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Noah wore navy trousers and jacket, offset with a crea over the top Not that she knew a lot about classy, but he looked good enough to eat Now, there was a thought

The back door closed, then the vehicle rocked as Noah got into the driver’s seat ‘Ready?’

As she’d ever be, which was never ‘Yes’ Then, ‘Why are you taking me to meet your relatives when you don’t seem to like them much?’

Good point Noah still couldn’t get his head around the fact he’d invited Anastasia to Robert and Alice’s It was a step forward, introducing her to his faether permanently And also to finally lay his doubts to rest when Stacey saw the property She’d be a Holly amused Not like his aunt Alice had been her usual frosty self when he’d said he was bringing a friend and her daughter to meet them

‘I hope she’s got class, Noah’

Oh, Anastasia was classy all right, just not aloof and a boorish snob ‘She’s a wonderful wo, and certainly could hold her own, but so could Alice He didn’t want Anastasia feeling hurt or upset over anything thather there He straightened his back He’d support her, no matter what, show Robert and Alice as important in his life

‘Are flowers all right for your aunt?’ Anastasia asked tightly

‘Of course they are You didn’t have to do that’ Though Alice would be miffed if she hadn’t

‘I think I do’ Her smile was brief

Fingers crossed for a s the next couple of hours ‘I hope you’re comfortable with this visit,’ he reiterated

‘Noah, hush You’ve already warned ht be a little cool, and I’m prepared I can be wellvery little’ Her atte out the

‘I’hter’

Her head spun round ‘You’re sure about that?’

‘Absolutely’ Introducing Holly into the mix would raise more questions, but he was prepared for those She was his daughter, and that, Robert and Alice, was that

‘Good’ Her fingers on her free hand were clenched, not exactly backing up that comment Then she added, ‘Thanks ItHolly completely’

Tiirl to break the boredo?’

Relief filled her face ‘Sure did’

Soon the sound of squeaky voices that kids apparently liked filled the interior and Holly was joining in Noah began to relax

Finally when he pulled through the gate and started up the long sweeping drive lined with old oak trees, his breath caught in the back of his throat and he was afraid to look at his companion in case he saw an expression that would tell hi, that she did want a lifestyle unknown to her and attainable only by fooling him

Anastasia said nothing until he pulled up outside the wide stairs leading to the front door and she turned to hienuine honesty in her face No avarice or hope or envy

Noah exhaled ‘You’re right It is’

‘Has it always been in your family?’

‘About two hundred and twenty years Robert was the oldest brother so it was passed down to him, andfor a reaction that would screaoodness I don’t want to live here It was bad enough in the tie, cold rooo on for ever No small, comfortable spaces to be happy in’

‘Oh, Noah’ Her hand enveloped his, squeezed tight ‘That’s hideous’

One word for it ‘Yes Shall we go in?’ Of course neither Alice nor Robert had cooodness soed Out of the car, he went to get Holly but Anastasia had beaten hi to her like a shield

She looked around once and then at hiht?’

Wrapping an arainst hi Her glea dark blonde hair spilled down her back and her funky red earrings bobbed whenever she turned her head ‘You’re not on display’ But Alice would take note of every piece of clothing and the hairstyle and those earrings Damn the woman Not everyone lived like her, and she’d never accepted that because it was her right to lord it over people about how she was married to a Kennedy

Te as it was to drive away for a relaxed lunch somewhere else, it couldn’t happen He’d told Robert he’d come, and that meant he had to And sometime soon he had to let his relatives knoas a father anyway May as well get that over with

Taking a quick look around at the faht about those relaxed years in Auckland that already seeo Stacey had hit the nail on the head when she’d asked why he’d left there when he was happy If only he could’ve stayed on down under and ignored the faood But irresponsibility wasn’t one of his flaws