Alison's throat was thick with a sudden rush of emotion. Unsteadily, she said, 'Thank you.'
'Was it worth the climb, Alison?' Clint's voice was soft.
'Absolutely!' Her eyes shone. 'I've never seen anything so beautiful.'
'As you are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen,' he said huskily.
'Don't...' she began.
'You're so like the horses, Alison.'
Her heartbeats quickened. 'In what way?'
'Beautiful, independent, wild and free.'
She drew a shuddering breath. 'You're talking nonsense.'
'Yet shy, too. The horses didn't see us. They'd take fright if they did. Just as as you take fright whenever you're with me.'
'This really is nonsense, Clint.'
Narrow as the ledge was, he managed to put his arm around her shoulder. 'I really did miss you all the time I was away. Did you miss me at all, Alison?'
Her heart was beating so hard that it felt as if it would burst right out of her chest. 'No,' she said. And then, 'Well, maybe a little.'
His lips nuzzled her hair. 'That's something. The first time you've actually let yourself acknowledge some feeling!'
'Don't make too much of it,' she said quickly.
'You'd pull me up fast enough if I did, wouldn't you? But I am going to kiss you, Alison, and unless you want to risk falling off this ledge, you won't be able to stop me.'
But, as Clint began to kiss her, it was the intensity of her emotions, rather than the precariousness of the ledge, which stopped Alison from pulling away from him.
Clint's free hand cupped her face as his lips began to explore hers, seemingly gently at first, yet so tantalis- ingly that the blood turned to maddened fire in her veins. There was little room to move, wedged in as they were between the cliffs, yet Clint did not let that hinder him.
Gentleness turned quickly to passion. The kisses became harder, more urgent. His tongue pushed at her lips, seeking entrance to the sweetness of her mouth. He was taking her—still quivering with emotion from their encounter in the shack—to heights where resistance was becoming impossible. With the blood drumming in her head, Alison finally opened her lips to him.
A harsh, hissing breath tore his throat, and he lifted his head and looked down at her. 'You're so beautiful,' he groaned huskily. 'The most beautiful woman in the world.'
Eyes smudged with shock, she looked at him wordlessly, and then away. She did not want him to see the emotions he had aroused in her, for if he did she'd be left with no more defences.
His head came down, and he was kissing her again, demanding the response which she was no longer able to deny him. A primeval hunger throbbed within her. She wanted Clint to kiss her, there was a part of her that wished he would never stop.
At length, he lifted his head. 'You're driving me insane,' he muttered.
'I'm not feeling exactly lucid myself right now,' she managed.
'Kissing's fine, Alison, but I want so much more from you.'
'On this ledge?' She attempted an amused laugh, but it didn't quite come off.
'We could go back to the shack.'
'No, Clint.'
'It's what we both want,' he insisted huskily.
'It's what you want,' she corrected.
'You do too, Alison. You were responding to me.'
She looked at him a little wildly. 'Clint, I wish... I wish you'd forget everything that happened today.'
'Do you think you can forget it?' he demanded.
She wouldn't forget it till the day she died.
'I hope so,' she shrugged.
'I don't believe you will. I know Raymond hurt you badly, but to shut yourself away from life because of him is wrong.'
She lifted troubled eyes. 'I've gone further today than I ever thought I would. But don't force me into anything, Clint—please! I couldn't bear it.'
He was silent a few moments before saying, 'I promised you once I wouldn't do that. Remember?'
'Yes...'
'Which doesn't mean I won't keep hoping.' He touched her arm. 'Come along, Alison, let's get back to camp.'
Later that evening, Virginia detained Alison as she was walking to her cabin. 'I've been looking for you, Alison. How are you getting on with your plans for the overnight ride?'
'Very well.' It seemed like an odd time to discuss the ride.
'I'd like to see a list of the supplies you intend taking with you.'
'I've made it up. I'll give it to you,' Alison said politely.
'Also the names of all those who will be going,' added Virginia.
'Yes, all right. I'll have the lists in your office first thing in the morning, Virginia.'
Alison was on the point of walking on, when Virginia stopped her. 'You were away from camp a long time this afternoon.'
Alison maintained her politeness. 'I'd given all my lessons for the day.'
'Clint was gone, too. He came back from his trip, then took off again in a hurry.' Uncharacteristically, Virginia hesitated a moment. 'Were you together?'So this was why the other girl had waylaid her! Alison decided to remain silent.
Virginia gave a harsh laugh. 'You have in fact just answered the question. There's something you should know, Alison. Clint isn't a one-woman man.'
Alison looked at her with distaste. 'I don't know why you're telling me this. It doesn't concern me one way or another.'
'I think you should know—he was married once.'
'I do know.'
Virginia looked surprised. 'He told you?'
'Yes, he did.'
'Then you understand that if he'd wanted to marry again, he'd have done so years ago?'
Alison was finding it increasingly hard to retain her composure. 'I really don't know what you're getting at, Virginia. None of this has anything to do with me.'
'I don't believe that. You're the kind of girl who wants marriage.' Virginia's husky voice was hard. 'Marriage, babies, a settled home, a faithful and adoring husband to support you. You have commitment written all over your face.'
'Actually, I take pride in being independent,' Alison said coldly. 'What's the purpose of all this, Virginia?'
'I don't want to see you get hurt. Clint is human, he likes attractive women—but it never goes further than that, take my word for it. Even if the two of you are— friends—it won't last longer than the end of camp.'
'That's fine with me,' said Alison, as calmly as she could. 'The fact is, I'm not looking for a husband, I have my own plans for the future, and I have absolutely no interest in commitment.'
'Then you're not in love with him?'
The happiness that had been with Alison all afternoon was gone now. She lifted her chin. 'All these questions, just because we happened to spend an afternoon together? I really don't think it's any of your concern, Virginia, but no, I am not in love with Clint.'
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE SUN was just rising when the trail-riders left camp. Alison rode at the head of the group, the reins of a pack- horse held in one hand. Behind her were fifteen of the older campers. It was the start of the overnight trail-ride which this group had been looking forward to since the beginning of camp. Tonight they would be sleeping on a high mountain slope beneath the stars.
The mist was just lifting from the high peaks when Alison called a breakfast halt at one of the many rest stops Clint had created along the way—this was one route where people would never find themselves stranded without shelter in the event of an unexpected storm!
After tethering both her own horse and the pack-horse to a post, Alison went to help the two senior boys, Fraser and Alex, who had been given the responsibility of leading the two other pack-horses.
'Did you know a brown snake eagle has been sighted around here, Alison? Boy, what I wouldn't give to see it!' Fraser bubbled with anticipation.
Alison smiled at him. Sixteen years old, and a regular Bushveld camper since he'd been old enough to leave home, Fraser had quickly endeared himself to her. He loved horses, but his
real passion was birds. He spent his free"*time tramping the veld around the camp, binoculars to his eyes, a camera slung around his neck. Alison, who liked birds too, knew that the brown snake eagle was the one bird Fraser had been longing to see since the beginning of camp.
'Maybe you'll be lucky,' she told him, as she took a thermos and a stack of plastic glasses from one of the saddle-bags. 'Just have to keep watching.'
The campers crowded around her excitedly, chattering, laughing, eager for hot cocoa and sandwiches. Alison smiled as she listened to them. So intensely had they been looking forward to this overnight trip that each one had been dressed and ready long before dawn.
The thought of the two days away from Bushveld pleased Alison as much as it did her group—though the reason differed. Since the afternoon when he had taken her to see the wild horses, she was finding it harder and harder to get Clint out of her mind. It was no longer possible to deny to herself that she was physically attracted to him. But physical attraction was all it was, she kept telling herself. She did not love Clint. She had no intention of falling in love with him. Still, with her strength of will so fragile these days, she was glad of the chance to be away from him for two days.
It was midday when they reached the resting stop where they would spend the night. After unloading the pack- horses and storing the supplies, they would pitch the tents, then they would spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring on horseback, before returning to the rest stop for the evening braaivleis and camp-fire.
Alison was tethering her pack-horse when she heard Fraser's ecstatic cry.
'A brown snake eagle—wow! Look!'
'Where?' came other cries.
'Up there—on the cliff. It's actually holding a snake in its talons. Oh, wow!'Alison turned her head. But she never saw the eagle, as her horrified eyes fastened on the pack-horse Fraser had been leading. In his excitement, the boy's hand had loosened on the rein, and the horse had broken away from him.
'Fraser—the horse!' she shouted.
But it was too late. Even as the startled boy turned and tried to make a grab, the pack-horse was heading full speed down the mountain slope in the direction of the camp.
'Oh, Lord!' he groaned. 'That horse has all our precious water! I'll have to go after it.'
Alison stopped him as he was about to get back on his own horse. 'No, Fraser, I'll go.'
'But it was my fault. I saw the eagle, and I.. .1 suppose I got distracted. I just forgot I was holding the reins. Let me try and catch the horse, Alison.'
She put her hand on his arm. 'You're my responsibility, Fraser. I can't have you riding through the mountains alone.'
'At least let me come with you,' he insisted.
'No, you're the oldest here, and the most responsible. I want you and Alex to look after the others. Get the horses tethered, and then perhaps you could start a game of some kind going. Nobody is to get back on a horse till I return—that's an order.'
'Some kind of responsible I am!' Fraser was crestfallen.
Alison touched his cheek gently. 'Hey, it's not every day a person sees a brown snake eagle. You're forgiven, Fraser,' so don't be too hard on yourself. Look, I can't stay here talking. I have to get after that darn horse, maybe I can catch up with it before it gets to camp.'
But the pack-horse arrived at the stables before Alison did. Waiting for her, looking anxious, were Clint and Virginia.
'What happened!' Virginia demanded.
'The horse decided it preferred to be here rather than on the mountain. Unfortunately, all our water went with it.'
'It shouldn't have happened,' Virginia accused. 'Why weren't you more careful?'
Before Alison could answer, Clint asked, 'Are you all right, Alison?'
She smiled up at him. 'Exasperated, but otherwise OK.'
'I'm more concerned about my campers.' Virginia looked grim. 'Where are they? How do I know they're all right?'
'They're all at rest stop number four. I've left Fraser and Alex in charge, with instructions that nobody is to ride until I get back.'
'Which must be immediately.'
'I intend leaving right away, Virginia,' Alison said evenly.
'I'll ride along with you,' Clint announced unexpectedly.
'That isn't necessary,' protested Alison.
'I don't want you riding back alone.'
'You shouldn't have to go, Clint,' Virginia said quickly, her tone oddly high. 'If Alison had taken proper care, this wouldn't have happened.'
'I think we both know Alison had nothing to do with it,' Clint said easily. 'She's far too competent to let a horse get away from her. Who was the culprit, Alison— Fraser or Alex?'
Alison shot a glance at Virginia, then bit her lip. 'I was leading the group.'
'That's correct,' said Virginia. 'I don't like to think of those kids on the mountain alone. I really wish you'd get going, Alison.'
'In a moment.' There was authority in Clint's tone. 'Give me a few moments to saddle up first.'
'It really isn't necessary,' Alison said again.
'As far as I'm concerned, it is. I don't like the thought of you riding all that way alone. Wait for me—I'll just be a minute.'
Virginia's colour was high, the look she shot Alison angry, as Clint walked purposefully into the stables. She opened her mouth, then closed it again tightly, and strode away.
'How did you know what happened wasn't my fault?' Alison asked.
The man riding beside her, holding the rein of the pack-horse in one hand, turned his head and flashed a grin that made her heart turn over. 'I know you,' he told her.
'I appreciate your confidence.'
'So formal, Alison?' He chuckled. 'You never did say—was it Fraser or Alex?'
'Fraser. I couldn't tell Virginia.' She told him about the eagle. 'You're not going to be angry with Fraser, are you?'
Clint was still laughing at the story. 'Why would I be angry? Heavens, no! I can see exactly how it happened.' Leaning towards her, he touched her hand briefly. 'Besides, I'm grateful to young Fraser. I think you know how glad I am to be riding with you.'
It didn't seem to matter that Alison had wanted two days away from him. Happiness filled her heart, spreading like a warm, living thing through her entire body. The air was more sparkling all at once, the sky more vividly blue. Alison had to look away from Clint because she didn't want him to see that her eyes were shining.
It was quite late in the afternoon when they reached the fourth rest stop, and Alison was relieved to see that everything had gone smoothly in her absence.
She had imagined Clint would return to camp as soon as he had satisfied himself that all was well with the children, but to her surprise he showed no sign of leaving. He let Fraser lead him a little way up a bare cliffside, for a good view of the eagle. And after that he told the campers to get on their horses, and, with Alison riding beside him, led them all along a beautiful trail.
The first gold wash of sunset stained the sky by the time they got back to the rest stop. And still Clint showed no sign of leaving.
'You're not giving yourself much time to get back to camp before dark,' Alison worried.
He grinned. 'You sound like a wife!'
'Which I'm not,' she said, a little crossly.
'I didn't say I object.'
A sudden trembling went through her body, but she brought it quickly under control. A little too matter-of- factly she said, 'I just happen to be concerned.'
He tugged lightly at a strand of hair which had fallen across her forehead. 'Don't be. I know how to take care of myself.'
Half an hour later he was still there. By now the sky was a brilliant palette of colour. The highest peaks were bathed in golden light, but the lower slopes looked grey , and cold.
Alison was really anxious now. 'You can't leave it any longer, Clint. If you do, you'll have to stay the night.'
'Would you mind?'
'Mind? Why should I mind? But you didn't bring anything with you.'
&nb
sp; 'No pyjamas,' he teased. 'No toothpaste. Not even a toothbrush.'
'You're laughing at me. But you know quite well what I mean—you don't have a sleeping-bag. You could freeze up here on the mountain, Clint.'
'I could cuddle up with you.' His tone was teasingly seductive.
Her blood raced at the picture his words conjured. 'Even if I'd let you do that—which I wouldn't—there are all the children to consider.'
He burst out laughing. 'What a bundle of contradictions you are, Alison! Nonconforming and free like the wild horses one moment, concerned about social norms the next.'
'You are laughing at me.'
'I'm crazy about you, don't you know?'
She decided to ignore that. 'What are you going to do without a sleeping-bag, Clint?'
He laughed again. 'Coward! Every time I fire a personal question at you, you find a way of evading it. As for freezing—I'll find a way of surviving, Alison. It won't be the first night I've spent in the open.'
The sunset faded and with darkness it grew cold. A few of the campers brought out logs and coal from the rest stop, and Clint helped them make a fire in a special pit. Others were delegated to look after the horses and see that they were watered and fed.
When the flames were low and the burning coal had turned to grey, Alison brought out the food. Steak and chops sizzled and spat on the hot grid of the pit, and mielies, parboiled the day before, were put out to be reheated.
When they had all finished eating, Clint threw more logs on the fire and let the flames burn high once more. Shouts of glee greeted a bag of marshmallows produced by Alison, and while the the campers sat round the fire roasting them, Clint started a sing-song.
But the long hours in the saddle had taken their toll. One after another, the campers took their sleeping bags and retired to their tents; girls in one tent, boys in another. Alison waited a while, then went into each tent in turn. Everyone was sleeping soundly.
Going back to the fire, she sat down beside Clint. He put his arm around her and drew her head against his shoulder, and she didn't resist him. She could easily have spent the night snuggled against him, so good did it feel to be close to him.
No Greater Joy Page 9
