ely to gi)e her a second chance a%ter this morning#scontretem$s.Might it ha)e de)elo$ed into something )ery s$ecial0 Some wanton core in her $ lsed yes and it was di%%ic lt to arg e away. Ne)ertheless*she wor&ed hard at it.Se! al attraction was no ass rance o% anything wor&ing o t well. And why sho ld she (elie)e what Nathan /ing said a(o t himsel% and hisrelationshi$s with other women0 He#d ndo (tedly (edded the woman who#d chosen to marry another man. +hat did that say a(o t him0He dro$$ed his (ag onto a large %lat roc&. Miranda settled %or one a(o t a metre short o% his. Since the ca)ern shaded them %rom the s n*she too& o%% her hat* welcoming the cooler air here. In an attem$t to ignore the tension o% ha)ing to share some inacti)e time with Nathan* she

em$tied her (ag* $lacing the $lastic container o% melon* which she#d sliced into %inger, si1e $ieces on the roc& (etween them* then ta&ing a longdrin& %rom the (ottle o% mineral water e)eryone had told her to ta&e* warning o% dehydration.-I ha)e a thermos o% co%%ee. +o ld yo li&e some0## he as&ed.-3es. Please..He sed the same -ta(le## roc& to set o t m gs and %ill them* then $rod ced two $lastic containers o% sandwiches. -'acon* lett ce* tomatoand cheese*. he in%ormed her. -3o #ll need something more s (stantial than melon. Hel$ yo rsel%..-3o * too*. she in)ited.They sat* m nching and drin&ing in a loaded silence.E)ent ally Miranda decided to settle a harmless $oint o% c riosity. -+hy did Al(ert call yo @old%ella# 0 I wo ldn#t call yo old..-It relates to my %amily ha)ing (een lin&ed to this area %or more years than Al(ert has li)ed. <onge)ity is co nted in

generations. 7i)egenerations here ma&es all o% the /ings @old%ellas.#.-I see*. she m rm red* mentally &ic&ing hersel% %or e)en momentarily regretting her earlier re"ection o% him. A mem(er o% the /ing %amilywo ld ne)er serio sly lin& himsel% with her* any more than a mem(er o% the Hewson %amily wo ld* as 'o((y had %inally s$elled o t to her.-+hat do yo see* Miranda0.She shr gged* meeting the searing 6 estion in his eyes with the inesca$a(le %act she#d &nown %rom the (eginning. -That I don#t (elong andyo do..-+here do yo (elong0. he as&ed.She (ro&e into la ghter* sha&ing her head o)er the em$tiness o% that 6 estion. -Nowhere. That#s $art o% why I#m here. It doesn#t matter whereI am.. She %lashed him an ironic loo&. -I g ess yo co ld say I (elong to mysel%..He %rowned and t rned his ga1e down to the $ool (elow them. A dar&* dar& $ool* Miranda tho ght* li&e her %amily (ac&gro nd. Not that itco ld act ally (e called %amily* " st her and her mother whose men had ne)er o%%ered a wedding ring...the whole sorry misery o% it coming to a lonelyend years ago. It was hardly the &ind o% history the /ing %amily wo ld want attached to them in any sha$e or %orm.-So yo don#t care a(o t (rea&ing $ anyone else#s sense o% (elonging..The harsh remar& was one too many %or Miranda. -3o ha)e no right to $ro(e into my $ersonal li%e. I am here on a $ro%essional (asis*. shestated icily.-3o might ha)e %ooled my mother....She lea$t to her %eet* sna$$ing with anger. -That#s eno gh! I ha)e ne)er (een a married man#s mistress. Nor wo ld I e)er $ t mysel% in s ch ademeaning sit ation..-Then what was all that mistress st %% a(o t0. he shot (ac& at her.-It was a(o t a man li&e yo * wanting to $ t me in that $osition* and he had the $ower to mess $ all I#d wor&ed %or. 9 st as yo ha)e the$ower to mess $ my contracted time at /ing#s Eden..He was s ddenly on his %eet* a towering %ig re o% $ro d indignation. -That#s a hell o% a thing to thin& o% me!.-<i&e the things yo #)e (eing thin&ing a(o t me* h h0 Treating me li&e dirt (eca se I said no $lay!. Her eyes ra&ed his arrogant $ride intomeaningless tatters. -+ell* let me tell yo I#m not a(o t to ta&e the chance yo #re any di%%erent %rom him. I don#t care how se!y yo are.I...won#t...$lay!.Her whole (ody was sha&ing with the )ehemence o% that denial and her last three words (oomed aro nd the ca)ern* echoing* echoing... o to% her control. She#d let him dri)e her o t o% control.2es$erate to gra( some shreds o% it (ac&* she sho)ed her drin& (ottle into her (ag. Her hands % m(led o)er the lid o% the melon container. Ahand clam$ed aro nd her wrist* stilling the agitated action.-I $romise yo ...I swear to yo ...yo r $osition at /ing#s Eden is sa%e %rom any inter%erence %rom me..Her heart was $o nding so hard she co ldn#t (ring hersel% to s$ea& at all. She stared down at the strong (rown %ingers wra$$ed aro nd her wrist* im$risoning it.-And $lease...acce$t my a$ology %or ma&ing yo %eel at ris&. That was not my intention..His )oice seemed to thro( with sincerity. She co ldn#t loo& at him* co ldn#t tear her ga1e %rom the hold he had on her* his %lesh im$rintingitsel% on hers* %ingers $ressing on her $ lse* his energy 1i$$ing into her (loodstream* im$arting an indeli(le sense o% "oining that wasn#t tr e. Itco ldn#t (e tr e.-As %or what I tho ght o% yo ...I#m glad I was wrong. And I a$ologise %or that* too. 'elie)e me now...yo are sa%e with me* Miranda. O&ay0.She nodded* too cho&ed (y a t m lt o% emotion to do anything else. He released her and (egan re$ac&ing his (ag. Miranda concentratedhard on %inishing with hers.Her mind thr mmed

with the &nowledge that she didn#t %eel sa%e with Nathan /ing and ne)er wo ld. He was more than 'o((y Hewson. M chmore. And e)en i% he le%t her alone* as he $romised* she wo ld not sto$ (eing ac tely aware o% him and the $ower he had to reach into her.Neither o% them said anything thro gho t the ho rs it too& to "o rney (ac& to the resort. There was no to ching* $hysical or )er(al. Mirandadid her tmost to (loc& him o t o% her $ersonal s$ace ( t he &e$t in%iltrating it " st (y the sheer %orce o% his $resence.7or all her $ractised $ro%essionalism* she %o nd hersel% ho$elessly tong e,tied when she %inally had to %ace him on the heli$ad at /ing#sEden. She %orced her ga1e to meet his and almost %linched at the intense (l e o% his eyes as they $ro(ed hers.-Than& yo *. she (l rted o t* (arely sto$$ing hersel% %rom (ac&ing away %rom him.-Miranda* I ha)e nothing to do with the resort and Tommy wo ld certainly not welcome any inter%erence %rom me in his ( siness*. he statedem$hatically. -It#s entirely $ to yo to ma&e good yo r $osition here..She nodded* her throat too constricted to s$ea&.-3o want time to %eel settled into yo r "o(... %ine!. he went on. -' t I don#t see mysel% %orgetting what there is (etween s. And I don#t thin& yo will* either..She did not answer* %eeling the threat to her $eace o% mind and not &nowing what to do a(o t it.-I#ll see yo again sometime*. he added* and too& his lea)e o% her.She watched him get into his 9ee$ and dri)e away. Only when he was o t o% sight did she (egin to (reathe easily. Two years at /ing#s Eden*she tho ght. O% co rse she wo ld see him again...sometime. And what then0 +hat then0

CHAPTER EI4HT IT +AS good to see 9ared again. Nathan re%lected that he always had en"oyed his yo ngest (rother#s com$any. Tommy had a com$etiti)estrea&* wanting to score $oints on e)erything* while 9ared was sim$ly content to (e himsel%* not in contest with either (rother. May(e it was (eca sehe#d mo)ed himsel% into their mother#s world* away %rom /ing#s Eden. Or may(e it was sim$ly his nat re.They sat in the (rea&%ast room* idling o)er morning tea* 9ared and their mother rela!ing a%ter their %light %rom 'roome* Nathan catching $ ontheir recent acti)ities. Tommy wo ld %ly in this a%ternoon and wo ld ine)ita(ly draw 9ared#s attention to himsel%* ( t %or the moment* it was )ery$leasant listening to his yo ngest (rother#s $lans to e!tend the $earl ( siness %rom wholesale into retail* as well.-So how goes it with yo * Nathan0. he as&ed* the con)ersation ha)ing l lled a%ter he and their mother had %illed him in on their news.-Oh* nothing really changes here*. he drawled* e!ce$t he only had hal% his mind concentrated on station ( siness. Miranda +ade occ $iedthe other hal%* ( t he wasn#t a(o t to lay o t that )ery $ri)ate iss e.In %act* he was thin&ing this %amily get,together on the station5the %irst this year5may )ery well $ro)ide the o$$ort nity to get him close toMiranda again* in a non, threatening social sit ation* which wo ld s rely ease her %ears.-M m tells me we ha)e a

new manager at the resort*. 9ared $rom$ted. -A woman..-3es.. A woman who ha nted his nights and wo ldn#t get o t o% his head e)en d ring the day.-So how is she wor&ing o t0.-I ha)e no idea.. +hich was really a lie. He#d en)isaged her a tho sand times* ( rning with tter commitment to getting e)erything right at theresort* sh tting o t e)erything else %rom her mind. Incl ding him. Es$ecially him. Tho gh he didn#t (elie)e she co ld (e any more s ccess% l than hewas at setting aside the strong attraction they#d e!$erienced. All the same* the need to &now wo ldn#t wait m ch longer.-2on#t yo ha)e some im$ression* Nathan0. his mother as&ed* %rowning at him.-+hy sho ld I0 I don#t stic& my nose into Tommy#s ( siness any more than I stic& it into 9ared#s..His mother#s ga1e shar$ened on him. -3o did ta&e Miranda on a sight,seeing tri$* didn#t yo 0.-Si! wee&s ago*. he answered with a shr g. -I ha)en#t seen her since..His mother sighed* loo&ing e!tremely )e!ed.-I#m s re Tommy will %ill yo in when he arri)es this a%ternoon.. Nathan smiled at her* seeing a way to se her %r stration. -3o can grill him toyo r heart#s content*. he added cas ally.It earned an e!as$erated glare. -I wanted another $oint o% )iew..-Then why not as& Miranda o)er to dinner tonight* satis%y yo rsel% a(o t her0 Satis%y 9ared#s c riosity* too. 3o co ld as& Sam* as well. 4ether o$inion. Ma&e a $arty o% it..-3es*. his mother sna$$ed* loo&ing at him as tho gh she wanted to (o! his ears. -I shall do that* Nathan. I#ll get some answers %or mysel% since I can#t co nt on either yo or Tommy to (e sensi(le a(o t women..Her eyes glittered (itter disa$$ro)al.He tho ght %leetingly o% S san* aware his mother had considered her a waste o% his time. ' t mothers didn#t &now e)erything. All the same*he was glad that door was sh t now (eca se another door had o$ened and it had a stronger l re than any he had e)er &nown.-+ell* it#s l c&y yo can co nt on 9ared to (e sensi(le*. he tossed o t* then slanted a teasing grin at his (rother. -'een a good (oy* ha)eyo 0.He la ghed and they mo)ed onto a lighter )ein o% con)ersation* which s ited Nathan " st %ine since he only had to gi)e hal% his mind to it.Tonight* he tho ght with dee$ satis%action.Tonight he wo ld %ind o t more a(o t the woman he wanted.

As was her c stom* Miranda was ready to welcome (ac& the homestead g ests as they ret rned %rom their day#s acti)ities. She waited onthe )erandah* watching the %ishing $arty nload themsel)es %rom the 9ee$ Sam always commandeered* and thin&ing they loo&ed well satis%ied withwhat they had chosen to do.-<oo& at these great (arram ndi!. 9ohn Tr m(ell crowed* holding $ his catch %or her to admire as he led the others $ the $ath.Miranda la ghed at his glee. -'iggest I#)e seen this season* 9ohn..Ro(yn* his wi%e* as&ed. -Can we gi)e them to the che% to coo& %or o r dinner tonight0.-O% co rse. Sho ld ma&e a great %east %or yo ..-It was a mar)ello s day*. Ro(yn enth sed. -I#)e ne)er gone %ishing in a helico$ter (e%ore.. She sw ng aro nd to Sam who was trailing a%ter them. -Than&s %or the ride..-Co ldn#t get yo to that $art o% the ri)er any other way*. Sam in%ormed her.Ro(yn sighed ha$$ily* t rning to the other co $le who had accom$anied her and her h s(and. -2on#t yo " st lo)e the o t(ac&0 It was li&e%ishing in a world o% o r own..The others made e6 ally enth siastic comments as they $assed Miranda. Sam sidled $ to her and remar&ed sotto )oce* -+onder% l* whenyo #)e got money to ( rn..She grinned. It was tr e the g ests who too& homestead s ites ne)er seemed to

co nt the cost o% anything. Ne)ertheless* in the month sincethe resort o$ened* she#d %o nd that e)en the cam$ers lo)ed (eing here* " st e!$loring the gorges* swimming in waterholes* en"oying the ni6 ewildli%e.-So what#s on %or tomorrow0. Sam as&ed* rolling her eyes.-7or them the ' ngle ' ngle Range..-4ot Al(ert lined $ to ta&e them in a%ter I#)e landed them0.-O% co rse..Miranda#s mind %linched away %rom the memory o% her morning with Nathan. It still ha nted her* e)en a%ter si! wee&s o% seeing nothing o% him.It seemed he had decided to res$ect her choice not to $lay. The $ro(lem was* in the lonely ho rs o% the night* she was tormented (y the 6 estion o% what might ha)e (een i% she#d chosen di%%erently.-Someone coming*. Sam remar&ed* s6 inting $ast Miranda at a 9ee$* which was %ast a$$roaching. -<oo&s li&e Tommy. M st (e coming%rom the station homestead. Are yo e!$ecting him0.-No* I#m not.. She was $ 11led (y this nheralded )isit. -He dro$$ed in on T esday to chec& thro gh e)erything with me..Sam ga)e her a croo&ed smile. -+ell* it#s Sat rday. May(e he#s witho t a date tonight and ho$es yo #ll %ill in..-Then he#ll (e o t o% l c&..Sam shoo& her head in (em sement. -It#s an ed cation* watching yo (loc& him o t. Mind i% I stay to watch the % n0.

-As yo li&e..She didn#t %ind Tommy#s %lirtatio sness % n* and didn#t really see what % n Sam co ld get o t o% watching them together. A$$arently it am sedher* yet Miranda &e$t remem(ering what Nathan had said a(o t Sam#s %eelings %or Tommy* and she co ldn#t hel$ thin&ing it was masochistic towant to watch. Or may(e it was a case o% not (eing a(le to hel$ hersel%. I% he was li&e a magnet to her... A con) lsi)e little shi)er ran down Miranda#s s$ine. It had certainly (een easier* throwing hersel% into her "o( and getting on to$ o% it withNathan o t o% sight* i% not com$letely o t o% mind. Tommy was not a $ro(lem to her. His irre$ressi(le $ersonality seemed to (o nce aro nd her $ersonal sideste$s and he ne)er $ shed (eyond the (o ndaries she set. 4etting the ( siness right came %irst with him and he wasn#t a(o t to $set that a$$lecart.-How#s it going0. he called cheerily as he came $ the $ath.-7ine!. Miranda answered.He sto$$ed short o% the )erandah* loo&ing $ at them with a 6 i11ical little smile. -M m and 9ared ha)e %lown in %or the wee&end. 3o arecommanded to come to dinner at the station homestead tonight..She %rowned. -Commanded0.Her heart started s&ittering. Nathan had commanded0 -In)ited*. Tommy corrected wryly. -' t ta&e it %rom me* there#s no d c&ing o t o% my mother#s in)itations..His mother* not Nathan.Her mind started s&ittering.2id Tommy thin& she d c&ed o t o% his in)itations0 +hy co ldn#t he sim$ly acce$t her disinterest0 +as he (ehind this command0 +asNathan0 +as it sim$ly Eli1a(eth /ing dictating her own desire to chec& the sit ation at the resort0+hy co ldn#t they sim$ly let her (e0 She was doing a good "o(. 3et she %elt

an irresisti(le t g at the tho ght o% meeting Nathan again...what itmight mean...It wo ld (e sa%e* she reasoned. Had to (e sa%e with Eli1a(eth /ing there* and the other (rother* 9ared. It might e)en dis$ose o% the wantontho ghts that $lag ed her lonely nights... show her (eyond 6 estion how %oolish any in)ol)ement with him wo ld (e.-+hat a(o t o r g ests here0. she $re)aricated* %eeling ho$elessly at odds with a desire she &new co ld lead nowhere good.-S$end Ha$$y Ho r with them*. Tommy $rom$tly re$lied. -Settle them at the ta(le* and lea)e them to their own de)ices. They &now eachother %rom last night* don#t they0.He#d chec&ed the (oo&ings earlier in the wee& and all %o r co $les in the homestead s ites o)erla$$ed this wee&end. -I won#t (e a(le tolea)e here ntil a%ter se)en*. she $ointed o t.-That#s nderstood. +e#ll (e dining at eight.. He slid Sam a teasing loo&. -M m said %or yo to come* too* s6 irt. 'alance the ta(le..-Oh* s re! I can " st hear Eli1a(eth saying that*. she scorned.-+ell* I told her yo $ro(a(ly didn#t ha)e a dress to wear..-I#ll $ t one on es$ecially %or 9ared.. She coc&ed her head on one side. -Or may(e I#ll ma&e a $lay %or Nathan* now that S san#s o t o% the$ict re..S san...Miranda %o nd her hands clenching and conscio sly rela!ed them. S san might not ha)e (een Nathan#s mistress* ( t he hadn#tmarried her. 2on#t %orget that! Tommy la ghed and (o nded $ the ste$s* r %%ling Sam#s co$$er c rls as he $assed. -4o get him* Red!. Then to Miranda* -I#ll " st ha)e aword with Ro(erto. He can come o t o% his &itchen (etween co rses and wa! lyrical a(o t what he#s coo&ed %or the g ests. /ee$ them ha$$y..They watched him head o%% inside* mission accom$lished as %ar as they were concerned.-One o% these days I#m going to &ic& him in the shins*. Sam m ttered.It drew an instant wa)e o% sym$athy. 'oth o% them %ools o)er men. -3o ha)e (ea ti% l hair*. Miranda 6 ietly ass red her. -I% yo as& me*Tommy co ldn#t resist to ching it..She hea)ed a r e% l sigh. -I (et no man has e)er r %%led yo r hair* Miranda..-I ha)en#t had the easy,going &ind o% %riendshi$s yo #)e made. I rather en)y yo that..It drew a s$ec lati)e loo& that Miranda instantly shied away %rom* not wanting to answer 6 estions a(o t her li%e. She glanced at her watch.-'etter get mo)ing. Are yo going to accom$any me to the commanded dinner or go o)er earlier (y yo rsel%0.-I#ll wait %or yo . I#ll get one o% the resort 9ee$s and ha)e it o t here at se)en,%i%teen. O&ay0##-3es. Than&s* Sam..-3o #ll li&e 9ared*. she remar&ed* still with that s$ec lati)e loo&.-+e#ll see*. Miranda ret rned non,committally.It wasn#t 9ared on her mind as she headed o%% to get ready %or tonight. It wasn#t 9ared or Tommy or Eli1a(eth /ing $laying ha)oc with her $ lse rate and tying &nots in her stomach.Nathan...his name was li&e a dr m(eat on her heart.Tonight she wo ld see him again. And she wanted it to (e right.' t how co ld it (e0It was mad to thin& it...mad to want it...yet des$ite e)ery (it o% hard* common sense reasoning...there was no denying what she %elt.

CHAPTER NINE IT +AS Tommy* not Nathan* who greeted them at the door and shered them inside. As they mo)ed towards the lo nge room* the s alsni$$y re$artee went on (etween him and Sam ( t it %loated o)er Miranda#s head. E)ery ner)e in her (ody was screwed tight* waiting with ane!cr ciating awareness o% her own hel$less %e)er,$itch antici$ation* to %eel whate)er she wo ld %eel when she came %ace,to,%ace with Nathan /ingagain.Then they entered the room where he had to (e... and he wasn#t there. The (ig (lac& leather armchair where he#d (een sitting that %irst nightwas nocc $ied. Eli1a(eth /ing was sitting in her chair. A tall yo ng man5the third (rother05had risen %rom the near(y chester%ield and washolding his arms o t in welcome. No one else was in the room!Sam r shed %orward and into 9ared#s o%%ered em(race with all the g sto o% an e!cited $ $$y* delighted to see a m ch,missed lo)ed one.+hile she was (eing whirled aro nd* admired and &issed* a strange* (lan& %eeling descended on Miranda* stilling all the wild agitation this )isit hadset in motion.She wasn#t aware o% ha)ing come to a dead halt* wasn#t aware o% Tommy lingering at her side* wasn#t aware o% Eli1a(eth /ing watching her.7or se)eral em$ty moments* she didn#t &now what she was doing here. The whole %oc s o% her coming was lost. Nathan wasn#t e)en $resent.Then Tommy n dged her el(ow* and her mind clic&ed into a di%%erent alert $hase. It was Eli1a(eth /ing who had commanded her $resenceand there was another (rother to meet. It too& a giant e%%ort to recollect hersel%* to smile at Nathan#s mother* to mo)e %orward %or the introd ctionTommy o()io sly wanted to ma&e. The older woman* dressed in a $ale green shi%t tonight* and the $earls she seemingly always wore* di$$ed her head in a gracio s ac&nowledgement.Miranda had chosen to wear white* wanting Sam to %eel she o tshone her* which Sam did in a (right (l e clingy dress that enhanced thecolo r o% her eyes. +hether Sam#s glamorised a$$earance had the desired e%%ect on Tommy* Miranda neither &new nor cared at the moment. His)oice seemed to (oom in her ears* accent ating the hollowness inside her.-9ared* i% yo wo ldn#t mind %reeing yo rsel% %rom the se!,&itten clinging onto yo ....The man with Sam grinned at him. -9ealo s* Tommy0.-+ait %or the claws* little (rother. That &itten can deli)er lethal scratches..-Oh* there are some g ys who can ma&e me $ rr*. Sam tossed at him* $ rring so e!aggeratedly it made (oth men la gh.Miranda managed to &ee$ a smile $asted on her %ace and tried to in"ect interest into her eyes as Tommy $roceeded to $resent her to his(rother.-This is my resort manager* Miranda +ade. And Sam#s )ictim %or the night is my (rother* 9ared* the "et setter* who has deigned to to chdown with s this wee&end..-Now* Tommy* yo &now yo wear the title o% /ing o% the Air. I#m merely a $assenger*. 9ared remar&ed good, h mo redly as he o%%ered hishand to Miranda* smiling into her eyes. -I#m delighted to meet yo ..-Than& yo . It#s a $leas re to meet yo * too* 9ared..She %orced her mind to gather im$ressions. O% the three sons* he most %a)o red his mother in loo&s* the same

dee$ (rown eyes* highchee&(ones* straight aristocratic nose. His thic& (lac& hair di$$ed o)er his %orehead in an attracti)e wa)e* so%tening what was a rather lean %ace.He was slightly taller than Tommy* not as tall as Nathan* and his slim $hysi6 e seemed to carry a whi$,chord strength rather than solidly ( iltm scle.-I ho$e it will (e*. he said* $ro"ecting warm %riendliness. -Some $eo$le %ind o r %amily a (it da nting en masse. Sam is sed to s5## hewithdrew his hand and $ t his arm aro nd her sho lders* gi)ing her a smile and a h g -5)irt ally grew $ with s.... En masse0 The $hrase "olted Miranda. +o ld Nathan (e "oining them0:nacco nta(ly her s&in (egan $ric&ling. Her attention dri%ted %rom what 9ared was saying. As tho gh t gged (y some in)isi(le %orce* her head t rned...and he was there* (ringing with him a c rrent o% energy that (lasted e)eryone else o t o% Miranda#s conscio sness.Her (ody instantly reacted to how (ig he was* how male he was* and a shoc& wa)e o% memory s $$lied how he#d %elt $ressed close toher...the $ower and the strength o% the man ta$$ing on instincts that res$onded in % ll %lood. An aching wea&ness s$read thro gh her* threateninge)ery (it o% com$os re she#d managed to harness.She watched his a$$roach with a sense o% hel$less ) lnera(ility* (elatedly realising he was carrying a tray o% drin&s %rom an ad"oining roomand not really targeting her.-Cham$agne coc&tails %or e)eryone*. he anno nced* drawing enth siastic re$lies %rom the rest o% the $arty.Miranda stood d m(ly* %eeling his dee$ )oice thr m into her (loodstream* &ic&ing her heart into a wild gallo$. He made good,h mo redcomments to e)eryone as he o%%ered the tray* %irst to his mother* then to her and Sam. Miranda too& a glass (e%ore ca tion co ld whis$er shesho ldn#t cons me anything so $otent as a cham$agne coc&tail. The men too& their drin&s and Nathan made a toast.-To a ha$$y e)ening together..Tommy and 9ared &e$t to$$ing that toast in a stream o% witty re$artee. Sam and Eli1a(eth /ing la ghed at them. Nathan cas ally mo)edaside* $lacing himsel% directly in %ront o% Miranda.-+o ld yo $re%er iced water0. he as&ed. -I#)e " st remem(ered....-No* this is %ine* than& yo *. she r shed o t so %ast her )oice so nded (reathless. Her ga1e was st c& at the gleaming ; o% (rown %leshre)ealed (y his o$en,nec&ed shirt. She had to %orce it $* %eeling dread% lly n$rotected as the %orce o% his dangero sly discerning ga1e hit hers.-2rin&ing a toast with iced water isn#t 6 ite the same* is it0. she said in a more moderate tone.He smiled. -The choice is yo rs..Her mind sei1ed on his seemingly deli(erate se o% the word* choice. His smile was in)iting* enco raging* or was she so giddy %rom trying tocontrol her own desires she was misreading his intention0-This will do %or now*. she said* si$$ing the coc&tail gingerly.-4ood! Is the resort wor&ing o t as yo wanted0.-E)erything is r nning )ery smoothly at the moment..His smile too& on an ironic c rl. -My mother was e!tremely )e!ed I &new nothing to tell her. Tommy* incidentally* ga)e a glowing re$ort..-I#m glad he#s $leased with my management..-No 6 estion a(o t that*. he ass red her* tho gh his eyes seemed to ( rn with 6 estions.Miranda co ld %eel hersel% %l shing. 2id he thin& she had Tommy dangling on a string0 -I li&e my wor&*. she said

de%ensi)ely.-My mother will (e glad to hear it. She li&es to chec& things %or hersel%..+as he e!c sing himsel% %rom ha)ing anything to do with this command in)itation0 <etting her &now she was still sa%e %rom him0 S (tlydirecting her to where she sho ld (e right now!

Her ga1e shot to Eli1a(eth /ing and her chee&s grew hotter at the realisation that the older woman was &eenly o(ser)ing her. 2istracted (yNathan* Miranda had ignored her hostess* and was $ro(a(ly (eing " dged wanting in good manners. It was all the more em(arrassing* with Nathanact ally hinting where her $lace was.-Please e!c se me*. she ga((led* and made a (ee,line %or Eli1a(eth /ing* concentrating %iercely on how to minimise her ga%%e.She was gracio sly welcomed to the seat (eside Eli1a(eth and remained there* doing her tmost to redeem hersel% in the older woman#seyes ntil dinner was called. Not that she was s ("ected to a cross,e!amination o% ( siness angles. The con)ersation seemed more directedtowards her %eelings a(o t /ing#s Eden* a$$arently determining how settled or nsettled she was in her new location. Miranda ho$ed her re$liesga)e satis%action. It was im$ossi(le to sto$ the dread% l ch rning in her stomach.+hen they mo)ed into the dining room* she was e!$ecting to (e $laced ne!t to Eli1a(eth. It was disconcerting5the $ r$ose o% her (einghere thrown o t o% &ilter again 5when she and Sam were directed to %lan& Nathan at the end o% the ta(le with Tommy and 9ared on either side o% their mother. A (alanced ta(le... Tommy#s comment %litted thro gh Miranda#s mind* yet it didn#t %eel right to her. The three /ing (rothers and Sam shared along %amiliarity. She was the o tsider* $laced in their midst ( t not a $art o% them* and that %eeling dee$ened as dinner $rogressed and the otherstal&ed o% $eo$le and e)ents she had no &nowledge o%.This was a world that was closed to her* she &e$t thin&ing* and she wo ld ne)er (elong to it. Somehow she wo ld ha)e to sti%le the %eelingsNathan stirred in her. As it was* (eing seated so close to him was a nagging torment. E)ery mo)ement he made* e)ery word he said* ( rned more(rightly on her conscio sness than anything else.+hen 9ared started as&ing 6 estions a(o t her e!$erience in the hos$itality ( siness in the city* com$ared to the sit ation she was handlingnow* she res$onded eagerly to his interest* welcoming a con)ersation that too& her mind o%% Nathan. Tommy mo)ed the to$ic onto to rism* andSam (ro ght $ comments %rom her $arents who were c rrently to ring Argentina.-+hat a(o t yo r %amily* Miranda0. Nathan s ddenly inserted* ma&ing her heart lea$ and her head "er& towards him.He o%%ered a sym$athetic smile. -3o #re in the midst o% o rs. Sam#s (een rattling on a(o t hers. I g ess it#s made yo %eel a (it homesic& %or yo rs..-Not at all*. she denied* con% sion whirling thro gh her mind again. +hy was he as&ing0 She#d told him she didn#t (elong anywhere. 2es$itethe smile* his eyes seemed to (e gleaming with $ r$ose.-+ell* no do (t they#ll (e coming to )isit yo *. 9ared s ggested.Sha&en (y Nathan#s ne!$ected and %orce% l %oc s on her* Miranda was slow to res$ond to his

(rother.Sam lea$t in. -Ha)e yo got any scr m$tio s (achelor (rothers that might dro$ in0. she as&ed* $ic&ing $ the (all she#d (een $layingagainst Tommy all night.-No*. Miranda answered with what she ho$ed was disco raging (re)ity.-Sensational sisters0. Tommy co ntered.-I ha)e no %amily*. she stated (l ntly* cornered into re)ealing that m ch.Sam goggled at her. -3o were an or$han0.How co ld she sto$ this rolling in6 isition0 -I wasn#t as a child. I sim$ly ha)e no %amily now*. she said with em$hatic %inality.-3o mean they were all wi$ed o t in some terri(le accident0.-Sam*. Nathan c t in tersely* his %rown chastising her %or a)id c riosity* which might lead into $ain% l areas.-Sorry!. She grimaced an a$ology. -4 ess I#)e dr n& too m ch cham$agne.. Her eyes a$$ealed to Miranda. -It#s " st yo #)e (een s ch amystery* ne)er mentioning anything $ersonal in yo r $ast..The comment %oc sed e)en more interest on her and Miranda realised it wo ld linger i% it went nanswered* casting an aw&ward mood %or the rest o% the e)ening. 'esides* what did it really matter0 +hat $oint was there in hiding the %act she had no %amily $edigree whatsoe)er* nothing atall to recommend her to this com$any* a$art %rom the ( siness connection0-There#s no great mystery* Sam*. she said with a cas al shr g. -:nli&e yo and e)eryone else here* I ha)e no %amily history going (ac&generations. My mother was an or$han. I was her only child. She wasn#t married and ne)er did marry. I wasn#t told who my %ather was and mymother died some years ago. So yo see* I ha)e )ery little to tal& a(o t.. An a$$alled silence %ollowed this little s$eech. Miranda %o nd it so nner)ing* she %elt a com$elling rge to %ill it in with more tal&* minimisingthe great (lac& hole in her li%e they were $ro(a(ly all en)isaging.-7amily is not a %actor in my li%e* ( t it#s (een )ery enlightening listening to all yo r news and the long connections (etween the Connellys andthe /ings. It#s )ery di%%erent %rom what I#)e &nown mysel%..She tore her ga1e %rom the misera(le em(arrassment on Sam#s %ace and steeled hersel% to loo& straight at Nathan who#d started thiss$otlight on her* digging nder her s&in again. She might as well hammer home the $oint that she was an ns ita(le match %or a /ing* and &new ittoo well to imagine any $ersonal relationshi$ (etween them co ld (e )ia(le.-The %ramed $hotogra$hs along yo r hallway here...s ch a history m st (e %ascinating to ha)e...to loo& (ac& on...to %eel a $art o%....-3es*. he agreed* his eyes ( rning (ac& a relentless challenge. -And most remar&a(le are the women who chose to %ollow their men hereand ma&e a li%e with them on this land. <i&e Sarah* who ran a (rothel in /algoorlie* (e%ore throwing her lot in with 4erard..-Sarah0 +ho wrote the diaries0. Miranda co ldn#t (elie)e it.-3es. 3o might %ind them interesting to read sometime..It m st (e tr e* Miranda tho ght da1edly.-Then there was 2orothy* a go)erness on one o% the cattle stations in The Territory*. he went on. -One o% nine children whose %amily was so$oor she was )irt ally sold into sla)e la(o r. One less mo th to %eed..He $a sed to let that in%ormation sin& in* his eyes moc&ing any sense o% grande r a(o t his %amily.-Irene was the wi%e o% a stoc&man who was thrown %rom his horse and died o% a (ro&en nec&. She had nowhere to go. No one to t rn to. Shestayed here and married Henry /ing..-' t that was in the old $ioneering days*. Miranda %inally %o nd wits eno gh to $rotest. -I daresay there weren#t so many women then whowo ld want to co$e with s ch a li%e..-Not so many women now* either*. Nathan sna$$ed (ac& at her.-I#m s re yo #re wrong. The stat s is )ery di%%erent now.. She sw ng her ga1e $ointedly to Eli1a(eth /ing whose nec&lace o% $earls was$ro(a(ly worth a %ort ne.

-+o ldn#t yo agree0.-It#s tr e there are many long,esta(lished %amilies in the /im(erly* which gi)e them a &ind o% stat s rating o)er relati)e newcomers*. she saidconsideringly. -' t o r $o$ lation is so small...what is it* Nathan0 Thirty tho sand $eo$le in an area that co)ers o)er three h ndred tho sand s6 are

&ilometres0.-And that cl stered mostly aro nd the si! ma"or towns*. he said in a%%irmation.-7or the most $art* the o t(ac& r le still holds*. Eli1a(eth /ing went on. -It#s not so m ch who yo are or where yo come %rom* ( t what yo accom$lish here that earns res$ect and stat s.. 7or the most $art... Miranda silently noted that reser)ation.-In %act*. Tommy chimed in* -there are so many $eo$le with chec&ered $asts in the /im(erly* it#s wiser to acce$t them at %ace )al e than toin6 ire too closely..-The last o t$ost o% ci)ilisation*. 9ared said with a grin.-7 ll o% colo r% l characters*. Tommy tagged on.-' t it does ta&e time to earn res$ect and stat s*. Miranda said* c tting to the heart o% the matter. -The /ing %amily has an in)estment o% ah ndred years here. And I nderstand the $earl %arms in 'roome ha)e (een held (y the same %amilies %or a similar length o% time..-And ha)e (een thro gh as many $s and downs as those wor&ing the land*. Eli1a(eth re$lied with a wry smile. -+hen I married <achlan* all$earling acti)ity in 'roome had (een )irt ally dead %or years. Mother,o%,$earl shell had (een the main so rce o% income and that had (een nderc t(y the introd ction o% the $lastic ( tton. It wasn#t ntil the ad)ent o% the c lt red $earl that the %arms ( ilt into the m ltimillion dollar ( siness they aretoday. In marrying me* <achlan got...only me..Her ga1e mo)ed to Nathan* the dar& (rown eyes (oring straight at her eldest son. -My li%e was with yo r %ather. He was where I wanted to (e.It wasn#t ntil a%ter he died that I ret rned to 'roome and in)ol)ed mysel% in the $earl %arming. 3o were old eno gh to ta&e o)er %rom him* Nathan.3o &now yo were. And that was what I co ldn#t (ear...not /ing#s Eden... /ing#s Eden witho t <achlan..She $a sed* as tho gh waiting %or some critical comment %rom him. The sense o% some r nning iss e (etween mother and son was )erystrong. Miranda#s mind s$ n with $ossi(ilities. Had Nathan " dged his mother harshly %or lea)ing0 Had her de$art re triggered a mistr st in anywoman (eing content to stay here* since not e)en his mother wo ld0 +as that why he had a%%airs rather than attem$t a serio s relationshi$0She ris&ed a co)ert glance at him. His %ace was li&e granite* re)ealing nothing. His eyes were narrowed* their e!$ression )eiled (y loweredlashes* ( t his ga1e was %i!ed on his mother. The silence was %illing $ with tension when he %inally s$o&e.-3o did what yo wanted to do*. he said 6 ietly. -I ha)e no 6 arrel with that.. He $a sed a moment* then added* -Trying to ma&e $eo$le dowhat they don#t want...is a %ool#s game...don#t yo thin&0 It ne)er gets the res lt we#d li&e..Miranda %elt the words* as tho gh they were directed at her* rein%orcing his claim that he wo ld ne)er mani$ late a $ress re sit ation

to getwhat he wanted %rom her. She darted a glance at him ( t his ga1e remained trained on his mother...a silent clash o% wills that $ro(a(ly had nothingto do with her at all.-Choices are always in%l enced (y other things*. came Eli1a(eth#s $ointed re$ly. -+hich is why the other things need re,e!amining at times..-On that I am in total agreement with yo ..His ga1e slid to Miranda* and the &nowledge th m$ed into her heart that he was aware o% the e%%ect o% his words on her* and e)ery one o% them was designed to resha$e her )iew o% him.-I get the im$ression yo #re a$$lying to s the &ind o% )al e system that o$erates in a more so$histicated society than we ha)e here*. he saidwith an ironic little smile. -Is that so* Miranda0.+as he im$lying that wealth and $ower didn#t co nt in their li)es* in the associations they made0-3o can hardly say yo r name doesn#t carry weight in the /im(erly*. she asserted* ncon)inced that s ch stat s was meaningless to this%amily* des$ite the e!am$les they had cited.His eyes moc&ed her reading o% their sit ation. -It carries the weight o% s r)i)al...which is what is most )al ed here..-That#s tr e*. his mother c t in* swinging attention (ac& to her. -The /ings* the Connellys* and my own %amily are s r)i)ors. It ta&es a certain(reed o% $eo$le5those I#d call o% gritty character5 to hold on in the /im(erly...to ride the good with the (ad. There#s no red car$et* Miranda. I% I#dtho ght yo were a red car$et $erson at heart* I wo ld not ha)e hired yo %or /ing#s Eden..-I see*. she m rm red* relie% see$ing thro gh her at the realisation she wasn#t )iewed as an o tsider (y Eli1a(eth /ing* ( t as someone withthe ca$a(ility o% (eing an insider. -I shall ta&e that as a com$liment..-I might add that none o% what we ha)e now will s r)i)e nless there#s a ne!t generation.. Her dar& eyes glittered at Nathan and then mo)edto Tommy. -+hat will all yo r wor& and enter$rise (e worth then0.-+e#re not e!actly old men*. Tommy $rotested "o&ingly.-Time doesn#t wait*. his mother warned. -Peo$le always thin& there#s $lenty o% time. Ta&e it %rom me* Tommy* time r ns o t and what has(een $ost$oned ne)er ha$$ens..-Ah* now we#re getting (ac& to choice*. Nathan drawled. -2o we sei1e the day or $lan %or the % t re0 +hat do yo thin&* Miranda0.He was 1eroing in on her now* $o ring o t a c rrent o% energy that wo nd aro nd her and t gged on the desire to $ rs e whate)er mightde)elo$ (etween them. Her $ lse rate accelerated so 6 ic&ly she %elt di11y. It was decision time. She co ld t rn him o%% with her re$ly or o$en thedoor. 2enial or ris&0His mother#s words dr mmed thro gh her mind... time r nning o t...o$$ort nities lost... She didn#t &now what her li%e was mo)ing towards*didn#t &now i% Nathan /ing co ld (ecome an im$ortant $art o% it. All she &new was she no longer wanted to deny the chance that he might.-I thin& I wo ld li&e to read Sarah#s diaries*. she said* $laying the sa%est line she co ld while in)iting more contact with him.7or a moment it seemed she#d startled him. Then his eyes started dancing in am sement and his mo th widened into a grin. -I thin& yo #ll%ind yo r interest rewarded. I#ll (ring them o)er to yo as soon as 9im Hos&ins ret rns them..-Than& yo . I#d a$$reciate it..He la ghed* a ri$$le o% "oyo s warmth that was %ar more into!icating than a cham$agne coc&tail.+hether it was

triggered (y $leas re or tri m$h or sim$ly am sement at the way she had answered him* Miranda co ldn#t tell. He wasst nningly handsome when he la ghed* his %ace ali)e with magnetic )itality* and it shot a wild 1ing o% elation thro gh her.He was s$ecial.She co ldn#t (e %eeling li&e this i% he wasn#t. And right at this moment* she didn#t care what the cost might (e o% &nowing more o% him.

CHAPTER TEN 2A3 a%ter day Miranda reminded hersel% she co ld not e!$ect to see Nathan ntil 9im Hos&ins ret rned Sarah#s diaries* yet no amo nt o% reasoning lessened the antici$ation 1inging thro gh her mind* the e!citement that %l ttered thro gh her e)ery time she tho ght o% (eing with him* andeach day she %elt a twinge o% disa$$ointment that he hadn#t come.+hen she lay in (ed at night* she mentally re$layed e)ery min te o% the dinner $arty at the station homestead* inter$reting and re,inter$retingNathan#s e)ery word and action.There was no do (t in her mind he had meant to $ sh %or another chance to mo)e into her li%e* and when she#d gi)en it* he was wise eno gh*or cle)er eno gh* not to ca$italise on it too m ch* too soon. In %act* a%ter he#d won what he wanted* he#d t rned the dinner con)ersation (ac& togeneral to$ics ntil they all rose %rom the ta(le to ha)e co%%ee and li6 e rs (ac& in the lo nge room.Then had come his cas al o%%er to gi)e her a $ersonal to r o% the $hotogra$hs in the hallway. He#d $ointed o t the $eo$le he#d s$o&en o%*gi)ing a 6 ic& $otted history o% their li)es on the cattle station* told a %ew am sing stories a(o t them* and answered Miranda#s 6 estions witho tonce attem$ting to sei1e any ad)antage with her.There was no $hysical to ching. Ne)ertheless* e)ery time their eyes met* it %elt as tho gh he was reaching into her* stam$ing himsel% moreand more irre)oca(ly on her li%e and drawing her into his. The $ower o% it was (oth e!hilarating and %rightening. E)en when she and Sam le%t* sheco ld %eel it %ollowing her...desire that somehow t nnelled dee$er than any desire she#d &nown (e%ore.To Miranda#s secret relie%* Sam hadn#t noticed anything s$ecial occ rring with Nathan* or she was reser)ing comment on it. Neither Tommynor 9ared had shown any awareness that a shi%t had ta&en $lace (etween their (rother and the new resort manager. E)en Eli1a(eth /ing hadseemed content with the e)ening at the end o% it.O% co rse* this $ri)acy wo ldn#t last...co ldn#t once Nathan made his ne!t mo)e. This was a small comm nity.

Peo$le were going to noticeand tal&. ' t at least Nathan wasn#t directly in)ol)ed with the resort ( siness* and the way he#d &e$t away %rom her so %ar $ro)ed there wo ld (e no n$leasantness at wor&* sho ld a relationshi$ (etween them not go well. Tho gh she co ldn#t hel$ ho$ing it wo ld (e something s$ecial. Reallys$ecial. As it ha$$ened* no amo nt o% thin&ing $re$ared her %or the circ mstances that hit her on Th rsday a%ternoon* " st %i)e days a%ter she#do$ened an in)itational door to Nathan /ing. She#d done the ro nds o% the resort* chec&ing that all accommodations le)els were $ to standard %or the hea)ily (oo&ed wee&end ahead* and s $$lies were more than ade6 ate to meet demand. It was " st $ast %o r o#cloc& when she entered her administration o%%ice* and witho t warning* the new world she#d (eg n to (elie)e was %ree %rom her $ast* was s ddenly attac&ed (y it.;al +arren* her clerical assistant* greeted her with a ha$$y grin. -That cancellation we had on one o% the homestead s ites %or thiswee&end...it#s (een ta&en $. +e#)e got a % ll ho se again..-4reat! Short notice* tho gh..-I g ess $eo$le who stay here can a%%ord to (e s$ontaneo s*. ;al reasoned.-< c&y %or s! I#ll ha)e to chec& with Ro(erto that he#s got eno gh go rmet %ood %or the e!tra g ests. +hat are their names0.;al loo&ed (ac& at her monitor screen. -Married co $le* c rrently staying at the Ayer#s Roc& resort* chartering a $lane to %ly directly heretomorrow* e!$ected arri)al time three o#cloc&...and their names are Celine and 'o((y Hewson..Miranda co ld %eel the (lood draining %rom her %ace. -Right!. she said wea&ly* and s$ n o t o% the o%%ice (e%ore ;al saw the shoc& she#ddeli)ered.7or se)eral moments she leaned (ac& against the closed door* %ighting to reco)er some e6 ili(ri m. May(e it was another 'o((y Hewsonwhose wi%e " st ha$$ened to (e named Celine. They weren#t ncommon names. Ayer#s Roc&* where they were c rrently staying* was li&e an A stralian Mecca %or to rists...the ancient red heart o% the continent...( t she co ldn#t imagine the 'o((y she &new wanting to go there. ' t whata(o t his wi%e0 I% she had accom$anied him to Sydney...a honeymoon sight,seeing tri$...+i%e... Miranda shoo& her head. S rely they weren#t e)en married yet. The engagement had only (een anno nced three months ago.Sho ldn#t it ta&e longer than that to arrange a (ig society wedding0 It had to (e some other co $le. Had to (e...There was one way o% settling any ncertainty. 4al)anised into action* Miranda strode down the hall to her li)e,in 6 arters* intent on $ ttingthro gh a $ri)ate call to the manager o% the Ayer#s Roc& resort. The 'o((y Hewson she &new wo ld not (e an no(tr si)e g est. He wo ld demandthe (est s ite* the (est ser)ice* and wo ld let the manager &now $recisely who he was and what he stood %or.Once inside her sel%,contained a$artment* Miranda mo)ed straight to the tele$hone on her (edside ta(le. She reached %or the recei)er* sawthat her hand was trem(ling and sat down on the (ed to com$ose hersel%* ta&ing se)eral dee$ (reaths (e%ore $roceeding to ma&e the neededcontact. A %ew min tes later she was connected to the man who co ld gi)e her the critical in%ormation.-This is Miranda +ade* manager o% the /ing#s Eden Resort..-Hi* there! +hat can I do %or yo 0.-Today we too& a (oo&ing %or a Mr and Mrs 'o((y Hewson....-Ah yes* made it %or him mysel%. He and his wi%e had $lanned to %ly on to 'roome. Another co $le we ha)e staying here5yo #ll remem(er them59ohn and Ro(yn Tr m(ell5a$$arently ra)ed on a(o t /ing#s Eden and they decided to ta&e in a wee&end there. < c&y yo co ldaccommodate them..-3es. +o ld that (e the 'o((y Hewson o% the Regent Hotel chain0.-Certainly is*. came the dry

re$ly.Miranda#s heart dro$$ed li&e a stone.-And his wi%e is a mem(er o% the Parmentier %amily who owns the Soleil <e)ant chain*. the manager ran on* con%irming their identities (eyondany $ossi(le do (t. -It#s her %irst tri$ to A stralia. /een to see the sights..Coincidence... sheer rotten coincidence that they had connected with the Tr m(ells! And %inding a)aila(le accommodation here! Miranda %elttoo sic& to s$ea&.-Mr Hewson mentioned that yo #d (een trained $ to a managerial $osition at the Regent in Sydney. So nded as tho gh he was interestedin %inding o t how yo #re dealing with an o t(ac& resort..'o((y &new she was here! It wasn#t " st a tric& o% %ate. He &new. 9ohn or Ro(yn Tr m(ell m st ha)e s$o&en o% her. And that was why he was(rea&ing his tri$ to 'roome to come to /ing#s Eden. Nothing to do with the sights* tho gh he#d $ro(a(ly $layed that line to his wi%e. 'o((y Hewson*Miranda &new with stomach,ch rning certainty* had her in his sights!-I tho ght it might (e him*. she %orced hersel% to say thro gh the (itter taste o% (ile. -Than& yo %or %illing me in..-+ell* I g ess yo now &now what to e!$ect..-3es. I do. Than& yo again..She h ng $* her mind crawling with scenarios o% what she co ld e!$ect* and e)ery one o% them was a nightmare %rom hell. Tears started

welling* tears o% misera(le %r stration at not ha)ing esca$ed the $ nishment 'o((y Hewson wo ld ine)ita(ly deal o t to her %or ha)ing %lo ted his$lans. She remem(ered only too well her last meeting with him* her eyes cleared o% the g lli(le scales that had (linded her to the man he reallywas...seeing the totally sel%ish ego (ehind his smiling charm.He had e!$ected her to gi)e in to him.She#d wal&ed away. 7lown away. And now he was going to catch $ with her.The tears o)er%lowed and tric&led down her chee&s. She (ent o)er* $ lled o%% her shoes and soc&s* then c rled $ on the (ed* h gging a$illow %or com%ort. She was %acing a totally wretched sit ation. He#d arri)e tomorrow* then all day Sat rday* all day S nday* three nights...and he#d(e getting at her e)ery chance he had. She &new he wo ld.Regrets %or e)er ha)ing %allen in lo)e with him sa)aged her as she we$t into the $illow. It hadn#t (een a real lo)e. More a $rolonged a%%air*s gared and $e$$ered (y the e!citement and glamo r 'o((y always (ro ght with him on his %lying tri$s to Sydney. He#d swe$t in and o t o% her li%e*da11ling her with his charm* sed cing her with honeyed words* always lea)ing with the $romise o% ha)ing more time with her on his ne!t )isit*ma&ing her %eel im$ortant to him* necessary to

him.She#d %itted in with what he#d wanted. He hadn#t cared a(o t her needs. 2idn#t care a(o t them now* either. He was coming here to satis%yhimsel%* and he#d (e scoring o%% her any way he co ld...s (tle little digs in %ront o% his wi%e* then see&ing her o t $ri)ately* may(e e)en trying to getinto her (ed again. He wo ld see that as a tri m$h o)er her (id to $ t him o t o% her li%e. And i% she didn#t o(lige him... Miranda sh ddered* e)eryinstinct telling her no one %r strated 'o((y Hewson and got away with it. A &noc& on her door (ro&e into the train o% misery. She swi$ed at her tear,sodden %ace and loo&ed at her watch. It "olted her to see it was a%ew min tes $ast %i)e. The c rrent homestead g ests were $ro(a(ly (ac& %rom their day tri$s and she hadn#t (een on hand to deal with anyre6 ests or $ro(lems. The &noc& meant someone was loo&ing %or her.She scram(led o%% the (ed* gra((ed some tiss es* r ((ed her eyes and chee&s* sho)ed her %eet into sandals* %inger smoothed her hair (ac& (ehind her ears. The &noc& came again as she str ggled to calm hersel% eno gh to answer it. Pro(a(ly ;al* she tho ght* wanting to $asssome message on (e%ore lea)ing %or the day.She o$ened the door and shoc& hit her again.Nathan!-Ah! 3o #re here.. He smiled* his eyes warm with $leas re.Ha)ing steeled hersel% to %ace res$onsi(ility* Miranda was totally ndone (y Nathan#s smile. The steel colla$sed and her whole (ody t rnedto "elly.-I was loo&ing %or yo to gi)e yo Sarah#s diaries*. he went on* holding o t the $ac&age he was carrying. -9 st as well yo are here in yo r $ri)ate 6 arters. Ma&es it easy to $ t them in a sa%e $lace..Somehow she li%ted her hands to ta&e the $ac&age. Her ga1e dro$$ed to it as her mind tried to change gears* ad" sting to Nathan#s$resence and recalling what she had antici$ated...ho$ed...%rom it. E!ce$t it all %elt nreal now* sha&y* witho t s (stance. She stared down at thediaries5Sarah#s diaries5o% a li%e that was in the $ast.-Miranda0.She heard the 6 ery ( t it seemed to come %rom a long distance. Her $ast was all too ali)e* threatening to mess her $ again and she didn#t&now when or where that wo ld sto$* now that 'o((y had access to her.-Is there something wrong0. +rong... the aw% l sense o% wrongness was so twisted $ inside her... Nathan here at the wrong time... 'o((y coming to do morewrong...another wa)e o% tears swam into her eyes. She shoo& her head* too cho&ed to say anything.-3o did say yo wanted to read them.. The edge in his )oice seemed to slice into her heart. -I% yo #)e changed yo r mind....She swallowed hard* %ighting to order her mind to come $ with something that might co)er her %ail re to welcome his com$any. -I#m sorry*Nathan. I#m not.... Her )oice was wo((ling. She scoo$ed in a 6 ic& (reath and %orced hersel% on. -This is (ad timing. ' t than& yo %or....Her chin was %orci(ly tilted $. The swi%t action halted her erratic little s$eech. She was startled into loo&ing at him* tho gh the moist re in her eyes (l rred her )ision* $re)enting any clear )iew o% his reaction to her all too o()io s distress.-3o #)e got a $ro(lem. 'est yo se me to tal& it o)er with* Miranda*. he stated %irmly.'e%ore she co ld raise a $rotest or deter him %rom his $ r$ose* he $ shed her door wide,o$en and was steering her aro nd* his armh gging her sho lders as he wal&ed her to the closest

armchair in her sitting area. He set her down in it* retrie)ed the diaries %rom her hold* $lacedthem on the (ench that di)ided o%% the &itchenette* then closed her door* sealing their $ri)acy.-Now tell me what#s $set yo ..She shoo& her head* &nowing he had no control o)er this sit ation. -It doesn#t ha)e anything to do with yo * Nathan..-I% it#s resort ( siness* Tommy wo ld want me to hel$* Miranda*. he asserted strongly.Ho$elessly agitated (y his insistence on getting in)ol)ed* she $ shed hersel% o t o% the chair to $lead %or him to lea)e her. -It#s $ersonal. 3o can#t hel$. Please....-Try me!.He stood there* a strong mo ntain o% a man* emitting immo)a(le $ r$ose* and Miranda co ld %eel her own will cr m$ling nder his. Shedidn#t &now what to do* co ldn#t see a way o% resol)ing anything. She wasn#t aware o% her hands %retting at each other* wasn#t e)en aware that her tear d cts were (etraying her inner distress again.Then he was coming at her and s ddenly she was en)elo$ed in a warm em(race* her head was $ressed onto a (road sho lder* and a handwas stro&ing her hair.-It#s o&ay*. he m rm red com%ortingly. -+e#ll sort it o t. A $ro(lem is always (etter shared..-No* it#s not*. she cried* e)en as she $assi)ely acce$ted his $hysical s $$ort* inwardly cra)ing more.-Tr st me.. It was more o% a command than an a$$eal. -Sooner or later yo #ll ha)e to learn to tr st me* Miranda. 3o might as well start now..She wanted to* ( t the tho ght o% e!$laining e)erything was so da nting* her heart cringed %rom it. And what i% he mis nderstood her $osition0 He hadn#t li)ed in 'o((y Hewson#s world.-It#s not good*. she (l rted o t.-So what0 +ho#s $er%ect0. Ang ish s$lintered her mind. She co ld no longer %ind the $oint o% arg ing. -It#s the man I told yo a(o t*. she con%ided in a %ear% l r sh.-'o((y Hewson. He#s coming tomorrow. +ith his wi%e. And he &nows I#m here. He &nows..

CHAPTER E<E;EN TENSION! 'eing $ressed so close to Nathan* Miranda instantly %elt it whi$$ing thro gh him* transmitting a sti%%ening "olt to her shreddedner)es. The %irm wall o% his chest e!$anded. The hand stro&ing her hair clenched. The m sc lar thighs s $$orting hers ta tened to roc&,hardness. Itseemed %or se)eral seconds* he didn#t (reathe at all. And neither did she!Sheer $anic threw her mind into chaos. +hat had she done (y s$illing that in%ormation0 He#d wanted to &now. He#d as&ed her to tr st him.' t words s$o&en co ldn#t (e ta&en (ac&. I% he was thin&ing (adly o% her again...

A $rimiti)e sa)agery sei1ed Nathan#s mind. I

will not let him ha)e her. I will not let him h rt her. He#s a dead man i% he so m ch as to chesher! Then some s$ar& o% rationality $ lled him (ac& %rom that )iolent edge and arg ed that he

had to handle this sit ation with some %inesse.Miranda was not his and only 4od &new what she %elt %or the sc m who didn#t ha)e the decency to lea)e her alone.

His (reath whooshed o t* ma&ing her scal$ tingle with a$$rehension. The %eeling that she was $oised on the edge o% an a(yss with her whole li%e in the (alance made her heart clench with %ear. A s rge o% adrenaline s$ rred a need to %ight %or what she wanted. Tho gh she didn#t&now how she was going to go a(o t it* she li%ted her head* ready to %ace whate)er she had to.-Right!. he sna$$ed* easing away %rom her* his hands gras$ing her $$er arms to hold her steady.She (ra)ed meeting his eyes* her own com$letely dry now* and was st nned (y the (l e (la1e o% $ r$ose ( rning %rom them.-So he#s the ca se o% yo r stress. +hat are yo e!$ecting him to do and why* Miranda0 S$ell it o t to me. I#ll (e a(le to hel$ yo (etter i% I#maware o% all the n ances to this sit ation..Relie%! Nathan wasn#t " dging. He was going to listen... to hel$. 2i11y %rom the wrangle o% emotions still sei1ing her (rain* Miranda too& adee$ (reath to %eed some o!ygen into her (loodstream* and tried to %oc s her mind on deli)ering the salient %acts.Her mo th was dry. She wor&ed some moist re into it and started to o tline the $ro(lem* her eyes (egging his nderstanding. -The Hewson%amily own the Regent Hotel chain. They#re...they#re )ery rich* in%l ential. I didn#t want to contin e any &ind o% relationshi$ with 'o((y once I heard hewas committed to marrying Celine Parmentier. Her %amily owns the Soleil <e)ant hotels. The marriage was going to gi)e 'o((y more $ower. Hesaid I co ld ride $ the ladder with him or....The (itter disill sionment o% that scene r shed in on her again* the terms 'o((y had laid o t* ringing with the &ind o% corr $t $romises thathad ta&en her mother down a road that had em$tied her heart o% all lo)e.-Or0. Nathan $rom$ted.She sighed away the dar&* grie)o s memory and $ shed on with the deal 'o((y had $ressed* the re) lsion she#d %elt re%lected in her )oice.-I% I didn#t see sense* I might %ind my career on sha&y gro nd. I% I so ght a $osition elsewhere* a good re%erence co ld (e withheld..Nathan %rowned. -' t it wasn#t. My mother said yo r re%erences were e!cellent..-'o((y didn#t e!$ect me to lea)e. He tho ght he had me. So he didn#t (other instr cting the manager to withhold the tr th a(o t myca$a(ilities* or cast any sl r on them..-So yo le%t witho t telling him yo were going..-I told no one a(o t a$$lying %or this "o( or getting it. Once I was noti%ied I had it* I $ac&ed $ my $ossessions* handed in my resignation andwal&ed o t o% the Sydney Regent the same day. To all intents and $ r$oses* I disa$$eared..-2rastic action*. he m sed* as tho gh meas ring all it meant.Sensing some criticism o% her decisions* and discom%orted (y it* Miranda (ro&e o t o% his hold and $aced aro nd the two armchairs that%aced the tele)ision set (e%ore t rning to con%ront him again* her hands gestic lating the rgency she#d %elt to esca$e any re(o nd e%%ect %romwal&ing o t on 'o((y Hewson.-I wanted a clean (rea&. /ing#s Eden o%%ered me that. It was o t o% his reach* not connected to $eo$le or $laces he &new. I tho ght he co ldn#tget at me here or do me any damage (y (ad,mo thing me (eca se this was o tside the normal hotel trade..-4et at yo 0. Nathan $ic&ed $ shar$ly* his eyes searing hers with 6 estions.She %l shed* hating the admission she had to ma&e. Her arms instincti)ely h gged her midri%%* holding in the aw% l ) lnera(ility she %elt. -+ewere together %or three years. 3o don#t " st %orget

all that intimate &nowledge* Nathan. And he#ll se it. I &now he will..The m scles in his %ace tightened. A wa)e o% disa$$ro)al seemed to come at her and it instantly str c& a %ierce well o% resentment. +hata(o t him and his two years with S san0 At least she had tho ght o% marriage with 'o((y.-2o yo still want him0. he shot at her.-No!. she %lared* throwing o t her hands in e!as$erated denial. -+hat do yo thin& this is all a(o t0 I don#t want anything more to do with him.Can#t yo see that0.-I see how $set yo are (y his coming* which s ggests to me the relationshi$ is not dead %or yo . I% it were dead* he co ldn#t get at yo *Miranda*. he arg ed tersely.-3o miss the $oint*. she %iercely retorted. -It#s not dead %or him. And i% yo thin& he#s going to lea)e it alone on my say,so.... She shoo& her head. -My e!it %rom his li%e told him I wanted o t and he#s ignoring it. He#s deli(erately $ rs ing me* (rea&ing the other $lans he#d made the momenthe heard where I was. I didn#t in)ite him..-No* ( t that doesn#t mean yo won#t want him when he#s with yo again..-He#s with his wi%e!# -Miranda* yo can say no in yo r mind.. He wal&ed slowly towards her* his eyes (oring into hers. -3o said it to me. And yo can mean it inyo r mind* (olstering the no with any n m(er o% reasons. I#m not 6 estioning that..-Then what are yo 6 estioning0. she ga((led* %eeling the strong male %orce o% him increase as he ste$$ed closer and closer*encom$assing her* sending her ner)es haywire* stirring all the wild desires she had n rsed in the dar&ness o% the nights. It was Nathan she wanted.Not 'o((y. And her heart we$t that he sho ld thin& otherwise.-I thin& yo #re worried a(o t what yo #ll %eel when he#s here...when yo #re %aced with him. 7eelings aren#t something we can easily go)ern.+hat i% he draws yo into his arms....He %ollowed the words with the action* slowly gathering Miranda close to him* ( t (ehind the seemingly controlled deli(eration in his eyes*she saw the %lic&er o% something that wasn#t controlled at all* and it ignited a wild* wanton rec&lessness in her. Or $erha$s the $ress re o% his (odydid* the se! ality that seemed to (rood %rom it and cl tch at her.-+hen yo &issed me (ac&* that morning (eside the helico$ter...were yo missing him* Miranda0.-No. I wasn#t thin&ing o% anything. I " st....-Resonded to me..

-3es.. It was (arely a hiss o% so nd. His head was (ending to hers and she wanted him to &iss her now* to com$letely (lot 'o((y Hewson o to% anything (etween them.-Then &ee$ remem(ering this when he comes* Miranda.. A harshness in his )oice now* scra$ed with raw emotion. -Remem(er how yo %eelwith me..Then he did &iss her* and it was no e!$loratory di$ to meas re her res$onse* no trial %or any s$ecial element in their tasting o% each other. Itwas % ll,scale $l nder* a &iss o% s ch dri)ing* demanding $assion* Miranda was instantly cons med (y the e!$losion o% need it ignited. The hot% sion o% their mo ths was not eno gh* nowhere near eno gh* tho gh as they greedily %ed on e)ery $ossi(le sensation they co ld %ind andsa)o r...into!icating themsel)es with &iss

a%ter &iss* their hands %ollowed their own instincti)e $ath.Im$ossi(le to remem(er a%terwards whether she tore at his clothes or he tore at hers. The ndressing was "er&y* erratic* rgent* %rantic* thecom$ lsion to (e rid o% e)erything that came (etween them almost )iolent5 no sto$$ing it5no wish to $a se or thin& or do anything other thanre)el in the im$act o% their (odies % lly to ching* (are %lesh meeting (are %lesh* the hot e!citing %riction o% s&in against s&in* his hands s&imming*s6 ee1ing her so%t c r)es* her %ingers ra&ing the ta t m sc lat re that seemed to (ristle with masc linity.She remem(ered thin&ing he was a magni%icent ( ll o% a man and she wanted to (e mated with him* wanted it more than anything she#dwanted in her li%e* to ha)e the strength o% him inside her* to %eel him mo)ing with her...this man who called so dee$ly to the woman she was*whate)er else either o% them were.He $ro$elled them to the (ed* ha led her onto it* too& the dominant $osition o)er her* and she a tomatically arched her (ody to meet his ashe so ght entry. His eyes connected with hers...a %ierce (la1e o% desire ... %iercely ret rned... (oth o% them thro((ed with an rgency that co ld not(roo& any denial.Her whole (ody 6 i)ered with elation as she %elt him $ sh %orward* sheathing himsel% with her moist heat* her inner m scles con) lsingaro nd him in (liss* the hard % llness o% him o$ening a $assage that $ lsed with wild antici$ation* wanting all he co ld gi)e her. She wra$$ed her legs aro nd him* $ressing him on* and the $l nge that %ollowed was e!6 isitely % l%illing* so incredi(ly dee$ it %elt as tho gh he had entered her wom(* an eerie* intimate sensation that s$read o t in concentric circles* totally ca$ti)ating in its intensity.7rom that moment on* Miranda#s whole (eing was totally %oc sed on the rhythmic ri$$les set in constant motion (y Nathan#s $ower% lthr sting. She was ac tely aware o% their strengthening in%iltration o% e)ery cell o% her (ody* the aching sweetness accom$anying their in)asion* thesense o% their ( ilding towards a shattering $ea&* o% $leas re (ecoming too intense to s stain within the s$ace o% her (eing. A time came when sheseemed $oised on the edge o% it and a cry o% ang ish (ro&e %rom her throat.In the )ery ne!t instant all the tort ro s tension e!$loded into a s n( rst o% glorio s ecstasy* and she was %loating in some hea)enly s$ace*and the man who had (ro ght her there was sharing it with her* cradling her in a h g that &e$t them (o nd together as he rolled to one side*remo)ing his weight* yet still en)elo$ing her in a cocoon o% strength* caring* $rotecti)e* $ossessi)e.Their (reathing slowed. The th nder o% their heart(eats dro$$ed to a (arely discerni(le $ lse. The lang or that stole o)er them wassed cti)e...warm* $eace% l* enticing a $rolonged stay o% " dgement on what they#d done. It co ldn#t (e e!amined with words. It had gone (eyondwords.Miranda was ac tely aware she had ne)er e!$erienced anything li&e this (e%ore... s ch $rimiti)e* com$elling $assion...yet somehowinstincti)ely right with this man...and (eing held (y him now %elt right* too* as tho gh she (elonged with him. +hile it made no rational sense* her mind stood in awe o% these %eelings* and the longer he held her* the more immersed she (ecame in the (lind con)iction that they were meant tocome together and this was how a man and woman sho ld %eel when they did* and she wished she had always &nown this. Then she co ld ne)er ha)e (een %ooled a(o t what it was s $$osed to (e.E)ent ally Nathan s$o&e. He was trailing strands o% her hair thro gh his %ingers as she lay with her head on his chest. She %elt his inta&e o% (reath and the words he said were so%t ( t )ery* )ery decisi)e.-3o don#t need 'o((y Hewson* Miranda..'o((y0 The

$art o% her li%e he had inha(ited %elt so minimised she co ld (arely (ring it to mind. -No* I don#t*. she answered %er)ently.-I#ll (e here tomorrow e)ening to ma&e s re he nderstands yo don#t need him..Here0 2id Nathan mean in her (ed0 How wo ld 'o((y &now5see5the incredi(le di%%erence o% what she %elt with Nathan0-I#ll "oin yo and yo r $arty o% g ests %or dinner* ( t I#ll come earlier*. he said* his )oice %irm with the $lans in his mind.Miranda str ggled $ast the % 11iness in hers. Nathan meant to (e with her $ (licly* showing 'o((y she was not alone* )ery m ch not alone!-In time %or the Ha$$y Ho r gathering*. Nathan s$eci%ied.-Ha$$y Ho r!. Miranda "ac&,&ni%ed o t o% Nathan#s em(race and loo&ed at her watch. It was almost si! o#cloc&. -I#)e got to get going. I sho ld(e o t there.. A %l sh o% em(arrassment $o red into her %ace as she t rned to loo& s6 arely at him. -This is my "o(* Nathan..-2 ty calls*. he said e6 a(ly.She h rtled o%% the (ed and raced into her ens ite (athroom* %rantically t rning on the ta$s in the shower* sho)ing her hair into a $lastic ca$and ste$$ing nder the hot s$ray (e%ore $a sing %or (reath or % rther tho ght. Only then did it stri&e her that Nathan#s mind had (een loc&ed on'o((y* (e%ore and a%ter* and he hadn#t said anything a(o t what he %elt with her.+hat i% it had only (een a male com$etiti)e thing with him0Instantly her whole (ody re)olted against this tho ght. Nathan had wanted her (e%ore he#d e)er &nown a(o t 'o((y. It had nothing to do with'o((y. Nothing! He was $ rely incidental in their coming together.It came as another "olt to realise they hadn#t sed $rotection. 9 st as well she was on the $ill to &ee$ her cycle reg lar. And she co ldn#t seeNathan (eing a health ris&* ha)ing recently (een in a long monogamo s relationshi$. All the same* there sho ld ha)e (een 6 estions as&ed.On the other hand* o()io sly there had (een no $remeditation (y either o% them. +hich said something a(o t the strength o% the attraction(etween them. The moment Nathan had started &issing her she#d %orgotten 'o((y* her "o(* e)erything. S ch a total wi$e,o t had ne)er ha$$enedto her (e%ore. Ne)er. It had to mean something s$ecial. There was no other e!$lanation %or it.Clean and %resh again* Miranda t rned o%% the ta$s and 6 ic&ly towelled hersel% dry. A ner)o s energy $ossessed her as she attended to her hair and ma&e, $. Had Nathan le%t* ha)ing made his arrangements %or tomorrow0 2id those arrangements mean more than %i!ing the $ro(lem with'o((y0She wra$$ed a towel aro nd hersel% (e%ore emerging %rom the (athroom. Modesty* at this $oint* seemed rather %oolish ( t she didn#t %eelcom%orta(le %la nting her na&ed (ody with the heat o% $assion gone* and i% Nathan was still in the a$artment...this was so new. Her mind was torno)er how he )iewed the intimacy they had " st shared. She wanted to (e s re.He was % lly dressed and $lacing the $arcel o% diaries he#d (ro ght her on the (edside ta(le when she o$ened the (athroom door. He sw ngto %ace her* his ga1e ma&ing a swi%t* com$rehensi)e swee$ o% her a$$earance.-Are yo all right0. he as&ed* searching her eyes %or any %lic&er o% concern.

-3es.. She o%%ered an ironic smile. -A little st nned..He nodded. -I didn#t thin& o% $rotection..Relie% s rged thro gh her. It might (e $ractical caring ( t it was caring. -I#)e (een on the $ill %or 6 ite a while. I sed to ha)e $ro(lems with....She shr gged* realising she was ga((ling and he wo ldn#t (e interested in how hea)ily and ha$ha1ardly she#d menstr ated witho t medication togi)e her a normal cycle.He ret rned her ironic smile. -I#m s ally more res$onsi(le. I#m not a health ris&* Miranda..-Neither am I..-Then there#s no $ro(lem..S $$osedly not %or two healthy ad lt $eo$le acce$ting a sim$le case o% l st gone wild* Miranda tho ght* needing more %rom him than thismatter,o%,%act manner. He started wal&ing towards her and she was once again mesmerised (y the o)erwhelming $ower o% the man* his air o% solidsel%, ass rance.-I#ll go now. 3o ha)e wor& to do.. He $ t his hand on her sho lder* a light reass ring to ch* and dro$$ed a &iss on her %orehead. -9 st toremind yo to &ee$ s in the %ore%ront o% yo r mind tomorrow* when 'o((y Hewson arri)es.. His eyes seared hers with the intense recollection o% their intimacy. -E!$ect me at si! o#cloc&. I#ll (e here to stand (y yo . O&ay0.-3es.. +as this all it was to him...(lotting o t 'o((y0 -Than& yo *. she added* searching his eyes %or more.He s ddenly grinned. -My $leas re..She watched him lea)e* too ca$ti)ated (y his $resence to mo)e ntil the door closed (ehind him. Then conscience $ric&ed her again andshe %lew to her c $(oard* discarding the towel and hastily $ lling on clothes.Nathan#s words5 I#ll (e here to stand (y yo 5lingered in her mind. 'o((y had ne)er done that* not in the s $$orti)e sense Nathan meant.Her mother had ne)er had a man she co ld tr ly lean on. It was* at least* one good %eeling Nathan had le%t her with* (eing a(le to co nt on him* andMiranda had no do (t he was as good as his word.' t what a(o t when 'o((y was gone0 +as she to (e another S san in Nathan#s li%e0 His ...$leas re0 Miranda shied away %rom these 6 estions. She co ldn#t deal with them now. She had g ests waiting %or her. E)erything else had to (e$ shed aside. Tomorrow wo ld come soon eno gh... 'o((y... Nathan...and ho$e% lly some answers she co ld li)e with.

CHAPTER T+E<;E IT +AS her "o( to greet the incoming homestead g ests* and greet them she wo ld* ( t Miranda#s stomach was twisted into a $ain% l &notas she watched 'o((y Hewson and his new wi%e arri)e.He alighted %rom the l ggage ( ggy %irst* still loo&ing li&e a s n,&ing as she had always tho ght o% him5 his light (rown hair strea&ed with(londe* his s&in

gleaming with a $er%ect golden tan* a da11ling white smile %lashing %rom a %ace so handsome it was g aranteed to ma&e anywoman melt. ' t it didn#t melt Miranda today. It was a strange sha&y %eeling* seeing him again and &nowing the (rilliant %acade o% the man hid acorr $t heart that co ld ne)er* ne)er (e tr sted.-Miranda.... he called* as tho gh the sight o% her %illed him with delight. -It#s a real $leas re to %ind a %amiliar %ace in the great (eyond..His charm washed o)er her* too* tho gh once it had in)aria(ly t rned her inside o t* dis$elling do (ts and ma&ing her (elie)e he really didlo)e her* that she was tr ly the light o% his li%e. This time* her mo th didn#t a tomatically %lash a res$onding smile. She had to %orce it.-It#s a s r$rise to see yo o t o% the city* 'o((y..He still managed to loo& city elegant in shorts and s$orts shirt* colo r co,ordinated in na)y* red and green* e!$ensi)e Ree(o&s on his %eet.His tall* gym,trained athletic (ody carried all clothes well.-A new challenge always li%ts the s$irit*. he answered* his eyes ra&ing Miranda %rom head to toe with se! al intent* e)en as he held o t hishand to the woman now ste$$ing o t o% the ( ggy.Inwardly (ristling at 'o((y#s (latant coc&iness* Miranda switched her attention to his wi%e. Her s&in was dar& oli)e* ma&ing her loo& 6 itee!otic* dressed as she was in scarlet shorts* a designer T,shirt5white* s$lashed with an a(stract $attern o% colo r% l $o$$ies5and a )ery chicstraw hat with one scarlet $o$$y art% lly $laced on the (rim. She was also $etite* her %ig re slender* almost (oyish* small %irm (reasts clearly(raless.Miranda* dressed in her s al day ni%orm o% &ha&i sa%ari shorts and shirt* s ddenly %elt li&e a dra( Ama1on com$ared to this woman* ( t she6 ic&ly (r shed the com$arison aside. She was not in com$etition with 'o((y Hewson#s wi%e and ne)er wo ld (e./ee$ing her smile in $lace* she said* -And yo m st (e Celine. +elcome to /ing#s Eden* (oth o% yo ..-Than& yo . It is ama1ing* this o t(ac& o% yo rs*. she lilted at Miranda* her nati)e 7rench tong e gi)ing her English a )ery attracti)e accent.-;ery m ch an e!citing ad)ent re..-I ho$e it contin es to (e so*. Miranda re$lied* noting that Celine led the way $ the $ath to the )erandah* 'o((y strolling a ste$ (ehind.2etaching himsel% %rom his wi%e0-2id yo manage to ma&e all the (oo&ings I $honed thro gh this morning0## Celine as&ed eagerly.-3es* e)erything has (een arranged*. Miranda a%%irmed.-E)en the (oat ride down 4ranny 4orge this a%ternoon0.-The g ide will (e here (y the time yo #)e chec&ed into yo r s ite..She cla$$ed her hands in glee. -I did not want these %ew ho rs wasted..Close $* Celine was yo nger than Miranda had imagined. She (arely loo&ed o t o% her teens* her $retty %ace %ramed (y short (lac& hair styled in a $i!ie c t* and dominated (y (ig dar& eyes* aglow with enth siasm.-I thin& I#ll gi)e the gorge a miss* Celine*. 'o((y dro$$ed cas ally as they mo nted the ste$s to the )erandah.-' t I#)e (oo&ed!. she $rotested* her %ace $et lant with dis$leas re as she t rned to him.-3o can go* $et*. he answered ind lgently. -I#d li&e to ha)e a loo& aro nd the resort. See how it wor&s..-' siness!. She hea)ed a )e!ed sigh.He ignored it* loo&ing o)er her sho lder at Miranda* his am(er eyes gleaming tigerishly. -I#d li&e a $ersonal to r* Miranda.. +ith her* he meant* and e)ery %ighting instinct rose to the %ore. He was not going to get at her. She wo ld not let him. -As yo li&e. I#ll call ag ide to come and show yo what yo want to see..-Come now* Miranda*. he ca"oled* steering his wi%e onto the )erandah so that he

co ld ste$ $ %or a direct con%rontation* his (ody lang ageemitting con%ident demand. -2on#t I merit yo as my g ide0.She tried to constr ct an a$ologetic smile. -I#m sorry. I#m not %ree this a%ternoon..-Oh* I#m s re yo co ld delegate yo r res$onsi(ilities..-This isn#t a (ig city hotel* 'o((y* and doesn#t r n li&e one*. she e!$lained reasona(ly. -All my sta%% ha)e )ery s$eci%ic res$onsi(ilities....-And I ha)e a s$ecial re6 est which I ha)e no do (t yo r em$loyers wo ld nderstand and a$$reciate*. he c t in* his eyes as hard as goldn ggets.The threat o% (lac&mail had no teeth here* yet the )indicti)e ego (ehind it ca sed her heart to contract. The tho ght o% Nathan standing (y her ga)e her the co rage to de%y any $ress re to %all in with 'o((y Hewson#s will.-I can $ro)ide a g ide*. Miranda re$eated %irmly. -Howe)er* i% yo wish to arrange something with the /ing %amily* I (elie)e Nathan /ing will(e here this e)ening.. And he won#t (end to yo r will* either* she tho ght with sa)age satis%action.-Ah! So yo can lea)e this ( siness ntil then* 'o((y.. Celine " m$ed in* c rling her arm aro nd his and $o ting $ at him. -I want yo withme..-+ell* i% it#s im$ortant to yo * $et.... He $atted his wi%e#s hand* smiled at her* ( t there was no smile in the eyes he t rned (ac& to Miranda.They glittered with the $romise o% getting what he wanted* one way or another. -I shall loo& %orward to meeting Nathan /ing tonight..-4 ests s ally gather aro nd the (ar %rom si! o#cloc& onwards %or $re, dinner drin&s*. she in%ormed them* then stood (ac& to ma&e way %or the $orter* a cheer% l American lad who was wor&ing his way aro nd A stralia. -The Shiralee S ite* Eddie. The &ey is in the door..-3es* ma#am. I% yo #ll %ollow me* %ol&s.. A 9ee$ 1oomed $ to the homestead.-There#s yo r g ide %or the gorge tri$*. Miranda $ointed o t. -+hen yo #re ready....-+e will not (e long*. Celine ass red her* $ lling 'o((y with her in her 1est to (e o%% sight,seeing.Miranda watched them %ollow their l ggage inside* thin&ing 'o((y#s wi%e had no idea what she had married. Or may(e she did and washa$$y to go along with what he ga)e her anyway. She hersel% might ha)e remained inde%initely in his charm,we( i% this marriage hadn#t come $. Itwas a sic&ening tho ght. As it was* her $ lse was still gallo$ing %rom the stress% l enco nter. She too& a dee$ (reath and headed down the $ath to gi)e instr ctions tothe g ide in the 9ee$. He co ld wait inside %or the Hewsons. She didn#t want to see them again ntil she had to. Ho$e% lly Nathan wo ld (e with her (y then.Nathan...

As the a%ternoon wore on into early e)ening* her con%idence in his s $$ort started wa)ering. Co ld she really tr st her instincts a(o t the &indo% man Nathan was when she#d (een so %ooled (y 'o((y %or three whole years0He was di%%erent* she arg ed. He %elt

di%%erent. And he didn#t emit a glamoro s %acade. There was nothing e$hemeral a(o t him* more solids (stance that wasn#t going to change. Or was that ho$e* more than reality0'o((y co ld in%l ence and mani$ late $eo$le. He wo ld not (e so (latant in showing Nathan the r thless dismissal o% anything that stood inhis way. He wo ld a$$eal as to a $eer who nderstood how the world really wor&ed* man to man. And he wo ld slyly ndermine her credi(ility*dressing $ lies with hal%,tr ths* $erha$s e)en s ggesting she had sle$t her way $ in the trade.+o ld Nathan still ta&e her side against s ch s $$osedly con%idential and a thoritati)e in%ormation0 +hat did he really &now o% her* a$art%rom the little she#d told him0E)en i% he did ta&e her side* how co ld she (e s re he was doing it (eca se he (elie)ed her* or (eca se he wanted to &ee$ ha)ing se! withher0 And that was the most nsettling tho ght o% all.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN TEN $ast si!. And Nathan wasn#t here!Miranda had %inished introd cing the Hewsons to the other new g ests who had arri)ed (e%ore l nch* as well as s %%ered 'o((y#s smarmyh g o% %amiliarity as he con%ided their %ormer $ro%essional connection to the gro $. Her s&in was still $ric&ling with re) lsion as she esca$ed hisstro&ing %ingers with the e!c se o% %etching a tray o% hors d#oe )res. A mista&e to ha)e worn this dress. Its shoe,string stra$s le%t too m ch %lesh e!$osed %or wandering hands. She#d chosen it (eca se it was a(right lemon colo r and she had matching sandals and the o t%it had always made her %eel $(eat and con%ident. Tonight she needed all thecon%idence she co ld get. And she had wanted to loo& good %or Nathan! +as it another mista&e to co nt on him0She was hal%,way to the (ar to $ t in a call to the &itchen when she heard a )ehicle $ lling $ o tside. Not the so nd o% one o% the resort9ee$s. A more $ower% l engine. Her heart did a %li$ and a heady mi!t re o% ho$e and relie% s rged thro gh her. It had to (e Nathan arri)ing!7orgetting the hors d#oe )res* she did an a(o t,t rn and headed %or the doors to the %ront )erandah* her $ lse s&i$$ing erratically. Shewanted him. She needed him. 2o (ts a(o t his moti)es were momentarily (lotted o t. The doors in %ront o% her o$ened a tomatically to her a$$roach. In a %ew (l rred seconds she was at the head o% the ste$s to the )erandah* and there her swi%tly mo)ing %eet came to a halt.It was him.He was ro nding the (onnet o% a <and Cr iser* his (ig solid %rame silho etted against the s nset. He $a sed as he ca ght sight o% her waiting to welcome him* and her heart hammered wildly at the strong )is al image o% him* stam$ed on the )i(rant colo rs o% the o t(ac& s&y5longhori1ontal strea&s o% yellow (ehind the (lac& s$indly trees on the %lat hori1on* red and $ r$le clo ds cl stered a(o)e them5and this man... this manloo&ing li&e a lord o% it all* whom nat re itsel% was glori%ying.Then he was striding

$ the $ath and the )ery same s&in that had crawled at 'o((y#s to ch started tingling as Nathan#s* electric energy$o red towards her. A 6 i)er ran down her thighs. Her toes c rled. Her mind thro((ed his name o)er and o)er...Nathan* Nathan* Nathan...She didn#t hear the doors slide o$en (ehind her.' t she heard the )oice and the slimy con%idence in it as it said* -Ah! Mr /ing arri)ing0. and her heart %ro1e as 'o((y Hewson ste$$ed $(eside her* once again hanging his arm aro nd her sho lders in an insidio s claim o% ownershi$* right in %ront o% Nathan!The shoc& o% it com$letely $aralysed her. She saw Nathan#s ste$ slow* his ga1e dart %rom her to 'o((y and (ac& to her* and her mind "ammed in horror at what he might (e reading %rom 'o((y#s action.-4ood e)ening* Miranda*. he greeted her coolly as he came to the end o% the $ath.His coolness "olted her tong e loose. -I e!$ected yo earlier* Nathan*. she sna$$ed* hating the sit ation his tardiness had set $.S ddenly goaded into not caring how it loo&ed* she s$ n o t o% 'o((y#s h g and ste$$ed aside* throwing o t one hand in %ormalintrod ction. -This is one o% o r g ests* 'o((y Hewson...Nathan /ing. 'o((y has e!$ressed a wish to disc ss resort ( siness with yo * Nathan. I% yo #ll (oth e!c se me* I ha)e other g ests to see to..She le%t them to it* her whole (ody seething with % rio s emotion. <et them ha)e their man,to,man chat* her mind raged. <et 'o((y do hisworst (ehind her (ac&. <et Nathan (elie)e whate)er he li&ed o% her. She#d steel hersel% with all the armo r she co ld s mmon so that neither manco ld to ch her. It was st $id* st $id* st $id* to co nt on anyone to do right (y her! Es$ecially men who " st wanted to %eather their (eds with awoman they %ancied.Terry* one o% the waiters* was ser)ing a selection o% hors d#oe )res to the g ests. 'o((y#s wi%e was gaily chatting to another co $le who had(een to 4ranny 4orge that a%ternoon* dis$laying no dist r(ance o% mind o)er her straying h s(and* not e)en a 6 estioning glance at Miranda asshe re"oined the gro $. ' t Celine#s ga1e did sna$ to Nathan when 'o((y escorted him inside. -Ooooh...magni%i6 e!.@ she (reathed in girlish awe* and Miranda so rly tho ght Nathan ndo (tedly had the same e%%ect on e)ery woman. Hewasn#t only s$ecial to her.Ne)ertheless* des$ite his drawing the attention o% the whole gro $* it was she he loo&ed at* his ga1e (oring straight thro gh her de%ences*sha&ing her $ again* e)en as she glared (ac& at him* telling hersel% she wo ldn#t let him mean anything to her.'o((y was tal&ing at him in a con%idential manner. There was no discerni(le res$onse on Nathan#s %ace. As they came within easy earshot*Nathan t rned to him and said )ery clearly* -3o ha)e the wrong man. This resort is the ( siness o% my (rother Tommy* and he#s ha$$y to lea)e itsmanagement in Miranda#s )ery ca$a(le hands..So 'o((y was already trying to go o)er her head* Miranda s rmised* tho gh Nathan was the wrong man %or that* which meant he#d tryTommy ne!t.'o((y %rowned. -S rely yo networ&..-As a %amily* yes. ' t none o% s inter%ere with each other#s areas o% s$ecial interests.. His %ace too& on a hard arrogance as he $re,em$tedany re$ly %rom 'o((y. -Tho gh $erha$s I sho ld add that the whole %amily wo ld swing in to $rotect any o% o r interests sho ld they (e threatened..His ga1e c t straight to Miranda. -+e loo& a%ter o r

own in the /im(erly..She was instantly thrown into more t rmoil. 2id he consider her his0 +as he $romising she was sa%e %rom 'o((y* regardless o% anything theman said to anyone0-3o #re one o% the /ings0. another male g est 6 eried* o()io sly %ascinated (y this e!change.Nathan sw ng to him with a little smile o% ac&nowledgement. -3es. Nathan /ing. The cattle station is my ( siness. And yo are...0. A %l rry o% introd ctions and handsha&es %ollowed. A &een c riosity a(o t the r nning o% a cattle station $rom$ted se)eral 6 estions at once.-+ell* one re6 isite is (eing ready to co$e with any emergency*. Nathan answered. -This a%ternoon one o% my stoc&men was thrown %rom hishorse and it loo&s as tho gh his (ac& may (e (ro&en..E!$ressions o% dismay and sym$athy ri$$led aro nd the g ests. Miranda %rowned. +as this the ca se o% his late arri)al0 -Calling anam( lance is not an o$tion o t here*. he went on. -:nder instr ctions %rom the %lying doctor ser)ice* we tr c&ed him in to the station airstri$* loadedhim into a $lane and %lew him o%% to hos$ital..-Any news o% him yet0. Miranda as&ed* g ilty a(o t her own sel%ish concerns when one o% Nathan#s men might well (e %ighting %or his li%e.-No.. His )i)id (l e eyes targeted her. -It was %i)e,thirty (y the time we had him sa%ely on his way. I#)e arranged to (e called here whenin%ormation comes in..-O% co rse*. she said 6 ic&ly. -+o ld yo li&e a drin&0.-3es.. He nodded towards the (ar. -Shall I hel$ mysel%0.The (ar attendant was on his way to the gro $ with a tray o% coc&tails.

I#ll ma&e yo whate)er drin& yo #d li&e*. she o%%ered* ho$ing to ha)e a %ew $ri)ate moments with him.-Than& yo *. he ret rned drily* as tho gh no longer e!$ecting anything %rom her.+hich made Miranda ( rn with more ncertainties. As they (oth mo)ed towards the (ar* Celine called* -'o((y* why is it called a cattle station instead o% a ranch0.Miranda silently (lessed the claim %or her h s(and#s attention.-Pro(a(ly (eca se they se h ge road,trains* $ to %i%ty metres long* to ta&e the stoc& to mar&et*. someone else answered.-3es* and it#s (est to get o%% the road i% yo see one coming*. another g est chimed in* $roceeding to reco nt his e!$erience o% road,trains*which occ $ied e)eryone else#s attention. A li)ely distraction %rom the in" red stoc&man* Miranda tho ght* then re%lected that it might ha)e (een Nathan thrown %rom his horse...and howwo ld she ha)e %elt then0 E)en in her c rrent state o% )iolent con% sion* he t gged at something )ital in her.-I#m sorry...a(o t the stoc&man*. she (l rted. And %or her r de greeting* tho gh she co ldn#t (ring hersel% to say it.-I#m sorry I wasn#t here %or yo on time*. he ret rned 6 ietly* ca sing her more inner writhing.-The in" red man was more im$ortant*. she asserted.-Sometimes there are in" ries that aren#t so easily )isi(le..Miranda#s heart contracted. +as he tal&ing a(o t her0 Himsel%0 'o((y0 She shot him a 6 estioning glance as she ro nded the (ar to ser)ehim. -+hat wo ld yo li&e0##His eyes (eamed

(ac& commanding a thority. -I#d li&e yo to seat me at the end o% the dinner ta(le with 'o((y and Celine Hewson on either side o% me. Right now I#ll ha)e a whis&y. No ice..She reached %or the (ottle o% whis&y* her hands trem(ling a little* her mind %illing with the &ind o% $oison 'o((y wo ld $o r into Nathan#s ear.-+hy do yo want to (e $laced there0. she as&ed* as she managed to $o r his drin&.-I#d also li&e yo to (e seated at the other end o% the ta(le* right away %rom him..Right away %rom Nathan* too. She wo ldn#t (e a(le to hear what was going on (etween the two men. +hich wasn#t %air! How co ld shede%end hersel%0 She handed him the glass o% whis&y* hating the sense o% ha)ing no control o)er the sit ation.-+hat i% I don#t want that0. she challenged.His eyes glittered with what loo&ed li&e contem$t. -3o li&e him $awing yo 0.-No!. she cried* shri)elling nder the im$lication.-3o want to hear how m ch he still wants yo 0.-3o &now I don#t!.-2o I* Miranda0## He too& a si$ o% his drin&* his eyes sa)agely deriding her contention. -I &now nothing o% what#s gone on (etween yo sincehe#s arri)ed. All I &now is yo c t me dead o t on the )erandah..-Nothing#s gone on!. she hissed. -And I was $set (y that little ta(lea 'o((y $ t on %or yo when yo arri)ed..-R nning away didn#t resol)e anything..-Perha$s I wasn#t thin&ing clearly..-:ndo (tedly yo weren#t. I see his wi%e is )ery attracti)e. Are yo "ealo s0.-She#s welcome to him..-Then why are yo o("ecting to the seating I#)e s ggested0.-'eca se.... Miranda clam$ed her mo th sh t. It was madness trying to %ight this. She#d (een right when she#d whirled (ac& inside. <et'o((y do his worst. <et Nathan thin& what he li&ed. She was (etter o%% o t o% it. -7ine!. she cli$$ed o t. -Ha)e it yo r way! I ho$e yo en"oy yo r dinner!.The (ar attendant was on his way (ac&. Miranda sed him as inter%erence to a)oid anything more to do with Nathan as she ret rned to theg ests. He strolled (ac& to the gro $ and (egan chatting $ Celine. +ell* not e!actly chatting $* ( t answering her )ery enth siastic c riosity a(o thim* and 'o((y was content to stay in that little circle o% charm* waiting to in"ect his )enom when the chance came.+hen it was time to sher e)eryone to the dining ta(le* Miranda didn#t ha)e to do any arranging o% the seating. Nathan claimed the chair atthe %oot o% the ta(le. Celine gra((ed the seat to the right o% him. 'o((y nat rally too& the seat to his le%t. The others chose where they willed* lea)ingthe chair at the head o% the ta(le %or Miranda* since that was where she had sat at l nch,time.7rom that moment on* it seemed to Miranda* Nathan controlled e)erything. He $layed the $art o% a charismatic host to $er%ection. He wasinteresting* am sing* witty* e!tending himsel% to entertain e)eryone* the li%e o% the $arty* all the g ests hanging on his words* en"oying ha)ing hiscom$any* lo)ing e)ery min te o% his good,h mo red sharing o% himsel% and his e!$ert &nowledge o% the /im(erly region.Miranda do (ted they e)en tasted the %ood they cons med. No one (othered to

comment on it. They were too ( sy la$$ing $ the ni6 ee!$erience Nathan was gi)ing them. Occasionally he re%erred things to her* %orcing her into the con)ersation* and she had to res$ond as a goodhostess wo ld* ( t she &e$t remem(ering the two dinner $arties at the station homestead where he hadn#t (othered to $ t himsel% o t so m ch* andshe resented this $er%ormance %rom him now...lording it o)er all o% them.It was $ro(a(ly stic&ing in 'o((y#s craw that Nathan was the star attraction. ' t so what0 2id that do any good0 +as this some malecom$etition to show her he was (etter )al e than 'o((y was0 I% this was s $$osed to win her* it was the wrong way o% going a(o t it* as %ar asMiranda was concerned. She wo ld ha)e $re%erred to ha)e him sitting ne!t to her* gi)ing her some caring attention instead o% im$ressing how greathe was on others. A%ter the main co rse was cleared %rom the ta(le* Celine too& hersel% o%% to the Powder Room. A %resh coat o% glossy red li$stic& and ares$ray o% $er% me %or Nathan#s (ene%it* Miranda dar&ly s rmised. One o% the other women as&ed her a(o t a $icnic (o! ordered %or tomorrow andthe rest o% the $arty started chec&ing their $lanned acti)ities with each other.Miranda saw 'o((y lean o)er to m rm r something to the man who#d $staged him all e)ening. Nathan#s %ace )isi(ly sti%%ened. His eyesnarrowed. Then he leaned o)er and said something to 'o((y that had her %ormer em$loyer straightening $ in his chair.The two men eyed each other in a long* silent d el. More ina di(le words were e!changed. Nathan#s e!$ression too& on a hard* r thlesscast. +hate)er was going on (etween them was not the least (it entertaining* and Miranda had the sic&ening %eeling she was at the centre o% it.Celine ret rned to her chair.The call signal o% a mo(ile tele$hone came %rom Nathan#s shirt $oc&et. Con)ersation halted as attention sw ng to him* the in" red stoc&mancoming to mind again.-Please e!c se me*. he said* standing $ to mo)e away %rom the ta(le.He went o t on the )erandah to ta&e the call.The sweets co rse was ser)ed* $ro)iding a timely distraction. Miranda had lost her a$$etite %or any more %ood* her stomach too &notted with

tension to acce$t e)en a s$oon% l. +hate)er antagonism had " st (een raised and aired (etween Nathan and 'o((y was (o nd to ma&e thesit ation worse %or her* and she had to get thro gh two more days5and nights5with the Hewsons.Com$liments a(o t the lemon so %%le %lowed aro nd the ta(le. = estions were as&ed a(o t the che% and what other delights co ld (eantici$ated %rom him. Miranda ass red them they wo ld (e $leased with whate)er Ro(erto $re$ared ( t the men o%ten de$ended on the g eststhemsel)es. She smiled at the co $le going %ishing tomorrow and s ggested they might $ro)ide their ne!t dinner.-Miranda....Her heart " m$ed at Nathan#s call. She t rned to see him standing at the o$ened doors to the )erandah* emanating an air o% a thority thatwas not a(o t to (roo& o$$osition.-May I ha)e a word with yo 0##The $olite ( t )ery $ (lic re6 est co ld not (e t rned down. -3es* o% co rse. Please e!c se me*. she said to the g ests as she stood $.Chaos tore thro gh her again. I% Nathan had recei)ed (ad

news he might ha)e to go. 2es$ite her earlier raging* she didn#t want him to lea)e. A trem(ling started in her legs* and it was di%%ic lt to maintain any sense o% inde$endent $ride as she crossed the room* her mind %e)erishly %rettingo)er the o tcome o% this e)ening#s con%licts.He smoothly engineered her $assage o t onto the )erandah and drew her %ar eno gh away %rom the doors to allow their a tomatic closing.His gras$ on her el(ow was %irm* warm* and Miranda %elt chilled when he dro$$ed it. Had 'o((y t rned him o%% her* or had she done that hersel%0 Ade)astating em$tiness yawned inside her.-The stoc&man0. she as&ed* na(le to loo& Nathan in the %ace.-The news was good. The s$inal cord wasn#t damaged..-I#m glad to hear it..-That#s not why I called yo o t. <oo& at me* Miranda.. A steely command.7or a moment* she loo&ed o t at the dar& sha$e o% his <and Cr iser* remem(ering her %eelings when she#d seen him arri)e* silho ettedagainst the s nset. There had (een ho$e in her heart then. Now des$air $ressed its dar& %ingers on her mind. She dredged $ some remnants o% %ighting s$irit and t rned her ga1e to his* e!$ecting nothing good.His eyes (la1ed with relentless determination. -3o cannot stay here*. he stated ne6 i)ocally. -I ha)e called Tommy and a$$rised him o% thesit ation. He#ll %ly in %irst thing in the morning.. Alarm strea&ed thro gh Miranda. +hat had 'o((y said a(o t her0 +hy was Nathan in)ol)ing Tommy0 +as she (eing %ired %rom her $osition0 S mmarily remo)ed (eca se o% another $erson#s word0 Tho gh o% co rse it wasn#t " st another $erson. It was her $re)io s em$loyer!-+hat did yo tell Tommy0. she demanded %rantically* needing to &now what she had to de%end hersel% against.-Eno gh to &now Hewson is a threat to his ( siness*. Nathan answered tersely. -I want yo to go in now and $ac& a (ag* ready to lea)e. Ishall &ee$ the Hewsons occ $ied while yo do this..-' t where am I to go0. +hat had 'o((y said0 How was he a threat0 And why did she ha)e to lea)e0 -3o can#t do this to me*. she$rotested. -Not witho t telling me why. I#m entitled to an e!$lanation..-I#m not doing anything ( t sa%eg arding yo and the good name o% this resort*. he retorted* %rowning at her res$onse. -As to where yo #regoing* with me* o% co rse. 3o can s$end the wee&end at the station homestead. Once the Hewsons are gone* yo #ll res me yo r $osition here..She wasn#t (eing %ired! -I#m to go... with yo 0. she re$eated da1edly.-3es. I $romise yo will (e sa%e with me* Miranda. Is my word good eno gh %or yo 0.-Sa%e...%rom 'o((y* yo mean*. she said* trying to sort thro gh her con% sion.-7rom me* as well...i% that#s concerning yo *. he said harshly.She shoo& her head* &nowing Nathan wo ld not %orce himsel% $on her. ' t to go to s ch e!treme meas res....I want to &now what 'o((ysaid. +hy yo #re doing this*. she cried.-<ater.. He gest red an im$atient dismissal o% these concerns. -Is there anything yo need to organise %or the g ests tonight* (e%ore yo lea)e0. he $ressed* ass ming her consent to his $lans.The realisation str c& she had no choice in the matter. Nathan and Tommy had

already made the decisions. -No*. she answered slowly*trying to ad" st her mind to this entirely new set o% circ mstances. -Tho gh I s ally chec& that they#re ha$$y with e)erything (e%ore they retire %or thenight..-3o can do that (e%ore we lea)e. +hat a(o t the morning0 'rea&%ast0 Acti)ities0.Her mind raced o)er $ossi(le $ro(lems and saw none. -It#s all (een sched led. It sho ld r n witho t a hitch. There#ll (e a sta%% mem(er ond ty here..-4ood! Then go and $ac& what yo need. I#ll hold the $arty together. And don#t (e long a(o t it* Miranda.. His eyes %lashed contem$t. -I#)ehad eno gh o% the Hewsons to do me a li%etime..He hadn#t (een en"oying himsel%...Still in a state o% shoc& o)er these new de)elo$ments* Miranda went (ac& inside to %ollow Nathan#s instr ctions. It too& considera(le e%%ort tosha&e her mind %ree o% the dar&* t m lt o s (rooding that had $ossessed it since his arri)al earlier this e)ening. Howe)er* one com%orting %act didemerge. Nathan had come to stand (y her* to $rotect her. And now he was ta&ing her right o t o% the nightmare o% ha)ing to co$e with 'o((y anylonger.Relie% mi!ed with a sense o% h miliation that it had come to this...ta&ing her o t...(ringing in Tommy... all (eca se o% her history with a manshe now des$ised* a $ast she had done e)erything to esca$e %rom.2id anyone e)er esca$e %rom their $ast0 she wondered.On the other hand* $erha$s she was e!aggerating her $art in whate)er was going on. May(e there was some threat to the resort*com$etition $lanned (y the HewsonAParmentier hotel connection. 'o((y#s re6 est %or her to show him how the resort wor&ed might ha)e another more de)io s moti)e than " st getting her alone with him. Ass ring hersel% she#d %ind o t soon eno gh %rom Nathan* and ha)ing reached her room* Miranda $ shed hersel% into thin&ing o% what clothesto ta&e %or a wee&end at the station homestead. E!ce$t it wasn#t " st a $lace to go to* a $lace o% re% ge %rom 'o((y Hewson. She wo ld (es$ending the wee&end with Nathan...in his home. Sa%e* he#d said* and his word co ld (e tr sted. Miranda didn#t do (t that. The $ro(lem was...co ld she tr st hersel% to &ee$ sa%e %rom him0She hated the distance she had $ t (etween them tonight. May(e it was a sensi(le distance. May(e he no longer wanted to cross it. +hat had 'o((y said a(o t her0 Her heart 6 i)ered in tre$idation. Her li%e didn#t %eel her own any more. ' t she went thro gh the motions o% $ac&ing a (ag. A wee&end with

Nathan sho ld sort o t something* she arg ed. Sa%e or not* it had to (e (etter than staying here with 'o((y Hewson.

CHAPTER 7O:RTEEN NATHAN had ta&en her chair at the head o% the ta(le* contin ing his ass med role o% host in her a(sence. Miranda noted he was still$romoting a congenial mood amongst the g ests* tho gh &ee$ing a $hysical distance %rom the Hewsons. She dro$$ed her (ag near the doors andcrossed the lo nge area to the s$lit,le)el dining section* ner)o sly wondering how he intended to direct their de$art re.He rose %rom her chair* $ shing it right (ac& so he co ld gather her to his side* smiling at her as he slid his arm aro nd her waist* deli(eratelyco $ling them to %ace the ta(le g ests together.-All ready0. he as&ed* his eyes commanding her assent.-3es*. she m rm red* ac tely aware o% his hand resting $ossessi)ely on the c r)e o% her hi$.He trans%erred his smile to the g ests who were all watching this lin&ing with s$ec lati)e interest. -I m st (eg yo to e!c se s %rom the rest o% this e)ening#s dinner $arty*. he said charmingly. -2 ty calls me (ac& to the station and this is Miranda#s wee&end o%%. I#)e $ers aded her to %ind o t%irsthand what the li%e o% a cattleman is li&e..He t rned an intimate grin to her and added* -I can#t* in all conscience* e!$ect her to marry me ntil she &nows what she#s committing hersel% to.. Marry! Miranda was too $olea!ed to say a word. Somehow she managed to maintain the smile she#d $asted on her %ace.One o% the male g ests la ghingly remar&ed* -+ell* that#s ma&ing yo r intentions clear* Nathan..-One o% the things we learn in the o t(ac& is always sei1e the day*. he answered good,h mo redly. -And when a woman li&e Miranda comesalong* a man wo ld (e a %ool not to..Heat (loomed in her chee&s. She rolled her eyes at Nathan* not &nowing where else to loo&. It am sed the g ests who were o()io slyen"oying his )ery o$en con%idences.-My (rother* Tommy* will (e here in the morning to manage yo thro gh the rest o% the wee&end*. he went on. -Sta%% will (e standing (y to seeyo o%% on yo r acti)ities tomorrow. Is there anything yo need to chec& with Miranda (e%ore I swee$ her away with me0.The in6 iry (ro ght only "o)ial remar&s.-+e#re all set. 'est o% l c& to yo * Nathan!.-3o! +e#)e made a note o% e)erything. 4ot to say yo two loo& well,matched..-No $ro(lem %or s. 2on#t let him steam,roller yo * Miranda..-H h! 7irsthand &nowledge so nds good to me!.-I wo ld sei1e the night i% I were yo * Miranda*. Celine said archly.E)eryone la ghed.E!ce$t 'o((y* who remained silent. Miranda didn#t loo& at him* ( t she was e!tremely conscio s o% his $resence and his lac& o% res$onse.This $er%ormance (y Nathan was %or his

(ene%it. She ho$ed it was ha)ing the right e%%ect* whate)er that was s $$osed to (e. Marry! Nathan co ldn#t mean it. +hy go so %ar0 +hat had 'o((y said to him0 -Then we#ll say goodnight to yo . En"oy yo rsel)es.. Nathan rolled on* sal ting them with one hand and digging the %ingers o% the other into her hi$ to $rom$t her into a$$ro$riate s$eech.-Ha)e a great time* all o% yo !. she r shed o t. -And than& yo %or yo r good ad)ice. It#s a (it hard to catch one#s (reath aro nd Nathan..It le%t them la ghing.They didn#t &now how tr e it was. All the way o t to his <and Cr iser* Miranda was in a %erment o)er his words and actions. His arm remained lodged aro nd her waist* andshe co ld %eel his determination to $re)ent any (ac&ward sliding %rom his stated $lan. It wasn#t desire %or her com$any dri)ing him. He had ta&encontrol and was relentlessly $ shing thro gh what he considered had to (e done.He o$ened the %ront $assenger door and hal%,li%ted her into the high seat. Her (ag was stowed on the (ench seat (ehind her. There was notime wasted in $ tting himsel% (ehind the steering wheel and getting the <and Cr iser into motion. His %ace was grim as they s$ed away %rom theresort homestead* and Miranda had to ta&e a )ery dee$ (reath to com(at the throat,strangling tension he emitted.-+hat did 'o((y Hewson say to yo 0.9aw,clenching silence.Her heart cram$ed at this e)idence o% damage done* ( t she co ld not let the iss e rest any longer. -This is later* Nathan. I#m entitled to&now..-He was s r$rised yo had (een hired %or s ch a $osition o% tr st witho t a thoro gh in)estigation into yo r (ac&gro nd*. he answered* his)oice grating o t the words.Miranda clenched her hands at the im$lication she co ld not (e tr sted. -In all my wor&ing li%e* I ha)e ne)er once (een considered nrelia(le.3o r mother saw my re%erences*. she shot at him.-He $roceeded to tell me yo r mother was little (etter than a whore* a &e$t mistress who#d ser)iced se)eral married men* one o% whom had%athered yo . She#d also (een an alcoholic who e)ent ally dran& hersel% to death..The star& %acts o% her mother#s li%e so nded ghastly* stri$$ed as they were o% any mitigating circ mstances or sym$athetic nderstanding.Miranda %elt sic&* remem(ering how 'o((y had wanted to &now more a(o t her li%e and had (een sweetly com%orting when she had con%ided thetr th. ' t she had ne)er* ne)er sed s ch (r tal terms in s$ea&ing o% her mother* and she had we$t o)er the sadness o% it all...the initial deceit o% amarried lo)er who had le%t her alone and $regnant* the ina(ility to co$e and the des$erate drowning o% that ina(ility in alcohol.She closed her eyes* sa)agely (erating hersel% %or ha)ing re)ealed s ch dee$ly $ersonal matters to a man who had no com$ nction in singthem against her. Pillow,tal&. Intimacy she had (elie)ed was $recio s to (oth o% them. Now this malicio s (etrayal o% it.-2id he tell yo I was (ent the

same way0. she as&ed d lly.-He said yo &new how to wor& the se! al angles to yo r ad)antage* that he himsel% had (een $leas red (y yo in years gone (y* and hewo ldn#t $ t it $ast yo to %leece any male g est who %ancied yo ..H miliation ( rned her so l. -It#s not tr e*. she whis$ered. -I#)e ne)er... sold mysel%. He#s saying these things (eca se he tho ght he co ld ( yme and I wo ldn#t go along with it..-3o don#t ha)e to de%end yo rsel% to me* Miranda. I don#t en"oy re$eating this m c&,ra&ing. It was all I co ld do* not to smash his %ace in..Relie% $o red some soothing (alm on her wo nds. At least Nathan (elie)ed she was (eing slandered. In %act* the sheer sa)agery in his )oices$ rred the co rage to o$en her eyes and really loo& at him. His %ace was ta t with (arely s $$ressed anger. His &n c&les gleamed almost whitewhere he was gri$$ing the steering wheel.

3o had to (e ta&en o t o% there*. he said with (iting con)iction. -He wo ld ha)e sed yo to create a nasty sit ation. He was setting $ %or it.+itho t yo as a %lesh,and,(lood %oc s* he loses his teeth. In mo)ing yo onto my gro nd* there#s no way he can get at yo ..Miranda sighed* nderstanding his tactics and grate% l %or (eing s$ared 'o((y#s treachero s com$any* ( t s s$ecting %r stration wo ld onlydri)e the slandering % rther. -It won#t sto$ him telling lies a(o t me* Nathan. In %act* yo r s ggestion o% marriage will $ro(a(ly % el his claim o% my$laying the se! al angles %or $ro%it..-No. It rein%orces how serio s my threat was to him..-Threat0. The idea startled her. Then she remem(ered the hard* r thless cast o% his %ace when he had answered 'o((y at the dinner ta(le.-+hat did yo threaten him with0. she as&ed* na(le to thin& o% anything that wo ld h rt a Hewson.-I told him i% I heard so m ch as another word (reathed against yo * I wo ld set a(o t wrec&ing his marriage and the Hewson,Parmentier merger with e)ery (it o% armament at my dis$osal..Shoc& $ mmelled her. -' t how co ld yo do it0##-Thro gh his wi%e..-3o wo ld h rt her0.-Against him I wo ld se anything.. He slanted her a hard* cynical loo&. -2on#t (e wasting yo r sym$athy on the s ltry Celine...a new (ride*%ancying a l st% l dalliance with me. Hardly an e!$ression o% tr e lo)e %or her h s(and..It was all )ery well to criticise the morality o% others* ( t i% Nathan had (een enco raging Celine* was he any (etter0 7eeling )ery m ch atodds with this tactic* Miranda recalled his reaction to her own s $$osed $osition o% mistress to a married man. -3o told me ad ltery wasn#t yo r scene*. she tersely reminded him.-It#s not*. he re$lied witho t hesitation* shooting her a sardonic loo& as he added* -( t neither o% them &now that. I#m (l %%ing* Miranda* and a(l %% only s cceeds i% it is credi(le..-2o yo thin& it#s credi(le...tal&ing a(o t marrying me0.-There wasn#t a $erson aro nd that ta(le who didn#t (elie)e me*. he said with arrogant con%idence. A (l %%...Miranda closed her eyes again* a d ll weariness settling thro gh her. Right now it was all too m ch...'o((y#s mean and male)olentassa lt on her re$ tation* Nathan#s mo)es to co nter it. Tho gh* o% co rse* he did ha)e to co nter it5Tommy* as well5 or the sl rs on her character co ld

)ery well taint the good name o% the resort* most es$ecially with the wealthy g ests who in)aria(ly $assed on good or (ad word o% mo th totheir %riends.-3o #d (etter warn Tommy that yo tal&ed a(o t marrying me*. she said tiredly. -The g ests might (ring it $ with him..-I#)e told him. He#ll $lay along..-They might chat with others on the resort* too. The g ides...Sam....-A $leasant $iece o% gossi$ doesn#t matter. And I made it clear it was me $ rs ing yo * Miranda* not the other way aro nd*. he added drily.-And e)ent ally I#m to decide not to marry yo ..He e!$elled a long (reath. -As I#)e said (e%ore* most women wo ldn#t choose my &ind o% li%e..-Is that what ha$$ened with S san0.The words sli$$ed o t* $ro(a(ly (eca se she was too stressed to monitor what she said* tho gh she didn#t regret the intr sion into his$ri)ate (ac&gro nd* " sti%ying it on the gro nds that he &new all o% hers now. +hy not get the tr th o t in the o$en0 Then may(e she co ld get a %i!on where she act ally stood with Nathan* instead o% %eeling as tho gh she was ca ght in another we( o% deceit.-No*. he answered slowly. -Marriage was ne)er on the cards with S san..-3o " st had a m t al se! thing going*. Miranda m ttered (itterly* ha)ing (een all too %reshly reminded o% how 'o((y Hewson had sed her.-I s $$ose yo co ld $ t it that way* tho gh we were also %riends and I always en"oyed her com$any*. he said 6 ietly. -'eca se o% in" ries%rom a car accident in her teens* S san co ldn#t ha)e children. She told me straight $ not to e)er get serio sly attached to her. It was her nsha&a(le (elie% that one day I wo ld want children o% my own and she#d hate not (eing a(le to gi)e them to me..Had he tried to sha&e that (elie%0 O t o% a whirl o% con% sion came one de%inite %act. -Sam told me she did marry..-3es. To a widower who already had two yo ng children. S san is a schoolteacher. One o% the children was in her &indergarten class lastyear. She told me it was her chance to (e a mother and she was ta&ing it. I was not $re$ared to arg e that* Miranda. It was her choice..Ne)er " dge anything (e%ore hearing all the circ mstances* Miranda silently (erated hersel%* shamed (y the % ll story o% Nathan#s relationshi$with the woman who had engaged his interest %or two years. He hadn#t said he#d lo)ed S san ( t there#d (een caring in his )oice* caring %or her $ersonally and res$ect %or the needs he co ldn#t answer.There had to ha)e (een a sense o% loss when she#d chosen the widower with the children* closing Nathan o t o% her li%e. The ending o% anylong relationshi$ le%t an em$ty $lace. E)en 'o((y#s de%ection had le%t her ra)aged. 7or Nathan it wo ld ha)e (een m ch worse* $resented with aset o% circ mstances he co ldn#t %ight* %orced to let go (y his own code o% decency. And since then* he#d (een alone %or months* Sam had told her*not interested in $ic&ing $ with anyone else.:ntil she had arri)ed on the scene and a strong se! al chemistry had hit (oth o% them.Had it (een that way (etween him and S san0Im$ossi(le to as&. It was wrong to ma&e com$arisons. Peo$le were di%%erent and their relationshi$s were di%%erent. She darted a glance athim ( t his e!$ression was closed to her* his concentration %i!ed on the road. It startled her to see they were dri)ing thro gh the station#scomm nity* almost at the homestead.-I#m sorry*. she (l rted o t. -I sho ldn#t ha)e (ro ght $ S san li&e that..He shr gged. -It was on yo r mind..He (ro ght the <and Cr iser to a halt in %ront o% the entrance to his homestead and switched o%% the engine. 7or a %ew moments he sat%rowning* his %ingers ta$$ing the steering wheel. Then he t rned to her with a loo& that was searing in its intensity.-I#m not another 'o((y Hewson* Miranda. I ha)e ne)er acted dishono ra(ly o)er any woman and ne)er

wo ld. I don#t want yo coming intomy home* %eeling at ris& in any way. I% yo do %eel...com$romised in some %ashion...I#ll ta&e yo somewhere else...to one o% the %amilies on thestation....-No. This is %ine*. she $rotested in an agony o% em(arrassment at her own (lind and (itter tho ghts a(o t him. -I do tr st yo * Nathan. 4od&nows yo #)e $ro)ed yo #re a decent $erson and I than& yo * )ery sincerely* %or all the tro (le yo #)e gone to on my (ehal%..He nodded* his eyes still ( rning into hers* intent on sco ring any do (ts. -I#ll $ t yo in a g est s ite. I thin& it (est i% yo accom$any me o ton the station tomorrow. Can yo (e $* dressed and ready %or (rea&%ast (y si!,thirty in the morning0.She was too drained to arg e anything any more. -I% there#s an alarm cloc& in my room and it wor&s..-I#ll set it %or yo ..

2ecisions %irmly made* he alighted %rom the <and Cr iser* collected her (ag and was o$ening her door (e%ore Miranda co ld collect witseno gh to get o t o% the )ehicle (y hersel%. -Than&s*. she m rm red as he steadied her wo((ly ste$ onto the gro nd.-+ant to hang onto my arm0. he o%%ered &indly.-I#m o&ay. 9 st tired..Too tired to e)en try to %ig re o t what Nathan was %eeling* how he saw her now. There were so many layers to him...&ind* caring* r thless incarrying thro gh decisi)e action* sho ldering res$onsi(ility at a moment#s notice* a master% l controller o% sit ations* yet still res$ect% l o% others#choices.Part o% her )ery m ch wanted to hang onto him. Part o% her recoiled %rom gi)ing him any reason to wonder i% she was the &ind o% woman'o((y Hewson had $ainted...$erha$s gi)ing him se! yesterday so he wo ld ta&e her side today.Tho gh it hadn#t (een li&e that.She ho$ed Nathan realised it had (een some s$ontaneo s need* triggered (y the man he was* nothing else. Ne)ertheless* she co ld hardly(lame him %or wondering a(o t it. I% eno gh dirt was thrown* some o% it st c&* and 'o((y had certainly done his worst to hang dirt on her tonight.Too sensiti)e on this $oint to to ch Nathan e)en accidentally* Miranda &e$t a sa%e s$ace (etween them as she accom$anied him inside*down the long central hallway to another hall that ran at right angles to it. They t rned into this and hal%way along he o$ened a door* switched on alight and stood (ac&* wa)ing her ahead o% him.It was a )ery welcoming room* a $retty $atchwor& 6 ilt on an old,%ashioned (rass (ed* richly $olished cedar wardro(es and chests o% drawers gi)ing a warm character to the rest o% the % rnishings. 7ollowing her in* Nathan $laced her (ag on the end o% the (ed and mo)ed straight tothe lam$ ta(le near the (edhead* indicating the cloc& radio there.-+ill %i)e,thirty gi)e yo eno gh time0. he as&ed.-3es. Than& yo ..He set the alarm* then $ointed o t the door (etween the two wardro(es. -3o r ens ite (athroom is thro gh there. +o ld yo li&e me to %etchyo a hot drin& or....-No. I " st want to dro$ into (ed. Than&s %or loo&ing a%ter me* Nathan. I#m sorry I#)e (ro ght this tro (le....-It#s not yo r doing*. he c t in em$hatically. -9 st $ t Hewson (ehind yo * Miranda. 3o won#t see him again* I $romise yo ..Seeing 'o((y again was not really the $ro(lem. As she watched Nathan gi)e her a wide (erth as he mo)ed towards the door*

she s ddenlyco ldn#t (ear the tho ght that tonight#s nasty insin ations were simmering away in his mind* seeding do (ts a(o t her integrity.-Nathan....The need% l cry halted him. His sho lders s6 ared (e%ore he t rned aro nd* and she mentally cringed at what seemed li&e his rel ctance to%ace her again. He loo&ed (ac& at her with hooded eyes* tensely waiting %or her to com$lete whate)er she wanted to say.Only her dee$ly ingrained sense o% sel%,worth dro)e her on* her eyes (egging his (elie%. -I#)e ne)er sed se! to5## she agonised o)er theright words* des$erate to correct the im$ression he might ha)e -5as a tool to gain some ad)antage %or mysel%..-Miranda* i% that was the way yo wor&ed* yo wo ld ha)e targeted Tommy*. he said with 6 iet con)iction. -2on#t %ret o)er what we mightthin&. Neither Tommy nor I will (e sha&en %rom what we#)e seen o% yo and how yo #)e cond cted yo rsel% since yo #)e (een at /ing#s Eden..Tears $ric&ed her eyes.-3o ha)e earned the right to o r s $$ort and $rotection*. he went on. -So rest easy tonight* &nowing yo ha)e it and we won#t %ail yo ..She nodded* too cho&ed $ to s$ea&. No one had e)er thrown s $$ort (ehind her li&e this* s ch an nstinting degree o% %aith and loyalty. Itga)e her almost a sense o% (elonging* as tho gh she was acce$ted as one o% their own. Nathan mo)ed (ac& to where she#d stayed* near the (ag at the %oot o% the (ed* and gently to ched her chee&. -It m st ha)e (een ro gh*growing $ in s ch an insec re en)ironment*. he m rm red sym$athetically. -I admire what yo #)e made o% yo rsel%* Miranda. It shows a lot o% grit...a strong dri)e %or s r)i)al. 2on#t let that slimy (astard (eat yo down now (eca se yo #re worth a million o% him. He#s glitter and yo #re gold.'elie)e me...I &now..His hand dro$$ed to her sho lder and he ga)e it a light s6 ee1e. -Tomorrow is another day. O&ay0.-3es*. she managed h s&ily.His mo th c r)ed into an ironic little smile. -+ho &nows0 +e might e)en ma&e a go o% marriage* yo and I..He le%t her with that tho ght. Miranda had no idea i% he was e)en remotely serio s ( t " st the idea o% the $ossi(ility ser)ed to li%t a cold*leaden weight o%% her heart. She to ched her chee& where he had to ched it* treas ring the lingering sense o% warmth. It %elt good. And tomorrow was another day.

CHAPTER 7I7TEEN MIRAN2A had no tro (le $ tting 'o((y Hewson (ehind her the ne!t day. She was literally trans$orted to another world. 7rom the sa%ety o% Nathan#s helico$ter* she watched in awe at the incredi(le s&ill o% the $ilots in the two ( ((le helico$ters* swoo$ing %rom side to side as they %l shedcattle o t %rom nder scr ((y trees and dro)e them %rom waterco rses* the clatter o% the (lades and the roar o% the motors relentlessly $ressingthem into a mo( and mo)ing them towards a stoc&,cam$.On the gro nd* %ences were c t in %ront o% the gathering herd as it was % nnelled %rom $addoc& to $addoc& and the n m(ers &e$t swelling. 'yl nch,time se)eral h ndred head o% cattle had (een m stered and dri)en hal%way to the holding yards* where the weaned cal)es were to

(e(randed and the stoc& %or sale selected.Nathan had in%ormed her o)er (rea&%ast that the station ran a(o t thirty,si! tho sand head o% cattle* and si! tho sand were tr c&ed awayeach year. The (reeding $rogram he#d instigated more than made $ these n m(ers. In di%%erent $arts o% the station were 'rahman and EnglishShorthorn (reeds* ( t these were A%ricanders* handsome red (easts who co ld thri)e in the most arid areas.Their mo)ement and colo r loo&ed st nning on the (ac&dro$ o% the )ast* (eige Mitchell grass $lains. There was a wild element to them stering that added the thrill o% danger* a $itting o% man against the challenge o% the landsca$e and the n$redicta(ility o% cattle that were sed togoing where they willed* yet there was also a mar)ello s orchestration to it5the men and machines on the gro nd s $$orting the men andmachines in the air* grad ally dominating a long $racticed strategy against the seemingly indomita(le.This was what Nathan#s li%e was a(o t* Miranda realised* and the grand swee$ o% it dee$ly im$ressed her> the nderstanding o% how itwor&ed* the s&ill and e!$erience at controlling what was controlla(le* the management o% time and $lace* and at the heart o% it* an en)ironment thatdemanded an intimate &nowledge o% its ni6 e nat ral harmony.They had l nch (y the ri)er* close to where dr ms o% % el had (een set $ %or the helico$ters. Nathan was clearly at ease with his stoc&men*welcomed into their com$any* Miranda acce$ted witho t any % ss. A %ire had (een lit and a (illy o% water $ t on to ma&e tea. They sat nder theshade o% trees and ate dam$er and sla(s o% cold meat* the men chatting o)er the morning#s $rogress* Miranda content to sim$ly immerse hersel% inthe sights and so nds aro nd her.Here on the gro nd she co ld hear the th nder o% hoo)es and the (ellowing o% the cattle. She co ld taste and smell the d st o% the mo(* andwatch the tight intricate (allet o% the m stering helico$ters. Somehow it made li%e )ery )i)id* real and earthy in a (igger sense than Miranda hade)er e!$erienced (e%ore. It was strangely into!icating as tho gh something heady had see$ed into her (loodstream.The heat o% the day added a shimmering ha1e to the light and when Nathan stood $* mar&ing the end o% their l nch,(rea&* an a ra seemedto gleam %rom him* lending e)en more stat re to the man. He t rned his ga1e to her and the (l e magnets o% his eyes drew on her so l as tho gh hewas willing her to (e (onded with him and in more than a $hysical sense.His o t(ac& em$ire was (oth harsh and (ea ti% l and she had the strong %eeling he was as&ing i% she co ld (e $art o% it* i% she co ld acce$t itand li)e with it as he did...and she &new in that instant there was nowhere %or them to go nless she co ld honestly say yes. Im$ossi(le to ma&e amarriage on se! al attraction alone* i% marriage really was on his mind. It was this land that had %irst claim on Nathan5always wo ld5 and i% sheco ldn#t share it with him* she lost what tr ly made him what he was. A s (tle challenge rang thro gh his )oice as he said* -Time to mo)e on*## and held o t a hand to $ ll her $ onto her %eet.He didn#t as& her i% she was tired* i% she#d $re%er to stay at the cam$ (y the ri)er. Ta&ing his hand sym(olised her willingness to (e where hewas* see what he saw* learn the end ring $attern o% his li%e %irsthand and " dge i% she co ld %it into it. Miranda nderstood this int iti)ely* yet the %eelo% his hand en)elo$ing hers was %ar more immediate* stim lating a strong awareness o% the se! ality 1inging thro gh their $hysical

togetherness.He &e$t $ossession o% her hand as they wal&ed (ac& to his helico$ter and Miranda %elt li&e dancing* her heart was so "oyo sly lightened (ythe $rolonged lin&. Nathan hadn#t e!actly (een distant towards her since last night ( t his manner had remained strictly on a %riendly* matter,o%,%actle)el* which she had %o nd inhi(iting.It was almost as tho gh he was denying they had e)er shared any intimacy and she hadn#t (een s re i% this was to reass re her o% no se! al$ress re intended this wee&end* or i% he was reser)ing " dgement on there (eing any $ossi(le % t re in their relationshi$.There wo ld (e no %alse $romises %rom Nathan /ing. Miranda had no do (ts on that score. ' t his hand said he did want her and that hadn#tchanged. She co ldn#t resist mo)ing her %ingers slightly* sa)o ring the to ch o% ro gh s&in and warm strength* cra)ing the solidity o% all this manemitted.He shot her a 6 esting glance. -3o were 6 iet o)er l nch..-I had nothing to contri( te..-3o co ld ha)e as&ed 6 estions..-I didn#t want to intr de..-I don#t want yo to %eel li&e an intr der* Miranda..-I don#t. I " st wanted to listen* to ta&e e)erything in..-So what did yo thin&0. His eyes were more intensely $ro(ing this time.-I thin& that any woman who wanted to se$arate yo %rom all this wo ld ha)e to (e dea%* d m( and (lind not to realise yo are this andinse$ara(le %rom it..He ga)e her a % nny little smile* something (etween wry ac&nowledgement and sel%,moc&ing resignation. -2o yo %ind that o%%,$ tting0.-No. It ma&es me want to &now it all* Nathan*. she answered with a(sol te sincerity. Another shar$ glance* then a long e!$ lsion o% (reath. +hen he s$o&e* his )oice was dry and %lat. -+ell* when yo r c riosity t rns to(oredom* I g ess I#ll &now. I#)e had $lenty o% $ractice at recognising the signs..She had no answer to the dee$ly rooted sce$ticism seeded (y $re)io s women in his li%e. Only time co ld lend tr th to whate)er she %elta(o t him...now or years %rom now. 3et in her heart* Miranda was certain she wo ld ne)er (e (ored with Nathan /ing. There was something sos$ecial in the essence o% the man* she co ldn#t imagine its e)er losing its hold on her. And this o t(ac& world had its hold* too. At the end o% the day* a tho sand head o% wild cattle %rom three h ge $addoc&s had (een m steredinto stoc&yards and the helico$ters headed %or home* their %lying insect,li&e sha$es silho etted against the red %lares o% the s nset. They %lew o)er what seemed li&e &ilometres o% nothing in the gathering dar&ness* yet Miranda was aware this was dece$ti)e* that li%e was more s$aced o t herethan anywhere else and it mo)ed to a (eat o% its own.Then in the distant landsca$e there a$$eared $in$ric&s o% light* a cl ster o% them* and Miranda#s heart li%ted with a sense o% homecoming asshe realised they were the lights o% the station ( ildings (eing switched on. It was strange...%eeling they were welcoming her* li&e a %riendly (eacondrawing her in to a sa%e har(o r. <ights had ne)er had that e%%ect (e%ore. Somehow* (etween yesterday and today* it seemed more shi%ts had ta&en$lace in her li%e.Or $erha$s it sim$ly re$resented the &ind o% home she yearned %or* a $lace o% (elonging* light a%ter dar&* a long* solid reality that lasted*

regardless o% good times and (ad* a core history o% h manity that had stayed* s r)i)ed* $ros$ered* and was now em(odied in Nathan who had(ro ght her into it with s ch $rotecti)e caring. Sa%ety* com%ort* lo)e...Co ld he lo)e her0The 6 estion remained almost %e)erishly in her mind as they ret rned to the homestead* then $arted to wash and change into %resh clothes%or dinner. Showering made her intensely conscio s o% her (ody* how it had %itted to Nathan#s* how it had %elt* and it was di%%ic lt to $ sh thosememories aside and concentrate on what Nathan wo ld want %rom her in the long term. Se! was not eno gh. 3et e)en sternly telling hersel% this didnothing to lessen her state o% aro sal.The need %or him contin ed to co rse thro gh her. She $ t on a so%t wra$aro nd dress5a little (lac& dress that was meant to (e worn(raless5&nowing it wo ld ma&e her loo& accessi(le* wanting him to &now she was accessi(le to anything he o%%ered her. That was the raw*(ottom,line tr th and she wasn#t going to %linch %rom it any more or let any %ear o% conse6 ences get in the way.+hen they met in the lo nge room %or $re,dinner drin&s* she co ld (arely sto$ hersel% %rom eating him $ with her eyes* the sheer malenesso% his magni%icent $hysi6 e hitting her anew. Her $ lse was gallo$ing as he handed her a glass ( t his %ingers didn#t to ch hers and he too& a seataway %rom her* signalling his intent to control whate)er he %elt.Miranda wished she co ld. Reason %inally came to the %ore* $rom$ting her to $ly him with 6 estions a(o t how the station wor&ed* the)ario s res$onsi(ilities o% the $eo$le he em$loyed* the sched le e)eryone %ollowed to accom$lish what had to (e accom$lished. The mentalchallenge o% ta&ing in his re$lies and %itting them all together was stim lating* too.Not once did the con)ersation lag o)er dinner. Miranda was %rightened to let it (eca se she &new any silence wo ld %ill with se! al tensionand he might thin& this was all there was (etween them. She was h ngry %or m ch* m ch more. All o% him* not " st the (ody that called so strongly tohers. As it was* her interest in his world acted as an a$hrodisiac* (eca se his answers %illed o t the &ind o% man he was and to Miranda he wase)erything a man sho ld (e* )ery hands,on in ta&ing care o% e)ery $art o% his ( siness* treating his $eo$le with integrity and res$ect* aiming %or the(est that co ld (e done within the $arameters o% what he wor&ed with. A%ter dinner he too& her to his o%%ice* $ressed into showing her the ma$ o% /ing#s Eden* $ointing o t the location o% the di%%erent (reeds o% cattle and how they wo ld (e m stered o)er the coming month* gi)ing her a )is al $ict re o% the whole o$eration and a (etter nderstanding o% thescale o% it. To her ca$ti)ated heart and mind* it was a &ingdom* and it co ld (e an Eden... with Nathan.He was e!$laining more to her ( t she lost the thread o% what he was saying* her ga1e %astening on his $ointing hand* r nning $ his ta tlym scled arm* o)er his (road sho lder to the strong (rown nec& laid (are (y the o$ened collar o% his shirt. She didn#t hear his )oice trail into silence.Her ears were %illed with the dr m o% her own heart as she saw the $ lse at the (ase o% his throat mo)e to the (eat o% his.Slowly his chest t rned towards her and the hand that had (een $ointing drew (ac& and c rled o)er her sho lder* $ lling her aro nd to %acehim s6 arely. Realising she had (een ca ght (eing inattenti)e* Miranda li%ted $leading eyes to his* a %l sh o% g ilt scorching her chee&s as shecried* -I#m not (ored. I....Her mo th dried $ nder the searing loo& o% h nger that

( rned with all the rgent heat o% her own. He li%ted his other hand and with%eatherlight %ingerti$s stro&ed a %ew wayward strands o% hair %rom her (row* then the so%t s&in at the corner o% her eye* her chee&* her li$s* a %inetingling tracery that stirred e)ery ner)e, ending into e!6 isite antici$ation and ca ght the (reath in her throat.' t he didn#t &iss her. His eyes didn#t mo)e %rom hers. Only his hands mo)ed* a sens al caress o% her nec&* sho lders* so%tly hoo&ing thes $$orting stra$s o% her dress with his th m(s and slowly $ lling them down her arms* the cross,o)er $attern o% the (odice $arting* o$ening wide*sliding down the slo$es o% her (reasts* ca ght (rie%ly on $ea&s that had hardened with trem lo s e!citement (e%ore dro$$ing to her waist* (aringher (reasts.3et still his ga1e held hers* the na&ed h nger simmering into a l st% l challenge that demanded her consent to the charged desire dri)ing his%ingerti$s to sa)o r e)ery tactile sensation* the sil&y te!t re o% her s&in* the c r)e o% her s$ine* swirling $atterns o% to ch all o)er her (ac&* her arms*aro sing erogeno s 1ones she ne)er &new she had* the side swells o% her (reasts* the hollow (elow her ri(,cage* then $wards* circling her a reoles* o twards and inwards* ( ilding a delicate we( o% sens al intensity that was tterly ca$ti)ating.Then his $alms* so%tly rotating ni$$les that were (egging %or attention* and a %lare o% e! ltant $leas re in his eyes as he saw the sweetlyrelie)ing $leas re o% it in hers. No r sh to $assion tonight. The wanting had (een mo nting all day* and the desire to satis%y e)ery (it o% it was aconsens al c rrent neither o% them co ld deny now.She ndid the tie at her waist and the so%t %a(ric o% her dress slithered to the %loor. The stretch lace (rie%s she wore $ro)ided the smallest(arrier to com$lete na&edness yet she %elt no sel%,conscio sness a(o t her (ody. Nathan wasn#t e)en loo&ing at it. He was to ching her mind*wordlessly telling her he had cra)ed %eeling her li&e this* re)elling in the % ll sensation o% her %emininity* determined on missing nothing* wanting her to %eel him wanting all o% her.The need to reach o t to him in li&e manner dro)e her hands to %eel %or the lowest ( tton on his shirt. A wild glitter lea$t into his eyes* thenwas %orci(ly tamed. -<ater i% yo want*. he said gr %%ly* -( t this I m st ha)e %irst..Miranda %o nd hersel% swe$t o%% her %eet (e%ore she co ld (egin to read his intention. In a %ew (reathless seconds he carried her %rom theo%%ice (y way o% a connecting door to a (edroom she had to ass me was his. The (ed he laid her on was wide and long* &ing,si1e* the head o% it$iled with thic& $illows* the rest o% it co)ered with a so%tly $added 6 ilt. The only light was %rom the o$ened doorway so there was no seeing anydetail e)en i% she#d (een interested in loo&ing. At this heart,$o nding moment anything (eyond Nathan was irrele)ant.He remo)ed her (rie%s and sandals* his hands caressing her legs* her %eet* sensitising e)ery area he to ched* lea)ing her %lesh h mming withe!citement. Then he stood (ac& and ndressed himsel%* ( t not once did his ga1e lea)e her* his clothes (eing discarded with methodical $ r$osewhile he s$o&e in a low* thr mming )oice that wo nd aro nd her and held her tied to him.-Co ntless times ha)e I en)isaged this...yo lying here on my (ed* waiting %or me* wanting me* nothing (etween s ( t the time it ta&es tocome together. I don#t &now why it#s so. It " st is. <i&e a com$elling need I cannot $ t aside..-3es*. she whis$ered* her throat tightening at the sight o% his na&edness emerging* what it meant to her* what it co ld mean i% he shared whatshe %elt. Need...yes...( t did it go (eyond what he#d &nown with any other woman0 Please let it (e so*

she %iercely $rayed.He s$o&e again* seeming to answer her $rayer. -That %irst e)ening* when yo wal&ed into my li%e...it was li&e...this woman was made %or me...no sense to it...sheer instinct (eating it o t. And e)ery time I see yo * the same message clamo rs thro gh me* regardless.... Regardless o% what0 she wanted to as&* ( t he leaned o)er and claimed her mo th in a long ra)ishing &iss that s$lintered any coherenttho ght. She %elt him stretch o t (eside her* one ta tly m scled thigh inserting itsel% (etween hers* a hand c $$ing her (reast* gently &neading it ashis mo th de)o red hers with more and more erotic $assion.-Made %or me*. he (reathed against her li$s* a h s&y claim* rein%orced (y his hand gliding down o)er her stomach* %ingers wea)ing thro gh

the sil&y c rls at the a$e! o% her thighs* stro&ing intimately* ma&ing her gas$ as he aro sed an e!$losion o% e!6 isite yearning.-2o yo &now how m ch I want to ma&e yo mine0. he m rm red* trailing hot &isses down her throat. -To taste yo * to ta&e yo inside me* to(e inside yo ....How co ld she thin&...answer...the 6 estions were (eing swam$ed (y %eeling.His mo th closed o)er her (reast* drawing it into a wild rhythmic threshing that was s ddenly echoed (y a more in)asi)e stro&ing* a circlingo% her )agina* an internal caress* a teasing tantalising slide and glide that had her arching %or more.He mo)ed his mo th to her other (reast* s c&ing harder* t gging in a crescendo o% $ossession gi)en and ta&en as she writhed to the intense$leas re o% his &nowing to ch* mindless to anything ( t the %antastic sensations arcing thro gh her. She cried o t an ang ished $rotest when hewithdrew %rom her* hea)ing himsel% down to the %oot o% the (ed* ( t almost instantly he %orged an e)en more intimate connection* &issing her asdee$ly there as he had her mo th* his li$s co)ering other $leas re,swollen li$s* his tong e see&ing a sweeter ca)ern. A %iercer $leas re screamed thro gh her* dri)ing her %rantic as she %elt the tension o% it ( ild towards the %lood o% clima!. -No...no...I wantyo ...yo .... she so((ed* hands gra((ing his hair* $ lling hard.He rose li&e a dar& %orce o% shimmering energy and s rged into her* %illing the need and roc&eting her into the %irst con) lsi)e wa)e o% ecstatic satis%action. Her legs whi$$ed aro nd him* holding him dee$ within* e! lting in the sweet tidal %low he had set in motion.' t he didn#t dri)e it on as she e!$ected. He maintained the % ll nion with her* letting the awareness o% it thro( ac tely thro gh (oth o% themas he $ro$$ed his (ody o)er hers* his chest (r shing the e!tended $ea&s o% her (reasts* his eyes (la1ing into hers with a % rnace o% %eeling.-2oes this %eel s$ecial to yo * Miranda0 More s$ecial than anything yo #)e e)er &nown0.The 6 estion sei1ed her mind* %oc sed it* %orced a dee$ly $rimiti)e retaliation. -Is it to yo 0.-+o ld I as& i% it wasn#t0 I want to &now i% what I %eel is echoed in yo and I need the tr th..In a s dden %lash* she realised it was 'o((y dist r(ing Nathan#s tr st in her res$onse to him* 'o((y who had stirred too many (ad %eelings%or either o% them to dismiss easily. 3et he didn#t (elong in this $recio s moment. He might ha)e (een the

catalyst that had dri)en them to thisac&nowledgement o% each other* ( t the tr th was... 'o((y Hewson was nothing and Nathan was e)erything.Her eyes met the %ire in his with all the o$en honesty he was now gi)ing her* the answers she#d cra)ed...and the rightness o% it $o red a(liss% l con)iction into her )oice as she answered him.-It#s (een the same %or me...all yo said...%rom when I %irst saw yo .. She li%ted her hands to his %ace* c $$ing it* $ressing her need %or $ossession o% him as she added* -I don#t care i% it ma&es sense or not. I% I co ld ha)e a man made %or me* it wo ld (e yo ..-No i%s* Miranda. I#m here with yo * in yo now. Am I the man %or yo 0.-3es.. The answer came ne6 i)ocally. -All that yo are* Nathan..-Then show me..His arms ( rrowed nder her and he rolled* t rning onto his (ac& and carrying her so she straddled him* still with the hard % llness o% himinside her* waiting %or her to go (eyond $assi)e acce$tance* to (e as $ositi)e in action as her words had (een. He was gi)ing her the %reedom toe!$ress her desire* her need %or him* and the s r$rise s$ rred (y his challenge o% m t ality swi%tly 1oomed into elation.It wasn#t a matter o% showing him anything. She wanted to to ch him* to caress and e!cite and tantalise and aro se him to the sameincredi(le $itch o% $leas re that wo ld ri$ all control a$art and $l nge them (oth into the same (ea ti% l sea o% ecstatic release.She tasted* lic&ed* &issed* stro&ed* where)er desire too& her* all the time conscio sly &ee$ing him inside her* )ol $t o sly rolling aro ndhim* sliding %orward and (ac&wards* %eeling e)ery inch o% him en)elo$ed and s6 ee1ed* released and teased. It was a glorio s* glorio s%eeling...Nathan* all hers.She e! lted when she heard him catch his (reath* when she %elt the %lesh nder his s&in 6 i)er* when a h s&y growl esca$ed %rom his throat.Her own $leas re contin ed to come in delicio s wa)es with the mo)ement she mani$ lated hersel%* ( t the (est o% it came when he co ld stand nomore o% (eing ta&en. He er $ted into action* hea)ing her (ac& onto the $illows* gathering her to him* $l nging himsel% hard and %ast as tho gh his s r)i)alde$ended $on it* a )iolent* $rimiti)e mating* his energy $o ring into her in ( rsts o% need5 com$elling need5no other woman made %or him5notli&e her5none li&e her5and she was drawing this %rom him* clim(ing with him ntil they (oth reached a $ea& o% %ierce " (ilation in their ltimatetogetherness.They h gged each other tightly* wanting the oneness to go on and on...the reality o% it* the sense o% it* the %low o% %eeling...and %or a long* longtime they shared the (liss% l harmony. Miranda was dri%ting into drowsiness when Nathan s$o&e* his )oice h mming so%tly in her ear.-Is it too soon to ho$e yo will (e my mistress* Miranda0.Her heart instantly contracted at his se o% a word that had so many $ain% l memories attached to it. She co ld (arely (ring hersel% to s$ea&*( t reason insisted he had to (e thin&ing in more than se! al terms. Or was her own need %or more than a se! al relationshi$ colo ring reason0-+hat do yo mean0. she as&ed %latly* trying to

&ee$ her emotions in chec&.He wo nd a long tress o% her hair aro nd his hand* then let the sil&y strands o% it slide thro gh his %ingers. -Is this e$hemeral* or something wecan &ee$0. His chest rose and %ell as he e!$elled a long sigh. -I#m as&ing i% there#s any chance yo want to (e the mistress o% my heart* the mistresso% my (ed and home* the mistress o% /ing#s Eden...%or all the years ahead o% s..Relie% and "oy erased the tension o% wretched do (t.-I#m not as&ing %or a decision*. he went on. -I &now it#s too soon. ' t I thin& yo nderstand how it is* that this land is another &ind o% mistressand yo #d ha)e to tolerate its call on me. I% yo don#t see any $ossi(ility o% sharing what I#d need yo to share....-I#d share anything with yo *. she c t in %er)ently. -Anything!. She %elt him hold his (reath and into her mind sli$$ed the words Eli1a(eth /inghad s$o&en o% her h s(and* <achan* words that held the tr th o% her %eeling %or the man holding her in his arms. She hitched hersel% $* sliding her arms aro nd his nec&* s$ea&ing directly to the eyes 6 estioning hers. -3o are where I want to (e. +hate)er that entails* Nathan..His sigh whis$ered o t thro gh a smile that warmed her entire (eing. -So we ha)e a (eginning*. he said* a h s&y contentment in his )oice.-And no end in sight*. Miranda answered e! ltantly.He la ghed and rolled her onto her (ac&* looming o)er her in a $ose o% wonder% lly dominant maleness. -I ga)e yo a choice*. he saidteasingly.-There was no choice*. she retorted. -Only yo ..-No one ( t yo *. he answered so%tly. And there was res$ect %or the tr ths they had s$o&en this night in the lo)e,ma&ing that %ollowed. It was a good (eginning* an o$en and honestcomm nication o% where they stood with each other* and Miranda ardently ho$ed that all the tomorrows wo ld $ro)e they were right in %eeling whatthey did.

CHAPTER SI?TEEN NATHAN waited in his o%%ice %or the call he was e!$ecting %rom Tommy. The wee&end was o)er and he was content he#d made the most o% itwith Miranda* ( t he wanted to (e s re mere wo ld (e no come(ac& %rom the man who#d dri)en her into his li%e in the %irst $lace. He was certainnow that Hewson was o t o% her heart* ( t he wanted her mind clear o% him* as well5 the $ast com$letely $ast.It a$$alled him that he himsel% had (rie%ly cast Miranda in the role Hewson had malicio sly $ainted5 a woman on the ma&e* ncaring whomshe h rt. <ies...yet that morning at Cathedral 4orge* he had let his own %r stration and her choice o% words wea)e s ch a %alse $ict re.Com$letely %alse. And he#d hated Hewson %or coming $ with the same se! al scenario o t o% s$ite. All too easy to target a woman who had no (ac&, $. ' t*(y 4od! there wo ld (e no lac& o% (ac&, $ in this instance.The tele$hone rang.He snatched $ the recei)er* a tomatically

noting the time5B.CD5which more or less $laced the $ro$osed Monday morning de$art re onsched le.-Nathan0.-Here..-The Hewson charter %light is li%ting o%% as I s$ea&*. Tommy anno nced sm gly. -The (irds ha)e %lown..-3o saw them onto the $lane yo rsel%0.-No. I sent Sam to do that. I#m watching it %rom the homestead )erandah..-2ammit* Tommy* I as&ed yo ..-Calm it* (rother. No lo)e lost (etween Sam and the Hewsons. She wo ld ha)e hog,tied them and ha led them into their seats i% they#d som ch as hesitated. And 6 ite %ran&ly* I#d had eno gh o% them..-Is the $ro(lem cleared0.-Oh* I thin& we esta(lished a $ertinent nderstanding and 9ared will ma&e it stic& d ring their stay in 'roome.. He ch c&led. -'y the time'o((y,(oy $ays o t there* I rather %ancy he#ll want to %orget he e)er came to /ing#s Eden..-+hat $ayment are we tal&ing a(o t* Tommy0.-Now* Nathan* yo got the & dos %or whi11ing Miranda o t o% harm#s way. I deser)e the & dos %or clearing the dec&s. 'ring her (ac& now andI#ll tell yo all..The call was disconnected (e%ore Nathan co ld $ress the $oint. He ho$ed Tommy#s con%idence was not mis$laced. A sna&e had a ha(it o% wriggling and s$itting )enom e)en when it was s$i&ed. Still* Tommy sho ld &now his own ( siness. It was not only a matter o% $rotecting Miranda.The resort was his (a(y.Nathan smiled to himsel% as he mo)ed o t o% the o%%ice and headed down the hall to Miranda#s room where she#d gone to $ac& her clothes*ready to lea)e. He didn#t mind the resort any more* des$ite the occasional irritation o% to rists wandering where they sho ldn#t. It had (ro ght himthe gold he#d tho ght he#d ne)er %ind. Tr e gold. And he#d sta&ed his claim to it. His charming and gregario s (rother co ld win as many & dos ashe li&ed. It wo ldn#t win Miranda. She was his and his mind was set on &ee$ing her his. +hate)er it too&.He &noc&ed on her door* the memory o% last night#s lo)e,ma&ing %resh in his mind. Slee$ had (een minimal ( t he didn#t %eel tired. He#dne)er %elt more )i(rantly ali)e* e!citement stirring thro gh him again as she called o t* -Come in*. the words reminding him o% her se! al o$enness*in)iting all he wanted o% her and re)elling in e)ery intimacy.He ste$$ed into her room* itching to hold her once more* and the an!io s eyes she t rned to him s$ rred him on.-Is it all right0 Ha)e they gone0.-3es..She sagged into his em(race* her arms winding aro nd his nec& so the % ll l sh %emininity o% her was $ressed against him. He co ldn#t resist%lattening his $alm across the $it o% her (ac&* %itting her e)en closer as he li%ted his other hand to stro&e away her worry lines.-Tommy ass res me Hewson won#t (e coming (ac&. It#s sa%e %or yo to ret rn to the resort..-How did he handle it0. she as&ed* ncertainty still clo ding her eyes.-He insists we come and %ind o t.. He smiled to reass re her. -Tommy en"oys a (it o% (oasting..She sighed* her (reasts hea)ing sens o sly. He#d ne)er (een so horny in his entire li%e. 2i%%ic lt to $ sh tem$tation aside ( t it was time %or ( siness now and Tommy wo ld not a$$reciate (eing &e$t waiting.-I " st ho$e there aren#t any nasty re$erc ssions*. she said* still %ret% l.-Not on /ing#s Eden* Miranda*. he $romised with a(sol te con%idence* and &issed her %rown away. -Ready to go0.-3es.. Tr st and co rage glowed in her eyes.His heart &ic&ed into a "oyo s (eat at this % rther e)idence that his instincts had (een right all along. It had sim$ly (een a matter o% (rea&ingthro gh her (arriers %or her real character to (e re)ealed and e)erything made sense to him now. +hate)er had made Miranda +ade* the res ltwas she was made %or him. There was not one res$onse %rom her that didn#t %it want he wanted* what he cra)ed.+ith this ass rance dancing thro gh his mind*

he (ro&e away and $ic&ed $ her (ag. He wo ld ta&e her (ac& to the resort and this to ristseason wo ld (e long eno gh %or her to &now the li%e she wo ld (e ta&ing on with him* ( t he had little do (t a(o t the choice she wo ld ma&e. Ithad to (e.He too& her hand. She loo&ed at him. It was more than a $hysical lin& and she &new it. The (onding was there in her eyes. Howe)er many$artings there wo ld (e* Nathan told himsel% none o% them wo ld change what they were to each other* and his so l %illed with ha$$iness at thetho ght. He wo ld not (e wal&ing alone thro gh li%e. Miranda wo ld wal& with him.

The dri)e (ac& to the resort reminded Miranda o% the dri)e away %rom it on 7riday night...the con% sion and %ear that had ch rned thro gh her then. The wee&end had certainly sorted o t where she stood with Nathan and she co ld almost (less 'o((y Hewson %or ha)ing nwittingly %orcedan o tcome she hadn#t dared to (elie)e in a %ew days ago. Ne)ertheless* an!iety still %retted at the edges o% her ha$$iness.She had (ro ght this tro (le to /ing#s Eden. Inad)ertently* ( t nonetheless irre)oca(ly. She wo ld %eel res$onsi(le i% 'o((y did somedamage to the resort#s good re$ tation and she co ldn#t (ring hersel% to (elie)e he wo ldn#t. It was im$ossi(le to tr st the man or his word.:nli&e Nathan. She %easted her eyes on him as he dro)e* lo)ing e)ery as$ect o% him. He wasn#t " st (ig on the o tside. He was (ig allthro gh. Her s&in $ric&led in sens al delight* " st remem(ering the $leas res they#d re)elled in last night* how she#d %elt so wonder% lly en)elo$ed (yhim* sa%e and cossetted* (elonging to him and with him.He hadn#t said he lo)ed her* ( t wanting her to thin& o% sharing his li%e5all the years ahead o% them5and ho$ing she wanted to (e themistress o% his heart... why wo ld he cra)e her lo)e* i% he didn#t %eel lo)e %or her0 The words wo ld come5she was s re o% it5when he %elt the time

was right. Tho gh she didn#t really need ntil the end o% the to rist season to &now what she already &new...that nothing was going to change her mind or heart. Nathan was the man %or her.Tho gh she did owe an o(ligation to Tommy* to wor& o t her contract at the resort...i% he wanted her to. It might (e (etter i% she didn#t* sho ldthere (e any ris& o% 'o((y s$reading damaging lies a(o t the resort (eca se she was the manager. +ere Nathan and Tommy right in (elie)ingthey had %i!ed the $ro(lem0She ho$ed so.It wo ld (e good to lay the $ast to rest* &nowing it co ld ne)er come (ac& to h rt her or those she cared a(o t* and that incl ded e)eryonewho#d s $$orted her at /ing#s Eden. As Nathan dro)e thro gh the resort to the homestead* she %elt she had esta(lished hersel% as a $erson in her own right here. May(e that was the e%%ect o% the o t(ac&* (ringing o t one#s inner reso rces to meet the challenge o% it.Sam and Tommy were waiting on their arri)al* their stances on the homestead )erandah re%lecting the s$arring mood ty$ical o% anycon)ersation (etween them. Howe)er* attention was instantly %oc sed on Nathan and Miranda as they alighted %rom the <and Cr iser. All $ersonalwrangling halted as the

new co $le were scr tinised %or se! al signals.-+ell* (e%ore I s&i$ o%%*. Sam addressed them* -yo #d (etter tell me i% I#m to dam$ down the r mo rs or let them %ly. That slea1y cree$*Hewson* ya$$ed on a(o t Miranda* ha)ing her claws into yo * Nathan* and I told him %lat that i% she did* it was $recisely where yo wanted her clawsto (e (eca se no one got to yo nless yo o$ened $ to them..-How )ery $erce$ti)e o% yo * Sam!. Nathan answered good,h mo redly.-So0. She ga)e him a $iercing loo&. -+hat am I to say0.-That I ta&e intense $leas re in e)ery one o% Miranda#s claw,mar&s and can#t wait %or more..-+hat0. Sam#s eyes goggled at Miranda. @@3o two tr ly are an item0.-3es*. she answered* casting a chiding loo& at the man (eside her. -Tho gh I#m not really into clawing..-Oh* (oy* this is good! This is really good!. Sam enth sed* then t rned an arch loo& to Tommy who had a$$arently ta&en the news with (lande6 animity. -<oo&s li&e yo #ll ha)e to ma&e do with Celine thin&ing yo #re adora(le. And that will only last ntil she hoo&s $ with 9ared in 'roomeand gets her l st% l little hands on him..-I co ldn#t gi)e a damn a(o t Celine*. Tommy retorted with a (ored loo&. -It was " st $art o% the game..-And yo #re s ch a good game $layer!.Sam ste$$ed o%% the )erandah and $asted a (rilliant smile on her %ace %or Nathan and Miranda. -I#m glad %or (oth o% yo .. She cla$$edNathan#s sho lder in $assing. -I#ll try to get Miranda to let her nails grow* Nathan. I% e)er a man deser)es what he wants* it#s yo ..+ith that %inal little sni$e at Tommy* she wal&ed o%% "a ntily* lea)ing him glaring a%ter her.-One o% these days when that little witch gets o%% her (roomstic&....-3o #ll (eat her with it0. Nathan drily s rmised.Tommy h %%ed %eelingly. -3o co ldn#t e)en (eat s (mission o t o% Sam..-3o don#t want s (mission* Tommy*. Nathan said &nowingly.It won a croo&ed smile. -No* ( t a (it o% res$ect wo ld go a long way.. His eyes %lashed satis%action. -+hich is what I ta ght Hewson. As wellas ramming it home that no(ody does s a damage witho t $aying a $rice..-I ha)en#t had a chance to than& yo %or ta&ing o)er %or me* Tommy*. Miranda (reathed* ac tely aware o% what she owed (oth (rothers.His %ace (ro&e into a cheer% l grin. -One o% the (est moments o% my li%e...Nathan act ally as&ing me to stand sho lder to sho lder with himagainst the enemy. 7or that alone* yo #re always going to (e s$ecial to me* Miranda..He ste$$ed (ac& and wa)ed them onto the )erandah. -<et#s go inside and $ar& yo r (ag. Time#s mo)ing on. I#ll ha)e to (e lea)ing mysel% ina min te..-Not (e%ore yo tell s the n ts and (olts*. Nathan said as they entered the homestead.-9 st got to collect my st %% %rom the o%%ice..-Tommy....-Now* Nathan* gi)e me credit*. Tommy crowed* wagging an admonishing %inger as he headed them towards the hall leading to theadministration wing. -I can s$in a story (etter than most..-Tr e..-And o r g ests lo)e o t(ac& stories.. His eyes twin&led with teasing tri m$h. -So o)er dinner on Sat rday night* I regaled them with thelegend o% <achlan#s law..-<achlan#s law0. Miranda 6 eried.Tommy wa)ed dismissi)ely. -Nathan can tell yo ..-A mar&ed change o% attit de on S nday0. Nathan 6 i11ed his (rother.-<i&e magic it was*. Tommy ass red him. -Sam had the highly 6 estiona(le $leas re o% (eing the Hewsons# g ide all day S nday* and shere$orted

there was no % rther mention o% Miranda and no digs a(o t management. O% co rse* I did %inish $ my story with the re%lection that yo *Nathan* were made in the same mo ld as o r %ather and held in the same regard (y Al(ert#s tri(e..-Al(ert0. Miranda co ldn#t hel$ as&ing* not nderstanding what the A(original g ide and didgeridoo $layer had to do with this.-A $artic larly )i)id to ch o% reality to the story since they#d met him that morning*. Tommy remar&ed sm gly. He grinned at Nathan. -Then lastnight I laid the $earls on Celine* sho)elling the $itch that her s&in was made %or them* the $er%ect sheen %or her (eg iling $er%ection* etceteraetcetera and o%%ering $ 9ared to show her the (est in the world. And that* my dear (rother* is g aranteed to cost Hewson many* many tho sands o% dollars..-The $rice o% $ride!. Nathan said* and la ghed. -I sal te yo * Tommy. 7orget the sho lder to sho lder. 3o can stand in %ront o% me any time..-I shall ta&e that accolade and sho)e it down Sam#s throat on some a$$ro$riate occasion*. Tommy said with relish. -Meanwhile5. helowered his (rows at (oth o% them as they t rned into the administration wing @@5am I going to ha)e to rearrange management here0##-3o can co nt on one season* Tommy*. Nathan answered. -The rest is $ to Miranda. Her choice..-Right!. he said in some relie%* halting at the o%%ice door and gest ring them on to Miranda#s $ri)ate 6 arters. -I#m o%% then. No $laying on mytime* Nathan..-3o r time is m ch a$$reciated.. A $a se %or a warm handsha&e. -Than& yo ..-3o #re welcome..Tommy disa$$eared into the o%%ice and Nathan wal&ed on with Miranda who was silently re"oicing in how clearly and o$enly he had declaredhis interest in her* (oth to Sam and to Tommy. One season...then the choice was hers. No (ac&ing o%% %rom him. This wasn#t $illow,tal&. This wasreal.

She nloc&ed her a$artment door. Nathan %ollowed her in with her (ag* mo)ing to $lace it on the (ed* ready %or her to n$ac&.-+hat was <achlan#s law0. she as&ed* closing the door to seal the $ri)acy she wanted %or " st a %ew more min tes (e%ore ta&ing $ the reinso% management again.He set the (ag down and t rned aro nd* a c rio s* assessing loo& on his %ace as tho gh wondering how she wo ld react to it. -O r %amilyhas a long history o% dri)ing ser$ents o t o% Eden* Miranda*. he said* eerily con" ring $ the tho ght she#d had a(o t Eden on her "o rney here.-In the old days* there was no law in these $arts* e!ce$t what we instigated and $ractised o rsel)es*. Nathan went on. -7or any isolatedcomm nity li&e a cattle station to wor& well* a harmony had to (e maintained on all le)els. That remains tr e. Always will..She nodded. -It#s tr e o% this resort* too* maintaining a good morale amongst the sta%%. I a$$reciate how im$ortant it is* Nathan..-Critical to holding the right (alance*. he agreed. -The o t(ac& stri$s s o% easy esca$es. +e ha)e to li)e with what#s here. And %rom the(eginning* the /ings %orged a close connection to the local tri(e o% A(origines. It was o% m t al (ene%it. They were always ass red o% %ood andshelter* and ha)ing a nat ral a%%inity to the land* they were (y %ar the (est stoc&men we co ld ha)e wor&ing the cattle..-This is Al(ert#s tri(e yo #re tal&ing a(o t0.-3es. Twenty,se)en years ago* Al(ert#s %ather was the %oreman at the station* a highly res$ected tri(al elder whom my %ather tr sted to

carrythro gh any tas&. A dri%ter arri)ed one day* as&ing %or a "o(* said he was a trained mechanic. My %ather set him to wor& re$airing machinery. A %ewwee&s later* when the men were o t at the stoc&,cam$s* he (ro&e into the s $$ly store* stole a (ottle o% whis&y* got himsel% dr n&* then (ashed andra$ed Al(ert#s mother..-Oh* no!. Miranda groaned* hating the tho ght o% any woman (eing so (r tally )ictimised.-Al(ert* who was eight at the time* hel$ed her $ to the homestead. My mother too& her in* and sent (oth Al(ert and me o t riding %or my%ather. All the men came in (eca se " stice had to (e seen to (e done* es$ecially when it in)ol)ed a white man against a (lac& woman. The ra$istdis$layed the attit de that any a( se against A(origines was acce$ta(le and sho ldn#t (e $ nished..-How can $eo$le thin& li&e that0## Miranda cried.-It was not how any o% s tho ght on the station and i% a strong stand wasn#t ta&en on it* there wo ld ha)e (een a )ery serio s (reach o% tr stamongst o r $eo$le. I ho$e yo can see that* Miranda* (eca se /ing#s Eden r ns on the nderstanding5%orged thro gh generations 5that the/ings loo& a%ter their $eo$le..She ga)e a wry smile. -Since I#)e " st (ene%ited %rom that $rinci$le* I#m hardly li&ely to criticise it* Nathan..He ret rned her smile. -+ell* " st remem(er what I#m telling yo ha$$ened almost thirty years ago* and the " stice meted o t was %or the ltimate good o% the comm nity..-3o #re warning me it was harsh0.-More...$rimiti)e. ' t then the o t(ac& is $rimiti)e..-4o on*. she rged.-To teach the man res$ect %or the race he (elittled* my %ather ordered that he (e ta&en o t to the most (arren section o% the /ing <eo$oldRange in the middle o% the /im(erly* where he was to (e le%t to s r)i)e on his own* as the A(origines had %or tho sands o% years..-2id he s r)i)e0.Nathan shr gged. -The story goes he#s still wandering aro nd the wilderness. There ha)e (een sightings o% a %eral white man o)er the years..-Cast o t o% Eden*. Miranda m rm red.-He#d destroyed his right to stay. There#s a lot o% greys we can accommodate* ( t once the line o% res$ect is a( sed* a$$ro$riate action hasto (e ta&en..-So that#s <achlan#s law..-And mine*. he said 6 ietly.-I &now. And Tommy#s. And 9ared#s. 3o r %ather $assed it on to all o% yo * didn#t he0.-As it was $assed to him.. 7amily lore...s r)i)al ( ilt on s $$ort and integrity. -It#s good* Nathan*. she said in a ( rst o% heart%elt (elie%. @@I li&e yo r world.##His %ace lit with a smile that grew in warmth as he crossed her sitting area to where she still stood (y the door. -I li&e... e)erything a(o t yo *Miranda +ade.. He li%ted a hand and stro&ed his %inger down the slight cle%t in her chin. -2o yo %eel o&ay a(o t Hewson now0.-3es. He can#t win. He won#t want to in)ite more de%eat..-So yo %eel sa%e again..-;ery sa%e..-I#d (etter go and let yo get on with yo r wor&..-3es..-I#ll call yo tonight..-Please..-I ho$e yo &ee$ li&ing my world* Miranda..How co ld she not with him in it0 ' t he &issed her (e%ore she co ld s$ea&* &issed her with slow* (eg iling sens ality* with the simmering$romise o% m ch more to come...%or (oth o% them.

CHAPTER SE;ENTEEN -A +E22IN4!. Eli1a(eth /ing re$eated* trying to contain the delight swelling her heart.-3es. Se)en wee&s %rom now*. Nathan instr cted. -The wee&end a%ter the resort closes. +ill yo do it0 I &now Miranda wo ldn#t as& ( t I wantit %or her. The whole (ig $rod ction...a mar6 ee on the lawn (y the ri)er....-Nathan* I ha)en#t e)en heard o% an engagement yet. Ha)e yo as&ed Miranda to marry yo 0.-Not in so many words. I#)e (een waiting on the ring. 9ared (ro ght it with him today..-3o #re s re o% her answer0.-A(sol tely..His eyes %lashed with an indomita(le arrogance that was $ re <achlan* and %or a moment Eli1a(eth was trans$orted (ac& to the night whenher h s(and,to,(e told her she was his woman* and not to gi)e him any r naro nd a(o t it (eca se that wo ld " st (e wasting time (etter s$enttogether.-I want yo to stand in %or her mother* since Miranda no longer has one*. Nathan went on. -2o all the wedding arrangements* ta&e her to ( ythe dress* ma&e her %eel li&e a (ride $lanning her (ig day. She#s had none o% the %amily s $$ort we ta&e %or granted. I want yo to o%%er it to her tonight* con)ince her it#s what yo want* too..-It is!. Eli1a(eth la ghed in a ( rst o% elation. She#d got it right...(ringing Miranda into Nathan#s li%e. It had wor&ed! -My %irst da ghter,in,law....-So yo #ll do it0. Nathan $ressed.-O% co rse. Any dream Miranda has I#ll do my (est to % l%il.. 'eca se she will % l%il mine. -4ood!. Nathan#s %ace lit with satis%action. -Then what I $lan is this....

Miranda %elt increasingly ner)o s as she dro)e o)er to the station homestead %or dinner with the /ing %amily. She hadn#t seen Eli1a(eth or 9ared since the night early in May* when she#d re)ealed her own lac& o% %amily. That was %i)e months ago...%i)e months o% learning e)erything a(o t/ing#s Eden* and lo)ing e)ery min te o% it.' t they hadn#t witnessed that* hadn#t seen as Tommy had* how m ch she#d ta&en to this o t(ac& li%e. Howe)er* they s rely &new o% her c rrent relationshi$ with Nathan and Nathan was not a(o t to hide it. Nor did she want him to. 9ared#s reaction didn#t worry her* ( t Eli1a(eth#s...Miranda co ldn#t hel$ wanting her a$$ro)al. Not that it wo ld change her %eelings %or Nathan. It wo ld " st (e so m ch nicer i% his mother co ldreadily acce$t her as $art o% Nathan#s li%e. An integral $art* Miranda ho$ed.He m st ha)e (een listening %or the 9ee$ to arri)e. Miranda had no sooner $ lled $ (eside the (o gain)illea hedge* than Nathan wasstriding down the $ath. She sim$ly sat and watched him* her man coming to claim her* emanating the %orce o% energy that always entranced her. Hecollected her %rom the 9ee$* swe$t her with him onto the )erandah* ( t instead o% ta&ing her into the ho se* led her aro nd to the west side o% it.-+hat are we doing0 Is something wrong0. she as&ed* a$$rehension s&ittering thro gh her.-A(sol tely not.. He

grinned* the s$ar&le in his eyes denying any tro (le whatsoe)er. -9 st wanted a %ew $ri)ate min tes with yo . I %ind thatlemon dress )ery %etching..She la ghed* rela!ing against him as he drew her o)er to the )erandah railing. This side o% the ho se %aced the ri)er* which was shining li&e ari((on o% yellow glass* re%lecting the last )i(rant rays o% the s n as it sli$$ed (elow the hori1on. Nathan slid (ehind her* c rling his arms aro nd her waist* r ((ing his chee& against her hair.-A golden ri)er* a golden s&y* a golden woman*. he m rm red.-And yo said yo were ne)er romantic*. Miranda teased.-Ah* ( t I am* when I tr ly %eel it in my heart. <oo& what I ha)e in my hand* Miranda..He held it o t as she glanced down. It was a grey )el)et "eweler#s (o!5a ring (o!!Her heart sto$$ed* then cata$ lted aro nd her chest. +as this it...the commitment o% %ore)er0-O$en it!.The so%t $ lse o% his words in her ear made her di11y. Her hands trem(led as they mo)ed to o(ey his command. 7or a moment* the s$ring lido% the (o! seemed to resist the $ress re o% her th m(s and %ingers. Then it o$ened and she gas$ed at the s$lendo r o% the ring twin&ling $ at her 5a h ge o)al yellow diamond s rro nded (y smaller white diamonds* set on a (and o% gold.-+ear this and the s n will ne)er set on my lo)e %or yo * Miranda*. Nathan m rm red as he li%ted the ring %rom its satin slot. -+ill yo marryme0##-3es*. she whis$ered* s$reading her le%t hand so he co ld slide the ring onto her third %inger. It %itted $er%ectly. She co ldn#t sto$ ga1ing at it*st nned (y the sheer magni%icence o% his choice %or her.-2o yo li&e it0.Her heart too % ll to s$ea&* she whirled aro nd and let her eyes s$ea& %or her as she %l ng her arms aro nd his nec& and $ lled his headdown %or all her %eelings to (e e!$ressed in a &iss. She lo)ed him so m ch* ne6 i)ocally* had done %or a long time* and %or this $ro$osal to comenow* (e%ore the season was o)er...and s ch a %a( lo s ring wo ld ha)e (een ordered e)en earlier. Nathan had to (elie)e they were tr ly made %or each other and nothing wo ld e)er (rea& the (ond they shared.-I ta&e it that means yes*. he said ha$$ily* his eyes shining into hers.-The s n will ne)er set on my lo)e %or yo * either*. she $romised h s&ily. -I#ll die with yo r ring on my %inger* Nathan..He la ghed. -I#d rather yo marry me %irst. I% it#s o&ay with yo * that will (e a wee& a%ter the resort closes..-Anything yo arrange is o&ay with me*. she said (liss% lly.-Then let#s go and get my mother mo)ing on it..-3o r mother0##-She ne)er had a da ghter. 3o #re it* Miranda. Her %irst (ride in the %amily. She can hardly wait to arrange a wedding to remem(er..-Really0. Miranda had ne)er allowed ho$e or imagination to 1oom that %ar. -I was worried she might not a$$ro)e o% s.. -'ig wedding! H ge cele(ration to welcome in the new mistress o% /ing#s Eden. 'race yo rsel% %or the ine)ita(le* my lo)e! No esca$e %romit..She didn#t want to esca$e %rom it. At long last she tr ly (elonged some where... to this man* this $lace* this %amily...and their wedding wo ld$ t the %inal seal on the sense o% (elonging.

Eli1a(eth watched them enter the sitting,room* hand in hand* their %aces aglow with ha$$iness...a )ery well,matched co $le* she tho ght withsatis%action. The $arty o% $eo$le Nathan had in)ited to cele(rate the engagement thronged aro nd them* showering congrat lations and goodwishes5all the station comm nit and the %riends Miranda had made at the resort* most o% them radiatin leas re in the anno ncement.

ho gh not 6 ite e)eryone... A wist% l loo& on Sam#s %ace* Eli1a(eth noted. And a to ch o% en)y on Tommy#s. Nothing li&e seeing two $eo$le really getting it together to(ring home one#s lac& o% s ccess in that area. Perha$s Nathan and Miranda#s wedding co ld (e sed to $romote the match that sho ld ha)e (eenmade years ago* ( t %or two )ery st ((orn and $ro d $ersonalities.Tommy as (est man. Sam as chie% (ridesmaid. The goodwill o% the day r ((ing o%% on them. Some discreet meddling. Oh* yes* this wasgoing to (e a (ig wedding. Eli1a(eth had the ne!t generation o% /ings right in her sights!