Matai Valley Magic

by Mary Moore

  Fern's hand dropped. 'I hate you!'

  'What makes you think that's news? Come on, the recep­tion committee is staring open-mouthed with astonishment. Remember, convince Ross, Smith and Robbie, and they'll have it all over the Valley by tonight, but you'll have to try a little harder to cast me a loving glance, or they'll pick it's a jack-up. Why, Fern, you're blushing!'

  Fern stiffened. 'I am not blushing! I'm angry.'

  Brett laughed. 'Why? Did you find my kiss more enjoy­able than you care to admit?'

  As his guess was perilously close to the truth, Fern replied coldly, 'At least, having an inferiority complex isn't your hang-up. You really are something else. For your infor­mation, I think I'd prefer to be kissed by Uncle Hamish than by you. But definitely.'

  Brett put on a mock-humiliated expression. 'You really know how to hurt a guy.' Then looking at her outraged face, he threw his head back and gave a great shout of laughter.

  Fern watched him in amazement. He was really enjoying himself, and he looked years younger. Come to think of it, she hadn't heard him laugh before. Well, not really. It seemed that by becoming engaged, they had swopped sides; he was acting quite irresponsibly, and she was becoming prim and not a little waspish.

  She didn't speak as he took her hand and led her up the path and into the house. She knew she had to pass this test with flying colours . One hint that theirs was a convenience engagement and Smithy would have it all around the dis­trict, and it wouldn't be long before Uncle Hamish was told. So she entered the house with a gay smile on her face, and happily accepted their surprised congratulations and best wishes, proudly showed her ring, and did not forget to smile up at Brett with an adoring look on her face. That was the hardest part, when she felt like giving him a swift kick on the shin to take that pleased, almost smug, look of com­placency off his face. He was really putting on a fantastic performance, she thought she ought to nominate him for an acting award - say, for Best Supporting Actor, or some­thing.

  Smith was so excited and obviously overjoyed that she made Fern feel utterly hypocritical as she said, 'Oh, you two have picked today to announce your engagement just to please me. It's our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary today, our silver wedding anniversary. I was trying to nag Ross into taking me out to dinner at a posh hotel, and do you know what the wretch said? He said he didn't celebrate his fail­ures! Now I ask you . ..' Smithy ended up laughing.

  Robbie, standing close to Fern, muttered, 'Told you he was all heart.'

  Still laughing, Smithy swooped on Fern. 'Still, he's not too bad really. Come through and see what he gave me for a present.'

  Fern went eagerly, glad to be away from Brett in his present mood.

  Smithy opened the bedroom door proudly. 'See - a new carpet and this gorgeous bedroom suite. I'm really thrilled about it. The old one we bought second-hand when we mar­ried, and I love this modern style. What do you think of it? Sit down and try the mattress.'

  Fern was relieved that she could at least be completely honest and lavish with her praise. 'So Ross isn't as tough as he likes to pretend?'

  'Oh, he's a real softie.' Smithy's face was flushed with-

  happines . 'He's been a wonderful husband to me. And Brett will make a good husband too. I can't tell you what it means to me to see him lighthearted and laughing. He's been almost like a son to me, and I hated to see him growing more serious, almost bitter as the years passed. That Lisa had a lot to answer for . ..' Smithy put her hand to her mouth, as if to catch back the last words.

  Fern smiled, 'Don't feel embarrassed, Smithy. I know all about Lisa.'

  Smithy relaxed. 'Now, that's good. If he could tell you about Lisa, it means that he's at last got over her. He can't take his eyes off you, Fern, he's very much in love with you, that's easy to see.' She was silent for a moment, then, 'Please, Fern, don't hurt him, I couldn't bear to see him lose you as he lost Lisa.'

  Fern felt the tears sting her eyes. Smithy was a darling, a loving cheerful person, and she was genuinely anxious for Brett. ‘I promise you, Smithy, that I won't rush off and leave to marry someone else. If I leave here, it will be when Brett doesn't need me any more.'

  'Thank you, Fern. I guess that won't be for many years, if ever. He even looks younger. Wait a minute.' Smithy left the room quickly, leaving Fern to think how strange that she and Smithy had both felt that Brett had really shed his age. Then she suddenly found the answer, he was relaxed and happy because he had managed to please his uncle, without actually getting himself tied down.

  Smithy was back with a box in her hand. She handed it to Fern with an air of satisfaction. 'Bet I'm the first one to give you an engagement present.'

  Fern felt awful as she unwrapped the box and lifted the lid. Inside she saw an attractive Pyrex dish. She hadn't given a thought to receiving gifts, and she would certainly upset Smithy if she refused. She thanked Smithy, and thought with dismay, how difficult life had become. Still, she could leave it behind when she left. Brett would see it was returned. 'Yes, it's our very first present, I must go and show it to Brett.'

  As they left the bedroom, Smithy said, 'I've had a letter from Lisa asking if she could bring the two children here after Christmas for a month to get them out of the city for the school holidays. I was going to refuse her, but now Brett has you, I'm going to tell her she can come. Do her good to see what she missed, and how Brett has found someone to love. You're so much better for him, and I bet he knows it. Lisa is one of those beautiful brainless females, a real clinging vine, whereas Brett needs someone who can stand on her own feet, and also be a help to him in times of trouble.'

  Fern went straight to Brett, showing him Smithy's gift, and as he added his thanks to hers, he put his arm lightly round her shoulders. Fern stiffened, and just stopped herself from shrugging his hand off. Only a few more minutes to go before they could make their escape. Then Smithy told him of Lisa's pending visit, and Fern felt Brett's hand tighten painfully on her shoulder. So Brett still loved Lisa! And Smithy, burbling on happily, had no idea that she was going to hurt him badly by bringing Lisa and the children here.

  She moved towards the door with Brett's arm still around her. She heard him say, 'Well, that's set. You'll all come over after dinner for drinks.'

  Ross replied heartily, 'We'll all be there with bells on.'

  Robbie grinned, and then said hesitantly, 'Will it be all right if I drink your health in lemonade? I promised Mau­reen I wouldn't take a drink for a month.'

  Brett laughed, 'You can drink it in anything you fancy, Robbie.'

  But Ross turned on him with scathing sarcasm, calling him all sorts of a fool to let a girl boss him around like that when they weren't even engaged. She'd really wear the pants when they got married. He ought to make a stand right now, and on and on about it being an insult to Brett and Fern...

  Robbie, white-faced, left the room, and Smithy turned on Ross. 'What did you upset the boy like that for? There's no pleasing you. You were talking about getting rid of him because he drank too much, now Maureen is straightening him out you've got to lead off at him.'

  Fern slipped out from under Brett's arm. 'Do you mind if I talk to Robbie?' When Brett nodded she went out the door and ran down the path to catch Robbie as he let the dogs go.

  'Hi! Don't be mad at Brett and me - we weren't to know it would cause a fuss when we invited you over for drinks.'

  'Brett's okay,' Robbie muttered.

  'What about me?' Fern coaxed.

  'You'll do.' Then he looked at her. 'Don't know why you've got to wear that gear for, you look like one of those toffee-nosed twits that get their photos in the papers after the races. You know. Miss So-and-So looked simply divine in her purple, pink and red striped outfit, and wearing a face to match.'

  Fern giggled, 'Robbie, I love you!'

  'You don't, you love Brett. I know I'm irresistible to women, but really, now that you're engaged I think you should try and keep some control over your feelings. If you don't behave I'll tell Bret
t what an embarrassing time I have fighting you off every time you get me alone.'

  Fern was pleased that Robbie was returning to his natural zany self, pleaded, 'Please don't tell him, Robbie, I wouldn't like him to know that he was my second choice. Look, can I ring Maureen and say it's a special occasion tonight? She might give you a special dispensation, or whatever.'

  Robbie looked at her with a most un-Robbie-like serious­ness. 'No, Fern, but thanks. It's just that she's got uptight about my drinking. Her father was an alcoholic, and she plain doesn't believe me when I say I don't worry if I drink or not. Her father must have been a real brute, whenever he got drunk he'd beat up her mother, and often Maureen and her kid brother. She thinks that anyone who drinks is going to end up the same way. So I said I could go a month without a drink, and she took me up on it. If you ring her she'll be all the more sure that I'm just using you for a cover; and that I'm going to end up like her old man.'

  'And what happens at the end of the month? Do you have to become teetotal for life?'

  'No, just one month and then I'll start again -I mean just social drinking. I've got to admit, I've made a bit of a pig of myself since I've been over here. It won't cause me any pain to cut back a bit. But if that old buzzard keeps needling me, I'll hang one on him, even if I lose my job. It would be a real pleasure.'

  'I don't think he'll bother you ... Smithy was tearing a strip off him when I left. And I'd back her any time. So we'll see you tonight?'

  'Sure. Hope I haven't caused a blight on your best day. Brett's O.K., but I reckon he's dead lucky getting a smash­ing bird like you. No kidding.'

  Fern said with a smile, 'Thanks, Robbie. And seeing com­pliments are flying, I've got to say I think Maureen's lucky too - not many boys would be so understanding about her worries. And remember, if Ross kids you, just stay loose ... See you.'

  When she reached the car she found that Brett had taken all her parcels inside. She was going to give Kirsty a man­nequin parade. When she went inside Brett was sitting on the table watching Kirsty work. 'Oh, I've put all your shop­ping down in your room, Fern. Do you think you could spare me half an hour or so, I'd like you to help me move some stock.'

  Fern looked at him suspiciously. Ross often asked her to help, even Robbie wasn't above ordering her about to make his work easier. .. but Brett had never asked for her help.

  'I wanted to show Kirsty my new things,' Fern pro­tested.

  'Kirsty will be too busy to see them. She's just rung Smithy to ask them all over for dinner.'

  'Well, I'll have to stay and help her get things ready,' Fern replied with relief.

  Kirsty said firmly, 'Go and change out of your good clothes, Fern. I don't need your help. Mrs. Smith insisted on doing the sweet course, so I haven't much extra to do. Anyway, a man likes to get his girl to himself sometimes.'

  Fern walked slowly to her room. She didn't want to spend any time with Brett alone. She was also angry with Kirsty for leaving her no excuse to dodge going with Brett. So she chose a daring pair of hot-pants and put on a man's shirt in bright yellow silk. She hung up her suit, and put her hat away, then brushed her hair out free, and put on her dark glasses. She glanced in the mirror. Kirsty wasn't going to 'call this gear neat and tidy!'

  Out in the kitchen, Kirsty looked her up and down. 'Have you nothing on but that shirt?'

  Fern grinned, then pulled up her shirt. 'Hot-pants!' she said wickedly.

  Kirsty shuddered, 'Horrible! I'm thinking they were not very generous with the material when they made those, whatever they are.'

  'Hot-pants,' Fern repeated helpfully, knowing that Kirsty would not ever call them by that 'indecent' name. She fol­lowed Brett outside.

  'What got into you to shock poor old Kirsty?' Brett de­manded as they walked towards the farm ute .

  'She shouldn't have made me go with you, when I made it obvious that I didn't want to go,' Fern replied mu­tinously.

  'But I wanted you to come,' Brett said as they drove off towards the back of the farm. 'After all, to quote Kirsty, "A man likes to get his girl to himself ..." '

  'Drop dead!'

  Brett laughed cheerfully, 'I guess that would be one sol­ution, but I'm not going to. I'm enjoying myself far too much.'

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Brett stopped the ute in the shade of the totara tree by the edge of the creek.

  Fern got out and walked to the creek and looked in hope­fully .. . Yes, there were three large brown trout in the deep pool, lazily waving their tails just enough to keep their place against the current. She had ridden up here quite often and had not been disappointed yet, there was always at least one trout in the pool at the bend of the creek, the sunlight shaft­ing down through gaps in the trees sliced through the brownish creek water.

  As Brett joined her, she asked, 'Where are the cattle you want me to help you with?'

  'The cattle are over there, and I don't want to move them. I just want to talk to you, and settle a few points. Being engaged to you is very wearing, and a trifle more com­plicated than I anticipated.'

  'Charming!' Fern said sarcastically. 'However, if you feel it too much of a strain after two hours, I'm more than will­ing to call the whole thing off.'

  'There you go, biting my head off before I have a chance to explain ... and you talk about me jumping to con­clusions! I have no intention of breaking our engagement, but I thought if we sorted out a few of our differences, we could call a truce for a month or so, and we might even learn to enjoy each other's company.'

  'No chance,' Fern said flatly.

  Brett sat down and patted.the grass beside him. 'Sit down, and take those damned dark glasses off. I find it difficult enough to guess what you're getting at, at the best of times, but with those glasses, it's impossible.'

  Fern sat down a careful six feet away from him, adjusting her glasses more firmly, to show him she was not prepared to give an inch. After the way he had spoken to her in town this afternoon she thought she was being very magnanimous to even talk to him. 'If you've got anything else to criticize me for, I'd be pleased if you'd hurry up, because I want to get back and help Kirsty.'

  'I wish you'd take a more reasonable attitude. You must have known that when we became engaged you'd have to be with me a lot more, not only with me, but close to me, and there you go sitting half a mile away. Uncle and Kirsty won't expect us to make wild passionate love whenever we're together, but they will at least expect that you would want to sit by me on the couch, that I should occasionally put my arm around you, or even hold your hand.'

  'So ...?'

  Brett sighed, 'So I wish you wouldn't behave as if you'd discovered a python crawling around your neck whenever I put my arm across your shoulders, and if I take your hand, you react as if you'd been bitten by a deadly katipo spider, and when I kiss you ...'

  'Yes?' Fern watched him alertly.

  'Surely to God you've been kissed before, there's no need to carry on like an outraged prima donna ?'

  Furious, Fern felt her cheeks burning. 'You know this is only a sham, there was no need to kiss me with such ... Well, like you did in front of the Smiths.'

  Brett laughed, 'What were you going to say? With such enthusiasm, or with such pleasure? You mean you wouldn't mind being kissed by me as long as I regarded it as a bore, but not if I actually enjoyed kissing you? Sorry, my angry witch-woman, I do enjoy kissing you ...'

  Fern broke in, 'Have you anything further to say, because I'm going home if I have to walk.' She stood up im­patiently.

  'Yes, I have. About the presents we'll be given, don't worry about them. Just keep a list, and if we don't stick together I'll return them to the donors, okay? The other thing is , I have to put an announcement in the papers.

  Kirsty has already taken me to task for not doing it today. Have you any objections?'

  'Yes. I'd rather you didn't, but if you have to, please not in one of the national papers, just the wee local paper that comes out twice a week. Oh, and I don't want my addre
ss, something along.the lines of "Brett Alexander and Fern Fraser of Kowhiterangi have much pleasure in - blah-blah,' you know how it goes. I don't want my family to know anything about this.'

  Brett stood up and stretched. 'Okay, don't you think they'd approve of me?'

  'Oh, I'm sure they would think I was most fortunate to have caught someone as eminently suitable as you.'

  Brett walked across and put his arms around her. 'But you don't consider yourself lucky?'

  'No.'

  'Fern, I wish you would try to be friends, it would make our association much more pleasant. If you would tell me what I do to annoy you, I'd stop it. What is it about me that you dislike so much?'

  'Everything!' Fern said bitterly. Then before she could stop herself, she blurted out, 'If I'd known what you really thought of me I'd never have agreed to this engagement. You said I was hard and unforgiving, that there was nothing loving or feminine about me, that I was taking unfair advan­tage of your wish to please your uncle, by making you grovel, and that you'd be ashamed to introduce me to your friends, and now you have the flaming cheek to think I'd like to be friends with you! You can't complain , you were still willing to put a ring on my finger even after finding out what a bitch I am.' To her horror she was crying. 'You can go to hell! Sm -Smithy was so excited about us, she said you looked years younger, and that you l-l-loved me very much, s-she said she could tell by the way you never took your eyes off me.'

  Fern found her handkerchief and blew her nose. 'I didn't disillusion the poor dear. You see, I knew why you were so happy, because you'd managed to please Uncle Hamish without being irrevocably tied to me. And you kept watch­ing me because you were scared I would blow it. B-but I didn't, did I? It was you, when you found out Lisa was coming here after Christmas. You might have fooled them, but not me, you nearly broke my collarbone. I guess you just realized how stupid you were to grab me, when by waiting a few weeks you could have got the girl you really loved. Not to worry.' She took a deep breath. 'You can tell Lisa that this arrangement is pure fake, the day Uncle Hamish is buried I'll take off your ring, and disappear.'