Precious

By Susan Garod

As the non-Triplet sister to three stunning women, Alaina was used to taking the back seat. But when her parents invited the two brothers who were taking over the family business to spend the holidays with them, Alaina found herself in the spotlight. Jared's attention made her both nervous and excited. But being the type who made lists, ran through the pros and cons and then reached a decision, Alaina wanted more time to think about the sudden attraction. She had decided a long time back that she was not going to be second choice and the fact she was going to have to take the risk of a lifetime panicked her into stepping back. But that was a mistake and one that took a long time to sort out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Garod
• Release date: Aug 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215584477

Susan Garod

reviewsI don't know about other readers but for me it's not just the happy ending. The journey has to be fraught with obstacles and difficulties to make the happy ending worth it. The thing I love best about any of your work is that no matter the obstacle you always find a way for the couple to overcome it and it's not some unrealistic magic fix. Love takes work and you show that. Your characters are also not perfect, they have their strengths and weaknesses clearly on display for readers to really get into the characters heads. At least thats how it is for me. (sweet_candy89, 21/1/2018)If you love reading about strong women and the real men that love them, then Susan Garod never disappoints! The characters are complex with intriguing, interconnected story arcs, which continue in each series with their multiple characters and side stories and makes them such a pleasure to read. Joshua's Grace is the perfect starting point if you haven't read any of Susan's books, and follow the Carvalho sisters into the Moonlight series, Spice Sisters and the Heartbeat series. You See Me elicited the same response as all the preceding books by Susan Garod - I loved it!(Karen, June, 10, 2017)I absolutely LOVE Susan Garod's books, think I have every one of them, so when I seen this was available for my kindle I was ecstatic. Now it is a little different than her other writings, but it is just as good if not better. Laura has found out she has a grandmother, goes to see her but runs into her neighbor who thinks that Laura is there just to get something from the grandmother. There are many trials and tribulations going back and forth between the 2. I really did enjoy this book and if you have read any of Susan's other books you will love this one as well (Lori Costa, July, 28, 2016)

Book preview

Precious

Susan Garod

Copyright 2023 Susan Garod

Distributed by Smashwords

Books by Susan Garod

Carvalho Sister Series

Joshua's Grace

Luke’s Choice

Sasha's Conquest 


Zeke's Game

Zac's Summer 


Jacinta's Promise

Rob’s News

Mia's Destiny 


Nathan’s Proposal 


Ceri's Talent 


Daniel's Claim

Nick's Fortune

Adam's Hope

In Moonlight Series

Gift wrapped in moonlight


Revealed in moonlight

Dreams in moonlight

Heartbeats in Moonlight

Promises in Moonlight

The Spice Sisters Series

Tempestuous

Precious

Impetuous

Heartbeat

You get me

You have me

You see me

You know me

Chapter one

Of course Jared recognized her. He’d seen plenty of photographs. So he knew her on sight. But even so, he wasn’t sure quite what to make of the tall, slender, exceptionally elegant woman currently waiting patiently for her luggage to materialise. As Jared watched the serene young woman whose name was tossed into the mix a few weeks back, he wondered whether her father had alerted her, or her sisters to his business test, which had them in a central role.

Jared and his brother had acquired her father’s business recently. Jared had kept an eye on Braganza Spice for nearly three years. Then much to his surprise, out of the blue her father had approached him, offering to sell the company to him. Jared knew exactly what he and his brother were getting: a small, family run import business. What he liked about it was the fact that it was very similar to his own business with two members of the family having prominent roles. His brother, Quinn was a company lawyer. Tony’s wife, Claire was the current company accountant.

But it was soon after they’d signed the transfer paperwork when her father proposed an additional if somewhat novel business idea. Jared took it seriously, for all of two seconds. From her father’s reaction it was obvious that he was either teasing or testing the brothers. A fact confirmed when Tony patted Jared on the back and chuckled heartily when Jared had declined the additional option. Tony Braganza mid chuckle explained that his daughters would lynch him if he ever proposed making marrying one of them a condition of the takeover!

So now, for a few seconds, as Jared stood watching one of the daughters, he vacillated between telling her and not telling her about her father’s suggestion. He wondered what she’d make of Jared’s response. Jared wanted to see her reaction. Just to see how deep her composure ran. Her serenity appeared deep seated but the tilt of her chin suggested she wasn’t the type to simply follow orders. He’d been watching her for several minutes now, and the longer he observed her, the more intrigued he became.

He had researched the family online, which actually yielded very little information. Most of the newspaper clippings reported on her triplet sisters in particular. He was looking forward to meeting this particular sister, mainly because she was least known. What must it have been like to be the non-triplet sister?

Watching her from his vantage point was helping him reach several conclusions. For a start, the newspaper clippings failed to capture either the beauty or the essence of the woman. His mind returned to the information Tony provided when he’d skilfully steered Jared into spending the festive holiday period with the Braganza family.

Ten days ago Tony and Claire invited Jared and Quinn to spend Christmas with the family. Tony had sweetened the invitation by implying they could use the time to talk through the intangible aspects of the spice business. It would have been a simple matter to turn down the invitation. But Jared agreed to the two-week sojourn partly because he was tired and partly because he wanted to see whether the quality family time that Tony and Claire described was hyped. The way Tony described his home made it sound like an idyllic place to relax. It was a 15-acre property on the Kapiti coast with the house set not far from the sand dunes. The house apparently enjoyed views of an unspoiled panorama because it sat, slightly elevated, less than half a kilometre from the shoreline. Even though Jared had lived in Wellington for several years now he had yet to explore the Kapiti coast. So not surprisingly Tony’s invitation had appealed on many levels. The subconscious lure of being part of the extended family gathering was one that appealed the most.

As children Jared and his brother Quinn had looked out for each other. Their father, as a sole parent and as a junior sales assistant in one of the big department stores worked all the hours available to ensure that both boys got access to a good education. In the long term it had paid off. But it came at a cost. For the time spent together was limited. The three of them were tight as a family. It was something Jared valued but the reality was that time was limited. Their father was busy, earning enough to keep a roof over their heads. So life was anything but rosy.

Jared’s childhood was very different to the picture the Braganza couple painted of their chaotic family life. Tony and Claire painted a rosy, family driven, but hectic, picture of life with the four girls. Jared wanted to see how feasible that was, and what exactly it took, for subconsciously it was something he wanted when he had married and had a family of his own.

It was only three days ago that Tony mentioned his daughters’ arrival and suggested that Jared and Quinn could tie in their arrivals to coincide with the time his daughters were due into Wellington. That way the girls could direct them to the house in Peka Peka. It sounded reasonable at the time. With hindsight Jared had started to question Tony’s motives, but he’d fallen in with Tony’s suggestion rather than make a big deal of the situation. It wasn’t as if Jared wasn’t used to handling unwanted attention. He could handle being thrown at the sisters. Jared was meeting Alaina while Quinn, who was still under the illusion that Tony had ulterior motives, found himself travelling from Australia with the triplets for company. Jared wondered who had drawn the short straw.

Now, as Jared stood watching the eldest, clearly beautiful daughter, Jared wondered whether Tony had simply reeled him in, albeit with a touch of subtleness. Jared knew that was what his older brother Quinn thought, which is why Quinn, despite vociferous protests, was joining his younger brother for the two weeks. Quinn intended to ensure that neither brother succumbed to this non too subtle onslaught.

Jared took his time observing Alaina. It wasn’t a hardship. She was very easy on the eye. The luggage on domestic flights appeared in a baggage hall that allowed access to those not on the flight. So for all intents and purposes, he could have approached her, introduced himself, and then chatted with her as he waited alongside her. Instead he chose to watch, at a distance. See what he could learn about the woman before he introduced himself.

She had her mother’s hair, a dark brown, rather than her father’s jet-black locks. Her face was high cheekbones, tip-tilted dark brown eyes, determined chin, and pouty lips. She wore dark blue jeans that clung like a second skin and a large white shirt that billowed like an oversize tent. The cuffs of the shirt were rolled back and a pair of flat leather sandals, of a nondescript nature was on her feet. Apart from the watch on her wrist and the tiny pearl stud earrings at her ear lobes she wore no other jewellery. But despite the casualness of her outfit, she looked surprisingly elegant. It was the way she wore the simplicity of her clothes. This woman was totally at ease with her appearance. She appeared serene and completely unaware of the fact she was attracting attention. Jared found himself speculating. Jared knew that his interest was more than piqued. A pared down, unadorned, ingenuous, woman, his brain reminded him even as his body registered early warning sparks of desire. To be expected, he told himself, after all she was an attractive woman, and there was nothing wrong with his eyesight.

Her dark brown hair was short, but long enough to curl, he noted as she rifled a hand through her hair and pushed an errant curl off her forehead. That was the only sign of impatience he’d detected thus far.

Alaina Braganza stood with diminishing patience beside the luggage conveyor belt and wondered, not for the first time, why she’d agreed to take two weeks out. Two weeks that she could ill-afford. Of course there was never any doubt that she would come. Family was family. This year’s gathering was extra special. They were there to celebrate Christmas followed a few days later by her parent’s fortieth wedding anniversary. All four daughters were under strict instructions to make time to visit for two weeks. She smiled wryly as she recalled her mother’s telephone call, and the less than subtle request to spend two weeks at home. On the plus side Alaina was looking forward to spending time with her sisters. They all led such busy hectic lives as adults that it was increasingly noticeable that they were seeing less and less of each other. Telephone calls were simply not the same thing. So despite being far from pleased about the loss of two weeks working time, she was more that pleased about the fact that the Triplets had been ordered home too! Bianca, Catalina and Daniella, were fraternal triplets and thirty months younger than Alaina. They lived across the Tasman in the house they owned in Melbourne. But having received the summons to spend two weeks at home, they too had downed tools, made alternative arrangements to cover any existing obligations and prepared to go home. It never occurred to any of them not to turn up despite the inconvenience.

As Alaina stood watching the myriad of suitcases, that weren’t hers, go past her on the slowest carousel she’d ever encountered, she mentally listed the work related things that needed to be done. She was good at lists. Despite knowing she had precious little time to get them done, she knew there was no point getting steamed, a small voice reminded her. If mum and dad said come home, you went home.

Alaina at nearly thirty was the oldest of the girls. Geographically she lived the closest to her parents. Though they lived on different islands. She lived south of Nelson and they lived north of Wellington. Every month or so, Alaina flew to Wellington and made the drive to her childhood home to spend time with her parents. She usually managed to fit her visits around her work schedule. This time things were on hold, and piling up fast. All four girls had agreed to stay for the whole two weeks. In recent years they had stayed three to four days over the Christmas period, and then disappeared again, back to their work lives. But this year was special, so though they each had misgivings about the loss of time, they had carved out two weeks in their hectic schedules and were heading home for the festive holiday period.

Alaina smiled wryly as she imagined who else might be joining them this Christmas. For Christmas at home usually included a guest or two for company. Some stayed for just a couple of days on either side of Christmas day, while others came for longer. Alaina had forgotten to ask her parents who was going to be with them this year. So as she watched the same suitcase do another circuit on the carousel, she wondered about their potential guest. Last year her father’s cousin’s eighteen year old son, Henry, was on his OE. So Henry had spent Christmas with the Braganza family. Just thinking about Henry made Alaina smile, for he was irrepressibly mischievous!

Alaina scanned the vicinity without actually taking any of it in. She tried not to let her irritation show as she watched the sluggish luggage belt and the same cases circle. Why couldn’t her case be in the early unload? Her eyes did another slow scene take as she glanced at her fellow passengers and others who were milling around. Wellington domestic terminal was busy, but then, airports nowadays were always busy. She brushed a non-existent curl from her forehead and refocused on the carousel. Now was not a good time to wish she’d only brought carry on luggage. In any case, given the size of the aircraft her carry on luggage would have been collected and stored in the hold. So that would not have saved her the annoyance of standing here waiting for the next load of luggage to appear on the luggage belt. Alaina blew out a slow steady breath and tried to hold onto her patience.

Alaina stepped back as a fellow traveller spotted his luggage and made a last minute lunge for it before it idled past him. She was surprised the guy had left it so late given how slow the belt was moving he’d have spotted his case ages ago. No doubt, his mind like hers was miles away, she smiled to herself, unaware of its impact on her fellow passenger. He reciprocated the smile, thinking it was meant for him and then mumbled his thanks when she shifted to allow him room to haul his case off the conveyor belt. She remembered him. He was the businessman who sat beside her on the journey into Wellington. The short flight from Nelson to Wellington hadn’t stopped him from trying to flirt with her. The man smiled at her again ever hopeful and wanting to build on their meeting.

Are you making your own way home? He asked by way of continuing their conversation. She’d told him on the flight that she was visiting her parents. His second case appeared on the carousel. Much to Alaina’s relief he prepared to retrieve it keeping one eye on its approach and the other on Alaina.

So much for making a quick getaway she thought just before she nodded in response to his question. She hoped that he wasn’t going to be difficult. He looked as if he was about to proposition her. Again. Which she figured she ought to consider a compliment. But she wasn’t in the mood to deal with unwanted attention.

I’m happy to share a taxi to the station, if you like? He proposed genially.

Alaina was fairly sure that he was hinting to meet up later, but it wasn’t her style to pick up strange men in airports. Sighing to herself, she summoned a smile of apology. You’re probably in a rush to make that meeting. She reminded him and hoped that he didn’t keep pressing her, because that would make things awkward. But thanks for the offer.

During the flight over he’d told her he was heading for a business meeting in town, and was in Wellington for two days. Alaina glanced at his luggage, two suitcases for a two-day business trip? She banked her smile.

Taking her response to be encouragement he sauntered closer. I can wait. Your luggage shouldn’t be long now. He smiled at her. Business traveller luggage was given priority and was off loaded first, which is why he’d managed to retrieve his cases before there was any sight of her case. He propped both of his cases on the trolley he’d wheeled into position and turned to her to inquire, with a broad warm smile, Can I get you a trolley?

She shook her head, Thank you, but I won’t need one. She smiled automatically, while praying that he took the hint. I’m travelling light. Alaina stepped forward with a hidden sigh of relief. She’d spotted her case as it dropped onto the carousel. Thank you for offering. She bestowed a smile that had him reciprocating with ease.

From his vantage point, Jared read the signals clearly. The man was obviously trying to flirt with her. Not surprising really, but what was surprising was the fact that Jared objected to it. He had no claim to the woman, well none other than her father arranging for him to meet her at the airport and drive her home. He had some responsibility there, surely that counted. Seeing her flirt with fellow travellers shouldn’t matter to him. But from the unexpected way he’d reacted, it clearly did.

Here it is. Alaina said quietly as her case came into reachable distance.

The red one? Her persistent admirer queried, and readied himself to retrieve it for her. I’ll get it. Without hesitation he reached forward just as the red suitcase came past. He hefted it off the conveyor belt.

Alaina decided it was best to just allow him to retrieve her case. Making a big deal out of it would result in her suitcase going by while neither picked it up. In any case, no harm in letting him flex a bit of muscle.

Thanks. Alaina tucked that recalcitrant lock of hair behind her ear. Not for the first time she wished she’d had her hair cut before this visit home. Her hair was going to drive her mad. It was longer than she usually wore it and as a result she was constantly fiddling with it.

She was fiddling with her hair, wasn’t that a sign of interest in the opposite sex, Jared asked himself. Deciding enough was enough Jared found himself stalking toward Alaina and her admirer, not having thought through what he intended to say.

Alaina! Jared called a few steps from her, just as the suited businessman placed the red suitcase on the ground beside Alaina and turned toward her with an expectant look of reward and benevolence. In contrast Jared felt far from benevolent.

Thanks. Alaina smiled genially at her fellow traveller, even as she turned toward the sound of someone calling her name. She didn’t recognise the voice. In any case, she wasn’t expecting anyone. But New Zealand was a small place, and it was quite likely that someone she knew was in the baggage hall.

She didn’t recognize the man heading in her direction. She doubted she’d forget this man. For a big man he moved stealthily and fast. His strides ate up the ground and he was within a foot of her in seconds. But she didn’t recognise him.

Jared smiled as if they were intimate friends. Sorry I’m late, sweetheart.

He wasn’t at all surprised to see her eyebrows rise and her eyes widen. It didn’t stop him leaning in to kiss her on her cheek before he’d even thought about it. Greeting her with a kiss, his lips curved into a teasing smile. Caught unawares Alaina didn’t move back, but her eyes did narrow as she recognised a sleek move. Out of the frying pan and into the fire the thought flashed through her mind as she looked from the stranger to the businessman and back again.

Before she could speak Jared spoke again, Who’s your friend? He turned to look at the suited man who was now standing somewhat nervously beside Alaina. All plans to wear her down and get her to agree to meet him for dinner later, were quickly squashed when the businessman took in Jared’s warning look.

Jared maintained his genial façade as he took detailed inventory of the nervous businessman standing alongside Alaina. Good, clearly the other man got the message, Jared thought more than pleased with his timing. With one success under his belt, Jared turned to smile at Alaina as if it was perfectly natural for a complete stranger to appear at her side and commandeer her attention in this way.

Her brow furrowed. The stranger seemed to think it was perfectly acceptable to question her as if they were a couple. His tone suggested familiarity. Which was simply odd. Even more odd was the fact Alaina hadn’t run a mile!

We were on the same flight. Alaina spoke, and wondered why she was telling this complete stranger what he wanted to know. Her brain was in a whir.

He’d called her sweetheart as if they were involved. Come to think of it why hadn’t she smacked the guy for his daring to kiss her cheek when she didn’t even know him? He’d called her sweetheart. Who was he? Had he mistaken her for someone he knew? Had he left his glasses or contacts at home? Was this some sort of candid camera thing? Somewhere in the vicinity there was probably a film crew, recording her every reaction to this implausible turn of events. Alaina glanced around wondering whether she’d be able to spot anything untoward. Then she looked back at her stranger. He was a giant. But strangely enough his size did not intimidate her. He was gorgeous, clearly confident and obviously the kind of man who took charge of his environment. Not the kind of man to frequent her social circle.

I’ll, er, leave you to it, er, bye. It was nice meeting you. Said her fellow traveller with haste, as he considered the size of the man who’d just arrived on the scene. It was one thing to flirt with a gorgeous woman. It was another to flirt with a woman whose partner could flatten you with a jab from his index finger.

With a whimsical smile, Alaina watched her previously attentive companion beat a comical retreat. Not surprising given the giant that stood before them. Odd then that the giant did not intimidate her. Having just dealt with one unwanted suitor, now she had to deal with this man. Not a suitor, and definitely wanted, her heart told her brain. She brushed that nonsense aside as she took stock of him. She thought this man might be harder to shift.

The man was after all a veritable man mountain. Possibly around six foot four, she thought, as she realized that in her flat shoes, at five foot seven, he was nearly a head taller than her. She took quick inventory, making no attempt to cover the fact she was giving him a head to toe inspection. His dark blonde hair was cut short to within half an inch all over, almost framing his skull. His crew cut drew attention to features the Gods had bestowed on a good day. High cheekbones, gorgeous blue-grey eyes and full lips currently tilted at the corners in the semblance of a smile. And he was broad. Well broad-chested, she amended, given the way that dark blue shirt stretched across that expanse of torso. Absently she came to the conclusion that he worked out. His jean-clad hips were slim and lean. Her eyes moved to his legs. Long legs. When she finished taking inventory her eyes returned to his pale grey-blue gaze and she noted that one brow had risen in silent amusement and his eyes contained humour.

So? Jared asked with a smile in his voice. He’d enjoyed her open ingenuous, perusal, had to actually stop himself from grinning and preening. She hadn’t made any pretence about the fact that she was taking detailed notes. Her frank gaze was curious as it candidly swept him from top to toe.

Alaina chewed on her lower lip, an unconscious action that none the less had Jared’s speculative streaks of desire stepping up a gear. She folded her arms, her eyes conveyed distrust. I don’t know you. She told him coolly her eyes meeting his.

Why would a complete stranger hit on her at an airport of all places? Never mind, now that she knew for certain that this man was a stranger, it was time to leave. She frowned at him, gave him a cursory non-apologetic shrug and then she reached down and retracted the handle to her wheeled case. She pulled the case into a comfortable wheeling position and set off not concerned whether her sudden ‘friend’ followed or not. They were in a public place, she was safe she told herself as she headed past him without hesitation. If they were being filmed, being given the brush off would end that segment and he could go target another passenger.

Jared’s lips twitched at her response and reaction to him. When a complete stranger pestered her it did not faze her or throw her into panic mode. How often did this happen to her, he wondered given her aplomb in dealing with him. Very calm. Very cool. Very collected. Currently attempting to ditch him, his brain pointed out as she put a few feet between them.

Jared banked his smile and followed her, his long stride made short work of catching up with her. When he drew level he said, Your father does. He settled into a stride pattern that allowed him to walk alongside her as they made their way past other travellers, swerving occasionally to avoid bumping into people heading in the opposite direction. The top of her head just about reached his chin. He glanced down at her feet. She’d be just the right height in heels, he thought, alternatively he could just pick her up. His eyes focussed back on her lips. It was rare for him to be attracted so powerfully on first sight. But there was something about this remarkably serene woman that made every single cell in his body sit up and take notice.

Good for him. Alaina said blithely as if she was commenting on the weather. She tilted her head, glanced at the overhead signs. Taxi would be quicker, she told herself and it might just give her the perfect opportunity to ditch this rather good-looking man who was veering dangerously close to being labelled a stalking pest. Still maintaining her polite façade she turned and said with a pointed raised eyebrow and an ultra cool tone, Now if you don’t mind....

Jared chuckled instantly. He couldn’t help it. She was unflusterable! Nothing he’d read about her had given that away. He was impressed. She was so utterly calm despite having to engage with a man who appeared to be stalking her. Her lips firmed, her eyes cooled another degree. Ok, not as calm as she appeared, he corrected himself as he continued to study her reaction. There was heat in her eyes. Annoyance.

My brother and I are taking over his company. Jared announced and waited to see how that statement went down.

That got her attention. The cool façade dropped. She stopped and looked at him in surprise. Her parents had told her about the firm taking over Braganza Spice. But they provided little information about the people involved. From what she could recall two brothers in business together had acquired her mother and father’s business. Alaina was told the names of the two brothers, but she did not pay much attention to those details at the time. Even at the time she had just imagined them to be people nearer in age to her parents. But the man standing here was young. What was he doing here? Coincidence?

Jared Hunter. He held out a hand by way of introduction, pleased to have finally secured her undivided attention. Her gaze had gone from curious to puzzled.

Ok, that rang a bell. She recognized the name. Her mother had reported, what, nearly four or was it six weeks ago, that her father was selling the business to Jared Hunter. She couldn’t remember the name of the other brother. In the last six weeks there were updates about the sale, but the only aspect of the sale that concerned Alaina was how her parents were going to deal with ‘retirement’. The details of who, why and when was of no real interest. But what happened after the business was sold was something that concerned Alaina and her sisters. Which is probably why they were all turning up without making a fuss about having to spend two weeks at home. Their parents had worked all their lives, building up the business. Having free time was going to warrant some measure of adjustment for two workaholics. Alaina, Bianca, Catalina and Daniella had discussed the matter at length, but had yet to reach a conclusion as to how their parents would take to retirement. And what the sisters could do to help.

Mr Hunter. Alaina mulled quietly seeing if she could remember the name of the other brother. Well, at least he wasn’t a stalker, she told herself. Alaina shook his hand. What was Jared Hunter doing here? With a rueful smile she acknowledged to herself that her candid camera scenario created by her overworking imagination was not real. Well one mystery solved while another beckoned. This man looked nothing like the image she conjured when her parents had told her about the men who’d bought the business. She imagined a paunchy, balding businessman in his fifties. Not a thirty year old, or thereabouts, fit, young looking guy.

Jared, please. He gestured toward the exit for the car park. My car is in the long term car park. Not far to walk. Her smile was enchanting. Not for the first time today, Jared was pleased with his decision to spend time with her family, and her. There were perks to be had. This woman intrigued him, on so many levels. Her coolness under duress, her composure when having to deal with unwanted attention, and the intelligence he saw in her eyes. The fact she was very, very pretty, had not gone unnoticed either.

Bemused Alaina fell into step though she wasn’t sure quite why she was following a man she’d heard about but never met. She tried to stall him, Mr Hunter....

Jared. He inserted before she could really get into her sentence.

Jared. Fine. Jared. She replied, and drew on her years of dealing with the triplets to ask, Why are you here? She gestured around. Why are you meeting me at the airport? She asked with her usual nonchalance. It took a lot to faze Alaina. Growing up the eldest sister to triplets, living in a small town, meant that she took publicity, people, and pestering in her stride. As a little girl she acquired skills to deal with curious people. It had made her the woman she was: serene, protective, observant, astute and frank. It took a lot to ruffle her. But then she also tended over analyse everything, to try to see the motives behind every gesture. That protective instinct had developed as various people and groups took an interest in the triplets for various nefarious reasons in some cases.

Jared smiled broadly, and the charm within that smile all but rendered her legless. The man was lethal, she thought while she continued to follow him. Not only did he look good but when he smiled, her insides positively did a tango. So much for paunchy, balding and fifty, she mused and adjusted her stride to slow down, and hopefully buy some thinking time.

Jared understood her trepidation. Sensible woman, he figured as he began to explain, I volunteered. Kind of. I flew back from Auckland today, got in an hour before your flight. Seemed like a good use of resources to wait for you and....

Just then her mobile phone rang. Automatically Alaina retrieved it, saw it registered her parent’s home phone. Even as she flicked it on, her analytical brain was processing the information she had to hand. This man was obviously a guest for Christmas. Their family frequently had people join them for Christmas.

They both stopped moving as she studied her phone. Excuse me. She said, just before she answered the call. He didn’t step away to give her any privacy and she didn’t turn away to gain any privacy. Hi mum. She said as soon as the call connected. Then she listened, her eyes flicked to meet his blue-grey gaze, Alaina nodded absently. Yes, just got in. A moment of silence followed as she listened to her mother on the other end. Yes, he’s here. She looked across at Jared, who smiled sheepishly when he realized that Claire was talking about him.

The charm wattage was down a bit. He seemed a touch diffident. Alaina turned slightly, put a hand to her other ear and pressed her phone closer as she tried to drown out the chatter around her and concentrated on listening as her mother spoke. Alaina sighed, closed her eyes for a second then remembered that she had company. She turned and faced Jared, even while she carried on speaking with her mother.

There was no need. I know how to make my way.... A soft sigh as she allowed her mother to steamroller through the conversation. Yes. Ok. Yes. Fine. Ok. She listened some more, turned to the side as she registered the fact that her facial expression was probably telling him more than her words. Yes, we’re on the way to his car. Do you want to talk to him? Another silence as she listened. Ok, right, fine. Yes, an hour or so. See you soon. Love you lots. Bye. With a decisive snap she closed her phone and turned to look at the man who was studying her just as intently as she had studied him earlier. So? She repeated his question to him.

His lips twitched. Ok, he told himself, he liked her. Not just desire. But genuine like. She was feisty without being aggressive. Not a pushover, yet, no one in his or her right mind would see her as an easy target. He’d seen her brain working just now, as she’d taken that call, and got some sense of the woman who lurked beneath the Halle Berry features. Beneath that cool, unruffled exterior was a woman with a passionate nature and deep-seated loyalty to family. It was pretty obvious that she was non too pleased to have found arrangements made for her, but equally obvious that she would do as her mother asked on this occasion.

Everything ok? Jared reached for the handle of her case and when she released it, he took hold and wheeled the suitcase along as they set off again.

Alaina allowed him the action. If he wanted to prove that chivalry wasn’t dead, that was fine with her. But she wasn’t going to read too much into his actions. Yes. Mum was checking that you had arrived to pick me up at the airport. She said to say hi, by the way. Now she knew for a fact he was a guest for Christmas. But that still didn’t explain why had he agreed to meet her at the airport? Analysing every detail was a characteristic flaw that Alaina knew she possessed. She over-thought things. She knew that. But that didn’t stop her from asking, Tell me again, why you are meeting me at the airport?

Jared threw her a considering look, before stating matter of fact, My flight got in just before yours. We are both heading for your parent’s place. I save you the hassle of a trip by taxi or train or whatever, and it wasn’t a big deal for me to wait. It sounded perfectly plausible, probably because it was the truth. Plus, you know the way!

She didn’t think one hour counted as getting in just before her flight, but she was not going to argue the point. They skirted past a couple of slow moving travellers, with Jared carving a path for them as they headed for the sliding door marked car park exit.

Where’s your luggage? Alaina’s brain was still processing what he’d told her. The facts as he had reported them were straightforward, which made it all seem credible.

In my car boot. He glanced at her and grinned with ease as he said, Makes getting a coffee in these places that much easier if you don’t have to worry about trying to steer your case through the narrow gaps between tables.

That certainly was true, Alaina conceded, remembering the number of times she had jostled through crowded airport cafes, in an attempt to get a coffee. But even so, it suggested he’d been waiting a fair amount of time, probably longer than the hour he’d mentioned.

Once outside she started to trot to keep up with his long stride. When he noticed that she was practically jogging beside him, he slowed down and shortened his stride to accommodate her. They crossed one road and then took the path signposted to the short-term car park. It had clearly been a glorious day in Wellington, though now, as dusk approached, with clear skies overhead, it was getting a touch cooler. Alaina suppressed a shiver as her body adjusted to the temperature change. Her jacket was in her case, and for a second Alaina wondered whether she should stop to retrieve it.

Cold? He asked, noticing her shiver. He wasn’t feeling the cold. He knew he generated a lot of heat, his girlfriends told him his body was like a furnace. Somehow he figured that sharing that bit of information with the woman beside him would probably result in an ice water bath for him.

A bit. She rubbed at her arms, then unrolled her sleeves down to the cuffs and re- buttoned them at her wrist. The man was certainly attentive, given he’d noticed a shiver she thought she had concealed.

Not far now. He told her and upped his pace slightly. He wished he’d thought to bring his jacket. He’d left his jacket in the car earlier, otherwise he’d have offered it to her, given she appeared to be feeling the cold.

They reached his Mercedes E class coupe a couple of minutes later. Well, ok, she conceded, the man wasn’t short of cash. Then she shook her head, course he was wealthy, he was buying their family business.

So you’re spending time with us this Christmas? She queried even as she appreciated the luxury of the car and took her time studying it. You don’t live in Wellington then? With little preamble he placed her small suitcase alongside two small suitcases in the boot of the car. Alaina found herself wondering whether it was the in thing for men to travel with two cases for short trips nowadays?

He nodded his head. I’m based here. I was in Auckland the last week. Hence the two suitcases. He told her as if he read her mind. I left a case here as I figured I might not have a chance to get home and get fresh clean clothes, you never know what Wellington traffic will be like, so I wasn’t counting on driving home to get a change of clothes. He opened the passenger door for her, waited for her to slide in, and then closed the door. By the time he climbed in at the driver’s side he noticed that her seat belt was already on. He set the key in the ignition as he continued to explain, Been invited to spend two weeks over the holidays with all of you.

Really? Two weeks. Most of their Christmas guests were there for a couple of days, tops. Plus, if he lived in Wellington, then why was he spending two weeks just a few miles out of Wellington?

You sound surprised. Jared glanced at her, as he engaged the engine. He set the car in motion and reversed out of the parking bay. He wondered if she knew about her father’s business merger test proposal.

I am. She snuggled back, enjoying the leather upholstery. The luxury of the car cloaked around her and lulled her into relaxing. Alaina found herself sighing quietly as the sumptuousness of the car enveloped her senses.

Why?

It’s unexpected. She relaxed further into the leather, and sighed blissfully as the heated seat enveloped her comfortably. It might be December, and supposedly heading into summer, but there was a chill in the air this evening, and she’d not bothered to retrieve her jacket from her case.

His lips twitched with suppressed amusement. She was so obviously a sensualist. He rather thought he would enjoy making love with this woman. The question was when, rather than if, they would make love. You like the car?

What’s not to like? She turned, her lips curved in what she didn’t realise was a seductive sensual smile. But you’re trying to side track me. She snuggled into the seat once again, I don’t mean to sound ungracious, but why exactly are you staying for two weeks? You live in Wellington, which isn’t that far, is it?

Ok, so she was sensual, logical, smart and questioning. And a completely unaware seductress. To him, that added up to a dangerous combination. Plus she was direct. Her question had been nothing if not blunt. Most of the women in his circle would have taken their time and cloaked their question using a myriad of mirrors to soften the question. Alaina was perfectly content speaking her mind and wholly happy to do so bluntly. He wondered if