Green Paddocks

by Jane Corrie

  She heard Miss Fields murmur a husky, 'Thank you, darling,' as the drink was handed to her. Holly knew Hayes was still studying her and kept her eyes on the carpet. 'Would you care for a sherry, Holly?' he inquired smoothly.

  'Hayes!' murmured a shocked Miss Fields.

  'Orange juice, please,' Holly requested in a small voice.

  'Orange juice it shall be, then,' answered an amused Hayes.

  As he handed it to her Holly accepted it, still keeping her gaze away from him, She knew he was vastly enjoying himself, but it didn't worry her one bit. His amusement was going to be short-lived, she promised herself.

  'Come and sit here,' gushed Miss Fields. 'And tell me all about yourself.'

  'Holly,' Hayes blandly told her, 'has led a very sheltered life, Dulcie. As you can see, she needs a little bringing out.' He was almost purring.

  Holly's teeth clenched together. Her adopted role of shyness helped avoid giving her thoughts away, lowered lashes hid the glint in her eye.

  'Haven't you any friends of your own age?' queried a sweet, too sweet Dulcie.

  Holly doubted whether she was all that much older than herself. She judged her height to be around the five foot nine mark, tall for a girl, but inclined to be on the plump side; a nicely curved Amazon, in fact, against Holly's slight dimensions. 'Mr Chester,' she murmured, 'doesn't like the friends I have,' adding in a small timid voice, 'He wants me to stay near the homestead.' She took a sip of her drink and cast a quick speculative glance towards him. Seeing him start and his eyes narrow, she knew he was no longer amused. Holly began to enjoy herself.

  'I'm afraid Holly's choice of friends,' he answered silkily, recovering swiftly to Holly's annoyance, 'happen to consist invariably of the opposite sex. As you can imagine, she needs a little guidance there, too.'

  Holly's fingers clamped round her glass, but she held herself in check.

  A trilling laugh floated out from Dulcie Fields. 'She has to learn some time, Hayes. Don't be a spoilsport !'

  Holly gave her a limpid look. 'I like you,' she said. 'You understand.'

  She could sense Hayes' fury and half expected him to put an end to the farce there and then. 'Nevertheless,' he said coldly, 'spoilsport or not, she's going to learn.'

  Dulcie stared at him. 'For goodness' sake!' she exclaimed.

  It was perhaps as well that Milly arrived to serve the meal at that precise point. Holly met her incredulous expression with a bland look and Milly stared from her to Hayes as if trying to assess the position, and receiving no help from either, shook her head bewilderedly and retreated to the kitchen.

  Holly could not say she enjoyed the meal one bit, what with Hayes' eyes on her when they should have been on his guest, not to mention the message she read in them and Milly's stern countenance also promising retribution at no late date. Dulcie Fields, blithely unaware of the currents passing around them, directed a chatty flirtatious conversation at Hayes. Covertly studying her, Holly wondered if her eyelashes were her own, they were so incredibly long. Her musings were interrupted by an order from Hayes to 'Eat her greens. She doesn't,' he explained to Dulcie, 'eat as much as she should do. She's much too thin.'

  Dulcie looked surprised at the abrupt change of conversation. She had been angling for a long stay at Green Paddocks and looked somewhat impatiently at him, then turned her attention back to Holly. 'When I was young I hated greens,' she said undiplomatically. 'In fact,' she added firmly, determined to push the point home that she thought Mayes was neglecting her, 'I'm still not very fond of them.'

  Holly was fast reaching the end of her tether, if she lost her temper, she would lose the only chance she had of getting back at Hayes, and he knew it. Somehow she had to accept his deliberate goading and remain calm. Trouble was, she wasn't sure how long she could hold on and decided on a grand slam. She fixed another limpid gaze on Dulcie. 'When Mr Chester marries you will you come and stay here?' she asked hopefully. 'It's nice to have someone on my side.'

  'Really, dear,' purred Dulcie, 'you've embarrassed Mr Chester ! You mustn't say things like that; I mean, nothing's settled yet.'

  Mr Chester looked anything but embarrassed; he was white around the mouth. His palm hit the table with a force that shook the cutlery. 'Enough of this !' he thundered. 'You've gone too far this time, my girl.'

  For one shocked minute Dulcie thought he meant her. 'Hayes?' she said hesitantly.

  Holly was under no such illusion and for the first time felt apprehension run through her. With a movement worthy of the holder of the cup for the four-minute mile, she was out of the room and on the way to her quarters.

  Not satisfied with just shutting her bedroom door, she pulled her dressing table against it, jamming it firmly into position with a feeling akin to panic, then stood back trembling and staring at her handiwork. Would it be proof against an extremely angry man? With weak knees she sat on the bed. After a few seconds' silence she began to feel a little more composed, but a tap on the door and the sound of it being pushed against the dressing table made her pulses race again until she heard Milly's plaintive, 'What's got into you, girl? You gone plumb crazy? You open this door !'

  'I can't, Milly,' Holly replied, all bravado gone and close to tears.

  'What you mean, can't?' queried Milly in the sort of voice that told Holly she was upset.

  'Please leave me alone, Milly,' she pleaded. I'm bushwhacked, I'm all right otherwise, honestly. I'm going to bed.'

  'I'll get Hayes,' threatened Milly. 'You all worked up 'bout something, and I want to know what.'

  'Don't you dare get that man,' Holly said furiously. 'He's the reason I've barricaded myself in. I've annoyed him and he's on the warpath.'

  She heard Milly give a loud sniff and knew she was satisfied. It was something she could understand. 'No use you fighting that fella,' she advised Holly. 'You ain't going to win, no how.'

  Holly did not reply, and Milly chuckled, 'Guess you did ask for a whacking at that. Turning up in that dress like you was a twelve-year-old !' The chuckle echoed down the hall as she went back to the kitchen.

  Five more minutes passed and Holly, with heightened senses straining for the least sound of footsteps in the corridor, began to relax. She had been let off; perhaps Dulcie Fields had intervened for her. She felt her pulse rate begin to slow down to normal, and with a sigh of pure relief began to remove her dress, wondering whether she dared risk slipping out to the shower room, but decided against it. No sense in pushing her luck. Hearing voices, she hastily switched off her bedroom light. Had Milly still not been satisfied and fetched Hayes? She stood transfixed by the dressing table, hating herself for her cowardice. The voices came again, this time appearing to float up to her, and she placed them; they had come from outside the house. She slipped to the window and gazed down on to the saddling yard, now almost as bright as day, bathed in the light of a full moon. She saw two figures strolling in the direction of the paddocks, and again a sense of relaxation stole over her. Hayes and Dulcie were taking a moonlight walk. Hayes was fully occupied and would be for the rest of the evening.

  Holly lay on the bed. It was too early for sleep and her mind was too active anyway. What she needed was a good gallop; it would not be the first time she had taken a moonlight ride. In days gone by it had served as a kind of therapy whenever she was worried about her father's state of health. Flying along with the warm wind caressing her face and hair, Holly had felt her worries dwindle into obscurity and a sense of peace instil her mind. Now resentment flooded through her. She was denied even this. There was no chance of slipping out and saddling Silky without the risk of running into Hayes and his companion. Her hands clenched by her side. Who would have thought that she, Holly Drew, would find herself in this position? Intimidated by one man ! Not only that, but completely annihilated by him. With all her heart she wished Dulcie Fields would captivate him and wring a proposal out of him. Her brow creased, he must be more than just interested in her. Hadn't he asked her to join him? She thought of his
appearance, yes, he had made an effort on her behalf. Not that he ever looked anything but immaculate in whatever he chose to wear, even in what was termed as 'working gear' he still looked the 'boss cocky', as Hal would have put it, but he had donned a crisp white shirt and dark slacks for the dinner and forgone his usual casual wear.

  Holly was forced to admit to herself that he had looked more than presentable, his tan accentuated by the white of the shirt, and his thick dark hair glistening still damp from the shower. She shook herself mentally; what was wrong with her? Of all the times to remember things like that. She must be going soft in the head! Recalling what she had said before she had to make that undignified exit, Holly grinned to herself; she had certainly hit him where it hurt most. Nothing could have more infuriated him. He probably had a string of girl friends, and he had already given her an insight of his views on marriage—said, like Hal, he preferred his freedom. She grinned again. Served him right! She only wished she could hear him talk his way out of that situation !

  Her thoughts ran on and eventually came back to the crux of her misery—Pegleg, now in the valley with the rest of the strays waiting for the run on Monday. There had to be something she could do about it; it was useless appealing to Hayes; he would take great pleasure in laying down the law. Besides, Holly had burnt her boats as far as he was concerned. She considered asking Dave to help her get Pegleg out of the valley, between them they could drive him beyond the boundary fences, but then she rejected the idea. It would be unfair to ask him, for he would hate refusing.

  She sighed. There was nothing for it but to tackle it herself. Then a frown creased her forehead. It was not going to be easy, but it was better than just sitting around and wishing she could do something about it. With Dulcie Fields keeping Hayes occupied, Holly would never have a better opportunity. At first light she would be on her way. Even if she failed, she thought drowsily, at least she would have tried.

  CHAPTER SIX

  HOLLY was awake long before sun-up the next morning and making her way quietly down to the stables, she had Silky saddled and out of the yard in a very short space of time. She did not risk riding her until they were well clear of the homestead, but led her out and on to the green verges of the paddock, so as to lessen the chance of an early riser hearing them. When safely out of earshot, she mounted and touching Silky's flanks urged her into a gallop.

  At sun-up, Holly had reached the valley and sat looking down on the herd now peacefully grazing. Her eyes searched for the large bull. She was certain he would be apart from the rest, for Pegleg was a loner, and her gaze probed the outer parts of the gathering. She did catch sight of two light-coloured beasts, but neither was Pegleg. Her brow creased; she had a perfect view of the small enclosed area and he should have stood out a mile, distinguishable not only by his colour, but his size. For one small moment Holly wondered if he had been too clever for them and somehow got loose, in which case he would now be back on his old stamping ground; then she recalled the look Dave had given Tim and her hands tightened on the reins.

  Her eyes misted over; one part of her knew a tiny relief that he would not be making that long trek—then an intense hate of Hayes Chester surged through her. He had taken no chances of Holly making a bid to free the bull. She bit her lip; Dave would not have wanted to tell her, and Hayes's timely intervention in the canteen must have relieved him of the task. She turned Silky slowly feeling sick at heart, it was no comfort to know she had not had a chance of saving him.

  Her return to the homestead was not hurried, and a quieter and much subdued Holly handed Silky over to Jaimie and made her way to the kitchen. Milly was in the act of preparing a tray of coffee for the breakfast table, and taking one look at Holly's strained features she murmured casually, ' 'Bout time that vegetable patch was dug.'

  Holly nodded and walked out again straight down the back garden path to a small outhouse where the gardening tools were kept. Collecting a spade, she moved to a partially dug plot of land, then wiping her hands down the side of her jeans, started digging. As she turned over the light dry soil her eyes pricked. She couldn't remember the last time Milly had said that. Her mind went back over the years; this was Milly's answer to trials and tribulations one could do nothing about—or when she was much younger—tantrums ! Noticing a freshly dug patch a little way further along the plot, she surmised that Milly had taken some of her own advice at some past date. Holly rather suspected it was when Pete was in residence!

  Time passed and Holly went on digging, not bothering to move from the one spot she started on. She was so absorbed in her task she did not hear the approach of Hayes and glanced up to find him watching her with some interest. He looked from her to the hole. 'Do you usually go around digging holes?' he asked mildly. 'Or have you a specific purpose in mind?'

  Holly had worked most of her feelings out of her, but was beginning to have a relapse. Couldn't she even have a fantasy without the victim himself standing large as life in front of her? When she did not answer he went on conversationally, 'You ought to be careful, you know. You could fall in.'

  Holly flung him a look of fury. 'You'd like that, wouldn't you?' she ground out. 'Why don't you go ahead and push me? It would be one less thorn out of your hair, wouldn't it?'

  'Don't tempt me,' he replied grimly, then said airily, 'I've a much more subtle way of dealing with you, my girl.'

  Holly's eyes narrowed. 'I'm not Pegleg,' she said slowly. 'Subtle or not, you're not going to find me so easy to deal with.' She renewed her digging with added fervour. 'You see,' she muttered, 'I'm not at all subtle. I'd push you in if I had the chance.'

  He chuckled and it was like adding wood to the fire raging inside Holly. 'If I were a man—' she choked out.

  He caught her hands and prised the handle of the spade loose, then studied the soft palms, now a dull red from chafing. 'You've a blister forming,' he remarked.

  She pulled her hands free. 'I'm out of practice,' she snapped.

  'You mean you haven't been mad enough, don't you?'

  Holly's lips tightened. It was no help to know he had worked out the reason for her sudden activity,

  'Well, never mind,' he murmured soothingly. 'I'm sure it's good for you. At least I shall always know where to find you after one of our little talks.'

  'Why, you...' blazed Holly.

  Hayes chuckled again and began to walk away. 'You've a smut on your nose,' he said helpfully.

  Left in peace once more, she slowly filled in the gap she had dug. She was tired and all incentive had gone; she was also very thirsty and wondered miserably whether Hayes and Miss Fields planned to spend the morning at the homestead, in which case she would have to stay clear, having no wish to meet the elegant Dulcie in her present mood, or indeed any mood. She sighed; she couldn't understand why Hayes had insisted on her presence at dinner the previous evening. It was highly unlikely, she thought sourly, as she took the spade back to the outhouse, that he would ask her again; at least that much had been achieved, but precious little else, if Hayes' mood was anything to go by. He did not look like a man in a predicament, or sound like one; he had actually chuckled.

  Holly stopped in her tracks—did that mean he had proposed and been accepted? A small ray of hope surged through her. It would mean his departure in the very near future. Her step lightened as she walked back to the kitchen, then remembering the remark passed by Hayes about her face she changed direction and made for the shower room.

  After changing into a fresh blouse and trews and giving her hair still damp from the shower, a quick comb through, she made her way to the kitchen and a belated breakfast. Hearing the sound of hoofs passing the homestead, she gave a small nod of satisfaction. Hayes would be taking Dulcie Fields on a tour of the ranch. With any luck they would be gone all day.

  The cold 'Good morning' coming from the open-door of the lounge as she passed gave her quite a start. Miss Fields had apparently not accompanied Hayes. Holly would have given anything to walk on by as if she had not h
eard the greeting, but she could not. Sighing inwardly, she retraced her steps back to the lounge.

  Dulcie was standing by the window gazing out, probably watching Hayes ride out into the distance. It occurred to Holly that Miss Fields must have been on the watch for her, which meant that it was a calculated meeting, the purpose for which was soon made clear to her as she entered the lounge. Turning icy blue eyes on Holly, she drawled, 'I thought we ought to have a little talk.'

  Holly eyed her warily. She did not look like a woman who had just received a proposal. She was, to say the least, distinctly unfriendly. Holly watched her settle in one of the deep armchairs, her tailored trews and ice green thin silk blouse with frilled bodice and cuffs, utterly and entirely feminine. Remembering the dress of the previous evening, Holly could well imagine the frills and furbelows that would go to make up Dulcie's wardrobe, negligees of pure gossamer or floating chiffon.

  She came to with a start when Dulcie gestured grandly to a chair opposite her, indicating that Holly should sit down. A spurt of anger swept over her. How dared she ! Anyone would think she owned the place! With raised brows Holly signified her displeasure at the casual yet insolent gesture. 'I haven't had my breakfast yet,' she said quietly. 'Do you mind if we postpone our talk until afterwards? Have you breakfasted yet? Rude of me not to inquire before—and did you sleep well?'

  The quick frown these words brought gave Holly some compensation. It was one way of showing Dulcie Fields whose house she was in. She knew Hayes had given his interpretation of her behaviour at dinner, probably her age too; she didn't have to be told this—it was obvious by Dulcie's attitude to her.

  'Keeping out of Hayes' way, I suppose,' commented Dulcie with narrowed eyes, completely ignoring Holly's solicitous inquiries. 'I don't blame you. He doesn't like being made a fool of. Neither do I. Just what you hoped to accomplish by your little act is beyond me. Mind you,' she added spitefully, 'you passed with flying colours. But as Hayes said, it's time you grew up.'