"Can't she abort it?"
"She doesn't want to. This will be a biological half-sister or brother for Alice."
Ian sat gazing at the window without replying before he looked back at Tyler. "Any suggestions?" he asked.
"Come around tonight. You visit to see Alice quite regularly so it won't be unusual. If you wish, Renee and I can stay or if you'd rather we weren't there, we'll leave. The important thing is for you speak to and comfort Sofia. Afterwards, Aza needs to be told about the pregnancy."
There was another gap in the conversation before Ian stood and extended his hand that Tyler shook. "I'll come around this evening but unless Sofia disagrees, I would like you two to be there," he said. "Thank you for coming to me with this information."
THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE living room was not tense but unusually formal after Ian arrived. He had his usual chat before helping to put Alice to bed and gave Sofia the smallest of nods and the pair retreated out of the room. However, Aza noticed and made a point of keeping busy and placing supper dishes in the dishwasher after the pair left.
She glanced at Renee who offered to help.
"So this is why you're staying those two extra days?" she asked.
Renee nodded. "We want to help our friends," she said. "Ian has come here tonight to tell you something."
Aza nodded. "That he's the one who has impregnated Sofia?" she asked.
"You knew!"
Aza shut the dishwasher door and stared directly into Renee's eyes. "I guessed. Sofia tried to keep the fact that she was pregnant from me but when you live with somebody it isn't hard to recognise the symptoms. I wasn't so sure that it was Ian but was certain artificial insemination wasn't involved. Sofia wasn't keen and I didn't want to have another child after all that time off from work before Alice was born."
"But you said nothing?"
Aza almost smiled. "Something had to happen as Sofia will soon begin to show. I wasn't sure how to approach the topic."
"She's terrified that it'll ruin your lives together."
Aza gulped. "It won't," she whispered.
"So tell her," Renee advised
Aza grinned. "Meanwhile, let's allow Ian squirm for a while."
Renee grinned and told her how Tyler had persuaded him to come around. The atmosphere became so much lighter as they chatted that Tyler who was across the room, glanced up.
"Well, are you both going to tell me what all the whispering is about or leave me to guess?"
"I know that Sofia's pregnant and guessed it was Ian," Aza said.
They all stopped talking when Sofia and Ian, both looking serous, walked back into the room.
"Sofa and I have something to tell you Aza," Ian said in a solemn voice before he glanced at Tyler, then Renee. "Could you both please remain here, too?"
"Of course," Renee said in an equally serious voice. "Perhaps I could get us all a coffee."
"No," said Tyler and Renee noticed his almost wicked grin. "I think a swig of whisky might be more appropriate. We actually brought a small bottle home with us... just in case."
AFTER FLYING INTO CHRISTCHURCH on a late morning flight and a brief stop to visit a supermarket and the mid-wife in Darfield, Renee and Tyler were on the home stretch. She was glad to be heading back to their remote little village. It was spring with green fields and lambs and calves everywhere. She actually preferred this to summer when Canterbury Plains usually became parched under the summer sun, or even winter. The snow was enjoyable but the freezing temperatures sometimes became depressing.
"So what did you think of our time up north?" she asked Tyler who was driving.
"Great! I'm glad all the legal work is over and that news about Sofia livened everything up. I still think Ian likes the women too much and I reckon he'll not bother to tell Paige about his situation."
"I agree but at least we helped Sofia and Aza. They'll be fine now, I am sure."
Tyler nodded. "Great pair even though I don't really understand this sexual orientation business."
"I guess it is difficult to understand unless it applies to yourself but who are we to judge?"
"True," Tyler said and changed the topic. "How do you think Sandra and Norm got on? After all we are coming back two days late."
"They'll be fine. They were pretty pleased when we told them we'd be keeping the houses when we sold the rest of East Ridge Village Farm to the station owners."
IT WAS A LITTLE AFTER five when they drove into East Ridge, somehow expecting it to be different. It wasn't, of course. There were some cars around and the hostel appeared to be in use with a couple of mini buses parked outside.
"It's one of those school parties, Sandra told us about," Tyler said as he tooted as they drove past the store, turned up their driveway and parked near the house. Norm appeared from the far shed and waved an oily rag at them before disappearing again.
When Renee climbed out and began to unpack luggage, she heard a woof and Sam came running up with his tail wagging and tongue dripping in excitement.
"Hi there, Sam," she said and patted him behind the ears. "Have you been a good boy for Sandra and Norm?"
Sam barked, ran across to Tyler, received a pat and came back again. Renee looked up and grinned as Apricot the cat walked sedately out from the veranda and rolled on the ground waiting to have her tummy rubbed. She reached in to where Jett had just awoken.
"We're home Sweetheart," she said and kissed her son. "And look who has come to welcome us?"
The End
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Did you love Snow Bond? Then you should read Wisps of Cloud by Ross Richdale!
Karla Spicer finds her position as Senior Teacher at Tui Park Primary School in Wellington, New Zealand's capital, is hindered by the Associate Principal Val Cook, who resents her progressive ideas. Principal Murray Norwood, is an easy-going man drifting towards retirement who avoids controversy whenever possible. However, through a conscientious attitude and by supporting junior staff and parents Karla becomes a popular staff member.
She becomes romantically involved with Ryan Purdon, the school's property manager. He tells her about problems back at Top Plateau, a tiny school near his family farm where he grew up. After being approached by the Ministry of Education, Karla agrees to take the acting principal's position there and Ryan goes with her to stay in his farmhouse.
Life in a remote area is different than expected with problems at the school and also on Ryan's family farm where he has problems with his sister, step-father and mother who are all trying to sell the property divided between them by his late father's estate.
Tensions arise in the district with a marijuana plantation discovered near the farm and a local bikie gang being suspected as the growers. However, nothing is as it first seems, potential enemies become friends and the trusted, untrustworthy.
Back in Tui Park, teacher Chrissy Ancell is attacked and turns to Karla for help. As Chrissy's attacker is a respected person, their efforts to get justice seem to be thwarted.
It appears that the problems are intertwined with Karla being the kingpin and more than just a teacher striving to do the best for the children under her care.
This is a modern story with romance, crime and human personalities mixed together to create Ross's exciting novel.
N.B. The tui (pronounced two-ee) is a native New Zealand bird found in the local bush that covers many of the steep hills around Wellington in the North Island of New Zealand.
Read more at Ross Richdale’s site.
Also by Ross Richdale
Emerald Eyes Trilogy
Emerald Eyes Destiny
Emerald Eyes Mist
E
merald Eyes Pyramid
Our Ancient Ancestors
When the Longships Came
The Druid's Daughter
Meztli - Sacrificial Maiden
Kyla's Fate
Our Romantic Thrillers
Blemished Jewel
Jana Adrift
Broken Silence
Eagle's Claw Lake
Snow Bond
Blossoms in the Wind
Terra Novels
The Truth About Terra
Terra Incognita
Wisps Trilogy
Wisps of Cloud
Wisps of Snow
Wisps of Wisdom
Standalone
Solar Search
Acid Air
Embrace the Fog
Cosmos Quest
Azure Sea Gold
Alien Hybrid
Crystal Souls
Countess In Exile
Anu Factor
Into the Wormhole
Time Portal
Like Twigs in a Storm
Omega Seed
Catalyst
Long Valley Road
Armlet
Claire
Liberty & Opportunity
Transmigration
Shadows Behind
Wind Across the Playground
Arising Magic
Generation 7
The Other Mrs Hayes
Stretched Horizons
Behind the Fire
Watch for more at Ross Richdale’s site.
About the Author
After a career as a teacher and principal of mainly small rural schools, Ross Richdale lives in the small university city of Palmerston North in the North Island of New Zealand where he writes contemporary novels and science fiction. He is married with three adult children and six grandchildren.
His interest in current events and international incidents serve as a backdrop for many of his novels. Ordinary people rather than the super rich super powerful or violent, are the main characters in his stories. His plots also reflect his interest in the rural lifestyle as well as the cross section of personalities encountered during his years as a teacher.
Read more at Ross Richdale’s site.
Snow Bond Page 19
