[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

'I'm sorry if I'm intruding,' he said stiffly. 'I did knock but '
'It's all right.' Blythe stood up, a half-eaten sandwich in her hand.
'We're just having lunch.'
'Then I'm a bit late. I was going to suggest you might like to bring
your parents down to the house for it.'
'We brought a picnic,' Rose explained, 'but that was a nice thought.'
She held out a plastic container. 'Have a sandwich, Jas. Salmon on
this side, tomato and ham over there.'
'Thanks, but I won't stay. I've got things to do.'
Rose looked disappointed. 'Oh. You will eat, though, won't you? You
shouldn't skip meals, you know.'
Jas seemed faintly startled, as though it surprised him that anyone
was concerned for his welfare.
'There's plenty here,' Rose coaxed, 'and it'll save you making
something for yourself.'
He gave in, moving onto the deck and taking a sandwich. 'Thank you.'
Rose gave him her sweetest smile. 'You need feeding up. Blythe was
right.'
Blythe nearly choked on her salmon sandwich. 'I never said that!'
'Well, something like it,' her mother insisted serenely. 'She's a good
cook. You should take advantage of her while she's with you.'
Brian said in amused tones, 'Maybe you'd like to rephrase that, Rose.'
She cast her husband a reproving look. 'Jas knows what I mean. Don't
you, Jas?'
Jas was looking at her fixedly, but he nodded and said, 'I believe so.
Actually, Blythe's already offered...'
'To do the cooking,' Blythe put in hastily as he paused there. Her
cheeks flaring, she glanced at him and saw his mouth quirk slightly
while his eyes held hers.
Rose said, 'Yes, of course, dear.'
Jas was still looking at Blythe, and she saw an odd expression cross
his face, a hint of surprise followed by resolution, as though he'd just
made a decision of some sort. He said, 'I'll be getting supplies from
Apiata this afternoon, so I'll pick up your mail, and if there's anything
I can bring back for you...?'
Blythe considered for a moment. 'I don't think so, but thinks.'
Brian said, 'Blythe, pass me a piece of that fruit cake, will you?'
She obliged, and offered Jas a piece that he declined. Soon afterwards
he left.
CHAPTER SEVEN
BLYTHE spent the rest of the day tying up wind- damaged plants and
discarding those that were beyond help, putting aside any parts that
might be useful. Maybe she could use the stalks from some of her
ruined sunflowers to make paper.
Late in the afternoon she made her way back along the gully to the
house. Entering the passageway, she hesitated at the open door of
Jas's workroom.
'When I've cleaned up I'll cook us a meal,' she promised. 'I'll call you
when it's ready.'
Pushing away her plate, Blythe asked, 'Coffee?'
'I'll fix it.' Jas made a staying gesture.
She watched him do it, covertly admiring the economy and efficiency
of his movements.
He turned with two steaming mugs in his hands. 'Here? Or we could
go outside on the veranda. There aren't any seats, though.'
'I don't mind.'
'Okay.' He led the way, leaving the door open behind them as they
settled on the steps.
The air was warm but pleasantly fresh. Through the gap in the hills
the sea had turned a silvery pewter, the waves so lazy and demure one
would have thought they'd never seen a cyclone. The pale evening
sky shivered through the moving tops of the trees, and near the house
the long grass curved and straightened, seedheads brushing against
each other.
Jas handed Blythe a mug, as both leaned against the veranda posts.
'There's a lot of seaweed on the beach,' Jas commented.
'I hope it won't all wash away before I have a chance to gather some.'
'It's not quite dark yet. If you have the energy we could go and fetch
some now. Or I could get a few bags by myself. I haven't had much
exercise today.'
'You've had plenty since the storm. I'm really grateful, Jas.'
'Glad I was able to help.'
Blythe ventured a faint grin. 'That's my line!'
He smiled. 'I just borrowed it, okay?'
Jas was welcome to borrow anything of hers, especially when he
smiled at her like that. To keep it, if he wanted. Even her heart...
No use denying it, she was in love with the man. And he didn't want
to know.
'What is it?'
She looked back at him, slightly bemused by the revelation she'd just
made to herself. 'It's been a pretty tough couple of days,' she said. 'I
wouldn't mind going down to the beach to collect seaweed.'
Blythe held the sacks open while he scooped up armloads of the
tangled, sandy weed and crammed them in. After stowing the bags at
her place, they walked' back in the growing darkness to his.
'We should have brought a torch,' Jas said.
'I can see all right.' But almost immediately she stumbled on an
unseen stone and lurched into him.
His hands closed on her shoulders, and her cheek was against the
warmth of his shirt. 'Yeah?' he murmured.
'Sorry.' Her heart was pounding in a quite ridiculous way and she was
breathless. She tried a small, airy laugh. 'I seem to make a habit of
throwing myself at you, one way or another.'
His voice low, he said, 'But is it only me?'
'What?' Blythe lifted her head to stare at him.
'Forget it,' he said abruptly, and released her, moving on. 'It's none of
my business.'
'What?' she demanded of his retreating back. 'Jas!' She hurried after
him.
He glanced round and waited for her, but as soon as she caught up he
kept on walking. 'I'm sorry,' he said.
'Well, it might help if I knew what you're apologising for!' She forgot
to keep her eyes on the ground before her and caught her toe on a
tussock of grass. 'Damn!'
Jas thrust out his hand and took hers, holding it in a tight, warm clasp.
Damn again, she thought despairingly. The shiver of delight that his
simple touch gave her was enough to scatter her thoughts entirely.
Determinedly gathering them into some sort of order, she said, 'Were
you insinuating that I throw myself at men regularly?'
'I didn't mean to imply that.'
'Well, then, why say it?'
'I've apologised. Can't we just leave it?'
Blythe thought about it for two seconds. 'No,' she decided. 'I don't
think so. There must have been some reason behind a remark like
that.'
'I'd have thought you'd have guessed at the reason,' Jas muttered
grittily. 'You're surely not so naive you don't recognise simple
jealousy.'
Jealousy. Jealousy? 'I don't believe it,' she said flatly.
He shrugged.
'I don't believe it,' Blythe repeated, beginning to feel a simmering
anger. 'You don't have any cause to be jealous.'
'You mean I don't have any right. I'm well aware of that.'
She wouldn't have minded giving him the right, only he didn't want it.
'You mean, that would make you a dog in the manger.'
He gave a bitter little laugh. 'That just about hits the nail on the head,
I guess.' [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]