Green Paddocks

by Jane Corrie

  On the day he had said he was moving in, Holly had showed her displeasure by taking off on the hunt for Hal, giving Milly strict instructions not to disclose her intentions—not that Milly needed any such prompting. Milly had never been over-enthusiastic about Pete and had taken the same attitude as Holly on his decision to move in.

  As Hayes Chester had said, Hal's name was a respected one, and it hadn't been too difficult for Holly to get news of his whereabouts. She straightened her shoulders; seeing Hal had done her good. At least there was peace between them now, and he had said the loan could be paid back and that was good enough for her. She ought really to have thought these things out for herself, but the shock of her father's death, plus what appeared to be Hal's desertion, had knocked her off balance. Her eyes glinted. Pete would find the slightly stunned girl he had almost bulldozed into matrimony returning to the fray fit and lighting mad !

  Begging writing material from the receptionist, Holly returned to the chalet to compose the letter she would leave for Hal. She knew she had to make it quite clear she had no intention of marrying Pete, or, as that detestable man had pointed out, he would follow her. She told him she would find some way of repaying the loan, and how much he had helped her to come to this decision. Again she assured him she would keep in touch with him, and let him know the outcome. Finally, she added that there would always be a place for him at Green Paddocks. Her eyes were misty as she sealed the letter and wrote his name on the envelope. With a tiny shake of the head she took it down to reception and left it for him, then collected her case, paid her bill and picking up a packed lunch was on her way within a short space of time.

  As the miles passed, her mind was busy with ways and means of extricating herself from her father's well-meaning but utterly impossible plans for her future. His illness must have coloured his judgement. Pete's money alone had ensured him success; he had inherited a thriving sheep station three years previously from a dominant father. His freedom had given him the authority he craved, and as time went by the old hands had moved on one by one, unable to accept orders given in such a grand manner by someone who knew less about station work than they did. Pete's trouble was in trying to prove himself. If he had taken the trouble to learn more of station life instead of taking numerous trips abroad on the excuse of studying the export side of the business, all would have been well, and the men would have accepted him.

  Holly's eyes scanned the horizon. Soon it would be dark. A few miles further on was a small township that boasted of two hotels, and she decided to stop off there. Her thoughts went back to Pete again, and she recalled Hal's words. It still did not seem feasible that Pete had nursed a tendresse for her. Her brow creased when she realised how little she really knew him. Bullora had been bought by his father only seven years ago, and most of that time Pete had spent receiving an expensive education. Only since he was in his late teens had Holly much to do with him, and very little then; she was much too occupied with the affairs of Green Paddocks.

  Since the death of his father he was a constant visitor, and Holly had thought it was advice he sought from her father. She made a wry grimace; knowing Pete a little better now, she had to admit

  Hal's surmise had been right—Pete was not one to seek advice from anyone. When she had told Hal she felt sorry for Pete, she had told the truth. He too had grown up motherless, but she had had the great fortune of receiving care and affection from all around her. From what she had heard of his father, Pete's life could not have been a happy one.

  If only he had chosen to knuckle down to station life instead of running in the opposite direction, things would have been vastly different, and the turnover of staff at Bullora avoided.

  For no reason at all she thought of Hayes Chester. He was all Pete wanted to be; a man to be reckoned with, automatically commanding respect by his very presence. Remembering her words on staff turnover, she gave a wry grin, recalling his furious reaction. She doubted if he had any problems that way either; he was a man who would choose his staff well and they would stand by him through thick and thin. Her mind went over their conversation, and the way he'd said if she were his concern she would stay put. Well, she hadn't! and the thought pleased her. He had said Hal couldn't handle her, and neither could he! Thinking about Hal made her sad again and her mood dropped to a sombre one. If only he could come back all would be well, not only for the future of Green Paddocks, but for her happiness as well; she missed him terribly.

  Twinkling lights in the distance proclaimed the township, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She was not used to driving long distances and was more than ready for a shower and a rest, not to mention a cooked meal. Choosing the smaller of the two hotels, Holly found it was also the more exclusive and was relieved that only one night's stay was necessary; any longer period would have severely strained her depleting resources.

  After a quick shower and a change of clothing, she made her way to the small but plush dining room, feeling again the rush of loneliness as she took the furthermost table in the room placed in an unobtrusive position. Holly did not intend to linger over her meal; when she had eaten she would ring Milly and tell her to expect her around noon the next day. She still had no idea what her next step would be, and she was too tired physically and mentally to even think about it. A night's sleep, she was confident, would work wonders.

  It was during the last course she saw him. His tall frame blocked the dining room doorway, and her dessert spoon was held suspended in mid-air while she watched him scanning the occupants of the room. What an extraordinary coincidence, she thought. What was Hayes Chester doing there? Her eyes hastily bent to her sweet as she felt his gaze rest on her. Well, whatever he was there for, it was nothing to do with her. She had made her position quite clear to Hal, and Hayes Chester ought to be grateful to her. Somehow the look she felt rest on her seemed anything but grateful, and she had a nasty feeling her deduction was about to be proved as she warily watched him approach her table in firm strides.

  With an assurance she was far from feeling Holly took another spoonful of her syllabub, and by the time he reached her she had just managed to swallow it. She wondered why it hadn't tasted as nice as it had before. There was a hint of defiance in her eyes as she met the cold grey ones. To her annoyance he pulled another chair from the next table and joined her without as much as a 'May I?' Without preamble he drawled, 'Seems you don't listen to what you're told.'

  Holly stared at him. 'I beg your pardon?' she said coldly.

  With a lazy gesture, he summoned the waiter, who appeared within a matter of seconds, and again without asking her consent ordered himself a meal. Holly laid her spoon down and pushed her unfinished sweet away signifying that she had finished and had no intention of staying to watch him have his meal. When the waiter started to leave, Holly stood up to make her departure. 'Bring the young lady some coffee,' Hayes Chester ordered grandly.

  If he called her 'young lady' once more she would scream, she thought. She would have liked to cancel the order but could hardly do so without creating a scene. She did not sit down again but reached out for her shoulder-bag, and found the movement arrested by a large well shaped hand placed over hers, 'You stay,' he said firmly. 'We've things to talk over.'

  Holly gasped and attempted to shake her hand free from that compelling hold. 'I fail to see,' she got out furiously, 'what we can possibly have to talk about. I'm tired, Mr Chester, and mean to have an early night.'

  His grey eyes flicked over her briefly. 'I said we are going to talk,' he said softly. 'It's up to you where. Of course, if you insist on going to your room, then we talk there, but I do think it would be more appropriate to have our discussion here, don't you?'

  Holly's eyes blazed back at him. 'If,' she spat out, 'you dared to come to my room I'd scream blue murder! No, Mr Chester, you can't bully me, I'm not one of your hands.'

  His hold tightened on her hand, and she winced. 'Let go of my hand,' she ground out, 'or I'll start right now!'

&
nbsp; Whatever would have ensued from this skirmish Holly was never to know, as the arrival of someone else also looking for her arrested her attention. With wide eyes she watched Pete march towards them. With a quick wrench she pulled her hand free, but he had seen the movement and his expression was grim.

  'Who the hell are you?' he demanded of Hayes Chester.

  Watching the men take stock of each other, Holly thought she might as well not be present, both men had utterly ignored her.

  'I might,' drawled Hayes Chester, 'ask the same of you.'

  Pete's brown eyes narrowed as he took the measure of her companion. 'Mills,' he rapped out.

  'Chester,' was snapped back at him.

  Pete swung his attention to Holly. 'I've been scouring the country for you. Why the devil didn't you let me know where you were going?'

  Holly was about to tell him indignantly it was no business of his when Hayes Chester took the wind out of her sails, not only becalming her but leaving her speechless.

  'Might I ask what right you have to question my fiancée on her movements?' he drawled softly.

  Not only Pete Mills stared at him. Holly's eyes opened to their full capacity. By the time she had recovered sufficiently enough to refute this sweeping statement, Pete had demanded, 'Fiancée? Since when?' he growled, fixing his eyes on Holly.

  Feeling both men's eyes on her, Holly swallowed and concentrated on the brilliant white dinner cloth; then looked up at Hayes Chester. She was having a nightmare, surely? He met her look with bland unconcern. 'Well, darling?' he said softly.

  Holly's gaze went back to the tablecloth; she felt the flush stain her cheeks. She couldn't imagine what game he was playing, but she saw a way of getting Pete out of Green Paddocks. Had Hal put him up to it? She swallowed again. 'It was rather sudden,' she murmured, quite unable to meet Hayes Chester's eyes.

  Pete let out an explosive snort and turned his attention to the man beside her. 'I suppose you do realise Holly's still recovering from the shock of her father's sudden death,' he snarled out. 'As she's my responsibility I refuse to accept any such arrangement until I'm certain she has sufficiently recovered.'

  Holly knew she ought to wade in and assure Pete she had recovered from the blow of her father's death and was in command of her senses. The trouble was, she was not in full command of anything at that particular time. On the whole she rather agreed with Pete; she was still suffering from shock, but it wasn't the cause Pete had forwarded.

  Hayes Chester rose slowly and in morbid fascination Holly watched the men size each other up. With horror she realised the confrontation could result in an unseemly brawl. Pete was itching for a fight; however, she ought to have known Hayes Chester would handle him, and he did. 'I hardly think this is the place for a personal discussion,' he said quietly. 'When Holly and I have finished dining. I suggest we meet later. I appreciate your concern for her welfare and for that reason alone am willing to present my credentials to you.' His glance went beyond Pete. 'And now, if you don't mind, I believe my order is about to be served.'

  It was quietly said and effectively drew Pete's fire. For a brief second he stood his ground, then with a muttered, 'I'll be in the bar,' he flung out of the dining room.

  Holly fervently thanked providence she had chosen a table well away from the centre of the room, and glanced furtively around to see if there had been any interested spectators, then sighed with relief on noting that only one other table was occupied, and that near the door by an elderly couple, probably residents, completely absorbed in their meal.

  While the waiter served the dishes Holly knew that whether she liked it or not, she would have to remain. She suspected the bar was just off the dining room and did not fancy running into Pete on her own. She passed the time by covertly studying her companion. He wore a light beige suit with a pale blue shirt and matching beige tie. She noticed how his eyes took on a bluish tint, probably because of the shirt he wore. Her look passed to dark crisp hair that had a tendency to curl at the ends. Not too long, just right, she decided. With a start she realised the waiter had left and Hayes Chester was silently studying her. As her startled eyes met his, he picked up his knife and fork and began his meal. Holly poured herself a cup of coffee. A few seconds later he said, 'So that's Pete Mills. A hothead if I ever saw one.'

  Holly found her hand was not too steady as she picked up her cup and put it down again. She felt she had at least to attempt to defend him. 'Pete rubs people up the wrong way,' she said quietly. 'He means well,' she ended lamely.

  The man opposite her raised his brows at this understatement, and Holly fell silent. She knew she ought to demand an apology for the outrageous statement he had made to Pete, but couldn't bring herself to mention it. Perhaps she had imagined it? She glanced across at him obviously enjoying his large steak with salad on the side and marvelled at his composure. Suddenly she could stand it no longer. 'Do you often do this sort of thing?' she asked crossly.

  He took his time in answering, and glanced back at her. 'What sort of thing?' he asked infuriatingly.

  Now convinced she had dreamed the whole thing up, Holly wondered if Pete, kicking his heels in the bar, was suffering from the same delusion. To her further fury he said caustically, 'Don't get any ideas, will you? I can assure you my motives were purely business ones.'

  Holly eyed him warily. 'Such as?' she queried, deciding to ignore the previous remark.

  He looked pointedly at the coffee jug. 'White,' he said grandly.

  Holly clenched her teeth but obliged. He took his time to select a cheroot, and without asking her permission if he might smoke, making her wish she could walk out on him. She watched him draw on the cigar and exhale with obvious enjoyment. Holly was reminded of her father, who had always enjoyed a smoke after a meal in the days gone by. Her eyes misted over and she blinked hastily in order to shut these thoughts out.

  Her companion sipped his coffee. 'Before we meet your friend,' he said conversationally, as if he were discussing the weather, 'it would be as well to iron out a few facts.' His eyes met hers levelly.

  Holly felt things had gone far enough. 'We,' she said coldly, 'do not meet my friend, as you put it. I have no intention of supporting your ridiculous statement. I'm sure you can find a good explanation for it,' she smiled sweetly at him. 'You could say you had a touch of the sun.'

  Her sarcasm was completely wasted on him, she noted irritably, as he went on calmly, completely ignoring her remarks, 'I had a word with Munt.'

  Holly's lips set; so it was Hal who had sent him! As fond as she was of him he had no right to discuss her affairs. As he sensed her thoughts, his gaze left the tip of his cigar and met her angry eyes. 'You should have stayed put as you were told to do,' he pointed out mildly yet somewhat censoriously. 'An arrangement could have been worked out.' He was silent for a second or so, then said, I appear to have misjudged you.'

  That was all he said, and Holly wondered if that was supposed to be an apology. Her brows rose fractionally but she said nothing.

  'He was all set to chase after you,' he went on, 'and didn't take too kindly to my interference in the matter. However,' he said airily, 'after the situation was clarified, it appeared I was in a position to give some assistance.'

  Holly's eyes narrowed slightly. If he was willing to help there would have to be a reason; he was nobody's fool. 'What do you have to gain by it?' she asked baldly, seeing the sardonic twist the words brought to his well moulded mouth.

  His eyes were cold as they met hers. 'Beginning to know me, are you, Miss Drew?'

  Holly flushed but remained silent.

  'Of course I have a reason,' he drawled. 'For some time now I've been thinking of moving south. Branching out, as it were. One long drought could drastically affect my grazing areas and I'm handicapped anyway with the numbers of cattle I can reasonably provide for. With extra land I can raise stock. There are one or two strains I'm particularly interested in breeding. Munt tells me your land might just fit the bill.' He looked at her
with narrowed eyes. 'You are in debt to Mills to the tune of fifty thousand, I understand, I shall,' he went on casually, 'pay that debt, and go on from there. To begin with, it will be a sort of investment. If the experiment fails, then the ranch will still be kept solvent. Munt has assured me it's a viable proposition.'

  Holly listened intently. It made sense, but she did not like it. It was beginning to look, as if she would be exchanging one tyrannical character for another. Once she had thought she could handle Pete, but now she wasn't so sure. She was sure, however, about this man. If anyone did any handling, it would be him, and no two ways about it! And where, she thought, did she come into the pattern of the scheme? She spoke her thoughts.

  'I'm offering you a partnership,' he told her grandly. 'On the understanding that I shall brook no interference. The men will be on my payroll. For a week or so, it will be necessary for you to put up with my presence at Green Paddocks. I understand from Munt that the homestead is large enough to accommodate me without causing much disruption. When I've started the wheels rolling I shall appoint a manager and return to Coomela.'

  Holly thought of Hal and her eyes showed her hope. He acknowledged that look with a curt, 'Not Munt.' Holly's fingers clenched into a ball; he was making certain Hal stayed on his payroll. The mention of a manager also reminded her of her own plans, and her lips set. Hal hadn't realised it, but he had very nearly got her hogtied again, but this time she saw it coming. If she didn't get out from under right here and now, there would be no going back as far as this man was concerned. 'It all sounds most suitable, Mr Chester,' she murmured, and looked down at her hands, quite unable to meet those enigmatic eyes of his. 'I'm sure you'll appreciate the fact that I need time to think it over. You see,' she went on slowly, determined to show him she wasn't the helpless nitwit he obviously thought her, 'I've been thinking on the same lines myself.' She felt him stare at her. 'Oh, not breeding special strains,' she said hastily, 'but running the ranch on the same lines as before. I had decided to get a manager in—Hal,' she said quickly, but firmly, on seeing the sardonic look her words had produced. 'Hal,' she repeated, 'told me we could pay drat debt off, and that's what I shall do.'