CHAPTER 1
Sun shafts through the treetops infiltrated early morning mist over the river as Loretta Oblinger sat in the sales office, hands warmed by a hot mug of coffee resting against her breasts. Smiling faintly, she contemplated the scene and thought about the wedding she'd attend that afternoon, alone, although the invitation stated 'and partner'.
Tomboy (actually Tessa) was the last of her closest friends to commit to a guy, leaving Loretta almost thirty-four, last 'maiden' on the shelf. Oh there had been guys, plenty of them, including a few who could really send her blood racing. But only one had seemed to be Mr Right until he was taken from her. However, she'd not given up, believing one day her prince would come.
"And cum copiously," she sighed, not at all embarrassed at that exclamation. Loretta rarely talked dirty but she thought dirty. Often.
A black and silver SUV pulled up. Loretta didn't recognize the vehicle or the driver who looked about her age but when he turned she knew she didn't know him. The guy had unruly long brown hair, a wide chest under his polo shirt and wore a hunting jacket, tight light-blue jeans and hand-tooled brown western boots. She judged he was rather too well dressed for a New Zealand guy on a Saturday morning. When about to enter after opening the door he wiped his boots, obeying the sign. She figured he had to be a foreigner.
She went out to greet him. "Hi, welcome. May I pour you a coffee?"
He said in an American accent, "That's mighty fine of you Loretta."
She almost dropped the coffee pot. He knew her!
Loretta looked at him carefully and decided he didn't look the stalker kind although she really had no idea what they looked like. He appeared to read her confusion as she handed across the coffee.
"I live across the river from you at Miller's Crossing, just moved in. The ferryman's wife pointed you out to me and said you were house-sitting here at the Richard's place.
"Yes, Marcia Richards is my aunt. They are touring Europe. I stay here at nights to keep an eye on the place that is a little isolated and I manage the store Saturday mornings to give the manager a two-day break."
"It will be warm as it's approaching mid-summer over there. Here's okay though, I haven't had my snow gear out yet."
"You won't be wearing it either Mr...?"
"Domboise but call me Harden ma'am."
Loretta swallowed, rehearsing never to accidentally call him Mr Hardon or for that matter Mr Hard and Ready. Now what was his name? Miraculously, her mind being young, it dropped into place.
"Harden you'll not find snow in winter around here. It occurs down in the center of the island and to the mountain ranges east of there on the Central Plateau experience light falls, but high up. By the way everyone calls me Loretta."
"Ah, fine name."
"My later mother was America and I was born in Nebraska."
"Well, well. I've spent most of my life in Chicago and a few months ago had a big claim against my marine pile-driving company upheld by the court that ruined me financially and took my reputation with. My folk gave me a bucket of money that cannot be touched by the claimants and so here I am."
"Oh I'm so dreadfully sorry at you loss Harden."
Harden said softly, "Well at least I do have my mom and dad."
What, no wife or lover? Loretta had to turn away.
He said solemnly, "No rings I see."
"No."
"We'll my wife left me as soon as my assets were frozen and later divorced me. Since we are neighbors perhaps we could negotiate a date?"
"Yes."
Harden appeared to be waiting for a more encouraging response.
"I...er...er...oh sod it. I'm not shy. Come with me to a wedding this afternoon a 4:00. Although I advised I'd be unaccompanied, the bride is one of my best friends and her mom is a great planner so will have asked for some extra settings."
"Are you sure?"
"Does that mean the answer is yes?"
"I hadn't gotten than far but since you are so keen and it's been quite a while since I've had a prospective date apparently keen about me, the answer has to be yes."
"I didn't want you to feel pressured."
"I don't feel pressured."
"You can always pull out."
"I don't want to pull out."
"Oh, thank you. Pick me up a 3:30 as the church is only five minutes away and I can introduce you to people before the church service begins. I have the present."
"This is wonderful Loretta. I'm off to the city to buy a formal shirt."
"Excellent, now your purpose for being here. Timber or hardware?"
"Nancy at the store told me when I asked you worked at your father's mill sales office. I came to ask if you wanted to accompany me to a movie tonight." He looked at his boots and muttered, "Nancy said you were damn attractive."
"Oh, how nice."
"Um the wedding will give me the chance to meet local folk. I arrived from Fiji five days ago and most of me time has been taken up with finding a property with immediate possession, settling on it and buying some bits of furniture and the like. Some decking needs to be replaced and the riverfront fence was apparently swept away by the last big flood two years ago so needs replacing."
"Will you'll get hardware supplies from here and timber from dad's mill?"
"I certainly will."
"Then sign this application form for 60 days' credit as a wholesale customer at this store. As you were a pile driver you qualify for contractor's and tradesmen's discount."
"Well, that's stretching eligibility. It's mighty generous of you of you and the folk who own this store."
Loretta involuntarily pressed her thighs together when she opened the door and grabbed the first look at her date. She was fairly tall for a woman at five-eleven but broad-shouldered Harden was at least six-three. His hair was slicked-back into a ponytail. He wore a dark green velvet jacket, collarless white shirt with gold medallion riding high, fawn pants and light brown shoes. She almost panted.
"You look gorgeous," he said and asked her to turn around slowly.
Loretta did that, coloring slightly but she didn't mind. He'd only say 'confirmed' or something similar. Because of the chill it was a lightweight wool suit, although riding high and with a plunging neckline.
She finished and adjusted her little hat, titling it towards her right eye. "Well?"
"Everything is cute: ass, legs and breasts. Suit is lovely too."
Harden, I really don't think..."
"Then why ask if you don't except a frank answer?"
"Thank you Harden. It's rather sweet you think my ass and legs and breasts are cute. That is a first for me, I mean someone saying that on a first date."
"It's important for me to have you know what I think of you Loretta."
"Thank you," she said, unable to hide a gigantic blush.
As expected, Harden drove like a male, aggressively, but he appeared firmly in control. Quite unexpectedly he ran the conversation, saying he loved living beside the river, he now had something very beautiful to look at across the water (more blushing, but he didn't see it), his early impressions with the community north of Auckland City were very favorable and the timber yards at the mill were much larger than his first impression.
By then they'd arrived.
Six of Loretta's friends were standing outside the church when Roger looking at Loretta and companion said something to Ivy. The women turned as one and mouths dropped open almost in unison. Loretta was ready to give Harden anything he wanted, ANYTHING, just for being with her at that moment.
The women rushed her and looked a little crossed-eyed trying to look at her and her partner at the same time. The introductions were made. Loretta carefully said the name as HardDEN, knowing what her friends were like. The smallest two, Judith and Christie, almost curtsied when the big mitt pushed forward to be shaken.
Ian said something quietly to Harden who nodded and accepted a silver flask. He took a swing without wiping the neck of the container and after swallowing wiped his lips with the back of his hand in the approved manner, closely watched by the men, and said, "Black rum, lovely drop."
The guys circled him, sign of acceptance.
The women's conversation was very earthy and could be summed up with Judith's "Cor, where did you find HIM" and Ivy's "I bet it's a food long." They gaped when Loretta said she'd only met him that morning and no they hadn't had sex on the way to the wedding.
After the service and the official photographs on the church steps had been taken, the bride Tessa went straight to Loretta and demanded to be introduced. She then kissed Harden almost immodestly and from that moment all watching guests assumed Harden must be big cheese. People made a point of being friendly to him during the wedding breakfast and the dancing the followed.
At the door to the house Loretta said, "Well, what a lovely afternoon and evening. Please come in."
Harden looked at his watch. "It's almost 1 o'clock and you're rather tipsy. Why do you want me to come in?"
"To give you a well deserved reward. You allowed me to have such a lovely time and now my girlfriends know I've found a real man, if only for tonight."
"Loretta, I have no wish to upset you but please, not tonight. I know it was a wedding celebration but you were rather swigging them back and your judgment will be impaired. Good night and thank you. I really enjoyed myself and met some good people. I've been invited to go fishing with Ian and Roger. I have to be at the town wharf at 6:00."
"Well hurry to bed. Obviously I come second to fishing."
"Loretta please, you'll love me in the morning for avoiding you being embarrassed at having me seduce you on our first date."
Bottom lip trembling, Loretta asked, "Are more dates possible?"
