Christmas Paradise

by Gale Storm

  “Are you listening to me, Tarry?"

  She blinked in embarrassment and guiltily met his faded glance. “I'm sorry. I suppose I drifted off for a moment. What did you say?"

  “Only that getting stand-ins for a picture about wolves is harder than you would guess, so I hired your brothers."

  “My brothers?” Her head jerked up. Why hadn't they told her? She had stayed with each of them overnight since her return from Europe, and not one of them had said anything about taking part in the movie. Tarry frowned. Why were they hiding it? Did they think she would be annoyed or upset because they agreed without her permission? She would definitely have to call David tonight.

  “That's wonderful,” she finally said. “I wonder why no one mentioned it to me."

  “Because I asked them not to tell you. I wanted to show you the script revisions and discuss several scenes to make sure they were possible before I made a firm commitment on it. I think they will work."

  “That was decent of you.” She cleared her throat as she made the effort not to say what was really on her mind.

  He had turned onto a dirt road some miles back, and as they came round a curve a ranch house was before her. “My goodness...” she said in shock.

  It was absolutely beautiful. Tucked into the side of a mountain, the front of the house looked out over a cliff to the Pacific Ocean. There was a small brook running swiftly along the edge of the yard past a corral and stables. To the side of that was a large concrete enclosure that she assumed was a tennis court. The whitewashed walls of the house were in stark contrast to the red-painted frames and shutters on the windows. It was breathtaking.

  When he stopped the Rover, she opened the door and stepped out onto the green lawn. It was too lovely—surely she was dreaming.

  She heard him shut his door and his steps as he came up beside her.

  “Well, what do you think? Will it do?"

  “Tyrone, you must be joking. There is no way I could possibly afford such luxury, such beauty. Tell me I'm dreaming."

  “You're not dreaming, and I'm not joking. It's yours, Tarry, until we complete our project."

  “You're insane...” She drew in a deep breath as she turned to face him, feeling suddenly breathless. “No, I can't accept this. What do you expect in return?” He was standing only a few inches from her, and she felt overwhelmed by his nearness. But she wasn't about to back down at this point.

  His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Nothing. I expect nothing. What did you imagine? That I would expect you to become my mistress because I rented you my family's guesthouse for a few weeks?"

  It was the second time since she had known him that she had seen him truly angry. In her new heels, she was at chin level with him for the first time.

  His eyes ran over her in fury. “If I expected anything, it was appreciation for finding you such a perfect sanctuary for your damn dogs.” He twirled on his heel and marched to the house.

  Tarry remained staring after him for several minutes, then Rounder's woof brought her attention back to the animals. She opened the back door and watched as they bounded out of the vehicle, thankful to be allowed to exercise their legs. She had felt bad about the long, forced ride; but they seemed to have survived the trip with the best of spirits. They galloped over the yard then back to her and jumped up, nearly knocking her over.

  “Look at what you've done,” she laughed at Cedar. “You've ruined my hose. Do you have any idea how much these cost me?” She collapsed on the lawn in giggles as Rounder and Cedar licked her face. “You mutts, what am I to do with you? What do you think of this?” She threw out her arm, pointing at the grand vista spread before them. “Do you think I'm crazy to put up a fuss? I truly didn't expect to make Tyrone angry, you know. I just meant how am I to realize a profit for school if I have to pay for all this?"

  “Tarry!” An exclamation sounded from the house, “Are you okay?"

  Tyrone was striding rapidly toward her, and she knew that he would upset the dogs if he charged among them at this point.

  “Of course, I'm okay. They were just happy to be out of the Rover. They were too excited.” She pushed herself to her feet, abandoning her shoes as she realized how ridiculous they were now. She balanced them on the tips of her fingers as she swung round to face him. “They approve of the ranch, Tyrone. I was a bit hasty before, forgive me."

  He stopped several feet from her. “So was I. Seeing you this afternoon threw me for a loop. I know I was edgy."

  She smiled, and it was like the sun coming out from thick clouds. “Would you show me around?"

  He nodded and turned toward the house.

  “On second thought, I think we should secure the dogs first. They're very high-strung and might wander off."

  “Of course.” He walked toward the tennis court. With careless ease, he opened the metal gate and whistled to Rounder. Without hesitating Rounder led the way into the pen. “You'll notice the stream feeds that pond. Fresh water for the pack, and there...” He pointed. “...are the stalls. They should be happy here. I don't think they can run away. The fence that surrounds these twenty acres is electric, and the ocean butts up against the west. There's a fence some fifty feet out into the bay also, so they should be okay."

  She turned, admiring the expanse of the enclosure.

  “This used to be tennis courts, didn't it?"

  “Yes. No one has used it in years. It's in bad need of a face-lift, and I used you as an excuse. I've hired a groundskeeper to look after the property while you're here, and he can help you with the dogs, if you like. Of course, he'll need your guidance."

  “Won't the dogs spoil the surface, and what if they dig?"

  He shrugged as if it was of no importance. “That's why you'll be paying a damage deposit on the property. Also rent,” he replied matter-of-factly.

  “It sounds as if you've given this all a bit of thought."

  “I give everything I do quite a bit of thought, Tarry. Want to see the stables?” He moved away, expecting her to shadow him.

  She followed unhappily. It wasn't fair that he could be so in control. Couldn't he feel how much she wanted him to touch her? It wasn't possible that he wouldn't know. For some reason he was determined to put a wall up between them. She swallowed, feeling tears swim in her eyes. What in the world was wrong with her?

  She remembered once asking her mom how she would know she was in love. Her mother had smiled, a distant look in her eyes. “Don't worry, baby,” she had said, “you'll just know."

  Well, she understood what her Mom had meant now. She did know, but she regretted not having asked her mom what made men fall in love.

  The rest of the afternoon they spent exploring the estate. That it definitely was an estate became clear as she realized the size of it. There were more than forty acres of land, stretching to the ocean and back into the trees. The stables were backed by a barn and a large four-car garage. The house was breathtaking—eight bedrooms, two libraries, an office, a formal dining room, a spacious kitchen that would have housed her entire ground floor. The tour hadn't only been to familiarize her with the property but to emphasize his change of attitude. Tarry felt sure of it, as he remained a gentleman on the surface but his cold-blooded casualness wrenched her heart.

  “Want some lunch and a drink?” he asked as he opened the refrigerator, removing a loaf of bread and placing a ham on the bar.

  “What do you have to drink?” She watched as he efficiently created a sandwich, looking at her, cutting the ham and covering it with a slice of cheese, then handing it to her.

  “All the regulars—beer, wine, sodas, hard stuff."

  “Water with ice will be fine."

  He lifted a dark eyebrow but filled a glass with ice and put tap water into it.

  “You've been unusually quiet this afternoon, Tarralee. Anything wrong?"

  She refused to meet his eyes as she stared out the window toward the sea.

  “I still find it difficult to believe you think I ca
n afford this."

  “So, that's it.” He eyed her as he took the first bite of his sandwich, “I'm not letting you stay here as a favor, woman. You're paying market rent. If you want to know the details, look in that folder on the bar."

  She frowned and stood and lifted the folder. She skimmed the legal forms inside, a soft gasp escaping her lips as she read the amount she would have to reimburse him. Then on the next page she read the salary she would earn being his assistant for the duration of their project.

  She pivoted to face him, and as she opened her mouth the phone rang. He smiled at her and reached for it.

  “Ty here.” He frowned as a shrill feminine voice said something to him. He turned his back on Tarry, his voice low and harsh as he said very carefully, “I've told you it's over, Seneca. I'm no longer interested in your charms. Don't ever call me again."

  Tarralee's heart beat painfully for a moment as she walked back to the table and sat. So, Seneca was still on the horizon. Would it always be this way with him? How could he be so hard? Surely, she hadn't imagined the gentleness in him? From the flatness of his voice as he rang off from speaking to poor Seneca, she realized how ignorant she had been.

  What had caused her to think she was more than an oddity to him? She was no different from the other women who clung to him. She couldn't help it, even now. She waited for his full attention to fall on her. Masochist, she challenged herself as she finished the sandwich.

  By the time he hung up the phone, she had managed to hide her feelings and asked him casually, “How long do you think the film will take?"

  “Two months, five, at most. You and the dogs will be comfortable here, Tarry. Anything you need just ask. Oh, yes, my mother and Linda and Gary will be over tomorrow to welcome you."

  “I thought I'd be at the studio with you tomorrow?"

  He shook his dark head as he sat across from her. “Not until Monday. There are still things to clean up before you need to become involved, and besides, I need you to start putting the dogs through their paces. This part of the filming is tight, and I don't want to waste any time having to shoot scenes over unless it's necessary."

  She tilted her head, plainly puzzled. The last time she had been in town he had seemed to want her underfoot, and she had the feeling that time was not the important issue. But, of course, things had changed dramatically since then. She hid her expression by opening the refrigerator.

  “I'm sure there's a great deal to keep me busy. No problem if I swim in the ocean, is there?"

  “Of course not.” He followed her into the kitchen, leaning against the bar. “It's a protected cove, and there's a reef to keep out the sharks and their friends. If you don't have a suit, I'm sure you'll find one in your bathroom."

  “That sounds wonderful to me. In fact, I could use the exercise right now.” She avoided looking at him, although she could feel his gaze rest on her.

  “Why not?” he stated. “We've at least an hour before sunset."

  She looked at him then. His expression was warm, and her spirits immediately lifted though she glanced away instantly. It wouldn't do to let him know how much she wanted his companionship.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next hour was an eye-opener for Tarry. She had assumed that Tyrone was as comfortable with the dogs as she was; but when she let them out of the pen and raced them to the beach he followed, keeping distance between himself and the animals. She probably wouldn't have noticed anything strange, but as she struck out in the surf she noticed that he only waded. The dogs were excited by the water and barked and howled as they snapped at the foam. She laughed when they were swept off their feet by the waves and encouraged them to follow her. Loyally, Rounder led the way; and because they had become a team, the others followed. It wasn't until she had exhausted herself in the surf that she returned and stood in the knee-deep water, realizing that Tyrone had disappeared. So much for companionship, she thought, and then Cedar hit her full in the back, knocking her facedown in the water.

  Laughing, she sputtered to the surface, pushing the wolves aside as she slipped and slid in the damp sand, gaining the firm surface of the beach. She collapsed in a fit of giggles as the animals surrounded her, licking and nipping at her arms and legs as they took advantage of her position. Tarry knew they were getting even for the long trip and for taking them out into the waves. Five grown dogs snipped and yelped as she tried to break free, her lack of size forgotten as they mauled her, not allowing her time to catch her breath. She was now breathlessly being tugged by at least three mouths, and the other two were yipping with glee. Try as she might, she couldn't speak as they jumped and licked her, keeping her pinned to the damp sand. She had almost managed to come to her feet when Blue Jeans hit her in the stomach and she collapsed face first into the sand. The loud whoosh of her breath being knocked from her was followed by an eerie silence, broken at last by the distressed cry that sounded as Tyrone ran up to the furry mob.

  “Tarralee!” He knelt at her side, shoving Rounder and Blue Jeans roughly away from her, “Oh, God, sweetheart, are you hurt?” He rolled her onto her back, his face close to hers.

  Tarry looked at him with puzzled eyes. With an effort she regained her breath, the laughter still making her gulp air.

  “For goodness sake, Tyrone. Of course, I'm okay."

  She began to wheeze in a caricature of laughter as Cedar licked her toes. The other wolves were sitting in the sand some distance away watching the interchange between the two humans. She wiped the hair from her eyes and noticed his face was dripping wet, and white. His dark hair was plastered against his skull.

  “You were swimming after all?” she gasped as she caught her breath, staring at his dripping chest.

  “Dammit, Tarry! These animals are half-wild. They looked like they were devouring you. And you want to know if I was swimming? What kind of crazy idiot are you?” In his agitation he didn't realize that the remark would be insulting, “Come on, I'm taking you back to the house, and you are never to go swimming in the ocean with these mangy brutes again."

  “You're the one who's crazy.” She sat up, brushing the sand from her face and arms, a flare of anger whipping the laughter from her eyes. “What makes you think I want to go back to the house?"

  “Because I said so.” He rose to his feet, his eyes hooded in anger. “You've abrasions and small punctures all over. You're bleeding, bruised, and sea water and sand will only cause infection.” He threw an accusing glance at the silent animals.

  Tarry did the same, wanting to giggle at the awed expression the dogs were focusing on them. Rounder had even lain flat in the sand, his paws touching his nose.

  “Are you coming?” Tyrone placed his hands on his hips as he glared at her.

  Totally perplexed by the anger in his usually smooth voice, Tarry climbed to her feet. Brushing the damp sand from her swimsuit, she faced him; but he had already turned and was striding up the path to the house. She followed him in silence. He waited at the gate to the tennis court and watched as she latched it after leading the silent dogs inside. When she was beside him again, she finally found her tongue. She was outraged by his imperious commands and wanted him to know it.

  “You acted like a fool, you know."

  “Tell me why it is foolish to be concerned that you might be hurt?” The roughness of his voice told her that he was as angry as she was.

  “I've been taking care of myself for a long time, Tyrone. I don't need you to be concerned for me."

  “And I think differently. Dammit, Tarry, those animals weigh as much as you do, even more. They could kill you and not mean to. Not one of them treated you gently; they snipped and snarled, bit and mauled you like the animals they are. They don't know you're a woman, and a tiny woman at that."

  “Of course, they know I'm a woman. They were only playing. I've played football with my brothers since I was a child and been knocked about harder by them than the dogs have ever hit me. I've spent my whole life proving I could compete with t
he best of them, that I'm just as tough and self-sufficient as anyone; and the dogs know it. If they had ever pussyfooted around me, I would've been madder than hell."

  They had entered the house; and he quickly found a washcloth, pushing her into a chair as he squatted, frowning as he cleaned the red, abraded skin of her knee. He had listened to her admission with tight, straight lips. “Tell me what you're trying to prove, Tarry? Why are you trying to prove it?"

  “I..."

  His eyes were dangerously dark, and for the first time she felt her throat tighten and her mouth go dry.

  “I just told you what I've proved,” she finally snapped. “I don't need you or anyone else to analyze my motives."

  “But you're going to listen while I do it whether you want to or not.” He reached out, stopping her from escaping, capturing her arms, pinning them to the chair in front of him. “I watched you today and at Christmas, Tarralee. You're always right in the middle of any free-for-all, acting as if you're as big and tough as your brothers. But you're not, and you never will be! Why can't you back down from the fight, Tarralee? Accept yourself as a woman, admit your limitations and focus on your strengths."

  She jerked at her arms but he only tightened his grip.

  “You don't understand.” Her voice was shrill as she protested.

  “No, I think it's you who doesn't understand. Tarralee, you don't understand that you have a heart-stopping smile. You don't understand that you have a soft, husky voice that renders men helpless. You don't understand that you're a beautiful, graceful woman who is as gentle as a gazelle. You don't understand that you're intelligent, forthright, courageous and admired. Instead, you try to be as tough as a man. As strong as a man. What you lack in size, you try to make up in physical determination. You try to be a man, but you never will be. You can't be that tough or that strong. Is that the image you really want, Tarralee? Be careful, love, what you ask for in this life is usually exactly what you get. Are you positive you really want the cold, empty life of having to prove yourself to everyone you meet, forever and ever? Or would you rather be a woman? Quit fighting so hard, Tarry, all you need to be is the woman you are."