by J A Scooter
Peter couldn’t help teasing Ted, who had turned white at the huge amount Peter blithely mentioned as though it was just coins in a piggy bank. He continued, “Just give me your passport and don’t try to flee the country.”
Ted could only grin and gulp helplessly.
“Now, your thoughts, would Bob be better at managing the Lexus dealership or the motel?”
He could no longer contain himself and chortled at the amazed look on Ted’s face.
Unable to curb his curiosity any further, Ted demanded to know the origin of all this money.
“Where the money comes from is no-one’s business but mine. It’s legal and all taxes are paid. It’s international money and the overseers are extremely tough and brutal. They would make Shylock and his demand for a pound of flesh look like an atheist at a Sunday School Picnic, so keep your nose clean!”
“Which should Bob manage?” He repeated the question to Ted.
After careful consideration Ted could only stammer, “The Lexus dealership. You couldn’t let Bob anywhere near the motel. He would believe it was a carte blanche to all the bedrooms!”
“Right,” Peter ignored the comment about Bob’s wild escapades.
“Immediately start head-hunting Bob and then approach Susie about managing the Motel and don’t take ‘No!’ for an answer. They are my friends and this affair has made me realize how much I depend on all of you.
“Inform Susie she’s to keep the Italian chef as manager of the motel restaurant at an increased wage. Tell her that Joe and Maria will be constant guests.
“Now let’s look at your needs, my friend. When you return to work, you will find your new office on the top floor. Your position will be CEO.”
Peter could only grin as Ted stuttered and stammered, unable to make any sensible sounds even when Peter added, “You will never be poor on your new salary.”
“By the way... in your spare time...” Peter couldn’t restrain the tease as his eyes sparkled in merriment.
Ted, wondering what else was coming, could only gasp in amazement.
“Purchase the houses at the rear of all the businesses facing the main road so I own the whole block.” Peter continued.
“Offer a fair price - market value plus twenty five percent. Once that’s done you’re to organize the construction of a child-minding center and a Pre-School. Allow plenty of room for parking. All are to have first class amenities and not a penny is to be spared.”
Ted could only nod in agreement.
Waiting for questions, Peter stared at Ted.
None came. Ted was in a state of shock.
Eventually their discussion finished and they finalized the arrangements. A full two hours had passed where they both got down to the fine details and Ted had somewhat recovered his equilibrium.
Peter called Jennifer and Bob to rejoin them. They returned to the bedroom with a glass of wine in one hand and a piece of cheese on a cracker in the other, laughing and joking about the fact that Ted and Peter had been in the bedroom for two hours with the door closed.
“Did you two have fun?” Bob passed a cheeky comment.
Lying back on his pillows, Peter tried to look very sick as he reached for Jennifer.
“I need some more medication, Nurse.”
Waggling a finger at him, Jennifer leapt away.
“Oh, no you don’t. You caught me once - you can’t catch me again. You’re not going to fool me that way.”
Pushing the others out of the room she added, “Peter’s getting up now. We’re flying to Melbourne this afternoon and he’s spending Christmas with my family.” She grinned at their surprise.
Ted and Bob didn’t remonstrate. With a wave, they walked to the door. There were no cheeky comments this time.
Watching from the bed, Peter looked surprised at the warmth of their feelings as they hugged Jennifer and kissed her on the cheek while she saw them out the door. Obviously, they were pleased with the latest developments.
Chapter 9 Meeting the Family
Alone at last with Jennifer, Peter tried to entice her to cuddle him.
“Now stop that, you’re supposed to be convalescing - not behaving like some sex crazed ape. Get into that bathroom. Shower, shave and do your best to make yourself look respectable because we are flying home to Melbourne this afternoon.
Ignoring Peter’s ashen face Jennifer was still the nurse as she continued, “You’re dining with my family tonight.” In the bathroom, Peter found it difficult to look in the mirror. That scar! He’d never considered he was handsome but now, meeting her parents, he knew he’d find it difficult to look his best. Still, he’d make an effort just for Jennifer.
“Hurry up, I want to shower too.” Jennifer beat on the door.
“We could save water. Come on,” Peter chuckled.
“No way! We’d never get to Melbourne. Besides,” her giggle was clear even through the bathroom door, “I’d wear you out before I’d paid you off.”
It seemed only a few minutes had passed when they were on the plane.
On the flight, Peter had no time to worry about the forthcoming meeting as Jennifer flirted outrageously with him. Fluttering her eyelids, touching and sneaking quick kisses on his cheek, Jennifer was obviously demanding his attention, not allowing him to think of her parents and the quickly approaching meeting.
Eventually, arm in arm and so totally involved in each other as to be blissfully unaware of the world around them, they disembarked. They waited hand in hand for their luggage before making their way out of the terminal.
As the sliding doors opened and they found themselves outside in the glare of the afternoon sunlight, Peter felt a strong hand grip his arm and heard a warm chuckle next to him.
“Unhand that girl, young fellow. That’s my daughter.”
Shrieking, “Dad,” Jennifer threw her arms around her father’s neck while Peter stood watching silently. Suddenly he was shy, a trait he thought he had conquered long ago.
“Steady on, steady on.” Jennifer’s father pretended to push her away.
“So this is the young man who was shot in an attempted truck hijack and who rips cars apart with his bare hands trying to rescue my phantom daughter. This young man caused all the worry! My word, he is a handsome fellow.”
Jennifer took Peter’s hand and quietly introduced him.
“Dad, this is Peter.”
Peter didn’t know what to say.
“Cat got your tongue, eh lad?” Jennifer’s father was kind. “Or are you the strong, silent type?”
His smiling, steely-grey eyes made Peter feel welcome and his features were weatherworn from a lifetime of toil in the sun, but there was also a soft air of kindness about him. One calloused hand swept his hat from his head, wiping his tousled brown locks from his eyes while the other shook Peter’s hand in a grip that made Peter wince.
“Call me Dad or Eric, whichever you like. I don’t mind.”
Trundling the luggage cart before him, he led the way to a truck labeled ‘Blake Pastoral Company’.
“Dad, you brought a truck! Whatever will Peter think?” Jennifer showed her embarrassment.
Smiling Eric turned to Peter. “I brought this truck as it takes three across the seat and I need all the space in the back for Jennifer’s luggage.
“No point in bringing a car. Knowing Jennifer’s actions over the past few months, I didn’t think she would let go of you to allow you to sit in the front of a car with me!
“Dinner will be ready when we get home.” Then he began to chuckle. “Your mother will be jealous, Jennifer. Peter’s so handsome.”
With the city far behind them, Eric drove off the bitumen highway onto gravel roads, leaving billowing clouds of dust behind.
The drive was long but certainly not boring. Peter had forgotten the pain in his ribs as Jennifer and her father drew him into their incessant chatter and laughter, doing everything possible to make him feel part of the conversation.
Peter took notice of h
is surroundings. He noted that they had passed a pine plantation and a national forest. Next, he noted that a white post and rail fence had started. Obviously, it was for decoration as standing back from it was an electric fence. It seemed to stretch endlessly over the hill and he was about to comment when at last they turned off the road and carefully crossed a cattle grid - the bars of steel on the road between the fences so vehicles could cross but not animals, eliminating the need for a gate.
Flanking the grid were two enormous stone walls and carved into the sandstone walls was the sign, ‘Deep Springs. The Home of Blake Pastoral’.
“Welcome to Deep Springs, Peter,” were Eric’s kind words. Then he explained, “I had to build these grids everywhere. When Jennifer and Andrew were small they always left the gates open and I had to spend hours every day rounding up the sheep and cattle and returning them to the correct paddocks.”
“Dad, you still tease,” Jennifer giggled her eyes full of love for her father.
The road was not two wheel tracks in the clay but a well-formed and graded road. Arrow straight it led to the horizon. Two lines of huge paperbarks bordered it with a second border of red bottlebrushes gaily showing the way. Someone had been busy mowing the grass between the trees.
“You can see your Mum has had some of the men busy on the mowers, Jennifer. She is out to impress your handsome young man.”
Ignoring Jennifer, Eric proudly pointed out the various landmarks of his property until they topped a steep hill and Peter could see, far below in the valley, a colonial mansion. Further in the distance were buildings that he took to be shearing sheds, shearers’ quarters, workers’ quarters, machinery sheds and silos.
Running through the center of the valley was a substantial creek bordered by stands of she-oaks, peppercorns and weeping willows. Dogs were barking a joyous welcome in the distance and two came bounding up the road, howling their delight at being the first to greet them.
Eric ruffled Jennifer’s hair. “You’re almost as beautiful as your mother but I dare say you’ll improve.”
He drove up a curved red graveled driveway through well tended, well loved gardens and lawns before stopping at the flight of marble steps leading to the grand, old, double-storied stone homestead with its slate roof and wide verandahs. The building shrieked of elegance and money.
“Come on, young fellow. Get the worst over quickly. Don’t worry about Elizabeth.” Eric leaned across Jennifer to grin at Peter. “She’s a bit bossy, worse than a mother hen with her chickens, so expect her to protect this little chick.”
He patted Jennifer on the knee. “Leave the bags. Come on, or I’ll get the blame for keeping you late.”
As they clambered down from the truck, the huge, heavily carved oak front doors of the mansion suddenly burst open.
Jennifer’s mother flew down the flight of wide white marble steps to greet them. At the bottom, she stopped and she stood quietly, smoothing her frock and patting her hair into place as Jennifer led Peter by the hand.
“Mum, this is Peter.”
Elizabeth was amused. “You’re not going to let him out of your sight again, eh, Jennifer? You can let him go. If he runs, I’ll send your brother and the dogs to round him up.”
With a touch of amused respect, Peter waited while Jennifer dropped his hand. She’d been clinging to it tightly throughout the entire journey.
“He’s not going to run away.” Elizabeth could see that Peter was not only embarrassed but also intimidated by her.
Ignoring her proffered hand, Peter bent to kiss Elizabeth lightly on the cheek.
“Steady on,” Eric chuckled. “First you beguile my daughter and now my wife.”
He swept them into the house, ordering them ahead while Elizabeth questioned them about the trip and the Sydney weather. No one mentioned the accident.
The entrance, indeed the whole house called welcome and Peter immediately felt at home.
“Where’s Andrew? Hasn’t he returned yet?” Eric wanted his whole family to greet Peter.
A roar from deeper inside the house answered his question. “Where’s that bloke who’s worried my sister?”
Andrew thundered down the wide, thickly carpeted hallway into the richly tiled entrance foyer and Peter recoiled, still not strong enough to deal with the energy and enthusiasm of Jennifer’s brother. He gripped Peter’s hand with a strength that Peter vainly tried to return.
“I’m pleased you’ve arrived.” He ignored Peter’s surprise. “Now you’re here, perhaps Sis can stop moping about the place and even smile occasionally.”
“Ssh.” Elizabeth interrupted. “Go and wash up.
“Jennifer, show Peter where his room is.”
“No,” Andrew objected, “definitely not! Jennifer you stay here. If you go with Peter, you might never get back. I saw the two of you in Sydney.”
“Andrew, stop teasing your sister. The older you get the worse you get. Peter, take no notice of him. Now, all of you go and clean up.” Elizabeth was mothering them all as she gave them their orders.
“Come on Peter, I’ll show you your room. The petticoat government around here is murderous. We’d better disappear while we can.”
Andrew led the way, down long wide corridors and up a wide oak stairway into, finally, a bedroom where the gigantic high ceiling accentuated the luxury of the room with its huge bay windows. The four-poster double bed was just the final touch to the richly paneled room.
“You’re honored. Mum is really out to impress you,” he remarked as he tossed Peter’s bags onto the bed. “You’ve time to freshen up. The bathroom is through that door.”
Five minutes later, he was back.
“Come on. Mum will be furious if we’re late.” He laughed. “Well, she likes to believe she’s the boss and we do everything to keep her happy. She’s gone to great lengths to please you and she’s worried that her cooking won’t be as good as what you’re accustomed to.”
“What, steak and eggs?” Vainly, Peter tried to explain how basic was his day-to-day cooking, but obviously Andrew didn’t believe him.
He watched the family carefully and bowed his head while Eric said grace. Peter added a silent prayer of thanks to his God for bringing him safely to this sanctuary.
The moment the family sat, Elizabeth uncovered the steaming soup tureens and Eric served. “I hope you like our plain food.” Elizabeth began fussing over Peter but Eric winked at him, cutting her short.
“Leave the boy alone, Mother. Can’t you see he’s hungry? Besides, by his leanness, I guess it’s a long time since anyone cooked for him.”
Jennifer defended herself. “Hey I have been cooking for him since he left hospital and he hasn’t stopped eating.”
Ignoring her complaint and Andrew’s hearty laugh, her father continued. “I know bachelors. Andrew and I almost starved the last time Elizabeth went away for a couple of days.”
Peter was the honored guest. A pure white, fine damask cloth covered the rich mahogany table and the silverware was exquisitely delicate. Fine crystal glasses were at every place and he silently blessed Jennifer for her patient teaching of how to handle wine.
This was one time Peter didn’t want to appear gauche.
As soon as Peter emptied the plate of food before him, another, equally heavily laden, took its place until he had to beg for mercy.
“The meal is delicious, but I have to stop before I burst. I just can’t do it justice.”
Dinner ended.
“Jennifer, give me a hand to clear up.” Elizabeth was once more in control.
Peter couldn’t remember having eaten so well. He could hardly move, and longed to lie down.
However, Elizabeth still wouldn’t let the men rest. “You men go into the lounge room and make yourselves comfortable. We won’t be long.”
“I’ll give a hand.” Peter wasn’t prepared to be alone with Jennifer’s men folk. He wanted to be near her for protection.
“You’ll do nothing of the sort!” Jennife
r gave him a push as he stood. “You’re resting remember? Besides, Mum and I want some peace so we can talk.”
“Come on, Peter.” Andrew led the way. “We know when we’re not wanted.”
The lounge room was a huge room and just as richly furnished as the dining room.
“Sit down and make yourself comfortable,” Andrew said, indicating a comfortable settee.
Eric did his best to make Peter feel part of the family as he and Andrew sat back in their favorite chairs, close to the beautifully ornate fireplace of marble and sandstone. Gratefully, Peter sank into the heavily brocaded settee and stretched out his legs.
As an after-thought, Andrew dragged a heavily carved rocking chair close to their chairs and the family circle was almost complete. He and his father leant back, eyes closed in a shared silence. They were enjoying the pleasure that came from such a meal.
Thinking they were uncomfortable with him in the room, Peter stood to go out and join Jennifer.
Eric opened his eyes, his look as soft as his words. “Sit down, lad, sit down. We won’t eat you, or didn’t you notice how well fed we are?”
His whole face beamed with a smile that crinkled around his lips and eyes.
“We’re all delighted that you’re here. We’re so much in your debt. Even Andrew is delighted, though he realizes his sister may disappear with you any time.”
Desperately trying to change the topic, Peter admired the room. “This is a beautiful room. I know nothing about furnishings and furniture, but it really is so elegant. It’s as though we of the present have stepped into a most graceful past.”
“Well, yes I suppose so.” Eric looked about. “Elizabeth has taste and I know I indulge her. We’ll get her to play for us when she arrives.”
He waved in the direction of the grand piano standing in an alcove near the bay windows. “Perhaps she’ll indulge us.”
Giggling like teenagers, Jennifer and her mother swept into the room.
They were so alike. Elizabeth was a more mature Jennifer, fuller of figure and slightly shorter, but her eyes were also green. Their hair, so different in color, had the same waves. Their eyebrows had a similar softness, tilting up slightly at the ends and emphasizing their high, aristocratic cheekbones.