Call of the Mountain

by Macgregor, Miriam

  She turned to him eagerly. 'You would take me—some day?'

  A shutter seemed to drop as his face became inscrutable. 'Perhaps, some day, you might keep an appointment at the peak. Who knows?'

  `Who indeed?' She felt vaguely disappointed by his lack of enthusiasm, but listened politely as he spoke of the dangers to be encountered when climbing at certain times of the year. Then, turning again to gaze upward, she was surprised to see that already more clouds had gathered, this time lower and thicker. Nor did they drift away as quickly as before.

  Following her gaze, Brett frowned. 'There could be even heavier clouds behind those banks of mist. They'll either go away or come right down.'

  `Are you saying you think it might rain?'

  `Yes, but I haven't forgotten I promised to take you across the bridge above the falls, so if you've finished your coffee we'd be wise to start moving.'

  As they walked past the parking area Lisa noticed that most of the cars had gone, and she then recalled that he had paused to stare back at one of them. And although she was reluctant to bring up the subject of Paul she was unable to resist the question. 'You recognised Paul's car when we first arrived here?'

  `Yes. The sight of it puzzled me, especially as I thought it should have been on its way to Stratford. Let's forget about him,' he added harshly.

  She was only too glad to do this, and her spirits rose as he led her along paths behind the Tourist Lodge, some of them bordered with ferns and the sharp-edged blades of native grasses. In places she stumbled down leaf-strewn steps that descended to twist and wind beneath the overhanging lichen-draped boughs, and always she thrilled to the touch of his hand beneath

  her arm, assisting her across places that were slippery and wet from springs.

  It was a rambling route, leading down across a small bridge, then up to a track which gave higher lookout places where they paused to gaze at distant wooded humps and hillsides. Brett pointed out several places of interest to climbers, and then they descended to cross the lower and longer bridge near the falls.

  Halfway across they paused to lean on the rail and watch the violence of the waters rushing noisily between large rounded river boulders before leaping over the sixty-foot drop. Nor had they been there long before mists and rain descended, to sprinkle their faces and wrap them in a shroud of fog.

  Brett said, 'Let's move on. I know where we can shelter beneath a spreading totara tree. Only heavy rain will get through its thick foliage.'

  They hastened up the twists and curves until Brett turned along a side track. Taking Lisa's hand, he led her to a secluded area that was surrounded by undergrowth, and where the path ended beside an ancient tree of giant proportions. It was here that he took her in his arms.

  The unexpectedness of it took her breath away, nor did she have any wish to fight against the magnetic force that lifted her face up towards his. She closed her eyes as she felt his lips roam over the smoothness of her lids and cheeks before they found her mouth, and as his kiss deepened a surge of intense yearning set her blood on fire.

  A deep sigh escaped him as the fingers of one hand unzipped their jackets to remove the restricting thickness of material between them. 'That's better,' he murmured, nuzzling her neck. 'I don't like clothes that keep us apart.'

  Lisa became aware of the intense desire that engulfed him, of the primitive male demands of his body calling to her own, and then the firmness of his

  hand in the small of her back pressed her even closer to him, sending her inner flames leaping skywards.

  Loving him, she knew that her whole being responded with a depth of longing that was almost overwhelming, and she also knew that she ached to give and give until her strength had vanished. Her heart thumped, causing her throat to constrict as she was forced to give an involuntary and uncontrolled arching towards him.

  Clinging to him with wild abandon, she whispered huskily, 'Brett—oh, Brett—I do—' Then, horrified, she gulped back the words on the edge of her tongue, falling silent as she realised she had almost confessed that she loved him. The knowledge was enough to jolt her to her senses.

  `Yes? You were saying—?' he muttered softly against her lips, then his hand pressed her head against the firmness of his chest while his fingers became entwined in her hair as he awaited her reply.

  Nothing—nothing. I'm just trying to stay sane,' she gasped. Leaning against him, she could hear the rhythmic thud-thud of his heart and she knew his control was nearly at breaking point. Her words grew muffled as she whispered. `I—I think we should leave this place—it's dangerous.'

  Brett laughed softly. 'You think a storm might come?' `A storm has come, and you know it. An emotional storm.'

  `You fear we might make love here, in the rain?'

  She remained silent, unable to meet his eyes, yet knowing she longed to be one with him—anywhere, even in the rain.

  `You're afraid of me, Lisa? You're afraid I'll take you against your will? Only it wouldn't be against your will, would it? You want me as much as I want you.'

  Her arms clung to him as she buried her face against his chest, and while she was still unable to look at him she was also unable to find words of denial.

  `I believe you are afraid of me.' His deep voice had become little more than a husky whisper.

  She nodded. 'Yes, to be honest, I am. You're so—so unpredictable, sometimes a glacier, but at other times, like now, on fire.'

  `At the moment a raging furnace,' he admitted, holding her even closer. 'But then you know that, don't you, my lovely Lisa? You know that I want you, that I long to make love with you—'

  He kissed her again, and as his lips became possessive his hand slipped beneath her jersey to slide her bra strap aside and cup her bare breast. His fingers fondling her raised nipple drew a further ecstatic response from her until he again held her against his chest, where she waited expectantly for the words that would tell her he loved her, that his desire for her went much, much deeper than mere sex.

  Instead he murmured, 'This place could be the Garden of Eden—without the snake, of course. It's a place where lovers steal precious moments.'

  `Lovers? You know that lovers come here?' A cold chill crept over her as she considered his words. Was he trying to tell her something? And then she almost felt the colour drain from her face as, once again, she was gripped by a spasm of jealousy. 'Is that how you happen to know of this place?' she asked quietly.

  He frowned at her. 'What are you trying to say?'

  `I mean I'm not the only girl you've brought to this spot.'

  Brett laughed softly. 'Silly little goose!'

  `Or perhaps, except for the rain, you wouldn't have brought me here at all.' Her tone became accusing as she persisted in torturing herself with the suspicion that this was merely a short interlude, a few moments of amusement while waiting for a shower to pass.

  His eyes took on their penetrating glint. 'Something's bugging you, and I'd like to know what it is. Please don't allow it to ruin those moments we've

  just shared.' His voice had become low. 'You promise?'

  Lisa nodded. 'I'll—I'll try.' She swallowed hard as her eyes become moist.

  He kissed her again, effectively silencing any further protest until at last he said, 'The rain caused me to remember this place of shelter. However, I think it's eased off now, so perhaps we should leave before it comes on again, and more heavily next time.'

  They made their way back to the main track through a veil of mist that cast a ghostly gloom over the dripping branches. The roadway was wet and the car, when they reached it, looked freshly washed. Lisa didn't really want to get into it because she knew it meant the beginning of the end of the day alone with Brett, but as he took his seat behind the wheel he returned to the subject of his sister.

  `I've been thinking of Mary,' he admitted casually.

  She turned to look at him but said nothing, wondering if, despite his kisses, his sister had been more prominently in his mind than she herself had
been. His next words seemed to confirm this suspicion.

  `I've been wondering if you'll help her.' He half turned towards her, raising a dark brow.

  `Of course. I'll do anything I can—if she'll listen to me.'

  `I think she should have a long spell away from home. Does your offer still hold?'

  `My offer? Oh, you mean my suggestion that she should come home with me? Naturally, it still stands.'

  `Good. When you leave Lynton I'll be grateful if you'll do your best to persuade her to return to Auckland with you. I'm sure it would be the best way to clear her mind.'

  Lisa stared straight ahead as the car glided between the bush walls of the winding downhill road. When you leave Lynton, he'd said. That meant he had no

  thought of her remaining after she had finished Catherine's book—which in turn meant there had been neither sincerity nor depth behind his kisses. They didn't mean anything at all to him.

  Cold fingers seemed to be clutching at her heart as she became conscious of a deepening depression coupled with the horrible suspicion that she was being manipulated. Yes, that was the word—manipulated. While holding her in his arms beneath the tree Brett hadn't been showering her with love and affection at all—he had been planning and wooing her cooperation. He had been seeking her aid for Mary. A surge of indignation shook her, but she told herself to simmer down and to begin a little clear thinking on her own accord.

  Brett sent her a half smile as the car swung out of the Egmont National Park. 'You're very thoughtful,' he remarked. 'What's on your mind? I'm sure it's constructive.'

  `On the contrary, I'm trying to decide exactly what it is you'd like me to do. I can only presume it's to hasten the end of Mountain Memory, and then for me to take my departure with Mary.' She found difficulty in keeping the bitterness from her voice, and waited anxiously for his denial concerning her departure.

  But it did not come. Instead he said, 'I don't see how you can do more than you're doing at present. You're already working long hours on it.'

  `Nor will Catherine want to see the job rushed,' Lisa pointed out.

  `Perhaps you could persuade her to help with the typing.'

  She shook her head. `No, I must see to it myself.' The excuse came readily because in all honesty she didn't want Catherine to assist with the typing. In fact she had no wish for any help that would hasten her departure from Lynton. And then another thought struck her.

  Turning to him, she said urgently, 'Aren't you forgetting Paul's suggestion that he might find a job on the North Shore? If he does, and Mary is there, she'd be right back to square one.' She hesitated, then pointed out, 'If he's in a flat she might even consider moving in with him.'

  He gave a harsh laugh. 'Mary? Move in with a man? That'll be the day! She'd never do it.'

  Lisa's tone became dry. 'Have you forgotten that the man is Paul? He could be persuasive, if it suited him.'

  Brett remained silent, frowning at the road ahead.

  Lisa pressed home the vantage. 'Have you also forgotten there's talk of a plan but no mention of marriage? These are modern times, Brett, and Mary is an adult. She'll do exactly as she wishes, especially if the opportunity presents itself. So, if you work it out from that angle, the North Shore might not be the best place for her.' She took a quick peep to judge his reaction.

  He was noncommittal. 'It's possible you're right. So what do you suggest?'

  `I think the matter will solve itself. Sooner or later she'll see the light and will have to face up to the situation.' Just as I'm having to face up to it, she thought dolefully. Mary and I are in the same boat. I also love a man who doesn't love me.

  `This is the kind of thing you yourself had to cope with,' Brett said with perception. 'Apparently you ran away.'

  `Yes.' Startled, she wondered if he had read her thoughts.

  `Do you think Mary should run away?'

  `Only if she has something to occupy her mind when she reaches a destination of some sort. I was fortunate in having a father who was very friendly with Gordon Bishop, who happened to have a staff vacancy at that particular time. It gave me my job with

  the publishing firm.' And it also brought me to you, she added silently to herself.

  Then they reached home Catherine wasn't even remotely surprised to see them return earlier than expected. 'I told you not to judge the day by the morning,' she reminded Lisa.

  `We've more than the weather to discuss,' Brett told her crisply. 'Where's Mary?'

  Catherine's brows rose with a hint of surprise. `Have you forgotten she was going to Stratford? She isn't home yet. The poor girl was so disappointed because she had to go alone. Paul rang to say he'd had to change his plans as something unexpected had cropped up.'

  `You can say that again!' Brett snapped. 'The something was a young blonde in the throes of first love and infatuation.'

  Catherine's hazel eyes widened as she looked at him incredulously. 'Are you saying he let Mary down for somebody else?'

  `That's exactly what I'm saying, and I doubt that it's the first time.' He went on to tell her about the meeting with Paul near Wilkie's Pools.

  Catherine's mouth tightened as she listened, then she turned to Lisa. 'You've tried to warn us, but we haven't really listened

  Brett cut in, 'The point is that something has to be done about the situation. I might add, Catherine, that it was your matchmaking activities that got Mary into it, so perhaps you can come up with a suggestion that'll get her out of it.'

  `I was only trying to do my best for her,' Catherine protested. She fell silent, thinking deeply, then came to a decision as she said, 'I'll put a call through to New Plymouth. Laura and the two girls might be able to help. Perhaps Mary could visit them for a while. It'd be a nice change for her—if she'll go.'

  `Explain the situation fully so that they won't allow

  her to sit in a corner like a moping mouse,' Brett advised.

  Catherine left the room, her attitude full of purpose. `Who are Laura and the girls?' Lisa felt compelled to ask.

  `Laura is my aunt,' he explained. 'She was my mother's younger sister. Her two daughters, Susan and Sally, are my cousins. When Laura's husband died she knew she had to be kept occupied, so she and the girls pooled their resources to build a block of motels on the front lawn of their home. It's on the seafront, and because it's near town they're kept very busy.'

  A motel on the seafront. Lisa grew thoughtful as she remembered Paul's words concerning Maggie Simpson. She's working at a waterfront motel, he'd said. Could it be the same one? Her eyes narrowed as she tried to recall suitable sites for motels along the New Plymouth seafront, but there were very few.

  At last she said, 'Do you really believe Mary will go to them?'

  `It's possible, by the time I've finished talking to her. Will you add your persuasion?'

  Lisa shook her head. 'Definitely not. She'd suspect my motives for wishing her to be away from this place. I'm sure she still believes I came here to find Paul.'

  `I noticed you remained very calm when he appeared with that girl.. Or were you concealing an inner fury?'

  `I'll admit I was angry, but it was purely on Mary's behalf. Can't you believe me?' She looked at him pleadingly.

  `I'm wrestling with it.' There was a mocking glint in his eyes.

  `In any case, you yourself took the meeting very calmly,' Lisa added.

  `Did you expect me to punch him on the nose? I'll admit it gave me a shock, and my instinct was to knock his block off until one salient fact leapt into my mind.'

  Lisa looked at him stonily. 'A fact that exonerates Paul, no doubt? You men always stick together.'

  `That's possible. Nevertheless it occurred to me that I'm unaware of any definite commitment between Paul and Mary. As far as I know he's a free man, so he doesn't have to explain himself to her or to anyone else. Perhaps the situation between them is something she's built up in her own mind—'

  His explanation was cut short as Catherine returned to the room. 'It c
ouldn't be better,' she declared happily. 'Laura hasn't been well and has had quite a spell in bed.'

  Brett's brows shot up. 'That's a good thing?'

  `Of course. Don't you see? Susan and Sally need extra help. They've still got that girl Maggie who comes in to vacuum and clean the bedrooms, but Mary would be a godsend and they'd be delighted to see her arrive.'

  Lisa listened with interest. So it was the same motel. She longed to tell them that Mary would soon learn all about Paul, but decided to remain silent.

  Brett said, `Laura's illness will enable you to tell Mary she's duty bound to assist her aunt and cousins.'

  `Exactly. And there's something else. They've had the two back bedrooms of their own house knocked into one large room where they hold parties and dances. This means that young people staying in the motel can have their fun and loud music without disturbing other guests. Susan said it's being used every night. Don't you see? It means that Mary will meet more people.'

  `And about time too,' Brett rasped.

  `I've arranged for Susan to ring her later and ask if she'll go to New Plymouth and give them a hand. I thought it the best way.'

  Brett sent her an approving glance. 'Bless you, Cathy! When it comes to manipulation you're out on your own—a real expert!'

  When Mary arrived home an hour later she was wearing an air of depression, and although she tried to escape to her bedroom she was waylaid by Brett, who drew her into the living room.

  Watching her narrowly, he said, 'Did you have a good day? Paul picked you up on time, I presume?' The question came smoothly.

  Her eyes moistened as she shook her head. 'No, I—I had to go alone. He—he rang to say he couldn't make it. Apparently something cropped up.'

  `I'll say it did!' Brett snapped. 'Come into the library, I want to talk to you. I'll tell you exactly what cropped up. It's got long blonde hair draped round its shoulders—'

  Later, when they emerged from the library, Mary's face was tear-stained. She disappeared into her bedroom, refusing to join them for evening meal, but when the phone in the hall rang she rushed to pick up the receiver. A few minutes later she appeared at the dining room door, her eyes still wide from the surprise of the phone call.