Stretched Horizons Read online

  "I am," Ray whispered.

  THE MAIN ROADS OF PALMERSTON North were built in a grid and stretched away to the distant sky. Beyond, another twenty-five kilometres away, was the ocean. In the opposite direction the distant ranges appeared as a cardboard cut-out against the cloudless sky. It was hot, and the heat reflected up from the footpath, so it was almost uncomfortable to walk upon. Bree didn't want to look at the ranges, so headed west towards the centre of the city.

  Her mind played 'what if' as she walked. What would have happened if Ray had not found them above the wrecked aeroplane? Would they still be there, weak with hunger and exposure or would the official search team have found them? What would she now be thinking? What if her relationship with Colin hadn't broken down? There were questions by the score but no answers.

  In almost a trance, Bree continued to walk. She crossed a main road at traffic lights and continued walking. A large, grassy park with a row of shady trees appeared across the road. Bree stepped out without checking for traffic.

  The screech of brakes jolted her senses and she stepped back just in time, waited while a line of vehicles drove by, then walked over to the park. The grass smelled of the country and felt soft beneath her shoes. She reached the trees and glanced around. There was nobody around. She sat down and leaned against a tree. If she shut her eyes and ignored the traffic noise, she could be back in the bush. Perhaps this was what helped to make up her mind.

  Bree stood and glanced at her watch. The two hours Ray suggested had gone. She clamped her lips tight and headed back. Five minutes later, she heard a toot and a small car pulled to the curb in front. A dog stared out the rear window.

  "My God, Bree," Jenny yelled when Bree opened the passenger door. "I've been driving in circles for half an hour looking for you. Have you come to your senses yet?"

  "What do you know about anything?" Bree said without attempting to climb into the car.

  "Bree," Jenny snapped. "Get in, will you!"

  Bree did but stared out the front window without even talking.

  "Moody damn lot, both of you," Jenny said as she moved the car into the traffic.

  "Both of us?"

  "I went back to the hospital and Ray was like a bear with a sore head. I had to drag everything out of him."

  Bree turned and gazed at her friend. "Thanks, Jenny," she whispered. "I'm lucky to have a friend like you."

  "Yeah, I know. We're going home and you can put on the flash clothes I bought you. Then you can go and put Ray out of his misery. Right."

  "You bought me some clothes?"

  "Of course. You look positively revolting in those tacky things. You could give your hair a good brush, too."

  "Oh, Jenny," Bree replied. "You're the limit." She smiled, turned and rubbed Pattie's ears. "Hi, girl,' she said. "Sorry I ignored you."

  Somehow the long busy road looked more friendly now and the distant ranges positively inviting.

  AFTER JENNY LEFT, THERE had been visitors all afternoon, but they were acquaintances from work that Ray had not known long. A departmental head arrived and told him his contract would be extended into the next year, and the surgeon said his operation was successful but he would not return to work for a while. His leg was taken from the sling and a nurse helped him into a chair beside the bed. She adjusted a pair of crutches to fit his long frame and asked if there was anything else she could do.

  "I'd like some shaving gear, please." Ray replied.

  The afternoon became evening and he became more despondent. The crutches were awkward and there was nowhere to walk anyway. He sat back in bed and grinned slightly when Debbie returned on duty and came to take his blood pressure and administer some medicine.

  "What, no beard?" she said. "You'd better be careful or that young English woman won't recognize you when she returns."

  "If she returns," Ray muttered.

  "She will," the charge nurse said with a confidence Ray didn't feel.

  "HELLO, RAY," SAID A soft voice. "I brought you some fruit."

  Ray jerked awake and stared.

  Bree was dressed in a modern sleeveless frock that only partly covered the cleavage of her breasts. Her hair shone and her lips had just a touch of pink lipstick. Two tiny birds bounced from golden chain earrings. There was a whiff of fragrance in the air.

  "My God, Bree, you look wonderful," Ray whispered.

  "Not cheap? Jenny bought the clothes and insisted I wear them. I'm usually more practical."

  "Come here," Ray said.

  Ray crushed Bree into his chest until it hurt but absorbed the feeling of a warm sensuous body next to his. His body reacted instantly but he did not care whether she noticed or not.

  "You shaved your beard off," Bree whispered. She rubbed her lips across his cheek and kissed him again. "Did you have to?"

  "No, but I don't need it any more."

  "And your leg," Bree said after they had unravelled and she stood back. "How's the cast?"

  "Okay," Ray said and caught her eyes again. "You're beautiful, Bree. Even with the sunburn, I..." He gulped. "I'm not very good at saying what I feel."

  "You're doing okay, Ray. So, where do you want the fruit?"

  "And your decision?"

  "I'm here, Ray. Doesn't this answer your question?" She held her right hand out and Ray noticed a small circle of white skin where she'd removed a wedding ring. "I should have done it ages ago but had no real reason until now."

  "And your South Island trip?"

  "Cancelled," Bree whispered. "Oh, I tried to persuade Jenny to go but she's staying, too. I hope you don't mind."

  "Me? Mind?" Ray laughed. "No, Bree, I don't mind. We need someone to entertain Pattie, don't we?"

  He reached up again and tucked his arms around her. She buried her head in his chest and they both hung on, deep in thought but satisfied with the decisions made.

  CHAPTER 14

  Bree woke from a deep sleep. Someone was shaking her. She opened her eyes to find Jenny standing in front of her with a towel wrapped around her wet body

  "Get up," Jenny whispered. "There's a car in the drive and someone's rattling the side door."

  Bree glanced at the bedside clock and saw it was only a little after seven in the morning.

  "Well, get up," Jenny prodded. "I can't do anything with nothing on."

  Bree scrambled up, pulled a jersey over her pyjamas, tiptoed to the closed curtains and peeped through a gap. A modern, blue car was parked in the driveway.

  "Why hasn't Pattie barked?" she asked. "God, she even barks when someone walks up the neighbour's drive."

  Jenny shrugged. "I haven't seen her."

  "Okay, I'll go and check but you'd better get dressed."

  With thumping heart, Bree walked through to the kitchen and stopped in horror. The outside door was open. Someone was in the house! She moved silently across the room with senses on full alert and saw that the conservatory room was also open.

  "If anyone is there, come out," she called in a loud, controlled voice that, she hoped, did not convey the tremor she felt.

  Pattie ran out with her tail wagging.

  "Pattie!" Bree said in relief. "Who let you in the conservatory, girl?"

  "I did," a loud, icy female voice said.

  Bree jumped in fright and glanced up. A plump, middle-aged woman stood in the conservatory doorway with an angry expression across her face.

  "Who are you and why have you just walked into our house?" Bree demanded.

  "Oh, I see," the woman replied, her voice quieter but hostile. "You're one of those English women Ray rescued. So, you're sponging off his kind nature and getting free board and lodgings, are you?"

  Bree's own anger rose. "Yes, I am Bree Ashworth. Ray gave me and Jenny permission to stay here, but who, Madam, are you and why have you come in without even the courtesy of a knock?"

  "Ray sent us a key, not that it is any business of yours."

  "Come now, Emily, you can show some courtesy towards Ray's guests," a quie
t male voice said.

  Bree jumped in fright for the second time in as many minutes. She swung around to see a grey-headed man standing behind her. For a second, panic gripped as her retreat was blocked. The man, though, was smiling and had a hand extended.

  "From all the reports, we have you to thank for helping Ray. I'm Ken Preston and this is my good wife, Emily." His hand clasped Bree's in a strong shake. "Please forgive her. She wasn't expecting anyone to be here." He chuckled and patted the dog "You must have made an impression on Pattie. She never told us you were here."

  "Do you know Ray?" Bree asked.

  "I'm sorry," Ken said. "We're Ray's in-laws. His wife, Maxie was our daughter."

  Bree flushed. "Of course," she said. "I should have realized. Ray speaks highly of you both." She turned to the woman. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Preston. Ray didn't tell us you were coming."

  "He didn't know," Emily replied in a warmer voice. "We drove all night from Auckland when we heard he was seriously ill in hospital."

  "Ray's fine. He broke his leg and had an operation to stop internal bleeding but nothing is serious."

  "Thank God," Emily replied. "We were camping at a remote beach and never heard a thing until we came home last night and there it all was on the television." She swallowed and appeared almost tearful. "I never expected to see another woman in Ray's home. I'm sorry if I reacted badly."

  Bree nodded and was glad that Jenny chose that moment to walk in. "Jenny," she said. "This is Ray's mother and father-in-law, Ken and Emily Preston."

  "Pleased to meet you, Jenny," Ken boomed and shook the astounded young woman's hand. "We apologize for frightening you but we had no idea you were in the house." He grinned. ''Mind you, we should have guessed when Pattie met us in the kitchen. Ray would never leave her here by herself."

  "Ray did say we could stay," Jenny said defensively.

  "And why not?" Ken said.

  Bree saw him give his wife a slight frown as she half opened her mouth. Ken Preston seemed friendly but his wife still looked frosty. "You must both be tired," Bree said. "How would you like to freshen up? I'll get us all some breakfast."

  "That's great," Ken hesitated. "We'll look for a motel later. We had intended to stay here but with you both here..."

  "No! Stay," Bree replied. She mentally kicked herself and thought of the cliché she'd quoted to Jenny the night before about putting her brain in gear first. She caught Jenny's ever so slightly raised eyebrows.

  "Okay, we will," Ken responded. "Come on, Emily, we'll get the bags."

  "If you say so, Ken," Emily replied and followed her husband out.

  "So what else could I do?" Bree whispered.

  "Hell, I don't know. Ken's okay but she's an old bat. Probably thinks you're going to steal her son-in-law away from her."

  "Oh, that's silly."

  "Why? They are still grieving their daughter's death, that's obvious, and the thought that Ray could be attracted to someone else doesn't go down too well."

  "So say nothing," Bree said. "Anyhow, it's really up to Ray isn't it?"

  Jenny nodded but could say no more as Ken staggered back in carrying two large, old-fashioned suitcases. "What room, Bree?" he said warmly.

  "Jenny and I are using the first bedroom on the left. Otherwise..." Her voice tailed off.

  "Okay," Ken said and disappeared.

  Emily returned and helped with breakfast and was chatting away with Jenny when Bree slipped away to get dressed. Just as breakfast was about to be served, Jenny walked to the door. She stared, expressionless, at Bree and muttered something about getting some milk from the corner dairy and disappeared. Bree frowned. They had plenty of milk.

  JENNY ROARED RAY'S car into the hospital car park and headed indoors. Ignoring everyone, she walked to the elevator and headed up to Ray's ward. Nobody stopped her, and she walked in to find he was having breakfast.

  "Jenny," Ray said in surprise. "What's wrong?"

  "Your in-laws showed up." Jenny sat on the end of the bed, helped herself to a piece of Ray's toast and explained what happened.

  "They're good sorts," Ray said when Jenny finished. "Emily's still getting over Maxie's death, that's all."

  "No, it isn't," Jenny protested. "She's got it in for Bree. If it wasn't for Ken, I reckon she would have practically ordered us out of your house." She sniffed. "They've moved in, too, and I wouldn't be surprised if Bree decides to move out."

  "Okay, Jenny," Ray said. "I admit Emily can be like that. I'll see what I can do. Who knows you came here?"

  "Nobody. I said I was going to get some milk."

  "Then you'd better buy some, hadn't you?"

  "Sure," Jenny said. "Oh, Ray..."

  "Yes?"

  "I'm glad you and Bree are...well, you know. You're just what she needs."

  "Thanks, Jenny," Ray smiled. "It's true everything's changed quickly but I guess this happens sometimes."

  "Yeah, like Romeo and Juliet," Jenny said. "But I must go. Don't tell Bree I came." She squeezed Ray's arm and disappeared as quickly as she arrived.

  RAY WAS DEEP IN THOUGHT as he sipped his half-cold coffee. He knew he should appreciate Ken and Emily's arrival but why did they have to come now? Oh well, he'd have to think of some discrete way to show Emily he needed to move on in life and not just survive on memories. He grinned. Maybe instead of pretending Bree was just a casual friend, he should openly show his true feelings. His mother-in-law might stop trying to defend Maxie's memory. Perhaps he could add even more to the story...

  However, there was no way to tell Bree of his plans because Ken and Emily arrived first. Everything went fine until the conversation turned to the English tourists.

  "She's a good looking woman," Ken said with a twinkle in his eye.

  "Which one?" Ray tried to remain casual

  "Bree. The other girl is just that, a mere kid. Now, if I was your age..."

  "Ken!" cut in Emily. She turned to Ray. "She's taken advantage of your good nature, Ray. She probably earns twice your salary and is getting free board. You know Jenny drives your car everywhere. I bet she doesn't bother to fill it with petrol, though."

  "Don't you like Bree?" Ray said.

  "Well, I hardly know her," Emily muttered "But after a week I doubt if you do either. I hope there's nothing more than friendship...."

  "Why?" Ray's voice had an edge to it and he ignored Ken's quizzical look.

  "Oh, Ray, she's from England. What could you have in common? Married, too. I know the sort; they come to a country like ours looking for a good time and don't care if they affect other people. Afterwards, they go home and continue their normal lives."

  "That's where you're wrong, Emily," Ray said. "It is true Bree and I are, shall I say, more than friends."

  "Didn't I tell you, Ken?" Emily interrupted. "One week and she's already played on poor Ray's emotions. I've a good mind to..."

  "It's not a week. I've known Bree since August last year," Ray lied.

  "How?" Emily blurted.

  "I met her at that native forests conference in Auckland and again when I had that holiday in Queensland last November."

  "And the plane crash?"

  "She was flying down to visit me. When I heard of the crash I joined the rescue crews and found her." Ray never blinked under his mother-in-law's intense gaze.

  "I see," she finally said. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

  "For the very reason I almost never told you today, Emily. It wasn't that long after Maxie's death. How would you have reacted?"

  "That's true, Emily," Ken cut in.

  "I loved Maxie," Ray said. "Bree, nor anyone else, can never change that but I can't just live my life in the past, can I?"

  Emily nodded. "She does seem to be a sophisticated young woman. I can see she suffered a lot as a result of the accident. Do you love her, Ray?"

  Ray nodded and reached out for Emily's hand. "That doesn't mean I love Maxie's memory any less." Oh hell, there were tears in her eyes.

  "Of cours
e not, Ray, but what about me and Ken?"

  "You know I have no parents, Emily. You have been my parents from even before Maxie's illness. That will never change. I will always need your love and support. That will never change. I just hope you can include Bree now."

  "She's in many ways like Maxie," Ken said. "I can see why Ray is attracted to her."

  "You would," Emily retorted.

  Ray glanced up and saw that Bree and Jenny had arrived. He slid off the bed and hobbled towards Bree. Without forewarning, he swept her in his arms and deposited an affectionate kiss on her lips.

  She stiffened and was about to pull away when Ray kissed her again, hoping that she would follow his lead.

  "I was telling Emily and Ken about how we met at the conference in Auckland last August," he said. He used a little finger to tickle Bree's palm and felt her squeeze back.

  "The conference?" Bree stuttered. "It's a while ago..."

  "Yes, over four months now." Ray laughed. "You know, they thought we'd only met last week."

  "Did they?" Bree's laugh sounded forced but perhaps he was the only person to notice. "I told you we shouldn't keep it a big secret."

  "Oh Bree," Emily said. "I'm sorry if I was so cold. Ray's like a son to us and all we want is for him is to be happy. As I said to Ken on the trip down from Auckland, one can't live on memories can one?"

  Ray noticed Bree's eyes that said, 'You've got some explaining to do here, buster.' However, in a controlled voice she was quite diplomatic.

  "I should have told you before, Emily but... you know," she said.

  Ray grinned.

  "OH, MY GOD," JENNY laughed the following morning back in the ward with Ray and Bree. "What a couple of con artists you two are."

  "Well, it worked, didn't it?" Ray replied.

  "Sure did," Jenny replied. "Emily and Ken couldn't be more helpful. Ken insisted on taking us to one of the top restaurants in town last night and wouldn't let us pay a penny." She chuckled. "Mind you, Emily gave him the evil dagger when he picked up the tab."

  "She's not too bad," Ray said.