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BOOK 5 PART TWO
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Being Yours BOOK 5 PART TWO
The man was staring simply because he appreciated the sight of a beautiful woman, and was maybe permitting himself to indulge in a little harmless fantasy. “I could use a good long walk,’ Lynne said as they stepped out into the now cool night air. ‘After a huge meal like that, I couldn’t stand sitting in the car.’ She’d consumed an almost indecent amount of fresh, steamed clarns, followed by a main course of rock cod on a bed of spinach nested on a plateful of rice, served with a wonderful teriyaki sauce. “The car is three blocks from here, remember?’ Cliff said, his voice tight, and she smiled, taking his hand. She knew he wanted to get home as quickly as possible, and knew why, but ever since he’d watched her slide her dress on over her nude body, she’d been bent on teasing him. ‘We have to walk to get there,’ he added. “Oh, but that’s not nearly far enough,’ she said. “You think not?’ He halted under a streetlamp and stared down at her. ‘If I were to do to you now what I want t
Being Yours BOOK 5 PART TWO
Vincent Salazar’s eyes — and suddenly Cliff had no doubt that this was who the man was — darted to Lynne’s face as she stepped forward, her fingers clinging tightly to Cliff's. ‘What did you say, girl?’ he demanded in a rasping voice. Tension emanated from him; it was in his hunched stance, in his tght face, in his dark eyes under his thick brows. It paled his brown face, making his eyes seem even blacker. ‘What did you say?’ he asked again in a voice hardly more than a rough whisper. Lynne didn’t reply. She knew perfectly well the man had heard what she said. ‘How can you know that?’ Salazar barked abruptly, not moving an inch except to straighten, squaring his big shoulders, but suddenly seeming to fill the room with a menacing presence. Cliff stepped protectively in front of Lynne again, staring the man down. Lynne, refusing to let Cliff face this alone, slipped around him and lifted her chin as she said, ‘I know because, in seeing you, I see what my husband will be in another t
Being Yours BOOK 5 PART TWO
“Miss Salazar, are you all right?’ Dr Baker put her hand on Lynne’s shoulder. ‘What?’ Lynne pulled herself back from wherever it was her whirling mind had taken her and said, ‘Oh, oh, yes. I’m... fine.’ She was still having difficulty answering to the name Mrs Salazar, but this .. . Lord, this was even more difficult. The doctor settled back in her chair, frowning slightly. “That’s good.’ She looked down at Lynne’s chart, fiddled with a pen and said, ‘I see here that you have two very young children. You know, don’t you, that the medical profession recognizes that there are times in a woman’s life when a pregnancy is all wrong, and that arrangements can be made? It’s safe and effective and quite simple at an early stage like this.’ ‘No!’ Lynne’s voice was sharp and one hand curved protectively around her lower abdomen. ‘Oh, no. Thank you, but no.’ As Lynne got behind the wheel of the car, she wondered dimly if she should even be driving, the condition her mind was in, but she got
Being Yours BOOK 5 PART TWO EPILOGUE
EPILOGUE 'Cliff, you’d better go wake your dad up and tell him we’re leaving.’ ‘Huh? What? Leaving? Where are we going?’ Cliff came instantly awake, if not instantly intelligent. ‘To the hospital, silly. Dr Baker said, when the contractions were five minutes apart, to call her and then to come in. I’ve called her and she’ll be there. waiting for us.’ He sat up in bed staring at her, stark terror on his face. ‘Lynne, now wait a minute. I don’t think! . can... I don’t know if I... Oh, my God! Now? Right now?’ Lynne nodded and sat on the edge of the bed, rocking back and forth for several long seconds while Cliff held her shoulders and prayed. Hard. ‘Go and wake up your dad,’ she said when she could breathe evenly again. ‘So he knows he has to listen for the kids and make them breakfast and stuff.” Vincent had insisted on spending the last three weeks of Lynne’s pregnancy with them for just that reason. When Cliff came back with a tall, straight and immediately alert Vincent in to
Being Yours BOOK 6
Last week Jill McCall had thought her world was in a fairly secure orbit. Today, she felt like she’d been hit by Halley’s comet.What a shock to discover that she’d been downsized by the company that had hired her fresh out of college. Downsized, as her boss kindly explained, meant that the company was laying off workers in an attempt to become more financially stable.Tell that to her apartment manager, Jill snorted. The company might be more fiscally healthy, but being laid off right after Thanksgiving meant it was going to be a very slim Christmas for her. So much for that bonus she’d been counting on.To add to the feeling of being torn loose from the universe, only last week she had broken off her engagement to her fiance. The relationship, she’d realized, was comfortable, but missing something. It was sadly lacking in fire, and in passion, she had decided. At least it had seemed that way before a note had been dropped on her desk at work, revealing thatCarl had enough passion t
Being Yours BOOK 6
Dustin opened the door so the woman carrying the baby could walk past him into the house. ‘Mother!’ he called. ‘We’ve got company!’The lady eyed him a bit peevishly before walking into the parlor off the hall. He watched in amazement as she sat down, settled the baby in her arms, and popped the cap on the bottle. Testing it deftly on her arm, the woman shrugged, then put the bottle to the baby’s lips. The infant started sucking greedily. It was a relief, though the baby’s fussing hadn’t really been that loud. He just hadn’t been able to bear knowing that the minuscule person was hungry. Tiny gulping sounds in the antique-furnished parlor made Dustin smile.But not as much as the sight of the woman cuddling the infant to her breast, close and secure, as she murmured soft, comforting words to it.A large piece of the past suddenly lodged in Dustin’s throat. His wife, Nina, had wanted their baby so badly. And although even the baby hadn’t been enough to keep Nina’s unhappiness at bay fo
Being Yours BOOK 6
‘So, what makes you interested in the position, Jill?’ Eunice’s question pulled Jill’s gaze away from surreptitiously watching Dustin talk to the sheriff who had arrived a few minutes earlier.‘Stability,’ she answered. ‘The idea of living in one place for a year is very appealing.’Jill thought about her answer, knowing that there had been more that had pulled her ojit to the ranch on Setting Sim Road. Meeting Mrs Reed’s eyes, Jill said honestly, ‘The bonus at the end of a year was an incentive also.’Eunice nodded. Jill watched as the baby opened her mouth in an angelic yawn. ‘Although I suppose you weren’t counting on both of us joining you for the holidays. Will you have enough room?’‘Space isn’t a problem at all. I rather like the idea of a house full of people during Christmas. It’s been somewhat lonely around here. If we can agree on the position, then your coming here is very fortuitous. We’ll need help with this baby, of course.’‘Hello, Ms McCall,’ the sheriff said, coming
Being Yours BOOK 6
Eunice showed Jill the room she would have during her stay at the ranch. It was light and cheery, with yellow-striped wallpaper on the walls and white eyelet curtains at every window. A window seat on the far wall, overlooking the front of the house, had a yellow, cabbage rose cushion in place.‘I love the room, Mrs Reed,’ Jill said. ‘I’ll be very comfortable in here.’‘I hope you will, my dear,’ Eunice replied pleasantly. ‘What I think you’ll like best is that the adjoining bathroom connects to the room Joey stays in. That way you don’t have to go so far if he needs you at night.’‘I can’t wait to meet him,’ Jill said.Eunice smiled. ‘He’ll be home from visiting his other grandparents shortly. Now, there’s something I hope you’ll do for me, Jill,’ Eunice continued, stopping to pause in front of the vanity mirror hanging over an antique table. Her fingers lightly patted the silvery-white dross of her hair, twisted into a delicate chignon, which Jill thought suited her.‘I’ll do whatev
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Being Yours BOOK 9
Lohano Tiki drove his bright yellow Ferrari up the long gravel incline and parked in front of the huge pillared portico that was the entrance to the Black Orchid Palace.He climbed out of the car, and quickly ducked down to check his hair in the wing-mirror.Good. Nicely wind-ruffled and carefree.A handsome, square-jawed face looked back at him, tanned a deeper colour by the desert sun.By the Nevadan desert sun, to be exact.His shirt was dazzling white and casually opened at the throat to reveal a strong dark column of neck and the first few wisps of dark chest hair.His jacket was white linen, faultlessly tailored, his slacks a dark green. His loafers came from Rome. His only piece of jewellery was a modest, leather-strapped watch from Switzerland.He was dressing to impress Koki’Hana as much as his rebellious and strong-willed granddaughter.He sprang lithely up the four rounded steps, that were spread out like a fan and led to the huge, impressive, carved oak doors of the palace
Being Yours BOOK 9
George Dixon watched the large crocodile of people emerge from the intermediary house by the east wall.As the owner of fifteen per cent of the Orchid House, he’d been asked to attend the full day’s festivities, of course, but he’d only just decided to put in an appearance.It was three-fifteen p.m.The extra waiters and waitresses hired for the lunch had been circulating in the grounds all afternoon, laden with trays of champagne, fruit juice and little nibbles. He hijacked a waiter and grabbed a glass of cold Moet et Chandon and a few smoked salmon pastries that melted in the mouth.He was lounging against the fountain that was the centre-piece of the outer grounds. Round, made of stone, and full of fish and water-lilies, it shot a fountain of water nearly thirty feet into the air.It was cooler there.George didn’t much like the heat. He was a small but very fat man, with a round belly and short, stocky legs. He could only imagine what the heat must be like inside the hot-houses.G
Being Yours BOOK 9
King Koki’Hana reached the end of the welcoming line, and finally shook hands with the last person to be presented - a tall, thin Portuguese man, whom Electra had introduced as their head groundsman. It was his job to keep the gardens outside the glasshouses looking good.Koki’Hana quite liked meeting the people who made businesses tick. Oahu, like all the islands, was a large ethnic mix of people - Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Polynesians, Portuguese and American. Here at the Orchid House, he was pleased to see that Electra Stapleton’s only criterion for picking her staff was their having the right qualifications for the job. He operated a similar policy where his own business affairs were concerned.‘Well, Alii Koki’Hana, I’m sure you can see now why the Orchid House is such a success,’ Electra said quietly. ‘My staff are simply the best in the world.’ She said with it quiet pride but total sincerity.King Koki’Hana nodded. ‘So I see. And you are rapidly expanding, I underst
Being Yours BOOK 9
Bevis expertly aligned the small light aircraft with the portable runway lights Electra had lit ten minutes ago, and lightly touched down. He taxied neatly to the end of the runway, turned, and then parked the plane near a stand of hua trees, where it was partially hidden.He went through his checklist, making sure all the systems were shut down, then locked the cockpit, grabbed his overnight bag, and jumped lithely to the ground.At thirty-eight, he looked a good ten years younger, and still retained the well-built but fat-free body that would be the envy of many men his age. His short hair was still as dark as a raven’s wing, with not a hint of grey at the temples.He gathered up the landing lights, turning them off as he went, and stowed them away in their small wooden shed, hidden in the small copse of trees, padlocking the door after him.During the short walk to Electra’s luxurious bungalow, ‘Makai Hale’, he ran a tired hand through his hair. It was good to have a break from the
Being Yours BOOK 9
Electra stroked the damp copper hair off his forehead and looked around desperately. There was only the diminishing storm, darkness and fear. She couldn’t move him - she wasn’t strong enough to get him into her car. Besides., she didn’t know if she should move him, and wished she knew more basic First Aid.She felt as if she’d been cradling the stranger in her arms forever, but it had actually been less than five minutes since the lightning strike.The rain had been gradually dwindling, and now had stopped altogether, but she could still hear the distant rumble of thunder, away to the east, as the storm headed out to sea.Suddenly another sound began to impinge on her mind, and she looked up hopefully as a small set of lights dipped and disappeared in the distance.A car! At last!Coming from the same direction as she had been. Somewhat belatedly, she realized her own car was still blocking the road, and she carefully lowered the stranger’s head to the ground and got to her feet.Her
Being Yours BOOK 9
Hawaii, or the Big Island as it was known to the locals, played host to fewer tourists than its sister island Oahu, but boasted similar moutainous lush greenery, great surfing and multi-cultural dining, all with the added bonus of spectacular black beaches, courtesy of the volcanoes.A mountainous land of plantations, myth and Polynesian mystique, it slumbered like a giant emerald in the vast blueness of the Pacific ocean.However, Hilo, its major city, was as big, busy and cosmopolitan as any city in the developed world.The Big Island, like all those in the chain, also had its fair share of hotels and tourist resorts, but, unlike Oahu, it still relied heavily on the more traditional sources of money, such as fruit plantations and coffee, to fill its coffers.Near the pretty village of Kailua, set well back in the coolness of the hills, away from the hustle and bustle of hotels and shops, lay the impressive and sprawling edifice of the Black Orchid Palace.No higher than two storeys,
Being Yours BOOK 9
Electra Stapleton turned the last page of the contract she was reading, and initialled it in the right-hand corner. She’d made a few important changes, and she made a mental note to herself to get one of her lawyers to draw up a revised draft.Not that Nationwide Flowers Inc. would complain. She’d given them all they wanted, but had cleverly slipped in a few little goodies that would be beneficial to the Orchid House too.For instance, ensuring that their chain of florists used one of the Orchid House’s flowered wrapping sheets whenever they sold one of their orchids. The free publicity that would generate would save her hundreds of thousands of dollars. And cost Nationwide Flowers not a penny.She was a bit worried about the shipment date, though; it was rather tight. She reached for her computer keyboard and punched up the details on the company’s regular transporters. Before she’d taken over, the Orchid House had had only one - a privately owned aeroplane company that had shipped a
Being Yours BOOK 9
Haldane Fox glanced up as the oddly melodious 4 ping 5 echoed around the cabin.‘Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are now beginning our descent to Honolulu Airport. Please observe the “No Smoking” signs, and “Fasten Seat-belts” signs. Your cabin crew will be around to help anyone having difficulty with their belts. I trust you enjoyed your flight with us, and wish you all a pleasant stay on Oahu. Aloha'Haldane sighed wearily and reached for his seatbelt. It had been a long flight, from London to New York for a short stopover, then on to LA for yet another stopover before the long haul across the mighty Pacific Ocean to the fabled Hawaiian Islands.He yawned widely, trying to shrug off the fast-approaching affects of the dreaded jet-lag.A stewardess, the same one who’d been serving him throughout the flight across the pacific, lingered by the side of his seat.‘Everything alright, sir?’The soft voice made him spin his head and look up. The stewardess’s smile caught in her th
Being Yours BOOK 8
By the time they arrived at the hotel, the security gate had been forced open, and a fire engine and two police cars were in the parking area. Apart from the fact that the firemen had broken down the main door, to all other outward appearances the Alcaszar appeared to be untouched. It wasn’t enough to stop Matt from leaping from the car and running across to the main doors where a group of firemen was standing, though.By the time Alex joined them, however, he appeared to be calm. “It’s only damaged the courtyard,” he told her. “Apparently it started among the wood that was stacked there, probably caused by a careless cigarette butt. They say it’s probably been smoldering for hours.”From the tone of his voice Alex knew immediately that he didn’t believe it was accidental but that he wasn’t prepared to talk to the police about his suspicions. She glanced up at him. His eyes had darkened to the steely gray that she now knew from experience was a sign that he was very angry. She took hi
