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.txt`Well, I wish you luck, and if I can be of help in any way.' Raeleen allowed her words to trail awayeloquently as they entered the kitchen.From Gayna's standpoint it, unfortunately, didn't take long for the Land Rover to be emptied of itshousehold articles, and then she, was joining her mother on the porch as Raeleen re-seated herselfbehind the wheel in order to return the vehicle to the garage.Therese wasted no time in getting to the heart of the matter.`How dare you invite Alwyn here toMundamunda!' she censured wrathfully.`Not only is it not your prerogative to do so, but I will not betreated like a child by you two attempting to run my life for me!'Taken aback by both the fury and content of her mother's revelation, Gayna stared at her inastonishment.`But I-but I.You mean, he's coming, after all?' she stammered in confusion.`Coming?' Therese repeated angrily.`He arrived on the supply truck not half an hour ago!''He's here?' Gayna's eyes widened incredulously.`But how could he be? You only rang him in Adelaidethis morning, didn't you?'`Yes, I rang him!' Therese confirmed, her seething anger almost palpable.`He must have left as soon ashe'd put the phone down.but without mentioning a word about his intentions to me!'That was Alwyn, thinking he knew best again, mused Gayna glumly.`Well, he's certainly not here at myinvitation,' she put in hastily, wanting to set that matter straight at least.`Maybe not in so many words, although you might just as well have done since the result's the same, andby your own first comment it was obvious you'd discussed the subject with him,' her mother accused.`Well, yes, it was mentioned,' Gayna admitted uncomfortably.`But I.'`But you knew what I'd have to say about the scheme, so youu also conveniently forgot to tell me, is thatit?'`No!' Gayna protested vehemently.`He suggested accompanying me, so I told him there was no need forus both to come, and that in any case, he was needed to look after the agency because Cliff was alsoaway.'`Hardly what I'd call convincing, and Cliff apparently returned to work this morning.'`Oh!' That explained Alwyn's presence.`Is that all you've got to say?' Therese demanded, and went on without giving her a chance to answer.`Since neither of you saw fit to warn me of the likelihood of his arrival, have you any idea how I felt onseeing him alight from that truck with a suitcase in his hand, acting like an honoured guest and allprepared for a stay? Have you?' she repeated irately.`Well, I'll tell you.It was not only extremelyembarrassing, especially when he then proceeded to tell Lachlan he's here at my daughter's invitation,but it was also too humiliating for words having everyone knowing the only reason he came was becauseneither of you consider me capable of making the correct decision concerning my own personal affairs!'From the corner of her eye Gayna could see Ford nearing the house with a lithe, long-ranging stride, andalthough neither Brett nor Felicity were with him, luckily, that didn't stop her cheeks from burning at thethought of him overhearing her mother's stinging denunciation.`That's not true!' she refuted Therese's claim quickly.'We-we just don't want you making a mistake,that's all.'`Which is just another way of saying exactly the same thing!' her mother declared, unappeased.Gayna supposed that it was in a way.`Well, that that wasn't how we meant it to appear,' she tried toreassure her, and all too aware of Ford's fast closing figure.She was certain he could pick up what wasbeing said by now.`Anyway, surely Alwyn must have explained how.'file:///E|/My%20Library/books/ROMANCE/kerry%20allyn.lley%20of%20lagoons%20TXT/valley%20of%20lafoons.txt (49 of 81)05/05/2010 14:42:54file:///E|/My%20Library/books/ROMANCE/kerry%20allyne/1982%20%20valley%20of%20lagoons%20TXT/valley%20of%20lafoons.txt`I'm afraid I gave Alwyn very little time to explain, or indeed to say anything at all, for that matter,'Therese cut in dampeningly.`I don't understand,' Gayna frowned.Therese drew in a sharp breath as if just thinking about it had the power to set her smouldering.`Afterhis initial unasked-for remarks regarding the inadvisability of my actions-before we'd even reached thehouse, mind you!-I was too incensed to listen to another word and told him, without mincing matters,just what I thought of his unwarranted interference, and I haven't spoken to him since.'Why, oh, why couldn't he have waited until they'd had a chance to talk together? 'And-er-where is henow, then?'`Luckily for him, Lachlan has more patience than I do-he's talking to him inside-but I can tell you,Alwyn could have stayed out here until he goes back on Friday morning for all I cared!'Never in her life had Gayna seen her mother quite so enraged, and of course it would have to havehappened while Ford was around, she sighed despondently.He was only a few yards away now.Evenso, she still couldn't hide her surprise at her mother's last divulgence.`You mean, you're not letting him stay, even though he's here now?'`That's precisely what I mean! In fact, if it wasn't for the buffalo mustering tomorrow, I would have senthim back first thing in the morning.I'm heartily sick and tired of his-and your,' she included Gaynagrimly, `unfounded insinuations and unwanted advice [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]