Free Unknown by Unknown

they might like them when they get back.’
    Hudson pushed back his chair and quickly walked through to the lounge, where he picked up a paper and returning gave it to Serenity, is he the one you’re looking for?’
    ‘I told you he wasn’t.’ She took the paper, again feeling a tremendous sense of relief that neither Hudson nor his father was in any way connected with her mother.
    ‘Do you mind if I read this?’ she asked.
    ‘No, carry on. I wanted to ask when you two are thinking of going to the Glaciers. Today?’ Hudson turned to the Fairmonts.
    Serenity skimmed through the article. The award was for services to farming stretching back thirty or forty years. It was an impressive list: on Canterbury University Board of Directors at thirty-five, first man nominated from the Coast to the Meat and Wool Section of the Dominion Council of Federated Farmers, pilot with RNZAF during the war, on the Regional Development Council, instrumental in bringing power and telephone to this remote area, work for Jaycees, Lions Club, starting the stock section of the Provincial A. & P. Show, starting the Veterinary Clinic, the inspiration and driving force behind the building of West Coast Producer Companies, chairman of others, and on and on . . .
    She sighed. Hudson had every right to be proud of his father and she didn’t even know who her father was. She was very quiet as they rode back across the river and Hudson seemed content to ride beside her in silence. She knew he was determined that she would stay, and that he wasn’t used to being thwarted, but his opinion didn’t worry her. Her own indecision hung like a heavy weight upon her.
    When they stopped at the stables, Hudson dismounted. ‘I’ll fix the horses. You nip up to the house, have a shower and a rest. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.’
    ‘Thank you for a lovely day. I’ve enjoyed it very much. I’m not too tired, so if you tell me what you’d like for dinner, I’ll cook it.’
    ‘You’ll cook my meals when you’re paid for it; until then you’re my guest.’
    Serenity turned away without speaking and started up the road to the house. He was an impossible man, and if he ordered her round now, when she was his guest, working for him would hardly be a joy. If her car was here she would just get in and drive like fury away from the Bar 2 station, away from Hudson Grey, and away from any clinging mysteries of the past.
    But where would she go? This valley had been her objective, and it was beautiful beyond description. As she reached the house, she stood looking down to where the lake shone blue and silver in the late afternoon sunlight, then keeping her gaze on the horizon she turned in a full circle. Blue, purple and shadowed, the bush-clad hills encircled the Station, giving it a protection from the world outside, secluded and peaceful, and above the fold upon fold of hills reared the snow-crested giants in awesome majesty.
    She showered and changed into a simple sleeveless blue dress with a white collar, then lay on her bed for a short rest, but fell asleep immediately.
    The slam of a car door brought her out of a deep sleep so abruptly that she was completely disorientated. She sat for a moment on the edge of the bed until her mind cleared, then walked to the window overlooking the patio. Hudson was talking to a tall, rangy man, wearing blue jeans and a Western-style stetson hat, and in his hand he held a coiled rope.
    The horse-breaker. Hudson Grey was a fast mover. He was trying to put her under an obligation to stay, Serenity thought resentfully. Well, that was his misfortune. When he used steamroller tactics it made her less keen to stay.
    Just then, the young man strode to the gate and as she turned to latch it glanced up directly at Serenity and lifted his hat with a smile. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth to stop her making a sound, and she stepped back quickly. It was her photograph come to life, only this was in living colour, neatly