Novels 01 Blue Skies by Fleur McDonald

sort of vegetation. The sound of ducks squawking suggested there must be a lake close by.
    As Adrian pushed the door open, Amanda caught a glimpse of golden curtains and sparkling chandeliers. She walked inside, marvelling at the beautiful jarrah furniture, the mirrors and paintings with which the room was decorated. There was a bottle of champagne and two crystal flutes on a silver tray on the sideboard.
    ‘Bit flash for me, Ade,’ Amanda said with a wry smile.
    ‘Nonsense! Nothing is too flash for you, my dear. You just need a little more pampering, that’s all. Drink?’
    She nodded and walked through the other rooms, exploring the chalet. There were two bedrooms, as Adrian had promised, a kitchen, a formal lounge and a bathroom that was bigger than her lounge at home! It had a massive white spa bath with golden taps. She shook her head at the excessiveness of it all and turned to go and find Adrian. She gasped as she almost ran into him, standing right behind her. He smiled and offered her the glass he was carrying.
    ‘Adrian, how much did this cost?’ she asked in wonder.
    ‘Not something that you need to worry your pretty head over,’ he answered, and held up his glass. ‘Here’s to us,’ he said, clinking his glass against hers.
    ‘Here’s to us,’ she echoed.
    ‘I’m having dinner delivered. It’ll be here in about an hour and a half. Would you like to sit out on the verandah and finish your drink, or freshen up?’
    ‘I reckon I’ll have a drink, then a shower. I don’t suppose there would be a beer anywhere?’ She wrinkled her nose as a bubble went up it.
    ‘Dinner’s here, Mandy,’ called Adrian.
    ‘Coming.’ She put her book down and rose from the bed. Stretching, she realised that she had really loved the time away. That morning, they had walked around the lake, then spent the afternoon wandering from winery to winery. (That had been Adrian’s idea – Amanda was a beer girl at heart.) But as much as she’d enjoyed some time off, it would be good to get back to Kyleena and her sheep tomorrow.
    Entering the formal lounge where Adrian had set up dinner, she wondered how she could thank him for the weekend. She’d been so grateful that he hadn’t pressured her to sleep in the same room. He really was a very thoughtful man.
    ‘Here we are, my love.’ Adrian pulled out her chair, got her settled at the table and then handed her a plate.
    After an enjoyable meal, Adrian pushed back his chair, threw his serviette on the table and crossed his legs.
    ‘So have you had a nice time, Mandy?’
    ‘It’s been lovely, Adrian. I’ve been totally spoiled. I’d really like to pay for some of it.’
    ‘You couldn’t afford to, my dear,’ he said kindly, ‘and I didn’t bring you because I thought you’d offer to pay your way. I brought you because I love you and I would like us to start a life together – but you seem hesitant and I’m really not sure why. You won’t let me kiss you or even hold your hand. Perhaps you could help me to understand what you’re feeling?’
    Amanda swallowed nervously. She didn’t really know herself what was holding her back. She just had a niggling doubt going back to her father’s reaction the night Adrian had first appeared at Kyleena.
    ‘I’m not sure, Adrian.You’ve been there for me since Dad died and there are times I couldn’t have managed without you. I just really want to get Kyleena up and going before I make any long-term plans. It’s not that I don’t care about you – I do. But . . .’ She trailed off.
    ‘I could help you with Kyleena, you know. I could give you a small loan . . .’
    ‘No! You’ve done enough! You’ve lent me man power when I couldn’t cope by myself, you’ve helped me make hard decisions, and I’m so grateful. But I can’t, I won’t take your money.’
    ‘Mandy, I could offer you such a comfortable life. No money worries, Kyleena would be safe. Then you wouldn’t have to work the way you do now. You