[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

or not.
Bess smiled then and squeezed his hand in
return.  Don t you worry, it will all work out, you ll
see.
Ryan acknowledged her words with a rueful grin
and a deep sigh.  I ll be back later. I m going to
help Evan check out the Ladybird for damages.
 I ll start supper, replied Bess, watching him as
his long strides took him out the door.
141
Chapter Twelve
 Looks like pulling the Duke s engine is going on
hold mate, said Evan grimly. He and Ryan had
towed the Ladybird into the hangar and were
checking her out. The smell of fuel had been
strong and they didn t want to start the engines
until they looked the plane over.
 It looks like there s quite a bit of damage,
remarked Ryan.  The landing gear is busted, and
the left wing is cracked.
 That s probably where the fuel smell is coming
from, answered Evan, peering up at the underside
of the wing.  I can see leaking from here.
 The windshield is busted too.
Evan turned and peered inside the cockpit where
Ryan was checking the control panel.
 Yes, and that will have to be ordered in special
from the States. He sighed and shook his head.
 If only Sydney had listened, all this could have
been avoided. Repairs are going to cost a pretty
penny and set us back big time. I m really tempted
to take some of it out of her hide except I m too
bloody relieved that she is all right!
 I ll be taking care of that myself.
Evan stared stonily at Ryan.  I know what she
did was wrong, but you ve got no call to be hurting
her mate. He seemed to forget that he had just
threatened her himself. From Evan s point of view,
someone who cared was best at disciplining a
woman, and it didn t appear that Ryan cared for
Sydney after all. At least from the way things had
gone this week.
 I have no intention of hurting her, Evan,
returned Ryan patiently for the second time today.
 But I am going to spank her for this. I made a
promise and I intend to keep it.
 Maybe its not my place to ask, but do you care
about her or not? Cause if you don t, then I don t
think you have any right to be doing that.
142
 What you are really asking is if I m in love with
her isn t it? Ryan countered.
 Well are you? Evan was a blunt man.
 You Aussies don t believe in beating around the
bush do you? asked Ryan, somewhat amused.
Bess had already asked him that today.
 We don t go in much for subterfuge, if that s
what you mean.
 Fair enough I suppose. Ryan jumped down
from the cockpit and faced Evan straight on.  I do
care for Sydney& and yes& I sure I m falling in love
with her even though I don t want to. Does that
answer your question?
 Why wouldn t you want to? Evan bristled at
Ryan s words. Was there something wrong with
Sydney?
Ryan really wasn t in the mood for a heart to
heart talk with Evan, but he knew he was
concerned.
 Look, Evan, Sydney and I are heading in
different directions in life. She is destined for a
career in music and me& I fly all over the
world& sometimes to dangerous places to take
photographs. I m just not sure we could ever make
it together.
 You young people, grouched Evan.  Always
putting up obstacles before you get to them. Love
has a way of working out if two people are willing to
try. Might take some doing, and some sacrifice on
both your parts, but to give it up before you even
take a shot at it is just plain foolish! He turned his
back on Ryan and walked into the office, headed for
the dependable old coffeepot. Now there was
something a man could rely on!
Ryan stared thoughtfully at Evan as he walked
away. The man had a point he finally conceded.
Sydney was gathering her things for a shower
when Cassie slipped inside the bedroom and leaned
back against the door, staring at her. Her eyes
were huge in her pale face, their deep blue color
almost black with emotion.
143
Tentatively Sydney smiled, and then held out
her arms to her younger sister who flew into them,
burying her face in Sydney s shoulder.
 I m so glad you re all right, sniffled Cassie,
hugging her desperately.
 Me too, honey, replied Sydney gratefully, the
small endearment slipping out.
 Ryan is pretty upset with you.
 I know. Sydney turned and headed for the
shower, not wanting to talk about Ryan. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]