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RELUCTANT WIFE 37
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YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 1
SYNOPSISAshton reached out and touched her cheek almost paternally, but the touch seemed to burn like fire and her heart was racing. What could be wrong with her? First she’d been breathless from Brett’s kiss and now a mere touch on her cheek by Ashton and her mind was racing out of control. She must take care or any simple gesture of friendship would begin to take on too great a significance. Kerrien kept telling herself that she was only in Australia to take care of Ashton Philips’ children and not to fall in love with him. Brett was surely a much safer bet? Particularly when Ashton’s sister Kate and his girlfriend Martine made it clear that there was no room for Kerrien in Ashton’s ordered life... CHAPTER 1This was really the start of her new life. Kerrien held her breath as the undercarriage of the big plane creaked down. Brisbane’s airport rushed up towards her. It had been a long, long flight and she felt almost light-headed from lack of sleep. She had never travelled so far
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 2
‘Great. Kerrien it is. And please call me Ashton. Can’t all live under one roof and be starchy and formal, can we Kate?’ His sister said nothing but the glare spoke volumes. There was definitely a problem here that Kerrien needed to sort out, if she was to make a success of this new job. After all, she had taken a huge gamble, travelling round the world, leaving everything she had known. When Mum had died, there seemed to be nothing to keep her there, in the little English Midlands town where she had lived all her life. Mum’s illness had always made it impossible for her to move away before. Memories of her father, who had left them when she was only eighteen months old, were non-existent. Her mother had coped single-handedly. When Kerrien had seen the job advertisement in a specialist magazine, the idea of a completely fresh start had seemed appealing. Not really expecting to hear any more, she had been pleased to get an interview at the rather exclusive agency. She was even more s
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 3
Despite her long sleep during the evening, Kerrien slept soundly that first night in her new home. She awoke early to the sound of a strange hammering noise. It was not quite that, but she couldn’t decide what else it could be. Looking out of the window, she saw the noisy creature. It was a kookaburra, a beautiful bird sitting in the tree outside her window, making its strange noise. She smiled and went for a shower. She dressed in a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt that had, in truth, seen better days. They would have to do until she could get to some shops and replace them. She went through the house towards the kitchen. Kate was already there, preparing breakfast and, seemingly, lunch as well. ‘Good morning,’ Kerrien said brightly. She was going to remain cheerful, whatever disapproving looks were sent in her direction. ‘Oh and thank you for the delicious meal last night. I did enjoy it and it was very kind of you to leave it for me.’ ‘Well, don’t think it’s going to become a habit
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 4
Hand in hand, they wandered back to the car and he helped her in. He drove her home in almost total silence. When they arrived, he leaned over and kissed her again, gently but very thoroughly. ‘Call me when you’re free and we'll do a spot of sightseeing. I only need short notice. Dad is pretty cool about time off.’ Brett worked in the family electrical business and, as with most things, seemed to be very free and easy — about their lives. As she was getting out of Brett’s car, she noticed a light go on in Kate’s room. Obviously, she had been looking to see who was outside. She turned back and leaned over to plant another kiss on Brett’s cheek. He looked surprised. ‘That one was for Kate’s benefit,’ she chuckled. She awoke early the next morning and collected the children for breakfast before Ashton himself was ready. The two children sat quietly at the table munching their cereal. Kerrien had put the coffee on and was making toast when Kate came through. ‘Conscience pricking is it
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 5
A couple of days later, once she had settled the children for their afternoon nap, Kerrien left the house to meet Brett. They had agreed it would be best to meet a little distance from the house to avoid any further problems with Kate. She stood waiting at the roadside for him to pick her up. She felt a thrill of anticipation at the thought of seeing him again. She was longing to see the city centre and hoped to do some shopping. She desperately needed some new clothes and knew she could afford to splash out a little now that her money had all been transferred from the UK. ‘Hi,’ Brett called out, as he drew up beside her. ‘Sorry I kept you waiting. Traffic was awful.’ Kerrien climbed into the car beside him and sat awkwardly, unsure of whether he expected her to lean over and kiss him. That degree of informality was not really in her nature but she didn’t want to give the wrong impression. She needn’t have worried. He touched her hand and gave it a slight squeeze. ‘Good to see you
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 6
He was not pleased. He promised to call during the next week, just to make sure she was all right. Ashton was most apologetic and promised to make it up to her as soon as he could. In fact, he only had one call during the morning and he was away for just over an hour. The rest of the time, he joined in the games with the - children. They loved every minute of the precious time their father spent with them, especially away from the watching, disapproving eyes of their aunt. Even Ashton seemed more relaxed with her out of the way. ‘Now I feel even worse,’ Ashton said as they all sat down together for an early tea. ‘I’ve done you out of a day off, being taken somewhere really nice, I don’t doubt, and I’ve hardly been out all day. Still, I must say, I’ve really enjoyed myself.’ ‘And me, Daddy,’ piped Ben. ‘I’ve really enjoyed yourself as well.’ They all laughed. ‘I’ve never played swimming cricket before, have you, Daddy?’ Jodie asked. ‘It’s a strange old British custom,’ he laughed.
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 7
Kerrien tidied round the house, humming tunelessly to herself. The children were playing quietly on the veranda, totally absorbed in their game. She was glad of this time alone, a space to think. In fact, she seemed to have spent most of the night thinking but had reached no conclusion about her feelings. She put down the half-peeled potato and stared through the window. On the surface, there should be no contest between the two men who seemed to be showing interest in her. Brett was young, good-looking, obviously available and his family seemed to run a successful business. Ashton was older and had two children already. Nor was he quite so devastatingly good-looking as the younger man but he had such hidden depths. His life must have seemed impossible for so long that it was little wonder he had forgotten how to enjoy himself. She sighed and went back to her potato peeling. She had been in such a reverie that she’d not heard the car draw up and Kate made her jump as she walked into t
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 8
As soon as Kate had left, Kerrien put the children to bed for a short nap and she dialled Brett’s number. ‘Good to hear from you,’ he said disarmingly. ‘Look, I can’t really talk now. [ll see you this evening, if that’s OK.’ ‘I can’t. I mean, everyone’s away so I can’t go out. Besides, I . . .’ But she got no further, as Brett interrupted her. ‘Right. I'll be over about eight. I'll get a take-out shall I? We can eat at your place and Ill help you baby-sit. Have to go now Bye. See you later.’ And he was gone. Kerrien stared helplessly at the receiver. She supposed it didn’t matter. Kate would probably be out till late, which would give her plenty of time to give Brett his marching orders. She hoped she could carry it off without losing his friendship. After all, his mother, Margaret, had been her first friend in Australia and she would like to keep in touch, for a while, anyhow. She felt restless as the children slept. It was hot, humid and very oppressive. There could be a thunde
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