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.
