by Thomas Ryan
‘What if your ex-wife insists the vineyard goes to auction?’
‘I’ll find the money from somewhere to keep her paws off it.’ Jeff was thoughtful for a few seconds. ‘When I think about it, what else can I do? I spread my grandmother’s ashes under the jacaranda tree there. And Benny gave his life for that vineyard. How could I let it go now?’
Morgan leaned across the table to kiss Jeff’s bruised cheek. She smiled when he winced. ‘You’re a good man, Jeff Bradley.’
‘You know? New Zealand might seem a long way away, but if you can sleep on a plane, it’s no distance at all.’
‘Is that so? Well, maybe I just might go talk to a travel agent.’
Jeff leaned forward. ‘Let’s be party poopers. As I recall, Caldwell interrupted us and I believe we have unfinished business.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
She ran her hand down the arm in the sling, then held on to his fingers poking from the end still puffy and blue.
‘But what about your poor broken body?’
‘Be gentle with me.’
Morgan did not argue when Jeff took her by the hand and led her from the bar.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I need to thank so many. To my family, extended family, and friends, who readily accepted their role as readers and the others who aided in so many ways, Olivia and Steve Lane, Archie and Hugo Lane, Sandy and Fiona Brown, Trevor and Rosina McGarry, Graham and Valerie Ellis, Julie Brown, Libby Hewitt, John Phillips, Brendon and Angela Madden-Smith, and Craig Flood.
To the many who critiqued my work and helped guide me through the process of arranging my words into legible order, Trisha Hanifin, Sue Gee, Meemee Phipps, Karen Van Eden, David Arrowsmith, Miles Hughes. The many assessors who continuously ripped my manuscript to shreds and left me in absolute despair, Tina Shaw, Graeme Lay, Stephen Stratford, Barbara and Chris Else, James George.
To my military advisors, Captain Martin Knight-Willis Rtd and Ken McKee-Wright.
To Jocelyn Watkin for invaluable marketing advice.
A big thanks to my mentor, Lee N. Wood, an equally big thank-you to Ron Davis, who painstakingly helped craft the final touches. And a special thank-you to the Amazon Publishing team. Emilie Marneur, for finding my book and giving me the opportunity to become a Thomas and Mercer author and to Katie Green and Luke Brown, two truly professional editors who added the final polish.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2013 Sharlene Ferguson
Thomas Ryan has been a soldier in a theatre of war, traded in Eastern Europe, trampled the jungles of Asia and struggled through the trials of love and loss: ideal life experiences for a would-be author. Schooled by professionals who have helped him hone his literary style, Ryan is quickly establishing himself as a skilled writer of riveting thrillers and short stories. He considers himself foremost a storyteller, a creator who has plunged his psyche into the world of imagination and fantasy. Taking readers on a thrilling journey is what motivates Ryan as a writer.
