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Hudson grinned, ‘You’re a hard lady to satisfy. Oh, I promised you a photograph of Dad. Are there any handy, Naomi?’

‘On the chair in the lounge I put several copies of the Press report on him receiving the OBE in the New Year’s Honours. I thought they might like them when they get back.’

Hudson pushed back his chair and quickly walked through to the lounge, where he picked up a paper and returning gave it to Serenity, is he the one you’re looking for?’

‘I told you he wasn’t.’ She took the paper, again feeling a tremendous sense of relief that neither Hudson nor his father was in any way connected with her mother.

‘Do you mind if I read this?’ she asked.

‘No, carry on. I wanted to ask when you two are thinking of going to the Glaciers. Today?’ Hudson turned to the Fairmonts.

Serenity skimmed through the article. The award was for services to farming stretching back thirty or forty years. It was an impressive list: on Canterbury University Board of Directors at thirty-five, first man nominated from the Coast to the Meat and Wool Section of the Dominion Council of Federated Farmers, pilot with RNZAF during the war, on the Regional Development Council, instrumental in bringing power and telephone to this remote area, work for Jaycees, Lions Club, starting the stock section of the Provincial A. & P. Show, starting the Veterinary Clinic, the inspiration and driving force behind the building of West Coast Producer Companies, chairman of others, and on and on . . .

She sighed. Hudson had every right to be proud of his father and she didn’t even know who her father was. She was very quiet as they rode back across the river and Hudson seemed content to ride beside her in silence. She knew he was determined that she would stay, and that he wasn’t used to being thwarted, but his opinion didn’t worry her. Her own indecision hung like a heavy weight upon her.

When they stopped at the stables, Hudson dismounted. ‘I’ll fix the horses. You nip up to the house, have a shower and a rest. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.’

‘Thank you for a lovely day. I’ve enjoyed it very much. I’m not too tired, so if you tell me what you’d like for dinner, I’ll cook it.’

‘You’ll cook my meals when you’re paid for it; until then you’re my guest.’

Serenity turned away without speaking and started up the road to the house. He was an impossible man, and if he ordered her round now, when she was his guest, working for him would hardly be a joy. If her car was here she would just get in and drive like fury away from the Bar 2 station, away from Hudson Grey, and away from any clinging mysteries of the past.

But where would she go? This valley had been her objective, and it was beautiful beyond description. As she reached the house, she stood looking down to where the lake shone blue and silver in the late afternoon sunlight, then keeping her gaze on the horizon she turned in a full circle. Blue, purple and shadowed, the bush-clad hills encircled the Station, giving it a protection from the world outside, secluded and peaceful, and above the fold upon fold of hills reared the snow-crested giants in awesome majesty.

She showered and changed into a simple sleeveless blue dress with a white collar, then lay on her bed for a short rest, but fell asleep immediately.

The slam of a car door brought her out of a deep sleep so abruptly that she was completely disorientated. She sat for a moment on the edge of the bed until her mind cleared, then walked to the window overlooking the patio. Hudson was talking to a tall, rangy man, wearing blue jeans and a Western-style stetson hat, and in his hand he held a coiled rope.

The horse-breaker. Hudson Grey was a fast mover. He was trying to put her under an obligation to stay, Serenity thought resentfully. Well, that was his misfortune. When he used steamroller tactics it made her less keen to stay.

Just then, the young man strode to the gate and as she turned to latch it glanced up directly at Serenity and lifted his hat with a smile. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth to stop her making a sound, and she stepped back quickly. It was her photograph come to life, only this was in living colour, neatly trimmed bright gold hair, vivid blue eyes and strong sensitive features.

She waited till she heard the utility door slam and the sound of the engine die away before she went down the stairs.

‘Just in time,’ Hudson greeted her pleasantly. ‘I was going to call you, but Cam held me up. The steak will be ready in two minutes. I’ll mix you a drink. Take a seat.’ She obeyed him automatically, sitting on the edge of her chair, nervously fingering and smoothing her lace collar.

He placed a long cold drink in front of her and raised his own glass. ‘Here’s to our first meeting.’

She held up her glass in a return salute then took a drink as he moved back to the stove where the steak spat and sizzled. The fiery concoction steadied her a little. ‘I thought I heard voices.’

‘Young Cameron Blair. He’s quick off the mark—he’s got Milo down in the yards already. He’ll start work on him in the morning.’

Serenity tried to quell the rising panic. She had to get away from here, she had been a fool to come. Her mother had never come back, and she had been wise.

‘Steak dinner for two.’ Hudson slid her plate in front of her.

‘Does he live far from here?’ Serenity helped herself to the side salad as if it was the most important thing in her life.

‘Who? Oh, Cam . . . not far, ten miles or so. He’s Robert Blair’s son, the eldest. Now Robert could probably help you find your ex-patient. Their family has been here since the year dot. Might even be one of them as he had a couple of sisters and they are married up North. I’ll run you up there tomorrow.’

Serenity choked and coughed. ‘Sorry about that.’ Hudson half rose from his seat, then, seeing she was all right, said, ‘Don’t you dare infer that my steak is so tough it choked you.’

‘No, it’s fine, beautifully cooked.’

‘Good, now where were we? Oh, the Blairs, they came out here in the horse and buggy days, about the same time as Sarah and Old Tom.’

‘Did the Tarrants not have any children?’

‘One daughter, but I can’t remember her name. In fact I can’t even remember seeing her. Still, when I was a kid Old Tom was running a feud with Dad so the families didn’t have too much contact. I told you he fought with everyone. But he got over it, he had to later on, because he was so stroppy he couldn’t get anyone to work for him, so he had to swallow his pride and get Dad to give a hand. That’s how I came to know Sarah.’

‘And even though you were friends she never talked about her daughter to you?’ Serenity prompted him. If she was leaving tomorrow she wanted to learn everything she could from Hudson tonight.

‘Only once and that was the night I brought her home from his funeral. She talked a blue streak, as if his death had released the safety catch on all the emotions that she had locked away for years. Not that she criticised her husband, she would never do that . . .’

He finished his steak, then smiled at Serenity. ‘Now for dessert. You can have a choice, ice-cream and fruit, or fruit and ice-cream?’

‘Ice-cream and fruit, please.’

‘Good, a wise choice. My staple diet is ice-cream, with fruit in summer, and with apple crumble or steamed pudding in the winter. See how easy I am to cater for. . . aren’t you glad that you said you’d be my housekeeper?’

‘I haven’t said I would be staying.’

He took her plate over to the sinkbench and went to the fridge before coming back with a large bowl of preserved apricots and a carton of ice-cream. ‘It was a foregone conclusion.’

‘What was?’ Serenity sat up a little more erect in her chair.

‘That you would stay here, of course,’ he replied complacently.

‘You’re wrong. I have decided to leave in the morning.’

‘And that’s an irrevocable decision?’ His eyes were lit with amusement. ‘With Milo already in the yards?’

‘If there were ten Milos in the yards I’d still be leaving.’

‘How?’

‘Somehow,’ she said grimly. 'I’ll walk if I have to.’

‘Wedding dress and all?’

'I’ll give you the wedding dress. Your girl will need
something
nice if she’s going to marry you.’

‘For a girl named Serenity you spark very easily. Tell you what, you sleep on it. If you still want to leave tomorrow, I’ll take you into town.’

‘Thank you,’ she said smoothly.

‘Now eat your ice-cream.’

She glared at him, ‘I’m not a child. I don’t need to be told to eat my ice-cream. I
do
know my own mind.’

‘I know that you’re not a child.’ His green-brown eyes roved wickedly over her figure.

Serenity felt her colour rise and picked up her spoon and concentrated on her dessert.

‘Tell me a little about yourself, Serenity. I’ve talked all day about the Station, my parents, my life, and all I’ve had from you is that your mother died eighteen months ago, and that you’re going to marry John.’

‘I told you also that I was a nurse and that I had a pony when I was young. Compared to you I’ve led a very dull life. I would much rather you told me more about your neighbours, about this district. I find it so interesting.’

‘No, you don't,’ Hudson said flatly. ‘If you were interested you would accept my offer and stay. Let’s forget the whole idea.’

Serenity bit her lip to stop her from pleading with him. It would be no use . . . she could tell that by his voice.

‘Am I permitted to do the dishes?’ she asked as she finished her coffee.

‘Good idea. I’ve got some phone calls to make, then an avalanche of paperwork I’ve got to get through.’ He got up from the table and strode towards his office without a backward glance.

He hadn't sounded rude or angry, just plain bored with her. She felt her spirits sag. Well, she deserved that. He had been really very kind and hospitable, he had offered her every inducement to stay, and she had refused.

She cleared the table, washed the dishes and put them away then wandered down the track towards Sarah Tarrant’s house. At least she would fulfil her wish to sit on the verandah for a while. She wandered around the garden, loving the heady perfume from the gorgeous old moss roses and banks of lilacs, delighting to identify the small pansies, the golden mass of marigolds. A bank of dahlias, Sweet William and forget-me-nots added to the riot of colour.

The last rays of the setting sun tipped the mountains with pink and orange, and a gentle breeze ruffled her hair as she sat on the front step. What a fool she was not to accept the chance to stay, but seeing Cameron Blair had unnerved her completely. She had not come to this valley to cause trouble, only to satisfy her own curiosity. She had recognised Cameron so easily. What if his father found it just as easy to identify her with her mother? She was not unlike her, and what turmoil she would stir up if her guess was right. He was married with a family, and he wouldn’t want the past confronting him in such a devastating manner. He wouldn’t know that she had only come to look and didn’t want to disturb his present life. She could do untold damage without meaning to. But, she longed to stay, and she had blown that chance too. Hudson Grey wasn’t a man to string along. He wouldn’t ask her again, and her depression deepened.

'Thought I’d find you here!’

She looked up to see the man who had been in her thoughts striding up the path towards her, and she knew her smile showed her pleasure.

He sat beside her, stretching his long legs comfortably on the steps. 'I’ve got a real problem now. The shearers have just rung. They were not due for another week, but they want to come midday tomorrow. I’ve let all my staff go for a couple of weeks off. The seasonal work was right up to date. I can recall the boys but Tessa and Lee are in Nelson caravaning—may have left by now. I’ve got no way of contacting them.’

‘Why tell me?’ Serenity asked, but her heart was thumping, because she was sure he was going to ask her just once more.

‘Well, the shearers usually bring their own cook, and she’s not available. They asked did I have anyone to fill in. Naomi and Bill have already left for the Glaciers, not that I could have asked Naomi—she doesn’t keep good health, and it’s fairly hectic feeding that mob. Would you consider staying just four or five days? I’d like to take the opportunity of shearing a week early.’

‘I mightn’t be able to cope. I’ve never done catering on a big scale.’

His face lit in a smile. I'll give you as much help as I can. But you’ve got to be definite . . . I’ve got to ring them back immediately. Yes or no?’

‘Yes,’ Serenity flung all her doubts to one side. She could stay a few days and probably not meet Cameron or Robert Blair.

Hudson gave a whoop, and leapt to his feet, ‘Great! You’re a little trimmer.’ He bent swiftly and planted an enthusiastic kiss on her upraised face and hurried down the path, vaulted the gate and disappeared from view.

Serenity sat there bemused, her hand going to her mouth, feeling again the warm firm pressure of his lips on hers. It had only been a way of saying thank you . . . certainly not to be classified as a pass, yet her heart was singing as she slowly followed the road home.

Awakened by the thundering on her door long before dawn, Serenity groaned, rolled over and snuggled deep under the covers. She must have been crazy last night to insist that she would go over to the Homestead with Hudson and prepare the woolshed for the shearers.

But she had
insisted,
against his advice to stay in bed and drive over after lunch to prepare afternoon smoko and dinner. With every muscle screaming after her unaccustomed hours in the saddle yesterday, she staggered through to the shower, reviving a little under the force of water. She tried to recall her words of the night before as she towelled herself dry and dressed.

‘Don’t be ridiculous, a little ride won’t have any effect on me. You have to have the woolshed set before daylight. Well, I volunteer to scrub that woolboard you’re talking about while you get on with all the other jobs you’ve mentioned. Nurses are used to long hours, and scrubbing things. I insist.’