DRAGONJULS Storybook
Disclaimer and Acknowledgements: See Part One
Part 4
Chapter Eleven
Catherine arrived in Sydney as scheduled. She had taken a private helicopter from the local airport to Christchurch. Fortunately, she only had to wait an hour before her Qantas flight took off. The flight itself was six hours and she went first class. Wealth had its’ advantages, and travelling first class was one she definitely indulged in on the few occasions she travelled these days. It was worth the money to get extra legroom and the wider seats. Those factors and the improved service on board made it all the more beneficial.
During the flight, she had indulged in orange juice and reading the financial times, her mind drifted to the events and conversations with the two women currently in her household.
‘I can’t believe that I slept the night holding a virtual stranger in my arms and it never bothered me, well only initially. For some reason it was familiar to me. Odd, so very odd! I know that we’ve never met before, I would have remembered wouldn’t I? Yet, when she touches me I crave the feel of the contact..........I look into her eyes and see......what?’ Glancing pensively out of the window Catherine was reluctant to answer the questions she posed to herself.
‘I need to get a grip on this before something happens that neither of us wants. I know she’s the friendly sort, maybe a little to friendly, but haven’t I encouraged that also! Grace said she was upset that I was leaving, but why? Hell, I don’t know what to think of this situation. I’ve never come across it before! God, there never had been a time that anyone had actively pursued her friendship, quite the opposite in fact. Now, here was a young woman who must be at least ten years her junior, not only looking towards a deep friendship, but possibly more.........or was that her over active imagination. I hope it is, because Jace, I can’t be that person for you! That is something I’m very sure of.
No! The reclusive Catherine Warriorson is afraid to answer her own heart! Adam would have smiled and maybe he is smiling at me now. But, I still don’t believe in your soulmate theory, that is way to over the top for me.’
**********
After the lunch was served and eventually cleared away, Catherine mused over her relationship with Grace. ‘I know she’s a friend, she offered me her friendship from the first day. We kind of drifted into an easy superficial friendship. Nothing too deep, no secrets have ever been exchanged between us, we’ve only indulged in mutual companionship and she is good company. I couldn’t think of living on the ranch without her. Yet, might that soon be a possibility? Hell, she’s got two men after her now and I think I know which one she will chose, or is it just that it’s more convenient for me to think that way? This morning’s conversation had been strange, almost a confession of something buried between us. She would have answered me honestly if Jace had not awakened at that time. Would I have been equally as honest with her? No! I doubt I would have shared her honesty.’
When she finally got through the customs procedures, always a chore in her eyes, but something even she couldn’t get out of. She picked up her small suitcase, briefcase and laptop computer and put them on a luggage carrier and moved out of the airport arrival’s lounge to the taxi stand.
Half an hour later she arrived at the Hilton Hotel, which was situation in Sydney harbour and had a wonderful view of the bridge and the mooring of an old sailing boat, the replica of the Bounty, which was used in the movie ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ starring Mel Gibson.
Going towards the concierge, she was greeted by one of her Vice Presidents Gareth Cuthbert, who was in charge of European operations and liked to wield his power at every available opportunity.
“Ms Devonshire, how nice to see you again.” He held out his hand, which she took and immediately knew one of the reasons she didn’t particularly like the man. He had a very sweaty handshake something she couldn’t abide. But he was good at his job and she didn’t have to do this more than four times a year. She would survive!
“Nice to see you also Cuthbert, is everyone else here?” She motioned for a porter to take her luggage.
“Yeah, Paul Strong arrived about an hour ago, he was the final VP to get here. Now you’re here, do you want to start early or wait until the schedule tomorrow?” He was never one to miss a chance at making brownie points with the great Ms Devonshire. It was legend that she loved the power she held, even if from a distance.
Closing in on the front desk she turned her blue eyes without any warmth and pinned him with a stare that would have had most people intimidated, but he knew her too well to worry about that, at least he hoped he did. “No, that’s okay, keep with the schedule; but, Gareth good call.” She turned away from him and spoke to the head clerk.
Within ten minutes she was kicking her shoes off and lounging in a soft leather two seater pale blue sofa, waiting for room service to bring her tea.
Looking over the room, which was decorated in pastel shades to go with the furniture, which consisted of two, two-seater sofas and a coffee table. Along one wall was a large entertainment system and the other wall had a desk with the phone and the modem ports. The next section of the suite held a dining table an eight chairs with a drinks cabinet. This led directly onto the bedroom area, which housed a king-sized four-poster bed, a dressing table and another smaller TV set. A walk in closet was to the left of the bed and to the right was the bathroom, with a large sunken bath and an independent shower, bidet and toilet. She had also noticed in the hall was another restroom. Everything she needed, well more than she needed really, but it was useful if she needed to see any of her people alone. Right now Paul Strong was the favourite candidate.
Picking up the room phone she dialled his room, having obtained his room number from reception.
“Hello, this is Strong, can I help you?” A familiar masculine voice answered.
“Hi Paul, glad to see you made it early. How about a drink before dinner in my suite, say five o’clock?”
Paul Strong smiled when he realized the identity of the caller. ‘I bet she hasn’t even been in the room ten minutes.’
“Sure, anything you say.”
“Great, see you then.” She didn’t wait for an answer and put down the phone. Room service had arrived!
Paul looked at the receiver in his hand that had a dead tone. He laughed. She hadn’t changed, that was for sure.
**********
Grace had helped Jace to bathe and change her clothes; she was far too weak to endure the task on her own.
Settling back into the now clean laundered bed, she watched Grace limp around the room, collecting the used glasses and water pitcher and making sure the furniture was back in its usual places.
“Grace, do you mind if I ask you a question or two?” Jace looked pensively at the woman who had turned from her task and was looking directly at her.
“If I can answer I will, go ahead, ask.” Grace eyed her speculatively.
“I know it’s personal, but how did you injure yourself?” Green eyes looked at her with sympathetic interest.
“Well, I could say I’ve had the problem since I was born,” Grace saw the sudden flush of embarrassment and waved her hand at Jace. “No, I was in a car accident, my fault actually. Lucky to get out alive they say, but it left me less than whole. You can’t count your chickens too much in this life.”
Jace nodded her head in understanding. “Have you always worked as a housekeeper?”
“Hell, no! I was a rookie policewoman before this happened, it sort of stunted my chances. I needed a change of scenery before I did something stupid, so here I am.” Grace looked at Jace to check her reaction it was reflective.
“Interesting, you don’t come across as cop material.”
“Is there such a thing as cop material? Jace, I’m surprised at you! Didn’t realise you had specific boxes for people to fit into.” Grace laughed at the thought.
Jace looked embarrassed. “I didn’t mean it like that exactly! Only I figured you for a more gentle career, sorry.”
“Ah, I see. So, have you always been a Publicity PA?”
“Yes, from college. Although I had plans to join my father in the family publishing business, when I couldn’t, I opted for this role instead,” Jace answered quietly.
“What happened to make you give up your dream?”
“How did you know it was a dream?”
“Oh, just the way you said it.”
“In my final year, he was taken over by a giant in the publishing business.”
“It happens, so why not work for them or someone else for that matter.”
“Never! It was too painful and Xianthos never gave us a chance.” She almost cried in remembered pain, recalling the situation vividly when her father told her they had lost the business.
“Xianthos? I’ve come across that name before, but for the life of me I can’t remember; obviously it can’t be important.” Grace shrugged her shoulders.
Jace decided it was a good time to change tack. “Catherine left a book here called ‘There Can Only Be One Soulmate’. I’ve kind of glanced over it, but I noticed the name of the author. Is Adam Warriorson a relation to Catherine?” Jace looked down at the bedclothes and held out the leather bound book to Grace.
“It’s okay Jace, I’ve read the book. I’m surprised she left it here though. She’s going to be upset when she finds out that she doesn’t have it in her luggage.” Grace absently said before answering her question.
“Why?”
“Oh, the book is very special to Catherine, she must have read it, and god knows, maybe a hundred times! Adam was her husband.”
It was a simple enough statement by Grace, but it caused Jace to suck in her breath as if in pain. She realised that maybe her dream of getting to know Catherine would be limited to a very long distance friendship. ‘Hell, why did I think it could be anything else, she never gave the impression she was anything other than a very private person who would and did wield enormous power.’
Clearing her throat from the sting of tears she could feel welling up. “You say was? Are they divorced or something?”
Grace smiled slightly. “Oh, well you certainly didn’t do any research on this part of your trip did you?” came the gentle enquiry, not wanting to sound harsh to the still obviously sick woman.
“We didn’t have time to do much research for this slot, Clarissa added it suddenly, and even Peter the director was shocked that we had to come here to film.”
“So, when did you arrive in New Zealand?” This had piqued Grace’s interest, and had Catherine been here she would have been intrigued, well she would let her boss know about this later.
“Oh, about a week ago. We got some good footage of the surrounding area and some other ranches and their owners, but we had difficulty with this one, as you know. We didn’t have the details of this area or of Catherine, just the name C X Warriorson, guess we look kinda foolish to you all I suppose?” Jace said sheepishly.
“To me a little naïve maybe, but foolish no! Catherine on the other hand wasn’t impressed with the situation. She had refused the permission and once she says no, she sure as hell means no!”
“Yet, she let me in, and even put me up for the night, and gods she’s been so friendly, I don’t really know what to think. But you haven’t answered my question Grace, what’s happened to her husband?”
Jace wasn’t even sure if she really wanted the answer, but it mattered and oh how it mattered to her.
“Adam died in a plane crash along with their son Lucas, five plus years it will be now. Adam had just bought the ranch for him and the boy, but they never had the chance to live here.”
Grace noticed the look of compassion on her face when she mentioned Adam’s death, but when Lucas was mentioned the sadness was profound. Grace continued.
“She actually likes living here I think. But with Catherine you cannot really tell; she keeps so much inside herself; one day it’s going to be just too much for her to handle alone.” Shaking her head she moved towards the door.
Jace thought about the comment, ‘But, you’re not alone Catherine, I’m here and going to be for as long as you want me!’
“So Adam was a writer, was he a good one?”
“Why don’t you read it for yourself and make your own mind up. One thing’s for sure, he was a dreamer and that makes you wonder how they ever met. Because Catherine is logical and practical down to her little finger.” Grace opened the door and as she pushed it shut she heard Jace’s reply.
“Yeah, good idea. A dreamer, oh well, I’m a dreamer too!”
Grace smiled as she heard the comment and thought. ‘Oh Catherine, you’re going to have your work cut out for you avoiding this situation head on, that’s for sure.’
***********
Chapter Twelve
Paul Strong arrived at his boss’s suite at five prompt, you never, ever kept Ms Devonshire waiting, that was the first rule you learned and quickly just as soon as you became an employee.
Paul had worked for the Xianthos Publishing Empire, for close on twenty years. He had a degree in English literature and thought it would be adequate in a publishing house. Well, in most it would have been but Xianthos was different, from its very foreign name to its roots and finally it’s original owner Stewart Devonshire.
Paul recalled the man has being obsessive about the company, but never about his family. He’d heard that his wife was dead, and that an aunt in England was bringing up his two children. Quite common for lots of wealthy parents, but something in the way Devonshire spoke about his children defied that he never saw them. It was just another oddity of a very English gentleman, and Devonshire was that all right!
When he’d died, everyone wondered what would happen, there had been no natural successor and with his only son dead and his daughter definitely the black sheep of the family after her continuous trips on alcohol and drugs to finally end up in prison. Not that that particular event had been given much publicity. Devonshire had managed to keep it under wraps to a degree, and he only knew because he’d been part of the clean up team that went to Europe to pay people off. Who would be the person to handle the vast and lucrative empire Stewart had built?
Then that question had been answered, and if they thought Stewart odd, well at least he’d been a gentleman! Ms Devonshire arrived on the scene within six months of her fathers death, and proved the old saying ‘better the devil you know.’
She had taken Xianthos to greater heights within the space of eighteen months, what she didn’t do to get them the numerous take-overs, were to say the least what legends are made from. Then her personal world had fallen from under her, quite suddenly! No explanations, she was just gone! Many thought she had killed herself after the tragedy of the deaths of her husband and son, but she hadn’t, she’d decided that it was time to remove herself from the world arena. Within three months she had left him the largest role in the world operation and he had never let her down. Although, his methods did not have the harsh backlash that hers had, as she made enemies and kept them.
Now five and half years later she had asked a question that he hadn’t expected, he’d thought the situation buried with her father, obviously not!
Knocking on the door, he was directed to enter.
Paul saw one of the most beautiful women he would ever meet, she had always fascinated him but she had never tried her charms on him, she valued him in the company far too much for that! Although he was glad, it could have turned nasty for him.
“Good evening Ms Devonshire.” Paul said, pleased to see her.
Catherine looked at the man who must be what? Maybe mid-forties, very handsome in a subtle sort of way, he had dark brown hair, greying at the temples, but that didn’t detract from his masculine attraction. He dressed well too! Not ostensibly expensive, but very good quality.
She held out her hand. “Great to see you Paul, thanks for doing the research for me.” She lifted her eyebrow, knowing full well that he wouldn’t have ventured near her if he hadn’t.
Paul looked at the tall woman and noticed that she was dressed in a black leather skirt that fit snugly to her hips and reached just above the knees, with a white plain but obviously expensively cut blouse. She was the epitome of a wealthy, beautiful woman but without the need to prove anything to anyone.
“Yeah, as always, my pleasure.” He smiled at her.
He handed over a folder, she took it, glanced at the ownership rights and smiled. “Would you like a drink Paul?”
“Sure, Scotch and water thanks.”
She motioned for him to sit and she prepared the scotch and water and a mineral water for her, speed-reading the documents enclosed, a particular skill of hers that always annoyed a lot of her business associates.
“Right, so we still have sixty percent holding in the company and ‘She’ has the other forty.” It was an almost absent one-sided conversation, something that Paul had never experienced before or seen to his knowledge.
A little perplexed he answered, “Yeah, just as your father willed it.”
Catherine looked up at the remark and suddenly realised she’d forgotten that Paul was in the room with her.
“Sorry about that Paul, I must be getting used to my own company too much obviously.” She laughed and the sound not only surprised him, but also made him aware that she was human after all.
“We still invest heavily, as my father wanted?”
“Well, to the tune of twenty million dollars as of the last financial year. Do you want me to drop the level?”
“No! Not yet at any rate, the bitch is up to something and I want to know what.”
Paul looked at her with some concern; he didn’t understand the conversation. “I’m sorry, but I guess you’ve lost me.”
“I still have the right to veto everything from the original idea to the final tape and the staff right?”
“Oh, sure. We never have so far! It hasn’t been worth the time, and you made it clear that you didn’t want any of our resources to have anything to do with the project. Is that still the case?”
“To put you in the picture Paul, the good Ms Hudson, decided to set the hounds on me and dig me out of hiding. Done not very subtlety I might add, but effective nonetheless. She sent a kid to do a grown up job and maybe she punched to many of my buttons this time around. She’s going down this time Paul. To hell with my father and what he wanted, now she gets this particular Devonshire in her bed, and believe me it won’t be the happy ride she had with Daddy! Oh no, not this time. This time she’s going to have to fight to the death!”
Paul looked shocked, he knew that she wanted her life now to be reclusive; he’d always thought and secretly wanted her to come back. This situation was interesting to say the least.
“I thought your father made it plain that you couldn’t interfere with her or the shares he’d given her, unless she chose to sell them to another party?”
“Well, there’s more than one way to skin a cat Paul. I thought you would know that by now, especially if someone crosses me!” She quirked that expressive left eyebrow at him and smiled a very wicked looking smile.
“Sorry, guess I’m getting out of the habit of having you around to remind me.” He took a chance on her mood and wasn’t wrong.
She smiled openly this time, and motioned her hand to the bar. He accepted the gesture.
“So who is the kid she set on you?” He asked more out of trying to find conversation than any real interest.
Catherine gave him a veiled look and she quirked her lips. “Well, not just the kid really, a whole crew to be precise. Peter Adamson is the director, have you heard of him?”
Catherine hadn’t particularly been interested in any of the other members of the crew that she’d seen on the ridge. Jace Bardley had been the only one with guts to call her at her own game. Now she was interested in where this Adamson guy fitted.
“Actually, yes I’ve heard of him. He’s a very good documentary director, very professional and this doesn’t fit his profile somehow!” Paul frowned at his thoughts.
“How come you know so much about him?”
Paul appeared discomforted by the question and looked down at the rug at his feet. Not quite sure how to answer her, but knowing that he would have to eventually.
Catherine watched him gulp down the second drink, now that was unusual! Not only did he seem nervous, he looked embarrassed, god knows why?
She walked over to the drink’s cabinet and got him another drink, guessing that might settle his nerves.
“You going to answer me?” she grinned ‘that particular retort was becoming a habit.’ What was happening to the people around her?
He looked up at her as she walked right up to his chair and offered him the drink, taking the empty glass away without any comment.
“I have a friend......” Paul spoke the word almost as a caress.
Now Catherine knew why he wasn’t to pleased at the turn of the conversation. Obviously it could drop his ladylove in the cart.
Funny she had never asked or even been remotely interested in his personal life, even way back when she often took executives to her bed. Her mind drifted to a pleasant feeling of holding a very small soft body close to her all night! ‘Christ get those thoughts out of the gutter Warriorson, she’s just a kid and you can’t go there, not now, not ever!’ Although she continued smiling at the thought of Jace, she realized it had become impossible for her not to now.
Paul noticed the change in her facial expression and he could have sworn that she was thinking good things; maybe she had finally found someone at last!
“He lives in LA, and knows the film crowd very well!” Paul waited for the penny to drop with his boss and awaited the outcome. He had never been sure if she had any feelings either way about the sexuality of anyone, but as with everything else about her, she was so hard to find anything out about at all.
She had been married and had a son. She loved the boy that had been obvious to anyone. His picture had been on her desk and it changed as soon as she got another. He always recalled her expression; it softened to tenderness without prompting. Adam, well that had been another story altogether. Although, he couldn’t remember any rumours flying of her taking a woman to her bed, plenty of men, but women no!
Catherine wasn’t sure if she was supposed to learn something from the fact that it was a man! Suddenly she realised what it was all about, as the penny finally dropped, and this caused her to laugh outright.
Paul saw this as a derogatory comment on his choice of mate. He got up from the chair and coolly walked towards the door.
“Well, if you’ve finished with me now, I’ll see you at dinner Ms Devonshire.”
Catherine was stunned ‘what the hell have I done to bring on this reaction? Oh, shit I laughed. But I wasn’t laughing at him! No, I would need to laugh at myself with the thoughts that went through my mind a few minutes ago about Jace.’
“Wait! Paul hold on there! I’ve not finished, sit!” It wasn’t a request it was a demand. He did exactly that!
Catherine walked over to the chair that was directly opposite the one Paul had dropped into at the demand; she sat and directed a very powerful ice blue gaze at his grey eyes.
Several seconds later, she released his eyes and smiled. “You know something Paul, I know absolutely nothing about you other than what you do in the company for me. Guess that’s a little remiss of the boss wouldn’t you say?”
“In the circumstances no! You’re a very busy woman,” he wondered where the questioning was going.
“Paul you know more about me than anyone else I know! Maybe you think you don’t, but let’s face it, I’ve no family. Well none that want anything to do with me! I’m a virtual recluse, in a country that has taken me in without question. Although, I suspect my money is the leading factor there. I frighten the hell out of my neighbours, my business associates and probably most of the people who meet me! Do you know how that feels? No scratch that, I never wanted to belong anywhere anyway. Hell, I’ve experienced most of what the world has to offer, especially in my sordid past. So, are you going to tell me a little about your personal life?” She wasn’t sure if that had been the right approach, but recently she had put her reclusive nature on hold and opened up a little to the world.
Paul looked at her and a faint smile crossed his lips. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing the mighty Ms Devonshire was actually interested in him! Not on her personal level, but on his!
“James Thompson, that’s my partner.” He blushed as he said the phrase, looking shyly at the stoic woman in front of him and seeing the slight smile he carried on. “We’ve been friends since you found out about your fathers other passion. I’m sorry I had to mention that.”
Catherine shook her head in acknowledgement.
“We met when you sent me to LA to sound out the company. He had worked for Union City Productions and gave me some of the low down you needed. Guess we just clicked. But, although we can’t be together all year round we have built a life together. He knows Clarissa very well. Peter is a friend of both of ours, we met him at a charity ball about five years ago. He has a thing about the Publicity Guru at UCP.”
Catherine knew just whom he meant when he said the Publicity Guru. Not wanting to sound eager but needing the information desperately.
“So who’s the Publicity Guru, certainly way off track if they come looking for me?”
Paul had been with this woman for the last eight years and knew when something was important to her and this certainly was!
“Jace Bardley.”
“Would you believe she’s the kid sent to help track me down?” Catherine looked at him closely for his reaction.
“Oh, that’s a surprise, Jace is a good kid. She’s great for the studio. Since she became Clarissa’s aide, the studio has most definitely received better publicity and people really like Jace. James says she’s the brightest star in that place, if I didn’t know better, I would be jealous.” Paul laughed and then noted the closed expression on his boss’s face.
“I’m sorry if I offended you?”
Catherine was trying to decipher all the messages going to her brain at once. ‘Jace was being courted by the director, hired by her enemy, and sleeping in her house! Could it get much more complicated? So what did she feel about it all? ‘Nothing! Oh, get real Catherine! That isn’t a word you can remotely use in this situation. No way, you feel! What do I feel? I haven’t let anyone into my heart ever! Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration there was Mother and Lucas, but that’s family.’ Then there had been Adam, even if that had been for different reasons and her greatest achievement and failure, Lucas her son. Now she was thinking about Jace being added to those that she cared about! ‘Get a life Catherine, everyone around you dies! It’s a fact of your sordid life, did you think for one moment that you wouldn’t have to pay and pay for the rest of your life! Don’t let that bad old heart of yours convince you otherwise, it’s way too late for you, accept it!’
Shaking the desperate thoughts away, she answered the pensively waiting VP. “No, no you never offended me Paul, quite the opposite in fact, you made me evaluate a few things in my life at the moment. So have you met the very bright Ms Bardley?”
Paul sheepishly nodded.
“Oh, so what do you think?” She hadn’t wanted to sound to eager, but she couldn’t help her sudden interest. Here was someone she did trust and he knew the woman who was making her re-evaluate her life.
Paul immediately knew from the stance of the woman and her piercing gaze that this was important and not for business reasons.
“She’s all that people say, but she has integrity, is totally honest and that’s something in Tinsel Town. How she manages to keep her sense of humour working for Hudson is beyond most people, but she does. Jace is Jace, you just have to love her.” His eyes never left the gaze that he was held in.
Catherine didn’t want to hear that, she wanted Paul to give her some reason why things couldn’t possibly work out! He hadn’t, He had just told her all the things she had wanted to ignore.
“A paragon then?”
“Oh no, not Jace. Hell, she is so naïve sometimes it hurts to think that one day someone like Clarissa is going to debauch her; and with Clarissa that could be trouble!”
“What about someone like me?” Catherine didn’t know what to expect, she was just trying it on for size.
Paul looked at the suddenly tense woman and a thought flashed through his mind, but he quickly dispersed it as absurd. “You! Well, if she had you in her corner, then I guess she would remain naïve from most of the hurt in this world, if you could possibly do that!”
Catherine wasn’t expecting that! In fact she had convinced herself she was worse for Jace than Clarissa.
“What makes you say that?” Her heart was screaming for answers.
Paul looked her squarely in the face.
“Because you care! Unfortunately for some they can’t see that depth. If you ever wanted to, you might just convince them. Anyway, if Jace had you in her corner, I know she would be okay.” He smiled and then looked down at his watch it was almost seven. “Guess we have to go.”
Catherine looked at her watch and noticed that for once she might even be late. “Yes, better go ahead Paul and let them know I’m coming. I have a call to make.’ Just as he opened the door, Catherine softly said. ‘Paul, thank you. When we are alone call me Catherine, okay?”
Paul blushed at the comment.
“Yeah, no problem, my pleasure. Catherine.”
He walked out of the door to the elevator and thought ‘Jesus, just wait until James gets a load of this; the great Ms Devonshire has all the symptoms of being in love and with guess who? That is the shocker!’ He entered the elevator smiling.
Catherine saw the door close and picked up the phone and dialed home.
**********
Jace had fallen asleep after reading the first three chapters of the book, which under normal circumstances she would not have been able to put down.
‘Now, why hadn’t she ever come across this book before? It had ‘classic’ written all over it! Yet, it was something that had been written over thirty-five years ago and left on a shelf until someone found it by chance. Well, this chance opportunity was one she wasn’t going to miss!
One thing she had noticed, which made her grimace in disgust was the publishing company, none other than Xianthos! It’s a wonder they ever had the brains or sentiment to discover such an author. Time was a great healer they say, but the pain and bitter taste hadn’t gone. She hated Xianthos and its’ owner the ever-resourceful Ms Devonshire! That woman shouldn’t ever come into close contact with decent human beings, because sure, as hell she wasn’t decent; certainly not in her business dealings at any rate.
Now how did you meet this man, Catherine, because it certainly must have been some match? Wonder if Grace can fill in any of the gaps? Maybe not, I should just keep my nose out of it right? Oh, right!’
Grace looked in on her charge later in the day and noticed that she held the book close to her chest, obviously doesn’t want anyone to remove the book and loose her place. She must find it very enlightening as I did.
Anyway Jace did look better and that’s all that mattered.
Now, she had to think of something to cook for the good doctor. Oh well, that shouldn’t be too hard. Smiling she left the sleeping Jace to her dreams.
Around five the phone rang and she knew who it was, as ever Catherine would be checking up! “Hello the Warriorson ranch, how can I help you?”
“Grace how is our patient?” Catherine almost growled at her housekeeper.
“Well, thanks for the greeting Catherine, but Jace is sleeping and looking much better.” She couldn’t help but smile.
“Hey, I’m sorry Grace, how are things with you too?” She answered sheepishly.
“Fine, Andrew will be here at seven, so everything’s on schedule.”
“Hell Grace, I didn’t know you put your love life on a schedule; Christ what next?” Chuckling at the other end.
“I’ll have you know working for you all this time, means my whole life is a schedule; so, what do you want to do about that!” Grace was also smiling the banter from her boss, most unexpected but welcome.
“Oh, give me a couple of days and I’ll work it out. So she is really on the mend then?”
“Yes, Catherine. You’re worse than the doctor, she’s doing well, but you’re not going to like something.”
“What’s that?” taking the defensive at her end of the line.
“You left the book behind and a certain Ms Bardley can’t get enough of it!”
There was silence at the other end.
“Are you still there Catherine?”
“Sure, I didn’t realise I left it behind. It’s the first time, guess my mind was preoccupied.” ‘Yeah with a small green eyed blonde that you had just slept through the night with.’
“Is it okay for Jace to read your copy, I can get it back and give her the paperback I have?”
“I didn’t know you had a copy Grace, why didn’t you mention it. You could have read mine anytime.”
“That’s okay. I thought maybe it was a family heirloom or something.”
“In a way it is, but....I would have let you read it Grace. As for Jace, let her read it, I’ll be interested to see what she makes of it.”
With that the doorknocker on the ranch sounded and Grace excused herself for a few minutes, knowing her discussion with her boss hadn’t been completed.
A motorcycle messenger held out a box, measuring around three foot long and two-foot wide. “For a Ms Bardley, can you sign?”
“Sure, thanks.” She closed the door on the retreating back of the messenger. Putting the box down she went back to the phone.
“So what’s going on?” Catherine asked.
“A box has arrived by messenger for Jace, wonder what it is. It’s from Christchurch.”
“Well, when you take it to Jace, I’m sure you will find out. Now what else is new?”
Grace informed her of the conversation with Jace as Catherine listened intently but refused to comment. Details about the ranch were soon completed and Catherine wished Grace a good evening.
“Hey, don’t go doing anything I wouldn’t okay?”
Grace laughed loudly “Oh, does that give me plenty of rope then?”
“Oh yes! Believe me you would hang yourself hundreds of times over. Got to go, see you in a couple of days.”
Hanging up the telephone, Grace wondered about the remark, but smiled as she noticed the box. Well let us get this show on the road. She picked up the box and went towards the guestroom.
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