Chapter 1

Dick Savage, full name Richard Fabian Savage, was orphaned at the age of twelve when his parents and sister drowned in a boating accident. Both lots of grandparents lived far away and didn't hold out an adoptive hand to him because all four were aware of his unruly behavior already had resulted in his four appearances in the Juvenile Court.

So much for the saying blood is thicker than water. With his grandparents shedding no tears over his bleak future, skinny fair-headed Richard Fabian Savage was dispatched to the county's Welfare Home for Wayward Boys in the absence of a home for orphans in the county because the authorities had always refused to issue a permit for the establishment of an orphanage. It also was one of the few counties in the country without its own penitentiary or lower level of confinement facility. The county's unofficial name for itself was 'The Family County' and it boasted an exceptionally low crime rate and, although officials kept this fact secret, it's natural increase in birth rate was the lowest in the country because casual sex was severely discouraged.

One had to struggle to find a good reason for living in that county.

Dick could have easily been sent into the quick-sands of the river flats, never to be seen again, by the superintendent of the wayward boys' home for leading a break-out of the thirty-nine boys in Dormitory E, all being rounded up by bloodhounds with handlers armed with shotguns loaded with birdshot. A fortnight in 'The Pit' turned Dick from being a happy-go-lucky kid into a lean guy who now knew what loneliness really meant and he'd have to toughen up to survive.

Keeping his nose clean, Dick bided his time to get even with the 'super' who personally had kicked Dick by the butt to send him headfirst into the pit. One day just after he'd turned eighteen and remained a frequent inhabitant of The Pit Dick noticed the super's wife bent over the laundry basket at the clothes line so charged her, knocked her over and felt her breasts and then, because of his confinement had kept him away from experimentation during adolescence, he found he'd run out of ideas.

Big Mrs Johns slapped him silly and then growled, "Are you a virgin?"

Dick saw no advantage in lying so said yes. Grinning like a successful hunter, Mrs Johns dragged the half senseless Dick over to the privacy of the laundry room and had her fill. Thereafter they met in the laundry every Tuesday until Mrs Johns became pregnant. She confessed to her husband and early next morning the livid superintendent beat Dick unconscious and waited on the county line for the young punk to come around. Once he'd focused, Dick was handed papers to sign under duress, allowing for his voluntary release, available anytime to him after he turned eighteen.

Eyeing Dick malevolently the super said, "Kid, this is the county line. If you ever cross it again, you're dead. Understand?"

Sore but unafraid Dick answered respectfully, "Yes sir. Could you show me exactly where the line is so I'm not responsible for my own death?"

"Sure kid," said the burly and balding super grinned, drawing a line in the dust with his rubber baton.

Dick crossed the line and they both stepped closer and looked down at the symbolic mark.

The superintendent grinned evilly. "Make my day and step over the line punk."

"If I swing one leg over that line I'm a goner?"

"Yep."

Dick was in gray fatigues and heavy work boots, swung a leg powerfully, aimed directly at the bully's groin. The super screamed and bit the dust. Later he'd be on an operating theatre table having a pulverized testicle removed and no doubt thinking he'd murder the punk when he tracked him down.

Celebrating the biggest kick so far in his young life, Dick had turned away from his fallen and groaning persecutor and clutched his nuts protectively for no reason known to him, yelled to the skies, celebrating his freedom. He walked through arid country with no plan in mind, gradually relaxing and then worked out he'd have to hitch a ride for at least a day to get clear of his persecutor.

An hour or two later -- Dick had no sense of time or even where he was -- he reached a highway that bisected the desolate land. He quickly learned that no one stops to pick up a scruffy youth in gray shirt and cheap jeans attempting to thumb them down and looking surly to boot. It was just like being back in The Pit, no one interested in him and nothing to think about. He closed his eyes and closed down his mind as if in meditation although that word would not be in Dick's vocabulary.

The squeal of brakes of a big rig brought Dick into the present. He got off his ass and went up to the drivers' door.

Dick said to the driver, "Need some help?"

"You're a cheeky asshole. It's against company regs for me to take a passenger."

"Okay -- having wasted your time stopping, on your way. Try not to bury me in dust," Dick turning and began walking back to the rock he'd been sitting on.

"Come back here kid," said the driver, who looked to be no more than thirty. "Are you thirsty?"

"Yeah?"

"Hungry?"

"Yeah."

"When did you last eat or drink?"

"Around dawn."

"Are you running away?"

"Yeah, that's a brainy guess."

"What were you doing time for?"

"Being an orphan."

"Jesus." The driver sighed. "If that's the truth you better hop in."

"Nah, don't want to get you into trouble."

"I said hop in. Now if I have to climb down to you..."

"Keep your hat on. Don't run me over when I pass in front of you."

The driver waited and then revved the motor and blew his air horns, watching Rick jump almost up to his level.

Dick climbed in and grinned. "Asshole."

"Grab some food and drink from that bag at your feet kid."

"Thanks."

"Where should I let you off?"

"Somewhere nice to die."

The driver shook his head, his chest shaking in suppressed laughter. "You're coming home with me. It's about a day and a bit to go. You can sleep in the sleeping bay but you're not sleeping with me -- wrong sex."

"Oh yeah, what do you know about sex?"

The driver named Rex McDermott was eager for company so thought that was a good conversation to start with and so kept the kid an almost perfect listener for most of the journey. Rex surprised himself in rambling of the number of leg-opening women he'd been through in his time, had used so many variations, some of which he'd almost forgotten and he noticed the kid's eyes really lit up when Rex sounded off about what women really liked when being poked. Poked of course being Rex's man-to-man word for it.

In the sleeping cab for four hours' shut-eye before they had to stop for the driver's compulsory rest break, Dick felt tempted to ask Rex to turn back and take him where he'd picked him up so Dick could visit Joy the super's wife to try out all these new moves. Dumb idea, he yawned, wondering if Rex would like to be his father.

They halted at an unoccupied truck stop an hour before dark and Rex and the refreshed Dick had a pee, Dick thinking he'd won the distance arch until Rex turned red-faced with effort and pumped out the release from his bladder another two yards.

"It's the difference between a man and a youth," Rex said, cuffing his passenger on the head, almost affectionately, Dick deciding not to hit back.

Rex stood on the top step to the cab and reached behind the seats to pull out a short barrel varmint rifle. "Know how to use one of these?"

"Sort of. The older guys taught us using brooms."

Rex chuckled and said, "If it's small, shoot it. If it's big just run because out here it will be a wild bull or mad cow."

Dick squinted against the low sun. "You don't know me. Aren't you scared I'll come back, shoot you and steal your truck?"

"You're dreaming kid. If you did that I'd have to kill you."

It was a joke but the kid turned Rex's heart when he said, "No, you take the gun back. I don't want you thinking I'm bad, not after you've been so good to me."

Rex, caught a little emotionally by the frankness of the kid, asked, "Can you read?"

"The law said we must attend proper schooling at the institution. The super said it was a waste of time on us losers. Yeah, I can read easy."

"I have a couple of paperbacks but there're porn. Know what that is?"

"Nah."

"It means really hot sex."

"And nothing else to go with that?"

"Well, a bit of scene setting."

"Good, they sound like education books to me."

Rex stretched and yawned and turned the reading light on over the passenger's seat. "You'll have to work out difficult words and passages you don't understand. I'll be asleep."

"That the same as poking a woman isn't it -- work it out as we go?"

"Yeah, right on the button Dick. See yah in a few hours."

"Don't forget to say your prayers."

"Huh?"

"That's want some of the softies used to say to us at lights out in the dormitory."

"Oh yeah, and I bet you tougher guys teased them silly?"

"Yeah, but I backed away when they cried, the little wimps."

"Good night son," Rex said unthinkingly although not minding when he saw the kid's head drop and the reply came thickly, "You're cool Rex."

Next morning on the road Dick asked, "What are we trucking?"

"We?"

"Are you deaf?"

"No, sorry. Drums of oil used in fancy food manufacturing."

"What sort of manufacturing?"

"Why ask me -- I only drive the truck?"

"Yeah, sorry. I should have figured that out. Who are you poking these days?"

"Christ Dick."

"What's wrong? Is she that ugly?"

"Dick, she's my wife."

"Well, what's the problem? What position you've been talking about does she like best?"

"One we haven't discussed, across the kitchen table."

"Why would she prefer the table to a soft and springy bed?"

"Well, it's like this Dick..." and so Dick's education continued.

They stopped for lunch and each had a can of beer. Dick said he liked it, as the only alcohol he'd tried before was stolen whisky from the super's house.

Mid afternoon Rex lifted his cap and scratched under it. He said, "It's almost the end of the road for us. I could leave you on the highway... or else."

When he didn't continue Dick asked, "Or else what?"

"My wife and two kids live towards the mountains on a small abandoned ranch I'm working to bring back into a working cattle breeding unit. Josie doesn't want to live in the city any more."

"Why?"

"She was raped just after I first met her?"

"I know what rape means. She could get raped out here all alone."

"She figures she'd see them coming so would lock herself inside like she does at nights and if they broke in she'd shoot them through the heart."

"She sounds tough. Kids you say?"

"Yeah, Kade she's six and Tyson four."

"Does Kade go to school?"

"No but yes. Josie teaches both of them. She ran a small junior grade school until we came out here a year ago. She wanted to feel safe and to raise the kids in the country like she was raised."

Dick swallowed and said, "Can I ask you something?"

"For almost one and a bit days you have been asking plenty without saying that."

"You want me to come and live with you. Are you gay?"

Rex burst out laughing. "Christ Dick, that's the joke of the century. Why did you ask that?"

"I didn't want to fight you but I would if I had to. I learned to be the best fighter in the dormitory and the gay guys backed off."

"Oh Christ."

"It's okay. I got fingered a few times before guys learned it wasn't worth it because I'd smash them stupid when they were asleep."

Rex looked over his sunglasses at the kid, as if really impressed. "I love women too much to be gay. Just ask Josie. Er..."

"That's something I shouldn't ask Josie, isn't it?"

"You're on the button pal."

They turned off the main highway and drove much slower over a dirt road. The driver asked, "What do you think?"

"Rough road, rough country but as my grandpa used to say when I spent vacations on the farm, hard country makes lean and sleek cattle providing there's plenty of good water."

"We have water. I paid big to get wells drilled and we found it, water flow from the mountains, the drilling boss reckoned. Grandpa you said. Why didn't he have you when you were orphaned? Want to tell me about it kid, I mean Dick?"

"Not really."

"Okay, let me tell you about Josie. Now this is not about sex so you might not be interested." Rex talked on about Josie, finally glancing at the kid and noticing he was hanging on to every word. He'd run out of words by the time they swung wide to go through the gate to the ranch.

"So if you find a gal who pumps you up and the pumped up feeling doesn't deflate, you go after her for keeps, right?"

Rex showed all his teeth, pushing his sunglasses over his brow. "You learn quick kid. I couldn't have put that better myself. See that lanyard above us? Pull it down to blow the horns and keep the horns blowing still you see my family spill out of the ranch house. Do it."

Dick stared at the closed doorway in great expectation. His mouth shaped into a smile and his green eyes widened as the door flew open and a cute blonde kid shot out on to the porch and jumped over the narrow flower garden, stumbled and accelerated towards the truck, arms waving. A small boy followed but stopped, unwilling to make the jump. As he turned to go to the steps a woman in a top and shorts, bare feet and also with brown curly hair, ran on to the porch, scooped him up and soared over the flower garden and hit the parched ground at a full run.

"She's beautiful."

"Yeah, that's my Josie."

"No, I mean Kade. I reckon she looks like a young princess."

"Yeah me too. Look I didn't tell you this, I'm thirty and Josie is six years old than me."

"So, what's the problem? She made her choice, didn't she?"

"You have me a little confused Dick, one minute you seem to know fuck-all and then you say something like that. Christ, I'm not sure I could have put it like that."

Dick ignored that, instead saying, "You don't use language like that in front of your family do you Rex?"

"I-I...you're right, I need to keep the lid on it."

Chapter 2

Dick, almost twitching, told Rex to stop the truck.

"Why?" he said, in no hurry to react. The track was flat and they were in a high crawler gear."

"Stop the truck Rex. Kade is highly excited, just a wee kid. She could do something dumb running at us like this. See -- there's her mom calling. She knows."

The truck stopped. "Thanks pal, I need to think like you. How do you know this?"

"When we lose your family you sort of grow up quickly Rex. Through my reading I know it takes time to make and rear children."

"Right."

Rex opened his door and leaned down to pick up the vibrant bundle, all blonde and smiles. "Daddy, daddy. You're back. Mommy got your call and told us you'd be back today. Oh daddy, daddy, I have missed you so much. I love you daddy."

Beaming, Rex glanced at Dick and his smile vanished when seeing Dick hunched in the corner against his seat and door, face looking tragic. In an instant he knew what that was about. "Honey, this is Dick. Sit on his knee and say hello. He's our new friend."

Dick's face softened, he straightened and held out his arms almost shakily, as if he were being handed dynamite.

"Hello Dick. I'm Kade and this is my daddy and this is my daddy's truck."

"Hi Kade."

The soft hair of the pretty woman appeared as she climbed the two steps. "Hi darling, take Tyson and I'll climb up. We have a young guest I see."

"Hi sweetheart, you look sexy. Hi bruiser, how's daddy's boy."

"One of the hen's has chickens."

"Oh my, chickens. More than two?"

"Nine."

"Oh my. Now I want you to sit here beside Dick. Dick is a good guy. Now mommy can sit on my knee. Oh mommy, a big wet kiss please."

"Well, nothing more than that. We have a guest."

After they kissed, Rex said, "Josie, meet Dick. He's staying the night, possibly a lot longer. We have to talk about it and see how it goes. I picked him up a day a back and it's quick a story. I promise you he's a good guy."

"Kiss him mommy. Dick is my friend."

"I'm sure a young man doesn't want to be kissed by an old woman..."

"Rex has told me you not only look beautiful but beauty radiates from you. I see what he was saying."

"Oh my, perhaps Rex might remember to direct such sweet talk to me sometime?"

"He says nice things, kiss him mommy."

"Okay -- I only kiss lips Dick, sorry but that's me. Here it comes."

It was short, brief and lovely. "You smell great."

Josie dropped her gaze and bit her lip.

Kade laughed. "That's because she had a bath and put on scent silly. She does that when daddy's coming home after been away long like three days or more."

"Come on," Dick said opening his door and jumping to the ground, holding out Kade to cushion the impact as it transferred to her, Kade laughing, yelled "Wheeeeee!" He placed her on the ground and held up his hands rather than grab Tyson.

"He won't jump, he's a scaredy cat," called Rex.

Josie said, "Hush Rex."

"Tyson's no scaredy cat, Tyson is a big boy and knows I'll catch him. Oh dear, no jump from Tyson. I'll have to ask Kade to show me the chickens."

Tyson, displaying his fear, jumped and was caught and told he was a good boy, very brave. His parents uttered words of praise.

Rex called, "How did you know to woo him like that Dick?"

"The facility we were in was partly a front, as around half of us were orphans. I was rated a trusted helper although a troublemaker and used to assist to care for and entertain the smaller kids."

"Orphanage -- what is this about Rex?"

"I really don't know dear. Dick has told me he'll tell me some time. Don't rush him."

"We're going to inspect the chickens to give you two time for a quiet hello. You kiss great Mrs er..."

"Josie is fine. Look after our children like this and you might land another kiss."

Josie and Rex watched Dick pick up Tyson and holding Kade's hand asked her to show him how well she could skip.

"There's no way I can be afraid of a guy who shows such care for my children Rex."

"Glad to hear that."

"You want him to live with us, don't you?"

"Well...um let's put that on the backburner."

"No, let's discuss it with him after supper. I have a feeling I'll have no objection. In the meantime, tell me everything you know about him. If he's not told you much then tell me what you've observed and thought about him. With me it's your impressions that really count."

"He's eighteen, exactly half your age."

"So what, if I really get to like him I could even think of trying him out."

"Josie!"

"Honey I do declare some time during the past week my mind decided to no longer think of me as a raped woman. I'm pleased about that, very pleased, but am a little hacked off that it's taken so long to get to this point."

"I'm so happy you have crossed that river," Rex said kissing her. "I knew it was coming because the nightmares are long gone and it's a long time since we've talked about it."

Josie kissed him and thanked him for being there for her and being so incredibly patient. "Now, what does this young man know about sex? You guys would have yapped on about that for sure."

"He knows more than when I picked him up on the roadside. Am I right in what I'm thinking?"

"Unless you tell me I won't know. I'm thinking when you are away long distance you sometimes are with another woman, you've been honest enough to tell me that. I was thinking that once I become comfortable having him around, and he remains sweet, I might teach him about sex. I mean one-on-one lessons late at night. It was just a thought and my mind generates thoughts like confetti, as well you know. We have great thinking time out here with few distractions."

"I was going to say he has big holes in his knowledge and could benefit if you brushed up his formal education. But real sex lessons -- Josie if you feel comfortable then you go right ahead. It makes me feel nervous thinking about past trauma."
"I'm not rushing it, no way. The thought just flew into me head when I saw him. Just leave me to think about it when I feel ready."

Rex pushed her hair back, preparing to kiss her again. "If it proceeds I'll not want us to become a threesome in bed, ever."

Josie sighed and turned for the kiss she knew was inevitable. "You have my promise that will never happen, nor will I ever play one of you off against this other. But aren't we rushing this? We don't know yet if we want him to stay or of he wants to stay. One step at the time huh? All I've done is to share a radical thought."

"Good thinking. Gawd if I were eighteen again and knew a 36-year-old woman was keen to show me the ropes I'm sure my balls would have disintegrated from the pressure of anticipation."

"You dreamer," she laughed, kissing him and pulling back said, "You would not, you over-sexed early starter. You'd have blown her away, taking her through new doorways to new heights. If I decide to act it will be during lonely nights darling and I'll take great care to try to keep him from becoming infatuated. I think our Kade is half infatuated with him already but because small kids come on hot and cold it's difficult to judge. If he stays we must keep an eye on those two."

Rex lost his smile. "If he dares touch her he gets a bullet up his ass."

"Darling I'm not thinking along those lines. I just felt something when I saw Kade sitting on his knee, head against his chest. She sits like that on you but I've never experienced the feeling. I really couldn't explain it until she reached up behind her head and ran her small fingers along his jaw line. I'm sure he really didn't notice because he was saying something to you. As silly at this may sound I'm telling you about my thought at that moment. It was as if the souls of those two at that instant came together."

Moving because he felt so tight in his jeans, Rex replied with rather some depth for him: "Sounds dopey to me, but then you are the sensitive one. Actually I did see Kade do that and the truth is I felt a tinge of jealousy, thinking she's never done that to me. I've seen her play with your face, but never have I seen her smile quite like that."

"Angelic?"

Rex laughed and said although not having seen one, to his knowledge, he'd bravely say yes.

Kade sat up straight and reached between her husband's legs. "Come on baby, grow for me. Ooooh, hello there."

She fiddled and sighed when he said they better wait until bedtime. "Well we must have been talking rubbish about souls. She's a wee girl and he's becoming a man."

Reaching up and feeling a rather erect nipple, Rex played with it. "I could point out that you have spoken about the possibility of taking him to bed as his tutor. There are eighteen years between you two. When Kade turns eighteen Dick would be only thirty, a difference of only twelve years."

"Twelve years perhaps, but that would not be the future I would envisage for our daughter. I think we should give up on this soul thing. It sounds a little too spooky for comfort."

"Your nipple is as hard as steel. Want to pull down your shorts?"

"I'd love that darling. But you are right, we'll have to wait until lights out. May I just say I'm can't wait to have you inside me."

"Look out, you may become pregnant."

"You fool, I began the regime against that possibility just before we got going again two months after Tyson's arrival. Want me to stop?"

"Um, while Dick's around it might be a good idea to..."

"That's fine by me. I'm sure I'm sometime off about deciding about Dick's dick."

They laughed easily like the lovers they were and with the understandings embodied within them and a twosome.

"I'm relaxed about it. You see, I worry about your loneliness when I'm away at long stretches."

"Oh darling, help get my shorts down."

Rex looked up to beyond the far edge of the house. "Foiled, here comes Kade."

After the children were put to bed daddy read Kade a story. Tyson was already asleep.

Rubbing her eyes before the end of the story Kade said, "Kiss me good night daddy and ask Dick to come in and tuck me in."

"Mommy's here. I'll tuck you in," Josie said, arriving and hearing what Kade had said.

"Tuck me in mommy and then pull out the covers and ask Dick to come tuck me in."

"All right darling," Kade said, staring at Rex. "I'll fetch him now."

Following Josie out, Rex said, "We've had other people here before including your parents. She's never behaved like this."

"I'm relaxed about it darling. She'll insist on it for another one or two nights and all over Rover."

"I'd agree with that," he said, a large part of his wife's right ass cheek filling his hand.

They would learn but not worry they were so wrong about that prediction. For the next two years, the length of Dick's stay, if he was in the house he'd be summoned by a sleepy little girl to tuck her in and she'd be keen to be with him. Even so, it was obvious Kade never displayed the same depth of affection she had for her parents.

That first night after the dishes were done Rex and Josie listened for almost two hours as Dick talked about his early life, the death of his parents, his admission into the boys' 'facility' and his life there, how he was blamed for the pregnancy of the wife of the superintendent and how he and the super conducted their farewell.

"I'm with you Dick," Josie said supportively. "How could the superintendent know it wasn't his baby or the work of some other man? You were a prime suspect but the question is, where there others?"

The conversation wound down and Josie stood up. "Good night guys."

The guys stood and Josie took Dick's hand. "Darling, Rex and I had already talked about your situation and now tonight, after hearing just how alone you are in this world, I'd like to say, please stay with us for as long as you wish and make this your home. Say something Rex."

"Yes pal, I was tempted to make the invitation in the truck early this afternoon but thought I should discuss it with Josie first. We want you to say and to live with us like family."

Looking pounded with emotions, Dick said, "Okay, that's amazingly kind of you. It's difficult to believe what I'm hearing. Um, let's say trial it for a week. You need to find out what I'm really like and if you feel you can trust me with young children. I'm told some parents are scared stiff to have a young guy around. If you have any doubts about me please tell me and I'll go. You'll all have to learn if you like having someone new living with you."

"That's fine," Rex nodded. "Let's the review the situation in seven days."

"Good night and welcome to our home," Josie said, kissing Dick and when pulling away tapped his nose twice with her forefinger and they both laughed.

She was in the bedroom, pulling off her shorts and panties, and fell about smothering her laugh when she heard Dick said very seriously to Rex, "Look, do you want me to sleep in the barn so you can give Josie a full poke, pulling out all stops?"

"Shhh. She might hear you. No, it's fine. If you hear our headboard rattling you'll know I'm attempting to drive her through the wall."

"Rex please, don't hurt her. She's so sweet."

At that last comment Josie gasped and knew she'd come close or an orgasm without being touched.

That idea of sitting down in seven days for a review never happened and remained overlooked because well within seven days they all were integrated as family.

The next morning Rex was up dressed playing on the kitchen floor with the kids and their toys when Josie came in wearing only a flimsy nightdress, her unrestrained boobs rather mobile. She called out brightly "Hi", received three replies but noticed Dick had turned away, head down.

"Dick, please look at me and look at me closely. I walk around the house like this every morning but see not reason to change just because you have joined us here. At the same time I don't want to scare you off at being embarrassed at seeing my boobs wobbling or the outline of what lies lower down. Are you aware of what I'm saying?"

"I think so. If I'm embarrassed it will embarrass you?"

"Yes, good boy. Now you would have seen the superintendent's wife's boobs and pussy bared, many times in fact, until you were no longer embarrassed, yes?"

"That's quite right."

"Well, there can't be much difference, can there?"

Dick almost croaked. "You have a sleek body in comparison and your tits have shape and I can't imagine your pussy would gape as much as hers did."

"Oh darling, you say the nicest of things to me, Josie said, almost giggling. "Do we have an understanding? This is the normal me in the early morning. If you should see me without my gown on just think of my nicely shaped tits and my pussy that doesn't gape."

Josie began laughing.

"What?"

"Oh you poor boy. Just try to forget that image of a gaping pussy please. Mine is much closer to normal and I'll probably show it to you one day."

"What?"

"Oh never mind. Please go to the truck. Rex went out to fetch the milk he forget to bring in yesterday. He's probably doing routine checks. He's off after breakfast."

"Good, I'll go with him."

"No, he's going in to unload at the depot and then hands the truck over to his partner Jefferson. They do two weeks on, two weeks off in rotation and sometimes they get home every night or so because all work is not long distance. A driver reported to have a passenger can be sacked on the spot or in their case, because they each have a half-share in the truck, their contract could be cancelled."

"Where will I stay while Rex is away? It's improper..."

"Dick please shut up. You are family now. Get it?"

"If you say so."

"Look, discuss it with Rex. Off you go."

"Coming kids?"

Tyson said, "No, I'm building a castle."

"I'll come with you. Carry me."

"No, you walk."

"Please carry me."

"No, we'll run, it's good exercise and stops us getting fat."

"I want you to carry me Dick. Please. I'll cry if you don't."

"That's being naughty Kade. It's called blackmail. Come on, I'll carry you but you can walk back. Promise?"

"I promise."

Josie wasn't at all surprised to see Dick return in less than five minutes, carrying both milk and child, Kade with her arms around his neck.

Josie, still not dressed in her day clothes, waited until Dick caught her smile. "What did he say?"

"I told him my concern and he asked would I kindly stay with you for protection and company whenever he's away and he'd pay me a small monthly check as a retainer."

"And what did you say?"

"That I'd work on the ranch for a small payment plus my keep. I can do fencing because the institution hired us out to local ranchers and we did all sorts of tasks. I said I could ride a horse and rope cattle although not very well and know how to look after cattle and horses. He said, right, we'd better start getting fences repaired and stocking up the ranch."

"We?"

"Yes, he said we."

Josie smiled and said very good. "Did he mention me in my nightdress."

"Yes."

"And?"

"He asked me what I thought and I said you had a cute body. He laughed and slapped me on the back."

"And?"

"Back off Josie. The rest is men's talk."

Josie looked disappointed he'd terminated the discussion. "Come on sit up everyone. Daddy will be here in a minute."

"Did you guys talks about poking?"

"What's poking mommy."

"I er bathroom," Dick said, fleeing with a red face, Josie's laughter following him.

It was quiet when Dick returned to the kitchen table. Kade was sitting on her father's knee. She put her hands out to be lifted by Dick and he shook his head and said it would be his turn after mommy.

"For someone who has no family you have a remarkable way with young children," Josie smiled.

"At the institution some of the young guys sort of pretended I was their father."

"Oh God, Josie said, clutching her mouth and running from the room.

Dick looked startled. "What's wrong with Josie?"

"Mommy's going to cry. Something's upset her."

Dick looked from Kade to her father. "Did I say something bad?"

Rex assured him it was okay. "She's thinking of those poor little guys at the institution. Josie is a mother and thinks like a mother."

"Oh, so that's what this is about. Should I go to her?"

"Could be a good idea. She'll cling to you bawling and ask you to assure her those little guys are often very happy."

"We that's the truth but do you mind if I don't go? Cling to me bawling you said?"

"Yeah, that could be a little frightening to a tough guy aged eighteen."

"May I just say it's one experience I could do without?"

"You may and you sure do have a clever way of thinking and expressing yourself."

"My mother was clever with thoughts and words. I had her until I was twelve."

"Damn," Rex said, looking away. "I'll check on Josie."

"Take you time," Dick called. "Want me to make you lunch?"

"No, just a coffee and a sandwich for morning tea. But you won't..."

"I will find everything if I try, won't I?"

"I'll help you Dick. Daddy's coffee thing is put under the bench after washing."

Rex and red-eyed Josie emerged arm-in-arm to find Dick and his little helper had the coffee in the flask and a sandwich wrapped in a blue and white checked napkin.

"Oooh, higher standard service with take-outs than you get from me Rex?"

"Yeah but Dick's probably had a good teacher like a facility matron holding a horse whip. Kiss me everyone and stay in the house because I will be turning the truck. Er, no kiss from you thanks Dick. Um, Josie wants..."

"It's okay, I'm calm enough..."

"I'll tell you about the little guys at the institution after you put down Tyson mid morning. Kade will probably like to hear what I say. It's sad but not gruesome."

"Did Kade tell you about the term put down?"

"No, I just know, having put down youngsters for the past three or four years."

"Well, with that mystery of the universe exposed to my wife's satisfaction, I'm off. Ride out to the gate with me honey. I know I'll be back at lunchtime and will remain home for a fortnight but I've become extra interested in you now someone thinks you have a cute body."

"Okay, to the gate but no touching. You are due at the depot at 9:30."

"Okay, just sit as far away as you can and strip. I'll be satisfied with just that."

"What does strip mean daddy."

"Ask Dick. We're off."

"It means to remove, to take off."

"Oh I knew that Dick. Daddy's been tricky again.

Chapter 3

In bed that night with the moon big over the distant mountains Josie complained, "Oh yuk. The bed is drenched. I was expecting no action because you came in at nightfall looking almost exhausted."

Choosing to ignore the complaint and scratching at the couple of dozen lonely hairs on the expanse of his wiry chest Rex said, "For a young guy he sets a cracking pace. We must have re-tensioned five wires over almost a mile this afternoon and he also had me yank out ten line posts he said were defective and drive in replacements. He was right about them being fractured. He knows more about fencing than I do and I'm supposed to be the rancher."

"Well darling," said Josie, hauling off the bottom sheet, asking him to lift, "I know more about sex than you do and I still partner you. I'm pleased you two are slipping into a good working relationship because I like him around here and so do the children."

"He's a good kid Josie and we'll teach him a lot. I yarned to him about you teaching him schoolwork and he almost panicked but I calmed him. Told him he won't be accepted as a man if he goes about talking dumb when he mixes with well educated people."

"Oh Rex, what an appalling way to tell him."

"It's cool, men's talk and he took it on the chin. Actually he asked me if you were any good."

"Oh yes, Josie said lightly. You mean when I been poked?"

Placing a big mitt over one of Josie's breasts, Rex said what on earth was she talking about. "He meant you as a school teacher and I said you were probably okay, as they kept on paying you."

"Oh thanks."

The fingers on the breast tightened. "Want to go again -- I could have one more shot up the barrel?"

"Oh you lovely man," she said, rolling on to him, quite forgetting she'd not replaced the sheet. "Do you I love having you home."

There was a delay because Rex had something to say. "Um, he told me Kade tried to climb into his bed at 4:00 this morning so he took her back to her own and settled her. He's worried about her behavior. Said it was not okay and asked would you to talk to Kade."

"Okay, I'll set a new rule for her but I'm saying this: now that I've heard that little bit of men's talk, so long as he continues thinking like that I'm trusting him to be with her. Be proud of him Rex and he'll begin thinking of you as a good guy. I rather think only kids have been the good guys in his life since his parents died."

Rex and Dick were in the kitchen with Kade sitting on Dick's knee when Josie entered at 5:45 to make their breakfast because Rex wanted to be off fencing by 6:30.

"Doesn't she look cool," Rex said proudly as Josie yawned and stretched, pulling her nightdress tight.

Caught unaware, Josie snapped, "Rex!"

He laughed and Josie saw Dick had looked away.

"Look at me Dick."

He obliged and she said softly, "Now answer Rex. Come on, this is how families relate."

"Yeah, very cool."

"Thank you guys. I know you both were eyeing my boobs and I really don't mind Dick, especially if the look is kind and if you only think kind thoughts about them. Rex has told you I was r-a-p-e-d hasn't he?"

"Yes Josie. Could we not talk about it?"

"I'm taking about it because for much of the first two years I was so traumatized, I mean upset, that I couldn't talk about it. Then more recently I've settled and now I when I think about it I sigh and have come to think so what? I have my life back again Dick and it's great to hear myself talking about it."

"It must be great that it's over. I understand because, well, my parents and sister you see."

"Dick has a sister mommy."

Eyeing Kade up on her knees and leaning over the scribbling block, Josie became a mom: "Yes dear, is that a flower you are drawing?"

"How did you know?"

"It looks like a flower."

Rex said, "Huh?"

"The culprit was a neighbor and Rex had just moved in with me. He h-i-t Rex with a piece of wood and then went about his work. He was a sixty-three year old widower. Rex came to but too late. Rex went to Court for k-i-l-l-n-g...

"Mommy, why are you talking funny? What does K-i-l something mean?"

"It's a word you don't know about yet darling but you will later rather than sooner I hope. Has the flower a name?"

"Yes, it's called Dick."

"That's lovely darling, how sweet."

Josie continued, looking remarkably calm: "The judge said one enraged blow to the head with a fist was involved, just the one passionate blow that right-thinking persons might assume was not deliberately and coldly intended as a fatal blow. Under the circumstance it could be considered a reasonable reaction from a man, head bleeding profusely and seeing his wife in such an abused state. He repeated it appeared not to have been a deliberate crime to end a man's life. The jury agreed and the judge said Rex was free to go and entitled to walk out, head held high."

"Free to go where mommy?"

"Free to come back to me darling. Oh, look at the time. I must get the potato cakes and bacon on. You guys..."

"We are not leaving this room any time soon Josie. You need someone with you for a little while. Dick and I will stay with you because...you say it Dick."

"Because we like you."

"Whaaaaagh," went Josie, rushing Rex.

"Mommy gets like this sometimes Dick. We are used to it."

When eating breakfast Josie said, mouth half full, "Dick, would you be happy minding the children this evening to allow Rex to take me to a movie in Random tonight and then on to a meal? Ooops I'm sorry talking with food in my mouth."
Leaning back into his chair Dick looked a little uncomfortable but smiled, "Well um...I guess so."

Aware of his mild turmoil, Josie said gently, "We could come back, skipping dinner."

"Ah yes, I guess that sounds better. Will you need to ask the kids?"

"No."

As the men were heading to the battered white pickup, Josie having kissed them both on the porch, Dick turned and said, "I feel you trust me Josie. You guys stay in town late -- see if you can find a joint that has dancing."

Josie yelped and jumping over the flowerbed ran to kiss and hug Dick.

Relaxed and amused, Rex drawled, "Could the boss's wife quit horsing around with the hired help."

"You guys take the tractor and trailer. I need the pickup because the kids and I are coming out to join you for a picnic lunch."

"Okay, waste more of our work time darling. We don't really care."

* * *

Josie and the kids found Rex working on the access road boundary line, with wires down and posts pulled out.

"We're wasting time, he's made me pull out all the posts and said I have to drive them back in a foot from the original hole," Rex groaned.

"Why?"

"Because he said the fence line was as crooked as a dog's hind leg. He said we are judged by other ranchers on the straightness of our fence line and this one was done by amateurs."

"Oh dear," Josie said. "But aren't you two amateurs?"

Rex, on his haunches and drinking a beer she'd handed him said, "Well he's not. He told me they worked 14-hour days on fencing during summer and I believe him. Go up to him -- he's working on the bracing at the far corner. Just look at his body -- only eighteen and he looks like a man already."

"Oooh, I couldn't do that. The sight of sinew and muscle on a young body might make me faint."

"You faint over that? That's unlikely. You're one hot baby when it comes to male body."

"Rex hush, the children," Josie laughed, looking up the fence line to a guy bared to the waist. Rex watched her hand touch her breast and grinned. It was great having his old babe back, completely healed it would seem. He remembered the time following the rape when it was almost four months of painfully slow progressive fondling before she finally grabbed it and pulled it against her and gritted, "Push it in." To think he'd thought they'd only be out of action a few days. The mind was so unpredictable and she really should have had counseling but she wouldn't allow anyone near her, only him. He'd also been a victim of the rape and had taken time getting over his much milder trauma, although facing a murder or manslaughter rap was no picnic.

Josie went to the pickup to blow the horn to summon Dick to the picnic under the cottonwoods beside the lake. But Kade anticipated. "I'll go and fetch him mommy."

"Okay dear, but run otherwise Tyson will want to know why he can't go with you."

"I don't want Tyson sharing Dick."

With a jolt Josie thought, oh God. And then an even worse thought -- she wouldn't want her mommy to share him either.

"That's a mean thought Kade. I don't want you thinking like that."

"Okay, Tyson can talk to him but not sit on his knee."

"Kade!"

"Don't worry mommy. Tyson doesn't love him like I do. Can I run now?"

"Yes dear."

Josie watched and thought it was almost unbelievable they had such a beautiful daughter and what a beautiful dainty runner Kade was, although only six. She heard the yell and saw Dick straighten -- he was too far away to see the smile but Josie knew it would be there. Kade jumped and he caught her and Kade's head went straight against his chest and stayed there. Ah, just like her mommy, another female not adverse to male sweat. Rex had been sweating with effort so Dick would be too. Unaware of it, Josie touched her right breast and the hand stayed there until Rex came up behind her and said, "What are you thinking?"

"Kade is such a dainty runner."

"Yeah, I noticed it too and saw her leap at him."

"Small girls like to do that."

"I suppose so. He'll be sweaty."

"Yes but what's so wrong with sweat?"

"I'd been thinking the same -- she's so much like her mom."

Josie swallowed. 'Kade asked me last night why Dick isn't allowed to bath them. I said it had never been discussed so then she said could he bath them tonight."

"Oh?"

"Yes, oh. Is that all you're going to contribute as a parent?"

"I'll only make you mad what if I say what I really think."

"Try me."

Rex put an arm around her. "I thought if you really feel he cannot soap, wash and dry our two children in their bath then I really should let him sleep in the barn. He'll then only want to come into the house for his evening meal."

Josie stiffened in shock. "He's said that to you?"

"He's been here three days and mentioned it each day."

"But why?"

"You're the brainy one Josie. You figure it out. Here they come."

Rex lifted Tyson out of a pile of dirt he was playing in with his green toy tractor, placed him in the freight box and climbed in beside him. "You two ride in the cab with Josie," he called.

The kids were allowed by paddle on the edge of the dam but not to swim. They insisted on having their clothes off.

"Dick could you undress them while Rex helps me lay out lunch?"

"Sure Josie but the sun..."

"I forgot sunshield cream -- time them for no longer than fifteen minutes exposed."

"I don't have a watch."

"Oooh, that's something I can buy you, a watch for a working man. I'll keep a check on the time."

As they spread out the food and drink on a rug, Rex said, "Obviously you've been thinking."

"Well on the way over here I had no show with Kade nattering non-stop to Dick. But I've come to a decision. I know I've said I trust him with the children but then as soon as I am put to the test I have flipped and react as if I don't trust him. Rex, now you get this straight: he's family and if you put him out in the barn be prepared to join him. If he proves he's not family then he's out of here. Is that clear!"

"God, you look sexy when you're riled. Are you wearing panties under that dress?"

"Behave yourself." But then glancing at the kids being supervised paddling, Josie flipped up her dress. "Pussy is under cover as you can see, you rude man. You know I always wear panties when I'm away from the house."

They had a lovely time over lunch and no one listened to Rex when he said he had Dick had fifteen minutes before they should be back at work. The strong sunlight reflected brightly off the lake and without speaking the adults knew it was a great spot in a huge area of low fertile farmland that was little short of being a wilderness.

"Why don't you get the water of the three dams tested at the beginning of summer to check that they are safe enough for swimming," Dick said. "Better still let's fence this dam off so cattle can't wade in it and empty themselves and damn that gulch over there and pipe the overflow from here down to the new dam so the cattle can drink there. We could fence out a few yards and beautify the area. A day's machinery hire to scrape in material from the higher banks and compact the dam and about three day's fencing and then think about the value-added to the ranch. The grove of trees would be visible from the highway."

"Don't even think about it Rex, I want it done and ready for next summer."

"You tell him Josie."

Rex snorted and said he had no objection. An additional dam was on his ranch improvement plan -- he'd just need to bring it forward.

Josie and the kids spent all afternoon under the cottonwoods and picked up the men on the way home.

"Someone's just pulled up at the house," Dick said to Rex who was giving him a driving lesson. Josie was in the back with Kade and nursing Tyson who was tuckered out.

Rex squinted. "Oh yeah," and called to Josie who looked out over the side as they followed a bend in a dry watercourse. She said, "Oh, a black pickup."

Dick called, "Dark blue actually."

"Oh to have young eyes," Josie called.

As they closed in Rex said he didn't recognize the vehicle.

"The signage says Peake Ranch."

Rex called to Josie, "Dick says the vehicle is from Peake Ranch. He must have magnified eyes."

"Oh, that will be Jolene calling for eggs."

"Is Jolene in her mid-twenties with what appears to be a great body?"

"No, Jolene is fifty-one and has a collapsed bosom. It's her daughter Molly. I wonder what she wants? She's twenty-five and almost engaged."

Rex laughed, "What again?"

Rex muttered to Dick. "She's the hottest young babe in the district. If she offers it, take it?"

"Offers what?"

"Oh save me."

Josie called, "Are you two in the cab engaged in men's talk? Dick -- run a mile if she so much looks at you. She eats men like you for dinner."

As they left the vehicle Molly, in a bright floral dress that showed boobs fighting to break free, greeted them all warmly, although pretending to scarcely look at Dick. She held up Kade and hugged and kissed her and said she was so beautiful.

"Why do you eat men for dinner Molly?"

The other adults held their breath until Molly said ever so brightly, "Whatever are you talking about darling?"

Josie cut in from the back foot, "Ask Molly about the ponies Kade -- they have several."

"Will you give me a pony Molly? Not the best one. Just one good enough to carry me safely."

"Oh darling, what on earth do you want a pony for?"

"Mom was a rodeo rider before she met daddy. I want to be like her. Dick will teach me to ride as Dick can do anything. Why are you here Molly?"

Molly colored and not looking at the adults said, "You'll understand one day Kade. When a new guy comes into our area the babes have a great desire to check him out. We babes are a little too isolated, are in the majority and feel a little deprived."

"I don't know what you are talking about Molly."

"Er, have any young women like me been hanging around here staring at Dick and licking their lips?"

"No, only mommy but as soon as she sees me looking she stops looking at him. Is that good?"

"That's very good darling. I'm here to ask Dick to take me to the dance in Random on Saturday night. Do you think he'll go with me?"

Kade put her index finger against her chin. "If you give me a pony and I talk to him he'll go with you. But be careful as he can't drive as well as mommy and daddy."

"Oh darling, you are such a sweetheart. What color pony would you like?"

"Pink please."

"Oh sorry, we are right out of pink. Tell you what, you come out on Sunday with daddy and the stock trailer and pick out a pony from what is available. You can then take Dick home with you."

"Home? Dick lives with us."

"Not Saturday night if I get lucky darling. Please sweet talk to Dick for me about going to the dance."

"Should mommy go too? She likes dancing?"

"She'll want to stay with your little brother and you and daddy."

"Oh yeah. Will Dick fit into your bed if you are already in it?"

"I'm sure I am experienced enough to find a way around that darling. I think your mother is waving her hands at me, wanting me to talk about something else. Do you like dolls?"

Chapter 4

Dick walked Molly to her top-line pickup. "I still don't understood Molly, why me? From what Josie whispered to me, you have everything. I'm telling you, I am nobody and have nothing."

"You won't disappoint me Dick, I promise. Not with that bulge. Oh, what a name, it makes me melt at the knees. In this territory unofficially called the Cattle High Plains the guys leave home early because the future here for them is bleak for those whose fathers have no plans to had down the property soon. Around here there is only ranching and ranch servicing business. There are some thirty-five females between the ages of eighteen and thirty on the high plains and at the last survey just eleven guys in that age bracket, some of whom you'd not go on a date with even if they wore a paper bag over their head."

"Why."

"Oh Dick you are going to be such a novelty for me. My thighs are twitching already in their eagerness to become familiar with you."

"You are very difficult to understand. Why are you discussing thighs? Everyone has thighs."

"It's what lies at the apex of thighs darling but enough said. The dance won't get going until around 9:30 so I'll call for you about 8.30 -- Kade indicated you couldn't drive. We'll stop on the way for one and then I'll parade you before my girlfriends who'll also want a piece of you."

"I don't much like the sound of that Molly."

"You don't? You're making me hot talking to me like that Dick, I best be going before Josie takes the broom to me. She thinks you're hers. I'm always running into that defensive territorial look from woman when I chat to their men. Don't work too hard on Saturday and keep it keen and fully charged. Now squeeze my breasts, kiss me and I'm off."

"You rather overwhelm me Molly."

"Oh do I? Can't wait to get me hands all over you come Saturday night."

Dick stood watching Molly drive off.

Josie arrived beside him, linked arms with him and pressed a breast against that arm. "That young bitch. She'll squeeze you dry and then dump you."

Dick pulled his arm free and said, "You women, I can't understand you. It's almost like you talk a different language."

"Just ride with the flow Dick. By the time you leave here you'll know everything."

Dick slapped his hands against his thighs. "What flow, what everything? It's all riddles. I'm off for a run."

"I'd like you to bath the children. Rex and I are having a night out tonight, remember?"

Dick visibly brightened. "Are you sure you're relaxed about me bathing the children?" I've bathed young guys many times without complaints to my knowledge."

"Of course I'm relaxed. You'll have your own children one day and need the practice."

Dick considered that and then his mind jumped. "You guys have a great time and do you know what would make Rex's night?"

"No, but I guess you are about to tell me?"

"Sure thing. Tell Rex to give you a poke over the table in the restaurant. He'll love that."

Josie ran to the house screaming with laughter, not hearing Dick call, "What's so funny?"

* * *

The fortnight passed quickly and on the last afternoon before Rex was to return to a fortnight of truck driving he and Dick unloaded the fencing materials at spots around the perimeter of the 2-acre lake. Then they'd staked out the markers where Rex wanted the bracing assemblies erected, Dick said he would enjoy this project because it was his first fencing project he'd done from scratch.

"Then after that you go out and upgrade fencing wherever you wish in the lower 2950-acre half of the ranch. We've done some four miles of boundary and divider fencing with probably another three and a half miles to go. Now take it easy, don't bust a gut. When each block is finished spray the weeds like we did on those lower four blocks, read the label to get the correct mix of chemical to water. Then five Thursdays from now we go to the cattle fair at Maceville and purchase our first herd. Right?"

"Right."

They went under the cottonwoods to sip coffee in the shade.

"Josie says you're coming along great with your college work."

"College sounds a bit pretentious."

"Pretentious eh? You didn't know that word when you came here."

"No sir."

Rex gave him 'the look'. "Call me sir again and I'll whack you."

"Yeah, you and who's army? Josie says the tendency of males to speak with their fists is primitive and reprehensible."

"Reprehensible?"

"Deserving a kick up the butt."

"Yeah, of course. Just testing. Well, don't lose you cool over what I'm about to tell you. She wants you to know she feels ready to take your education in another direction -- sex.

"What?"

"You heard. Molly left you practically legless, and you can't deny that. And after her girlfriends Jenni, Meg and Jocelyn had their feed at the trough -- fortunately for you not all together -- you still looked a wreck afterwards."

"Well it wasn't my fault."

"Don't get touchy. We imagined you just stretched out and allowed them to plunder you. These are country girls, not city female wimps. You have to get them off early and keep banging and fingering them until the cry 'enough'. Got it?"

"Sort of. How will she teach me?"

"In our bed, your bed, on the sofa out on the grass -- but never in sight of the kids."

"Josie wants to do it with me?"

"Yes."

"And you won't kill me?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Christ kid, now you're embarrassing me. It's because you've grown up without going though a learning curve about sex so I reckon it's fair enough for her to give you practical lessons. Now women don't like men saying this but she's one of those women with a big appetite for sex."

"Appetite?"

"She likes it, and almost can't get enough but not quite like Molly thank God."

"Have you poked Molly?"

"Kid, you don't ask a guy a question like that."

"Well I'm asking."

Rex scratched behind his right ear. "Okay, three times and Josie knows about two of them and I thank you in advance for never discussing Molly and me with Josie."

"I won't but I'm surprised she stayed with you."

"Well she told me she didn't mind and on both occasions I told her it seemed to excite her and she went at me like a cat on heat. However I'll never know if she did mind because one never knows with women."

"I see."

"Well if you don't see this, let me tell you. I want you to allow Molly to have sex with you because it will be good for you and good for her and I'll feel good but don't want to know about it. I do worry about her when I'm away on long hauls. Get it?"

"Yeah, if Josie thinks it's okay then it's okay with you and you'll want me to treat her beautifully and also not fall in love with her."

Rex boggled. "Are you and she doing it already?"

"No, we haven't touched. But in teaching me things she's talked to me about what she calls relationships and we've covered that bit I just said about what she called conditional consensual affairs outside of wedlock."

"Oh yeah?"

"In men's talk it means fucking someone else's wife or another woman on the side and not wrecking the marriage because you both had agreement beforehand. The permissive license also applies to the wife."

"And you are understanding this complicated talk."

"Most of it's not too difficult and it's not way out from how I think. I haven't fucked her, if that's what you thinking."

Rex scratched his other ear. "You can cut that crap. You said earlier you hadn't and I accepted that."

Dick sighed and said although it was to be classroom sex it still sounded fun.

"But not too much fun, do you hear?"

"Okay, keep your shirt on. How will I know when she wants to start a sex lesson?"

"How do I know? I suspect I'll be away, the kids will be asleep and she'll pull out a tit and says in a sexy voice, "Dick, do you want to lick this? Look, I'll get a boner if I have to talk like this."

"Well, keep it brief. She'll move in on me right?"

"I would think so."

"And I hold back in case I misinterpreting her."

"Yeah, that's good thinking. But you keep relaxed and friendly and wait for her next move. I'll sure she just won't grab your dick Dick -- heh, heh, heh -- and said, fuck me."

"I'd hate it if she did. She'd be like Molly and her pals. Josie means much more to me than that."

"Right," Rex said standing up. "Just make sure Josie doesn't become too much more to you than she is now."

"Of course. I'd like it if nothing changed between the three of us, that you acted if you never knew my sex lessons were going on. And I don't want you to tell Josie we've had this conversation and I'd prefer you keep your part of the conversation minimal when she brings up the topic, as she will, seeking your reassurance it's okay with you. For my part I promise I'll not fall in love with her. You realize of course this is bound to become a frequent thing between Josie and me once I've graduated from the lesson but only when you are away?"
"I've figured that out. Please believe me, I'm easy about that."

"Good, I accept your assurance. Now, no more talk about it. When we get back I'll give Kade her lesson on Flo her pony, taking Tyson in his old backpack and we'll go all the way to Dry Creek so that gives you an hour to poke Josie if that's what you two want to do on your last afternoon together for a fortnight."

Rex grinned. "I like the way you think."

* * *

Rex carried his nude wife from the kitchen table to the more comfortable sofa.

"Don't let them see us like this."

He wiped sweat from his forehead on the towel hanging out from between her thighs. "We'll hear them coming."

"Are you sure you are happy for me to proceed with sex tuition with Dick?"

"Yes, I have no objection whatever and when the lessons are completed you can bang him whenever you like whenever I'm away. I don't like the thought of you being lonely and we both know you love having sex. Just don't fall in love with him, okay?"

"Okay, I promise."

Rex kissed her and said, "With all that reconfirmed, I suggest we don't talk about this again."

"Do you mean never again?"

"Just don't talk about it unless we feel it's necessary to do so is fine."

Josie reached down and squeeze Rex's butt. "What you just said exactly replicates my thinking my darling sweet man. I'm off to the shower. I'll want another big piece of you tonight if you're up to it."

"Oh I'll be up to it, right up it," he said lewdly, climbing off Josie and carrying her to the bathroom and enjoying her sensuous grin.

Little Miss Pony Rider came into the house, looking a little tired but triumphant.

"I rode Trixie all the way to Dry Creek," she told her mom proudly. "Then I fell off."

"Ohmigod, Dick promised me he wouldn't allow you to fall off."

"Well he did."

Josie, looking anxious, rushed to the six-year-old. "Where are you hurt darling?"

"Nowhere."

"But he allowed you to fall?"

"But that was pretending. Dick showed me how to fall and roll so I miss getting hurt bad. It's like gym. He says after more lessons I'll be good."

"Oh darling. I'm so pleased you are not hurt. Where is Tyson?"

"Riding Trixie for the first time."

Josie looked at the doorway startled. "But he's only four."

"Dick said boys at the prison rode on a big horse when they turned four. Don't worry mommy, Dick knows more about children and ponies than you do."

"Prison?"

Rex who'd come into the room pulling on his cap said, "Yes prison. Even a kid without much formal education like Dick knows the word institution would be a stumble for Kade at her age. He used a word she'd know."

"How does my daughter know what the word prison means?"

"Because I heard him explain it to them the other day when Tyson was pretending he was shooting an eagle. Dick explained about the eagles being protected and people who killed them could go to prison if they were caught. Do you think Dick is the only person around here gaining an education?"

"Ohmidgod, he's teaching Kade and Tyson good from bad and how to protect themselves, something that is our responsibility."

"Yes, and what's the surprise about that? You often go on about him being family. He's taking collective responsibility."

"Come along Kade, bath time. And Rex, thank you for teaching me something. I'd not thought about."

"Well you do know he's a good guy. Here he comes now with a very happy looking Tyson. I'll get Dick to drive me down to the depot to pick up the truck as Clive said it would be loaded by 5:00. It will be Dick's first drive into Random and back so could you arrange to take him in for his DMV written test towards getting his temporary driving license any day soon? That's another advance in his education -- our boy is coming along so fast. Oh, by the way, I've found you've have him using words and sentence construction I don't attempt."

"Well, he wants to improve himself darling -- that one of the few differences I see between your two otherwise you could almost pass for brothers."

"Two brothers would make Dick my daddy's uncle."

"No Dick as daddy's brother would be your uncle darling. Has he talked to you about that?"

"Yes, we talk a lot and he tries to make Tyson talk to us instead of just listening."

Josie laughed. "It appears I'm becoming redundant around here."

"Dick says you are the best mother any girl could have and I'm beautiful because I'm so much like you. He said if Tyson grows up like daddy he'll do fine. What does do fine mean mommy?"

"It means he loves us as if we are his family," Josie said, turning away to brush at the corners of her eyes.

Chapter 5

Arriving in the kitchen next morning at 5:45 in her nightdress and rubbing her eyes, Josie smiled at she saw father and daughter bent over a storybook.

"Where's Dick?"

"He cooked our breakfast while I finished getting ready and he's gone to the lower dam to begin fencing around it. He said to tell you to expect him back around 5:00."

"That's near enough to a 12-hour day without company."

"Take the kids out and have a picnic with him them. He's taken his lunch but would swap that anytime for your cooking, just as I would. Here's gone early so he won't be in the way when I leave."

"He wouldn't have been in the way."

"No, of course not. He's sure thinking softer that when I first met up with him. That's your influence."

"You say the nicest things to me."

* * *

Dick had almost completed the first corner bracing system when he heard the heavy sound of the big 18-wheel truck go down the access track and turn on to the main highway. He took off his hat, ready to wave it when the rig and driver came into view. He waved and Rex sounded the air horns in acknowledgment, blasts that would be heard by Josie at the ranch house. Rex would be away three nights, home one night and away four nights and then away six nights and he hoped to be away again on another big OTR (over the road) of at least six nights to finish in one stint because the truck was then due to go in for two-day servicing.

Nearing midday Dick's heart leapt when he heard the sound of the pickup -- he'd driven out in the tractor with the trailer loaded with fencing gear.

He waved and when the vehicle stopped, Josie leaning on the door grinning, watched the kids run to kiss him as if they hadn't seen him for days rather than not since the previous evening. He yelled, "Just some posts to staple on this last wire and I'll be over."

Josie waved and she lifted some toys out of the freight box for the kids.

Dick approached the group cautiously wondering whether he should kiss Josie. He usually did but Rex would be there. This was different.

"Aren't I to receive a kiss?" Josie complained.

Little Miss Big Mouth called, "Yes, kiss mommy or else she will think you don't like her."

They kissed, a little longer than usually because she had a hand behind his head.

He pulled sideways to break away. "Er, I'm hot and sticky."

"So, don't you like me?"

Dick tried not to choke. "More than you can believe."

He saw her eyes widen and knew it hadn't been a waste of time rehearsing that line while he'd hammered in those last staples. He hadn't been sure whether he should say 'can' or 'could' but 'can' sounded okay. Keeping it simple meant he'd said it without stumbling. Apart from the wide eyes he was sure she'd blushed. He'd also gone in for the kiss at the right angle so their Stetsons hadn't collided. She'd taken off her sunglasses just before kissing so he wondered if the big eyes look had at the ready and was a fake. Well the perfume wasn't faked and he knew she usually only put it on before dinner when visitors were expected. She was setting him up to fuck him. What about the kids?

Tyson was almost asleep eating his second sandwich. When he'd finished Josie held him to have a pee and then put him in his safety seat in the cab and he was asleep before she'd closed the door. She then placed the rug in the shade for Kade when she yawned and said she was sleepy.

Dick wondered if it were the moment he'd be waiting for, that Josie would fall to the ground and say, unzip darling. He decided to force the pace but she didn't initiate as he'd expected, so concealed his disappointment and said, "I'm off back to work."

"Fine, thank you for stopping to have lunch with us. I'm amazed you have completed that first section so quickly -- you seem to work faster without Rex."

"I've pressed the button because I don't want him coming home and saying, 'Is that all you've done?' You know how it is."

"Yes, and I know what they say is men are just grown up boys, competing at everything. How many lines did you have to stake out?"

"Eight because the lake has those arms, but the shorter stretches won't require full bracing, just an angle anchored post cut-in to a strainer will do."

"I see. And where does the gate go?"

"What gate? Oh fuck -- oh excuse me. We've overlooked it, what dopes. We need to get in with the tractor for delivering larger trees to be transplanted and to excavate and bore smaller holes."

Josie laughed and said men needed a woman for a purpose not associated with sex. "I won't tell him you guys fouled up. Hang the gate on a short flat stretch and you won't need full bracing."

"Er, the gate?"

"There are three metal gates inside the barn up in the plateau barn. The kids love going up there. We'll get it tomorrow before we come down to lunch with you and yes I'll remember the hardware."

"But how will you...?"

"Load the gate by myself? I may be a woman but I am muscular or haven't you noticed?"

Dick looked away.

Josie chuckled and said, "You're still shy of me, aren't you, despite banging Molly and her three friends?"

"Ah, yes."

"Dick you listen to me. There's very little that's soft about you but I reckon I see a thaw. You are soft with the children and you respect me but when I mention anything to do with my body you practically go into meltdown. Please retain that particular softness with me and remember, most women like a bit of softness in their men."

"Right, is it okay for me to get back working?"

"Very okay. I have a book with me but tomorrow I'll bring gloves and assist you. I've done a bit of fencing before."

"It's barbwire."

"Most of our fences are darling. Off you go."

That night nothing. When Josie came out from Kade's room and Kade called for him Josie kissed Dick, pressing a little against him he noticed, but she then yawned and said she was off to bed for a quiet read. After reading Kade asleep he went to his bedroom and read for a while but during the night he wasn't called to her bedroom.

He left the house at 5:15 next morning so didn't see her in her flimsy nightdress. If he had waited till she appeared he would have sneaked a look at the state of nipple arousal, if any.

Late morning Josie arrived with the in the pick-up, both kids asleep, and he unloaded the gate and she carried the hinges to the post already in place. He started the power auger and the kids slept on. Josie helped him align the auger to drill straight and at the right angle and after they hung the gate she complimented him on a fine job.

"Do I deserve a kiss?"

"Yes you sexy man."

She kissed him and walked away saying, "Start the tractor and drill the hole for the gatepost to take the fastener. It won't matter if the kids wake up as they both have had a long sleep."

When finished Dick walked over to the pickup and sat on the ground, leaning against the back wheel and arch. Josie tossed him a can of beer and walked over with her juice and lay at right angles to him and rested her head on his stomach. He eyed the swell of her breasts within easy hand reach. Instead of asking him to seduce her she began teaching him about different political systems around the world. What for he had no idea but eventually they heard the kids talking and soon were having lunch.

After lunch Josie made the kids promise they would stay no more than six steps away from the pickup and Kade promised she'd look after Tyson and not allow him to stray. Josie jumped on to the tractor and began boring postholes where the markers were. Although surprised that she had asked what he wanted her to do, Dick checked the first hole she'd drilled and knew instantly there was nothing he could teach her about that job. He began filling holes with posts, shoveling dirt back in a bit at the time and compacting it with the rammer. With twenty-four holes drilled and looking for variety in work she shoveled in dirt while he rammed and later they switched. Dick noticed the sweat forming around the shape of her boobs.

"You're sweating."

"I know. I'd strip and show you how wet my tits are but it's almost time for me to go. You're an asshole keeping up such a pace -- you've worn me out."

"Sorry."

"Rex says working with you is like a punishment and I do know he comes to bed tired. And how do you think I know that?"

"He yawns?" Dick grinned.

She laughed, said that was a cheap shot and threw a shovel of soil over him. Then regained their rhythm until they heard the faint call from Kade, "Mommy, we want to go."

"They've been great kids. Go but give me a kiss." They kissed but not before she deliberately placed his hand on her breast, watching him carefully.

Dick kept up the pace for the remainder of the afternoon despite having a constant erection that had built as soon as his hand touched Josie's breast. It didn't subside so when he'd loaded the trailer he leaned against the tractor and masturbated to vivid images crowded his mind. He then drove home, heart singing, ready for the fuck of his life, or so he thought.

He went to bed gloomily, almost shattered, because nothing had changed. They'd been there normal selves even after the kids had gone to bed.

Frustrated and unable to comprehend why she hadn't made a real pitch for him he rose from reading a rancher's magazine and said, injecting hope into his voice, "Well (stretching) I guess bed calls."

In dismay Dick saw that Josie, on the other sofa, had her head tipped back, mouth open, and was asleep. He needed a woman, the thought of having a woman on her knees before him pained him deeply. He staggered off to bed feeling wretched but within minutes became aware he was drifting off to sleep.

He went out at 5:15 and the sky was as gloomy as his mood. All through the morning he thought of the kids having their home schooling and in his mind succeeded in not attempting to undress their teacher. It was almost raining when they arrived to have lunch. It was decided to have that in the cab, which was a bit of a squeeze. Josie was relaxed, her usual self but whenever she glanced at him she seemed to be wearing a slight frown. She made no mention of falling asleep on the sofa so no way, thought Dick, would he mention it.

That evening the tension within him continued to keep him unsettled. After checking that Jade was asleep Josie came back into the living room and lay on her sofa. She hitched up her dress and said, "Dick, over here on your knees. I want to teach you how to really pleasure a woman with your tongue and fingers."

Dick was out of his chair so fast he almost tripped. He felt like beating his chest and howling at the moon, figuratively, because the moon wouldn't rise till later and then would be concealed by heavy cloud.

* * *

Far to the north-east, Rex with a new load for the homeward-bound journey nosed the truck into the parking lot reserved for rigs and locking up yawned as he went to the side door of the restaurant marked, 'Truckies Only'. He entered the back room reserved for the guys who hauled freight regionally and those who hauled really long distances.

One of the prostitutes permitted to hang around appeared at the far door and looked at him. He shook his head, she smiled thinly and went away.

Rex was served a beer just as the outer door burst open and in walked Kate, an OTR who drove a 22-wheel rig as well as many men and probably better than most. She called out "Hi guys' and the dozen guys responded.

"Another beer on Rex's tab for me please Judy," called Kate and she walked over and chatted to three guys at one of the tables, also long-distant truckies. She then came up to Rex's table where he was alone and he said, "Your arrival could be a gift from the skies."

"Oh yeah, feeling randy are we?" said the forty year old.

"Could be unless you are exhausted or have better things to do."

"Nope, it's fine. You are one of the better guys for me when I want a cuddle. Cruising sweetly?"

"Very much so apart from the stupidity of tailgaters."

"Yeah, they should be banned from the road."

A little over an hour later when paying for two meals and leaving a tip, Rex said, "What's next?"

"Your sleeper or mine?"

"Yours -- you always have clean sheets."

Next morning on the road Rex shut his mind to his night of adultery, as he was now well practiced, and kept the door closed on thinking about possible adultery at home. He called Josie a little before 8:00 as he knew she liked to start Tyson on his simple toy construction puzzles sharp on 8:00 and then Tyson would wander over to inspect the chickens and then go and talk to the pony while his sister began her set reading under the watchful eye of her mother who'd help when Kade struck a difficult word or asked what it all meant. Josie would be up and down to the windows to keep a watchful eye on the four-year-old explorer doing his rounds.

"Hi darling." Rex said. "Been thinking of you," and that was not a lie. Even last night when he was engaged in sending Kate screaming over the top he'd thought of the few women he'd had outside of marriage, Molly was the only one who came near having the raw energy and ability to move and rotate her ass, as did Josie.

"We're missing you," she said simply, and he'd knew that would be true, only this time she added, "I think we have a new person here who's also eager to have you returning, although it will be only for a night."

"Dick?"

"Who else dopey?"

"That's quite a compliment," Rex said, taking a deep breath.

"Don't you start, you'll make me tie up."

"Sorry. May I say hello?"

"No," he's out working. "Gone by 5:15 each morning."

Rex struggled with the rogue thought of what Dick could be doing if he went into see Josie at 5:15.

As if Josie sensed what her husband was thinking, she said, "I gave him his first sex lesson last night."

Rex, eager to hear more, held back. "Oh yeah?"

"Just a tongue and two finger exercise. He was very clumsy and very embarrassed. I think he has me up on a pedestal."

"I have wondered that. Did he get you away?"

"Only just. It was touch and go and I willed myself not to help out other beyond instruction. He'll get better with practice."

"How much practice."

"Oh, five or six times a day."

"Bitch, don't tease. Listening to you has me with a hard-on attempting to break out."

Josie laughed, laughing like her usually relaxed self. "I really don't know but I expect he'll be a fast learner like everything else we've introduced him that's new for him or we have shown there's a better way."

"I understand. I'm surprised it took three nights for you to...er...began instruction."

"Me too. I honestly through I'd pounce at the very first opportunity but I hesitated and then knew I'd hold back. My mind was filled by your image. He's been so nice and to the children and never once has mentioned you, except when necessary if it's talking about fencing and when the children ask a question specifically about you. That's made it a little easier for me. I knew if it didn't make the move soon I'd never do it so after checking Kade was asleep last night I went straight out on to the sofa and said it was time for a sex lesson, licking and fingering. He almost shot from his chair in shock."
"Listen darling, it's now between you and him, privately. I enjoyed listening about how tentative you were and the truth is I expected that. You've made the breakthrough and the going will be easier. Good luck with your mission. My mission is not to think about it and that's why I don't want you to even hint to me about it. Just have fun and enjoy your unexpected freedom. I can confirm I'll be home mid-afternoon Saturday. Base called and said I can unload mid-afternoon Sunday as my re-load has been delayed. They should have me away by 5:00. Let me chat to the kids and then you come back on and say goodbye. I'm on a long straight stretch at present in a convey of trucks so my concentration is simply on the guy in front and thinking about Saturday afternoon and seeing your pretty face again."

"Fine, would you want to go out fencing or go to bed?"

"Um, the kids?"

"I can take them out to Dick around 2.30 and ride back on the dirt bike."

"Watch yourself on the bike darling. Bed sounds a great way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon."

Chapter 6

On Friday night Dick heard the rustle as Josie stepped out of her nightdress in the darkness of his bedroom.

"I thought it's time for another lesson -- the real thing this time, go to whoa."

"Okay, you feel you're up to it?"

"You asshole. That's no way to talk to your dedicated teacher. The truth is I'm rather excited at the prospect of finding how well you can use it and indeed, if it's big enough to interest me."

"You asshole," he said, throwing back the light blanket and sheet. "Come in beside me and let me find what you've got."

She grabbed at him. "Wow, hard already."

Dick fumbled around. "Wow, wet and slippery already. I could have done that."

"That is not a nice thing to say to a lady. Here, smell my fingers -- see proof that I have not touched myself. Excitement alone has made we lube naturally."

"Please accept my apologies."

"Accepted."

"May I turn on the beside lamp?"

"Yes, but shut the bedroom door and lock it. I don't wish to have Kade walk in on us, fully awake."

"Fair enough. I can't wait to see those tits of yours."

"And I want to see if you are big and robust enough for me."

Dick switched on the lamp and immediately licked his lips while she said, "My God, that's impressive for a guy who's still has more than a year to run as a teenager."

Racing back from the door Dick said, almost panting, "Kiss it and say hello."

"I'll do that and more later. First I need to kiss me and fondle me properly. The number one rule is not to rush. Definitely don't attempt to slip it in until you have your woman panting. Of course some women may arrive at you already panting. If she's not panting and is ready for it you'll know as she'll either take you in hand and move her pussy and it closer or moan to you to come on or perhaps she'll do both. Of course just to confuse you some women will never pant, never squeal and will climax silently or almost silently and, ah, some won't climax. So there you are."

If that confused Dick it didn't appear to register.

"Now, kissing. Move slowly and carefully to avoid pulling her hair, squashing her painfully and above all don't jerk forward and clash your teeth against hers as that's a real turn-off. The messages she may want from you might be do you care about here, does proceeding slowly suggest you aim to take half the night to fill her with cock and intend lasting until she comes to the boil. It's also about subtle control -- she might want you moving on her, as I've said, with care and concern indicated but as a deliberate pace showing that you are in control and know what you are doing but then against she may be on fire and wants to be slammed. In other words, but ready for anything -- try to read the mood and shall we say mix and match. As soon as you feel her legs widening you know she is readying herself but there's still no rush, no need to hit on pussy."

While she was talking Dick became aware her breathing rate had increased and she was moving under him so he pushed against her preparing to wait for the final call.

"Now she wants to feel soft, slightly open lips and to be kissed gently. If she wants to be roughened up she indicates that or even tell you. Again I say your task is to read the signals, anticipate and deliver."

The lesson dragged on and finally Josie gave up and told him: "That's enough for tonight. I've become so hot talking about it, thinking about it and feeling your responses I'm about to blow."

Dick sucked in breath as if he were about to explode.

"Dick, do something," she yelled.

Raising his butt and about to balance on one hand to guide himself in Dick felt her smallish hand go around it and knew he simply had to push forward. It slipped in as if it had been there before and he pushed in continuously until their groins met.

He looked into her wide opened eyes and she smiled. "You feel lovely in me. Do you like it?"

Dick almost blew his nuts.

As soon as the crisis feeling subsided he back a little and pushed forward and she rocked back at him. As soon he felt they were out of synch, in good rhythm, he reached down, grabbed above both her ankles and spread her legs wide, feeling himself less restricted and able to push in even farther.

"Ohmigod, who's been teaching you?"

"Molly got me doing that," Dick said, puffing a little. "She's a real expert and claims there's no one who can wriggle her ass as she does as if there's no tomorrow."

Josie gritted, "Oh yeah? How about this buster!" She began gyrating and working her muscles. Poor Dick's face turned purple, he grunted and then bellowed. She waited until his thumping blood pressure subsided somewhat and then resumed rocking back at him.

"Come on, you cannot leave me like this."

"Right," he said, and sweating profusely finally got her away -- with her helping with her fingers and little pats just above her clit. Dick had to call on his fitness, youth and his bursting desire not to let her down. With manly pride he gloated when she yelled into her release. Dick hugged her and said her tuition had been amazing, almost unaware that Josie for all her experience was gasping like a fish out of water.

After they rested briefly Josie took him through her preferred way of being treated by a lover in the staged process of him displaying appreciation, withdrawing from her while still engaged in kisses and friendly little pats and rolling away to grab the towel.

"Have I impregnated you?" he asked.

"Why, do you want that to happen?"

"No, but I wouldn't be dismayed, um, if you were pleased."

"Do you want me to ask Rex if it's all right with him?"

Dick's face was purple again, he being unaware she was teasing him. "Oh God no, please Josie no."

"Well, cover me with sweet kisses and I'll then think about it."

Dick got her away with his tongue and fingers and she said, "I've decided I'll not say a word to him about these lessons and what comes after the lessons. Now, let me kiss this lusty still-hard erection of yours. Oh we have so many lessons ahead of us. I'll have to stop being overly efficient and learn to string out my teaching."

Josie had her mouth full so couldn't answer when he said he was looking forward to poking her over the kitchen table. He had his head lolling over the side of the bed, eyes shut and mouth wide open and so missed seeing her with one cheek pushed out obscenely and her eyes suddenly bulge in surprise at hearing his comment.

* * *

Next afternoon when Josie was at the kitchen table, freshly bathed and wearing perfume, reading a fairy tale to Kade, while across from them Tyson was on the floor transporting jars of spreads in his truck and trailer, Kade suddenly stiffened and Josie heard it too.

Air horns.

"Daddy's not at the gate," Kade said looking out at the kitchen doorway.

"No darling, daddy would have seen the pick-up across at the dam and would have used the horns to say hello to Dick."

"How will Dick say hello back."

"He'll stand tall and wave his hat."

This time mother and children waited just beyond the house, hand in hand and watched the long truck come close and turn, ready to move out again the next afternoon. Then they ran, Tyson being carried by his mother. Rex was already out of the truck and on one knee to catch his excited daughter, her blonde hair dancing.

They kissed and hugged and went through their little routine of welcome, Tyson squirming in Josie's arms, hands out and moaning for attention. Rex held his arms out for him and looked at Josie, his mouth falling open. "You look great. You're blooming."

She laughed and said it was great what a little risqué sex could do for a woman.

"What does sex mean mommy?"

Rex and Josie's eyes locked and they smiled. As Rex took Tyson Josie said, "I'm ready to have another b-a-b-y darling. We'll talk about it later. I'm putting him out to pasture, lessons complete."

"Well, don't rush on my account, a b-a-b-y can wait."

"Is a baby coming to stay with us?"

The two adults fell to the ground in a hug, the two children excitedly climbing over them.

"Go to him darling, I've put the bike out for you at the back door."

"What, is he embarrassed?"

"He could be, but I have a pact with him there'll be no discussion, not even in men's talk. No, it's something much bigger."

"Oh damn, he's going?"

"No, much bigger right now. He and I finished the fencing yesterday afternoon. I've been helping him after lunch most days. See -- here's a barb gouge in my arm to remind me of it. He is worried that you might be dissatisfied with his workmanship."

"Nah, not a hope. He's better at it than I am."

"But does he know that Rex? You won't have told him. Go to him."

"Right, are you sure you don't mind -- I've just arrived?"

"No go and remember this is a big moment for him -- probably the ultimate in acceptance in being judged by someone he deeply respects."

"Me?"

"Yes you dope. Please overlook criticisms."

Half an hour later Rex came roaring back on the ranch bike, lights flashing. Josie had raced outside and could see the pick-up coming in the distance.

Rex did a wheelie around Josie, scaring her.

"Get ready to go out. We're going into town for dinner to celebrate the most perfect piece of fencing I've ever seen."

"You told him that?"

"Yes, and I have to say to you I've not seen much fencing done better. I walked around and noticed he'd remembered to put in a gate. He was almost wetting himself waiting for me to comment so I had to drag it out a bit."

"Asshole!"

"He couldn't look at me when I delivered my verdict. That's when I suggested dinner in town to celebrate and he wiped his eyes and grinned and then hugged me."

"Oh dear."

"It was okay. No one around to see us."

"Then we had men's talk."

Josie said nervously, "Men's talk?"

"Yeah, I'm breaking the code telling you what we discussed. He said that at lunchtime on day one you worked out we hadn't planned for a gate and said you were not only lovely about it, not calling us assholes, but next day you went up to the plateau and came down with a gate you loaded by yourself. He said I sure landed a winner when I got you. So I thumped him in the chest and he whacked me in the guts, knocking me to the ground. Boy, that kid has gotten tough."

"What you hit him and then you had a fight -- you idiots!"

"Guys stuff darling. I had to hit him, rather that than having him see my blubbering like a girl after what he said about you."

"Oh darling, did you really almost blubber over me?"

"Christ, cut it out Josie, here he comes."

Kade rushed from the house and as Dick spotted her he stopped the vehicle. She ran to his door that he'd opened, they kissed and she sat on his knee steering the pickup as it approached the house slowly, watched by beaming parents.

"Go fetch Tyson," Dick said to Kade. "We'll go up to the plateau while daddy and mommy say hello."

"They've said hello. They can come with us."

"You can steer until we begin to climb."

"Okay, I'll get Tyson and our drink bottles."

Josie said, "I understand the fencing received a big tick?"

"Rex said it was okay."

Josie laughed and said, "You men, you both are not far out of your caves."

They had a lovely time in the town, being the first in the restaurant for early dinner and the kids were so exited.

"Rex?"

"Oh yeah Josie. Mate, Josie asked me to pick this up during the trip. She thought it was about time we acknowledged we like you."

"That's a lie and you know it Rex McDermott. Tell him exactly what I said and that you agreed."

"Aw Josie, give a guy a break. What you said was girls' stuff."

"Rex!"

"Do what she wants daddy, she's about to get mad."

"Mate, Josie asked me to pick this up during the road trip. She said it was about time we indicated we love you." He pushed across the slender box. "Sorry mate, she pushed me to say that love word."

"It's okay Rex, I know babes have this great need to make guys say such things. You just have to accept if you do it then they're happy. What is it?"

"If you unwrap it you'll find out," Josie said, attempting to look relaxed.

"I know what it is but mommy made me promise not to tell. I'm to shut my mouth -- that's what she said."

"Please unwrap it for me Kade."

"Mommy said when you asked me to do that I was to say no. So no. She said she wanted to watch your face."

"Okay, here goes. Are you watching Tyson?"

"No, where's dinner?"

"Okay, here goes. I wonder what it is. Oh, look here -- Jesus!"

"Dick, the kids," Rex whispered.

"There are two watches -- one a day watch, one for wearing out when I dress up. I can't believe this guys. Thanks so much. I've never had a present like this, never."

Josie held out her arms, sniffing, and kissed Dick, he having to pull away from her grasp. Dick then shook hands with Rex.

"Where's my kiss?" Kade said a little coldly. "You are not to miss kissing me again."

Dick looked at her a little shaken while Josie had her mouth open in shock. "Come on baby, sit on my knee." Mother and daughter both rose from their chairs and Kade was already around the table at Dick before Josie, looking a little confused, walked over to the serving bar saying, "I'll get something for Tyson. What the hell am I doing?"

"You're over excited Josie," Rex said mildly. "It's cool."

Josie and Tyson walked to the bar hand-in-hand. Rex said to Dick, "She's excited. She told me this afternoon she wants a family addition. Watch what you say -- big ears are cocked."

"That's great -- really great because she's such a perfect m-o-t-h-e-r. I need to slip into a bit of men's talk."

"What, sex lessons over?"

"Yeah, I've been put out to pasture."

"I know mate, she also told me."

Kade asked, "What did mommy tell you daddy?"

"That you are doing very well riding you pony?"

"Oh that. You must have known I'd be a good rider. Dick is my teacher."

A neighbor Mrs Ewan arrived for eggs next day and was invited to stay for lunch. The woman in her early forties let slip her husband was away on a hunting trip. When Dick referred to her as Mrs Ewan she smiled and said he must call her Marlene. As she was leaving Marlene kissed Josie and Rex goodbye and then smiled at Rex, "Now your turn." He stepped back but she went for him, kissed him and held on to him and asked, "Do you ride horses?"

"Yes, a bit."

"Sounds like room for improvement?"

"Yes."

"Well, come with me and we'll go riding over our property."

"I ah..."

"I'm a happily married woman of high reputation. There's no need to be shy."

"Oh, okay if you think it's okay?"

"I do. Come along. I'll have him back in a few hours Josie."

Josie and Rex waved them goodbye.

"What are you grinning at?"

Rex smirked, "I recall Clem telling me Marlene is too scared to go near a horse."

"Ohmigod," Josie screamed in laughter. "The conniving bitch."

Alone, after they had washed the dinner dishes -- Rex away back on the road driving long distance -- Josie leaned against the table and said Dick had been mean not telling her what he and Marlene had done.

"I told you, we went riding."

"Oh yeah, that must have been a miracle. Marlene is dead scared of being near a horse. What kind of riding did you do you liar?"

She had the satisfaction of watching him swallow and his face turn rather red. "It's all right. Marlene called me this afternoon and asked me could she borrow you from time to time. I asked her what for. She hesitated and said to build a gardening shed for her. I called her a liar and she confessed and we finished the call the best of friends. Dick, I told her yes because I want you to agree with me to be put out to graze."

"Put out to graze?"

"Yes, Rex and I have decided to have another baby so I need to stop taking my contraceptive pills."

"What's contraceptive mommy," he mimicked, rather well in fact and they laughed until he caught her gaze.

"Um, so after tonight it's lessons over."

"Yes."

"And that's why you're leaning against the kitchen table?"

"Yes."

Josie watched him swallow, attempting to keep lust out of her smile.

He accused, "You are not talking?"

"Oh," she laughed. "I wonder who I'm mimicking?"

"Bitch," he laughed, knowing it was time to start talking rough and dirty. Well, she'd taught him what she liked.

She growled, "On your knees you seducer of my children's mother -- don't expect me to use that disgusting alternative hyphenated word."

"So this is not to be a lesson?" he said, in wisdom beyond his years.

She knew he shared her feeling -- regret. "Quite right. It's your graduation."

Dick shuffled towards her on his knees and lifted her dress. "You're not wearing panties." It was almost an accusation.

"Oh, my oversight. Sorry," she said, grabbing his head and steering it to where she wanted its frontal attack.

Josie felt his tongue touch her very ready pussy. She groaned.

Chapter 7

Rex called from almost 400 miles away and spoke to Josie for almost half and hour. She ran out to Dick who was erecting new fencing around the poultry enclosure to provide better protection from four-legged varmint attack.

"Everything okay?" he asked, spotting her worried look.

"Yes, sit down and talk to me. Tyson is asleep and Kade is listening to school radio time. Rex has been talking business to me and it's so big I'm on overload. I said I had to talk to someone before telling him what I really think and he said to talk to you."

"Oh thanks Rex."

"No, he means it -- we respect your opinion."

"Well in that case shoot."

"His partner Jefferson whom you know has put a proposal to Rex. Jefferson's younger sister wants Jefferson to go into business partnership with her husband. He has the money but is short on ideas. Jefferson wants Rex to get a bank loan and buy him out."

"Is that what you want?"

"I don't think so. No way do I want Rex on the road almost fulltime. I told him Jefferson should find the new partner who must be acceptable to Rex."

"Yeah, that's one suggestion. But why not think big. Rex told me the trucking company is planning to expand. Suggest to Rex he hold off Jefferson for a week while he talks to the company and find out what deal he could get by offering to buy in for a partnership. Elk Briscoe is too old to be running the business -- he should step back and become the backroom boss and let his son Alex take over making the way clear for Rex to become operations manager. Jefferson's brother-in-law buys out Rex who uses that money as the deposit and gets a mortgage on this ranch for additional finance. This property is debt-free isn't it?"

"Yes, but if the trucking company went bust we'd lose everything."

"Of course, but it's the largest trucking company in the region, probably ripe for someone to gobble it up one day for big bucks. The opposite of going bust is raking in a big profit share. Perhaps it's time to think big but don't ask me to make the decision for you, I'm no business man."
Although the day was hot, Josie stood with her arms crossed, hands on shoulders. She was beginning to shake. "Just answer me this Dick. What would you do in Rex's shoes?"

"That's a sneaky woman's way out to worm around me."

"Dick, I've always stood by you, always, from the moment we first met and I saw Kade in your arms."

"Fuck Josie, can't you take no for a no?"

"Dick, I've always stood by you."

Dick slapped his head in frustration. "God you women!"

He paced around and stopped right in front of her, nostrils almost flaring. "You'll be a fool if you listen to me Josie McDermott. I reckon the only thing going for people who sit on their butt and think about pros and cons is they are in a great position to crap. In this situation, I'd to for the window of opportunity. The trucking company invested in its new depot last year so probably has big bank borrowing on its plate. If I had one hundred thou in cash plus a bank loan guarantee for a big amount I'd walk into Elk Briscoe and say, "Hi Elk let's talk about the current bottom line of your business and about me giving you a cash injection in return for a slice of the company and you clear the way for me to become operations manager. It's about time Alex had one hand on the helm, isn't it?"

"I see. What about the risks?"

"There always are risks. If I'd stayed on in that facility the super would have ended up maiming me for life or even killing me. I had decided to take the risk and fuck his wife so when he found out he'd throw me out. I had no idea she'd become pregnant and it that was me, but as it turned out so what? I got out a year earlier than waiting to plead for release that comes up when orphan inmates turn nineteen. So looking back I'm satisfied I look the risk and look at what I've ended up with: a family and happiness. I've become much better educated, I've been taught to fuck properly and now women around here want a piece of me. But this burbling is going nowhere, perhaps all I'm saying is sometimes it pays to take risks."

"I see."

"Go away and think. Please do not call Rex for another hour. Give yourself time to think."

"All right. I'm driving up to the plateau to think. There is cell phone reception up there. Give the children something to eat and drink when Tyson wakes."

As Josie was walking off to the vehicle she turned and called, "You must try not to use that F-word when talking to women Dick. The same goes for asshole and if breasts is too formal for you think about using boobs. Anyway, thank you for being such a darling."

He grinned and gave her two fingers. She grinned and used the one finger sign.

"At least you know how to act the lady at appropriate times," Dick called and was ignored. Watching her drive off he whispered, "If I ever marry she just has to be a swell dame like you. I love you Josie."

It was just on two hours before Josie arrived back, just as Dick was ready to panic. He waited until she stopped the vehicle -- its lights had been flashing at them -- before he allowed the kids to run out to her. He went off to shower.

There was a knock on the door just as he was drying.

"Come in."

"Are you decent."

"No."

"Good," and the door flew open.

"Oh God," Josie said, eyeing his shoulders, chest and stomach. "You are changing into a man before my eyes."

He grunted something that could have passed for a reply and said, "Someone called Rebecca Smith called and invited me to the movies."

"Oh, you'll need to put more oomph into that piece of meat if you're going out with Rebecca."

Flushing, Dick pulled the towel around his waist, aware her comment had him on the rise.

He knew he was being teased when she said had he any idea who Rebecca was.

"All she said was she was home staying with her mom for a couple of weeks."

"She's Sam Beatty's wife. He's twice her age and is probably away somewhere on business with his sexy personal assistant. Rebecca will be wanting it so much she'll eat you."

"Well, she can eat me in the movies if we sit in the back row but she's not getting it unless she spreads over her mother's kitchen table."

Josie clutched the middle of her chest and cackled in laughter. Now that sounds like a teenager who talks like a man. By the way, when will you turn nineteen?"

"Two weeks ago."

"Oh God, oh I am so sorry."

"Why -- I'm not your kid?"

To Dick's astonishment Josie lips pushed out, her face hardened, and she screamed at him, "Don't you dare ever talk to me again like that. Ever. Do you understand?"

"Yes, all right."

She turned and left, slamming the door so hard that the hook glued to the back of it to hold a dressing gown fell off to the ground.

"Phew," Dick breathed aloud. He'd seen the side to Josie that had been dormant, the toughness that Rex said he saw when he first met her, just after she'd tried her best to make it to the top in women's rodeo to allow her to turn professional. She had still been in a down about that when she was raped and Rex said he'd often thought had he not terminated the rapist and Josie had been able to get to her feet she may have finished him off. Well, perhaps Rex hadn't been dreaming.

Dick dressed quickly and went out to her. Although the kids were out of sight in the bath he stopped short of hugging her.

"I'm sorry."

She looked at him painfully, "Not as half sorry as I am. I had no right to shout at you like that."

"I accept your apology, so now shut up about it."

She grinned, opened the fridge and tossed him a can of beer. "This ordinary day has turned out to be rather stressful. I called Rex and he listened with interest and said with your mind you will go far -- you should work to become an expert in building up their assets, starting like setting out to construct a fence..."

"But not forgetting the gate," Dick grinned, noting Josie looked much better.

"Automatically including the gate will come through experience. Rex decided to wing it, so immediately put the suggestion to Jefferson to get his brother-in-law to buy out Rex. That took time, so that's why I was up on the plateau so long. Jefferson called back to talk price. They both know the value of their joint business so it was just a matter of Rex attempting to reel in a premium and Jefferson to thwart him. They agreed to a 15% premium but the brother-in-law, who by that time was at Jefferson's home, offered 7%. Rex said get fucked and slammed down the phone. Ten minutes later Jefferson called to say 15% was acceptable. The brother-in-law was keen for a quick deal so they arranged to go to the lawyer tomorrow and finalize the deal immediately. The purchase price will be paid into a trust fund tomorrow and Jefferson will sign an additional agreement for all payments owing to Rex will be paid across on the 28th of this month."

"Wow, deal done."

Josie, pouring herself a wine, said not quite. "Rex called Elk Briscoe and had a chat and Elk is definitely interested because he and son Alex have been talking about finding someone to buy Elk out because he's decided to retire. Rex pushed and as soon as an appraisal of the business is done they will meet for talks, as early as this Friday. Alex was called in and said he's prepared to acquire up to two-thirds of stock with Rex buying one-third. He and Rex get along very well so everything is looking good. We paid back the $689,000 mortgage when purchasing this property and the bank advised Rex it was very likely he could secure $700,000 on it because improvements had been made and he was investing into the trucking firm that was one of the stronger businesses the bank had on its books. So, Dick, what do you that of that?"

"It looks very positive and Rex can invest elsewhere if the proposed deal with the trucking company falls through. My only concern is how does the trucking company get its finance to expand."

"Alex says they are likely to accept Rex's suggestion -- that the company sells the thirty-something trucks it owns to owner-operators so that the entire fleet of almost fifty trucks are owner-operated with the company concentrating on being the owner drivers' business operator. In other words in exactly the same way the company served Rex and Jefferson."

"Sounds good," Dick said. "I hear a vehicle approaching. Give me a kiss, I'll nip in and say goodnight to the kids."

Later in the evening Josie called a few people and invited them to a surprise birthday lunch for Dick on Saturday. He knew them all and she invited the unattached females to bring a partner if they wished but she called Molly and invited her to stay Sunday night.

"You don't mind me sleeping with him?"

"For God sake Molly, it's his birthday."

* * *

And so life continued to lead to new beginnings for Dick. His last birthday party had been when he turned twelve -- the next seven years later, but it turned into a great event with people turning out to honor him, people who really liked him, mostly promiscuous females but they really liked him and their unsuspecting partners probably thought Dick was an okay guy. Josie turned on a great spread and Kade helped him to cut the birthday cake.

The day after Rex's money for the sale of his half-share in the truck came through he took Dick to a cattle sale and during the next two days 220 two-year-old steers were delivered to the ranch. Rex had said, "Well, let's get on with it and become ranchers," so Dick said buy steers because the land needed rebuilding before it regained 'heart' to support in-calf breeding stock or yearlings. He said it would take two years before they had weeds under control and the results of rotational grazing became apparent.

Dick began improving fences on the upper half of the ranch, assisted by Rex at the weekends and he also put hours in during evenings from late spring through to early autumn. Then came the announcement came Josie was pregnant so four months later Kade was enrolled at junior grade school and taken down to the highway each morning and collected each afternoon. Before too long she was riding her pony out to where Dick was working, Dick being in CB radio contact with the house so knew to expect her and to receive progress reports from Kade with her radio because it was essential she kept clear of the dams.

Before too long Rex as partner and operations manager at the trucking firm began calling Dick in to assist with rescheduling, double bookings, and delays and to help complaints about no-shows and chasing up relief drivers. Dick got to handle the nasty complainants because he used the way he succeeded with women to cool the male 'hot heads' and whenever drivers lost their tempers with other drivers Dick was initially sent in because he was the considered the most expendable guy in the office. But before long it was found he could take a punch and punch back harder that most, but not all, that hotheads dished out but when he appeared one day with a solid rubber baton he suddenly became top dog. Rex's requests for him to 'help out for a couple of hours' increased to four hours, to six hours, to eight hours and even ten hours. Rex listened to Josie and hired a guy to look after the stock who slept in the loft that Rex and Dick fixed up for him and ate meals in the house.

Five months after Rex started working at the truck company he and Josie decided to sell the ranch. Josie approached a real estate company and two hours after listing the realtor's agent was on the property with a guy and his wife who two days later brought the property.

Dick missed the farm but took up rock climbing, skiing and cycling to keep fit. Molly also moved to town where she shared an apartment with two other female teachers. Within a fortnight she was being dated and that guy stuck with her and she was very happy. She and the very pregnant Josie became even closer as friends.

The only big change for Dick was his relationship with Kade faded because living in the town she now had girlfriends to play with, as did Tyson. Dick felt it was time to move on but with the arrival of the baby imminent he decided to stay and be of assistance to Josie as Rex had become involved in expansions to the warehouse.

The baby named Carolyn Jane was born healthy and bonny and with Kade assuming the role of second mother Dick finally headed out of town. Rex was saddened but over it quickly whereas Josie became depressed and that was attributed to post-childbirth blues. That condition lasted almost three months. Josie missed Dick badly and refused to talk about it, even to Molly. Josie knew Dick wouldn't write, and he didn't. It was as he'd disappeared off the planet. Either that or something bad had happened to him. Gradually her worry eased.

Chapter 8

On the day of Kade's 16th birthday local car dealer Tom Pearce, a Rotary Club buddy of Rex's called Rex, who had worked hard over the years and have become principal stockholder in the trucking company.

"Hi Rex, it's Tome Pearce. Your daughter Kade's car is ready. Please come in and sign the papers."

"What car, what papers?"

"Kade's car of course and it's desirable the ownership is held in a parent's name on behalf of the child if he/she is a minor."

"But I know nothing about a car."

"Wait, I'll grab the file. Here we go, paid for in cash, plus an extended warranty contract to include all routine maintenance pre-paid for three calendar years. Ordered and paid for, as I said, by cash, by a Dick Savage."

"This has to be a joke."

"Just a moment, I'll check with the accountant."

Rex scratched his head, tapped his fingers and looked at the calendar on the far wall of a woman mountaineer standing on some high peak somewhere. She was topless.

"No joke Rex. She counted the money personally, mostly in $100 bills, handed across in a cardboard box that the purchaser said, apparently with a smile, that we could keep."

"Well, I did know a Dick Savage from eight years back. But he left no forwarding address. You'll have one won't you?"

"No, the note attached to the file says no forwarding address and none required because the transaction was completed with cash. The purchaser requested daddy sign the ownership/registration transaction and buy a birthday card and write in it, 'Happy Birthday Kade. It's a special birthday for a young girl. Love Dick'."

"I see. I best come over and do what he says. Have you ever dealt with a transaction like this before Tom?"

"No, but there's always a first for everything."

There were girls storming through the house when Rex arrived home and parked his car. Sixteen girls, all around sixteen years of age in fact. He walked out to the cab waiting for him and went to the dealership and returned in the black VW car. He unfurled the ribbon around it that he'd purchased and went inside.

"Oh hello darling," Josie said, a new hairstyle and looking great in her new lemon dress. "Had a good day?"

"A puzzling one."

"Oh that's a change."

"Dick's given Kade a car for her birthday."

"What was that dear? Oh could you help Sheryl and Mae carry out drinks. Everyone is around the pool but not swimming yet. The boys arrive at 7:00 and then the fun starts."

"Boys, you haven't said anything about boys to me?"

"I didn't think it was necessary. Everyone knows girls invite boys to their 16th birthday party."

"I didn't."

"Oh darling, you do need to keep up to date. The drinks, the drinks -- please take out the drinks."

Fifteen minutes later Rex penetrated the constant babble of scream-pitched voices and succeeded in hushing everyone. "I'd like everyone to follow me to the front lawn, Josie and birthday girl to walk with me. A special birthday present has arrived and I emphasize Kade it's not from your mother and me. Come along everyone."

Feeling a little like a Pied Piper, Rex asked Josie and Kade to take him by an arm and the girls behind them mainly linked arms in threes, Josie's friends Mae and Sheryl bringing up in the rear holding the hands of Tyson and Carolyn. In the pressure on him Rex had overlooked his two younger children. He was half expecting Josie to go ballistic when she learned who'd given the car to Kade.

They lined up on the lawn, looking down at the black Volkswagen.

"Ohmigod," screamed Kade and a roar of ohmigods echoed across the immediate neighborhood.

"Who's it from daddy?"

"It says here on the card darling," Rex said.

"Ohmigod," Kade said, reading the card and thrust it into the hands of her mother. She jumped over the flower border and slumped over the bonnet crying, "Ohmigod, Dick. Ohmigod Dick."

Her girlfriends looked at each other asking, "Who's Dick?"

Rex just managed to catch Josie as she fainted.

The party picked up as the boys began to arrive and invariably said 'Cool!' when told the VW was a birthday present from Kade's mysterious and much older boyfriend. The boys were so impressed than none bothered to scratch the paintwork.

* * *

The former Molly Peake, now Molly Scott, married with two children and recently returned to school teaching, called on her long-time older friend Josie next day and was told about the birthday party and, of course, the car.

"From Dick Savage, no longer the disappeared-off-the-face-of-the earth Dick Savage, Josie said excitedly. "Oh, how I wish I could see him again, to find out all about him. I'd have so much to say to him, to ask him."

"Well, that could keep him away," Molly joked, hastening to say she was only joking after catching the horrified look her friend gave her.

They talked on and that evening Molly emailed to an address she had on trust, to her old lover Dick Savage.

Dear Dick

Apparently your present caused a sensation and consternation. Poor Josie is half out of her tree wondering about how are you, where are you. Why won't you contact her? She fainted and was just caught in time by Rex after reading your name on the birthday card revealing you were the donor of the Sweet Sixteen car. It was a fantastic birthday present Dick, but why? Even I want that answer.

I confirm, yet again, that Kade is a pleasant and very likeable teenager, has heaps of friends and you will be interested to know that she now has a steady boyfriend who is the second son of one of one of Rex's best friends. I'll tell you his name Dick but please don't hurt him. He's Mike Lock, a gangly seventeen-year-old. He talks to me because he's intending to become a math teacher.

Keep well and keep happy

Molly

The morning after her birthday party Kade peeped out of her bedroom window and sighed happily. The car hadn't disappeared overnight as her mom, weeping, had said the man who gave it to her had done, disappearing from their lives. Mom had a poor quality photograph of him -- the only one the family possessed -- taken on the day of his twentieth birthday party. The woman with her arm around him and looking like she owned him, although years older than him, was Aunty Molly. Dick -- she hated the stupid name -- was in her memory, like a shadow she thought. But she knew she had liked being with him.

She yawned and then yelled, "Come in Carolyn." The door burst opened and in rushed the seven-year-old who must have been sitting outside in the hallway waiting for the call. Every morning the baby of the family, soon to have her birthday party, came into Kade's bed. On school days the stay was very short but on Saturday and Sunday mornings they'd stay together until mom made them get up. Sometimes on Sunday morning they'd both drop off to sleep, no one hassling them until usually stupid Tyson would come in whining, "Where's my breakfast? Why is everyone asleep? Are we going to have fun today?' Oh why couldn't boys learn to converse and be interesting like girls?

"I now own a car."

"I know," Carolyn said. "I've been out to see it. Will we go somewhere in it today?"

"Yes, but mommy says I cannot drive it without her or daddy sitting beside me until she is satisfied I am competent. That means skillful and safe as a driver. She thinks that will be at least a month but she'd got another think coming. I reckon one week if we drive every day."
"Where will we go today?"

"To the mall. You'd like that wouldn't you?"

"Yeah. This guy who gave you the car. Will you marry him?"

"Nah, I'll never marry. Guys are too boring but I'll date. I may even date him. Guys seem to really like me for some reason."

Carolyn thought about that. "Tyson says it's because you have great hair, a pretty face and because of your boobs."

"Tyson's an asshole."

"Mom says you're not to say that word. Why does she smile when she tells you off about using that word?"

"I can't say and am not really interested. There are things about our mom that puzzle me."

"And daddy too?"

"Nope, I read daddy like a book."

"I don't understand."

"That makes too of us. Has Kevin said if he's your boyfriend?"

"No and that makes Kevin an asshole."

"Carolyn, shut up. If mom hears you use that word I'll get blamed."

Carolyn stroked her sister's hair and said it would be okay. She'd say she learned it off her mom. "Mom often used it and so does Aunty Molly when those two are together. Why are those two friends -- Aunty Molly is much younger isn't she?"

"Yes. Perhaps they like talking dirty together."

"Like what?"

"Saying asshole."

"Oh."

* * *

Dick Savage arrived at his office from the gym and showered and dressed in an Italian cut light gray suit, a burnt orange shirt under the jacket but no tie. The fashionable shoes were dark gray. He settled at his desk and connected his laptop, ready to check his personal emails. His PA came in and shut the door slowly and leaned against it.

"I'm so upset that you've ditched me so quickly."

"Sorry Cheryl but I did warn you it could only be a short fling. You are married."

"But one week and then only four times in bed -- for god's sake Dick, that's unbearably short."

"So what's your definition of a short fling?" Dick said, chin resting on folded fingers, giving Cheryl his full attention.

"I have no idea," she choked on tears. "Only four times -- I really wanted to feel totally possessed."

Dick said coldly, "You knew damn well I'm not like that. Your predecessor would have told you before leaving that I was a charming man but a heartless sonofabitch underneath."

"How could you know that?"

"Because it's what she said to me when she threw her resignation at me. Unlike you she really wanted something from me -- a wedding ring. I told her not to bother but she refused to listen."

"Or was unable to believe what she was hearing."

"How could any woman be so dumb?"

Wiping away a tear the elegant Cheryl Campbell said, "Women are not like men."

"You can say that again -- no please don't," he grinned, the light boyish smile catching Cheryl deep in her left chest. She was furious when she felt herself smile.

"Cheryl honey, I said when interviewing you that you'd find me firm but fair, that I wanted a PA who was elegant, well educated, spoke well and would represent me in my absence almost as well as I'd represent myself. I said if hired you would be well rewarded and would find the work fascinating and a challenge. I said a possible downside for you was if I found myself attracted to you I might poke you but of course only with your consent and cooperation. If we did have an affair it would be short-lived, leaving you unhappy. Isn't that correct?"

"Yes, a very accurate recall. You did say poked and I couldn't believe the lack of sophistication. I almost walked out."

"The fact that you didn't and interviewed exceedingly well resulted in me hiring you. Well, there we are. It's over to you. Although you have now confirmed I'm heartless you have the choice of staying or resigning."

"If I stay does that mean no more sex?"

"When we travel it means as much sex as you can handle Cheryl. I know I'll be safe with you."

"Well, that's something. I'd appreciate traveling quite often. My husband is fucking his secretary so he won't mind me being away. I have been here three weeks -- are you satisfied?"

"More than satisfied."

Cheryl frowned and said why hadn't he told her he was satisfied with her work.

"You are intelligent and would know if you weren't performing you'd been long gone. The other reason was I know women expect men not to tell them things men don't regard as important."

"I'd like you to occasionally tell me you are pleased with my work."

"Very well Cheryl. I'll do that. Here's a hundred -- take the rest of the morning off and talk to your hairdresser. Someone needs to be told what an asshole I am."

"No."

"Cheryl?"

She snatched the bill and said with restraint, "Thank you Mr Asshole."

Dick worked through the seven emails declining four invitations from past women seeking dates, wondering if they really should turn professional and become prostitutes.

"Oh I such a heartless sonofabitch," he mumbled, "but women who earn it do get respect from this arrogant sod, which is surprising because of my background although my one big undeclared love, my Josie, pulled me from the morass. I had to walk away knowing she belonged to Rex who did not deserve to have her taken from him. Oh you arrogant man, she'd never had left him for a kid."

He opened Molly's email and hunched over and read it intently. He devoured every word and fumed. Women, they talk all day and night but when you want to hear something worthwhile like this they write short and sharp. The bitch, thinking he might harm the young guy, er Mike. Was she having a breakdown when only thirty-five? He'd turn thirty soon and wondered if she'd give him a birthday bang. Something to think about. Even now he thought both she and Josie, if they'd kept up to scratch, could probably rate with any of these modern dames who thought they were goddesses of sex. They were so arrogant. Yeah, right. Well life wasn't all about sex, was it? What else was left, dummy? Oh yeah, making money. He liked doing that.

He fired off a short email:

Hi, Appreciated the update. I turn thirty in a fortnight. Could throw a big party. My preference would be just you, and adultery. What do you think?

He didn't bother addressing it or to sign it. Molly was bright enough to know who it was from and had told him her personal computer was password protected.

Cheryl arrived back with his salad roll for lunch and coffee. He said he liked her hair cut short and she actually blushed. To think he'd picked her as being a hard-nosed bitch. Like most of his decisions he made an instant decision.

"Since you're agreed to stay and accept my conditions I've decided to lease you a car and allow private use but you'll pay all running costs, maintenance and any insurance excess on repairs."

"Oh darling..."

"Cheryl?"

She checked the open doorway and whispered, "Thank you Mr Asshole," aware the five company senior accountants and highly qualified business revival managers were required to provide their own vehicles but were reimbursed mileage usage as logged in the course of company business travel or else they used cabs.

"I'm emailing Pete to lease you a new Ford Focus for 36 months, 12,000 miles per year and you pay if you go over that. Now get that nice haircut of yours out of here because I want to work."

Before leaving the office that night Dick re-read Molly's email that came in at 4:48 which would be about the time she arrived home from teaching.

I'll think about it. Molly

He grinned and thought why didn't she come straight out and say she'd be there. Women had difficulty in being upfront.

* * *

On Saturday night three weeks later Molly lay beside Dick sipping champagne and covered in sweat. He husband was away for the weekend and the children were staying with his parents. Molly was supposed to be on a shopping trip to the city and had actually been out shopping with Dick.

"Did you enjoy your birthday present?"

"I've only taken off the first wrapper, haven't I?"

Rolling her eyes Molly said, "Dick I'm rather your normal housewife, mother and twice a week sex queen these days."

"Only twice a week? You must be rusting up?"

She scowled and told him to talk to her nicely and said perhaps he could get lucky. She went to the bathroom, her breasts moving from side to side as she walked and conscious she now had the beginnings of a potbelly. Well at least he hadn't complained.

As she returned he said, "I like you with even bigger tits and love the way the swing."

Molly couldn't stop a huge smile blooming. "Do you darling? Well for that you definitely will be engaged in more energy-sapping action."

"Energy-sapping? For goodness sake Josie was still going wall-to-wall when she was a year older." He knew he shouldn't have said that. Molly appeared to ignore it but he caught her triumphant smile -- she'd asked in the past had he'd ever done it with Josie and he'd always acted in indignant denial.

Molly dipped into her handbag. "Here. It's just a little something. I've already given you installment one of your birthday present," she said, sitting on the bed to watch his reaction.

He opened the envelope and cried, "Ohmigod."

Until then Molly hadn't been aware men used that expression. "Josie had it taken on Monday."

Dick was looking at a studio proof shot of an adorable blonde girl just a few days past her 16th birthday. He had to struggle to control his breathing. "Kade."

"Yes and look at me Dick and keep looking at me. I won't to know what you intend doing with her. This has dragged on far too long and is becoming more intensified. Spending on a car for a sixteen year old is excessive and even you must admit that. I'm a little worried and feel relieved that the worst I've come up with is you eventually plan to kidnap her."

His face changed to alarm. "Kidnap her? Are you crazy? That would scare her and tear out her mother's heart."

"W-well, w-what then?"

"I plan to marry her."

Molly's uncharacteristic stutter left as quickly as it had arrived. "What if she doesn't want you and marries someone else?"

"That would be okay but is very unlikely to happen."

"How can you say that?"

"I just know. We all know things without knowing how we know about them."

"Yes I admit to that but trivial things. This is not trivial Dick."

Dick looked at her and smiled. "Please keep my secret a secret."

"Do you promise you'll do Kade no harm?"

"Yes, of course. She's my soul mate."

Molly's face lost its color, she leaned forward to pick up her half-finished flute of champagne and surprised Dick's eyes were not on her swinging boobs. "You don't know this but I am the unofficial godmother of all three children. And you will be even more interested in this: shortly after you left and Josie was in mild depression, she told me that she and Rex had reluctantly decided, on the first day she met you, that you and Kade appeared to be soul mates. Kade was on you knee in the truck and..."

"But Josie doesn't know, I've never spoken to her about it, at least not that I remember."

"Dick, Josie is the mother! Oh damn, I never should have spoken to you about this."

"Is okay, Dick is a big boy now. I can handle it and as you are smart enough to know it only confirms what I already know. I believe Kade won't know until she sees me again and even then it might not come quickly to her."

"Are you going to see her soon?"

"No, not for a few years."

"How long is that?"

"Molly, I tell you things I tell no one else in my emails and you must be satisfied when I say I don't wish to say when. It will be at an appropriate time for Kade so she can handle it well."

"Like when she's about to take her wedding vows?"

"Don't overly dramatize Molly. That's what you read in books or at the movies. Girl's stuff. I have no intention of hurting her, and believe that because it's the truth. Only she can decide the outcome, only she Molly. Please believe that."

"Okay. I believe I know you well enough to believe you absolutely. I feel a little unsettled though so could we hold off Installment Two for a little while?"

"Sure, let's go down to the bar and have early dinner and we can talk about you. I wish to learn why you have become satisfied in getting humped by your husband only twice a week."

"Satisfied? I didn't say I was satisfied. Okay you go down after a quick shower. I'll have a bath and work out my answer to your question. I believe I have fallen into a hole and hadn't noticed."

Chapter 9

A business magazine had published a two-page spread on Richard Savage ('the man who insists on calling himself Dick') under the headline, The Accidental Millionaire. The article was more or less Dick's version of the truth, and quoted him as 'coming to the city from elsewhere in the state' which was very vague and the magazine's journalists had failed to enlighten their readers except to confirm, 'Mr Savage has no police record and no moderate to serious driving offences have been recorded against his name'.

Well, magazine readers probably couldn't have cared less because all they were interested in was how could a guy with the dopey name of Dick accidentally fall into heaps of money? Long before that article appeared Dick had been investigated by the tax department to find about his tax payments before his arrival in the city. They checked Mr Savage's first evidence of employment with the trucking firm and were satisfied he'd not evaded tax payment liability, being only aged eighteen at that time.

The four messages dissatisfied readers were left with were •be in the right place at the right time •assess your target investment carefully •don't over spend, and •take calculated risks.

Leaving Random Dick repeated his past, moving far enough away to escape being reconnect with his past. He settled in a city 250 miles away and was satisfied that left him well isolated. He joined a gym, found work patrolling the staff parking lot at Fitzroy Business College on the watch for vandals wanting to vent their feelings on tutors who'd given them low grades. Before too long the gym offered him a position as an unqualified personal trainer. Needless to say women rushed to have him as their PT. The sight of the twenty-one year old tanned and muscular body covered by skimpy shorts and a sleeveless black top sent their hormones berserk. But not only that: he possessed a smooth way of talking to women and, for a man, seemed to be tuned into their innermost fears about males.

Dick was soon into casual affairs that made him liable to instant dismissal from the gym but he was careful to satisfy and to terminate with grace so no complaints were lodged again him. Three months on he caught the eye of Annabelle Cousins, the young married daughter of the city's mega-rich Mayor.

Resting from the pounding, Annabelle was wiping away sweat dripping into her eye sockets, thinking it was the heaviest balling she'd had since her second year at college when about half of the senior football team came across here under trees, nude and reading a book on Roman colonization. As Dick's hand dropped casually on to her thigh she panicked, thinking she required a longer intermission, so said, "Do you know anything about money?" thinking he wouldn't. For goodness sake, the kid was not much over twenty.

But he caught her with her pants down, as they say. "Er. Well yes. How much do you want to give me to go out and multiply?"

"Two hundred thou if you can secure me 15% on it in six months. Return the capital plus 15% and I'll pay you $5000."

She was joking of course but the kid floored her.

"I'll tell you what, I return the capital plus 15%, you pay me nothing and allow me to keep anything over the 15%."

"That's highly unlikely, I can't image you raking in even 5%."

"Okay, then don't waste me time. Let's get going again."

"No wait, I need a rest. All right I'll hand across $200,000 if you provide me with guaranteed security and a watertight contract."

"Why the red tape?"

"Are you stupid? No one gives a stranger $200,000 for a month, no questions asked apart from its return plus 15%."

"There's nothing stopping you from thumbing your nose at convention. After all, you trusted me not to give you five different STDs."

"What?" she shrieked. "How many STDs do you have?"

He said none that he knew of and that proved his point. She trusted her judgment enough to have him on her husband's side of the bed while as a lawyer he was at the office burning the midnight oil trying to earn enough annually to impress his father-in-law.

"How do you know my husband is a lawyer and you have no idea who is my father-in-law? You said you'd only recently arrived in the city."

"True, but your father didn't become Mayor by being a moron, your husband didn't make the second to top floor of Aitkin, Masters and Merrell Partners by reading the newspaper and I checked the report in your file before accepting your invitation for taking you to bed."

"What report?"

"The report you were required to file with the gym about being STD-free before being allowed to enter the women's sauna."

He seemed to doze off so Annabelle thought about his confidence and convinced herself he wasn't a con guy. She shook him awake. "Get dressed and take me to your apartment. You can fuck me there. I will get an idea of looking around what kind of guy you are."

After being almost milked dry Dick went to sleep. Annabelle walked around, not learning much. He was tidy, had few personal possessions but all were good quality, most of the magazines and books were about business and personal investment, his hired furniture and soft furnishings were expensive, he didn't have TV, he ate well and the toilet seat was down and although he used a hand razor there was no high water mark of hair in the hand basin. Even the toilet paper was high quality. So she thought she was stupid, stupid enough to trust this man.

The fool. She shook him awake to tell him. He listened and all he said was, "I thought you were intelligent enough to make the decision to trust me."

Almost before she knew it he was plowing her again. At least he was gentleman enough to take her home and put her to bed and in leaving said he'd put her ripped knickers and cum-soaked bra out in the trash. She went to the gym next day and gave him a check and walked away trying to keep light-hearted. They kept banging away once a week and to her surprise she thought that was contributing to her increased fitness, rather than the gym. On the fifth week he said he'd take her to dinner on Thursday and there handed her his check for $235,000.

She kissed him better than she usually kissed her husband, thinking he was such a good man. "What's the extra five grand for?"

"To do something you won't want to do but you'll end up doing it."

"Oh yeah, that sound's highly unlikely."

Dick said he'd wanted to form a company with her and four of her friends each contributing $200,000. He now had $75,000 from the surplus he'd made from her initial investment and would use that to run the company and cover the cost of its formation. "The $1 million you and your friends contribution collectively as capital would entitle you each to a credit of $30,000 at the conclusion of the first year, rising by $5000 per year until reaching a credit of $50,000 each at the conclusion of that fifth year when the company would be dissolved and their $200,000 capital plus credits of $200,000 returned to each shareholder, meaning they would have doubled their money."

"They won't do it, at least some of them won't want to be seduced by you."

"Annabelle, please. Get you mind above your belt. We're talking business here. Please take these five folders that explain to you five women how I will operate the tiny company on their behalf and cream in the money. At the end of five years I'll ask if you all wish to carry on in a new arrangement because I will have well-establishment myself by then as the city's leading financial entrepreneur for buying in failing company's cheaply on bridging finance and then selling them on the rise as attractive going concerns within one year. I stumbled on you as a financier quite by accident as you not wanted to resume sex too quickly and so began talking to me about money when your only real knowledge about it is how to spend money."
"That's nasty."

"I am nasty."

She disagreed, saying he was one of the nicest men she knew and had taught her how to lift her game when being seduced. "You've also made money for my when I'd misjudged you. If you wish to source really big capital I'll talk to my father."

"No darling, I wish to remain deceptively small, out of the public's eye and if I'm successful enough people will come to me to sell their failing companies, some even contracting to buy them back."

"Then why buy them?"

"Tax advantages silly."

"Oh I might have known. Please lay me over the table now and rip off my panties. No one I let seduce me gets me away like you do. I'll get those four women investors to join me. Should I suggest they show your documentation to their accountant or financial adviser?"

"Yes, please do, especially accountants. They know what this is all about and some try it themselves but they lack the guts to take the big risks to reap the big money from high flying. Rip your panties off did you say?"

"Yeeuuuuus," gurgled Annabelle in the rising passion of high expectation as she lay back over her dining table already set for a formal dinner that evening.

Before too long Dick was receiving three or four requests a month from people wishing to invest in his expertise as despite his wish for anonymity word got around. He turned most of them down but had recently accepted an investment from someone wishing to name himself Golden Boy Nominee. Although a lawyer he must have been on an illegal substance as well as being desperate because he brought in four other investors also with $400,000 each to form the new company that would conveniently allow Dick to still be generating income when the first company was wound up. Dick knew small investors invariably thought short-term. He'd also felt sorry for 'Golden Boy' as Dick was still shafting his wife and figured that substantially adding to the guy's income would curry favor with the guy's father-in-law, the Mayor. He agreed to be interviewed for his profile to be published in Bottom Line business magazine after some idiot -- probably Annabelle -- nominated him for the businessperson of the year award without first approaching him.

In the complicated ways things happen Dick was in the city's leading department store one day, just after Annabelle had gone to Hong Kong with her husband on a law conference. Annabelle had been out with him and her younger sister Marcie and husband a couple of times and Marcie had called to invite him out to dinner -- no, not with her husband, just with him. "Dumb-dumb -- Annabelle is in Hong Kong," she cooed.

Right.

So Dick turned away from the perfume counter after purchaser a sure pussy opener when he bumped a woman and apologized. She picked up her handbag, flashed him a look and said it was okay and then yelled, "Dick!" For a moment he thought she was abusing him and he'd missed the word 'You' in front of Dick." Then he recognized it was Molly Peake now Molly something else.

They'd kissed and she pushed in hard against him so he licked his lips and that was when he missed hearing her married name. She was in the city attending a state seminar on something called reading recovery, she was in a hurry but she would love to meet him the next night for a 10:00 pm drink at her hotel after she attended the seminar closing dinner. She gave him the name of the hotel. Dick returned to the perfume counter for another container of leg opener. Both gifts worked and he'd never forget that because it confirmed to him the smart guys got the most pussy. As the result of keeping Molly awake for most of the night in her hotel bed they agreed to email each other occasionally and in secret. She accepted he'd want to update on news about Josie and her family and at that Holly knew she'd be applying to attend more seminars and conferences in Dick's city.

Dick found it was true that the harder one worked in business with the correct focus and application the more money one made. Money was rolling in. He'd hired an accountant and a couple of experienced business managers and moved into larger offices. The extra personnel meant an increase in paper work so he decided he needed an office manager, someone who could also take some of his load from him. Annabelle was moaning that her weekly meeting with him wasn't sufficient to stop her from becoming bored so to save her marriage Dick recruited her and quickly found out why she was bored. He hadn't realized how dumb she was. Well, she proved to be a quick learner and soon was in the swing of things but had the irritating habit of coming in, locking his door and clearing things off his desk. He hired more staff to run her off her feet and she fell back to once a week and that was fine by him because he was buying perfume for other needy women. The money flow increased to such an extent he had to hire a senior accountant. Through inspired lateral thinking to avoid throwing Annabelle back on him more frequently because the new guy Pete would take over some of her responsibilities, he sent them on a business assessment trip down state. They returned with an affair underway and Annabelle continued clearing Dick's desk only once a week.

Then Annabelle (37) left, as she was pregnant. She had not idea who the father was but told both Pete and Dick that her husband automatically accepted responsibility and she thought that was highly likely because he was at her the most. So she left. Dick gave her the bracelet of her choice as a thank you present. She later called Dick to say she loved the gift that he husband scoffed at and said what a cheapskate gift from Dick as she'd being instrumental in growing the business. Dick and Annabelle shared the joke because they knew Dick had bargained hard to get the price down to $28,475.

"Tell everyone it's a fake," he said. "It is only necessary for you to know that truth. I reckon all women who tell all about the value of their jewelry miss the point."

"I know and you have taught me many things. My husband (they never used his name) wants me to become his confidential secretary when I am ready to hand over our baby to a nanny. He and my father are going into apartment renovation business together, my father being the silent partner. My husband has made an enormous amount of money through astute law dealings."

Dick told her a secret after she'd promised to keep her mouth shut. "You husband was Golden Boy nominee in that company we dissolved last month."

"The liar. He made twice the amount as Golden Boy then the figure he disclosed to me."

"Men can be liars Annabelle," Dick told her gravely. "Some are even almost as good at it as women."

Chapter 10

When clearing emails early one evening before leaving the office, Dick received an incoming one from Molly.

Hi

An appeal for help. Clem and Marlene Ewan's daughter has been hired as manager of the perfumery where you met me more than a year ago. You will remember boning her mom when Jessie was safely away at college doing a science/chemistry major. Marlene became the joke of the community when we learned she lured you to the Ewan's property to go riding with her. We all knew what kind of riding that would be because we all knew she had a fear of horses and cattle. Jessie is cute, about thirty, I'm not quite sure and had returned home after a messy divorce. I'm warning she remains a little tearful. I met her at a function the other night where I was guest speaker on remedial readings. Her parents are one of our principal school sponsors of our reading department. Can you do anything for her while she looks for permanent accommodation? She can be trusted to keep your secret whereabouts safe. I've come to know her quite well because she is staying with her aunt, an immediate friend of mine. Oh she has pointy breasts.

Molly

Dick smiled knowing smart-ass Molly had ended with that pointy breasts reference to ring his bell. He sent a very brief reply asking what were pointy breasts.

He waited around for a response but none arrived. But the reply was there next morning.

Dear Interested

Attached is a photo of Jessie's pointy breasts. She came around last night and I photographed them after we'd had a couple of drinks. She was highly embarrassed. I had assured her you don't take people on face value (Get it?) We cackled on about that and she relented. Wow, I was impressed. She then asked if she stayed with you would she be safe. I said not really and that scared her. She asked had you shafted me so naturally I lied. She asked what you did and I said nothing really, you only worked at making money. Jessie said I made you sound a really nice guy and that naïve comment tempted me to tell her about what you did to her mother some years ago but I thought that might embarrass you and I wouldn't want to do that. So there you are, don't rush her to bed and it may well work out well for you both.

Molly

Dick studied the attached graphic and couldn't decide if the shot was out of focus or it was due to camera shake. He wondered if his hands would shake closing in on those fabulous twin peaks. Wow. Naturally he couldn't shaft her, not a houseguest recovering from a messy divorce and starting a new job. Oh no? He grinned.

He replied to Molly

Dear Mrs Scott

Please advise Jessie Ewan I will be delighted to host her and if she wants 'safe' she'll be safe with me. I admired her mother but never met her father. However please explain my resolve to remain separated from my past but she is most welcome to come here as soon as she wishes if she can trust herself never to divulge she's met me or say anything about my whereabouts. That shouldn't be too difficult for her because women are intelligent.

Oh, please tell her to arrive around 5:00 and I'll meet her and take her to early dinner. She can then decided if I'm predatory or safe or whatever. If she has reservations I will put her up in a single room in one of our better hotels for a fortnight at my expense. No, I shouldn't be miserable. Make that a suite. Please give her a copy of this email.

Dick

The next morning after taking a call from Annabelle's husband that they'd become parents of Tommy and mother and son were both well, Dick took an incoming call not picked up by his PA who he could see was learning over the photo-copier, deliciously displaying a tight butt, attempting to clear a paper jam. He grinned and the grin was in his voice when he said, "Good morning, you are speaking to Dick."

"Oh, you sound very nice."

"Good spotting. How may I help you?"

"I'm nervous Jessie."

He was on to her like a shot. "Oh hi, coming in today I hope?"

"Yes, the early evening service from Random, arriving gate fourteen at 7:20. I know it's not an early flight..."

"Jessie, it's no sweat. I'm six-two with dyed black hair, plenty of it, touching my collar and will be wearing a dark suit, pale green and white mottled shirt and Italian-style shoes."

"Oooh, that sounds lovely."

"I'll watch out for pointy boobs."

"Mr Savage..."

"It's the only description I've been given."

"Oh, I see. I am pale blonde and will be dressed in pale yellow."

"Is that wise?"

"Pardon me. What do you mean?"

"Pale blondes require color bounce generated by clothing. Have you a strong blue and white top and say a black skirt?"

"I think so."

"You don't know -- oh sorry, I'm obviously making you nervous. Come in anything you wish. I'll just look for...well, you can guess. Looking forward to meeting you Jessie, if I may call you Jessie."

"You already have."

"I like it, you're sharp," he laughed and disconnected.

Leaning against the wall at gate fourteen, attempting to avoid eye contact with women glancing at him, Dick knew he could have spotted her a mile away. Nervous, tall, prominent breasts although precise shape not definable, strong blue top, white scarf and black skirt. Definitely thirty and all woman. Why the fuck was she nervous instead of walking head held high, swinging her tits and ass as if the world belonged to her rather than the other way around?

They made eye contact and he pointed a forefinger at her like a gun. There were only four other passengers coming off the 12-seater and two managed to collide into her back when she stopped as if Dick had shot her. Her mouth finally closed and she was on the move again. He half circled around her, throwing her head into a speed wobble and when he put an arm around her waist she jumped so he murmured, "Stick close to me and you won't get lost. This is the city. Please hand me your hand luggage and luggage tags."

"My personal effect come on the bigger morning service tomorrow and will be delivered to the front desk of your apartment block."

"Oh good, that's splendidly efficient. Probably two hundred people from four flights are struggling to connect with their luggage right now. Let's hit a bar."

"A bar?"

"Yes a place that serves drinks, including some non-alcoholic mixes."

"I really..."

"Jessie, now please sweet Jessie. Listen to me. Go into that department store all nervous like this and you won't survive day one. Believe me. Behind those cosmetic masks and smiles lurk bitches."

"What?"

"Your marriage breakup is behind you, this is Day One of your new life. Act like you know this and soon you'll know it is."

Dick had eyed her throughout his pep talk, he had to, knowing if he didn't do that his eyes would droop to her boobs and she'd aim her best testicle kick at him and run.

"I'm to work backroom. I'll not be working counter."

"Ha, don't you believe that. How can you perform as an effective buyer if you don't mix with the vixens and interface with clients?"

"Well, um, I really don't know."

"You have the appearance of top dog to me Jenni. A little nervous but we all have to cope with that."

"It's Jessie."

"What is?"

"My name."

Dick slapped his forehead. "Oh damn, I did try to reposition you Jessie but obviously have bombed out." Tucking his arm into hers he said, "Come I need a drink. I was attempting to build your confidence. I really want you to succeed in the city. If I fail, the next time I screw Molly she'll try to remove my balls."

"I can't imagine that being nice for you Dick. I had wondered if Molly were lying when she indicated she'd not done it with you. At home she had a reputation more appropriate for an ally cat."

Dick scratched the back of his neck with his free hand. "Look, this asshole of a husband of yours -- did he get into the habit of beating you up or did he just take your best girlfriends to bed?"

"Neither. He was such a lovely guy. He came home one afternoon and found me in bed with the neighbor. When David yelled at the neighbor the guy leaped out and beat David and I had to take him to hospital. He returned to live with his parents and began proceedings to divorce me. Three minutes of passion outside of marriage and boom, marriage over."

"Sorry to have got that so wrong Jessie. You must think I'm an idiot?"

"No, but just a little hyperactive. Things unfold if you give them time."

They sat at the bar. "Water or juice?"

"Vodka Martini thank you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm damn sure. Look Dick, just what do you think I am? Some little bimbo who fucked up her marriage and is now looking for a cave? I admit to still feeling guilty about screwing up on David but what's done is done. I've come to a big city to find someone to live with until I feel I can cope with another try at marriage. If you are unattached at the moment perhaps you'll like to try me out and find out if we have anything going and can stick for a month or two, even longer. It doesn't matter if that has no appeal. We can skip the bed play and I'll cook and wash for you until I pin down a suitable abode."

"You mean I can fuck you?"

"God Dick, do you have to be so crude? Yes, be my guest -- tonight would be fine because I haven't had it for a few weeks."

The female bartender dropped both their drinks and melted. "I'm s-so sorry. F-fresh drinks on the h-house."

"Haven't you have it for a while either darling?" Jessie said to the bartender who bit her lip and shook her head.

Leaving the bar Dick made a call and at main exit indicated to Jessie to get into the front passenger seat of a big black Mercedes sedan. He tipped the attendant when he came to open Dick's door and got behind the wheel.

"This car smells new."

"Very new, I only took delivery early yesterday afternoon. A bit too pretentious do you think?"

"Depends what you do. You certainly dress sharp and your clients might expect you to drive this level of automobile. What do you do? Molly said you work to make money. I'm sure most people would define their work like that but Molly looked ever so serious."

"I employ some people and I buy rundown companies, use my experts to turn them around and to quit them within twelve months at a minimum of 100% profit -- the theoretical target is 500%."

"Do you always succeed?"

"No, sometimes we suck the dummy, usually because I proceeded with a purchase too quickly instead of backing off or working longer on revival planning. The majority of the mistakes are mine."

"This isn't an apartment -- this is a palace."

"My offices are minimal so I usually conduct negotiations here."

"It's exquisite luxury Dick. Where do I sleep?"

"Where do you want to sleep -- there's a choice of two bedrooms?"

"With you is fine."

"Okay, toss your bag in the bedroom between the his and her bathrooms. Then come back here after a quick look round."

"Right, as you can see I'm back."

"Want a drink?"

"No, may I unzip you."

"My pleasure. Please proceed."

A little under five minutes later Jessie wiped her face and asked, "What now?"

He sat forward on his leather lounge chair and smiled, a smile she interpreted accurately. She stepped right up to him and she pulled up her skirt. Dick unclipped her stockings and asked, "Have you stockings in your bag?"

Jessie said several pair so he left them on, now aware there was no problem should they became laddered or torn in the melee. He removed her garter belt and pulled down her panties and as she carefully stepped out of them put his nose close and sniffed heartily, twice.

"Oh God," she whimpered, placing a hand softly on his head. He began licking and she spread her feet, bowed her legs and with great control tilted her vulva up towards his mouth, improving his play area. As soon as he heard the first pants he stood and taking a firm grip just above her knees he marched to the dinning table. She raining his face with kisses while maintaining balance by holding him around his shoulders.

"The table? I can't recall doing it on a table. Of course on chairs, sofas, a bed and on a rug on the ground."

"What about back on against a wall?"

"No?"

"In a tiny toilet on an aircraft?"

"No."

"Across a neighbor's low hedge?"

"No."

"In a fitting room in a clothing store."

"No, but I've sometime thought about that."

"Well, here we use the table."

"It will be uncomfortable won't it?"

"Only initially and then if I'm any good you won't be aware of where you are, whether it's today, yesterday or tomorrow. You see it's a great height for me to bang you."

"Bang?"

"If I tell you what that means you'll accuse me of being crude. Open wide darling."

Twenty minutes later after she'd peaked three times to his twice Jessie called for rest time. "Ohmigod, when you put my legs son to your shoulders and pushed I did think I was into tomorrow."

"Good eh?" he grinned.

"Perhaps I'll get use to it but at present I feel if there's too much more of that on the table I'll be an old woman before my time. I have to say for the first time in my sex life I truly feel fucked."

"That's really crude," Dick grinned, but it was great for me too."
"Really?"

"Truly. I think this old man needs to sit down. Go to the bathroom. Drink water if you wish but I'll fetch champagne in a minute."

Jessie stayed with Dick for nineteen months and then the department store hired a replacement assistant general manager and the newcomer couldn't keep his eyes off the recently promoted head buyer of the huge perfumery. She talked to Dick about it and he said go for it, so one day when Barrie came into her office she left her chair and got on her knees. They married two months later.

Dick refused to go to the wedding and Jessie finally persuaded to tell him why. He told her about Josie and going home with Jessie's mother one afternoon when her father was away and said, sheepishly, both Josie and her mother would be at the wedding. Jessie then told him her aunt's house was right next to Josie's and after telling him what a lovely person Josie was went on to talk about Kade at length. Tyson was briefly described, the phrase a young scoundrel coming up twice and then he heard how little Carolyn and Kade bonded so well it was almost unbelievable.

"Kade is such a kind soul," Jessie commented.

`That comment reached deep into Dick and that changed his mind about leaving Pryde City at the time of the wedding. Instead he took a room in a small boutique hotel opposite and up the street a little from the church on the day of the wedding and sat with binoculars in his room to scan the arrival of people from just after 1:30. Finally he spotted the McDermott family, giving him the opportunity of seeing them for the first time since he'd left them, and looking at Carolyn -- now almost eight -- for the first time.

It was eerie, Dick supposed it was like the feeling of turning the clock forward significantly and yet he didn't have the feeling he was violating people's space or privacy. Yes, it was just eerie. He had a good view of the family as they walked up the slight rise on the same side of the street as the church. It was so perfect he thought he'd written the script. They'd come early so they were not crowded by other arrivals and had no need to hurry. He struggled with rising emotion.

He first sighted Rex, Josie and Tyson who looked uncomfortable in his new suit and wishing he were somewhere else than destined to sit bored in church and forbidden to move off or even talk above a whisper. Looking behind them and glimpsed the blonde hair of Kade. His chest tightened and his breathing checked but he said, "Relax" and he did. Kade wore a happy smile and bent a little to listen to Carolyn who looked quite a lot like her older sister but was fair-headed rather than blonde. Kade's hair was much longer and lighter color than he remembered and her noticed the lipstick. Lipstick? Dick felt his lips open in a smile -- well if Josie thought that was okay it was okay. He didn't have to calculate. Kade would soon turn sixteen. Kade. He remembered Josie telling him that when pregnant with her first child she'd found Kade was an ancient Scottish name and looking it up in Random Library to her delight found it was almost always used as a boy's name. The word 'almost ' leapt out at her, so she'd waited for the opportune moment to put her choice to Rex for endorsement.

The McDermott's appeared to all be in new clothes. The two girls ran past their parents and brother, Kade running her free hand down the side of her new dress and letting Carolyn's hand go turned in a happy whirl to say something to her mother, walking backwards as she did so, and her sister copied her.

Rex and Josie had both put on weight but not excessively. Rex's hair had thinned at the top and probably showed a bald pack from behind. He sported the start of a jowl. If Josie had a few gray hairs he couldn't see them and wouldn't see them from that distance and beside, she wore a little hat with black lace hanging at the front and the hat was tilted cutely. He knew he felt he was looking at his mother, his second mother. He'd placed her in that position within hours of learning she was pregnant with Carolyn when thinking she was extending herself again as the perfect mother. He'd just felt the need to be included, not that he'd ever tell anyone, not even Josie. Then again when he married Kade perhaps he would call them family, a little beforehand.

He looked at Kade again, knowing his mind was painting her more beautifully than she really appeared, not that it mattered. To him her beauty came from within and probably only her mother saw what he saw, perhaps Rex to some extent. As they backed on to him at an oblique angle to walk up the steps to the church he saw Kade's legs looked a little like pea sticks but reassured himself her mother still had reasonably great legs from what he could see so Kade could have inherited her mom's leg-shaping gene.

The family disappeared into the church and Dick leaned back with a big sigh and then poured himself a wine. It was the first time he'd seen the family in a little over six years.

Twenty-minutes later he watched the groom and his attendants arrive and later came the bride with her party. He was so happy for Jessie as she was a great lady and more than eager for her second chance. Dick was certain he could have found her someone who'd be the perfect match for her but she seemed happy with Barrie and what else mattered? Besides, hadn't her first husband thought he'd found the perfect match in Jessie? Oh yeah! He nodded in approval at seeing Jessie in white. He had been going to suggest white but then thought Jessie had gotten well over the blip in her life and he'd found she wasn't at all interested in following conventions, very much like himself. Dick had occasionally thought that if it hadn't been for Kade he'd married Jessie. Er, if she would have him. He'd finally told her about Kade, expecting to be berated but she didn't. She just said one word, "Jesus" and looked at him with great kindness. Actually for a moment he thought he was looking at Josie's face nine years ago when he came into her life.

He recalled that occasion. Like the way women do when they have to think after being confronted, Jessie went out and made coffee. She returned and sat on his knee and traced a forefinger over his face and said, "You know, I don't at all think you are sick. In fact I think it's sweet. Of you do what you've told me and stay right out of her life until you think she's mature enough to cope with you coming back into her life again with a motive that is disclosed to her, you could very well get lucky. Then again..." Dick sealed her lips with his hand and Jessie being Jessie knew she'd said enough. He told her about his life from the beginning, putting everything in context. Jessie had known he was and orphan and how he came to life with the McDermott's but this time he presented the complete picture.

Dick finished the story and Jessie leaned right up against him on the sofa and said, "Now I definitely know you don't have a sick mind about this. Earlier I possessed a hint of doubt. Just take it easy as you have been doing and when you do made your approach, just remember not to scare the crap out of Kade. She could feel unreasonably pressured. My advice is to involve Josie."

"I'd figured to do that."

"Good boy."

They went to sleep on the sofa.

* * *

After Jessie made her hit on Barrie, she waited. When Barrie invited her to move in with him she asked for twenty-four hours to think about it and went back to Dick's apartment and packed. Early that evening Dick helped load her possessions into the SUV cab he'd ordered and waved her off after some passionate kissing. Jessie went over to surprise Barrie. As the delighted Barrie helped unload the cab Jessie was content, knowing Dick had been neatly erased from her life although later Dick and his lady of the moment would sometimes go to a restaurant with Barrie and Jessie, Dick being introduced the first time as Jessie's old friend 'from way back' and the two guys got along well.

The same level of benign deceit occurred over Dick's wedding present. Jessie couldn't decide what she'd like but was definite about not wanting jewelry. So he said what if he bought her an apartment nearer when they worked, as their leased apartment was not very conveniently situated. Jessie said factiously that would be very nice and of course found herself being introduced to a saleswoman from a realty firm next morning. Dick's agile mind worked out how the purchase could be explained satisfactorily to Barrie.

"Have you told him much about your previously marriage?"

"Little beyond I was married to a guy and found it just didn't work out."

Dick smiled. "So you haven't told him you were enriched in the carve up prior to divorce?"

"No, of course not and that didn't happen. I felt so guilty I told him to keep the car and the house with its big mortgage and the settlement proceeded on that basis, although I did get a little over five thousand bucks that was in our joint 'baby' account."

"Well then...?"

"What?"

"You lie a little for Barrie's benefit. You tell him you received money from your divorce settlement, and that's basically true, and that you've decided to reinvest it in an apartment to live in after your marriage. He'll kick up and say he'd not going to live in an apartment paid for by his wife so you cry hysterically, accuse him of not loving you and mortified he'll rush to you then you calm down and say, sniffing, then perhaps he could put aside some of his earnings towards buying a cabin at the lakes."

Jessie had boggled and finally said to Dick, "You know, that's so dumb it's likely to work."

She and Barrie found an apartment they both liked and Jessie 'purchased' it with the check Dick gave her. She'd blubbered against Dick when he handed over the check and said that no woman was worth that amount for nineteen months of living with a guy and was told that was not the point: what else did Dick have to spend his money on until he married Kade and that was years and years away? Jessie was kind enough to tell him that made sense and she thanked him with kisses after he declined her offer to spread across the table. He hugged her and said, "Reluctantly I decline -- your belong to Barrie now."

* * *

Almost two years later Dick and his new PA Cheryl at that time went to the Jessie and Barrie's apartment for Sunday lunch and when Barrie was out on the balcony with Cheryl the very pregnant Jessie said, "Cheryl is very chic, I guess you are um?"

"No, but I feel it's looming."

"Dick, she's married."

"All the good ones are married Jessie. She's bored, saying her husband spends too much time with his pals. He's out fishing with some of them today."

Jessie smiled. "Oh, I stayed a few days my aunt in Random recently and of course visited the McDermott's several times and we had dinner with them one evening. Your girlfriend is so sweet and I have to admit she does radiate something -- definitely a softness. Josie has it too, but not to the same extent. Kade turns sixteen next month. Why don't you send her a lovely present? You can do that without revealing your whereabouts. I'm suggesting this because it will be a surprise to the whole family and they'll talk about you and something of that will be locked away in Kade's mind. Women tend to think about people who give them presents long after the event, unlike men. You could also do it when she turns eighteen and twenty. I guess the next landmark age is thirty but if you fail to make your move before then she'll be well married."

Before Dick could reply the others re-entered the lounge. He did managed to whisper, "Great idea."

Leaving the apartment building Dick said to Cheryl, "What would you like to do now?"

She smiled and said with a wee frown, "Go home I suppose. What would you like to do?"

"You."

She gasped. "Dick, I'm married."

"So?"

She looked at him and he stared right back until she colored and said, "All right. I have thought about it. Let's do it."

Chapter 11

After putting a very happy Cheryl into a cab, Dick returned to the apartment and tidied it but instead of thinking about Cheryl, who'd turned out to be sexier than he'd anticipated, he began thinking of a gift for Kade. He knew nothing about gifts for a sixteen year old but thought of a pretty dress, TV set or music center, movie camera...and that was it. He decided on a compact digital movie camera.

Next day as Dick was about to cross over to a camera store a woman in a pink WV beetle thing came out of the parking space behind him. In her race to fill the gap between vehicles she almost clipped him. He scowled and the blonde, no older than eighteen, smiled and blew him a kiss.

A car!

That would blow Kade away. It was a cheap shot, although with an expensive price tag, but it was in the best interest of them both, wasn't it? He didn't know and closed his mind on that issue. He returned to his office and began to look at cars, starting with Mercedes sports cars and then looked at BMW's, and something Italian and Cadillac's and then thought of pink Volkswagen's. He finally decided he liked pink best so called Molly.

"Are you all right," she said anxiously.

"Yeah why?"

"Although you've had my cell phone number you only ever email me. I thought this was an emergency."

"Oh, look, I need to do a little deal with a vehicle dealers in Ransom, an outfit that has a Volkswagen agency in its line-up of new cars."

"There will be several where you live."

"I know, I want to buy Kade a car for her sixteenth -- it's coming up very shortly, and I need you to find the date or rather, the date of the party. Can you do that for me without raising suspicion?"

"A car, a new car. Are you sure that's wise?"

"It's what I want to do, although I'll disclose my name and after I make the purchase I guess Rex will have to become involved."

"Okay, you could get the dealership to get Rex to deliver the car. Once your name is disclosed to him he'll know what this is about as you've told me he and Josie know about the connection you have with Kade."

"Yes. Will you do it?"

"Yes, of course."

"Can she drive?"

"That's highly likely as she is a very forward girl and her mom remains permissive and I mean that in the nicest way. She cannot become licensed until she turns sixteen of course."

"So this could be a dumb gift?"

"Very dumb but nothing's going to stop you, is it?"

"Thanks Molly. Oh I'm living alone again. Jessie married a while ago. Anytime you feel like coming here for a conference or shopping, just email me."

"I'm ageing Dick, hopefully still slowly."

"Aren't we all?"

"You are in the position of plucking anyone from the cream of the crop, the younger generation."

"Was that word I just heard 'plucking'?"

She laughed and when he said he wanted to be with her again and again she sighed and said she would visit him again, probably soon, and he wasn't to over-expect.

He laughed and she would have caught the fondness in that laugh, he thought, fondly. Molly had been his first real experience at being with a woman. What he'd done with the superintendent's wife, at most, could only be called rutting.

Dick replaced Kade's car for her eighteenth birthday and upgraded her car again on her twentieth birthday. Since Christmas of her sixteenth year he'd sent Christmas presents for all of the family and one to Molly, and Molly delivered the presents to the McDermott family.

Of course Josie was all over Molly, demanding how could Dick send presents to Molly and Molly not have been in contract with him or have his return address. So Molly lied, saying he must have somehow found out her address. Molly was accused of lying but stood firm and denied it and she and her accuser remained good friends. Molly had hit the right button when she said, "Well Josie, we know he must be doing well when he can send us expensive presents like this." Thereafter when she delivered the presents on Christmas Eve she joined the McDermott family in wishing absent friend Dick Savage a merry Christmas and the best of luck in the New Year.

Chapter 12

The time for Dick to reveal himself to the McDermott family would come at Kade's graduation at the Fitzroy Business College. Dick decided that would be the appropriate moment after Molly emailed him when she learned that Kade had enrolled to do a double major in management and marketing. He worked that information around for a couple of days and concluded he could toss some money at the college. But then what?

He decided to talk to his office accountant Chad Miller as Chad had graduated in accounting and finance from FBC. At a bar that evening Chad agreed to make some enquiries and that resulted in Dick being hosted at a lunch at the college where he was known for his small contributions to one-off projects and he'd been a summer school student there for three years soon after he established in business. If the FCB computer threw up the fact before that Dick had worked on staff parking security no mention was made to him about it. As a result of lunch meeting Dick signed up for his company to donate $50,000 a year for four years to support the center for career services. He asked that in recognition of his support that in four years' time he be invited to assist in the presentation of degrees to management and marketing students It seemed a strange request to make and he was questioned about that and all Dick would say he liked the idea of doing that, being a self-made businessman without a tertiary qualification. That odd request was written into the agreement.

That $200,000 to be donated over four years seemed a heavy price to pay for the privilege of handing Kade her degree (Molly had informed that that Kade was positioned and with proven ability to graduate from high school within the top ten students of her year) but to Dick his gesture had nothing to do with money. It was to do with Kade being astonished to see him called on-stage and her parents talking to her excitedly about it and, all going well, they would dine out as a family again before Kade rushed off with her boyfriend to party or whatever. If all went well Kade would then be aware of the company she'd visited and would accepted a graduate job with it, finding later it was Dick's company.

Dick knew he had almost four years to work out how he could keep his name out of Kade's eye during the recruitment process. The business was growing so perhaps he could disappear behind a board and a CEO? He was happy to invest in Fitzroy as he'd already take on other graduates from there and other Fitzroy graduates had come to him after gaining business experience elsewhere.

Eighteen months later, a deputation from Fitzroy visited Dick and spoke to him about being $860,000 short on funding. Dick had Chad Miller with him and during a break while coffee was served he noticed Chad had the deputation leader bailed up and watched the professor slap Chad on the back and then huddle over his phone.

"Dick," said Professor Bruce Meadows when discussion resumed. "We were hoping to put the squeeze on you for one hundred thou but a more ambitious and may I say audacious proposal it now tabled. It has come to our attention that four years ago you won the Business Person of the Year in the and your business has increased its turnover hugely each year under your stewardship. Our college administration forbids us to woo donors with the promise of honors but even so, high achievement cannot pass unmarked. I have briefly contacted the president of FBC and the vice-president of management and marketing and have authority to say if you covered the fully $860,000 in short funding FBC would fell obliged to confer on you an honorary masters degree in business studies at graduation this year. We leave now and ask that you contemplate becoming one of FBC's largest single benefactors."
"Thank you Bruce but guys please stay for a drink. Chad will deliver you the check within ten days. I request no prior publicity, not a word and insist on that. I wish to have the honorary degree conferred at graduation three and a half years from now. I have my own quirky reason for requesting that Bruce. Okay?"

"It's very okay Dick," Bruce said beaming, watching Chad open the concealed bar. "This is a very auspicious day for Fitzroy Business College," Bruce pontificated, and then asked for whisky.

When the FBC team of five left, Dick asked Chad to stay and poured them both another wine. He then swore Chad to secrecy and gave him a précis of his life and then revealed Kade was eighteen months into her management and marketing studies degree at FBC.

"Ah, so."

"Is that Mandarin Chad?"

They laughed.

Chad said he thought he was bright but had been unable to figure out Dick's increasing connection with FBC. "It just didn't appear normal but your background briefing makes it all fit into place."

Dick look prepared to take it on the chin. "You don't think me eyeing a young woman twelve years my junior rather makes me a dirty old man?"

"Hell no because if I did what would that make me? Judith is almost ten years younger than me."

"Really? I just thought she was one of those women who spend enough on face, hair and figure to keep looking young."

They laughed and then Dick said they needed to rewrite the company's strategic plan. "When we try to recruit Kade in her final year I want no evidence that I exist around here. My plan is to unveil all at her graduation ceremony."

"I see. That makes sense. You mean hit her with a blockbuster?"

"She and family actually. Hopefully the big surprise ends with me being invited to dine with them and that starts me being reincorporated into my adopted family."

"Smart move. I like it. You realize of course you've invested a million bucks-plus and could end up with a paper degree and nothing else to show for it?"

"Of course. When have you not know me to write in risk factors?"

"Well said. Knowing your Midas touch it will come off."

Dick smiled and said he liked to think so but was aware he was dealing with a female. "Anything could happen."

Laughing, Chad said, "Believe me, just about everything will. So why re-write the strategic plan?"

"We need to crank up our performance a few notches to justify having a small board with me as chairman and you as CEO, a permanent arrangement of course but I want to be out of range when Kade comes in here to look us over. We cannot offer her pre-graduation work experience here because she'd be bound to find out about me."

"Well, put her out on work experience with a field team but brief them about your desire to cover your tracks."

"Oh yeah, good idea. That's an example why I want you as CEO."

"That includes a big fat salary rise of course."

Dick's back straightened and he leant on his elbows, folding his fingers. "Are we negotiating?"

"Let's wait until we work on the business plan for the year we form the board."

"We don't have to wait 3.4 years for that. If we pump up sooner we might justify having the board and a CEO sitting on his fat ass sooner."

"Right. Now, here's something else. Have you considered your little girl may turn her nose up at your fake, er, honorary degree."

"Yeah, I'll be ready for that."

Chad held out his empty glass. "What say I look around for a reputable business teaching institution offering an online degree that's not rooted in tradition?"

"What?"

"That's your favorite response when someone hits you with something you require thinking time before reacting?"

"What?"

"Well that a one-word confirmation. I reckon I can land you with a solid bachelor's in business studies gained in no more than two years because (a) your business experience particularly your depth of business experience will be taken into account together with your full CV listing all your credits and, (b) kids leaving high school and entering business studies are virtually as green as grass -- for instance they think the bottom line is the bottom line of a page. You, my friend, would begin your online studies with tutors assigned to you aware you know about almost every aspect about business from basic accounting to taxation law and you are a master negotiator, are capable of completing an accurate due diligence when buying a failing business without any assistance -- well, with you there is no end. I honestly can't see you taking much over a year before you are ready to be examined."

"Well, I suppose I've learned a lot."

"And that's the point I'm making -- get a genuine degree before you turn thirty-five otherwise you'll never bother."

"Hmmm. Perhaps you could look into it for me."

"Thank you boss," Chad grinned. My pals told me I was mad leaving the safe job I had to come to work for you, a two-bit operator without academic qualifications. But I'd sat with you for less than thirty minutes as you explained your vision and by then I knew I was making the right move. As soon as you return your first papers for marking those tutors will know they have a student who ought to be taking his masters."

"Crap."

"Perhaps, perhaps not. I'll keep on your back as you are not a nose-to-the-grindstone sort of guy."

Two days later Chad sat with Dick. "I've found it, an online business administration degree program designed for a working professional with significant full-time work experience, to earn a baccalaureate degree at an accelerated pace. It combines core course work with experiential credit to gain a contemporary business degree. There is one problem -- enrolment requires an associate's degree or equivalent. But there is hope. If you appear before an special assessment committee it may waive the entry requirement provided within six months of your commencement of the program its assessment of your work satisfies the committee your output exceeds associate degree level."

Dick scrubbed his chin. "Is that good?"

"Yes, far better than summary rejection. There is the risk you might work for up to six months and fail the review assessment, but I can't see that happening to you."

"Taking risks is part of me. Anything else that appealed to you?"

Chad said, "Two more things. It is a highly regarded institution and the program is aimed exactly at you -- you earn your degree at, and I quote, 'At an accelerated pace'. I've examined the course program and it aims at sharpening you in particular areas where you would benefit from a more rounded education such as critical thinking, financial analysis and computer studies."

Dick agreed it seemed right for him. "When can I go before the special review committee?'

"This Friday at 2:30 or wait six weeks for the committee's next meeting. It involves a three-hour flight to get to them plus city travel. I have spoken to the chairman and he suggests I accompany you and having me at your side as a student with my accountancy and law qualifications will impress his four colleagues, or so he said."

"Right, let's do it. Best you get Diane to make the bookings. My CV is on the computer and you know enough to update it. Should we mention the Fitzroy funding?"

"Why not, it shows your heart is academically in the right place."

Three weeks later Dick had enrolled and started his studies but found the reading heavy going, as he was skilled at speed-reading but poor at critical reading. Chad suggested he talk to Professor Meadows at FBC about hiring one of his tutors for after-hours coaching. Bruce asked did Dick have any particular requirements such as age, sex and experience. Dick joked mid twenties and sexy and Bruce roared with laughter and said from what Dick had told him he'd possible finish inside two years if he pushed it and said he'd send someone he had in mind to talk to Dick.

Dick's mouth dropped at Bruce's idea of what constituted a mid-twenties and sexy tutor. Bruce looked around fifty-five and in sending Penny he thought he couldn't have picked better himself, but alas she looked displeased when Dick explained what he had had in mind: reading passages she selected to him and discussing them to accelerated his understanding.

She yawned. Before she had time to stand up to leave, he said, "Possibly accomplished in quiet corners of bars on quiet nights."

She yawned a little less obviously when he added, "And then at restaurants."

He decided to take the big risk -- "and after eating, sex back at my apartment."

She looked at him almost offended and said she had a steady boyfriend.

"Well he'd better learn to be competitive or he'll need to find someone else."

Penny laughed and noted Dick's eyes on her chest-high wobble. Her eyes narrowed as she said, "Any chance of us starting on reading this evening?"

He yawned a little and said yes and five nights later she moved in with him and said the accommodation was so lovely and convenient it was likely she'd stayed until he graduated in June two years away. She lasted almost a year before she left after a row over not going on vacation because Dick preferred to spend extra time on a study research project. Penny must have said something because just over a week later Susanne arrived at his office to be considered as Penny's replacement.

"Professor Meadows sent me."

"Do you know what's involved?" Dick said to the very shapely 24-year-old.

"Yes."

"When could you start coaching me?"

"I have my possessions in my car in your parking lot."

Dick called Prof Meadows to thank him and arranged to meet for a drink. Thereafter they met at least twice a month with Chad and some of Bruce's colleagues joining them.

Beryl, Margo and then Zoë came later as coaches. Dick took Chad and his wife Judith and Zoë to his graduation ceremony. They had a wonderful time because Dick was out to have fun and they stayed in luxury hotel suites for two nights. On the flight home when drinking with Chad, the two women asleep, Dick said, "Well pal, thanks once again. I know the tutors were of great assistance to me but you were the instigator and initial driving force. In the office tomorrow we begin implementing our restructuring, staring negotiating your salary and benefits as our inaugural CEO, effective from the day after we sign your three-year contract."

Dick said, "When that occurs I'm going to look seriously at buying the city's decrepit flower and fruit and vegetable wholesale markets. I was down there with Zoë last Friday and honestly, it now looks the pits. The council rejected our offer of $5 million eighteen months ago and demanded $7.85 and refused to negotiate. Well 25% of that council either retired or lost their seats at the recent elections so I think I'll have another look at it. I'm thinking of getting a video made of what the facilities are like now and having old film spliced in showing what the they looked like fifteen years ago when they were new. I'll them probably offer them $4.5 million."

"That's barely the value of the land."

"I know but I have to convince them why hang on to a dated facility that will cost them big bucks to rebuild."

"Will it?"

"About $5 million should do it."

Chad sighed. "That means we'd have to find a buyer willing to pay $20 million. I don't think you'll find such a person."

"Who's saying a person?"

"Well a company then."

Dick smiled at Chad's growing irritation.

Chad caught the smile. "What then -- forming a syndicate?"

Dick smiled triumphantly: "Public ownership -- selling it back to the Council."

For a moment it Chad appeared to be won over and then his smile faded: "That's cheeky -- but it's a huge risk. You could be broke before Kade's graduation."

"Kade, how is it you remembered her name?"

"I have a niece who's doing the same double major."

Dick's face was easy to read but he said carefully, "How's Kade doing?"

"Charlene says everyone likes her and without appearing to put in the effort she appears near top in almost everything. That probably means we can't afford her."

"Too bad."

"Do you want details?"

"No, just knowing she'd doing well is a comfort."

Shortly after that Dick and Bruce went on to dinner together, Dick's current woman 'friend' was a new PA and also married so she was expected home for dinner and Bruce's wife Carole was out to dinner with a group of wives/partners of professors and senior tutors from Bruce's college. Bruce asked Dick was he involved in anything new and was told about the wholesale market revival concept.

"Well, that's new," Bruce said. "It's right outside your usual orbit involving financial and human resource reconstruction rather than focusing on physical reconstruction."

"Yes."

"What's brought this on?"

"The desire for a challenge, probably my last opportunity. I plan to marry one of your students sometime next year so thereafter he could be diverted away from risk-taking."

Dick bit his lip thinking he'd not meant to make that slip but thought he'd gotten away with it because Bruce shook his head and said if Dick was thinking about risk then he'd was looking in the face of an angry bull with big horns if he took on the markets.

"How's that?" Dick asked casually, looking around the restaurant to check on the quality of women diners.

"This is hush-hush because it was a confidential approach to avoid angry protests from within and from those who pay local taxes."

"Okay, you have my assurance."

"Officials came to us a few months ago with a project to rebuild the markets, seeking advice about possible income levels from leasing space based on the new environment. We advised them to walk away from it as their plans were too ambitious and would be economically disastrous."

"Oh, so what was the estimated cost of capitalization after rebuilding?"

"Fifty to fifty-four million."

Dick almost levitated from his chair. "I see, they intended to reconstruct in gold plated steel?"

Bruce laughed and beckoned the wine waitress. "Someone on our team made similar comment and we were given a tirade about the cost of appraisal and the designers and other consultants racking up fees because the client was the Council and the second-level public viewing galleries above the market floors added tremendously to redevelopment costs through the provision of two elevators at each end and the huge cost of public safety barriers. It also was to have an intricate and outrageously expensive domed roof."

"Viewing galleries? Over a marketplace?" Dick said, shocked. "The viewers would be in isolation, not being in the center of the action that makes marketplace environments so vibrant in noise, color and action."

"Were you at the meeting? That's exactly what the guys from the Council were told but they just didn't want to listen."

They laughed and as Bruce was eyeing the ass of the departing wine waitress he said casually, "Which student?"

Dick's heart sank but an excellent friendship had developed between him and the older man. A father figure? Perhaps. He asked for total confidentiality and then told Bruce.

"Ah, this is my guess. Kade doesn't know of your interest yet. She graduates June next year, fifteen months away which explains why you want to assist in handing out the certificates at convocation."

"Certificates?"

"Certifying completion of the degree program. The actual degree scrolls are mailed out some two to three months later."

"Yes, you are correct about your thinking, she doesn't know of my interest in her and won't know until the evening of the ceremony or soon after." Dick then briefly traced his earlier association with Kade.

Grinning, Bruce then set about exploding Dick's concept of Kade. "For what it's worth, Kade suits you to the hilt. She's highly energized, beautiful, intelligent and outrageously sexy."

"Outrageously sexy? Are we talking about the same young woman?"

"We only have and ever had on student called Kade. Kade McDermott from some town I'd never heard of..."

"Random."

"Yes, that's it. She's been before the student disciplinary committee twice -- last year with five other female students involved in a tighty-whities raid of a dorm of first year males, most of who were asleep in their briefs. Such raids were outlawed almost fifty years ago and have been so at our college but seemed to have slipped out of being specified as a college rule until reinserted again this year. Then this year she and another female student were caught apparently having a groupie with part of the swim team -- five guys if I recall correctly and of course they all denied it, claiming the two women were keen to learn nude wrestling holds. Both times she was very lucky, getting off with severe rebukes because both times they luckily appeared before all-male committees. She's a bit of a hell-raiser Dick. When did you last see her?"

Dick returned later to his apartment still in partial daze at learning Kade was considered to be outrageously sexy. And being involved in a groupie! He was confused, having worries at the back of his mind that he might be too big for little Kade and she might walk away from him calling him something like 'a disgusting lecher who prays on poor defenseless women' when she learned from other people that he was, er, a little promiscuous. Um, perhaps more than a little. But hunched over his coffee on the table that, considering one of his uses for it made it an inappropriate place to be thinking about Kade. He smiled at last. Never in his life had he had sex with any woman who anywhere near fitted the title of being a poor defenseless woman. His smile broadened when he thought of Kade's mother. Josie had not experience any problem when he slipped into her -- taking him all the way!

The next day he received a courier packaged from Professor Bruce Meadows with a note attached to read page 5. It was a college magazine and page 5 contained an item about 'Student of the Month' but it was the big photo of Kade that captured his attention. She was a solid girl, a tad over-weight perhaps with magnificent boobs, slightly rounded stomach and the skirt was so small he could see she had magnificent legs, thighs to die for as well he might. But above all was a huge sexy smile framed by long very light blonde hair. Dick was amused by his rogue thought: "I'm almost panting."

Newly appointed CEO Chad came in to help prepare the purchase bid to acquire ownership of the wholesale markets from the Council.

"Christ," he groaned. "Young women who look like that ought to be banned."

They snickered and he added, "But with this one exception of course. We can imagine that underneath this college look lies a lady."

Later the next day Bruce returned Dick's call. "You liked the quality of our magazine?"

"Yeah, thanks. Most interesting. I thought one of the illustrations was a bit R18."

When the laughter died Dick said he had a proposition. He expected a Council request for a meeting any day soon. "We've just sent them our proposal to buy and redevelop the wholesale markets and added the carrot of buy-back at agreed commercial value appraisal plus a 100% margin for the developer taking awesome risks."

"And you think they'll buy that?"

"Yes, Chad and I figure the purchase price will come in under $30 million."

Bruce whistled. "You think you can redevelop for $15 million including purchase price?"

"Keep that under your hat Bruce. Our philosophy is to present an improved environment to sellers, service providers, buyers and visitors. We have no intention of building a grandiose monument to councilors of the day like their abandoned $50 million edifice. Nor do we propose handing across outrageous fees to environment consultants and their kin. Basic architectural and engineering consultants will do us fine. Now, my reason for calling with your cooperation and the big carrots. I have decided to expose myself, in the business sense, to Kade. Our project plans provides payment up to a maximum of $100,000 for her management class to work through the next 12 months, if we buy the facility, as project management consultants, and similar fees to Kade's marketing class, to market the project to the city to maximize acceptance and to produce a marketing plan to precipitate a Council buy-back."
"Jesus."

"I have faith in people I do business with Bruce."

"B-but if we fail we would cost you millions."

The word for that is possibly unknown to academics my friend, it's called 'risk'.

"You're not losing your mind on overdosing on that image of Kade are you?"

"Bruce, this is business. I worked on this with Chad and he's no yes man and that's why he works for me. I know he's a graduate with one of his degrees from Fitzroy, but I trust him to remain properly focused. His one work for this alignment plan with your senior classes was 'Inspired!" That's good enough for me Bruce so just adjust the teaching schedule into next year a little to allow for some real hands-on business involvement with a community project that will be hailed as possibly a great enhancement for the city. You and your tutors will be crafty enough to ensure we are billed for the full $200,000."

"I'd like to think about it."

Dick sensed the worry. He suggested Bruce take no longer than forty-eight hours. "I'd then would like you and one of your colleagues who'll be involved to join our negotiating team when be are invited to meet Council negotiators."

"Why."

"To pacify any concerns about student involvement and to leave the impression that this revival of private reconstruction has come from Fitzroy Business College that there is a better way than the fancy proposal previously discussed with Fitzroy reps."

"God, you're not just a pretty face are you? Now you listen to me, if this project proceeds I want you to show up on graduation day next year although you will have unmasked to Kade."

"Thank you, I had proposed doing that as I also wish to astound Kade's parents. Kade will be required to keep my association with her a secret."

"Well, that's no business of mind. Just be there, okay."

"Okay but there's no big deal. We have a written agreement on that. Oh, one more thing -- please don't appoint Kade as team leader for both teams in an attempt to grovel up to me. Just let the two classes elect their leader which is the normal practice."

"All right, I was thinking of appointing her leader of one team but I'll pull back and have no influence on that. Since when have I ever groveled?"

"Pal it was necessary for me to drop in the term to fire you up. After all you are an academic. Keep cool. Call me within forty-eight hours."

"Okay. I cannot imagine us not being involved -- those students will go crazy with excitement. You'll be called in to explain it to them."

"That's fine but I'll be accompanied by Chad because I don't want to be in the limelight. It's not my style."

Six weeks later the Council voted unanimously to sell the wholesale markets to the recently restructured Business Revival Corporation for $4.4 million. A huge public outcry erupted although not all of it rabid criticism.

Chapter 13

Professor Meadows called a meeting of students soon to enter their final year in marketing and management business studies. The rumor was the college was in financial difficulties and next year's classes would be canned so Bruce was surprised to be greeted by a 100% turnout.

'Prof' talked about their involvement as consultants and saw relief on faces and wondered what that was about. The faces became animated until someone asked, "So we earn fees and keep them?"

"Yes you earn consultancy fees and no the department gets the payments and we'll have to split them with administration, taking the small end of the deal." When he read the faces he said, "but we'll all go out for dinner with drinks paid for with a deduction from earnings."

Faces brightened.

Bruce then described how the project was innovative and it was great tribute to have the college pulled into such a hands-on involvement running for some ten months.

A student called out, "Okay, that's the puffery. What's the project?"

"The reconstruction and selling of the city wholesale markets. The big challenge for the management team is locating a temporary relocation site for the traders and then recommending the staged construction program and how disruption to the city -- particularly in respect of traffic movement -- should be managed. The marketing team's biggest challenges are recommending how the project should be sold to the public, how the criticism of the sale of a Council-owned asset being sold to private enterprise to profit from and then planning how the property should be sold back to the Council for a price it is bound to be unwilling to pay."

"Ohmigod, that's a disaster waiting to happen, Prof. How could you involve us in this?"

"Sally, the challenge for you guys is for the management team and the marketing team to combine to ensure the outcome is success rather than disaster. This is real life business you are being saddled with, something called high-risk vision. We have to ensure the visionaries don't get their glasses fogged up. Two of them will be here tomorrow to explain the project to you in detail providing this meeting today commits to involvement. The company wants nothing less than a 75% vote in favor from you."

"Why not 100%."

"You won't want to hear the explanation."

"But you nevertheless are going to tell us Prof, aren't you."

"The principal of the development company said in any group there's always 25% of cowards, cop-out people or fat-ass pontificators so he'll accept 75% approval of people carrying the jerks."

"Who'd want to become involved with a jerk like that?"

"Let's can the idea Prof."

But one student turned the tide. "No. He's said that to rile us, to ensure we're all onside. Let's do it."

Adam called, "That has you elected as combined team leader Kade."

"Up yours Adam," Kade said, directing an obscene gesture at him.

Everyone including Prof and tutors laughed and Adam yelled, "I nominate Kade as joint-team leader."

"Someone yelled he backed that and Kade was elected.

The meeting fell silent.

"Is that it?" Bruce asked.

"Yeah, Kade's project leader and we'll elect both group leaders after we hear from these jerks tomorrow," Adam said. "No one is objecting so you have got your 100% vote in support."

"But not everyone..."

"Prof, college admin is not run democratically, so we learn by example," Adam grinned.

Kade complained, "But I haven't said if I'll accept the role of overall project leader,"

"Tough," Adam said, "What do you think this is, a democracy?"

"Well, that's a wrap. Buy this afternoon's newspaper and watch TV. The Mayor's announcement of the sale is bound to generate a roar of protest within the next couple or so days."

Amanda said the new owners should call a media conference tomorrow and outline their intentions and handout photographs showing how the markets look today and sketches of how they will look when completed and in use.

Someone called out the company wouldn't have had time to do sketches but Amanda disagreed, saying they must have presented concept sketches to persuade the Council to sell to the developing company.

Kade called out, "That's you elected as chairman of the marketing group Amanda. Grab the developer's address and contact from the Prof and get down there with a couple of smart-thinkers within the hour. There's no time to waste. I nominate Adam as chairman of management. No discussion? Then that's you elected -- get someone down to the Council for a copy of the traffic plan of the area and then this afternoon get out with split teams and begin looking for temporary accommodation for the markets. Remember to advise your tutors before leaving the college and log all work hours and expenses for billing. All legitimate expenses will be refunded won't they Prof, and that excludes alcohol and any food apart from take-outs."

"Yes Kade, but don't you think...?"

"Wait for those clowns to speak to us tomorrow morning? No way. We need to show them we're capable and smoking. Try to have some alternative sites located to advise them in the morning Adam."

"Yes ma'am."

"Try that once more Adam and you'll be out of here, transferred to finance."

Everyone verged on hysterics watching the look of horror on Adam's face.

Bruce read the afternoon newspaper about the sale of the wholesale markets to the Business Revival Corporation (BRC) under a photograph of the Council's director of property and strategic assets, the Mayor and Chad as CEO of BRC. The Mayor was quoted as saying, "This is a millstone off the neck of our Treasury -- our estimates for replacement came close to $50 million."

There was no mention of Dick's involvement and nor was there on TV which clearly showed the dilapidated state of the rambling markets.

"You are the consummate marketer Dick," Bruce said admiringly. "How the fuck you managed to involve the college I'll never understand."

"What was that dear?" asked his wife, the one word he'd used capturing her attention while reading her spicy novel. Bruce explained his admiration of Dick for selling concepts and did so omitting the F-word."

"Oh, I thought you were admitting to having an affair with one of your tutors or students."

"No, rest easy Carole. You are more than enough for me."

"Exactly what does that mean dear?"

"I've really no idea."

* * *

Next morning Bruce led Chad and Dick into the small lecture room filled with tutors and the marketing and management students soon to become seniors of the new academic year.

If the two visitors had expected the students to stand respectfully and clap they would have been disappointed. They were greeted by dead silence except a couple of coughs, a chair creaking and someone expelling wind. Chad was dressed like most accountants in a dark and lumpy suit and white shirt with collar one size too big and an excessively bright tie. Almost every student's gaze was on Dick, dressed in dark trouser, black plaited Italian shoes and white shirt with concealed buttoning worn outside his trousers and with a large exposed button on the band collar.

"Hi everyone," Bruce said calmly, standing between the two guests and not having a clue what was about to happen but confident Kade wouldn't disappoint.

"May I introduce on my left former graduate of this college, Chad Miller, CEO of Business Revival Corporation, and his boss who financially supports our department, Dick Savage.

"What?" shouted Kade, standing, color draining from her face.

"Hi Kade, how are Josie and Rex?"

"Dick!" screamed Kade, racing and almost tripping to hug and kiss the visitor as if she'd found a lost uncle.

"What's Kade on today?" Adam snickered.

Bruce smiled tolerantly. "So you know our distinguished guest Kade? Very touching. Please return to your seat. You can catch up after we've finished here. Chad, could you please say a few words about the project and in particular just how much reliance is your company placing on us to help with the success of this project?"

Chad said the students should not be apprehensive of the company's reliance on them as management and marketing consultants. "We are not cowboys at BRC, we plan and execute professionally and remain appropriately cynical about consultants although recognizing that everyone and any idea has its place within our assessment structure. We take advice but only commit after our own assessment. This project is a new area of business for us because we have not taken the helm of physical structural redevelopment previously apart from minor window dressing. So we do need advice. I attempted to steer the company away from this project because of the huge risks involved if the strategies collapse at the end if we have difficulty on-selling our creation. But the boss told us to commit and do it so here we are. The two prime needs are getting occupants off-site and happy and to meet our on-selling targets. We decided yesterday if we do meet those targets we'd hand a $5000 personal bonus check to each person in this room today -- excluding myself and the boss of course."

Pointing to two students, Chad said, "You and you, please record the names of everyone here and don't miss adding your own names. Thank you."

Bruce then called on Adam to report.

"Hi, I'm Adam Ryman, chairman of our management consulting team on this project. Thank you for giving us the opportunity for gaining hand-on experience. We've completed a quick study of traffic flows and yes there will be access problems for construction and traffic congestion arising from diversions because the site has three street boundaries. It seems logical to reconstruct in two stages to minimize disruption to the city. That would allow one half of the site to be used for storage and construction vehicle access and then the new half structure to be used for that role while the second section is constructed."

"Good thinking Adam, and we have already planned for that to happen because, as you said, it appears logical. Anything else?"

"Yes Chad. The redevelopment of the old railway freight sidings and sheds has been delayed for eighteen months due to foundation issues for high-rise so the developers have gone back to the drawing boards. That site is only 200 yards from the markets and the company vice-president told me yes it could be used for temporary markets but for no longer than a year and it was unlikely they'd be greedy about rents."

"That's magnificent Adam," Chad enthused. "I have some butt to kick back at the office. Our guys didn't come up with that option. I'll talk to you later. Bruce I met Amanda and her two associates yesterday who talked to us about marketing. We are having aerial stills and film done at 3:00 today when the sun will be best in illuminating the long frontage of the building showing the grime, sags in the rooflines and broken glazing. The photos and sketches will appear in The Sentinel and on the newspaper's website tomorrow and the film will be screened on Channel 8 for 'Behind the News' debate at 7:00 with our chief architect, our chief engineer and me representing the company against anyone the TV station puts up against us. The producer has managed to get a full hour so phone-in comments will be aired live. The civics bureau chief at The Sentinel called me just as I arrived here to gloat they have received eight scathing criticisms already against one email praising the sale. I have arranged for Amanda and me to be interviewed this afternoon by the civics bureau chief to explain why the FBC marketing unit has been involved. Your name and cooperative attitude will be mentioned Bruce. We are glad to have Amanda and her team on our side."

Bruce thanked Chad and Amanda and called on Kade to say a few words.

"I've been elected as overall project chairman. We are eager to play our part and this hands-on involvement will look good on our CVs and hopefully reflect positively on our final marks late into next year. Thank you."

Bruce invited Dick to speak.

"Hi guys. We're exited about this project as we always are until projects begin to falter. This one is our biggest project to date and by far. If it fails we'll be flushed down the toilet, but that's business, winners and losers. I'm not experienced at losing so no way do I intend going down that track. Our project planning is sound. Rather that rebuild a palatial edifice that the Council intended and which economically would have been a White Elephant, we have had designed a functional platform for buyers and sellers, far superior to what they have at present. It will look great inside and outside with some design feature that I am sure will be hailed as ingenious or adding character to building design in Pryde City. See it unveiled in The Sentinel in the morning. We have achieved this in consultation with the market's executive committee who were not approached before the Council unveiled to a select private few its White Elephant design that had to be scrapped because of the horrendous cost of maintenance and running costs. During the next month of two we must act to win public support and at least muffle strident criticism and the big key to success is selling the markets back to the Council for an inflated profit. Profit you may well say. Guys this is business but we aim to give value plus innovation in return. Thank you. Oh, you may have noticed Kade's behavior when she learned who I was. No, I don't believe she was on drugs. I believed she we pleased to see me. I lived with her parents when Kade was a cute six-year-old and left just after her 8th birthday. We had not communicated since that time. She was a cute kid and it just goes to show quality cuteness endures. Thank you."

Adam and Amanda jumped to their feet and led the applause.

As the students trooped out Kade come up and kissed Dick on the lips. "Mom still says if she is to kiss someone it's on the lips or nothing."

"Mom's often are perfect role models."

"You are cute yourself and not only in the way your dress and look. May we talk?"

"No, Chad and I must get back to the office. But dinner tonight at 8:00?"

"I'd like that but I have not given the required notice for a late leave pass."

"Just come to this address by cab. I'll have Bruce to fix the pass."

"Um, an overnight pass if you wish."

"Now look here young lady..."

He caught the sparkle in her eyes. "I dropped into it, didn't I?"

"I learned to tease from my mother."

"Ah, yes. Please don't say anything to me about them. I wish to reunite with them at your graduation."

Kade's smile faded. "So this is what this is all about?"

"Don't jump to conclusions Kade. You are center focus. We'll talk about it tonight."

"Would you like another kiss?"

"No thank you. The first one will last me all day."

She grinned at him, turned and was off. He stared and her butt and she turned and caught him at it before he had time to look away.

She smiled and waved.

* * *

The buzzer went. Dick nervously said into the speaker, "Hi, use the stairs. Second floor Apartment eight." He hit the door release.

She heard her say, "Am I not worth being escorted up?"

"I'm cooking dinner."

"Oh well, that excuses you. I think."

Dick muttered to himself something about bitch. He hadn't been nervous but he was now. He felt undressed but was wearing jeans and a polo because she was a student and student's dressed down, or at least that was his impression. He knew then at the age of thirty-three he was far too old for a student soon to turn twenty-two. His hands shook as he poured the Martinis and carried them to the cabinet top near the door, his favorite trick to impress a new woman destined for seduction.

"Seduction, now way," he croaked.

She hadn't knocked but he knew she'd be there unless she had a leg in a splint that had slowed her up the stairs.

He opened the door nervously, to find her leaning against the far wall, fabulously dressed in a bluish cocktail dress and clutching a same color little handbag. He smiled warmly but that collapsed. For fuck sake, she was dressed formally!

"Oh, you dressed down and I dressed up. Sorry."

She walked up to the frozen idiot and kissed him and because his mouth was still open her tongue fell on to his.

Dick reacted like a scalded cat and stepped back four paces.

Kade entered closed the door and looked down at the drinks and smiled wolfishly. Yes, wolfishly he thought. How could she be acting like this? She was probably the youngest kid in her class, wet behind the ears.

She undid the two ties on her shoulders. Her dress dropped and she stepped out of it, now dressed only in a half bra desperately trying to shore up bulging breastwork, ridiculously small briefs, near sheer black holdups and very high heels. "W-what are you doing?"

She smiled softly and said he'd make her feel overdressed.

"Wait here -- sip your Martini," he said, racing to the bedroom where he grabbed a sweater and pair of jeans and galloped back, holding them out.
She leered at him. Yes leered at him and he heard he say, "Too much for you, am I?"

"No no, yes yes. Oh crap."

"That's a little confusing," she said, kicking off her heels and hauling up the jeans. "Ohmigod, how embarrassing. Your ass is a little smaller than mine."

In near panic Dick rushed to her and hooking his fingers into the front belt-keepers lifted her off the ground. As she hit the floor again she was in the jeans.

She said at least they had the same waist size and he felt a lot better.

"But you have around seven inches on me."

Dick knew she couldn't mean that seven inches, confirmed when he saw her looking up from her shoulder to his shoulder.

He attempted to hand her the sweater but she shook her head. "No I prefer you looking at them."

He immediately looked away and was invited to look at her.

"Take the drinks over to the windows while I fetch nibbles."

She placed the drinks on the coffee table and went back to look at the dinning table, not yet set.

"This is a magnificent piece of furniture and indeed I love everything about it. May I inspect the bedroom?"

"I don't have one," Dick said, attempting to joke and to his surprise she appeared to have bought it.

Just as Dick bent down to check on the poaching dish in the oven she said, "Oh god, look at these scratches. How would they get so far towards the middle?"

He didn't attempt to answer and when he straightened from the oven he froze. She was on her back over the table and looking and where her rings were, her fingers roughly beside her ears, just above the ring scratches.

"Aha, my host rams his women across the table?"

Fortunately Dick had already worked on his reply when realizing what she was up to.

"I occasionally lend my apartment to friends, er couples, when I'm out of town."

She said nothing until sliding to her feet, adjusting her puppies that really were the size of miniature poodles and was walking back to her drink when she called, "Liar."

Two and a half hours later they kissed on the sidewalk, only their second kiss for the whole evening. "I'm disappointed we didn't fuck," she whispered.

By now Dick was becoming used to her so said manfully, "Next time perhaps. You know what guys say about girls who turn it up on first dates?"

"No?"

"Easy meat."

"You guys are disgusting," she giggled. "That was the best poached salmon I've ever tasted. The cold chive sauce was the perfect match. You must cook for me more often."

She entered the cab and wound down the window. "I promise to keep you and your whereabouts secret. Molly knows, doesn't she?'

She smiled when she saw him scuff his feet. "I've suspected that for some years and I know mom has her suspicions but says Molly consistently denied it. Oh thank you for the cars -- brilliant. Provided me with boyfriends to burn and added to my bevy of girlfriends. Molly comes here occasionally to sleep with you, doesn't she?"

"I er..."

"Good night darling. Go up and smell inside the jeans I was wearing."

Dick almost used the elevator. He felt as if for most of the night he'd be put through a wringer.

* * *

Chad provided Dick with information on late leave passes and that allowed him to adjust times to invite Kade to the movies and supper and have her in a cab to get her back to her dorm on time without the need of a late leave pass. Alternatively he worked the system to take her to dine out in style. He suspected she was suspicious but she said nothing and they frequently talked at the office where Chad had set up a fully service office for the exclusive use of Kade, Amanda and Adam, the last two being consumed in a hot romance.

Then Kade called him asking if she applied for a pass would he take her to a rodeo.

"As you know mom rode rodeo before she med dad."

"Yes, I did know that but gave up after a bad fall and being told she'd come up a little short of making it to full professional status."

"This event is a regional final, I've not seen top grade riders en masse."

"I'd love to take you. Let me know where and when."

"Next week, we'll need to stay overnight because of travel distance."

"Er, ask Janice to make the bookings including premium adjoining rooms. You definitely have authority to be away overnight?"

"I do, truly. I want to do this because we haven't had real time together yet and I'm off home the following week until the start of the new semester."

"As a senior."

"Yeah, and then into the home straight. Chad has promised me a job."

"What?"

"I asked him for a good position post-graduation and he said okay, that you appear to be very happy with my work."

"Oh."

"Yes oh. Sound happy. I'll email you travel times etcetera."

Chapter 14

Dick had no reason to feel surprised when they booked in and the clerk smiled and said she was sorry but due to the squeeze on accommodation because they were booked in together they had been placed together and upgraded to a suite.

"Oh dear," Kade beamed. "Another stuff-up. This is a one-bed suite. Oh, why aren't your surprised?"

"This trip has little to do about rodeo, right?"

"That's true but we haven't time to perform our private rodeo thanks to you changing us to a later flight. We are booked into a hospitality box -- sorry I forgot to mention that -- and the show starts in an hour and traffic will be heavy."

They staggered back to the hotel late at night.

"Undress me darling," she purred, hiccupping and then a little later, "Time to put it in darling -- oops, up a bit. That's it."

They couldn't remember but next morning agreed they'd both fallen asleep, probably within a minute of getting going.

They dressed and went down to breakfast lightly beside the pool after Kade had told him she'd book the room until they had to leave for the airport to get a flight that would get her back to her dorm before curfew.

"When will we fuck?" he whispered as the waitress walked away.

She leaned into him, hand over his groin. "Well swim after breakfast for an hour and they we can go at it all day if you wish. I'm not much interested in sightseeing."

"Sounds good to me," he said, pulling her hand away and turning to the waitress behind them who'd coughed and then asked what kind of fruit juice would they like.

* * *

"Wow, that's filling," Kade giggled ninety minutes later back in their room.

"Want me to pull back a bit?"

"No, I'm adjusting. I'll put my legs over your shoulders in a tick."

She gasped and then floored him when she said, "Did my mother have any difficulty taking all of you?"

He groaned.

"Suck my tit while you are thinking whether to tell the truth or lie."

He seized what was being offered gratefully and bit the nipple, causing her to yelp.

"Don't bother with pathetic diversions. Is it to be a lie or the truth?"

Dick said it would be the truth and his sigh was so deep he knew she'd believe him.

"Right up to the hilt, several times."

"Ohmigod," she cried and began rocking against him.

"Licks and fingers first until she was satisfied I had gained expertise. She was my tutor you see."

"I know, she told me a few years back."

He heard her sigh as he felt him grow a little larger inside her. She was lubing well so there was no problem.

"She actually admitted I fucked her?"

"To tell you the truth she never actually admitted that absolutely. She chose her words carefully but left me in no doubt."

"Your mom was clever with words."

"She loved you dearly at the time and still loves you despite you breaking her heart."

"I left because I had to, for the good of her reputation and to avoid you kids growing up under a dark cloud that you didn't understand. I loved Josie too much to stay."

Tears began to fall from Dick. Kade cried out and against her will began shaking, then heaved, slamming against him a couple of times and wailed as a huge gush released from her. Dick pulled out and began pumping all over her. "

"Ohmigod," she wailed. "Oh just look at us -- we're like pigs at the trough."

Catching his breath, Dick palmed at his eyes and gazing upwards said, "Thank you Josie, you were so brilliant as a teacher."

Kade laughed, tossing her head about and when she calmed said, "Mom also taught me some of the ins and outs about fucking I mean sex." Then clung against each other, laughing almost helplessly.

"Ohmigod, look at the mess I'm in," he said. "I didn't know if you are protected."

"Well this avalanche is soaking through my skin so just as well I am."

Off they were again into another over-the-top bout of laugher.

"We are a little embarrassed, aren't we?"

"Yes Dick, but it's a new beginning for us. Because of age you've fallen between mom and me and something inside me says I'm to be the lucky one. In the meantime could I come and live with you and become a day student at College?"

"No."

Kade's eyes turned tragic.

"But arrange it so you can stay with me Friday nights to early Sunday evening."

Dick wasn't sure if it was the right term, but he figured adoration now shone from Kade's eyes. Happiness at the very minimum.

* * *

After the initial flurry of criticism was drowned under the assault of good public relations and gradual creeping inertia amongst critics and reports the temporary transfer of the markets to the nearby location was reportedly working very well, demolition of parts of the original markets commenced and its two-stage reconstruction began. The student teams from the business college interfaced with the professionals very well and ongoing consultancy programs were generally completely fully and on time.

The weekend live-in arrangement for Kade worked very well and to her surprise she found herself locked into an 8-hour study regime spread over Saturday and Sunday during which time Dick commenced reading to her and coaching her. She balked when he first suggested it in the office and he opened and office cupboard to sight his framed BA degree certificate from a leading online provider she knew didn't give away degrees. Beneath that were pinned three certificates relating to Dick's earlier attendance at Fitzroy summer schools.

"You're not a pretty face," she said kissing him. "I promise I'll keep up to schedule with my study requirements and will make myself available for coaching by you for eight hours each weekend but please don't get confused between the terms 'coach' and 'tutor'." She acted offended when told she was a cheeky student of questionable morality.

College closed for Thanksgiving Vacation, when Dick remained alone as Kade went home to her family, and after exams in December she went home for Christmas but returned early January to work and live with Dick. By then the passion associated with new relationships had worn off but a deeper relationship had developed. She worked through at his office on salary until her business college classes resumed in late January and for the spring recess she took Dick to Hawaii, at his expense of course.

The New City Markets as the facility was now called began taking shape, with much of the original steel framing being retained and strengthened where necessary and the old wall cladding removed and the new roofing, symbolic of ocean waves put into place. Favorable comments began being voiced on talkback radio and complimentary Letters to the Editor was published in newspapers the feeling of a new asset was rising in the cityscape accelerated. This was confirmed when the developers commission and independent citizen's opinion poll.

Kade called an emergency meeting of the senior management team of Business Revival Corporation, chaired by Chad and with Dick sitting beside him.

"The combined management and marketing consultancy teams from Fiztroy Business College have deliberated at length and I have been instructed to request a radical change be made to your board-approved marketing plan," Kade said. "We recommend that you immediately enter negotiation with the Council for its buy-back of the City Markets which is two and a half months ahead of schedule. We believe you must strike while the Council is mindful that the citizen's opinion poll showed 83.7% overall acceptance of the new city asset of the 3133 citizens polled randomly, a result that all of us agreed was a real eye-opener. We have canvassed opinions from major realty firms and there is almost universal opinion that attempting to sell an asset when its near completion or post completion is a flawed marketing option."

Amanda and Adam gave greater detail of the findings, discussions and conclusion of their respective committees and Kade wound up recommending that BRC immediately seek to enter negotiations with the Council and calling for the two independent appraisals to be commissioned.

"Well, this is food for thought," Chad began.

"Do it, please commence the sale program today," Dick said, cutting in. "Striking while the just published survey result is high in everyone's mind makes sound sense to me. I was not aware this recommendation was coming up but now that I've heard the combined and passionate presentations of these three consultants, I say let's do it. Chad, what is your opinion?"

"I'm convinced. Let's do it."

Three weeks later the members of the Councils property and strategic assets committee and its finance committee went on a conducted tour of the building and were greatly impressed, particularly by the soaring underneath of the wavy roof and the central elevated walkway that allowed members of the public to view the morning auctions over the heads of the gathered bidders and we high enough to be out of harm's way when produced was hauled in and out of the market by low-slung tractor units pulling wagons similar to those used at airports. That evening a gigantic fiberglass lettuce was placed on the roof and through its center was a huge sign with the illuminated words, in three lines, proclaiming 'New City Markets'.

Two weeks later the full Council agreed to purchase the New City Markets for $29.2 million, just nine months after it had sold the site and decrepit building for $4.4 million, with payment in two equal installments over six months apart, allowing splitting the payments between the current financial year and its new financial year.

There was, of course, a huge public controversy over the council selling an asset for $4.4 million and buying it back nine months later at almost seven times that amount. But the Mayor with the Council's PR team justified the purchase in the conversion of a 'disgraceful facility' into 'one of the best wholesale food markets in the country'. The Mayor then claimed the city had negotiated a bargain-price rejuvenated facility and disclosed that previously Council independent consultants had produced a replacement proposal costing the city up to $54 million. That effectively torpedoed all complaints overnight.

The Mayor and the chairman of the New City Markets Seller's executive jointly opened the New City Markets amid a colorful civic ceremony. Next day Chad went to the business college to personally hand over checks for $5000 to consultancy participants and their tutors and went to College Administration where he handed over two checks totaling $200,000 to the College president and vice-president of the marketing, management and finance department.

That evening the senior executives from Business Revival Corporations, all managers who worked on site, Prof Meadows and his three chairpersons from the consultancy teams attended a dinner at the city's top hotel hosted by Dick.

A few weeks later it was announced that the architects of New City Markets had won a premier aware in design for a civic amenity. Kade completed her senior year in that same week and after a week visiting her family in Random returned to work under Chad as assistant manager of marketing with additional responsibility for public relations. In June before her graduation ceremony Dick took her away for a few days and during the break he assured her he'd attend the ceremony but initially would be unable to join her parents.

"My presence will be revealed to them -- oh goodness, that sounds rather pompous -- but I'll be free to join them later."

"To dinner and then the party that evening?"

"I'd dearly love to do that."

"Well, you're invited."

On their last evening at the resort before going to dinner, Dick got down on to one knee and not noticing it was on one knee, Kade laughed happily and automatically lifted her dress hem high.

"No, no," Dick said, his face turning crimson.

Kade said okay and dropped her hem.

Dick took her hand. "My darling Kade..."

"Ohmigod," she shrieked.

"I take this opportunity my beloved to ask if you will become my wife."

Kade's hand was slapped over her mouth to smother the gasps and sobs attempting to break out.

"Please say yes."

"Yes," she shrieked.

Dick spotted her eyes rolling up and leapt up and grabbed her before she fainted.

She was only out for seconds and assured him she was okay. "I'm sorry, I just didn't think you had the guts to do it...the gap between our ages...you and mum. You can understand my thinking, can't you?"

Dick shrugged. "I did have a lot of time to think about it. When you were six years old I knew we'd marry some day."

"Oh Dick, you lovely boy. Do you have a ring?"

"This cheapo. Wear it tonight. We have five hours tomorrow before we have to be at the airport and there are some fabulous jeweler's shops here. I wanted us to choose the ring together because I have to look at it too. I had considered one with a setting that doesn't scratch the table but then thought what the hell, we can always get the table top repolished."

"Don't even think about that. I'm sure I have more scratches on it than all other combined. I regard that table-top of my triumph over adversity."

Chapter 15

There was a break after the business Administration graduates were conferred with their degree, receiving a letter of course completion. Their degree scrolls would be posted in about two months.

The Master of Ceremonies then announced, "The President of Fitzroy Business School Doctor Muriel Mitchell now will conduct a very special ceremony, conferring an honorary degree to a leading business man of our city for outstanding generosity in financial support to this institution and for his remarkable courage and foresight that has cemented a bond between him and our college via Professor Meadows. In that initiative he gained our approval to use our senior management and marketing students who receive their degrees here today and relied almost solely on them as his company's consultants in the rehabilitation of this city's much acclaimed New City Markets, a project valued at almost $30 million. Please welcome Dr Mitchell again."

Dr Mitchell having made the opening welcome said, "Hello again everyone. It is my honor to perform this special ceremony. Originally the recommendation was to confer an honorary masters degree on this distinguished friend of ours but at a special meeting of the trust board last week we examined the recipient's record of service to the our business school and his own achievement in recently gaining an online bachelor's degree in business management. It was our unanimous decision, in consultation with our academic advisors, to upgrade this conferment to an honorary doctorate in science."

Turning to the side of the stage Dr Mitchell said, "Would Mr Richard Fabian Savage more usually known as Dick Savage please step forward."

Applause and cheers erupted from the ranks of marketing and management students, the last of recipient waiting for conferment, and everyone else in the auditorium responded.

Dick walked in wearing a black grown over a snappy new suit and blue tie exactly the same dark blue as his wing collared shirt and he heard, as did everyone else, Josie scream "Dick." He waved in that general direction and turned while Dr Mitchell conferred the honorary doctorate. She then announced that Mr Savage would hand over the letters of confirmation to his team of consultants comprising the entire classes of students graduating with business degrees in either marketing and management but with four completing double majors. She said as was the custom, recipients would be called from the lowest grading up.
Before making the last call, the Master of Ceremonies said the final graduate was of special significance to Mr Savage. He first met her when she was six years old and they recently reconnected and she is now assistant manager of marketing at his company of which he was founder and chairman. They also intended to publicly announce their engagement that evening. "I call our top student in both marketing and management, Kade Lorna McDermott."

After Dr Mitchell had 'capped' Kade, Dick handed across the letter and said showing no favoritism, "Congratulations Kade."

Everyone laughed when she responded to him with a full curtsy.

Pulling Dick by the hand Kade found her family in the pack of well-wishers crowding graduates.

Kade made a simple statement as Josie hugged and kissed her and she lifted away, "Dick, meet the family,"

"Hi," he smiled and said to the smallest of the family, now a vivacious young woman of just eighteen, "Hello, we have not met Carolyn. I'm Dick. I lived with your family for two years, arriving when Tyson was four and Kade was six."

"I know, mom always talks about you. Why did you leave?"

Dick shrugged. "It gets complicated. You had just been born, I felt the need to go and find my future. Many guys leave home before they turn twenty. Hello Josie."

He held out his arms and she smothered a cry into his shoulder.

"You look so well and lovely. I guess that dress is new?"

"Yes. I always knew you'd grow into a handsome man. We are so proud of you."

"Thank you. Does that include you Josie?"

"Yes, of course. You did hurt me leaving like that and all these years of not being in contact..." Josie turned and rushed back to be held by Rex.

"Hello pal, a great head of hair," Rex beamed, patting his thinned top before vigorously shaking hands with Dick. "It's so good seeing you again. What's this about an engagement with my daughter?"

Josie sobbed and said, "I'm not sure I approve."

Kade cut in sweetly, taking her mother into her arms. "At least not sure is better than saying you don't approve mom. Let's talk about it over refreshments. Everyone is moving off and we should join them. Say hello to Tyson Dick."

"Hi Tyson, third year at college just over I hear. You won't remember me."

Tyson, now just as tall and carrying more weight than Dick shook hands and eased off pressure when aware Dick was just as strong in the hand as he was. "Nah, don't remember much about you but thanks for sending presents in recent years. Good quality stuff."

"I don't think I want to go to refreshments but I was wonderful seeing you being capped darling."

"Oh come on mom -- grab her other arm dad -- you are just under pressure of the moment. You've got your elder boy back so be happy. He'll be your son-in-law soon so get used to it."

"No, I don't want coffee or food."

"I'm buying you a drink mom, probably whisky, so come along and don't spoil my and Dick's party. This is not at all like you mom and if I have to I'll whack sense into you."

"Kade!"

"Easy Kade," said her father.

Dick said he would go off somewhere.

"No, you lovely hunk," Carolyn said leading him off by the arm. Mom's always said you were such a charming, lovely guy and I thought she was dreaming faulty memories. But wow, come buy me a wine. I wish to get to know my brother-in-law."

"I don't think your mom..."

"Dick, go with Carolyn but don't get her excited. You go with them too Tyson. Dad and I need to calm mom."

Dick returned with a beer for Tyson and white wine for Carolyn and himself.

"Cheers even if you are a skunk for walking out on mom," Tyson said, smiling.

"Er, cheers and to you Carolyn."

"Our mom loves you more than she does us."

Tyson said, "I'm not sure that's quite right Carolyn and don't forget Kade."

"Look guys," Dick said, "spill it out and get it over with. I tend not to look back."

Carolyn said that's what the problem was, he'd hurt their mother terribly walking out on her and leaving her knowing he could easily come back to her but chose not to. Their mother even suspected he lived reasonably close by and that had turned out to be the case.

Carolyn fixed her gaze on Dick. He guessed correctly what was coming.

"We think you and mom had an affair."

Tyson almost dropped his beer. "Carolyn."

"It's cool Tyson. This guy is tough and can take it. Answer me Dick."

"I was unaware I'd been asked a question."

"Ooooh, how smooth. See what I mean Tyson?"

Tyson stepped closer to his sister and growled, "The truth Dick. Why not the truth and all this murk we've grown up hanging over us at times will be gone. If mom feels guilty it may help her to know we know."

Dick drained his glass and held out his hand, Carolyn drained hers and he walked to the bar imagining four eyes burning into his back and knowing that wasn't a guess, it would be fact. What a mess and it threatened to ruin Kade's and his day. He could not allow that to happen.

Waiting at the bar a middle-aged couple congratulated him on his honorary doctorate and pulled their blushing daughter between them and almost pushed her at Dick who recognized her.

Dick said, "Hi Alice -- congratulations on being capped. You looked beautiful flushing in happiness on stage. Great figure despite the gown. Call on me if you need a reference."

Her parents the Davidson's appeared stunned and as Dick walked off he smiled, hearing Alice say, "That's the guy who is marrying Kade, my friend who's invited me to be one of her bridesmaids. We all think Kade has done so wonderfully to snare him."

Returning to Carolyn and Tyson, Dick believed Carolyn was about to meet him full on and ask, 'Did you fuck our mom?' or perhaps might soften it and say 'Did you seduce our mom.' He knew they expected some kind of confession.

"Look guys, your father and mom took me into their home and immediately made me feel like family. Something strange connected between Kade and me -- I was eighteen, she was six. Your mom and dad spotted it in Kade as soon as she sat on my knee when she first met me and occasionally they mentioned it to me but were not disturbed, they seemed to accept it. I now think they accepted it as being inevitable that Kade and I would come together if the dice threw our way. Being reared in a boy's home for the previous six years I was, as you might guess, rather naive in just about everything. Your mom as a trained teacher began schooling me formally and teaching me about life and you guys need to keep that in mind. Your dad became a father figure to me and we bonded but never as closely as your mom and me. She seemed consumed by me. I came to realize later that she was so dedicated to rehabilitating me that she was determined to mould me into becoming a good guy. I thought she wanted me to fit into my new world but it has dawned on me it was more than. I now believe she was grooming me to become a fine husband for Kade."

Dick sipped his wine, staring back at Carolyn and Tyson.

"To cut this story short, she taught me everything included about sex and yes, we had physical connection as the tutorials progressed she always described them as tutorials and said I was forbidden to think of myself as her lover. I was, as she described it, put out to graze, when she and Rex decided to have another child. Your mom then without my knowledge arranged for other woman to call to divert my attention. Well when you were about to be born Carolyn I realized you mom had become a little too possessive about me, putting me ahead of Kade and you Tyson and I suspected that pecking order would return after she finished nursing you Carolyn. And so I left and decided to cut myself off from the family entirely, ending two glorious years as a very fortunate intruder. I'd like you to know that your mom had discussed the sex lessons with Rex I mean your father, and she told me he had no objection and in fact supported her. That physical contact stopped when they decided to try for an addition to the family. Try as I might I could never get Kade from my mind so when I learned she was turning sixteen I sent her a birthday present."

"A car," Carolyn said.

"Yes, it might seem extravagant but I was making big money and had no one to spend it on. Initially I thought I would approach her when she turned twenty to see if anything would spark between us but by then she was at college and I thought I should stand back a little while longer. Is that enough explanation?"

"Yes you lovely man," Carolyn said kissing him. "And it explains a lot about our mom. She's hating you today for abandoning her, as a mother rather than a lover, and what's really hit her is guilt. She was very quiet for her when we drove here yesterday and at the hotel last night. I thought it strange she wasn't over the moon in excitement."

Tyson looked up and said to them, "Here they come, mom looks dreadful. Thanks for being so upfront, Dick. We both felt you would chicken out. To me it makes something fall into place -- why she's always talked so intensely about you. Even if you don't know it, you're her eldest child."

Dick slugged back his wine and Carolyn followed suit. "No more wine for me just now, drinking liquor makes me sexy."

"Just like Kade," Dick said, managing a grin.

Carolyn looked about to kiss him again but eased back.

"I'm sorry to be a party pooper," Josie said, looking at Dick but speaking flatly.

"A drink Josie?"

But Carolyn wouldn't allow that. "No thank you Dick, come on mom, you and I are off to have coffee. We need to talk. You others stay here."

Rex, Tyson, Kade and Dick watched mother and daughter walking away, Josie almost leaning on Carolyn for support.

"You should have gone with them Kade -- it's still not too late."

"No dad," Kade said softly. "If someone can do it it's Carolyn."

"Do what?" Dick asked, handing Tyson forty bucks and asking him to kindly fetch everyone drinks.

"Pull mom from the mire she'd gotten herself into. Carolyn is so much like mom and that's why she's going to train as a school teacher. She just bonds with people, especially kids. Wine and a beer for you dad?"

Sister and father said yes.

Kade looked at Dick deeply. "Mom is not coming to dinner with us and not going to the graduation party later. I'm so sorry Dick."

"I'm leaving then right after this drink." Dick said, looking a little upset.

"Then I'm coming with you darling and that will really stuff up the reunion of this family."

"But..."

"Think clearly Dick. You have confronted her just as you've dreamed of doing for years. The only problem you only saw it your way and not her way. It's temporary I'm sure, but right now the remorse associated with loosing you has turned almost into hatred at seeing you and knowing it was so unnecessary. She doesn't want me to marry you and I can understand that reaction. She is now also full of remorse of loving you ahead of her own family. And of course, now being older the guilt of having sex with you has come back to haunt her with vengeance."

"You know about that?" Rex asked, mouth open.

"And Dick has just briefed me and Carolyn," Tyson said, arriving back with the drinks. "We'd guessed and assumed it would have been simply lust but he explained it in context and it seemed very okay. Carolyn must have thought so too because she kissed him after he told us."

Kade now looked as dismayed as her father.

Rex said it was the understanding between Josie and himself and Josie and Dick that nothing would be said about sexual connection.

"Well, I for one accept sometimes things must change," Kade said. "Dick informed me with great sensitivity and told me the risk was too high not telling me before our romance proceeded too deeply. Please accept that dad and accept that I may well have felt betrayed after marriage if I had then learned about it. I must say I was surprised but really found it to be no big deal. Mom has always been upfront and open and I've found Dick to be even more so and there are scratches on the table as evidence of promiscuity -- oh, forget that, me and my big mouth. It's not relevant."

Kade caught Dick's big grin and looked to be relaxing.

"I really don't know what to say," Rex murmured.

Tyson caught up on that. "Dad, we challenged Dick about it, he read our faces and then set about talking to us like young adults who cared and the way he presented it we learned mom was only teaching him to become a man and the teaching technique she used happened to be hands-on tutorials. Quite appropriate I think for a guy half her age who would have had little idea about the real world."

"That's what I think too dad, and you know Carolyn would think, good on you mom, how enterprising." Kade said. "Come with me Dick, it's time you and mom talked. I'll bring back Carolyn and you'll find us here waiting."

Dick looked at Rex. "I really think this is going to turn Josie around. I'm responsible for abandoning her -- you must understand, I thought it was wrong for her to love me as much as she did Kade and Tyson so that if I disappeared she'd focus on her real family. I wasn't to know she wouldn't let go. Perhaps she will today when she acknowledges that Kade is looking after me now."

"I know you did what you thought was best Dick. Just try to sort her, she's more cut up than I've ever seen her."

* * *

"Hi mom. Dick wants to talk to you. Come with me Carolyn."

"No, don't leave me by myself with him, you stay Kade."

Kade took her alarmed sister by the arm. "Come on mom, you're a big girl. None of us want you spinning out of control. You are the anchor of our family so act responsibly."

"Kade I don't think..."

"Shut up Carolyn. Mom's all yours Dick."

"I cannot understand why you told my children. Carolyn had the gall to laugh and say she thought it was so lovely me teaching you to have sex."

"She's so much like you Josie. You must be very proud of her."

Josie frowned. "Not when she speaks like that."

"Lovely, warm-hearted girls like her end up getting more offers of sex than they can handle."

"Stop that. Don't talk about my baby daughter like that."

"I find this new puritan streak in you difficult to understand Josie. When you were Carolyn's age were you not all fired up about sex?"

"I'd never deny that."

"Well, why shouldn't she? I think she thinks it's rather sweet you took an eighteen-year-old kid who knew little and taught him about one of the greatest things in life."

"Carolyn would not think like that."

"Oh, blinded by puritan thoughts are we? Kade and I have sex over the table and she screams with delight. I may have gone through life if I hadn't been taught about table sex by someone who cared about me and my future."

"Well I...no...you cannot talk to me like this."

Dick smiled and took her hand. She offered only pathetic resistance and within seconds gave up on trying to pull away. "You know, when I told Kade about having sex lessons with her mom I actually felt my guilt slip away. I know I should not have felt guilty, but there you are. I was so pleased to have managed my guilt so well. You see, I felt I could not expect her to commit to me without telling her, telling her what she was entitled to know and if she felt bitterly disgusted to walk from me. Do you know what she said?"

Josie looked up at Dick and shook her head.

"She admitted being a little shocked and then smiled and said she'd grown up knowing you had cute ways about you but that was the cutest thing she'd every learned about you. She said she hoped I enjoyed those lessons and added, 'I'm really sure mom would have, she's always been big into sex."

"She didn't"

"Yes she did say that."

"Now, let's rejoin the others. Are you feeling a little better?"

"Yes, a little."

"Hi guys, we are making progress. Kade, may I suggest you join your friends and enjoy the occasion. I'm taking the family on a small tour to see something of me life so they can see what your mom and dad helped me to achieve. We'll be away about an hour."

Kade kissed him and then hugged her mother. "Mom, look hard with your eyes open because you are not going to believe what you see."

* * *

Dick tossed the keys to Carolyn and said to Tyson he could drive them back.

"No thank you," snorted Carolyn. "This is a 100 thou car."

"One-fifty actually, but don't be a girl. You can drive can't you?"

"Yes, but..."

"You'll be fine but be light-footed, its much more powerful than Kade's."

"And bigger. Is it the S600?"

"Good guess, Tyson. "Come on Carolyn, don't be a girl."

"You are such a tease. I don't know how Kade puts up with you."

"I can guess," Tyson sniggered.

Carolyn got behind the wheel and her dress rose. She glanced at Dick and pulled it up almost to her hips. Dick pretended not to notice and began giving her directions. As they drove to the new offices he pointed out buildings occupied by companies they had resuscitated, describing how they did it. They toured the offices and were most impressed and were surprised he used the end of the boardroom table as his office, the best office was used by the CEO. Carolyn sat in Kade's chair and asked why was her computer and office furniture and fittings better than even her immediate boss's.

"Because she's the chairman's girlfriend I suppose but I'm not the right person to ask. Someone probably guessed it was what I would want but I keep out of it."

They walked through the New City Markets and stopped and looked at the picture gallery of how it looked before, during and after its reconstruction.

"This is a huge achievement Dick," Josie said. "Kade talked to us excitedly about 'the project' but she made no mention of you. In fact you knew nothing of her connection with you until in the auditorium at 12:30 today."

"It's how I'd planned it, starting some years ago, and once Kade understood she cooperated. But I fouled up, sorry Josie."

"If anyone has fouled up it's me. I am so sorry Dick."

"No sweat Josie, life goes on."

As they returned to the car Rex said, "This is a magnificent conversion, a real credit to you and your people, including students Dick. How much do you make out of this?"

"Rex!"

"It's okay Josie. Keep this under your hat everyone and don't get the wrong impression because it was a one-off chance in a lifetime. Almost $15 million."

"What!" yelled Rex, Josie and Tyson. Carolyn's mouth just hung open.

"We took a huge risk and it came off. We stay with small projects so we don't get too badly burnt if they turn to custard. I went for this one and to connect to the business college in order to order to expose my self to Kade and rock her to secure her attention."

"Expose yourself? That sounds a little premature for someone you are about to meet after a very long lapse," Carolyn sniffed.

Josie was the first to laugh.

They entered the apartment.

"Ohmigod, this is a palace," Josie cried.

"Oh look," Carolyn called running to the table and then climbed on to it and flipped, legs hanging over the edge.

Rex called, "Carolyn, get off. Whatever are you doing? For goodness sake, pull your dress down."

"Possibly demonstrating what's on the menu dad," said Tyson, although his parents probably did not hear him. Carolyn came off the table red-faced and her parents looked at her disapprovingly while Dick studied a wall painting.

They had a quick tour and then returned to the car, Tyson taking his turn to drive.

Periodically Carolyn leaned forward on the seat behind Dick and blew on his neck before asking a question, making Dick rather nervous. So much like her mother? Dick thought Carolyn appeared to have femme fatale potential and he must avoid being alone with her even if she was his type of woman, although much too young. He then thought of his imminent announcement of engagement and so the threat of the younger sister drifted out of his mind.
When they arrived back at the college parking lot Carolyn called to him casually, "Could you please get the door for me Dick?" He was happy to oblige. After all her mother was sitting in the middle beside her and Rex was opening the other rear door.

Dick opened the door and almost froze, aware he was looking at two beautifully slender legs that were spread slightly giving him clear view beyond the stocking tops to a peach-like shape covered by flimsy-looking panties. He behaved impeccably, smiling at the tease instead of wringing her neck and walked off without holding out his hand to assist her out or waiting to close the door behind her, having already noted Josie was moving to exit via the door Rex was holding open.

"Wait for me Dick," Carolyn cooed but he pretended not to have heard, waiting at the front of the car for Rex and Josie and to reclaim the keys from Tyson. He thought the tease was barely eighteen, what on earth would she be like in two years. He must never invite her to stay.

Kade must have been keeping an eye out for them because she came hurrying towards them. She took one look at her mother and her face relaxed.

"Hi mom."

"I'm feeling better dear. It was so interesting seeing where you work and live and I hadn't realized the markets covered such a huge area. You keep the apartment very tidy."

"Nothing to do with me mom -- we have two maids who come six days a week and they clean up after me."

"Goodness gracious, how do you keep occupied? You can't say work, sex and cooking takes all your free time."

At the mention of sex all eyes were on Josie and then switched to Kade.

"We fit in sex with bedtime mom and leave for work at 7:00 and arrive back at 6:00 or later, shower and then go out to dinner. On Saturdays the maids come late so we are out for breakfast by then. I go shopping and Dick spends some time at the office and then we meet friends for late lunch and go to an early movie and then to a classy restaurant. On Sunday mornings we cuddle a lot, read the Sunday papers and laze around..."

"Sex on the table?" Carolyn asked slyly.

"Sometimes."

Josie enquired, "What's all this talk about sex?"

"You brought it up mom."

Josie was adamant, "No I didn't -- for heaven's sake Carolyn."

Rex put an end to that by saying loudly, "Everyone to the bar and lets meet some of your friends Kade."

Dick had just gotten Kade to himself in the bar when Alice Davidson came up and said to Kade, "My folk appear to be finding it difficult to find anyone who was easy to talk to -- can we sit with your folk at the function tonight?"

"Yes of course. My elder sister Debra is with us Kade. Could I bring her over for you to introduce to your brother?"

"Yes of course."

Dick frowned. "If she's older she'll be at least twenty-four and Tyson is only twenty-one."

"So? There is a bigger age gap between you and me or had you forgotten? It doesn't matter -- with you listening Alice avoided asking to be introduced to Tyson -- she'll fill the gap when Debra walks away from Tyson."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. It's how it's done Dick. Alice has matched up her parents and now herself -- Debra will probably find herself someone older. Perhaps you can find someone for Carolyn -- you'll need for find someone older for her."

"Debra?"

Kade smiled.

"Um, I really don't know anyone."

"Leave it to me," Kade sighed. "If it's not done quickly there will be no one left over. You appeared ready to tell me something when Alice came over."

"Ah yes, about the engagement. I suggest..."

"I agree. Mom's still a little fragile. We'll try in the morning because we are having breakfast with them at their hotel before they leave for home. Oh that reminds -- Carolyn!"

"Yes Kade?" Carolyn said, coming over and standing very close to Dick.

"Do you want to miss school tomorrow and stay with us, go home on Sunday afternoon. I'll pay for the flight."

Dick cringed, thinking how could Kade be so irresponsible, but he cheered immensely when Carolyn replied, "Sorry, some other time. I have a test tomorrow and need the marks."

Feeling greatly relieved Dick noticed Amanda wave to him. She was with a guy who was not Adam. He walked over to say hi and Amanda immediately kissed him on the lips, pressing hard against him. "I've been wanted to do that since I first saw you," she said. "I new you wouldn't mind because it's my graduation day."

Dick looked at the new boyfriend in case a fist was coming his way and then he heard Amanda say, "This is my brother Guy. Guy meet Dick Savage."

"Hi Dr Savage, I saw you get capped."

Amanda said, "Drop the doctor Guy, it's not customary to use it with an honorary degree,"

Dick smiled. "Ah Guy, re the party tonight. Are you with Amanda or alone?"

"Alone -- Amanda will be with Adam."

"I was wondering is you might like to meet Kade's sister. I know she's only eighteen but..."

"You called her the hot chick Guy. That's her talking to Kade."

"Oh yeah Dick," Guy said, straightening his tie. Please, can you take me to her now?"

Kade looked at Dick in admiration when he arrived with Guy and found he was Amanda's brother. After the introductions Carolyn whispered into Guy's ear, "Oh your beautiful man, I must find a way to repay you." She bit his earlobe and went and linked her arm through Guy's as if they were old friends. Dick worried, feeling he was responsible for Carolyn. He suspected Guy was in for a killer night

At breakfast at the hotel next day the scene seemed post-funeral around the big table where the family was seated, everyone suffering hangovers including Josie who, even worse, continued to flick dark looks at Dick. He looked across the table at Kade and touched his ring finger and she shook her head and scowled back at him. Just as well they cancelled the engagement announcement because when the waitress arrived with bacon, scrambled eggs and tomato for Rex, Carolyn sitting on one side of him and nursing her head vomited on to the table.

After the farewells Mr Savage and Miss McDermott wearily returned to the apartment and collapsed went to bed and slept through until 4:00 when Dick's phone went.

Chapter 16

CEO Chad Miller said "Hi Dr Savage" and Dick said calling him Dick Savage was fine, knowing he was being teased. Chad said he was only quoting what he'd read in his newspaper beneath a photograph of Chad being awarded his doctorate yesterday.

"I'd suggested to Bruce Meadows an honorary masters was an insult to a guy of your caliber. Oh, your absence from this office today has been noted as well as the absence without prior notice of my assistant manager of marketing but in both cases such irresponsible behavior will be overlooked."

"Thank you Chad. I put you in charge to make responsible decisions."

Noticing Kade had stirred and was holding a hand over her ear, Dick went to the lounge to finish the call. He knew Chad wouldn't have called him unless it was important.

They talked for quite sometime. Dick had a pre-breakfast whisky and was beginning to feel much better when Kade came bouncing out and said she felt wonderful. She looked it, thought Dick, especially with her breasts swinging like that.

"I dreamt we were being married," she said excitedly. "My family displayed no interest in my imminent engagement. Let's elope."

"Nobody does that these days, do they?"

"I have no idea. But let's do it."

Dick scrubbed his chin and that reminded him he hadn't shaved. His standards were slipping.

"Josie would hit the roof."

"Too bad. If she plays up I whack mom. She's become too precious. You don't belong to her. I'm telling you, this is all about jealousy. Well?"

"What's the rush?"

"I want you for my husband before someone else grabs you."

"Some marriages only last for weeks."

"Honey," Kade purred. "When you make me pregnant you'll never want to leave me because you and I have the genes to manufacture cute babies."

Dick grinned, sucking a breast. "Is that right. You were awfully cute as a kid and still are for that matter."

"Well?"

"Could we put that on hold for the moment. Something's come up."

She frowned and said his reason for stalling better be good."

Dick sighed. "This could be an end of an era. Chad called and he and I are dining tonight with Alan Bagley and Mark King."

"What, those two sharks?"

"They appear keen to give me money."

Kade screamed, "They want to buy you out?"

"Yes, leaving Chad in place."

"So we could leave and do anything?"

"Yes, what would you like to do?"

Kade eyed him a little nervously and said he wouldn't like what she wanted to say because he'd changed to become interested in flash clothes and the soft life.

"Try me."

"Buy back the ranch and build us a lovely home there for raising my children."

"Oh, who will the fathers be?"

"You. Don't be an idiot. Well?"

"Okay, I'll think about it. First, let me find out what Bagley and King are prepared to pay to get me out of the way."

"You'll promise to think about it?"

He nodded, obviously in deep thought.

Kade smiled and told him to work her up and then carry her to the dining table.

Brothers-in-law Alan and Mark, believed to be the two wealthiest men in the city, were charming and generous as hosts and careful and positive in their concentration on Dick. Before desserts were offered Dick asked the two hosts could they leave him to talk to Chad for a few minutes. Their hosts smiled and departed with their half-filled glasses and another $300-plus bottle of wine arrived and Dick and Chad's glasses were topped up.

"Looks promising," Chad said, eyeing Dick.

"Yep, and I'm likely to accept. It's time I shifted to new pastures. Look, when they return I'll say I'm leaving it to you to finalize with them over coming days, as I will be away until Wednesday of next week when I would expect you guys to have arranged everything ready for completion of the sale. We have everything up to date so insist their people do the audit with you starting tomorrow and working through Sunday. They'll want to expand the business Chad and that's why I'm talking to you now. The business has succeeded because it's been kept small and under very tight control. Expand and other underlings begin making the decisions and that will corrupt business philosophies and big stuff-ups will begin to occur. I suggest you insist on a three-year contract for yourself and a substantial exit package should they want you out earlier. When their expansion plans fail and the slide begins they'll panic and want you out, replaced by some person they see as a guru or even a team of them to reverse the dive but of course revival won't happen. You may even wish to demand a payment from them for facilitating this sale."

"An exceedingly generous package -- yeah, and I could then buy my own business. I like the sound of this Dick."

Dick slapped the back of his pal. "Well, I see the future better than you do Chad and you've always stood firm by me. I want you protected. These guys operate on greed whereas I operated on vision. Just look after Number One when you sit down with their lawyers. I'll give them my bottom line when they come back in. They have to be generous but there is no need for me to be greedy."

Dick returned home very satisfied and found Kade asleep on the sofa. He placed a rug over her and went to bed. In the morning they went to a health resort, taking a short break, returning on Wednesday to allow Dick to complete his side of the sale transaction and on Friday the attended his office farewell dinner.

"You're out of a job," Dick grinned to Kade as they returned home.

"Yes, and still without a wedding," she sighed, but trusted Dick to attend to that matter. The apartment was already in the hands of two brokers and early interest from prospective buyers appeared promising. Next day Dick returned Kade 'home', accepting it was also home to him.

* * *

Kade had called the day before so Josie was waiting for them excitedly when they drove up. Carolyn only weeks away from high school graduation phoned soon afterwards to check they'd arrived, spoke to Kade briefly and when asked to speak to Dick but was told he'd gone off to see her father.

Josie said, "Your sister is over the moon you guys were coming to stay a few days. She's been on and on about Dick."

"What about me?" Kade pouted.

Josie laughed, attempting to divert Kade but failed. "You mean...?"

"Yes, a schoolgirl crush."

"But she's only just turned eighteen?"

Josie said dryly, "Yes dear. I'd advise we don't leave Carolyn alone with him."

"But she's my sister," Kade said, almost in shock and was asked had she forgotten how she'd behaved when seventeen and eighteen."

"I had my first...oh God."

"Yes dear. A wake-up call isn't it. I'll do my bit to rein her in."

Next morning Carolyn rushed into the guest bedroom in something that perhaps could pass for a nightdress.

"Carolyn -- for God's sake, put something on."

"She's okay," Dick said, sipping coffee Rex had brought in minutes before.

Ready to raise the roof Kade calmed when she heard Dick say, "No, get into Kade's side."

"Aw Dick!"

"It's either that or you're out of here Carolyn."

"Come, I'll cuddle you Carolyn, he's so mean isn't he." Kade couldn't believe she'd just said that. When Carolyn was called to get dressed and left, Kade cuddled Dick when he said, "Her hormones are rampant -- I've got to keep her away from me."

"Oh may I assist with that darling?"

"Yes, oh yes please. This could turn into a nightmare and you'd be tempted to kill me."

"Oh no darling, I wouldn't kill the innocent if that's what you were. I'd mutilate Carolyn."

"Kade, you can't talk like that about your sister. Let's shift out to one of the town's crummy hotels."

"No dear, we're staying put. I'll talk to mom and she are I will keep and eye on Carolyn. Talking about crummy hotels, why not rebuild one of them with a buy-back agreement. It's what you do."

Dick sat up. "Which one?"

"Run along dear, I wish to doze. Keep clear of my over-sexed sister."

"I'll drive her to school. The worst she could do would be a blow job."

"Yes dear. Have fun."

"You didn't hear what I said, did you?"

"Yes I did. You said you'd drive her to school and she could..."

"Kade, that was sarcasm."

"Well drive Carolyn to school and test whether she's pleasant or lethal."

"Kade!"

"Stop being a baby Dick. I trust you to do nothing that will offend me. Mom will feel the same way."

"You women, I'm out of here."

Kade said up to lecture him. "Stay and have breakfast and talk to mom. Dad drops Carolyn off at school. I suggest you watch yourself with women around here as your reputation of your youth probably lives on. Oh, talking of girlfriends, Molly has invited us to dinner tonight -- all of us so you'll not have to worry about being set upon."

Early afternoon Rex flew over the former McDermott Ranch and then had the pilot identify all adjoining properties right up to the town boundary, writing down the names. After they landed he asked the middle-aged pilot what he thought was the town's best hotel for community gatherings and accommodation.

"For decades it was the Cattleman's but a few years ago it was purchased by a chain and called Blue Horizon Hotel. It was renovated, losing homely character and since then has gone down hill. The Regency is now number one."

After asking the pilot which was the most successful firm on Realtors in town he went to Copeland Realty. Kevin Copeland rushed out to meet Dick as he entered the foyer, the principal having seen the big black Mercedes and the driver look straight at Kevin's premises.

"Selling, buying or just wanting to pass the time of day?" the wily older agent asked.

"Pass the time of day and see where we go from there."

"That's good enough for me -- come through for coffee and a chin wag. Gloria a pot of coffee and best mugs for two."

They talked about the town, it's present economic state, why had Kevin set up business in the town and had his children stayed on or left town.

"How did you know I'm a fairly recent arrival?"

Dick held his mug out for more coffee and said, "Your signs state you established eleven years ago."

"Are you a tax inspector Dick?"

"No, just a sharp-eyed businessman who's just sold his business."

"Ah, ready for real talk?"

"Yeah Kevin, roll out a map of properties showing ranches from the town boundary north and we'll take a look at them."

Kevin pulled out the map and Dick counted five properties from the town boundary.

"Who owns this property?"

"Mick Owens."

"Who owned it before Mick?"

Kevin checked his computer. "A guy called Rex McDermott now a successful businessman here in town."

"Does Mick love his property?"

"No as it's not made much money for him and he banged up one of his legs badly last year so the property will be slipping backwards. Now if you are looking for top cattle country may I suggest..."

"No, I want to buy Mick's ranch but it's tough country so those small ranches are uneconomic units. See these five properties -- from Mick's back to edge of town, I want you to buy them for me and I want the deals done swiftly and quietly -- make the approaches about an interested buyer to all five and then at the appropriate moment swoop and sign all of them up in the one day. Could you do that?"

"Yes, it's how I'd do it if I wanted to acquire the total strip to avoid initiating greed. They are all marginal properties, some may even be in the red. Just a moment."

Kevin worked at his computer and said the total acquisition would be 22,627 acres approximately.

"Will all the owners sell?"

"I would think so if the price is right, except perhaps the Rangers. They've lived on their property for neigh on forty years and will leave when they are ready to enter a home for the elderly."

"That's fine. See if they are interested in the new owner agreeing to then staying on in the homestead and even continuing farming the property, keeping all proceeds and meet all liabilities. That's their spread against the town boundary, isn't it?"

"Yes."

Dick asked Kevin to get the current value of all five properties. "My top offer is current registered value plus 20% margin and I'll pay all legal fees. Anyone but the Owens's may remain on their property for up to three years. I require immediate possession of the Owen's property as a going concern and will pay market value for the cattle, machinery etcetera. Call your lawyer to draft me an appropriate agreement allowing me to lodge 500,000 bucks into his trust account for which you may draw upon to make deposits as soon as you have owners signed up. When required I'll top up my funding. I do of course require all valuations to be currently registered. I also require another agreement that provides for you and me splitting 50-50 any monies you secure above the registered value on any of those five properties but with an additional provision that you retain my 50% cut providing you gain ownership of all five properties for me."

Kevin looked very interested. "That means even if anyone elects to remain living on the property for up to three years I still get all of the money accrued between current value and plus 20%?"

"Yes, I know the land but don't want to be accused of being cheating the sellers out of fair value. You have the incentive of extracting value plus. I would hope that you will be generous enough in yourself to purchase the Owens's property at valuation and shall we say, plus 15% as a going concern? I wish to walk in there and start farming the day after I again ownership."

"That 15% plus is taking money away from me?"

"Should I find another Realtor who won't have that objection?"

"No, it's fine. I agree. I'll get the papers drafted. Please give me your phone number. When completed you'll be a real rancher Kevin."
"Yeah, I had that in mind to keep my wife-to-be happy. She wants me close by. Oh, by the way, which is the best hotel in town for locals and travelers?"

"In my view it's still the Blue Horizon just across the street but don't expect too much. It used to be the Cattleman's until it was converted to the gaudy outfit that goes with the Blue Horizon chain."

Dick shook hands and on the front steps looking across at the hotel said, "Begin negotiations with the Blue Horizon Group on my behalf Kevin, but don't give them my name. I want the best possible deal -- tell them you think I want the site for redevelopment. If you present me with a deal I can't refuse I deposit $15,000 over and above commission in an account with a local travel agency for you to take your wife/partner/girlfriend to a swell holiday designation of your choice. Keep in touch Kevin."

"Yes sir Mr Savage."

"Dick's fine, Kevin. We are likely to become good pals."

In the car Dick called Kade.

"Hi darling, what are you doing?"

"Sitting here blue?"

He asked weren't she and her mother talking and was told Josie worked five hours each weekday as assistant librarian at a law firm. He asked was the practice any good and she yawned, saying her mother considered the best practice in town.

"You sound bored. Call your mom and arrange for you and me to meet the senior partner in an hour and say if he's busy to slot us in nevertheless. Fifteen minutes should do it."

"Dick, your mother-in-law is a part-time librarian not the practice manager."

"Remind her who's making the request and I reckon it's important. I'm on my way to collect you -- get the directions."

"I know where McKenzie Law Partners is."

"Fine, just make sure your mom acts just as efficiently."

"Dick!"

Dick blew the horn, but no response. He left the car fuming, saw Kade step on to the front porch and ran back, opened the passenger door and hurried back to get behind the wheel.

"I don't respond to anyone who summons me by car horn. At least you opened the door for me," Kade said grumpily.

"You sound like a grumpy wife and we're not even married."

"You slime ball, I'm out of here! " She reached for the door handle but too late, she heard the master control lock all doors.

"Slime ball is far too nice for you," she snapped. "Let me out."

He gunned the motor, reversed and was out the gate, turned and moving forward before she had time to do up her seatbelt.

"What's that alarm?"

"It's say do up your seatbelt lady."

"What, if I don't -- do we blow up?"

"No we come to a slow stop and the electrical system shuts down and the person with the undone seat belt is ejected through the roof but unfortunately I have not opened the sunroof."

"Oh God, my seat belt is on correctly," Kade yelled.

Dick said the computer would have noted that. "Has anyone said you look wildly beautiful when you're mad?"

"No, because all other people treat me with respect. Why are we off so early? You said in an hour's time for the appointment. We are only ten minutes away?"

"At least you're not bored around me."

Kade grinned and said at least he had that right. "You've turned the wrong way, Main Street is in the opposite direction."

"No, I'm right, as always."

They arrived at the northern exit and pointing to the left Dick asked who occupied that farmland?"

"Old Mr Ranger and Mrs Ranger, or at least they did when I was home on holiday last."

"Okay, look at the land as we go and tell me the boundaries of the next three properties."

"The tree line is the start of Ralph and Beth Coombes's farm and here at that small creek is their boundary with the Rivera's, which is the flattest land around here -- they sell hay to their neighbors, and here next we have mom and dad's elderly friends the Zimmerman's and you'll recognize the fencing around the trees bordering the dam. Dad had often talked to me about working with you to set out the fence line but you guys forgot to allow for a gate but mom saved the day."

"That farms showing great improvement. Do your parent's regret selling it?"

"They used to but I never hear them say anything about it these days. I wished they had kept it, I would have bought it from them when I had cash to spare."

"Oh yeah, dream on. The far boundary is here, over at that tree line isn't it? Gosh those trees have grown," Dick said, turning into the access road and preparing to back the car to return to town.

"Yes, I had happy times growing up there. I distinctly remember you teaching me to ride my pony."

"Flo."

"God yes, how on earth can you remember that?"

"There's nothing much I've forgotten about you between the ages of six and eight Kade. You followed me around like a bad smell."

"That's a lie. You're never mentioned much when I talked about your times living with us. You go all misty eyed and choke up."

"Watch all that farmland as we drive back to Random while I recall memories. I remember, like the day Molly Peake came to this ranch to look me over. I was eighteen and she twenty-five. You asked her to give you a pony as your parent's had several on their horse ranch and she asked why did you want a pony for and you make us laugh when you said, "To ride."

"Molly asked me to take her to a dance that night and I wasn't sure because she seemed so old. But you said you give me a pony Molly and I'll make him go with you. She laughed as did your parents and me and she asked what color would you like and you said pink. We screamed with laughter but she kindly said they were right out of pink and gave you the colors of their ponies."

"You do remember. Daddy told me that story years later."

"Yes, and you used to ride by yourself, still not quite seven, up to me when I was fencing on the plateau and you had a CB radio and each time you went through a gateway you radioed to your mom and me to say you were going okay."

"Mommy's told me about that and said she was worried about me going down to the dams. You do remember."

"Yes, I convinced your mother you wouldn't go down to the dams, not when you were coming to see me, She wasn't convinced until I suggested Citizen's Band radio."

"You must have loved me?"

"I did but thought it was wrong to love a girl that young. Your dad seemed to understand but your mother -- she'd seem to understand but when you'd run to me instead of them, even in the house, her mouth would tighten and her mood would change. I'm sure it was not because I loved you so. I think she thought I should have shown that feeling for her.

"Jealously."

"Yes, but please never mention it. Please?"

"You have my word. We better get going."

When the reached the town boundary Kade said she'd finished her exercise in futility unless he was planning to buy one of the ranches. "I've already told you the flatter land is the choice property."

"If you had the choice on all five properties where would you site a new house if you could afford it?"

"Dick, I'm not in the mood for games. Step on it but don't get caught by radar because if you do we'll really be late."

"Ok, who made the appointment with McKenzie?"

"Mom did, she said if you asked for her to do it then it must be important. But Ian McKenzie said ten minutes, as his appointment book was full. She tried but couldn't budge him."

"Well, be better not be late," Dick said, planting his foot.

"Dick!"

"What?"

"Slow down and make up for it by talking faster to Ian McKenzie."

"Good thinking," Dick said, slowing but still over the maximum speed limit.

Kade looked at the speed they were doing and sighed. "They usually only jail the driver. Anyway, why are we in this car -- it is leased to the company you just sold?"

"No. I've gotten used to it and still have not managed to nail you in the back seat so I had Chad to get the lease transferred to our new company, Graduates Holdings Incorporated."

"That's disgusting"

"What giving you a 15% share in our new company in which Chad has purchased 5% and I hold 80% of the stock but are willing to sell down for your benefit when you have the money?"

"I haven't signed any papers."

"Chad signed for both of us. The vehicle-leasing firm wouldn't transfer to an individual so I needed a company formed to allow the transaction to proceed. I'm sorry you think my balling you in the back seat is disgusting."

"It isn't and I don't. I think using the name Graduates is inappropriate."

"Why, Chad, you and I are graduates? Well if you find the name disgusting call Chad and suggest a name change but nothing goofy, mind you."

"No, it's okay now that you have explained the thinking behind the name. Ah here we area but there's no parking."

"No problem, we'll double park. We'll be no more than thirty minutes."

"But you'll get parking citations and even towed away."

Dick grinned. "Oh you lovely woman of little faith. This is not the big city. Nobody will have the guts to ticket us or to tow our car away, because they know to do so with a big black luxury vehicle parked so arrogantly is inviting nothing but big heaps of trouble and risking being taken all the way to the Supreme Court by the nasty car owner is definitely a possibility."

Kade giggled and called Dick, "You arrogant sonofabitch."

As they entered the office she asked, "Why was it necessary for me to accompany you?"

"To give me an aura of respectability and because you were bored. I need a lawyer to represent me in the transactions I have underway to purchase those five ranches and because you will be CEO of Graduates Holdings I do think you should have some choice in who we appoint as our principle attorney."

Kade had turned pale. "Those are marginal properties -- all five of them."

"Yes darling, I know. Your job will be to appoint a ranch manager with sufficient qualities to use economy of scale to make those properties, amalgamated under a name yet to be decided by you, and fairly quickly turn the operation into a profitably venture."

"By you've done nothing about having soil tests done, investigate water supplies and water rights, illegally erected buildings and goodness knows what else."

"Darling, this is business. The money we save by not recruiting experts to charge like wounded bulls to tell us what we probably can already guess will probably exceed what we will spend on remedial work, rather than doubling the cost. If it does, well I do believe I have the money to fix anything."

Kade slapped a hand over her forehead and groaned.

Chapter 17

Dick smiled at the middle-aged senior receptionist and said, "Savage."

"Please come this way Mr Savage. Mr McKenzie is waiting and I must inform you that two minutes of your shoe-horned slot has gone already."

"He'll call you in a few minutes to advise to delay following appointments by a another fifteen minutes Miss but I suppose it's ma'am?"

"Yes sir, Mrs Rhodes in fact but you may call me Julie."

"Fine Julie and this here is Kade my CEO, you'll be seeing a lot of her if we think Mr McKenzie's choice of attorney is suitable for us."

Julie whisper, "Ask for India, she'll be just right for you two. She's had big city experience, swears a bit, drinks a lot but don't cross her otherwise you're done for."

"Thank you Julie, please allow Kade to precede me. I don't wish Mr McKenzie to think I'm ignorant about country courtesies."

"India is going to love you Mr Savage."

The red bearded Mr McKenzie rose, looked at his watch and said, "You're late."

"Please excuse us Mr McKenzie," Kade said. "We too are subject to the pressures of business. "I'm Kade and this is my principal Dick. Please save time by asking...what name was it Dick?"

"India."

"Why India?"

"Oh I suppose I rather like the name. You are wasting our time Mr McKenzie."

Instead of using the phone, Mr McKenzie said to the departing Julie, "Get India here on the double Julie. Tell her I smell big fees. Its the couple Janice saw arriving in the big Mercedes."

Mr McKenzie looked closely at Kade. "I think I've seen you before?"

"Correct, I'm Rex and Josie's daughter. You're in Rotary with my father and know my mother as well. Mr Savage here is about to become my fiancée and he's intending spending some of his millions in this town, so please encourage India to bond with us."

"Well I must hesitate, I am satisfied you are Rex's daughter but..."

Dick cut in smoothly. "Some of my background is in this file I'll leave with you to discuss with India."

"Hello everyone," called the husky voice of an attractive woman in her late forties. "I have clients but they have coffee being brought to them. No longer than ten minutes I regret to say."

"India, this is Kade McDermott with her investment boss Dick Savage whom I gather from a newspaper cutting from this file has just sold his former business for $17.35 million cash. Please call me Iain, Dick and Kade and India is Mrs India Constantine but we have trouble getting her to answer to anything but India. Ian picked up his phone, "Julie, we are taking another fifteen minute slot. Please action."

"These people asked for you India."

"Then you are not surprised to find I am black?"

"Oh, are you black India?"

"Very smooth Dick. I like you already. I'm West Indian."

"Moving on," said Iain. "What can we do for you Dick?"

"Our company Graduates Holding Incorporation is starting for scratch. But we aim to hit the ground running, and before too long we'll require a small board. I'd like you to email me Iain at your earliest convenience why you think you would be suitable to become a professional director of our company Ian, your interest if any in being appointed deputy chairman under me and to nominate suitable fellow directors. I suggest perhaps the principal of a firm of both engineers and architects and the principal of one of the town's largest commercial construction companies. My expertise is putting projects together and on-selling them. Kade her as you can see is young, just twenty-three with a new degrees in business management and marketing from the Fitzroy Business School. As my CEO she will require guidance hence the early formation of the board. I propose finding a top accountant here as my accountant and appoint him/her as the fourth outside director. You may bill me, at reasonable rates Iain, to prepare your report to me and also recommend me two or three accountants to approach for my personal accountant. Of course if you become a director and chairman, I would not expect to be billed for that report."

"Hmmm. I'll peruse this file you are leaving with us and get back to you. India is to be your day-to-day attorney I take it?"

"Yes, if she accepts us. Please allow her to review my file. Over time it is my intention to rebuild a significant part of this town. But it's a recycling operation -- buying, reconstructing, revitalizing, selling on so I don't expect to have more than $30 million out-laid at anyone time but exactly how I finance and on-sell will depend on the advice I received about taxation. Today I initiated the purchase of ranch property so require to been talking to an attorney within the next couple of days...

"I can fit you in most afternoons Dick."

"Great India, 2:00 tomorrow for an hour. Please have someone confirm."

"It will be as a reminded, I confirm now."

"Right, you are busy people so just one more thing -- this will interest you too Kade because it could be your first project. Do you know the Blue Horizon Hotel?"

"Yes, my husband and I eat there occasionally," India said.

Iain said, "It's right opposite us but perhaps when double parking you didn't notice it. I used to take clients and my family there before the Blue Horizon Group got hold of it and destroyed the atmosphere with a ghastly cheap and clinical makeover and stripped away its traditional paraphernalia. If you have your eye on it as an investment I recommend you don't touch it unless Blue Horizon Group gives it away."

"I expect to buy the property for a song Iain," Dick smiled, "but please keep this confidential. I aim to have it rebuilt to capture some but not all of its past image as the cattleman's retreat for a great night out or weekend away from the hard grind on the range."

Eyes shining, Iain said if he joined the board he would regard it a great privilege to be asked to make the conversion plans announcement to the public. "For some years this town has rested in a trough as if waiting for someone like you coming along."

Dick smiled and thanked Iain for such supportive comment and said to Kade, "Let's go. Bye Iain and until next time India."

India shook Kade's hand and said, "Kade, what a sweet name."

"Likewise is India. Look forward to working with you. I had expected to be landed with a fuddy-duddy like Iain."

Iain smiled thinly, "A conservative appearance and attitude is appropriate for this town Miss McDermott."

Dick called impatiently from the doorway, "Come on Kade, we're double-parked." India called they had client parking behind their building.

As they walked down the one flight of stairs Kade barked, "You sonofabitch, you should have told me about the hotel!"

"Er, talking so much about the ranch purchases so much meant I ran over time. I suppose you'll want the new homestead built up on the plateau?"

"Yes of course, but you listen to me Dick...the plateau, how did you know?"

"I've learned a lot about women over the years," Dick said loftily. "Oh look, our car's still here and no sign of testy officials hovering."

"Lucky boy, can we go over and look around the Blue Horizon?"

"Tonight when we leave Holly's after dinner. I don't want senior management around when we snoop."

"Snoop?"

"Good managers have a nose for picking out crooks, cheats and anyone from the Opposition."

"I didn't know that."

"Study for your masters and you'll learn about the finer arts of management."

"Dick Savage, you're making all this up."

He smiled and asked Kade to drive as he wanted to make some calls.

"Like what?"

"I want Chad to network to see if he can find any bad oil on Iain McKenzie."

"But you've just asked him to nominate himself as our chairman and to nominate cronies to join us on the board?"

"Nominate yes but not appoint. I do the appointing. If Chad reports back nothing but good oil then Iain may get the deputy chair if I fail to nose out a better candidate in the meantime."

"But mom..."

"Kade, this is business. Say nothing about this to anyone and that includes family."

* * *

Iain and India stood at the window and watched the Mercedes glide off.

"Get one of our investigators on to Dick Savage. If he/he comes up empty-handed after four hours they should can it."

"You don't believe he's genuine?"

Iain snorted. "Didn't you watch and listen? At times he looked the perfect amateur conman."

India sighed and said she'd do it but it would be a waste of money. "As usual I didn't rush in to pre-judge. I thought he seemed a little wet behind the ears but at no point did he stumble and I eventually concluded he had the confidence of a guy who makes big deals to go his way. But what sold me was the shock and then hostility Kade displayed when she found out about the possible hotel purchase. She didn't know and right now she'll be chewing his ear. Look, get Josie in and we'll ask her about Dick. Any mother willing to allow he daughter to claim to be the imminent fiancée of a guy at least ten years older will know everything worth knowing about our Mr Savage."

"All right, ignore the investigation request until we talk to Josie. Get her in here."

India and Iain watched Josie leave, closing the door behind her.

"Christ, what a story," Iain said. "From jail bird to gaining an honorary doctorate as a self-made multi-millionaire."

India asked primly would he trust Josie to be telling the truth and Iain said he knew Rex and Josie McDermott well enough to trust them with his life. "I want to be chairman of that board because over time that guy is going to modernize this town and it will grow. He'll become Mayor and..."
"Dick is not one for the limelight but when Kade reaches her late-thirties he'll push her in as Mayor because by then this will be his town if he keeps his nose clean."

Iain sighed.

India smiled and said, "Ah, so you have ambition to be Mayor. I suggest you hold back two or three years and then persuade Dick to nominate you. By the time you've had enough at being First Citizen, Kade will be ready to become your successor."

"Do you really think so?"

India just smiled. "Oh, another thing -- Dick mentioned buying a ranch. I think he's here to buy back the McDermott's former ranch and build a mansion on it for his new bride, the ranch when he still a teenager first met six-year-old Kade. God, what a story. Oooh, I must run, my two clients will be attached to their chairs by cobwebs."

Iain smiled and picked up his phone and called Mayor Shapskinsky.

"Hi Peter, with your retirement coming up in a couple of months I was wonder if you had any interest in being nominated as vice-present of our Rotary Club. That would give you a couple of year's breather before you pick up the reins and you're bound to be a little bored by then."

"I'd appreciate that Iain, yes that's a great idea. I had been approached several times over the years but was too busy running my construction company but now the two boys have proved their worth I have learned to ease back and look around to see what's on offer."

"Directorships?"

"Well as a matter of fact yes. Charlie Willis has approached me."

"Peter take it but it's a rubber stamp directorship. I was calling to sound you out about an exciting new company preparing to unleash. Everything is under wraps at present but I have been sounded out about my interest in taking a seat as deputy chair and finding two other hot prospects associated with building development -- are you interested?"

"Interested? Yes definitely but I'd need to know more."

"I'd arrange a meeting over the next month. Look, keep this under your hat. The principal with really big bucks has local connections and has focused already on the Blue Horizon with the thought of taking it back to its traditional image of the cattleman's retreat."

"Really? That would interest Maggie and me. We spent the first two nights of our honeymoon in the Cattleman's. It's a disgrace what was done to that building. By God if I'd had been Mayor..."

"Peter, you are Mayor. Any chance of having a demolition order slapped on it?"

"I'd love to but Council passed the conversion plans and I'd say the structure is sound."

"Damn. This new company only buys if the price is right. Wait a minute, could the Council write to the owners requesting that the frontage of their gaudy hotel be rebuilt to be more in keeping with the traditional character of this part of town?"

"Well, I suppose I could talk to the chair of town planning, Sarah Lynch."

"Sarah! She hates what they did to Cattleman's. I know that for a fact. Push her Peter."

"I'll talk to her but we could not describe the building in an official letter as gaudy."

"Then find another equally disapproving word. You're coming under no pressure to do this Peter and I know you know that. At the same time having you beside me in a mega-rich development company would be great. The client appears to be champagne class and with me there it will serve best of Scotland's single malt. This is just between you and me Peter, I'll have a quiet word with my principal if he approves you as a director that your appointment as a director won't count in any way against your sons being in line to winning contracts. Please ensure you have the tape of this conversation wiped and overwritten Peter. You never know how some snot-nosed investigator could misinterpret an innocent conversation between two friends."

"The tape? Of course, I supervise that been attended to right now. I'll hand you a copy of the letter when it's sent. Better than emailing it, huh?"

"Bye my friend. Tell Maggie I remembered to ask how she's doing and that I remembered to enquire about her roses."

Chapter 18

Rex drove the Mercedes to Molly Scott's and Josie, Kade, Carolyn and co-host husband Josh all noticed how Molly rushed at Dick and kissed him ever so softly but perhaps her exhibition of tenderness was masked when she stood back, flushing and said, "It's so lovely having you back home my old friend."

Sipping champagne the guests were led into the highly decorated dinning room with its soft highly and rich deep red wallpaper and dark woodwork and furniture. Carolyn and her parents were seated opposite Kade and Dick.

Molly then welcomed everyone to 'this special occasion' without elaboration and then said Kade wanted to say something.

"Molly talked to me about hosting this dinner and made me so excited. You know, I met Molly the first time she came to our ranch to look over Dick."

Describing that day and the story about the 'pink' pony that made everyone laugh Kade said she was astonished just recently when Dick told her the name of the pony and then recalled that day when she was six and he eighteen when Molly asked her what color pony would she like and Kade had said pink.

"I couldn't believe it -- he recited it almost word to word perfect to the version dad first told me some years ago. I had of course forgotten as one would most memories of early childhood." She turned and asked Dick if she could tell them, and he nodded.

"Mom, dad, Carolyn. When he told me that we were stopped at the start of the old logging road that gives access to our former home. This morning Dick instructed Kevin Copeland to buy that ranch and the other four ranches back to the edge of the city. We will operate it as one big ranch and my darling has asked me to design our new home to be built up on the plateau."

"Well I be darned," Rex grinned and Carolyn shrieked, "Will you have horses!" and Kade said of course.

The attention of everyone switched to Josie.

"I think that is wonderful -- I would have wanted a new home built on the plateau had we stayed there. Thank you for bringing that property back into the family Dick. We'll love visiting you and Kade. There is a gate in the fencing around the lowest dam I remember as my gate. I remember clearly those days helping you with that fence, the kids playing on the grass or in our old pickup. You'll be so happy there Kade, but please don't get too lonely."

"Lonely? She'll be coming to work in town each day and her office will be just opposite you in the Cattleman's," Dick said.

Looking at Josie and Rex's astonished faces, he said he'd also instructed Kevin Copeland to arrange the purchase of the New Horizon Hotel because he intended rebuilding it as The New Cattleman's."

"Do that and you'll be a hero in this town," said Josh, a small animal veterinarian. "There was almost a riot on the streets when people realized what was going to replace the façade of the Cattlemen's. People still point out the new hotel as a blight on High Street."

"Is my office going to be in the Cattlemen's?" Kade asked ominously.

"Er, until we get settled and you decide where we need to relocate when we expand," Dick said. "The bridal suite will be fitted out when we vacate."

"The purchase of these properties," Josh asked carefully. "My understanding is that in order to purchase you must have a willing seller. I can't imagine the hotel owners wanting to sell because they opened only four years ago and expecting five ranchers to all be willing sellers is being rather optimistic to put it mildly."

"Dick will simply give them an offer they can't refuse."

"Oh, that reminds me," said Dick, turning to Kade. "Kevin called me while you were in the bath. Mick Owens says they'll move out as soon as they have our check, tomorrow if we wish and Mr and Mrs Ranger said their kids have approved their decision to sell but asked could they stay in the house until they move into a home for the elderly."

"And."

"I said of course but to tell them we best put a cap on it of fifty years."

"They'll love that and will love you when we visit them tomorrow and being elderly they'll want to hear the assurance from you. You're a good boy and I know the bathroom was only twenty steps away from when Kevin called..."

"I'll try very hard to tell you everything of importance as it happens darling."

"Good boy."

"Yeah, tie him down Kade," Carolyn smirked. "Males behave better when they're bossed."

"Thank you for your valuable contribution Carolyn," Dick said. "Perhaps I should tell you Kade I'm thinking of retaining ownership of the Cattlemen's and lease it to a proven operator, even to the Blue Horizon Group if they are good operators but are without taste in hotel design."

"No thank you, I'll arrange to lease it to proven operators with proven good taste with values for tradition."

Rex looking very pleased said, "If you include a conference center I'll try to get our Rotary Club to return to its former home -- the club was founded in the Cattleman's and only vacated to the Old Town Hall Restaurant for the period of the conversion. But when we saw the what Blue Horizon was doing to the Cattleman's we cancelled our contract for exclusive use of the hotel's conference room each Monday."

"Thanks Rex," Dick said. "Kade I am sure will be pleased to talk to your representatives about fitting out the meeting room to suit the club's requirements."

"Are we finished here with these eye-opening revelations?" asked the hostess. "Kade, our real reason for being here," Molly said as Josh who had been clearing away the soup plates returned to the room.

"Ah yes," Kade said, reaching down into her handbag and pulling out a small square box and placing it in front of Dick. "Darling, I do believe you have something important to ask me?"

"Ah yes," Dick said, almost flustering. He looked quickly at Josie and she smiled back sweetly. "Thank you Molly, I have been caught on the hop. I guessed you have discussed this with Kade and Josie."

She said yes, blew him a kiss and cupped her ear.

"Kade, I love you and I know you really love me even though I am a pain at times when I become a little tight lipped but you do know that's a guy thing. You know I've said several times I'm too old for you but you consistently have scoffed and when we finally began to talk about it I remember you saying, half drunk no doubt, that even if the marriage lasts not longer than a week you will have spent one week being exactly where you wanted to be'. So good luck and here's your opportunity if you wish to take it up: Kade you previously agreed to become engaged to me and wore a cheapo ring and we purchased the real thing but agreed to announce our engagement before your parents because I wished that to be so and I now perform a shortened re-enactment of my proposal. "Kade Lorna McDermott, will you accept this ring and promise to marry me on the afternoon of the official opening of The New Cattlemen's Hotel where our wedding reception will be held?"

"Aaaaagghh," shouted Carolyn, running around the table to kiss Dick fiercely.

"Carolyn, please behave like a lady," Dick said firmly, holding her away with straight arms. "Do you promise me to treat me just as your sister's husband-to-be and to put aside this schoolgirl passion you seemed to have developed towards me?"

Blushing hugely Carolyn said, "It's not fair you extracting a promise like that from me Dick. I could die."

"Carolyn!"

"Yes Dick."

"Good girl. Now sit on my knee you lovely young lady and hold Kade's hand out while I'll slip on the ring. Then kiss her and go back to your seat and hug your mother and say to her don't we make a lovely couple."

After Kade has gone around the table showing everyone her diamond and platinum ring Josh said, "How can you be so sure the wedding reception will fit your plan to acquire the New Horizon Hotel?"

Aware that his wife, Carolyn, Josie and Rex were looking at him and shaking their heads, Josh asked, "What?"

Carolyn, looking very pretty in her new blue multi-lawyer dress said, "Josh, if Dick says the wedding reception will be held in his hotel then just believe it. It will happen."

"Good girl, you tell him," Josie said, kissing Carolyn.

Dick's phone vibrated and he checked the text message. "The Zimmerman's have accepted, two more to go."

The next day Kade flew to Pryde City to collect her car from storage and to drive it back to Random. She was in the car when Dick called and suggested she sell the car to a dealer and pocket the money and fly back as he thought she should update to a company lease car. Her vehicle had run up quite a mileage over the years and had a few scratches and dents so she agreed and said because the climate at Ransom was drier and far less windy she'd switch to a VW Eros.

"What color?"

"Pink."

"They won't do pink."

"You choose."

Dick met her at the airport in her light blue Eros with white interior.

"It's second-hand, low mileage eight months old."

"I love it. It's so me!"

Dick said yeah, it looked girly.

As they drove past the Blue Horizon Hotel Dick grunted to Kade to turn right and as they turned he said right down to the lake. Obviously she sensed another undisclosed deal was about to be revealed but apart from biting her lip she drove on serenely thanking him for anticipating her car requirements so well.

She turned right as ordered, passing two Copeland Realty For Sale signs of a 5-floor apartment block.

"Oh Dick, you haven't..."

"Not unless you approve."

"Good boy."

Dick used an electronic key card that gave them access to the fourth floor apartment.

It occupied the entire floor with two bedrooms and two bathrooms on one side of the elevator tower, an office immediately opposite the elevator entrance with an full glass wall looking out to the lake that was the town's water supply reservoir and to the right were the lounge with bathroom and laundry opposite and beyond that through double doors was the family room and big open kitchen on the side next to the laundry.

"Could you live here?"

"I suppose so."

"Right, I'll organize it."

In the elevator Dick went up to the next floor. There was only one bedroom and it was huge. A door between the two bathrooms closed off the bedroom suite from the visitor's bathroom. The lounge/dinning room ran the full of the frontage and opposite the closed off kitchen was a casual dining area made possible with the deletion of the bathroom and the small laundry was behind louver doors. The office was at the frontage behind the lift tower with both ends protruding into the lounge and the guest bathroom, while in the recess opposite the elevator doors (the laundry in the apartment below) was a spiral staircase to the rooftop.

"Oh Dick, why can't we have this apartment -- it's lovely and, um, so much us."

"Are you sure, I don't want you changing your mind. Don't reply for a moment until you're seen the rooftop. The rooftop above the kitchen was divided off by a six foot six high wall to block out the elevator tower and other building services and was a mixture of shade and open gardens and included an entertainment area. Dick opened a bench top cupboard beside the gas cooker and beamed, "It's a dumb waiter you'll find goes to a cupboard in the kitchen.

"Oh Dick please, please can we have this apartment. Please Dick."

"Well, since you like it I'll call Kevin Copeland. I told him I'd call before 6:00. We will shift into the fourth floor until this apartment with rooftop is redecorated to your satisfaction so the furniture and stuff you buy for downstairs will need to be what you want up here. It could be two years before our ranch house is ready to move in."

Kade kissed him and then told him to hurry and call Kevin.

"Hi Kevin, the little lady is all in a flutter. Could you proceed with the deal as discussed -- yes, Kade is the new owner. I'll pass you over to her."

"Kevin knows you because you sometimes visited them. His daughter's name is Gwendolyn and she lives in Paris now. I'll be downstairs."

"Gwendolyn Copeland, of course."

* * *

Kade thought well if wheeler-dealer Dick wanted her to clean up after him with the paper work, so be it. "Hello Kevin."

"Good evening Kade. Happy times for you eh?"

"Yes Kevin, it's good to be back at home. Apparently Dick is keeping you busy."

"Aye, and already rising to become my Number 1 client, which is why I am looking after his needs myself. Well, let's get down to it."

Kade answered Kevin's questions until finally asking, "You are taking my personal details. Shouldn't the apartment be in the company's name?"

"I'm only following instructions Kade."

"Very well."

They finished with Kevin asking, "Do you wish our property management department to continue managing the lower three apartments and to find you tenants for the fourth floor when you move up to the fifth in about three weeks?"

"Manage?"

"We could sell them for you if you wish but renting is the way to go if you want my advice. Those apartments separated only by the around-lake road and the lakefront reserve bring premium rents. However it's up to you."

"Just exactly what has Dick purchased?"

"The whole apartment block for you. It's your wedding gift. He's told you hasn't he?"

"Oh yeah," Kade lied. "Sorry I I've had a busy day and so much has happened."

"Well all have days like that Kade. Can you pop in sometime tomorrow and sign these papers."

"Sure, say hello to Gwen for me. Tell her I hope to see her in Paris sometime."

Kade went down from the rooftop to wring someone's neck but as usual found herself out-smarted. He had two flutes poured from a half-bottle of champagne he must have had in the small bag he'd carried form the car.

"Congratulations on your astute purchase," he said. "You ought to feel comfortably set-up with almost new wheels and your own income coming off this property if you ever decided to take time off work to raise a baby or two. It is my desire to have my wife under no unnecessary pressure. I apologize for not announcing this as a pre-wedding gift buy you'll understand had I done so it wouldn't have been a surprise."

"Well, I suspect the property was already purchased waiting for either your name or my name to be placed on the paper for transfer of ownership. However it's a lovely gesture and a fabulous wedding present. Your comment about the purchase making me financially independent is the icing on the cake."

Dick looked almost disappointed. "So I'm not going to get my head bitten off?"

"A near-new car and a near-new apartment block all in one afternoon -- how could I be displeased darling? Cheers."

Dick looked at his watch. "Sip but don't rush. We have fifteen minutes before we are due to meet your architect in the bar for a drink."

Kade sighed and sipped her drink and said, "What architect and what bar?"

"The architect I have found for you to redesign the hotel for us and I thought the lounge bar in the Blue Horizon Hotel was the appropriate bar to meet."

Kade sighed and sipped more champagne.

"Hello Rosalie, please meet my fiancée..."

The two women hugged and talked as if they knew each other.

"I went all though high school with Rosalie's kid sister Tiffany Strickland -- you married Tony Valdina I think?"

"Yes and we have three little ones," said the frizzy-haired thirty-something dressed in a black short dress, high black boots and a bright red necklace. "Your attorney India suggested I call Dick without saying why apart from mentioning a possible commission and Dick arranged we meet for a drink with you."

"Why would India do that?" Kade asked as the waitress took their drinks order.

Rosalie said. "India and I are best friends."

"Well, let's keep it in the family," Dick smiled, at least once we learn just how good you are. Did you design this building?"
"Oh, that is almost insulting. It was done by one of our principal rivals and this is not sour grapes -- had I been asked to redesign it like this I would have given them the fingers and walked away. Professional ethics prevent me from being outspoken but I can say all other buildings in the stretch of Main Street are out of kilter with this design."

Dick laughed and said, "Kade?"

Kade said, "Rosalie, we want this hotel redesigned and refurbished with a conference room large enough to house the local Rotary club and guests, to recapture some of it's past tradition, to be pitched as a superior class hotel, to have one of its bars graded down to be a watering hole for locals, predominantly beer drinkers, to have two restaurants one of which will be moderately priced, the smaller one higher price night-only restaurant with a lounge section where hotel guests can feel at home and where ladies of this town can gather for afternoon coffee. I would think the one kitchen serving both would be the way to go. The exterior of course must belie the change of name, The New Cattleman's Hotel.'

"Ohmigod, are you serious?"

"Very."

"I must ask, do you own this property?"

"Not yet but we will."

"And the other project?"

Kade smiled and said she knew Dick well enough to know new projects would flow on into the distance. "Dick signed this morning to purchase the Owens's Ranch, north of here."

"I know it. I've been on runs with our dog up the old forestry road. I hope you plan to build on the plateau -- you can see right over this town from there."

"Yes, on the best spot on the 38-acre plateau. We need to inspect some of your completed works and read your CV and view commendations if we can. My concept for the ranch house is the family wing and a guest wing separated by a lounge with a high vaulted ceiling."

Rosalie drained her glass and held it out to waiting waitress. "You two best come out for lunch this Sunday and inspect our award-winning house. Although the two-wing and vaulted central core is quite popular but expensive it's what one does in tweaking the design and paying creative attention to materials, window shapes and changing roof lines that make all the difference. India said I'd like you two and this is a blatant attempt to persuade you to come to me as clients: I feel an award coming on for the high plateau ranch house -- even that description has a ring to it -- but taking this hotel back to revisit its past. Ohmigod, I never expected a challenge of that magnitude in practicing in this town." She added the town population was estimated at 32,740 and its hinterland that included small towns would double that population number.

Stopping outside Tom Pearce's cars and pickup dealership to drop Dick off to pick up his car, Kade said, "A kiss darling. Thank you. You are a good boy for finding such a youngish architect with passion, and a female one at that."

"I was attempting to think in your best interests and you'll be the one who's mainly have to keep a thumb on the architect."

"Oh, how considerate."

Dick looked at her to see if she was being sarcastic but she was smiling softly and repeated earlier comment that she loved her new car very much.

He said, "You did well with Rosalie. In fact you reeled her in really well and probably better than I would have done. We've left her all fired up."

"Oh you lovely boy. What a delightful man I've chosen to service my sexual needs among other needs."

"Er Kade," Dick said anxiously. He was outside the car and looked around to see if anyone was within listening distance.

Kade blue him a kiss and simpered, "Don't become too couth darling. Your raw edge and your uncompromising spirit are two things I really like about you. The third is your dick Dick."

"Please don't allow your mom to think I've turned you into a slut baby," he said, giving Kade a huge cheesy grin.

She blushed in response and because the vehicle's hardtop was down heard him walk away whistling.

Chapter 19

Josie drove Kade in the sports car and said it was lovely but didn't like her hair being blown around and was told to wear a hat in future, preferably a cap.

"Not a cap, they are too mannish."

"What's mannish mom?" her daughter asked but received no reply. They drove into the McDermott's old ranch to find Dick already there, having a drink on an outdoor table with Mick and Jennifer Owens. He'd been north to the next town to talk to a firm of ranch consultants.

Jennifer and Josie already knew each other and after the introductions Mick talked about his long term plans to develop the ranch and that was of interest to the new owners. Jennifer said in leaving she'd leave behind her dream to build a new house up on the plateau. "But we could never make enough money off this land to pay for that dream."

The Owens's said they would have vacated the farm by Thursday whereas the agreement was Sunday. "So you are free to walk in to your new farm on Friday," Mick said. "Be happy here Dick, we have. The grandchildren have loved coming here particularly in the summer when they go boating on the bottom dam. Your husband did a smart thing fencing off the lake and planting the trees. Folk around her in these low rainfall parts call it the oasis."

Dick went to Random to meet Kevin Copeland and while there Kevin received a call from the last rancher to accept, Carlos Rivera.

"What made you finally decide to take the offer Carlos?"

"Mrs McDermott arrived with her daughter in a blue sports car that completely took Ada's breath away. Kade tossed the keys to Ada and told her to go for a drive. Ada said not without Kade but Kade laughed and told Ada to be off as the car was only a piece of metal. I guess those two women wanted to split me and Ada. Well Kade told me the reason why my ranch was so important to her plans. Apparently you were instructed not to reveal that Kevin. Well, it made sense to me as amalgamation would bring profitability. Ada came back, her eyes shiny and looking all dreamy and Kade said, "Accept the offer Mr and Mrs Rivera and I'll toss in a sports car exactly like this. What color would you like Mrs Rivera? Those two went for a walk and before they'd gotten very far I called Kade back and told her we had a deal."

After the call ended Kevin told Dick the Rivera's had capitulated and would arrive within the hour to sign. "That means you now own a 22,620 acre ranch. Well done."

"And to you as well. What made them buckle?"

Kevin told his client of the tactics used. It had been Josie's suggestion to drop in on the Rivera's to see if a bit of female sweet talk could push the owners into selling. He then related how Kade has swung the deal.

"Kade came on to the phone and when I confirmed you were still here she asked that I pass on this message, "This is my wedding present to you darling."

Dick grinned and then lost the grin. "Look pal, she'll expect me to pay for the black Eros. I'd like you to consider paying half from the surplus you will rake in above the current values placed on each of the five properties. Think carefully as I have many more properties to buy and on-sell."

Kevin went to a cabinet and poured two whiskies. "Here you go Dick and cheers. I'll buy the car from Tom Pearce at trade price and pay the lot. Here's to our future and may I say my wife Allie and me expect invitations to the wedding as no doubt it will be this town's social event of the year if not of the decade."

"Deal done Kevin. Cheers."

Another fortnight went by before a response was received from the hotel group rejecting Dick's offer to buy the Blue Horizon hotel, received two days after Dick received a copy of a letter sent to the hotel group from the chairman on the town planning committee of the Random Town Council. That same day Dick received a call from Kevin Copeland.

"I've just had a call from the hotel group wanting urgent talks about your offer. I can't understand this about face. They suggest 9:00 next Monday.

"Nope, I'm busy that week with ranch advisers going over D&K Ranch with me. Tell them tomorrow at noon in the hotel's dinning room."

"But Dick, these are busy guys and may have difficulty flying here from such a long way in such short notice."

"They'll get here Kevin, believe me. The ball has swung our way. Tell them not to send executive cardboard cutouts, that we want their top negotiating team."

"Right, do you wish to limit numbers?"

"No, tell them they'll face me, you and Kade."

"Will she be free?"

"She better be. Call her once Blue Horizon accepts. If tomorrow doesn't suit them just tell them too bad. Make no effort to arrange another meeting and if they suggest dates just tell them you'll get back to them in due course but don't say when."

"They'll think you are a little too big for your boots."

Dick laughed and told Kevin he didn't care what they thought. "They'll be here tomorrow."

Kevin was in the foyer waiting for them next day. He said, "They're here and becoming restless. Six of them. You didn't call to tell me you'd be late."

Dick said, "We wanted you to work on them, softening them up."

Kevin led them in, making no comment on their clothes. Kade wore a glittering cocktail dress that stopped mid-thigh and showing considerable cleavage, blue shoes to match and hair piled high. Kevin wore a black suit, black ankle boots, white shirt with black buttons and a white Stetson.

The six executives all in dark pinstripe -- one of the women in a skirt the other in trousers -- left their drinks and came forward to be introduced, Gregory Masters, vice-president of Business Development leading the pack of Finance, Marketing, Property and Legal departments.

Gregory directed the waiter to Dick to be first to order drinks.

"Mineral water at the table for everyone," he said, waiting for the gasps to diminish before adding, "And a bottle of your best Australia shiraz -- preferably Wolf Blass Platinum Label Barossa Shiraz."

"Yes sir, you are in lucky, we do have four bottles of the coveted 2003 left."

"Well have all four bottles thank you waiter," said Gregory. "You obviously know your wine Dick."

Four and a half hours later the delegation left for the airport, deal in place subject to 'the rubber stamp of the board." Graduate Holdings would acquire the property 'lock, stock and barrel in ninety days for $8.97 million on the day the Blue Horizons ceased trading at the establishment on the sole condition that Blue Horizons Group had the first option of negotiating to lease the replacement facility to be renamed The New Cattleman's Hotel.

As the delegation was leaving Gregory said quietly to Dick, "Thanks for sending us that DVD of before and after of the conversion of the New City Markets you two did at Pryde City. May I suggest that you get a personal assurance from that crusty bitch who is chairman of the town planning committee here that when your renovations are approved that she agrees -- but get that in writing. The bitch recently attempted to shaft us, calling the façade of our hotel a disgrace to the town center. To tell you the truth that's why we came back to negotiate with you -- we thought perhaps she knows something we don't as while this hotel is above average rate for travelers, its usage by the local community is near the bottom in its rating."

When leaving the hotel Kevin said, "Well done you guys. The way you dressed Kade was point of focus of the visitors, even the two women. It may have caused them to be off balance."

"It was Dick's stupid idea," Kade said "He knows a good show of tits keeps his mind wandering. I have to admit my tits appeared to become a focus."

Kevin colored and Kade said sweetly, "Relax Kevin, you are among friends. Now regarding your commission, I assume this deal is at the lower end of the scale since we will be bringing heaps more transaction your way?"

"Um yes Kade. I wonder to whom you have been talking? By the way Ada and Carlos took delivery of their black roadster late this morning and she called me, absolutely wrapped. They have decided to shift out next week, two weeks earlier than arranged."

"That's fine, Kevin. Call us when and where to sign and hand over our check." Kade said.

Kevin looked for confirmation from Dick and got it when Dick slapped her back and said, "That's my girl. You are beginning to sound like a real businesswoman."

Kade smiled and pulled out her phone and put it on speaker. "Hi Rosalie, it's Kade. We have purchased the hotel and gain possession ninety days from tomorrow."

"Congratulations, Kade. That is really good news. We are really interested to being appointed for the architectural and engineering work."

"We don't want to be kept waiting to have the place stripped and the redesign and refurbishment to take place. The board of Blue Horizon Group is due to meet soon and the vice-president leading the negotiating team said that's virtually to rubber-stamp the agreement. So, you consider when it's prudent to make a start Rosalie and proceed. You have the job.

"That is fabulous. Thank you."

"We like you Rosalie. We will require the sketches being submitted to us for approval to authorize working drawings and to be submitted and have Council approval for everything within ninety days. Dick and I confirm we want an 1880s look throughout but over-faced with a classy premium look that is currently leading edge in hotel design and décor. Oh, instead of a bull on the roofline could we please have a replica of a chuck wagon."

"I was going to suggest the chuck wagon."

"Oh good. Regarding the ranch house, Dick and I really loved the look of your beautiful home but we are prepared to spend more for you to lift your design and specifications for our home a few more notches. In other words top notch but we don't expect to have to print money for its design, building and landscaping. For that control we rely on you, lovely Rosalie."

"I've already made some prompting sketches of both projects to get me thinking. I'll keep in touch. Anything else?"

"No, that's fine Rosalie. We must talk soon." She snapped her phone shut and looked at Dick with a raised eyebrow as an invitation for him to comment.

Dick scratched his head. "I'm getting the feeling I'm becoming superfluous around here. Perhaps I should get out ranching."

* * *

Watching the second pair of agricultural consultants drive off Dick looked mournfully at four Angus bulls grazing in the pasture beside him. From the northern boundary line where he sat and back to the town limit was 9.21 miles -- all his land and the boundaries of the five properties went inland, rising and covering increasingly less fertile land until reaching the meandering boundary of the state-owned forest reserve land. At that ranch land was his, 22,627 acres and the consultants had just confirmed what the previous two had told him two days earlier. Translated into real-time investment comparisons, it meant that completing the purchases he'd made by far the worst investment in his 11-year career as a business speculator.

Dick felt like banging his head against the steering wheel in shame, but decided against that knowing it would probably activate the air bag. He couldn't believe he'd been so stupid, rushing to buy up the land as if amid a gold rush without first checking where was the gold. In translating what the consultants had said, these days there was a better chance of tumbling into debt in starting out ranching than finding gold on the land. The only property the three men and woman advisors had liked was the middle and largest property of 7320 acres but all agreed that he'd finished up paying less per acre than they would have expected. Their combined advice was don't improve anything, don't spend any more than he had to, try to find a manager and ranch hands who'd be happy to work hard for pay rates at the lower end of the scale. Their recommended year-long stocking rate was roughly one third of what Dick had figured he'd run. He was told he could run his rate for three to four months from after mid spring but would have to cut back earlier if the summer rainfall fell away.

"Oh, what have I done," he groaned, and blamed Carolyn with her hormones running amok at the time he'd made the ranch purchase decision for putting him off balance. Well, he had to blame someone. Checking the time Dick called his Realtor pal and took Kevin Copeland for lunch, a rather wet lunch. After a double whisky each as starters and two bottles of wine almost finished, Kevin began to make Dick's day.

"Dick, let's look at the facts. You are not a rancher's asshole (at that Dick bellowed with laugher, disturbing other diners). The good news is the Rangers advised me a couple of hours ago they are moving out over the next two days because they're used some of your check to buy themselves an apartment at the Golden Age Retirement Village. So that means all five homesteads will be vacated by the weekend, right?"

"Yes."

"Well we'll advertise the sale on your 22,627 amalgamated reach in Saturday's newspaper and that begins the marketing campaign."

"Oh great, at a 100% profit?"

Kevin grinned and said perhaps 15% net.

Dick frowned and Kevin asked, "What's up pal, do you think 15% is exorbitant? "Remember I did insert the word 'perhaps'. It could sell at a loss."

"No, I've promised Kade a house on the plateau on the Owens's ranch -- well have to remove those 6060 acres from the sale."

"But leave the asking price the same?"

Dick said yes, but not with the 15% added. Kevin beamed and said, "Oh, you're not been greedy then?"

"Who me?" Dick protested loudly. "I'm never greedy, I just go for great deals."

At that point people in two adjoining tables shifted across the room to vacant tables.

"You're paying for lunch aren't you?" Kevin asked, and when Dick said yes Kevin emptied the remains of the wine into their glasses and ordered two double whiskies.

"Who's running the ranch at the moment?"

"No one I suppose," Dick said, unconcerned.

"What above heifers trapped in drains or a bull caught by his testicles in barbwire?"

"What about them?"

Kevin sighed. "Listen pal, I know women don't take any looking after but cattle do."

"Christ, you're right. How do I get a manager and a bunch of cowboys?"

Kevin told him not to worry. He knew a couple of retired ranchers in town who'd be only too happy to join forces and look after the existing stock until the four ranches sold."

"Make that looking after the five properties until I learn more about ranching. I guess once Rex McDermott upskills me I could look after my 200 head by myself."

Kevin studied his whisky in admiration before tossing back half of it. "Seventy head maximum over winter I'd say providing you buy in all your hay."

"It's wonderful having a Realtor knowing so much about farming," Dick said, slapping Kevin on the back. "Here, have my whisky because I have to drive. How much do I pay these two old guys?"

"As little as possible knowing it's you. Look, I'll suggest to them that you'll pay a reasonable amount towards their monthly grocery and liquor bills. That way their wives will see sense in them playing ranchers again. Their wives will suggest what a reasonable amount is as guys have no idea of what they actually pay for groceries and liquor. I should do the negotiating because if you go around to them in your flash Mercedes they'll treble what they'd otherwise think was reasonable."

"You know Kevin my old pal, you are proving to be a real gold mine for me."

"You probably meant yourself as the gold mine pal but never mind. I see the manageress looking at you -- she either wants you to keep your voice down or to go out into the back room with her. I'd keep my voice down if I were you."

Dick flicked a look at the grim-faced manager. "Oh, more gilt-edge advice Kevin. That bruiser would leave me for dead in the back room."
Dick sat outside a coffee shop diagonally opposite the Blue Horizon hotel when a fading redhead with an unremarkable chest came out carrying her coffee and cream cake. Dick noticed her out of interest because she said, "Oh hello Mr Savage. I'm Meg Tompkins, Ann's mother and Ann and Carolyn are best friends."

Standing and smiling Dick said in that case she should join him, noting she already was on course to do that.

"Oh thank you, you are such a gentleman."

At that Dick wondered if her butt and legs were attractive but she gave him no opportunity to check because her tray was at table height obscuring her legs and she walked straight up and sat without turning. Well, he thought, why not chat with a woman without having a predatory interest.

"Everyone's talking about you."

"Oh?"

"Yes, being Kade's older friend and having the most luxurious car in town."

Dick smiled and said a vehicle was no indication of a man's honesty, reliability or worthiness.

"Perhaps not but we know you met Kade at the airport the other day in a new car you've given her..."

"Leased."

"Oh, and you have purchased the first five small ranches on the left beyond the town's northern limits."

"I'm no rancher -- they will be a millstone."

"Oh."

"There is a rumor that you are about to unveil an exciting project in Main Street."

"Mrs Tompkins, what project?"

"Carolyn refused...oh dear."

"Well, at least Miss Loud Mouth didn't reveal what the project was."

"Is it new premises for the Council? That building is due for demolition and staff are cramped?"

"No."

"The Capitol or the bug house as we call it. You know, the cinema."

"No but no more guesses."

"Carolyn says the ladies just love you, she's infatuated with you but you have warned her off."

"Don't listen to her Mrs Tompkins. She's one of those girls at that age with hormones running almost out of control."

"Don't I know it. Mine still rattle around a bit. Please call me Meg."

"Why?"

"I'm not aiming to complete with Kade if that's what you're thinking Dick. However, anytime you..."

"What do you do Meg?"

"I'm an interior consultant which is the real reason why I've chosen to sit with you. Please remember me when it comes to interior design with your project Dick. Well, I'll go inside and finish my cake and coffee with my friends. I would think they all have more than a passing interest in you."

"So long as it keeps passing I won't mind Meg. Goodbye and yes, I'll think about consulting you or more likely it will be Kade."

"Whatever. Oh, my husband is often out of town at weekends."

Dick watched her walk away and thought her ass and back of her lower legs rated six out of ten and thought nothing more about Meg expect to ask Kade to check out her commercial retrofits and new work if she was involved in commercial work. He stared at the Blue Horizon wondering if it would be a Blue Elephant for him, er White Elephant. He wondered if he would even get out of looking at women in terms of their sexual appeal. Although some women would regard him an animal for thinking of them like that at least he was not a politically correct animal, so probably was destined to keep on making such assessments until it no longer was worth bothering. His phone brought him out of such profound or, he smiled, perhaps puerile thinking, depending on one's point of view.

"Hello Kevin.

"Hi, remind me not to go out to lunch with you again. I'm almost ready to go home and sleep off this alcohol overload."

"No, you go and visit those old ranchers. Get one of your girls to drive you. Oh, I often make rash decisions on the fly, so here goes. Want to be appointed director of my company, er my and Kade's company?"

"Will any company be left if you keep making rash decisions like buying ranches?"

"You of all people ought to know a loss or profit is not revealed until a property is sold."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll become a director providing you ask Kade and she agrees. Remember she doesn't really know me."

"That could be an advantage. Thanks. Consider yourself appointed. Bye."

Having made what he considered to be an excellent business decision, Dick stared at the frontage of the Blue Horizon until in his mind it changed into a white adobe structure with stained woodwork, a gallows hanging out from it, a hitching rail in front of it with no horses but piles of horse dung and he imagined the chuck wagon falling off the roof parapet and killing possibly eighteen passersby and putting a dent in the roof of his purple and yellow Mercedes. He slept until a pretty waitress shook him and said they were closing and asked could she take him home with her. "My husband works late tonight."

Dick realized he wasn't dreaming.

"Er, could I take a rain check?"

The waitress smiled and said she'd only been joking. "I live be myself but I can see by your panicked look you won't be coming home with me. Oh, what a disappointment."

"Here's a twenty for great coffee and allowing me to catch up on sleep," Dick said, and fled.

He went upstairs to the offices of McKenzie, Sabori, Constantine Law, also known as McKenzie Partners. It was 6.45 and the offices appeared deserted but he thumbed on the door and Iain McKenzie came from his office looking surly but brightened when seeing Dick.

"Come on it. You got my message obviously."

Noting Dick's blank look her said, "I sent you a text yesterday asking you to call to discuss my report about directors."

"Oh, I rarely read or listen to messages -- too used to my PA to do that for me."

Dick followed Iain through and was printed out the one-page report. He read it and crossed out the architects name and inserted Rosalie's name and added Kevin's name and then signed the page and added the instruction, "Iain, approved as amended including director's fees. Please have these names registered as directors and approved by me as company chairman and Kade as managing director."

Kevin read the addendum. "Kevin Copeland, are you sure? He's a bit of a drunkard and womanizer, or so I've heard."

"Never believe rumors Iain. Which is the leading Realtor firm in this town?"

"I get your point, Kevin wouldn't have that rating if he were a total wastrel and was incompetent. Property acquisition and on-selling will be the thrust of our company's business direction."

"Very good, Mr Deputy chairman. Now this accountant you nominated as director, is he the best tax law specialist in town?"

"No, that's one of his senior partners, Nina Rosenberg."

"Thank you, could you please hire her as our company's accountant and my and Kade's personal accountant."

"But that's a slight on her principal who is being appointed a director of your company?"

"Principals care about steering the ship, looking for uncharted reefs and attempting to be visionary Iain, as well you know. That's why India is my company's lawyer and not you and why Nina is being positioned similarly."

"You have a good head on you for one so young Dick, and I really mean it. You'll probably become India's biggest client and the same goes for Nina and they'll work their butt off for you. We both know principals tend to delegate work."

"Right, please pour me a coffee Iain and talk to be about two possible projects ahead of us -- new headquarters for the Council and a new-age cinema multiplex to replace the Capitol."

Chapter 20

Dick arrived home weary to the fourth level apartment of Lakes Apartment where he and Kade now lived. She was dressed to go out.

"Are we going out?" he asked and was answered with a sigh, yes to dine with her parents and he was late.

"We see them all the time," he complained and was told then he should learn not to be so charming to them.

"Mom can't get enough of you, she just can't get enough of you. You are not...um...?"

"No, of course not!"

Kade on to obviously the third wine from the bottle, said, "Perhaps that's what the problem is."

"Kade! You McDermott women are over-sexed."

"Is that good or bad darling?"

"There was no answer because Dick had raced off to shower, knowing that was a response he'd have difficulty in answering.

They arrived at the McDermott's to find younger daughter and parents engaged in trench warfare.

"I'll find what this is about," Kade said, joining the fray, hearing Dick say he'd walk around the block to clear his head. He returned to find peace reigned. Kade led him outside.

"Carolyn needs to be taken to her pre-induction weekend at the college she has chosen. It's 140 miles away and she is adamant no way will she bus. Dad has a board meeting all day, mom is being installed as president of the Townswoman's Guild at lunch on Friday and I'm booked in most of the day with Rosalie to work on the Cattlemen's conversion and in the evening I am being inducted as a new member of the Random Business and Professional Women's Club."

"So?"

"We've decided you can take Carolyn."

Dick wore his best smile. "Sorry darling, my car is booked in for servicing on Friday -- it's overdue, the front brake discs are worn. Under the circumstances I would be irresponsible to drive long distance. Carolyn can travel by bus and learn that ordinary people travel by bus."

"Oh, that's okay. You take my car."

The triumphant smile on Kade's face told Dick he had his back against the wall. But he smiled, knowing he had one last shot at his disposal.

"Darling, she'd not to be trusted. You know what that means?" He smiled triumphantly.

Kade waved her hand dismissively. "I've resigned myself to the fact you two are going to do it sooner rather than later. You may as well get it over with if you are too weak to resist her schoolgirl charms."

Kade flung her head up and marched back indoors. He entered the family room and Carolyn looked at him bitterly. "You jerk, the one time I rely on you to help me out and you worm out."

Dick buckled. "Carolyn, if you promise..."

"Yes of course. I'll keep my hands off you."

Rex looked pleased and Josie said, "My darlings, that's wonderful, thank you so much."

At the first opportunity Dick whispered to Kade, "Please talk to Carolyn and warn her..."

She snapped, "For God's sake Dick, grow up."

Dick felt rather disappointed in his family. He did however remembered to ask Kade about Kevin becoming a director and she said, "Yes of course. He'd be a prime pick because your business is all about property, timing and marketing. I would like another woman on the board dear."'

Dick sighed as if that was a fool of a thing to ask. "Well, I suppose so. What about Rosalie?"

"Darling, that's inspired thinking. I'm so glad I pushed you into making that decision."

They arrived home after downing quite a bit of wine with Rex and Josie after dinner when Carolyn when out with two of her girlfriends. He was scarcely into the apartment when Kade pulled him down on to the carpet, undressed them both and rode him enthusiastically into a screaming climax and even extracted a roar from him.

"There -- if Carolyn slips your weak defenses on Friday see if she's up to the standard." She went off to shower leaving Dick not sure what to think. His phone went.

"Sorry if I'm waking you Dick."

"It's only 9:30."

"What are you doing?"

"Er, on the floor thinking."

Kevin Copeland said he thought a young guy like Dick would be getting a shot or two away at that time of night. "I've just been balled by my wife. She's so excited about you asking me to become a director. Iain McKenzie emailed me and Elizabeth read it. She said she couldn't imagine anyone else but you making me a director with such illustrious people -- her words -- like Iain McKenzie and outgoing Mayor Peter Shapskinsky. She ripped into me like she hasn't done since our honeymoon."

"Good for you."

Kevin startled Dick by asking, "Why would she do that?"

"She sees it as placing her up the social ladder."

"Oh yeah, of course. Thanks pal. Well I've sold your surplus ranch land, the other four properties -- all 16, 567 acres for your purchase price for that acreage plus 15%."

"This is unbelievable."

"My reaction too. I went to see Austin and Otis, met them together. They decided to help you out until Otis said help you out, they should help themselves out. He made a couple of calls and got two other retired ranchers around and they ended up deciding to form a company with them each taking a quarter share. They intend turning 500 of the lower acres next to the city limits into an equestrian center with an all-weather facility so girls can ride throughout the year. The plan to grow alfalfa on flat areas on rotation for horse and cattle feed on all flat areas and raise beef for local consumption because they reckon half the town suspects they are being palmed off with grain-raised beef that is pumped full of growth hormones and disease control chemicals. Austin's son is co-owner of our town's biggest supermarket and said he'd place the company under contract and have the output slaughtered and packaged under the company's own brand. Because the boys have their money invested in various places they suggest the sale be signed tomorrow with settlement in three months."

"Yeah, why not. Great work pal."

Feeling exonerated from being pulled from a bad deal, Dick went to find Kade who confessed she's thought the five-ranch deal had been extraordinarily naive but hadn't said anything because Dick had the bit between his teeth. She caught his excitement so they messed around and she was back in the shower half an hour later.

* * *

Kade cleared her emails next morning and found one from Iain McKenzie advising who here fellow directors were. She wondered why Peter Shapskinsky had been chosen as a director and tackled Dick, learning for the first time that Peter was founder of the town's largest construction company and about the letter he'd been persuaded to ask his town planning committee chairman to send to Blue Horizon Group about the architectural mess that was the Blue Horizon Hotel frontage.

"You are such a rotten skunk," she told her fiancé in admiration. Dick interpreted that as the a storm about to unleash so said, "In my defense darling Peter swore me to secrecy not to reveal to a living soul what we were doing as possibly that could be construed as being illegal conspiracy."

"Possibly?"

"Well..."

"It's okay darling. My lips are sealed. But tell me, why is it you weren't able to whisper this secret to me at the time rather than wait now?"

Kade enjoyed having him nailed like a cornered rat. She waited for an answer she knew could never come because he didn't know how to answer her. "Well, at least you're told me now. Off you go and involve yourself in other scurrilous business deals that you seem to enjoy so much but please do try to keep out of illegalities."

He looked at her so relieved that she decided to kiss him goodbye and not says anything about noting the time Iain McKenzie had sent his email about the directors was two hours before Dick had asked her if she would approve of Kevin Copeland becoming a director. God, Dick was so slippery!

Driving the short distance up to the hotel parking lot, Kade was due to meet the general manager of the Blue Horizon Hotel to be shown through the entire establishment and, hopefully, to gain his views on his what changes he'd like to see and whether he'd be interested in staying on with his senior managers on full pay during the three-months needed for the makeover. Kade thought they could combine to make that a condition of Blue Horizon Hotel taking up the contract to manage the New Cattleman's Hotel, the likelihood of that management contract being mentioned that morning in a huge blaze of publicity, as Kade has spent yesterday talking to the editorial team at the Random Morning Courier. The previous day she'd called the vice-president who'd lead the negotiating team and he'd confirmed the board that very day had approved the sale and a letter would be in the mail in the next couple of days between lawyers. Kade had received an email copy of the Blue Horizon Group's letter to its attorneys approving the draft with two minor amendments and asking it be sent to 'Mr and Mrs Dick Savage's' attorney with a copy to Mr Savage. The email included a signed copy of sale agreement countersigned by Dick who's 'forgotten' to tell her that deal had been signed.

Kade's phone went as she was about to leave the car.

"Hello dear, calling me as an after thought that you'd counter-signed the agreement to purchase the hotel?"

"But you knew -- it's all over page one and page three of the Morning Courier. And it attributes me as making the announcement. Kade, for fuck sake. I haven't spoken to the Courier and we've not been advised legally."

"Oh darling, don't worry your handsome head over such trivial detail. I talked to the newspaper people and thought you'd rather have the announcement in your name rather than mine because you are the chairman."

"But the chairman knows nothing about this, absolutely nothing. And where the fuck did this sketch of the new frontage come from?"

"Oh that, Rosalie did that in fury on the day the New Horizon no-hopers unveiled their new frontage to the citizens of Random."

Dick said what sounded through clenched teeth that he'd not approved any design.

"No problem dear -- I haven't seen the article but I did instruct the caption of Rosalie's sketch to be titled, 'Artist's impression'. Was that done darling?'

"Yes," Dick gritted.

"There you go. It commits us to nothing. I must be off because I have an important meeting."

"Kade, you're done very well and I concede you are in charge of the project. But could you remember to keep me informed, huh?"

"Yes darling, I'll use your level of feedback to me as my model, shall I?"

"Bye darling," Dick managed, cutting the call.

General manager Mal Hart greeted Kade warmly but as they sat with coffee and croissants he almost fell out of his chair when his beautiful young visitors said, "Would you like to stay on through the conversion and retain your position if we do a deal with Blue Horizon Group to take a management contract with our New Cattleman's Hotel holding company?"

He oozed charm through the three-hour inspection that ended with early lunch. Kade reveled in this attention, never having met a man quite like this who admired her physically and she thought intellectually as well but more importantly connected with her on business wave length to accept her with subordinate respect, if only just. Over lunch she assessed Mr Hart for his psychical and intellectual rating and was not displeased although she had no intentional of doing anything about it. Unless he misbehaved and he tempted her but she decided to let that thought drift from her mind. She was, after all, someone's fiancées. Ah yes, who was that man?

Later, waiting for her appointment time with India to discuss the New Cattleman's project architectural contract between the holding company and Rosalie's company, Kade decided she really liked being in Random, a town much larger than many communities calling themselves cities but perhaps that was part of the attractiveness of Random -- people were friendly and mostly without pretence and 'town status' was good enough for them, no need to get uppity. She had been surprised when she'd first mentioned to Dick that she'd like to find a job in Random when she graduated. He'd said if he sold out of his business he might think about returning but evaded saying why. She wished he'd say because being close to the ranch and being close to her parents again it felt like home to him. But he wouldn't and she knew it was wise not to push him into such a personal declaration. She assumed he knew she knew because like sex drive and business acumen he didn't lack intelligence, particularly what was called native intelligence. If only he could communicate more intimately.
Kade then wondered if he'd do it with Carolyn while they were away all Friday, or more likely would Carolyn do him? She really wasn't worried because Carolyn would prove sexually immature and too immature as a person to really interest him. She was relieved that Dick and her mother had not appeared to resume their intimate contact. She checked her watch and left the sidewalk seat to enter the McKenzie Partners law building for her appointment with India. Sitting in the waiting room she glanced at the morning newspaper. It was impressive and the newspaper street poll heading about the planned returned of the Cattleman's Hotel image amused her, 'Townspeople Polled say: Thank God'.

On Friday morning just after 5.30 am Dick with the sleepy Carolyn beside him in Kade's car stopped at the corner to allow a blue Ford SUV to pass. It's lights flashed and Carolyn said, "That's Ann and her mom. They were supposed to be leaving at 5:00. Catch up and let's see what's wrong."

Dick sped up behind them and flashed his lights and Ann's mother Meg Tompkins stopped. It was still semi dark and he and Carolyn piled out.

"What's the problem Mrs Tompkins? Hi Ann?"

"Could be dirty fuel, we had real problems starting." Meg said and Dick asked her to open the hood.

He came back to the driver's window and said he thought it was electrical because he could see arching by the battery. "Look park down this side street, lock your vehicle and leave your ignition key on the top of the right-hand left wheel where it will be out of sight. Then come with us. You can call your service center when they open, probably at 8:00 and get them to fix the problem and return the vehicle here, leaving the key in the same position."

"I really don't know. It sounds risky."

"Do it mom, he sounds as if it's worked for him."

"That's right, er..."

"Ann," said Ann.

Within minutes they were on their way.

"This is a lovely car, very sexy," Meg said.

"It's Carolyn's sister's business car mom -- Kade works for Mr Savage."

"Call him Dick everyone, he's engage to Kade who's twelve years younger Mrs Tompkins and Kade is chief executive of the business that was all over the newspaper yesterday morning, turning the Blue Horizon into the New Cattleman's."

"Yes of course, I read all about that and an editorial called 'The Wrong Put Right'. You are a celebrity Dick."

"Thank you Meg -- although we spoke only briefly in the coffee shop the other day I did text Kade to talk to you about décor."

"Thank you. She did call and we're meeting at the hotel on Monday. She is aware I did the refit of the Mayor's office and the Council Chambers last year and the town library retrofit just finished."

Three hours later they left the two freshmen at their registration and induction day, arranging to collect them at 4:00 and go somewhere for early dinner before returning home.

"Well, where may I drop you off Meg?"

Meg yawned as said she was a little tired, having gotten up so early and the stress over her vehicle. "Could you drop me off at a cheap hotel and I'll take a room and if you would be kind enough to pick me up against just before 4:00."

"Do you know where to find a cheap hotel?"

"Not really Dick but we did pass a resort type hotel on the way in. That will do."

"It won't be cheap," Dick laughed. "I did notice the sign said heated indoor swimming pool and rooms with spas."

"Oooh, please take me there. That sounds like my kind of half-day stay-over."

Dick dropped Meg off and she flagged him down just as he was about to drive off. "Come and join me for coffee."

After coffee he was invited to inspect her room, an invitation delivered casually with no pressure.

"Right, why not?"

The room was large and beautifully appointed and on the ground floor. The in-ground spa was actually outside, under the overhanging deck of room above them and fenced off on all three external sides, giving complete privacy but yet in sunlight because of the angle of the morning sun.

"Sit down and I'll fetch us a drink."

"What just after 9:00?" Dick said.

"Oh, can you suggest a better time to sip?" said his hostess who supposedly was fatigued.

Dick smiled at her and received a very lovely smile back through slightly opened lips, showing very white teeth and the tip of her tongue. That alerted him to what this was about so when she poured their second glass of sparkling wine he wasn't surprised when she said, "I think I'll enter the spa. Would you care to undress me?" Dick stood and she moved in and kissed him expertly and before long she had a leg pressed against his two legs. He sighed and opened them more and her high folded in against his groin.

"You've done this before?" he asked gently.

"Often."

Their tongues met and Dick reached to unzip the back of her form fitting dress. Form fitting yes but he was still surprised what spilled from the bra when he unhooked it, much more than he'd expected. She smiled at him softly, holding up a breast and he lowered his head to take what was on offer.

Meg unbuttoned his shirt, unbelted and unzipped him and left him to remove his clothes while she undressed completely. She then pushed him back onto his chair and licked and took him into her mouth, bending and pushing her knees forward to allow Dicks fingers to begin their exploration.

Later Meg backed up to him and docked and then told him to play with her boobs and when she began to grunt to squeeze them hard. They took their times because they had all day and Dick was impressed by her flexibility and fitness for a woman whom he thought was in her early forties. Perhaps this was how she kept fit because she'd said she did it often.

They had a couple of big breaks in the spa and later went to lunch. Meg had pre-paid for the room so Dick paid for lunch in the public restaurant that was of very high standard. She only had the one vodka cocktail after he chose mineral water because he was driving. After spending more time in the spa they tumbled into bed for the finale and went to sleep after arranging a 3:15 wakeup call.

They arrived back at Meg's car late-night to find the key where they'd left it and a note on the front seat from the service center stating a faulty component had been replaced and their report and replaced part were in the trunk.

They were all rather tired and everyone kissed like old friends. Meg and Dick kissed carefully because they were aware both senior students were watching them intently. They pulled up at the McDermott's home beside Dick's car that had been returned from routine servicing. As Dick stepped from the car and stretched Carolyn floated into his arms to be kissed and stroked his hair and said he was such a lovely man. Dick was so proud of her for not making a pass at him.

"Dick you banged Meg?"

He froze but decided to confess. "Er yes."

"Ann thought you would, saying her mother is such a slut."

"I thought she's a lovely lady and she rather likes sex."

Carolyn said Ann and she were in agreement on that. "Here's mom."

Josie kissed Dick and thanked him for being so kind to Carolyn. "Here are your keys. Kade called and you drive back to the apartment and return her here in the morning to pick up your car."

"Yeah, that sounds efficient. I'm pleased she's found a girlfriend in Rosalie. She's older and married but I thought she and Kade would click -- I also think our lawyer India will also bond well, although she's even older than Rosalie. They will be two influential business women to help Kade prepare for the hurly-burly that lies ahead. You know, that big spread about the New Cattleman's was completely her doing -- I knew nothing about it until I picked up the newspaper."

"But that has the sound of you all over it," Josie said.

Dick smiled and said he was also having an influence on her direction in businesses. "I best marry her before she decides she no longer needs my sponsorship."

"If she dumps you just remember I'm available."

"Carolyn!" Josie said, a warning tone in her voice.

"I'll keep that in mind sweetheart," Dick said walking towards his car.

"Another kiss please," Carolyn demanded.

"Me too," said her mother.

"I'm tired, good night ladies," Dick waved and entered his car. A few seconds later he backed down the driveway and waved to two pouting females.

A smiling and inebriated Kade awoke him well over an hour later and then told him to go back to sleep, that she was a little too tired for sex.

Chapter 21

With a three-month wait until they gained possession of the hotel to extensively renovated it, Dick decided he needed an infill project so visited Mr and Mrs Curtis in the cramped office of their movie theatre. The elderly couple was sullen and in no mood to talk about renovations to their building and paying out even more money into their presumably marginal business.

For Dick this was playtime. He made an offer to take over the building and business 'as is', estimating what he thought the property would be worth as a retail store and halving that amount. Mr Curtis asked him to leave, watched by Mrs Curtis who shook her head as if she was looking at a crazy guy. That persuaded Dick he was a little too low and added $20,000 and watched as Mrs Curtis' hand dropped on to her husband's arm and squeeze it.

Bingo!

Dick talked on saying if he purchased when could he take over and would Mr Curtis accept responsibility for publishing closure advertisements and canceling supply contracts with film distributors and allow Dick to talk to staff being terminated. The wary Mr Curtis agreed and leaned back in his chair. Dick only added $10,000 and Mr Curtis's belligerent look faded when his ribs were bent by Mrs Curtis's elbow jolt. He nodded so Dick called India and asked if she could send over an underling pronto to draft out the sale and purchase agreement for the movie theatre. She agreed and said she would scan the final contract.

An hour before the afternoon movie was due to start Dick was back in the theatre with one of the Mayor Shapskinsky's sons and one of Rosalie's assistants.

Andre, holding the original plans of the building designed and constructed almost thirty years earlier confirmed that the structure appeared sound but would require strengthening to bring it up to present-day standards and would require reproofing.

The young architect Sara confirmed Dick's concept of three small theatres on the ground floor with a passageway from the front to the rear was very feasible with the box office and coffee bar in the space left for the foyer and a stairway and elevator leader to the two larger theaters upstairs.

"This is quite a standard conversion," she said, mystified.

"Oh I noticed one of the old movie houses being converted in the last city I lived in and went to view it on opening night," Dick said.

"Sound-inhibiting measures will add to costs," Sara warned. But Andre countered that building the mezzanine floor through the existing high vaulted auditorium would meet most of the exterior wall strengthening requirements.

"Just as I thought," Dick nodded sagely. "Well guys get on with it. Let's have the agreements signed with you tomorrow and I want all approvals in place so that your guys Andre rip into this project in thirty-two days from today."

"Okay, I think we can manage that," Andre said.

"Andre!"

"Oh yes, will meet that short lead-in time, no sweat," he laughed. "Dad's a director of your company, isn't he?"

"Oooh, it's wonderful have a client who knows what he wants and possesses a sense of urgency," Sara cooed. "This project is perfect for me. Do you wish me to come up with name suggestions?"

"No thanks Ann, just Random Movies is find."

"Oh Dick, what a cute name. I love it."

Andre nodded.

"Oh, that full length passage along the west ground level wall. It's a pity..."

"Fire exits? I plan to buy the furniture factory behind the theatre this afternoon. The current rear exit is on the right hand side and goes out through a narrow alley," said Dick. "That's not good enough when movie-goers will be paying higher ticket prices to pay off the investment over the years. I'll demolish the factory and it will become a parking lot that can be used by cinema patrons."

"We specialize in demolitions and site clean-ups," Andre said.

"Right guys," Dick said, I have to call my business partner to ask should we go into a movie theatre conversion. Remember guys, although it's a rush job there will be more work coming you way, so keep to deadlines and really fight hard to pare those billings and contract prices to the minimum but no cutting corners. Right?"

"Right."

"Right."

"Thanks for coming at such short notice and being so positive about this project. We make a great team."

Dick overhead Andre says to the much younger architect, "What the fuck was that?"

"I'm struggling to cope," Ann replied, "but think it was some kind of commercial whirlwind. Want to do lunch?"

Dick smiled and called Kade. "Oh hi darling. You know how we have this three months wait before we get possession of the hotel, I was thinking..."

Kade sighed and didn't even bother to ask had the project already started. She asked to be taken to lunch and next morning smiled when she picked up the Courier to see a photograph of Dick and the smiling Mr and Mrs Curtis standing outside the theater that was closing for an 'exciting upgrade conversion as a multiplex'. Dick wasn't smiling because he was on his phone.

It took three days for Dick to acquire the furniture factory site and after the two parties agreed to price Dick was then persuaded by the brothers who owned the business that he'd pay a further $20,000 to cover the relocation costs to disused warehouse and to cover the first three months' rent. Dick was unhappy about the price he'd been forced to pay and then the additional costs but it was his own fault. One of the brothers had grinned at the signing and said they knew they had Dick over a barrel because they'd read in the paper he'd purchased the movie house to upgrade it.

* * *

Dick arrived home a little miffed after signing up for that purchase to find Kade at the windows in her dressing gown.

"What is it honey?" he asked, closing in behind her and cupping her breasts and pushing into her. Quite often she'd sigh softly and push back or alternatively pull away and turn to berate him for some misdemeanor like forgetting to bring home the milk after he'd been called to do that or having thrown out a magazine she wanted to keep "just in case' but never telling him what she meant by that.

This time she pushed back firmly, giggled and placed her hands on his and pushed hard to flatten her breasts. Then she wiggled her butt against him, a real sexy wiggle.

She'd decided to start a family, he thought, but no -- she wondered if she could have a project of her own.

"Sure baby," he said, not even bothering to worry that early capitulation could mean she no longer had to act sexy.

She pulled away. Her dressing gown dropped. She jumped on to the table without assistance and spread, saying throatily, "Lick me darling."

Later, as she padded back from the bathroom, she put her sweaty arm around his sweaty body and pulled him to the windows. "See darling, across the lake."

He scratched his future bald spot and peered. "Two swans?"

She laughed as if he had humor that was infectious.

"No, try again. Beyond the water a little."

He peered wondering it that would help but all he could see was pastureland looking rather attractive with the light of the setting sun.

"Er, verdant fields kissed by sunset?"

"Yes darling," she cried, sending her breasts flopping and swaying that drove his hormones crazy. Oh boy, did he love her!

"The big spread between those two longitudinal fence lines beyond the twenty-five meter Council lakefront reserve and up to the top of the ridge of the slope are almost thirty acres of land. I have made enquiries and I've been told by Kevin Copeland I should expect to pay a premium above its present value of around $1800 an acre to somewhere between $6000 to $8000 an acre. The land is currently zoned for rural purposes but Kevin says that will change to housing, within ten years or earlier if the Council comes under pressure to make the zoning change. Could you make available to me up to $500,000 to purchase that land in my name and go in and purchase it? You are doing all the deals and I'd like something to go on with after I become bored after moving in upstairs in three weeks."

"What, they'll finish the fifth floor by then?"

"Yes."

"And later you'd want money to develop that land into housings -- a mix of low level apartments and luxury homes?"

"Yes, perhaps high-rise apartments on the ridge line if permitted."

"Yes, plus another five acres purchased beyond the ridge to start a tree farm as soon as possible for transplanting trees on to properties as they are completed."

"The housing development would involve big money Kade, really big money. Tell you what, let's talk to India. I think it's best we did it under protection like in a trust to keep that project away from creditors in case I ever bankrupt the company and you'd have your half of that asset protected under law if we ever divorced."

"Yes, that's even better. I like the sound of bankruptcy protection. Come to bed darling, I feel like going again. You're up to it aren't you?"

"Let's shower and jump into a clean start," he leered, picking up Kade and carrying her off to the bathroom suite.

* * *

Carolyn watched her mother altering the hem of a dress with needle and thread. "You're told me before about the day Dick arrived with dad in the truck and you meeting him for the first time."

Josie, head down, smiled. "You've heard it before, several times."

"I wouldn't ask if I was bored by it. You, dad and Kade had a profound influence on him and obviously over-ran into his later life. I want to hear it all, as much as you can easily remember, including how you became sexually attracted to him, a boy, at the age I am now."

Carolyn watched her mother freeze. "Come on mom, I'm a big girl now."

Josie put down her sewing."

"Coffee mom?"

"Yes please."

"I'm getting it, start talking."

"Carolyn, I don't really think..."

"Josie, be a good girl and do what your daughter says!"

"Carolyn, don't scare me like that. You never shout at me."

"I want to know why mom -- why you allowed yourself to do it and yet are against me doing it. He's not married yet."

"I suppose it began in those opening minutes. I was confused about why your father would bring this guy home and he hadn't yet said it but I knew Rex was going to say could the young guy stay with us for a while. I looked at Dick and he immediately looked away and then he looked back at me and blushed, so I thought he was okay. And then Kade, sitting on his knee with her head against his chest, reached up with her hand behind her head and gently ran her hand down the young man's chin line. My heart almost stopped and I had the crazy thought that they were lovers. Dick looked unconcerned by when he looked back at me I saw his eyes had softened. I almost began to cry. The moment passed and later Rex and I agreed it was as if those two were soul mates."

Carolyn sat enchanted with her mother for almost two hours, knowing she was being delivered the unexpurgated version of her mother's story of those two years Dick had lived at the ranch. She held nothing back, at least Carolyn thought she hadn't, describing her thoughts and feeling as she went knowingly towards full sexual union with the young man she thought as her foster child although Dick would not allow her to use that expression after erupting in anger and running off for four hours a couple of months after his arrival when she'd told him that. She was surprised that her mom seemed to know so much about sexual techniques, thinking she should really be teaching her daughter of some of the ways she knew to get a male off. The other surprise -- because it had really not been mentioned before -- was how Rex, newly arrived home after days, up to a fortnight away from home, would kiss her mom and then flick his head towards the direction he knew Dick would be working, practically jumping out of his skin to go to him.
"Those two became almost like brothers -- brothers that absolutely delighted in being in each other's company although it was never spoken about. Now they are so distant. Time moves on Carolyn, time moves on."

Carolyn asked when did her mother last have sex with Dick.

"At the time your father and I agreed to have another baby -- you."

"Will you ever go to him again?"

"No, there's no need like all those years ago, a lost youth who'd lost some of the best years of his childhood. He found love through me and I helped him discover his emotions. He's found women, one in particular, and I have lost interest in sex."

"What, even in sex with dad?"

"More or less but can we talk about something else darling."

"But mom, don't yield to time like this. If you lose interest in sex your life is all but over."

"I rather don't believe so darling. I actually feel losing my youth was far more important to me."

"Oh."

"Yes darling, so treasure it. What about you and Dick?"

"I'm in despair, he won't allow me near him."

"Being a man, he may yield eventually but I'd not wish to have you being responsible for overriding his better judgment Carolyn."

"I'll keep that in mind mother, and my relationship with Kade."

"Kade is rather soft about such things as morality darling. I rather think her attitude would be, forgive and forget. I'm only saying this to place you clearly in the position of knowing nothing appears to stand in your way baring Dick's resistance and the deepest feelings you have for your sister. You have the choice of deciding what's wrong, what's okay and what's wrong."

Carolyn darted across and hugged her mother and said she wished Josie hadn't said that to her.

"That's the very reason why I said it."

Carolyn sighed deeply and loved having her mother pat her back.

* * *

During dinner at a restaurant, Dick and Kade finished preparing the agenda for next week's first meeting of their board. Kade popped her notes into her handbag on the floor beside her and lifting back up asked casually, "Have you plowed Carolyn yet?"

"No, more wine?"

"Yes please. What about India?"

"No."

"Mom?"

"No. God you have a rampant mind at times."

"Molly?"

"No."

"Damn. Who else is there?"

"You tell me."

"Oh, of course, Rosalie."

"No, you two have been spending so much time together I was wondering what else was going on."

"Pig."

"Have you found a man?"

Kade looked shocked and caught his soft smile and heard him say it was okay, that he knew he had the occasional dip at times.

"He hasn't asked me but I feel he might soon," Kade said, thinking of her growing intimacy with a guy. "I admire him very much and wouldn't mind a short fling."

"I feel privileged that you are discussing this with me. You have my support and take the initiative if he dallies too long. Just be careful. That's all I need to say."

"I can't believe I'm even thinking of doing it with another man."

"Providing it's only sex I have no objection Kade, believe me. Now, if that's the good news here's the bad news. Kevin and I met the rancher across the lake today with his wife and two married daughters. We yarned for a couple of hours and walked away with the rancher agreeing to sell the 31.9 acre patch plus five acres on the other side of the ridge thrown in, asking price, $900,000 take it or leave it."

"Oh God, that's extortion -- walk away from it Dick, you could do much better with that money."

Dick said they did walk but didn't terminate negotiations. "Dick said with the new Council elections due soon it's almost certain progressive new blood will be elected and already there's talk about the need to stimulate town growth. The land over the ridge is rubbishy so we've really being asked to pay the equivalent of $30,000 an acre and he says it's a wonder the rancher didn't think $50,000/ac. He wants to return in two days alone with my unconditional offer of $800,000 and stating we'll pay the entire rancher's legal costs and costs to cut off that block. He reckons with a $200,000 deposit we ought to find mortgage money on the security value of the land. If not perhaps the company could advance the full purchase price or alternatively we pay the $200,000 deposit and the company loans us $600,000. We need to get professional advice on that. Whatever, I've instructed Kevin to return in two days with the 'take it or leave it" offer of $800,000 and without fear of over-paying because both Kevin and I believe you are visionary about this. So take a pat on the head."

Kade looked pleased. "Look, sleep on it and then get tax advice and then make your decision."

"Okay. By the way how are the wedding plans coming along?"

"I've been talking to Molly and her friend a dress designer. We'll get underway as soon as I say. I'll fix up the wedding party."

"That's great, at least we have the venue secured so you'll just need to book the church."

"Haven't you done that?"

"I was tempted but your mother advised me to leave those things to you because it's your wedding."

Kade asked, "You don't mind?"

"No, just remind me to keep the day of the wedding free. By the way, I would like you to make Carolyn a bridesmaid and for you to say I endorsed your suggestion."

"Why?"

"I reckon she feels I've been a bit rough on her, pushing her away."

"And for very good reason. I had intending asking her."

"Good, you have your dessert and I'll have coffee. I'm really pleased for you to have a long term project such as that housing development -- you know, something to call your own project."

* * *

Dick went to his and Kade's (D&K) ranch next morning at 7:00 to meet Austin and Otis, the two retired farmers from the syndicate who'd bought the four adjoining ranches from him. The guys toured the property in Austin's old 3-seat ATV pickup and the opinion was Dick had the second-best block after the flattest property that had a stream running through it and irrigated hay paddocks. Setting a deal for the syndicate the three guys agreed on an annual fee for grazing rights of D&K Ranch for a term of five years and they agreed on the cattle tally of 233 head were on Dick's ranch, all with ear-tags and purchased them on behalf of the syndicate. Austin said that herd needed to be cut back to around 190 to winter over and Otis agreed.

They inspected the proposed house site on the plateau and Otis's suggested it be moved over about fifty yards to put the hayshed and the calving barn completely out of sight from the ground floor. That also put it closer to the old logging track for more direct access to the main highway. The ranchers also staked out a two-acre house site with another fence to go within that to plant shelter belts, with much lower trees to be planted along the line looking down the valley with its grand views. They left staking the access track in until Dick learnt from the architect where the garages would go, presumably at the rear but perhaps on the far boundary to give extra site protection from winter snowstorms. Austin volunteered to organize the fencing contractors and supervise them, much to Dick's delight. Otis said he would help out because he liked keeping busy.

They arrived back at Rex and Josie's old house and inspected it and the barns and when the retired ranches left Dick leaned against his Mercedes drinking coffee he'd brought with him, letting old memories roll through his head. He also considered what the very practical Austin had said -- the old logging road would be rather tough on the Mercedes. Dick would be better off with an heavy 4WD vehicle and if he wanted comfort and luxury as well he could find it in a few of the top-of-line models. Dick then thought about the guy Kade had her eye on.

Dick sighed, wishing she'd not told him about it. But now that she had he was left wondering who was the guy? As he drove off to meet Kade in town for lunch as arranged, he went through all the guys he knew she had dealings with. There weren't all that many and some automatically fell out of contention until he was left with only two. He continued his analysis and removed Kevin Copeland from this thinking. He smiled and muttered, "Not a bad choice my darling."

At the restaurant Dick found Kade had secured a table under a green and white striped umbrella. They kissed and a waitress arrived with their wine and returned with their salad starters. Dick pulled out his phone and selected a number from his phone book but waiting until Kade was reaching for her wine before he pressed the selected number.

"Mal Hart please."

He smiled, watching Kade spluttered into her wine.

Bingo!

"Hi Mal, Dick Savage. Any chance of Kade and me seeing you this afternoon, say around 3:00"

"At 3:00. That's great. Bye."

Dick had almost finished his pasta before Kade asked every so gently what were they meeting with Mal Hart to discuss?"

"We need to sit down with him and prepare strategy for the process of formerly inviting Blue Horizon Group to take up a contract to operate The New Cattleman's Hotel. No use leaving it to the last minute when the pressure would pile up on us."

"Oh, is that all? I mean yes, it's important we do that now."

"I was also thinking we ensure Mal stays on as general manager no matter what. You'd like that wouldn't you."

"If you say so," she yawned, stretching.

Dick thought her nipples had stiffened, or was that imagination? He knew better than to ask, so as far as he was concerned they were up like small finger ends. He now had the suspicion that she was on to him but damn it when he looked at her telltale eyes they were back behind her reflective sunglasses. Why had she put them back on when they had the protection of the umbrella?

As if readying his mind she said conversationally, "There's a lot of glare out here."

"Oh is there?" he said mildly and noticed her teeth show as her smiled blossomed under her dark shades. Oh how he wished she'd not told him about her desire to engage with another man.

Later as they sat around the low coffee table in Mal's office Dick noticed Mal motioned to Kade to sit opposite him, leaving Dick to take the chair between them. Mal had kissed her lightly as they entered but Dick saw no evidence of sly tonguing between them and that was unlikely because Mal's welcoming kiss hand landed moth-like high on her check, just below eye level. Mal winced and worked the fingers of his right hand partly behind his back after shaking hands with Dick. Although Kade was wearing one of her disgustingly short skirts, Dick noticed as the men remained standing for her to sit, she sat with her legs together and bent them demurely in the direction of Dick, denying Mal any glimpse of stocking tops.

That cheered Dick no end.

During the forty-minute conversation that was sharply focused, intelligent and productive Dick observed nothing that passed between the other two by way of utterances or exchanged looks that raised his blood pressure. Never once had Kade swept her blonde hair back as she usually did once ever few minutes when sitting and talking, and her legs remained anchored whereas usually she wriggled and changed position every fifteen minutes or so. Dick was very satisfied about this until thinking it was very suspicious behavior -- so abnormally restrained.

Mal looked quite surprised as they were leaving when Dick's handshake was applied without power and Dick said an amazing thing, capturing the attention of both Mal and Kade: "Would you are Pearl like to eat out Saturday evening with us as my guests."

"Yes, thank you. We'd appreciate the company."

"I'll call you when I've made the booking."

Out on the sidewalk Kade said, "I wasn't aware you knew the name of Mal's wife or even that he was married?"

"Always know the background of people before you offer them senior appointments darling."

"That's excellent darling, so thorough. Is she beddable?"

Kade's face colored at the indignant look she received. "Kade, for God's sake, I only know two things about the woman. Mal's PA gave me Pearl's name and answered my question that yes Mrs Hart did like living in Random with she enjoyed the wider social life beyond the hotel better than at Mal's previous posting."

"Oh darling, I had not intention of upsetting you. I was just a wee tease."

Just then Kade's phone went and she backed to the edge of the sidewalk to listen. Dick looked across the busy street and caught the eye of Carolyn's friend Ann's mother, Meg Tompkins. She waved and he waved back and although she was walking and chatting with another woman he watched as Meg slowly drew a hand over the roundness of her right breast and it came to rest across her belly. She looked back at him and smiled.

"That was one of Rosalie's underlings wanting me to approve the layout of garaging at our new home, so I'm off. She kissed him and said she was off but four paces later turned, caught him eyeing his ass, and smiled: "You may like to see it as well. So far you've taken no interest."

She held out her hand, "Come along."

Chapter 22

Dick trotted over to Kade like a puppy, knowing he couldn't say no as that would tell her he wasn't interested. Fucking garages -- how many were they having and how could architects and draftsmen stuff them up?

An hour later Dick left the design offices where Rosalie was a partner and felt very elated. At the exit Kade had smothered him with kisses saying she was so happy he'd taken an interest in the preliminary design work at last. She'd returned inside for further discussions on the placement of the lounge fireplace and exposed timber ceiling support detailing with Rosalie and her timber-framing specialist.

Dick's discovery had come when they entered the office of the architectural intern, a skinny guy and probably at least a year younger than Kade. The guy could barely conceal his lust, his eyes running over Kade's body like a razor as he straightened his hair. Soon the kid, who virtually ignored Dick, had Kade giggling like a schoolgirl. Dick could virtually smell sex in the air and was delighted because this was simply a kid with testosterone overload. The kid posed no real threat because he was not the laidback and consummate seducer like himself or Mal who had been cruelly misjudged by Dick, or at least Dick hoped he'd misjudged Mal and that now looked likely.

A few minutes later Dick suspicions were confirmed. It was Kade's fault, she favored wearing those thin bras and Dick would see her nipples were up and her face was flushed. She just loved the pressure they kid was applying although he still managed to talk business so was getting on with his job.

Dick was impressed at the design -- rather than ugly box-like garages it was actually a barn-like building that curved and offered great protection to the lower level of the house during the worst of winter storms, providing shelter to people running between the house and garages.

"What do you think Mr Savage?

Dick thought, you're trying to fuck my fiancée so just call me Dick... "Oh, very impressive. Call me Dick Benny."

Dick said he liked the curvature -- far more expensive but architecturally looked stylish.

The kid beamed. "So it's approved?"

"No."

The kid's mouth flopped open and Dick heard Kade who was standing beside him suck in breathe.

"Oh?"

"Just a small change, Dick smiled and as they looked at the floor plan he said, "Imagine what will happen when this vehicle here and this vehicle here at the apex of the curve backed out together. Bang!"

The kid jumped when Dick shouted bang. Kade giggled nervously.

"But how many times would people back out simultaneously?" the kid smiled with a superior air. "Twice in five hundred years."

"That's two unnecessary collisions," Dick said thoughtfully. "The thought of my big vehicle mangling the beautiful body of my wife in her light roadster almost breaks my heart."

"Oh Christ," said the kid, eyeing the body in question.

"Most mornings Kade and I leave our apartment together."

"Right, we scrap this enlightened design and have a straight line of garages."

"Yes, my body doesn't deserve to be mangled," Kade teased, managing to make the kid look terrified.

"No-no," Dick soothed. "Just a little adjustment. Transfer this storage/utility room on the end to the apex, and bingo, we have the separation of vehicles from at least immediate impact avoidance and widen the utility room a little so it can be used as a tack room for the kids' ponies."

"What kids?"

"Kade and I will have sex to produce children Benny. You know, those little guys like most of us once were -- all of us actually."

"Oh yes, of course."

"Kade, when that's done I approve the design. Also I'd like to see four rooftop ventilators added to give the impression it's a real barn as parking for six vehicles does seem a little bourgeois."

"But who's going to see us darling, it's a remote location?"

"Our visitors but I'll see it each day. Oh, why do we need parking for six vehicles?"

"Your vehicle, my vehicle, your farm utility vehicle because I want you to get back into maintaining fencing to keep up your fitness, covered parking for any houseguest and the other two for family extensions."

Dick looked puzzled and noted he could not longer see nipple rise. "Whose family extensions?"

"Yours you dope."

"Oh yeah, look take Benny out to lunch today in appreciation of what he's doing for us. Meanwhile let's go and look at Rosalie's house concepts. I'll want her to stretch out the gym a bit to include a heated lap pool."

"A lap pool, why do we want a lap pool?"

"To keep you fit you dope. Bye Benny, really great work."

As they walked to the other end of the building Kade asked, "Why did you push me into taking Benny to lunch? Some people might mistakenly think there is something going on."

"Let the jealous idiots think like that."

"Dick, I..."

"You need younger company."

"Dick, I..."

"Hi Rosalie," Dick said, giving Rosalie a tight hug and kissing her on the lips.

"Dick, have you forgotten I'm a married woman and the woman standing behind you with her mouth open is your wife-to-be?"

"Oh come on, Rosalie. Since when hasn't a guy been able to say hello to a family friend?"

Rosalie and Kade kissed, lightly on the lips and Rosalie asked was Dick on something.

"Highly unlikely. I think spring has caught up to him late. There's something going on inside his head I don't quite understand."

* * *

Dick called on India and she came out and took him into a side room, saying she was with a client. For a moment he thought she was going to kiss him but she looked away, so her kissed her.

She kissed him back and asked, "Does this set a new level of intimacy between us?"

"Er, good friends?"

"Okay," smiled the West Indian lawyer, showing magnificent teeth. "But not much more intimacy huh? I'm a one guy at a time girl, or rather old girl, and I'm rather happy with my lot and besides, there are professional ethics involved here."

"That's cool. For an older girl you have rather a hard body."

"I bet you think that. God Dick don't become a problem for me."

"Fine, rest easy India. How are the legalities over the cinema sale going?"

"Mrs Curtis phoned not two hours ago. The distributors have released them from their contract without penalty and a document confirming that will be in the mail tonight. The agent also called me and expressed their desire to sign you up, so I ask him to send me a contract and to include notation on the more favorable terms you'd be offered in changing from one theatre to four theatres."

"Good girl. Anything more on my other deals?"

"No, run along. You need more work -- you are dangerous when loose like this."

She kissed him without haste but removed his hand from her breast. "Now run along," she said a little huskily.
Just before lunchtime Dick entered a farm machinery and supplies depot and the crusty guy in charge, not spotting Dick's Mercedes, looked at the guy in a suit with almost contempt.

"What do you want?"

"A second-hand ATV."

"Dottie."

A woman in her late thirties appeared, dressed in a man's shirt and heavy trousers.

"Yes dad?"

"Fix this guy -- wants a second-hand ATV."

"Hi, I'm Dorothy Wiseman. Sorry about my father -- dressed like that you're a city slicker to him. To me, you look like a guy wanting to spend money."

Dick grinned, pleased to be talking to his kind of woman. He told her what he wanted and she said to follow her. He had no idea of her size or whether her ass looked good, not in those bulky clothes.

The walked down a line of ATV's and she stopped in front of a Bush Hog Trail Hand 4WD model. "From what you stated were your requirements, I recommend this vehicle. You can see it has some extras including a windscreen and rooftop over the safety frame. The cargo bed has been extended a bit -- good for carrying posts and the subframe has been strengthened. I sold this little buddy two years ago as new and purchased it back and serviced it. How much do you wish to pay for it?"

Dick suggested a price and she grinned, calling him a hard case. "That's too light, how about..."

"Could you hold that price until you list what I want by way of a motorized hand posthole auger and a full range of fencing gear?"

"Augers are designed for two operators."

"Feel?"

Dorothy felt his arm muscle and said, "You will be okay using it by yourself."

"Ah Miss, may I call you Dottie?"

"It's ma'am but Dottie is fine."

She took him to the office and totted up the fencing equipment and said because of his additional purchased she'd knock off three hundred off her lowest price for the Hog. "What about posts and wire?"

"I'll buy in later." He tossed down his platinum card and asked to open a farm account.

Dottie raised her eyebrows and said he'd need a couple of referees before she could do that.

"Kevin Copeland and Iain McKenzie."

"Oh, high flying are we?"

Dick just smiled and she peered at him. "Ohmigod, you're our new millionaire in town who's bringing back the Cattleman's?"

"Yes."

"And you and your wife have purchased the Mick Owens's ranch?"

"Yes but she's not yet my wife."

"I fill out your account application now and as soon as you sign it will be effective."

When that was done Dick asked about delivery.

"Tomorrow perhaps, definitely by the day after. Oh, don't look disappointed. Give me an hour and I'll cart it there myself. Will you be there to lock it away?"

"Yes."

"Look, I'll be doing this in my lunch break. Could you pick up a couple of sandwiches for me?"

"Yes."

"And eat with me."

"Yes."

"I'll be there by 1:30 at the latest Mr Savage."

"It's Dick."

She said, "I bet" and turned away, face scarlet.

He left the office whistling. He went home and changed into shorts, polo shirt and his new farm boots and at a deli purchased a selection of salads, salmon and bottle of white win and two plastic cups. He drove off whistling. At the ranch he went into the barn after unlocking it and emerged with an old horse cover that he spread on the ground and laid out lunch.

Dottie arrived in the pickup at 1:10 and after they unloaded the Hog, designed to be carried by pickup at the unloading ramp Dottie looked at lunch, almost licking her lips.

"It will be too hot for me sitting outside in this gear."

"Strip to your panties and bra. I've seen plenty of women so there's no need to feel embarrassed."

Dottie scarcely blinked when he said that, pulling off her shirt and after taking off her boots, slipped out of her trousers, steadying herself with a hand on Dick's shoulders as she did so. "Am I to be seduced?"

"Before or after lunch?"

"Both," she purred, holding up her head to be kissed. Dick kissed her thoroughly and then spun her around, slapping her on a good-looking butt and then Dottie pulled up her bra and warm and lively flesh overflowed into Dick's appreciative hands. They stripped and lay on the old rug straight into a sixty-nine and when that was finished they stood and Dick lifted her around his hips and she guided herself in and they were soon slapped away. Dick blew first, hugely and his vision turned black and was momentarily colored with red and yellow dots.

"Ohmigod, that was a biggie," puffed Dottie as her faced turned very pink and her brow furrowed.

"Yeah, I've had one of those sexually challenging days that has brought the cream to the top," he sighed, causing Dottie to burst into laughter and that swept her into release.

"Ohmigod, that was a biggie," she groaned, panting.

They feasted, Dottie completely nude and Dick almost but with his shorts and underpants down at his ankles.

"This is one of the best picnic ever," Dottie said. "I don't think I can cope with another bang."

"That's fine," Dick said. "I would prefer not to be found depleted tonight."

They grinned. He removed his shorts and gave Dottie his underpants to clean up. When finished she threw them away over her head and they grinned. She then instructed Dick on the operation of the Hog, paying special attention to lecturing how to use it safely. They then went off on a test drive, clothed again. Before she left they talked about vehicle servicing and Dottie when through the owner/operating checks and routine servicing and requested Dick to call for on-site service after every 25 hours of running.

That evening in bed Kade put her hand over his hip, the signal they both knew what that meant. Dick was relieved Dottie hadn't forced him into round two and decided to prove to Kade that he wasn't the bloke putting it about as she probably suspected. He went at her, full-powered.

Later, bathed in sweat and gasping for breath Kade said when she'd recovered a little. "Darling I would appreciate it if you could keep a woman on tap as a safety valve. Tonight you almost drove me through the headboard and I'm going to be waddling like a duck tomorrow. Friday and Saturday nights, not a problem but mid-week like this and especially when I intend wearing my pinstripe business suit to the board meeting tomorrow I really would like to be walking upright and feeling I look sexy. Just don't tell me who she is and how often she gets lucky. Oh, be discreet and keep safe."

The board meeting was held in the boardroom of McKenzie Law Partners with India directly typing up the Minutes on her laptop. Dick had suggested India do that for enhanced security and Iain agreed and later called Dick and said India had decided there would be no billing for her time at board meetings.

The outside directors arrived for the 11:00 start with the meeting due to finish at noon with lunched being served during 'an hour of conviviality'. The directors were Dick, Kade, Iain McKenzie, Kevin Copeland, Mayor Shapskinsky, Chad Miller who'd flown in for the day and architect Rosalie Valdina. Dick welcomed everyone and then asked Kade to present brief bios of everyone including herself and then she distributed a folder covering company philosophy and a summary of two projects already underway -- the redevelopment of the Blue Horizon Hotel now owned by the company and the conversion of the movie theatre into a four-theatre multiplex.

During discussion on the hotel conversion it became obviously that not everyone was in favor. In summing up Dick said cheerfully it was that kind of project -- high risk and difficult to perceive future results. "In my view its future is secure if we tie in Blue Horizon Group to manage the hotel with their proven management expertise and we retain the present general manager and Kade and I are working on that. Why I picked that project because being a new guy in town I needed to grab public attention and try to quickly gain public favor for giving back something that older people in this town feel they had lost. The New Cattleman's Hotel connects this town with its past."

Dick then invited Rosalie and Kade to present their slide show of design concepts.

The first slide showed a 5-level parking building on the site of the furniture factory behind the movie theatre. Kade said the intention had been to clear the factory and have parking on that cleared level, restricting parking to users who also purchased theatre tickets but Rosalie had pointed out the movie theatres planned to run from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and with some of the theatre times not particularly popular it would be an uneconomic use of expansive space, so she had their engineering division design a five-level parking building to be owned by Dick and her company and had taken the plan to the Council's town planning department. Because parking was at a premium in the town the Council had a tax-free holiday for five years on approved new parking buildings of 150-plus vehicles. "This design easily complies and had been approved and that new facility has also earned a concession allowing us to add one more floor to the cinema multiplex as cinemas and restaurants are normally restricted to two floors."

Kade said, "A full office floor will be added and a contract has been signed with McKenzie Law Partners as its new location. Our company has purchased this building where we are now from McKenzie Law Partners. That partnership has also signed to lease sixty spaces in the new parking building and I can confirm that all these transactions have occurred at full market rates. We will hold eighty parking spaces in reserve, anticipating the hotel operator will be keen to lease that entire floor."

Rosalie then flicked through the slides showing interior designs, which impressed everyone and said the exterior design would be revealed later -- "Due to a conflict in opinion between our chairman Dick and our CEO Kade and her design team. Resolution is expected shortly. The issues concern hotel naming and a façade of adobe or one of curtain glass."

"We are not commenting further at this stage," Dick said. "We expect to present the two concepts to you all by CD within a week or two and ask for feedback. The last item is for me to answer a possible question you may have. Why is a guy from Pryde City a fellow director? The answer is Chad and I have bonded as successful business partners in Pryde and he has nine months to go in his contract to remain employed by the purchasers. They are not doing too well so Chad could be released earlier with a big payout. He is one of the few guys around who's not a yes man to me so will be joining the company as co-managing director, subject to board approval. At that stage we may turn this company into a public company or take in a cash and resource rich partner, subject to board approval of course. Peter, you and your company being run by your sons will be our target partner. Feel free to chat about this over drinks and lunch guys. Any questions or queries? No? Then meeting closed."

Peter rushed up to Dick who said, "Let's get our drinks first Peter."

When everyone had their drink Dick began talking to Peter about the need for the town to have a multi-purpose events center to replace the 'collection of crappy halls we have at present.'

"Does that mean we have the site?" asked Kade tersely.

"Yes," Kevin answered. "I concluded the deal less than an hour before arriving here."

"But Dick couldn't have been there," Kade said in surprise. "He was having coffee with me."

Kevin explained. "The board of the Catholic Seminary is under notice to close the facility as quietly as possible and for it to merge its operation with a similar facility elsewhere. Although not Catholic I was appointed by the board to find a buyer in utmost secrecy and, of course, I knew where to find Dick. The asking price was assessed value plus 30% and because the eighteen acres that also contains an old Catholic School closed last year when it shifted to a new location. These days all that land lies within the town's commercial zone and is flat, Dick decided it was a great place for an events center, offering heaps of parking. He set me the target of assessed value plus 10% but then changed his mind and said assessed value plus meeting the board's full current indebtedness as documented. I negotiated the sale at assessed value that you must understand is valued way down as educational usage and money to pay off debts pushed the purchase price to plus 8.37%."

Stopping to acknowledge a comment from deputy chairman Iain, Kevin continued. "Understanding that the proposed usage would be for a community asset, the board said it was happy with that outcome and the chairman called someone high up the chain of command and the deal with approved. I called in my lawyer and the agreement was signed. Fellow directors, we have a site for under a tenth of what it would cost to buy as subdivided commercial land. There is a clause in the deal restricting the total site to be used only for community purposes. I called Dick and he approved of that clause."

Just before 1:00 the directors began leaving, most not having contributed much but all probably leaving with a sense of mission and possessing a better idea why they were on the board. An exception was Kade, feeling she was little more than an office girl, until in the drive home after taking Chad to the airport Dick reminded her that she was leading the design teams and hadn't she displayed the result of her efforts to the board.

Chapter 23

Kade was in a mood next day and neither had appointments so Dick decided it was no used being cooped up all day with Kade like that. He said he was going fencing.

"Where?"

"At the ranch."

"What with?"

He sighed and said he'd purchased a 4WD utility farm vehicle the other day and fencing equipment.

"You beast, you didn't tell me," she snarled and went to the bedroom slamming the door.

Dick wondered if he'd still be alive had he said sorry and told her all about Dottie.

He made a flask of coffee and went to the bedroom to say goodbye but she heard him approaching and was told to f-off except she didn't abbreviate the F-word. He wondered if she were pregnant, either that or things had not gone well between her and the Testosterone Kid.

He was walking to the Mercedes when Kade yelled from the deck, "Mom and dad are away at a truck operator's all-day meeting. Carolyn is bored. Can she go fencing with you?"

Carolyn bored. Oh no!

"No way!" he called.

"Fucking take her and keep zipped up," she screamed.

Just as Dick was about to give her the fingers four painters and decorators working on the fifth floor appeared on the deck to see was the ruckus was about. He stuck his hand in his pocket and yelled, "Okay."

"Have a nice day you taciturn ape."

The guys above her cheered and Kade yelled. "Thanks guys."

Dick slunk to his vehicle thinking would any of those supportive guys know what taciturn meant?

Carolyn emerged wearing an immodest pair of shorts and a loose top. Dick imagined he could see the short hairs, if she had them.

"You'll need to cover up on the plateau. It's sunny enough to burn."

She scampered back and re-emerged ten minutes later dressed in jeans, working boots and the same floppy top and a sunhat and now carrying a picnic basket.

"You sounded grumpy so I decided to make up a hamper."

"Excellent, thanks."

She made no attempt to kiss him. Well, why should she kiss a grumpy asshole?

"What have you done to my sister? She sounded grumpy too. Haven't you been fucking her?"

"Carolyn, for God's sake."

"Well?"

"She'd practically legless."

Carolyn grinned and said, "Liar. I bet she heard things from you at the board meeting you hadn't told her about."

"Like what?"

"I wasn't at the board meeting dumbo."

"Watch you mouth."

"Yeah, what are you going to do? Whack me as well?"

"Carolyn, for God's sake back off. We are now out of town. Look at those cattle and the water fowl on that pond. Oh the countryside, the glorious countryside."

"Christ, you're on pills."

Dick grinned and told her to speak like a lady when she was in his company. She snarled oh crap, she should have stayed home looking at wallpaper.

They drove the rest of the way in silence, she stroking her thighs, which he found irritating. Why was she doing that? Did she have a STD?

He drove up to the barn and veered sharply at the last moment to hide a pair of underpants under the car.

"That's bad driving."

Dick didn't answer his accuser.

She lit up when he unlocked the door and as he rolled it back she saw the Hog. "Oh, what a cute vehicle. Can I drive it?"

"Yeah."

He waited to finish rolling the door back before telling her where to find the key and how to start the vehicle. But she had the motor going before he opened his mouth. Some stupid place to 'hide' the key and obvious she wasn't altogether dumb. He gave her instruction about not turning the steering wheel sharply and not to try going across slopes at a crazy angle, to watch for depressions and to go straight up and down steep slopes and using engine breaking rather than tough the vehicle's brakes especially if the ground was damp.

"Are you finished?"

He said yes and she said she had her proficiency certificate in motor-cross bike riding. "Why don't you teach me something useful like sex?"

Dick went through the motions he was cleaning wax from his ears. He heard the young bitch giggle and he was unable to stop his laugh.

"You bitch."

"Takes on to recognize one," she said in a sing-song voice.

Before going down the fence line he warned her that barbwire being re-tensioned sometimes broke and could whip and cut the person restraining the wire and bystanders.

"I understand. I'll try to protect my face." She pulled out a pair of Rex's old fencing gloves from the hamper and said, "Before I put these on do you want a cool drink?"

"Yeah."

"It will cost you a kiss and I don't mean a peck."

"Okay."

She fetched the drink. She held it away and he had to kiss her.

He concluded, nice lovely, juicy lips. No tongue, no body press. He found that okay.

"I'll want a lot more before I feed you food."

"Don't fool with me Carolyn, you'll come off second best."

She was a good looker, he observed, watching color rise in her cheeks. She had piercing blue eyes and they now pierced his. She looked anything but afraid.

They worked for a couple of hours, and both were sweating.

"Lunch?"

He nodded and she drove to the upper dam and in amongst the small grove of cottonwoods.

"If it safe to wade in the lake"

He was taking off his thick shirt that was meant to save him from wire attack. He heard her suck in her breath. "I wouldn't, cattle wade in and crap and pee."

"Oh yuck."

He went off for a pee and when he returned and sat down against a tree trunk she tossed him a cold beer and he smiled appreciatively and said thanks.

"I really don't know what Kade's on about. You are very communicative. Want to watch me strip."

He nodded and swigged.

She removed her bush-shirt, swaying and humming, and then her trousers, revealing her very long legs.

"Are you going hard?"

He pretended to remove wax and she eyed him, letting him know she considered he was pathetic. She removed her top and he said nothing but stopped looking at her.

"Look at me!"

He ignored the command until she said, "Well, off come my bottoms."

"No," he shouted, climbing to his feet and rushing her. Too late, they dropped to the ground as she pulled the side ties simultaneously. He saw immediately she had no short hairs.

"I said no," he shouted.

"I say fuck off," she said and whacked him across the mouth.

They wrestled and he tried not to hurt her.

"Get away you bully who won't fuck me," she goaded, almost succeeding kneeing him in the balls.
Dick saw red. He seized her and sank to the ground with a thump, managing to stabilize in a sitting position. He pulled her across him, she squealing like a stuck pig. He then began whacking her bare ass and when seeing the six imprints of his palm he stopped, she shook and groaned and horrified he felt her wetness.

He pulled her upright and saw the tears. She was puffing rather than weeping.

"Kiss me."

He kissed her tenderly and she clung to him. They parted and she stood up and looked down at his soaked groin.

"That's not pee."

He looked at her carefully and said he knew it wasn't. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault." She stared and said, "Ohmigod, that's my biggest gush ever. I was ever so keen for you to fuck me."

"Just as well I didn't"

"I'm on contraceptives and have been for a long time."

Dick put her arms around his neck and said he was sorry. He patted her bare ass and pulled his hand away when realizing the whacks could be hurting her.

She sat on his lap and pulled his arm around her to cup her breast. "You're never going to fuck me, are you?"

"I would like to think not but one never knows."

"Would you like to?"

"Carolyn."

"Come on."

Dick shook his head but said, "Very much so."

Her face brightened and she kissed him sweetly as he thought a young woman might do when learning one of the great secrets in life.

"Please never tell anyone what I just told you. There are people who could be hurt if they learned that."

"I'll never tell anyone. Can we make a pact?"

"Perhaps, providing if it's reasonable."

"Should Kade abandon you within the next twenty years you'll allow me to come to you as soon as I can and allow me to stay with you a full month."

"That's very reasonable. Yes."

Carolyn kissed him and then said, "Come on, up you get and strip off and then we'll have lunch. You are not to dress until you show me a boner."

"And nothing else?"

"And nothing else."

They ate lunch comprising raw fruit that she peeled, a slab of cheese she'd put in for him and then she fed him a big slab of apply pie, she only taking a couple of small nibbles.

Before she poured coffee she said, "Stand between my feet."

She played with her breasts, leaning down to suck a nipple and smiled when she saw the start of his erection. She spread her vagina lips and a little later hooked two fingers into her juicy depths but by then it was not necessary to proceed any further. He was displaying for her his full erection.

"Oh darling, it's so beautiful."

Beautiful? Dick wondered was she looking at him but found she had her gaze fixed on it.

"Bring it to mama."

He sighed and said he must decline.

"Go off to dress," she said. "This is another day with you I shall remember for a very long time."

"You know Carolyn," he said before walking over to his clothes. "You are maturing, you really are."

She looked ever so pleased.

He went to his clothes imagining he was plowing her and she squealing in absolute delight. Because of that he had a struggle to get dressed.

* * *

Late afternoon as they drove in the Mercedes, Carolyn lying against his shoulder and being allowed to gently stroke his half erect penis through his trousers she asked, "Have you any advice to give me about sex?"

"Yes, avoid trying to engage me sexually because I possess a fear you may succeed."

"And?"

"Don't engage in sex with any person you don't hold in high regard. That's a very profound thought Carolyn so think about it."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Well, I think it's enough really."

Dick laughed and said that last comment confirmed she was maturing.

* * *

Kade was cool, not cold, when Dick arrived home. She made no effort to touch him but allowed him to touch her and that, understandably perhaps, was brief. He talked to her, describing what they'd done -- well at large part of what they had done on the ranch -- and realizing it was virtually a one-way conversation he went off for a soak in the bath.

Kade came in and said, "I don't feel like cooking, you should eat out. I don't want anything." She walked out leaving the door open and a few minutes later Dick heard her on the phone. Obviously she was talking to Carolyn and he distinctly heard Kade say, "He didn't? Swear to me he didn't." Then was some mumbling and then, "Oh you poor darling. It's not nice to feel rejected, don't I know it. Oh I've been in despair all day about his offhand treatment of me and here he is, turning down what I imagine would be one of the sweetest couplings he's ever had. Oh, how I've wronged him. What, you want me to come over to hug you. Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes, no make that twenty minutes."

Dick heard he go out and a little later her car start. He shrugged, either Carolyn would tell all under Kade's cross-examination or Carolyn would stay true to him. Either way it didn't much matter. It was not quite 6:00. He called Chad and Chad called back a few minutes later. "Yes you can return the Mercedes and because it's a luxury SUV you are exchanging for they'll allow you to swap for 1G which I think is pretty reasonable. I'll attend to the paperwork so you can pick up either a Jeep, Toyota or Lexus anytime from tomorrow morning. Just quote them his number BX3002-1B."

"Say that again and I'll remember it and punch it in as a phone number as soon as we finish this call. Thanks Chad."

"My pleasure. A good meeting yesterday. I may be joining you within months. I have been at a meeting with my two principals who have asked me to find a buyer for the company."

"That's great. Now give me that number again."

Dick thought he heard Kade's car arrive back, confirmed when he heard the elevator coming up. She came into the bathroom and said she felt much better. I've fetched a steak dinner take-out for you. Don't be too long as the insulated bags are not that great. Carolyn called and she'd upset, not at what you did but rather at what you didn't do. I'm very proud of you. She's alone tonight, do you mind if I stay over with her?"

"Nah."

"Good boy. Goodnight sweet darling -- now come on, a proper kiss.

Finishing his meal Dick felt restless. Well, Carolyn had really worked him up. He decided to go for a drive and on Main Street he noticed a light in Rosalie's office.

"Hi, it's Dick, parked down the street a bit. I was passing and saw your lights on. Can I come up?"

"What for?"

"I need a bit of company."

"Oh yeah," Rosalie laughed, "What kind of company?"

Dick didn't back off. "Someone who might think about showing me her pussy."

"Oh Dick, really."

"I'm out of my car, locking it and now walking to your building. When I press your after hours button, let me in."

"No, I don't think so Dick."

He pressed the button and the doors clicked open and the doors of the elevator just across the foyer opened.

Rosalie was waiting for him as the elevator doors opened. She looked tense, dressed in the same short black dress and black boots she'd wore the first time they'd met. Her hair was still frizzy and Kade had told him Rosalie was thirty-seven.

"Dick please, I'm a married woman."

"Where is your husband?"

"At home. It's his turn to have the guys around and when that happens I stay working until he calls to say the guys have gone."

"Being married makes you more experienced."

"Dick, for heaven's sake. I've never committed adultery."

"Well, just get me off any way you wish. I've been teased and left stranded and Kade is out of sorts."

"Oh, you poor man," Rosalie said sympathetically, leading him by the hand and turning out lights at the wall until only two night lights were on.

"Come into the restroom. We have a couch there. We won't be disturbed because the cleaners went through this floor at 6:00."

The blue couch looked comfortable. Rosalie asked, "How do we approach this."

"A sixty-nine would be fine."

"I was really thinking..."

"Then why did you bother asking me? Come on, kiss me."

Rosalie molded against him and they kissed. She then breathed she'd wanted to do that for some time and Dick struggled to avoid leering. Her heart was pounding. He unbuttoned her top and she helped pull it off asking, "Is this really necessary?"

"Yes, flesh against flesh will help get me off."

"Please don't mess the couch."

"The same goes for you" and that made her laugh nervously.

The body wasn't too bad and the pussy was trimmed.

"Oh God, look at your body," she groaned, running a hand over his six-pack that sent his erection into near-attention. He picked her up and she pushed her creamy breasts into his face. He went "Brrrrrrrrrr" and she groaned. He placed her on to the couch, resting her butt just before the top of the headrest. He lifted a knee across her and was ready, but where was she?

He attempted to push the tip of his cock into her mouth but she pushed it away. "My husband want do this to me. The though of your mouth against my vagina is sending me into panic."

"Lick my cock Rosalie."

She obeyed, as he knew she would. Some women used this reluctance as a dodge, not wanting their casual lover thinking they were a slut.

"Shove it into your mouth."

She obeyed and he knew her smooth suck was not that of a raw amateur. She even pushed her pussy up at him as she felt him blow over her.

They played on for almost twenty minutes with some slurping and grunting going on. Finally he smothered a yawn and said, "I'm almost ready Rosalie."

"But I haven't come!"

"A little later."

Dick climbed off her gently and lifted her around to place her back on the arm rest. He climbed backed over her, scooped up some of her lube and coated between her breasts.

"What are you doing?"

He almost said in a disbelieving voice, "Where have you been hanging out all of your sex life?"

He began titty-fucking her and as her mouth began to open and shut as the tip came near it he told her to catch his rhythm and give it a quick suck each time. Watching her mouth more often than she managed to mouth for knob heated him up.

He blew, four big heaves.

She yelled, "Ohmigod, what is all this? Are you okay?"

She lay as if paralyzed so he hopped into the bathroom for a hand towel and began wiping her face.

"It's all in my hair," she whimpered. "Doug just leaks, he doesn't squirt copiously like that but he'll recognize what it is."

"Not a chance -- tell him your pack of yogurt exploded. If you wish I'll wet towel it away."

"Yes please."

Dick did that and then told her to stand up. He sat and pulled her towards him, inserting two fingers. He sloshed away for no more than a minute, flicking around her clit bud no more than three times and then deep probing gently stroked the pad of flesh between her two orifices. She yelled and ejaculated a little, very unspectacularly but she cried, "Ohmigod, I've actually gotten off without my toy."

Dick amazed himself by thinking, he shouldn't fuck her, it would disappoint Kade and he wouldn't want to do that. What? He was halfway towards refusing to plow Rosalie? What was going on here?

"Dick, I really don't wish to complete the full act of adultery but..."

"Okay, okay Rosalie, I respect your wishes," Dick said, and went over and pulled on his underpants, aware Rosalie was looking at him, mouth agape.

As he pulled on his trousers she said, "Perhaps I wouldn't have minded."

"Be true to yourself Rosalie. I am very proud to have assisted you not to yield totally."

Dick knew he'd thought that and had said it but he couldn't believe that twice in one day he'd turned down two women. Well at least he was no longer in danger of having his balls turn blue.

"Will we do this again?" Rosalie said, leaning into him heavily at the entrance to the elevator and cupping his limp cock and balls through his trousers.

"You just tell me you wish to commit full adultery with me and I'm ram all seven inches up you."

"Ohmigod, that might rip me apart."

"Whatever, dear Rosalie. Give me the call but remember its adultery."

"Adultery? Oh yes. Good night dear Dick. I shall always remember Dick's dick," she said with what Dick hopefully though was an air of finality.

Whatever.

Dick had just got into bed when his phone went.

"Hi darling, Carolyn really wasn't all that upset. Just highly frustrated I suggested and she agreed. She'd just dropped off to sleep."

Clutching for some philosophical thought Dick said, "It was so difficult to resist her darling but sometimes one has to be cruel to be kind."

"Oh Dick, you were thinking of me, weren't you?"

"Yes darling," Dick said boldly, knowing that actually was the truth.

"Well, you got talking and you know what happens when women talk on an emotional high?"

"No, please tell me?"

"Well I was unable to avoid telling her that you are almost too much for me on week days and especially when I've had a long day and am tired. I told her I had suggested you find a woman who'd make herself available to you in times of need, a respectable woman."

"Like a retired clergyman's widow?"

"Something like that dear. But out of the blue Carolyn suggested why didn't I use her to be used by you. This wasn't a bold bid by a flamboyant sister to get herself between your thighs but rather a concerned sister offering her assistance to her sister. I felt so humbled at Carolyn offering herself to me to be used by you to take pressure off me."

"That's very good Kade now off to sleep you go. You may wake in the morning with an entirely different slant on that offer. Goodnight darling."

"You conniving young bitch Carolyn," Dick chuckled aloud. "It probably would have worked tonight but when Kade wakes in the morning her emotions will be stable and her mind clinical and she too will brand you as a conniving young bitch who almost shafted her sister at a very vulnerable moment in Kade's life. Naughty girl Carolyn with a pussy shaped like a magnificent piece of erotic art that I could lick for hours, if not days. Well, I know what I mean."

Dick went to sleep thinking about flowers.

Chapter 24

Next morning Dick slammed into his floor and standing exercises with gusto, showered off the sweat, had breakfast and then headed to Pryde City feeling anything but happy.

"At least I'm alive," said Dick groaning, and now regarding himself as a self-confessed slut. Just thirty minutes from home he drove into a small town and stopped outside a diner, where a bright-faced waitress, presumably not long into her shift, approached his table.

"Good morning sir," she purred, pulling her uniform straight, no doubt in an attempt to draw attention to her breasts. She only just succeeded before Dick dropped his dull gaze.

"Coffee," snapped the green-eyed Dick before she had time to open her mouth again. She scuttled off, an anxious glance over her shoulder as if expecting an axe murderer to be at her heels.

Dick called Random's leading florist, knowing it opened at 7:00. He ordered flowers to be sent to Carolyn, Kade and Rosalie with the same message, "Sorry for Being Such a Heel -- Dick."

"God, you upset three in one day. What did you do to them -- unexpected anal?"

Horrified Dick protested his innocent and the female on the phone choked up. She said she was sorry, she didn't know what had come over her and that if he complained she'd be sacked, saying she was a solo mom with a sickly babe being looked after by her mom.

Dick thought perhaps the mom bit was a lie but if he meant to ease back from being a heartless user of women he had to give her the benefit of doubt.

"No, it's fine," he said, "An understandable response with a touch of humor, so welcomed at this time a day."

She sounded relieved and said her name was Juliet and he knew where to find her.

After she read back his order he thanked her and said to say hello to the baby for him. He smiled when she replied obviously bewildered, "What baby?"

The waitress returned unsmiling and clunked his coffee on the table instead of throwing it over him. He smiled and invited her to sit down for a moment. She hesitated momentarily and then sat.

"Sorry for being grumpy, being your first customer of your shift. You appear to have nice tits."

She gasped, colored, looked at his unwavering smile and then smiled, softly sliding a hand down one of the aforesaid curvatures. "I do have other customers." Dick looked across to the corner where she'd indicated and for the first time saw two elderly couples in earnest conversation.

"I had a bad time with women yesterday," he confessed.

"Oh you poor darling. How may I assist?"

He decided to let her assist. "I wonder could you tell me the worst possible thing that could befall a woman." He trusted she wouldn't say arriving to shop as the store had just closed its doors for the day.

"Dying birthing her first child?"

Horror rocked Dick. "No, I mean sexually."

"Not getting it enough?"

He knew then he required professional help, not the help of a sympathetic amateur who possibly was on the make. "Thank you for being so helpful. May I have more coffee and a three-egg cheese and onion omelet?"

"Yes sir. I'm sorry but I don't finish till 3:00 -- are you able to wait that long?"

He replied he had a long journey ahead of him.

She looked towards the restrooms. "I guess I could..."

"More coffee would be appreciated," Dick said gravely.

When he finished, he left a generous tip under his plate.

Carolyn called, highly excited. "I'm s-s-s-o-o-o happy. Kade has decided to allow me to share you."

Dick steeled himself to deliver the letdown gently. "Carolyn darling, I'm afraid last night your sister was near rock-bottom, scarcely aware of what she was saying and I really..."

"What's that about last night? This is today. Kade has just left and for the last three hours we've been talking mostly about you. We've roughly arranged a schedule but she's a bit nervous about asking you this: Are you open to a threesome on Friday and Saturday nights?"

Dick took great care not to drive the Mercedes off the road.

"Er, thank you for being so informative and upfront Carolyn. May we talk later?"

"Oh yes Dick, sorry for butting in on your day. I'm so excited it's a wonder I'm not into continuous orgasms."

"Bye Carolyn."

"Bye darling."

At the first opportunity Dick was drinking black coffee, thinking anxiously about where his life was heading. He had a fleeting thought wondering if eunuchs felt their life was secure. Then he concentrated on thinking about talking to Josie and Rex about encouraging Carolyn to transfer to a college or university in, um, Ireland? He'd meet all costs. Then he and Kade could bring their wedding forward, like next week. He began to feel better.

Dick's phone went.

"Oh darling," Kade said. "Lovely flowers have just arrived. Did you pick them yourself?"

"No, the florist did."

"Oh how honest of you. I guess Carolyn has called you?"

"Darling, you sounded so low last night that I thought you would love to receive flowers. I slept on the thought and called the florist's assistant who doesn't really have a baby this morning."

"I don't quite understand all that darling but you say you thought flowers for me last night?"

"Yes."

"Have you done something bad?"

"Really bad? You sounded so low before you left last night Kade."

"Oh yes, of course, how sweet of you to think about me like that. Where are you?"

Dick told her and she said, her voice dropping to a pathetic low, "I wished you would communicate. If you had told me you were going to Pryde City I would have come."

"Come now, I'm not quite an hour into the journey. You have nothing scheduled today, Jump into your car right now." Dick gave her directions and looked at the sign of the nearby cross street and instructed her to let her GPS system find it."
"I still don't know how to use that damn thing."

"Listen carefully Kade. Drive towards Pryde for almost one hour and as you approach a small settlement you'll see three grain silos on the right and two on the left standing directly opposite. They look like toy soldiers."

"Ah yes, known to some of us as the Five Peni."

"What?"

"It's girl's talk darling and is not the correct plural form."

"What?"

"It does matter. What is the next instruction...when I sight them I think of you and groan?"

"What, of course not. They are nearby so you call me and I'll step on to the highway and you should take great care not to run over me. You leave your car there and drive on with me."

"This is brilliant Dick. No wonder women say its unusual for a guy like you to have both a brain and...oh, whatever."

"Whatever what?"

"Darling, I must run. I want to be with you. Why are you going to Pryde?"

"I'll tell you when I see you darling. I have no wish to over-communicate."

"What?"

Dick snapped his phone shut, grinning. He felt a whole lot better.

Kade flashed her lights and he stepped back but still a little way off she did a u-turn to be facing the right-way to drive off that evening, earning a credit from her severest driving critic. They kissed, she giggled and sighed, "Oh Dick, not an erection all ready?"

He grinned, proudly.

Once they were underway Kade said, "Darling, I wasn't quite myself last evening. I'm sorry about that but I have been talking at length with Carolyn and we have come up with brilliant strategy, at least we think it is. Carolyn will dedicate much of her time before she goes off to college teaching you how to talk to women and understand their sensitivities and in return I'm allowing her to have a piece of you whenever appropriate."

"So, I'm just a piece of meat to be used by both of you when appropriate am I?"

Kade took a deep breath and said quietly, "This program is for your own good darling. If the truth is not to be denied it's women who are treated like a piece of meat."

"And you two females think it's okay to seize upon a male attitude and use it to your advantage?"

"I-I don't understand."

"It's the rules, but you don't need to know that."

Kade back-pedaling quickly asked, "Why are we going to Pryde?"

She was told not to change the subject so sighed and asked, "What rules?"

Dick said severely, "Why don't you think guys don't seduce every women in sight?"

"Unlike you, most guys know they'd quickly be running without a shot left in the barrel?"

"No, you are missing the point."

"What point?" At that Kade was in danger of giggling uncontrollably.

"Guys know to be discriminate about who they shaft and when because they have adopted the code of manhood. The rules say indiscriminate shafting could lead to chaos and mayhem. The rules say there are enough babes to go around, with some babes only too ready to go around like a merry-go-round. And the rules say its best to have a conservative approach and once or at the most twice a day every day is sufficient for any guy, with catch-up provisions of course if missing out on his shafting schedule for any reason."

Kade was no longer laughing. In fact she was looking at him with respect. "God Dick, thank you for telling me this, I feel so privileged. It's such a profound eye-opener, you do know most females think males are so basic, almost dumb, don't you?"

"Yeah, we have a rule about that too."

"Oh, what is that rule?"

"To deny it but to try to avoid slapping the dumb broad."

It Kade had the slight suspicion that this might be the biggest heap of crap he'd ever thrown at her she didn't reveal it. Instead she looked at him closely and said, "Relax darling, you look all tense."

He sighed and relaxed and gave her a quite smile, aware she would be reading his face looking for insincerity. "I love you Kade." His concentration returned to driving them safely.

She sighed and his smile broadened.

She wiped off that smile. "Has Carolyn called you this morning?"

He could lie but Carolyn probably called Kade to deliver his response. "Yep, the dumb bitch."

"Dick."

"Well what am I suppose to think?"

"We why not trying to communicate and tell me?"

"You'll not like it."

Kade said primly he should allow her to be the judge of that.

"I've decided that with you two proposing to act like amateur sluts that I'll invite some of the boys over and tell them to let it rip, to give you two the full treatment, all orifices simultaneously."

"Dick, for fuck sake!"

"Well, there you go. You have the choice."

"What choice?" Kade said, voice shaking.

"Stay as we are or let it rip."

Kade looked desperate, focused where they were and said, "Darling, may we stop here for coffee."

They entered the country café with gingham tablecloths and two rosy cheeked and busty women with huge smiles. Dick thought what a dump and heard Kade say, "These flowers on the tables are real, oh how sweet."

Kade said to order her coffee and a cake and she walked off to the restroom, already pulling out her phone, presumably to call Carolyn with the news of the terrible fate that awaited them. On the other hand..."

He grinned and the two women behind the counter increased their smiles and one said, "Ah, a man who can smile just for the joy of it." Dick ordered a pot of coffee, no milk and no sugar and a ginger cookie.

"What about your daughter sir?

Dick cut back his scowl. Wasn't he attempting to reform? "Do you do chamomile tea?"

"Yes sir, how lovely sir."

"Tea and a cake stuffed with cream -- not make that two and she can pig out."

The women's smiles vanished and Dick realized he'd muffed it. He whispered, "She's newly pregnant. It's so stressful for the family because she's not married."

The women appeared ready to cry so Dick went to a far off table accepting he was on a learning curve on how to act in the way women appreciated. He hoped it wouldn't impact adversely on his business career.

As Kade emerged, phone back in her handbag and appearing as if she'd been away to only wash her hands or whatever, one of the women ran over and placed her arm over Kade's shoulder and spoke to her soothingly, bringing to her father's table.

"I'll fetch you a glass of warm water darling."

The woman raced off and Kade glared at Dick, "What have you been telling them?"

"Telling them what?"

The other woman arrived with the tray and Kade boggled at the size of the cream cakes.

"I feel sick," she said, racing off to the car.

"Oh dear," said the woman. "What now?"

"Box up the cakes and we'll be off as soon as I finish my coffee," said the 'father'. He bought a soda for Kade and outside dropped the cream cakes into a trashcan.

"Whatever made those stupid women serve me cream cakes," Kade said. "What a dump that place is."

"Yes," Dick said, handing across the soda. "Steer clear of gingham I say. I left them a good tip."

"What for? Dick, you are far too soft. Those busy-bodies are far too much."

"Oh, I was thoroughly entertained by them," Dick said mysteriously.

"That fat bitch handling me like that -- I almost whacked her. Lesbians like that should be banned.

"Er, I'm glad you didn't hit her darling. What did Carolyn say?"

"As to be expected she cried and raged and..."

They drove on in silence, Kade biting her lip.

* * *

To Dick's amazement they had a great day in Pryde. He chose the Jeep but instead they drove away in the Lexus because Kade said she preferred the color. Dick dismissed that and was ready to take the Jeep when she whispered: "I prefer the position I tested of the Lexus."

"What position?" he asked and was told to keep his voice down.

"The position if you get lucky." She fluttered her eyelids and for Dick the penny dropped -- she'd always been against having sex in a vehicle.

"We'll take the Lexus," Dick shouted and the salesman smiled and said, "Women prefer the Lexus for some reason." Kade hurried off as Dick opened his mouth.

As they drove off Dick leered, "Show me the position."

Kade snuggled between the seat and her door and opened her legs. Dick was licking his lips when she screamed, "Red light!" They stopped just in time and there was no vehicle close behind to ram them.

Kade towed him around for hours but it was productive. She purchased three matching suitcases, white with gold trim that she called 'my going away luggage'. Dick had no idea where she intended going but was distracted by a woman adjusting a stocking so didn't ask. He purchased a bottle of Joy, her favorite perfume, and had those eyelids waggling at him again. She purchased him a gold watch he didn't want and she smiled secretly and said, "Your going away present."

"Where am I going?"

She saw genuine confusion and said, "Dummy, for when we leave on our honeymoon."

"Oh, but that's six months away."

She smiled, took his hand and drew it down her breast and said by buying now they would avoid the rush.

"What rush?"

She smiled and asked could they go somewhere nice for lunch. Dick had been thinking of going out with Chad for a wet lunch but Kade was acting so adorably he thought he'd take her to lunch at the Cosmopolitan. As they entered he knew that had been a mistake as it was the place he'd brought his chosen one to commence a new affair.

The maitre 'd recognized him from old, gave him a wink but did not vocalize except to say "This way ma'am" in his faked French accent.

Waiting for their champagne to arrive Kade leaned over conspiratorially to whisper, "Why did that guy in the phony accent wink at you?"

"He recognized me from way back."

"And why would he do that?"

"Because I used to lunch here."

As their wine was being poured Kade looked around at the generally prosperous looking patrons and at the luxurious plastered ceiling with gold highlights and smiled.

As the wine waiter departed she asked, "Notice anything about people in here?"

"Well dressed and generally well-heeled?"

"Yes but don't you see, we fit into here like a glove. Every man here is with a younger woman."

"Of course."

Kade looked surprised. "You don't deny that it's a whorehouse?"

Dick smiled at her handsomely, noting that caught her breath. "Your term is a little harsh. There will be a few mistresses here but most will be guys making a hit on their PA or someone else in the office."

"You, a frequent diner at this establishment, admit to that?"

"Yes, of course, but you realize my patronage here was before your time. The usual practice is to overcome her with opulence and then after the first shafting take her somewhere less expensive."

"Oh you mean are so disgusting and so devious," she giggled. "When do I get my shafting?"

"On the way home."

"At a crappy motel?"

"You chose the place."

"Ohmigod, you are thinking of your new vehicle."

He just smiled and felt her now shoeless foot run over his ankle and wiggle around under his trouser cuff.

Seven hours later Kade awoke as Dick drove off the highway and deep into a stand of trees.

"Why are we stopping?"

She caught his toothy grin in the illumination of the map reading light.

"Ohmigod. We've stopped to fuck even though we're almost home?"

"Grooooowl. Gruuuuuuff."

Kade backed into the corner between her seat and door, her eyes wide and uttering no sound. Slowly, gazing at him in the dim light, she opened her legs. Dick reached across and ripped her panties from her body.

She began breathing through her mouth.

Dick leant over and licked her pussy.

"Get away from me, you beast!"

Dick's tongue penetrated between her thick, shaven lips. She groaned and pulled at his head as if attempting to drive his tongue in to the max. Later he climbed over the divider to be in a better position to attend to his prey -- er, fiancée.

As they reached the apartment Kade said, "That was so lovely, I'm really into car sex now."

"That's good, I mean really good."

"Ooooh, I like you saying that. Who are you calling?"

"Carolyn."

"Why?"

"To see if she wants to go fencing with me from 9:00 to 3:00. You can join us."

"What, so we can eat lunch nude?"

Dick grinned and said, "She told you that."

"Yes, but it sounded so pathetic with nothing going on between you."

Dick grinned and switching to speaker phone said, "Hi -- want to come fencing with me in the morning?"

"Why -- you have rejected me?"

"Think about it Carolyn -- you and Karen came up with a proposal, it was presented and I rejected it. I rejected the proposal, I did not reject you. Look back and come forward -- don't you see, nothing has actually changed, has it?"

"I-I suppose not."

"Nothing has actually changed, has it?"

"No, you are quite right."

From nine to three and you bring lunch for three.

"Is Kade coming?"

"Yes, that's okay isn't it?"

Dick waited for Carolyn to answer and Kade leant over and began tracing the outline of his slack dick with a finger.

"Yes it's okay, but it means we don't eat lunch quirky-like."

"Why not?"

"My sister is a little prim. She won't want to eat lunch in the nude."

"She may if you say to her that's the rule."

"What rule?"

"The rule that farm fencers eat lunch in the raw, at least Dick and his gang do."

Carolyn said slowly, "Okay" and Dick imagined her sucking her hair. "Will there be sex?"

"Only if you two take to each other."

"Dick!" she screamed, laughing and Dick winced as Kade squeezed his dick.

"All right, lunch for three."

"Good girl. I'll bring wine and a soda for you."

"Wine for me and you can lick it from my pussy."

Dick grinned and held a finger to his lips and Kade nodded.

"Careful Carolyn, Kade could be listening."

"Is she?"

"What do you think?"

"Goodnight Kade and goodnight you big dick."

Dick asked Kade would she be lunching with them tomorrow and she said wild bulls wouldn't keep her away. Her fingers tightened around his growing erection.

"Come," she said, "Let's visit the table. We haven't been there for a while."

* * *

Fencing day turned out to be partly a pain in the butt for Dick. The sisters excluded him from conversation by discussing inane things interspersed with unfathomable giggling. At the barn he carefully parked over the presumably now rotting pair of abandoned underpants and the girls fought over who was to drive the Hog, Kade going into raptures about how heavenly cute it was. Then as soon as he bent over to re-tension a slack wire they girls we off in the vehicle whooping and hollering like a couple of escapees from drug rehabilitation and, of course, separating him from hammer, staples and the stretch-bar wire-puller. However, all was not lost as this section of fencing had in-line permanent wire strainers.

At least they was having fun and he was outdoors being physical as planned so he decided to not be grumpy and simply flagged them down whenever they came close to take out some replacement battens from the cargo box. On the second time back they were both topless and grinning at him like naughty kids.

The sun on his bared back, the sight of floppy tits and they approached over uneven ground and run-away thoughts soon had him horny. A bare wire slash down the side of his thumb stiffened his resolve to refuse to seduce Carolyn even if she managed to have Kade on her side egging him on.

At the picnic spot Dick returned from behind a clump of trees to find both females totally naked. He sat, unlaced his boots and removed them and his socks and stood and dropped his shorts and kicked off his underpants to friendly applause. They ate lunch in the shade and chatted like any normal family -- that is any normal dressed family.

The women went sun bathing and Dick dressed and went back to work on the Hog and returned to pick up the women, now dressed.

And that was that. Well, almost.

As they drove off in the SUV Dick heard to his dismay Kade say she'd proposed to use Dick after lunch as a model to give Carolyn tuition, including hands-on tuition, on sex, just as their mom had heroically given Dick advance instruction some seventeen years earlier.

She proposed taking Carolyn through the ropes on fellatio, cunnilingus, masturbation and anal and vaginal sex for a start -- although perhaps not anal as to her knowledge they were all anal virgins.

"W-w-what happened. You didn't proceed?"

"Carolyn refused outright to participate, saying is was a sneaky way for her to have sex with you. She said she would rather not have sex with you if it meant going through the back door."

Dick said with relief, "But you'd already decided not have anal sex?"

"Yes but what has that to do with what I have just said?'

"Anal sex -- back door sex, dummy."

The three of them laughed. Dick stopped the vehicle at the entrance to the main highway.

"Get out Carolyn?"

She called from the back seat, "No I'm safer here."

"You have displayed commendable maturity. I am inviting you to drive this vehicle."

"But when I asked to drive this morning you refused, saying no way would you and I quote, 'place $50,000 of vehicle in my inexpert hands linked to an undisciplined mind', unquote."

"Well yes, but that was before I knew you'd passed over the threshold to sexual maturity."

"Oh no," Carolyn whined. "You are attempting to rob me of my sexual irresponsibility that lies before me at college."

"No he isn't, at least not altogether," Kade soothed. "He's imposed no rule forbidding regression back over the threshold when it suits you."

"Oh yeah," Carolyn said, unlocking the rear doors and emerging to kiss Dick without too much groin press and then getting behind the wheel. God, these seats are so soft and comfortable. The must be great for vehicle sex."

They drove on silently for a while, Carolyn grinning as in the rear vision mirror she'd watched Dick sink his face into his hands while her sister was attempting to adopt the face of a pious clergyman's wife.

Chapter 25

Dinner that evening was extremely pleasant. Dick had stopped in front of the hotel in the hotel restricted parking zone and the doorman hurried out and asked, "Are you guests?'

"No."

"Then drive off."

"No."

"I beg your pardon?"

Dick stepped out of the vehicle, immaculate in all black including a Cashmere crewneck sweater. "I'm waiting for someone."

"No here you won't. Move off."

"No, here they come."

The doorman barked into his lapel mike, "Security, Cassidy, front door -- hurry."

Two foyer security personnel, both women, dashed by Mal and Pearl Hart. Mal halted, pulling Pearl back, wearing a big grin.

The larger of the two guards said, "Problem Cassidy?"

"Yeah, this punk refuses the move on. I did ask nicely."

"Is that true sir?"

"Yes but he failed to ask me what my business was for stopping here."

"I'm sorry sir but..."

The smaller guard chipped in. Easy Bette, this guy is driving a fifty grand vehicle and (as she came closer), ohmigod, it's him?"

"Who?" Cassidy and Bette asked together, aware a small crowd had gathered.

"The new owner -- his mug is on our notice board."

Dick smiled and said, "Ladies you still haven't asked why am I stopped here?"

The smaller guard swallowed and said, "Sir, why are you stopped here?"

"To pick up the two folk standing behind you."

The doorman and guards turned.

"Ohmigod, said the Bette, opening the rear door and snapping to attention: "Mrs Hart, this way please."

"Thank you Bette, well handled Sandra. Cassidy log yourself in for refresher training at 9:00 on Monday."

"Yes ma'am."

The very elegant Mrs Hart held out a hand and smiled, "Good evening Mr Savage or may I jump straight to Dick."

Dick took her hand, pulled her closer and kissed her far cheek.

"Oh my, a guy classy enough to wear a real men's fragrance. Hello Kade, I'm Pearl."
Bette was around the other side with the door opened for Mal.

"Hi Dick," Mal said removing his tie but keeping the top button done up.

"Hi Mal. Your girls save the day. I was ready to whack the officious twerp."

"Good staff is hard to find these days Dick, as well you will know."

As they walked into the restaurant and began the long walk to their table, at the center of the windows overlooking the town below them, the resident singer with piano and double bass accompaniment began singing 'Happy Birthday' and when Pearl heard it was for Pearl she stopped and hugged Mal. He claimed innocence so she hugged Dick and he shrugged so she looked at Kade and Kade smiled, "When I called to give your PA the place and time for tonight she mentioned it would be a lovely night out for you as it was your birthday next day." The two women hugged and then both waved to the singer. It was only then Dick realized Pearl was not yet thirty and if they stayed perhaps she and Kade would become close friends. He thought he'd stay clear of Pearl and actually it was a great idea because he would have close business dealings with her husband if Mal became their hotel general manager.

Pearl was sitting against the window, Dick was next to her, Mal was opposite him and that left the two women facing each other. Dick thought that was good as there was no need to spend the night looking down the front of a woman's dress. Pearl had a great pair and rather a lot of that flesh was uncovered. He looked across at Kade and realized she was looking down Pearl's dress. That unnerved him, as he hadn't been aware women did that. Then Pearl's thigh seemed to close the gap between her and his thighs. He went to pull his thigh away but thought she might think he wasn't interested, er wasn't friendly.

"How old tomorrow Pearl -- twenty-eight?"

"Dick!"

"It's okay Kade, twenty-seven actually. I'm exactly nine years older that Mal. We picked you are twenty-five Kade and Dick is thirty-five but we didn't have to guess Dick's age because it was given in the newspaper when the purchase of the hotel was announced.

"Kade is twenty-three, Dick said, any older and I wouldn't be regarded as a baby-snatcher.

Pearl exhibited a delightful giggle. "And here was Mal thinking he had that title to himself. Have you been married before Dick?"

"No, I felt I was too irresponsible to marry before my mid-thirties. It must have worked because Kade's youthfulness makes me feel old."

"Liar -- he's almost too energetic for me," Kade said. "I walk around most mornings half-exhausted, that is the mornings when I can walk."

A silence fell over the table.

Dick could feel Pearl's body shaking and then she slammed against him, smothering near hysterical laughter into the shoulder of his jacket. That set her three companions off into laughter, Mal having recovered from initial shock.

"Oh I'm sorry Dick," Pearl said, leaning over to brush his shoulder with her napkin, saying her lip coating would not have come off. A big breast was now against his arm, her thigh was almost rolling over the top of his and her caught the fragrance of her perfume rising from between her breasts. She dropped the napkin. Dick caught it and returned it, dragging his hand over her breast as he did so. He was aghast and began to sweat, hoping it wouldn't show. A drop of sweat ran down into his left eye.

Bathroom! He jumped up and knocked the drinks tray from the hand of an arriving waitress to take their drinks order. He lunged and caught the tray but in doing so knocked the waitress on to the back of an elderly guy at the next table who snorted and said he wanted red wine, not sex. Dick leant over and pulled the waitress upright, wiping the sweat off his forehead against her tiny breasts as he did so and apologized to her.

"That all right sir, this happens to us all the time. Dick pulled out a $20 and stuck it down the top of her high neck dress and asked her to get the gentleman's bottle of red wine and charge it to his table.

"Oh you're such a lovely man," the waitress said, kissing Dick and turning to the elderly guy said in a loud voice, "The young gentleman apologizes for the accident and is paying for you wine."

"Right, just don't stand there -- get the wine and don't shout. Just because I have white hair doesn't mean I'm deaf."

Dick slid back into his seat and the laughing Pearl pulled him to her and kissed him on the mouth saying he was so entertaining and so much fun to be with.

Dick looked anxiously at Kade who managed a half smile. He turned to Mal and said. "Sorry to have made such a dick of myself." Pearl was off again, banging Dick on the back with her fist and then they were all laughing when Mal said solemnly, "You're accident-prone Dick, just stay away from my hotel."

The maitre 'd hurried over with a compliment bottle of dry white wine and asked could they kindly keep the noise down because not everyone else was drunk.

Dick's humiliation was complete when Pearl said, "Oh you're sweating darling, let me fix it," and dabbed at his forehead with her napkin." Dick glanced at Kade who was looking at him smiling, shaking her head like the embarrassed mommy of a naughty kid performing out of control.

"Drunk? I haven't had a drink since lunchtime, Mal sniffed, pouring the wine.

"I drank my share of a bottle with Dick and my sister in the nude on our ranch at lunchtime," Kade said.

"Oooh, I must have lunch with you guys sometime," Pearl said. "I had a brandy in the bath before I came here, my only drink today. We have been defamed by that outspoken maitre 'd," she sighed.

"Cheers guys, I'm really sorry," Dick said, holding up his glass and they clinked glasses.

"Dick relax," Mal said. "Pearl and I haven't had so much fun at dinner in years."

Conversations at the Savage Table settled down now that Dick had stabilized, the way the four were seated followed logic, leading to a cross-table split, Pearl asking Kade how many handbags did she own and if she thought the inflow of new immigrants was lifting the international awareness of the total population as well as the level of national culture and intelligence while Mal and Dick explored was there an international conspiracy within Governments to inhibit the development of more fuel efficient vehicles and would gladiatorial sport come back in favor now that sports administrators had unwisely taken total control of ball sports world-wide.

When their main course dishes arrived Pearl attempted to unify conversation and achieved limited success when she suggested Main Street sidewalks were overdue for an upgrade and as enthusiasm to keep that topic from advancing into street lighting improvement and more efficient disposal of storm water she stimulated table discussion by asking 'How Safe is Safe Sex?' Suddenly all four of them became self-declared authorities.

When liqueurs arrived with coffee, Dick raised the topic that was the purpose for him hosting the dinner. "Pearl and Mal, have you guys decided if you are interested in staying on in this town?"

Mal, grabbing at his shirtfront as if discovering his tie was missing and adopting the blank look of poker-faced negotiator was stymied when Pearl said simply, "Oh definitely."

"Mal?"

"Er Dick, what else is there to say?"

"Quite," Dick smiled. "I have some good news."

Three pairs of eyes fixed on him unwaveringly.

"When Kade took her mother and sister to Pryde City the other day to build a wardrobe of sweaters, impossibly tight jeans and provocatively short skirts for Carolyn for College, I flew off with a slide screen presentation of the sketches of the interior redesign of the Cattleman's and presented it to the operations committee of the board of Blue Horizon Group. I can tell you they were most impressed of the work of Kade and her project architect Rosalie Valdina."

"Why wasn't I at that meeting?" Kade said angrily. "And Rosalie!"

Mal cleared his throat and said he would have welcomed being included out of courtesy.

"I'm sure," Pearl hiccupped, "that Dick is about to explain those were not oversights."

"Quite right and thank you Pearl," Dick said. "On the day in question Kade, you were otherwise occupied in Pryde and Mal it was the day of your hotel's co-hosted golf tournament. Pearl perhaps you could have represented Mal but as you are all aware I didn't know you last Tuesday."

"Oh, poor boy. So you had to soldier on all by yourself."

"Thank you Pearl, expressed so succinctly."

"And now the entire project is screwed up and has to be smoothed out with cap-in-hand negotiations," Kade snorted. "You have taken no interest in the project."

"Oh that's so mean Kade. Just because I've given it as your project to lead and manage that doesn't mean I haven't kept an eye on things. I know intimately the roles and the work of the sixteen people you have in your architectural, design and interior décor project team although I hasten to say I have not reversed a single one of your decisions and that was why I was able to ask for a DVD of all sketches and was thoroughly briefed before I went to Blue Horizons and yes, I was unaccompanied and facing a possible hostile group. But I had called for a working lunch meeting an arrived with a carton on chilled top quality French champagne. The vice-president briefed his legal chief after seeing the slide show and later I made a couple of changes that they agreed to and we signed as it was too small a deal to go before the full board."

"What kind of deal?" Mal asked carefully.

"Several things," Dick smiled. "The committee agreed unanimously with the compromise exterior design that I had Rosalie work late into Monday night to design and have a CAD drawing done. That wasn't interference Kade because you hadn't asked her to do it. It was the compromise between the curtain smoked glass and bright red coated aluminum frame exterior you two favored and my all adobe and wood beam end traditional look I favored. Only when the committee voted unanimously in favor of the compromise version did I have a slight worry that you might alleged I was interfering."

Kade rolled her eyes and scowled and Pearl said to her, "I sympathize darling but we both know this is just how men are."

Mal prodded, "You said other things?"

"Oh yes Mal, I said Kade and I were adamant that as conditional of the five-year operating lease of the premises to Blue Horizon was you staying on as general manager with a $35,000 increase in salary."

"Ha, those tight-fisted HQ guys wouldn't agree to that."

"Correct Mal but they did settle at $30,000. Expect your new contract to arrive on Monday for signing. I received our copies of the property lease to Blue Horizon today together with it's standard agreement of operational procedure in leased premises and other documentation outlining property owner's obligations and shared responsibilities and similar crap. I have copies of the DVD and all documentation in the car for both you Mal and Kade. Kade, I see you are not smiling but you have to admit we had agreed leasing was my responsibility."

"This is magnificent Dick, well done. That 30G lift in salary pushes me up into the B-team level. Far out!"

"Oh, I did partially lose out on one thing. None of them liked the name The New Cattleman's Hotel. But they did accept my compromise to simply call it Cattleman's."

Kade burst into tears and Pearl was around to her quickly and led her off to the restroom.

"Oh dear," Mal laughed. "My first wife used to burst into tears like that for no reason, calling me the world's worst communicator."

"Oh what a shame," Dick said. "I've learned to pay attention to communication when it comes to women."

Mal looked at him, impressed.

* * *

Kade was quiet except when kissing the Hart's goodnight. Kade only offered a cheek to Mal and Dick was surprised then that's all he got from Pearl plus her idea of a bonus -- she whispered into his ear, "You pig, be nice to Kade and then elbow jolted him in the ribs. The only pleasure Dick received from that, and it wasn't much, was watching Pearl walking away from him rubbing that elbow.

Inside the apartment Dick prepared to be made to suffer, like being told to make her coffee and then to sleep in the spare room.

Wrong.

She went into the bedroom with her phone and slammed the door, leaving Dick to think she valued her phone more than him.

Ten minutes later Kade came out, red-eyed and said, "Bring me coffee. I'm packing and sleeping at mom's tonight and going with her to take Carolyn to college and mom and I will stay over a couple of nights."

"Fine. Oh, the relocation team arrives at noon tomorrow to begin our shift upstairs."

"So?"

"You'll be needed here."

"But I won't be, I've just told you where I'll be."

"But I don't know enough to decide where everything goes."

"Tough."

Dick knew it was time to suck up to her. "Aw come on Kade. Be fair, I overstepped the mark a little but probably achieved better than what we would have had you and Mal been with me pulling in different directions."

She bristled. "Dick, you can do everything without involving me so surely you can manage to relocate us without stuffing up."

"Oh, you said us. Does that mean you're coming back?"

"I'm thinking about it."

"Oh."

She stomped off, slamming the bedroom door.

Dick sauntered off to the guest bed, closed the door gently and looked at the bed with distaste. It was a guestroom bed, designed to be uncomfortable so that guests didn't overstay their welcome. He was barely settled when his phone rang.

"I hear you have been a naughty boy, again."

"Hi Carolyn."

"Darling, just slide your hand down over your naked body and gently grip that heat-seeking pussy missile of yours and..."

He snarled, "Carolyn, I'm not in the mood for phone sex, okay?" She began crying, called him a heartless sonofabitch and cut the call.

Five minutes later the so-called heartless sonofabitch called her back, apologized and wished her well at college. They talked for thirty minutes before she said her battery was running out. They said their goodbyes and he said he loved her and she cried, but not in the harsh way she'd done earlier. He lay back and reflected on that last call -- thirty minutes with Carolyn and not once had they talked about sex or even alluded to it. That would stand as a record for them.

Dick rescheduled his two afternoon meetings, bringing them forward for the morning and was back at the apartment building before the moving team arrived. The bossy woman in charge asked him where he wanted things and he mumbled he didn't really know. He heard the bitch mumble "Another useless male" and she said to him, "Get up to the next floor, stay out of the way and leave it to me. This will take us three hours."

And it did. They left at 3:15 after drinking the coffee and the steak sandwiches Dick had made for them. He tipped the bossy bitch a hundred because she'd been superb.

Despondent and feeling a real heel, Dick took a bottle of champagne up to the roof garden and by 4:15 was in bed. He awoke in the morning feeling great, and thought about ravishing a couple of babes but unfortunately none were on hand. The he had an amazing thought that almost gave him an erection: Fencing! He packed food, two bottles of wine in case he became really thirsty and took off.

After parking over the rotting underpants, Dick loaded the Bush Hog and drove up to the house site and thought there was still time to plant trees and have them settled before the summer heat arrived. His retired farmer consultant Austin had suggested he use Smith Horticulture for planting advice and they would buy in any trees and shrubs he wanted that they didn't stock, and that was the advantage of using a small firm. He called information for their number.

"Mrs Smith of Smith's."

"Er, Dick of D&K."

"Listen you jerk, if this is one of those sick phone calls, I'll..."

"No, Dick and Kade Ranch -- we've bought Mick Owens's place."

"Oh, welcome to the district. That barren piece of land needs considerable landscaping must I must say some genius attended to the bottom dam. What do you want?"

"Advice."

"You come here to the nursery for advice."

"Well, I'm different. I want on-site advice."

"Like when?"

"Now."

"Jesus, you have balls. It's spring, our busy season."

"One hour should do it. Send Mr Smith out and we can talk down at the dam oasis over a bottle of wine."

"He drinks beer."

"Then if you know anything about ranch house landscaping you come."

"Right, Betty is here today so I'll do that if there is phone signal coverage where we'll be. This is our busy season."

"Well, don't forget to bring you phone."

She snapped, "I beg your pardon."

"Are you sure you are the right person to be in business?"

"You asshole."

"Ah, I shouldn't have said that."

"You're damn right about that. I'm thinking of not coming."

"I'd say $30,000 of trees for starters, and then..."

She said she was on her way and knew where the old forestry access track was as she was a trail bike enthusiast.

Dick grinned and tried to imagine her as a sexy twenty-something but failed. Instead his mind attempted to match the bossy voice and came up with a fifty-year-old with balloons for breasts and arm muscles and shoulders that were larger than his. He opened the pipe gate out across the track, propping it open with a fence post and went back to try to get the 'feel' of the building site. He heard the roar of a trail bike and she shot through the gate and powered down the hill towards where he was standing and slid back under hard braking and stopped with the front wheel almost touching his boots.

"You're brave for a guy," she laughed through the dust guard over her mouth. She took off her helmet and shook curly brown hair free, her green eyes sizing him up.

"I thought you sounded under forty on the phone, a grumpy under forty."

"I pictured you as fifty with big tits," he said bravely.

"Leave my tits our of this or I'm out of here. I'm Therese Smith and my fortieth will be in a few months. I'm planning a big do so if you spend big bucks you'll be invited. You're that guy who's throwing big bucks to return the Cattleman's to us, aren't you?"

"Yeah, Dick Savage."

"I hear you've been through half of the town's finest women already including your fiancée's mother and her eighteen-year-old sister."

Dick grinned. "You have to be screwed up to believe rumors."

"Yeah, yeah," she laughed, removing her leather jacket to display nothing remarkable. "Good pick the Hog. Has Dottie been up here?"

Dick sensed that question was a trap so scratched an eyebrow and said with equal casualness, "What do you think?"

Therese laughed and asked what advice did he want.

He explained where they were standing would be the middle of the lounge at the windows.

"Great view," she said, glancing down the valley and out beyond the town. Then she turned after checking the position of the sun and studied the near hills and beyond to the distant mountains and pointing out in that direction and around to behind him said, "The main direction of our worst winter weather."

He nodded and jumped on to the Hog and she sat beside him. She tried out her phone and said nothing, confirming to him she had received a strong signal. They circled the staked makers of the outer fence around the two-acre block and he told her about the curved design of the barn-like garages. She looked at the few markers of the line of the inner fence and told him to push them ten feet farther in because people tended to under-estimate the spread of larger trees.

"A two-acre square you say?"

Dick nodded and said plus the access track from where she'd come down from the boundary gate.

"Look, you'll need to make that access track wide enough for an avenue of ornamental trees. Although few people will get to see it you'll see it every day -- you plant for you, not for your visitors. Do you understand?"
"Yes, what about a schedule of trees and shrubs."

"This project interests me. I want to do a formal landscape plan for you as this is a beautiful setting and is worth it. Now where's the wine?"

"And a steak sandwich?"

"Why not."

"Down at the oasis?"

"Why not? I'd like to inspect the work of amateurs -- it looks pretty good from the highway."

"Strip off if you like," Dick said, removing his shorts. He'd been thinking all morning that he'd been a little rough on Kade. They would do better splitting their roles -- she being totally responsible for property development, although in consultation with him, and he being totally responsible for acquisitions, leasing and sales. Then she might keep her nose in joint. He'd also decided not to attempt to seduce even desirable woman he encountered and that included this one.

'This one' decided to strip off her jacket and leather bike trousers, which left her in just bra and panties. She pretended not being nervous and appeared to relax when Dick said 'Nice body' and as soon as she looked at him he looked away.

Therese opened the hamper and passed one of the bottles of wine. He looked down at the smallish breasts but really big nipple bumps pushing against the bra and regretted making his decision to basically hold back on other women until after lunch today.

He sighed and handed her a glass of wine.

"Are you wanting to seduce me?" she said evenly.

He sighed loudly and she laughed softly and said, "I see. Attempting to curb those nasty rumors are we?"

As he sighed again Jane said it appeared they were setting the parameters for a good friendship. Dick thought in the long run that would be more rewarding that having a couple of grunting encounters and then avoiding each other thereafter. He then worried that his interest in sex might be in decline.

Therese sat on her bike and was about to put on her helmet.

"Wait, friends kiss don't they?"

She immediately puckered for him and he attempted to deliver his number one kiss.

"God, I now believe there is basis to those rumors. It would take an iron-willed woman to resist."

He smiled and said to give him a call when he plan was ready. He'd like to see their set-up.

"You do that. I'm sure Kendall will enjoy meeting you. Winter is our dead season and he's big into hunting and fishing. He's your age, are you into that?"

"No but I'd like to think that's a couple of things I'd like to try plus ski snowmobiling."

Chapter 26

Kade arrived home with half-a-ton of shopping, mostly things for the apartment, and Dick decided to say he liked everything she'd purchased and noted she'd not purchased anything non-personal without prior consultation. Good communicator!

He'd heard the car arrive from the roof garden and refrained from rushing down in case she thought he was over-eager and took advantage of that. Instead he waited at the elevator with two flutes of champagne. Her eyes shone and she greeted him with hugs and kisses and taking her glass then pulled that free hand around her. Minutes later, when he said something to make her laugh she pulled that hand over her breast and Dick knew everything between them was sweet again. They pulled everything out of the elevator and closed the doors. Dick watched her butt as she walked to the fridge and pulled out the opened bottle of champagne and the second one, placing them on the bench. She then stared at him as she pulled off her panties, very slowly and then she tucked one bottle under her arm and grabbed the other in one hand and her glass in the other hand said, "Upstairs. I want you in our rooftop garden."

Dick swallowed and bowing waved his hand in the direction of the staircase and said, "after you." He looked forward to an evening of very close togetherness as well.

Later, after Kade arrived back showered and still energized, because Dick had decided there was no need to sexually pound her to near exhaustion. He'd apparently been erroneously under the impression that she'd hotly desired having a man capable of doing that while near his peak. In this turnaround he'd decided to engage in trying to smooth some of his rough edges and to tune into her needs and desires to achieve a more harmonious relationship with her. Why? Because he loved her. Initially he'd found it difficult to think those words -- 'the woman I love' -- because his mind seemed bent on trying to restrain him from emoting that. He knew of course that as a person he had reached maturity with a rather large deficiency in being loved and knowing how to love. But at last -- unnecessarily long overdue and he accepted that -- he was the only person capable of over-riding that deficiency. He knew enough to know in order to be loved one had to give love and had of late being asking what had he really been giving Kade in return for her affection for him? Apart from attempting to dominate her, that answer was very little in the emotional sense.

Sure, in thinking in terms of pretty words and well-rounded phrases he could attempt to gloss over his indifferences and he could indulgently think that was readjusting in Kade's favor, but how pathetic. Kade reacting adversely to him at the restaurant the previous night had come as a big wake-up call. Not for the first time he sensed she had come close to walking out on him. Miraculously last night she'd decided on grabbing breathing space instead of terminating. That would have given her thinking time and being away from the fire she would have decided he deserved one more chance. Yes, he was in danger of losing her. The clarity of that assessment had left him in no doubt -- reform and reform quickly otherwise she was gone. Forever.

Despite his sins, omissions and mistreatments in his association with Kade, Dick knew he'd not chosen to put so much effort towards winning her with the goal of ending in failure. No way. That's why he'd been proud of himself today for not attempting to knobble Mrs Smith. Right thinking people would wonder what was so special about that but then they wouldn't be aware of his track record and peculiar sense of morality, if it could be called that. Further, he was pleased he had no intention of inviting Mrs Hart to picnic with him on the ranch, knowing what the outcome of that would be as Pearl had radiated her interest in the fact that nude picnics were hosted on D&K Ranch. He could easily go on for many years with women drifting in and out of his life but if he did and lost his focus on Kade she'd be one of those women drifting out of his life.

Dick had decided he was no saint, and never would be, and in all probability other women would continue to drift in and out of his life, but at a such reduced rate and certainly no longer as if he was conducting the flow-through like an art form. That's why he'd hastily decided to attempt to convert his two latest perceived sexual opportunities -- Pearl and Shannon -- into possible friendships that could develop into lasting friendships that would extend to include Kade. He was aware he wasn't inventing the wheel but was actually how other people possibly developed their contacts with other people they found themselves attracted to with sex being the prime focus.

* * *

After her nap Karen heard about Mrs Smith and her intention to produce a landscaping plan for around their ranch house.

"Oh how lovely. I welcome that," Kade smiled. "Um, did you involve Mrs Smith in your favorite pastime?"

"Do you mean sex?"

"Yes, did you have sex with Mrs Smith?"

Dick hotly denied it and denied even thinking about it and asked did she think his mission in life was to seduce every hot prospect he met?"

Kade smiled tolerantly and said, "Well darling I was under the impression...but stopped, seeing his horrified look. She grabbed her flute to cover her mirth and then said calmly, opening her dressing gown, "Darling come over an attend to me. You were so gentle with me earlier that I have the desire to be fitted up again."

When Kade returned from the bathroom again she found her flute refilled with champagne and Dick throwing her a big welcoming smile.

"This business communication deficiency that appears deep-seated within me," he began. "I will try to improve but it appears fused to my personality so you might gain the impression is slow."

Kade smiled as if expecting she'd expect to have been the initiator of this promising discussion. "An improvement would be most welcome darling but do take care not to wreck the mechanism that allows you to coddle together seemingly impossible to conceive business initiatives and deals that end up returning you oodles of money."

Dick blinked rapidly several times at her as if hearing something profound and totally unexpected.

"Oh, don't let my put you off darling."

Dick unveiled his concept of dividing their combined business operation into two divisions, he being responsible for new initiatives, negotiations, marking and sales and Kade being responsible for project planning, development and completion."

She said, "Y-e-s, and what will that achieve?"

"Less interference from me in your areas of responsibility, although there always will have to be crossovers between us to timetable, consider progress together and to meet targets but I'll know clearly where my responsibilities start and stop -- you will better understand if you think 'responsibilities' instead of interference and lack of communication."

"Oh I see. So you end up with the entrepreneurial aspects where all the challenges and kudos lies and I'm landed with all the hard work?"

"Okay, so you don't like it. Then let's swap. I'll be responsibility for project planning, development and competition."

"That would bore you stupid."

"I want you happy with me Kade. I want us to fuse a long personal commitment to one another."

"Oooh. I really like the sound of that."

"Me too."

"Really?"

"Yes."

She smiled and said she'd accept the initial offer of reorganization to establish clear boundaries of individual responsibilities. "I wouldn't have a rat's ass hope of being successful as an entrepreneur."

They toasted and sipped their wine.

Kade suggested one additional action, that each day at the finishing of their tasks they email one another a summary of their day's activity and allied thoughts.

"Okay."

"Then if I require more information I'll know to ask. There is no need for you to note any woman you visit that should remain confidential information."

"Fair enough."

Kade said carefully, "Pearl was all over you last night. It was a wonder that Mal didn't snap at her."

"Yeah."

"How can I put this? If you seduce her it could spoil a business relationship and chances of a promising friendship developing between us."

"Yes, I had similar thoughts. I won't fuck her unless she tries to fuck me."

"Dick!"

"Just pulling your wire darling. Pearl's too close to home so she's off limits, okay?"

"Yes, and thank you."

"You are the woman I wish to retain focus on, do you understand that Kade?"

She nodded and said she knew that and added she still thought he needed a backstop. "A little mousy woman who can go half the night."

"Ignoring that description, you thought that would be Carolyn, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"First, I didn't want to risk her coming between us, long term. Second, she was going off to college. Third she'll have sex coming out of her ears there. Fourth its immoral of her trying to steal her sister's guy who is too old for her anyway."

"Dick, may I say they are compelling reasons why I no longer think your backstop should be Carolyn."

As that evening cooled they went down to the apartment and as Dick phoned out for pizza delivery Kade walked slowing through their new home and came back and kissed him. "You have done marvelously well. Just about everything is perfectly placed."

"Er Kade?"

"Yes darling."

"The boss woman told the moving crew where to put everything."

Kade smiled and said she'd already worked that out. "But thanks for your honesty but be careful. If you become too honest I'll be obliged to trust you implicitly and where is the excitement in that?"

Dick had no answer to that so just smiled and received a lovely smile back and thought oh how happy he was to have Kade back home.

"You know," Kade said biting into flavored cardboard that was someone's idea of pizza, "we are overdue for having an office. I have stuff piling up at McKenzie Law and in Rosalie's office and in boxes in our spare bedroom and I keep being distracted by taking so many calls. I would..."

"That's my area of responsibility darling. Leave it to me."

"Thank you darling, I was about to suggest that."

* * *

Next morning Dick was having coffee outside the coffee shop opposite the hotel and idly noticed scarcely anyone entering the sewing and embroidery shop on the uptown side of the hotel. His phone went and India advised him that their new company, Random Property Developments was now a legal identity.

"Thanks -- oh damn, I can't remember if I told Kade I was forming it."

"I'm not aware of your communications with Kade but she does know because I called her in to counter-sign the company registration application as she, I and you are the listed directors."

"Oh thanks."

"Don't you tell Kade anything?"

"That's a cheap shot from a guy's lawyer."

"Up yours. Have a nice day."

Dick smiled and thought India was scared of no one, not even Iain McKenzie. He paid for his coffee and crossed the street to enter the sewing supplies store.

"Good morning," he said to the woman behind the counter knitting.

She jumped up and straightened her skirt and smiled broadly. "Oh Lordy. One of those rare creatures called a customer but you are the wrong sex."

"Sex?"

The under-forty females said males tended neither to sew nor do embroidery.

"May I buy your shop?"

"I don't own it but you may buy my three-year lease."

They talked on. Beyond the rear firewall there were a shoe and boot repair shop, also not doing well and the space above them was only used for storage.

The woman said, "This side of town is in recession -- from here up to the movie theatre that some out-of-town big shot has purchased. The sunny side opposite is far more popular. This whole section should be pulled down and rebuilt as offices but it won't happen in my time, and possibly not ever before you expire young man."

Dick purchased a pair of scissors, they were always handy, a set of expensive Italian placemats for the table in the apartment, and an armchair hanger to store knitting gear that he thought he could put the newspaper in as Kade was always at him not to leave it on the floor. The woman stung him almost one hundred bucks and for a moment he wondered if he'd purchased the rights to her three-year lease.

He returned to the coffee shop and ordered lunch, the surprised woman asking hadn't he just departed after morning tea and he smiled and complimented her for taking an interest in a regular customer. "Please call me Dick in future," he smiled.

"Dinah," she blushed, smoothing back her hair and that pushed forward her breasts.

Pulling out his phone when seated under an umbrella, Dick called Kevin his Realtor and asked how was his golf.

"I'11 probably be fined right now for using my phone on the course."

"But its prime business time?"

Kevin sighed and said mornings were usually slack for him, that peak time was late afternoon and into early evening. "What can I do for you?"

"Buy me -- Dick looked at the building -- the building next to the hotel containing 'Mother's Sewing Center' and buy out that three-year-lease effective from the first of next month to give her time to run a closing down sale."

"And that's it? You're interrupting my game of golf to have me buy you that pokey little building?"

"It's right next to the hotel buddy, potential space for extension eh?"

"Oh yes, of course. All this sun and fresh air is affecting my thinking."

"And then buy up all the remaining property right through to King Street and up to my movie theatre acquisition."

"Are you sure?"

"Very sure and have existing leases transferred to the new owner without changes. I'll have to sell something before I can rebuild. Existing assessed value plus 15% is the offer, but only if our new subsidiary company Random Property Developments gets the lot. For the sewing and boot store offer only 75% of exiting assessed value -- it's a millstone to the present owner."

"Yes sir and I suppose my fees at the lower end of the scale?"

"Yes, unless you have valid reason to seek a change?"

"No, I'll clean up the twenty bucks riding on this game and then get onto your case. To your continued prosperity my friend."

While waiting for his salmon salad Dick called Kade. "What are you doing babe?"

"What am I doing?" Kade called in an unusually loud voice. "Nothing but squirming as Rosalie puts those lush lips of hers over my left nipple."

Dick heard Rosalie's scream of laughter in the distance. He was sure it was from across the room so grinned.

"Just calling to keep you informed with a hot thought. "I've decided to buy all the real estate in the block bounded by Main Street and King Street between our hotel and our movie theatre complex."

"Those crappy buildings?"

"Yes."

Dick thought he could hear her thinking.

"Brilliant move providing it doesn't cut us short on the stadium."

He waved to the passing Meg Tompkins and was aware he was being given 'a glad eye'. "We won't have to finance the stadium. We will be brilliant enough to have the incoming new Mayor seek election on having the town own and lease out the stadium as an ideal community-owned asset for the next thirty to fifty years and whatever happens in the future that publicly-held land will be worth a fortune."

"Oooh, I like that. Only problem is you don't know which mayoral candidate to piggyback on as the winner -- nominations have closed and there are five mayoral candidates."

"No problem, we commission a poll to try to establish favoritism and then talk to the candidate who tops our poll."

Sounding worried Kade asked, "Can we do that?"

"Yes, it's not interfering with the individual rights of voters and it's not illegal for us to favor any particular candidate. We are allowed to fund a candidate up to a maximum of a miserable $500 but there's nothing stopping us from providing our advice and the advice of our consultants to him or her on election winning strategies. Being upright citizens we wouldn't want him or her to succeed on just our single platform, would we?"

"No, we certainly would not."

Her honesty was so appealing, Dick thought. "The thing in our favor is that cream rises to the top anyway."

"Yes."

"You will have your office by the first of next month in the sewing store next to the hotel."

"Oh, I know the store, an excellent location."

"Keep away in the meantime but get a plan of the premises from the Council and you can begin renovations. It will be the head office of Random Property Developments. India called me earlier to say it's now legally registered."

"Oh, that's lightening-fast reaction from you, based on past performance. India called to advise me that a couple of hours ago. I must go darling," she said loudly. "Rosalie is panting for more than a nipple."

Dick snapped his phone shut and wondered did those two actually do it, but then thought probably not. Soft lips touched the back of his neck, his long hair being lifted to accomplish that. He didn't swing round to confront the attacker because he guessed the identity of the only likely person. "Coffee Meg and a cream cake?"

"Oh darling," she whispered, "how simply lovely. What can I give you in exchange?"

Dinah pushed aside the assistant about to take Dick's order saying she would attend to the gentleman. He thought that suggested she was either the business manager or the owner.
"How is it you know the wealthy Mrs Tompkins?"

"Through family connections Dinah. I find her very pleasant."

"Oh yeah. Her husband is the surgeon-in-chief at our regional hospital and her money came from her parents who at one time owned almost twenty square miles of the best ranchland within 200 miles of here. I suppose you know she owns a lot of property but keeps herself occupied by running New Look Interior Design?"

"I knew she was into interior design."

Dinah took the order and leaned forward and whispered, "Mrs Tompkins frets because of her husband's disgusting reputation at the hospital."

Dick chided Dinah for gossiping and she looked embarrassed so he whispered, "An abnormal amount of patient deaths?"

She smiled wickedly and said misbehaving with nurses, female nurses. Dick returned to the table and decided to recruit Mrs Tompkins.

"Meg, that sewing supplies store over there..."

"Yes, it should close down. I don't know how Mrs Kollmorgen makes a go of it."

Dick said she probably didn't and he was in the process of buying the entire building.

"Well strategically it's a good buy being right next to your hotel. My people expect to have something for me to show you and Jade..."

"Kade."

"Sorry, show you and Kade late next week. They are used to designing modern so your challenge for traditional-modern has really excited them. I'm pleased at the way it's shaping up."

Her coffee and cake arrived and Dick made sure he didn't turn to look at the retreating backside of the young waitress.

"Back to that sewing store," Dick said, not sure was that Meg's shoe of her folded leg touching his trouser leg or a hungry rat. "Could you get someone to look at it urgently in terms of relining the walls with light colored wood, perhaps a modern-style chandelier and the ceiling dropped and finished in acoustic tiles and new flooring in wood, four spacious work stations behind the counter and a new wood and glass frontage and a classy sign but no neon proclaiming, Random Property Developments, Inc."

"We don't do office fit-outs but do décor."

"Aw come on Meg, this is a tiny job -- get a pal to work in with you."

"Okay."

"Good, I have my laptop with me. As soon as you go I'll email you complete instructions if the rat hasn't eaten my computer."

Meg asked in alarm, pressing her shoe hard against his leg, "What rat!"

"Just a windup. Pass me your business card."

They chatted and Dick introduced the second item of agenda.

"Do you have some place where we can meet from time to time, er, not too frequently?"

"I thought that fling was a one-off?"

Dick made sure she saw him lick his top lip. "You're a sexy lady Meg."

She looked surprise and said surely she was too old for him.

He patted her hand. "The truth is Meg I consider you are lively, interesting and no doubt very safe. Providing you keep moving your ass like you did that hot day we had while the girls were registering for college I don't have a problem. If you don't want to..."

"Yes, absolutely. Don't you realize you've the very best I've ever had between my legs?"

Dick grinned and said he liked the way she could express herself. "Just occasionally, for mutual benefit I would think."

Meg pulled out her business card and handing it across said she kept a room at The Regency for her numerous out-of-town clients who exhibited the promise of being big-spenders. "I often sleep there, going to bed drunk when my husband has other pressing business."

"Flesh-pressing business?"

"Yes but let's not mention him again and neither should we mention Jade, sorry, Kade when we meet under such circumstances. I look forward to a disgusting liaison."

"Me too," Dick said, pressing a hand on her thigh when kissing her when she'd said she must go.

"I think it's very appropriate we are setting up a disgusting liaison Dick because I have been wondering about talking to you about joint business deals."

"Sounds disgusting," Dick grinned.

After sending the email instruction, Dick called Iain McKenzie and waited a few minutes talking in a laidback flirting manner with receptionist Julia while Iain was on the phone with a client.

"A Meg Tompkins has put out a feeler about the possibility of mutual property development."

When Iain hesitated with a reply Dick asked was she a client and was told yes, so was asked was that the end of the conversation.

"Practically, but I could say your fellow director suggests to commence serious negotiations with her as she has been an unprotected lone ranger. How is the grass growing at the ranch?"

Dick laughed and said Iain needed to get a life. "Have you worked on India?"

"Son, that's privileged information," chuckled the grizzly attorney, cutting the call.

* * *

That evening while reading in the double spa bath -- it being on of their agreed nights off liquor -- Dick waited until Kade was turning a page and said, "Meg Tompkins, she joined me for coffee this morning. She said the hotel sketches and specifications were coming along fine and would probably be ready to be presented to them late next week."

"Oh darling, communicating, how sweet."

Dick scowled and said he was making an effort. She shouldn't knock it.

Kade apologized with a laugh and said what was he about to tell her about Meg. "Oh, before you do, she'd be a great back up for you?"

Dick almost panicked but managed to say weekly, "She's too old."

"Rubbish, she's forty-three I think -- she's Ann's stepmother."

"I really don't think..."

"Darling I know we agreed it would be best that the identity of your backup woman remained unknown to me but I really think Meg would be ideal if you can manage to swing her your way. Being older means she's less of a threat to my relationship with you and she's classy and I like her. She's unlikely to be giving it round indiscriminately and would need to be discreet because of her professional reputation as a businesswoman. Go for it Dick."

"Well, I really don't know about that. But that's another day. What I wanted to say as I was paying the cashier the woman called Dinah whom feels she knows me because I'm in there most days..."

"Dinah Ross, her husband Andrew is sports and recreation advisor employed by the Council. Oooh, we ought to get to know them."

"Why?" Dick asked, pretending to be dumb.

"Our future events center dummy, and he a professional events manager and already known to everyone working with the Council."

"Oh yeah."

"Leave it to me. I know Dinah as she was an outside coach in gymnastics in my senior years at high school."

"Gymnastics -- but she's fat?"

"She carries a wee bit of weight darling/ She had one if not two kids and has just returned back to work. Her father bought the coffee shop for her."

Dick said Dinah had mentioned Mrs Tompkins had inherited a fortune from her parents and was big into property investment in the town."

"Who Meg?"

"That's what Dinah said."

"Well, what do you know? It's useful having you idle around town gossiping with women."

Dick laughed heartily, thinking it was an unlikely picture of him, at least in how he saw himself.

Sensing his confusion Kade said he did have a charming way with women thanks to his mom's foundation teaching. Dick flushed slightly and muttered he didn't gossip and Kade teased him, saying he was really such a girl.

He raised his hands from the water ready to turn her and slap her butt when she floored him: "Meg could be the person will need to help fund the design and construction of the events centers. He clients have to be wealthy to pay the prices she charges so she may have many direct lines to prospective investors from country folk such as ranchers looking for short-term investment opportunities. Instead of a sports center perhaps we could make it a center for rodeo and stock fairs and gymkhanas."

"Or having twin facilities -- the authorities are unlikely to accept sports being played in the same arena used by livestock."

"There we go, you now have a real project to focus on and perhaps I can return to my magazine?"

"Yes dear."

"Oooh, how genteel."

Chapter 27

The weeks passed quickly for Dick and Kade. Dick brought in contractors to construct a post and rail cattle-proof fence around the house site on the plateau, leaving the inner fence until later. They met Therese and approved the landscape plan, selecting some of the options presented. The two women got along well and Therese said the plantings would commence within a few days. King Street was partly closed early one Saturday morning to allow the old furniture factory to be demolished and Dick watched the last truck cart away rubble at 11:40, twenty minutes before the noon deadline for the street to be reopened. Work was already well underway in reconstructing the cinema multiplex and foundations for the parking building were due to commence on the following Monday. Sketches for the ranch house had been approved as had sketches to the hotel renovations and working drawings for both projects were underway. Dick and Kade were now in the new premises of Random Property Developments, their desks were behind the two receptionists Kade had employed.

Kade's fourth floor apartment was now tenanted on long-term lease and she and Dick were the new owners of the thirty-six acres on the other side of the lake and Therese had planted the five-acres of tree nursery in very similar plan to there tree and shrub selection on the ranch house site where Dick had built a pump-house on the nearest lake and laid a buried pipeline up to the ranch house site and installed a watering system for the recently planted trees and shrubs.

It was all go. Added to that was Dick was assisting Kevin to wear down the last two of the seven property owners who had stymied Dick's bid to buy the total block between his new office block and the multiplex cinemas. They thought they had failed by as both properties bounded the cinema and the new parking building when the two owner-occupiers, fed-up with the disturbance of the construction, called Kevin independently as asked him to find them new locations. Kevin found a drapery business at the busier retail end of High Street and that suited both owners who decided to merge their carpet and soft furnishings businesses. That gave Kevin total ownership of the target block and Kevin had no trouble finding new tenants for the last two vacated properties. Other tenants had opted to stay.

With that all done Kade decided to take a break so she and Josie went off on a 8-day shopping vacation and as the tenants would not arrive to take up their lease on the old ranch house, Dick talked Rex into taking a week off and staying at the old house with him and help him to renew the boundary fence along the old forestry road. The old posts and rusty barb wire that had been in place for about twenty-five years had been removed by contractors who'd then cleared the line and drilled the new post holes 16.5 feet apart and erected the end bracings and intermediary bracings at the two gateways. That left Dick and Rex to erect a string guide line in the three sections between the gates and throw in and straighten and tamp in approximately 630 posts over the one and a quarter miles. They spent six of the seven days working in the stony terrain and, understandably, came up short, ending up with perhaps 400 posts in place, taking turns to shovel in spoil while the other person rammed it hard around the post.

Josie had said it would do Rex good to get off his butt for a week and do physical work but warned Dick to not work Rex too hard. Dick had come up with the idea of fencing with Rex who while they worked could lecture him about stock management and some of the other things he needed to know about ranching. They started on Wednesday, the day Kade and Josie left and quickly settled into a rhythm of working at a steady space for two hours and then having a rest break. On Friday evening Dick had called his farm supply merchant and ask Dottie to have more posts delivered in Monday. They chatted about what he was doing and who was helping and he learned that she knew Rex as his firm purchased cargo tie-downs from her. She said she'd come to D&K ranch after the supply depot closed as usual at 2:00 on Saturday afternoon and would stay for a drink.

At 1:30 on Saturday Dick told Rex they deserved a longer rest and should go back to the house, shower and put their feet up. The first thing Rex knew company was coming was when the two women arrived with a roast ready to put in the oven and two apple pies made, ready for baking. The arrival of the second woman took Dick by surprise.

Rex gave Dick a funny look when noticing the women were carrying food and any suspicion that something was up leaped when he saw the over-the-top greeting Dick got from Dottie and then Elaine grabbed Rex's attention for a similar greeting. Then he noticed the women's overnight bags and motioned Dick outside to talk.

"What the fuck is this?"

"Just a bit of company Rex."

"But they obviously intend staying the night."

Dick looked Rex in the eye. "We've been set up Rex, so enjoy. You've found you know Elaine slightly."

"Yeah but..."

"Just let it happen."

"But I really don't..."

By this time Dick was on a roll. "Oh, you're never done this before?"

"Not on my own backyard."

Dick patiently explained they were ten miles away from Rex's home and the women had to sleep over because they'd be drinking and it would not be safe for them to drive home."

"Oh, I see."

Dick grinned and said, "Stay here for a minute." He went inside, slapped Elaine on the butt and said, "Go get him darling. Rex is almost ready to bolt, so show him a tit or something but don't rush him."

When Elaine and Rex returned to the lounge Dottie who was on her back across the kitchen table and Dick appeared to be giving her close attention. Rex took Elaine by the hand and led her to his old bedroom where he already knew the Owens's had left their bed along with other old furniture.

Despite not working most of Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning Rex and Dick finished up on Tuesday late afternoon well satisfied when they turned and looked and the long string of posts in their wake. Wearily they agreed to work from dawn to dusk the next Saturday and Sunday, believing with the extra hours should finish placing the remaining posts.

"I feel very much fitter already," Rex lied, his hands and shoulders killing him and his back bent in weariness. He managed to slap Dick on the back affectionately as the two guys had bonded, with a feeling that had returned from their past.

"You've done well pal, having a couple of bottles of beer in a hot bath and you'll be a new man. You won't have to worry about Josie because they're not due home until tomorrow night. I think I'll get the contractors back to do the wire."

After dropping off Rex, Dick stopped before turning on to the main road to check his phone. There were no messages from Kade because he'd told her he'd have his phone switched off, one from Carolyn and all the others were business calls apart from the one he answered.

"Hi, you called. I've been out fencing and am whacked."

Meg laughed sympathetically and called him her poor darling. "I was talking to Rosalie earlier this afternoon and she mentioned Kade would not be back in town until tomorrow night. I need to discuss some modifications to foyer reception design with her because I think the architectural layout is too cramped. But that can wait. I'm at The Regency tonight. Why don't you come straight here and shower and I'll rub some massage oil into you and we can then go to dinner. Rosalie said you were at the ranch fencing."

"I really..."

"I have been waiting patiently for you to call to arrange a liaison."

"Yeah, why not. I'll try not to fall asleep."

Chapter 28

The guestroom at The Regency was just that -- a double room with bathroom, not a suite. There was no sofa or large table to lie on to be massaged but Dick yawned and supposed the bed would do but it would be springy. Well it was accommodation used mainly as a complimentary to woo clients to spend more with Meg's business so why dip into profitability to maintain a suite to curry business favor? Wise decision Meg, he thought, kissing her as if she were an auntie but received no complaint. He was stuffed. She pushed him into the shower and left him.

Dick came out into the rather drab room feeling a lot better with a towel tucked around his waist ready to do his 'duty'. He noticed Meg was at the ready, clothes gone and appeared to be in only a white toweling robe. He mentally groaned and hoped he wouldn't be a big disappointment to her. But she smiled, glanced at her watch and removed it, putting it into a carry bag. She pointed to a robe and said, "Come on, I've booked one of the saunas after you called. I need you re-energized."

On the walk to the elevators behind the much smaller woman Dick felt like King Kong in the robe, his arms still tending to lift outwards from the hard grind of fencing. He thought not only Rex would feel the benefits a little father down the track. He then marveled how could the smaller woman walking daintily ahead of him managed to take his thickness and bear his weight. Women really were amazing. At that he felt his dick stir and was pleased.

Meg punched in the time the sauna would be in use by them on the illuminated indicator panel on the door, pushed her zombie inside and locked the door. She pushed against him as they kissed but all Dick felt apart from her lips was squashed toweling. How this was going to help he had no idea. Meg unzipped her dark blue carry bag and asked him to lie down on the slatted boards. She tossed prepared mix on to the rocks of the heater and Dick, already beginning to sweat removed his gown and Meg hung it up while he stretched out, his nostrils already taking in the so-called therapeutic aroma from whatever Meg had thrown on the rocks. She handed him a sports revival drink with straw already inserted and he sucked greedily

Meg massaged him at length -- neck, upper arm and shoulder muscles and lower back and she slapped him on the butt and he turned over, pleased he'd not fallen asleep. He was sweating but so was she and he watched fascinated at the rivulets running down over her tits while another flow dropped off her chin. He'd fancied the sweat streams would have run on to her nipples and then spilled but they actually ran around the nipples and some cascading across her swinging breasts nowhere near a nipple. Dick noticed her dark nipples rising out of light apricot areola were as firm as he'd ever seen them and he began hardening but her massaging hands never touched his penis. He pretended to be disappointed but knew her hands, mouth and cunt would be attempting to squeeze it senseless in due course -- er, intercourse. He grinned and hardened a little more.

"That's enough," she said.

He sat and they kissed, mixing facial sweat and as he bent and licked a nipple she pushed him away and said, "My turn but take a long drink first."

Dick massaged her, really not knowing what he was doing but she groaned in appreciation at times. He had no idea if she was faking. A guy never did know with a woman.

She turned over, they kissed and he really worked on her breasts and didn't have to guess about any change -- he could clearly see they had swelled and firmed. She groaned when he oiled her belly. He pussy appeared more than ready to receive him but, as she'd done, he ignored it and to his astonishment found oiling her well-developed thighs was a real turn-on. She told him later she played social tennis. The bell went and she said, "That's us finished."

Dick had assumed they would fuck on the slats, but apparently not. The basement corridor was deserted. Meg handed Dick the bag and then dipped her hand between the sides of his robe and led him into the elevator by his half erection that quickly rose to the occasion and he wished as they traveled to the top floor which was the third level that they'd been in a hotel tower because in the elevator she'd dropped to her knees and had just started on him when the bell went and he heard someone outside say, "It's this elevator."
They dropped their robes as the door closed and Meg led him to the bathroom and ran the bath.

Dick had time to think 'What now?' when she turned, kissed him and said, "Don't worry, I know that beneath this revival your body will be very tired. Lick me darling." She dropped down on to the bath towel she'd folded over the edge of the bath and leaned forward, spreading her knees. He dropped behind her and found a very moist pussy and had her screaming to a finished before there was need to turn off the water.

They bathed together and Dick learned a technique to do with feet that he thought he must try to lead Kade into without her realizing he must have learned something from another source.

In bed it was great and Dick found enough staying power that it was Meg that finally said they should go to sleep. She woke him in the morning and said, "Ready to go again. That was so wonderful last night -- you were so slow and gentle about what you were doing. I can't recall having anyone who's fulfilled me quite like that."

Although gob-smacked, Dick didn't say anything and wondered if he'd learned another lesson -- that not all woman believed great sex was receiving a tumultuous pounding. Well, well. He decided to talk to Meg about that, like at the coffee shop as he now had something else to focus on. He ran his tongue gently over her top lip instead of ramming it into her mouth and she shivered. Yes shivered. And then clung to him as if she thought he was about to leave her. No way! She kissed his eyes closed and murmured, "This is s-o-o-o lovely."

That's exactly what Kade said the next evening. She'd come in to the apartment -- he had boxing on TV up loud and hadn't heard her arrive. They'd slammed into each other, stripping and were into it like a Tsunami heading towards a palm-fringed beach. Regaining their breath they kissed and she said she'd missed him so much although they'd had such a fabulous time and Carolyn had been with them from midday Friday until Sunday night.

"Fetch me a drink darling."

When they'd finished their vodka and tonics Kade pulled him to her so Dick licked her top lip and kissed her eyes shut and listened to her murmurs as he gently ran his fingers around her pussy but made no attempt to enter. He kissed her eyes shut again, she having her hand around his dick and squeezing it so tightly his eyes watered. He blew softly into her ear and she murmured, "This is s-o-o-o lovely." He dragged his tongue over the top of her panting mouth ever so slowly and she jerked against him twice. Her eyes popped open in astonishment as she sighed, "Ohmigod, I've just climaxed." Dick showed her a big grin and as he slid down her trunk he thought he must really have some long talks with Meg. She really seemed to know about the finer points of, er, life.

* * *

Dick spent much of the morning at the Council offices inspecting the public record of property owners. He concentrated entirely on the commercial area, making notes. He then phoned Kade who asked could he make it fast because she was in a meeting with Meg Tompkins and Rosalie.

"Meg Tompkins is sole owner of fifteen business premises in this town, including Arrow & White's department store."

"Ohmigod."

"Take her to lunch and then ask her if you should invite me. She knows me."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure yet but something in my mind is working on this. Bye."

Dick went to his outdoor office on the terrace of the coffee shop opposite the hotel. An assistant came and he asked for Dinah. The assistant returned and said Mrs Ross was disputing an invoice so he should place his order and she'd join him for coffee when she came off the phone.

Dinah joined him, limiting her greeting to 'Hi."

"Your husband's name is Andrew, right?"

"Yes. I call him Andy."

"Big into sports I understand."

"Was, and professionally. He now works for the Council. Look, I don't know what this is about but perhaps I could short-circuit it by saying I don't play around. At least I haven't yet."

Dick grinned and told her to keep her knickers dry. For a moment he thought he'd blown it but she finally grinned and dipped her head, blushing.

"I apologize for embarrassing you."

Dinah, without her apron and her hair pinned up looked quite attractive. She had dark eyes and they focused on Dick. "Apology accepted. You must understand I'm not used to other men talking like that to me. I must confess I find you rather attractive -- you're not like most of the males around here. You are big city and have a charm and confidence that makes you stand out. As well as your charm I find you express yourself a little differently and what you just said to me about my...was actually quite funny. Well, it was rather shocking but I knew exactly what you meant. Look, I shouldn't be talking to you like this. I'm married."

"I'm glad you are."

"What?"

Dick smiled and they both sipped their coffee. "I'm interested in your husband."

"Oh God," she said, almost spilling her coffee.

"Not like that," he said calmly. "I've never seen him to my knowledge."

Dinah said she was sorry, that her thoughts were running away on her. "Just say what you want to say but try not to confuse me."

"Okay. Are you a local girl?"

"Yes, very much so."

"What school did you attend?"

"The Catholic school."

"Ah, excellent. That means you'll know the land occupied by the seminary and the old school."

"Yes, of course. I attended that school."

"Well, I've purchased all of that land."

"What? You can't have, it's a huge area."

Dick smiled reassuringly. "And that's why I'm interested in your Andy. The announcement about the purchase will be in the newspaper this Saturday. I completed the purchase some weeks ago on the understanding no announcement would be made until the seminary had relocated elsewhere. That will be completed on Friday, so please keep this information confidential. Don't even tell Andy until Saturday."

"Okay, I promise. But why your interest in Andy?"

"What I'm about to tell you is even more confidential."

Dinah shifted uneasily and said was there really a need to load her with confidential information. She was told yes, that he wanted an introduction to Andy. Perhaps he could take them to dinner on Friday night."

"Come to our home for dinner -- I don't work Friday afternoons or the weekends."

"I'll be accompanied by my fiancée Kade and perhaps another person, depending how my lunch meeting today goes."

"Three extra for dinner is no problem. I've been talking to Kade a little. She's very nice. Who is the other man?"

"A woman and you know her --Megan Tompkins."

Dinah looked at him sharply. "Meg? Then you are out to develop that land commercially -- a mall. No, you wouldn't need to talk to Andy about a mall. Ohmigod, a sports stadium -- ohmigod, how wonderful."

"Shhhh. Remember this is confidential. We are surrounded by people."

"Oh Dick, I'm sorry. I..."

"Initially I though stadium but now am thinking of a multi-purpose events center -- perhaps one section devoted to horses and show cattle and the other half to sports and community gatherings. A lot of work needs to be done before that is decided so in the meantime I'm just thinking events center. I'm the developer and am hoping to persuade Meg to join me in a partnership on this one and to sell it to the Council to own and lease out to an entrepreneur."

"Andy?"

"I hadn't thought of that. As he was into sport and worked for the Council I wanted to consult with him but first need to find if he's onside."

"He will be if there's a chance of you setting him up to lease the center. I'd sell out of here and join him. We've talking about running a sports arena. He hates working for the Council, finding the political overtones stifle his feeling of self-worthiness and freedom."

Dick laughed and said it certainly sounded as if Andy was not gainfully engaged and he could see he'd scored well with Dinah with that comment.

When she stood to return to work he stood and kissed her lightly on the cheek and she smiled at him beautifully and remained relaxed and thanked him for his openness. Dick was sure she'd be telling her husband that evening about her amazing conversation with a guy called Dick but he figured the husband, being trained for discipline in sport could be relied upon to keep his mouth shut.

* * *

The woman were on to their first wine and had one waiting for Dick when he arrived and he admired Kade for her tact -- a corner table whereas for lunch most patrons gravitated to tables at or near the windows. He kissed Kade and she said he knew Meg of course, tempting Dick to almost say, "Intimately."

"Hi Meg, nice to see you so soon and she, too, was kissed on the lips lightly but quickly.

They lifted glasses in a toast and Kade said happily, "The revised CAD sketches of the total hotel interior look great and the foyer looks fabulous as does the lounge-fine dinning restaurant."

"Good."

"Yes, it really does," Meg said. "Pity about the exterior."

At that Dick knew he'd been set-up expertly.

Kade said, "Rosalie is very worried. She's biting back her criticism of you. That curtain glass wall sketch looks amazing."

"Hotels everywhere have that look," Dick said evenly.

Neither woman replied.

He took the plunge. "Okay, we keep the total brown glass and timber look but the name Cattleman's goes."

The women looked horrified and together hissed "No!"

Kade said to him angrily, "Everyone and I mean everyone is addicted to the name Cattleman's."

"Well it's like great sex and mess -- you can't have it both ways, you are limited to one choice."

Kade and Meg leaned into each other, clutched and laughed almost hysterically. It was done so well Dick was almost encouraged to think it had been rehearsed.

Kade actually had to wipe away tears. "You stupid man, you can be so funny at times."

Meg showed that with age comes wisdom and recognition that one sometimes has to look at compromising. "Perhaps if the chuck wagon..."

"Yes," Dick sighed. "I've been thinking about that myself in recent days. I'll go to Rosalie when we finish here. If she'd worked up she'll be running the gambit looking for an armful of possible compromises. Well Meg we have invited you to lunch for a special reason."

"Oh, I hadn't realized this cozy meeting was a set-up."

Dick smiled and said Kade and he wanted to sound her out about joining them in a project that was too big for them to handle alone. Dick said he didn't like the thought of approaching institutions for a mega-loan because their thinking was universally the same: high on attractive returns and low on any risk element.

"Why are you talking to me?"

"Well Meg, a little bird told me you were big into property so this morning I checked Council property tax registers and found you were listed all by yourself in the roll against fourteen properties."

"That's soon out-of-date," Meg said, showing no dismay that Dick had been nosing around. "I've sold Arrow & White's department store to an insurance company and settlement is at the end of next month."

"Have you a replacement property in prospect?"

"Not yet."

"Well Meg, here's something of possible interest," Dick said, as the waitress arrived to top up their wine glasses and take their orders.

They left the restaurant almost ninety minutes later. Kade hugged Meg excitedly and when Meg and Dick touched lips Kade called, "Kiss her properly Dick as one would expect to kiss a prospective business partner."

"Okay, how's this," he said, and pushed back harder at Meg.

"That's better -- you two look great together," Kade said. "Come Meg, I'll walk with you and look around your samples for our ranch house while Dick goes off and upsets Rosalie."

Dick sat beside Rosalie on the sofa and looked at the sketch projected on to the nearby wall that was actually a high quality screen set within a black frame. He casually placed his arm around her shoulder and groped for a bulging breast but just as calmly she withdrew his hand and lifted his arm back over his head. She smacked his hand lightly and told him to be a good boy. "People see into this room when they walk along that corridor over there and anyone can burst through the door at anytime. This is a working office, not a bedroom. Anyway, I'm scared my husband will learn about you as you're too noticeable."

Dick had thought he was merely being polite, and acting as she'd want him to act but he'd really not been looking for casual pussy. "I'll be a good boy," he promised.

She said, "I want to talk to you about this careful design."

Dick sighed but not rudely and said, "Shoot."

He received quite a lesson in design and was rather impressed and said so when she finished. "I'd been under the impression you guys largely pinched someone else's work and modified it a bit to avoid accusation of a straight steal."

"But now you know better?"

"I do indeed. I had no idea the eye of the beholder could be so discriminating."

"But you do now?"

"At least something of what you've been trying to explain to me."

Rosalie turned and kissed him.

Dick asked dryly wasn't she uptight that someone walking by may have seen her.

"Everyone here knows I have the cutest client in town so would not be surprised to see me kiss you. But you playing with one of my tits would be viewed differently."

"I didn't think women liked them being call tits."

"Well, if I'm an exception. Now, with this next drawing we discuss a facade that everyone associated with me agrees is a mess, and is now called 'The Mess'. However, professionally I'm prepared..."

"Cut the psychology, let's look at it."

Rosalie pushed at a hand control and Dick murmured, "Nice perfume" and they laughed when she said, "My decorative fragrance I hope you meant?"

Dick looked at the screen and thought it was rather a mess of uncomplimentary styles.

Rosalie asked her client carefully, "What do you think of The Mess?"

"A mess."

He heard her breath out and murmur, "Thank God.'

"Can Maxine edit what we see on screen?"

"Yes, I'll brief here and you can instruct her on the phone."

"I'm ready Mr Savage."

"Dick will do Maxine. Now we're editing a copy, right?"

"For sure."

"Right, remove the replica chuck wagon."

Dick thought he heard another 'Thank God' beside him. He said 'Coffee?" and Rosalie went to fetch them coffee.

She returned and they sipped and she remained soundless as Dick gave instruction after instruction. There was now sound beside him when he requested the name be shortened to Cattleman's.

"That's is from me thanks Maxine darling, I'll have the phone over to the boss who doesn't look totally unwell."

Rosalie looked at the total frontal, now two-thirds wall to ground in solid adobe. She said too much and instructed Maxim to place a run of glass matching the entrance at one-third of the distance on the adobe wall in from the boundary wall. "Good, but a little wider. That's it. Now angle the entrance canopy down at the boundary wall slowly until I tell you to stop. Stop! Now the name Cattleman's, lower it, that's it and now curve it to the right ending high. Perfect. Now scrub the bull and find a graphic of a sexy-faced Angus cow and thank you. Please load the revise on to a DVD for our client."

The screen went blank and straightening a stocking over her right shin Rosalie said, "What do you think?"

"Nice lower legs, thighs a bit heavy."

"No you fool, the finished concept."

"Oh, I am invited to comment? I'd left the glass over the entrance to give the 'Welcome in, this is what you get' look that you went on so much about. I guess the glass you added achieves balance. The signage change gives the name immeasurably more graphically impact and the change from bull to cow suggests ladies are welcome?"

"Oooh, you are a quick learner. 'To wink a touch of...' That's sexy and what you say about the word Cattleman's is true but will be larger and hand-drawn for uniqueness before it is hand-cast in aluminum in a black matt finish and a cow is more friendlier than a bull and I thought cows outnumber bulls many times over on a ranch."

"Then I'm finished here?"

"Yes, go suck some other woman's tit, I've told you no more of that with me. You're not mad at me for taking this stance are you?"

"No, of course not and I'll probably bang you sometime when you're not looking."

"God Dick, how can you bare to touch another woman when you have dear sweet Kade?"

Standing and sweeping back his hair with both hands, Dick said, "Just lately I've began wondering about that myself. Come on, show me to the door and kiss me like you would a cooperative client."

"A cooperative and significantly contributing client to help dig us out of a hole, if I may say so. Kade is very lucky to have you. Sensitivity lurks under your brave façade, just try to show it at appropriate times, huh?"

At the door two women were approaching so Dick shook Rosalie's hand and she eyed him solemnly as he said goodbye. Her eyes widened as he said in an equally loud voice, "Nice tits." The voices of the approaching woman stopped abruptly and Dick walked away whistling and with a naughty boy feeling. He also grinned, imaging the foot of red-faced Rosalie aimed squarely at his butt.

* * *

Walking away slowly from the restaurant Meg said to Kade who was flicking a comb through her hair, "Dick's proposal has excited me no end. He seems so confident and so focused in talking about property. He gives me confidence he knows what it's all about."

"What he doesn't know he makes up or seeks advice. I need to warn you Meg he's a bit of flying-by-the-seat-of-his-pants operator. He thinks laterally and forward with vision I am almost totally without and he had no problem flying in the face of opposing opinion and takes risks, sometimes I think scary risks but flits this way, that way and seems to come through unscathed. I know for a fact in his last business in the city he sometimes had to take financial losses but from what I was told he never blamed anyone and would just say they had to bite the bullet on that one and make sure the next project was bigger and produced profit to cover that last loss and returned a good result for itself."

"That is scary," Meg said, 'but why are you telling me this? As his partner aren't you suppose to be helping to sweeten my up?"

"Meg, you are a lovely lady. I want you to come in with us, I really do, but with your eyes open. You mentioned you purchase buildings, have some work done on them and sell them on. You said 'God no' when Dick asked do you ever pull any of them down and redevelop the site."

"Yes but I explained I relied on property values rising to benefit from my investments and often made fifteen and even up to thirty percent on my investment when I on-sold."

"Yes, and when Dick asked had you ever thought of working to make 100% or 300% or more you turned very pale."

""You noticed? I did feel my stomach turn."

"Look at it this way Meg, what you are doing is playing Monopoly and what Dick is doing is playing the game without a board and making up the rules as he goes. You are the tidy, careful investor and he's the entrepreneur willing to take calculated gambles. Whatever the economic climate you will emerge at the other end, perhaps with burn marks on the edges, but still stable and sound whereas Dick could nosedive into the fire at any moment or ride the updraft and double to treble his millions."

"Millions you say -- how many millions?"

Without thinking Kade took Meg's arm as they crossed the busy street. Although they were isolated in the middle for almost a minute they crossed safety. Kade pulled her arm free.

"That was lovely of you."

"What?"

"Taking my arm like that as if thinking if we were linked we would be safer."
Kade look surprised and said really she hadn't thought that at all. "Mom use to take my arm crossing streets and I've just returned from being away with her. I supposed I picked up on it again although reversed the habit, thinking being a young adult I would react quicker in an emergency but I don't recall thinking that."

Meg smiled and said all the same it was a lovely gesture. "I don't feel old enough to be your mom."

They laughed.

Meg said Kade had been open with her. "I must tell you I feel sexually attracted to Dick -- I can't help it Kade."

Kade linked arms with Meg and said. "I don't have Dick on a leash and never will. Go for it."

"But you can't..."

"Hush Meg. You never know, you could get lucky but if you do please keep that to yourself. I would prefer not to know. Or do you fancy me?"

"Yes, very much so but no more that a lovely new young friend."

The laughed and squeezed their arms as they approached Meg's business premises. She told Meg it had been the first building she'd purchased and finding it difficult to lease out because it was on the fringe of the commercial area she decided to set up his own business and chose home décor because it was a passionate interest and then branched out into commercial because that's where the real money and big challenges lay.

Chapter 29

Dick arrived at the apartment to find Kade dressed in her best and in full make-up. He asked where they going out and she said no. They kissed and as his hand began to lower on to her butt she pulled away and said, "Not now. Meg will be here soon -- she called and I invited her to dinner. She wants to talk more about the proposal."

"And?"

"She sounds as if she's warming to it.

"Great, look if she gives the green light tonight I'll try to set up a meeting on Friday with an interested party."

"Do what you wish but don't push Meg into it. Allow her to set her own pace. Off you go and shower."

When Dick emerged from the bedroom dressed in a collarless white shirt, black trousers, socks and shoes and his hair slicked down after the shower he found no sign of Kade so correctly assumed Meg had arrived and she was upstairs with Kade drinking.

He emerged on the roof deck and saw both women look at him. Dick wondered if his fly was open but remembered checking as he walked to the spiral staircase.

"Doesn't he wash up well?" Meg said.

"Yummy, yummy honey," Kade called, making Dick wish she'd not use sexy talk with Meg present.

He stopped short of them. "Hi ladies, can I get you anything?"

They both held out near empty glasses as if they were twins and they were both looking at the vicinity of his groin. Then it hit him -- they'd been talking about him, probably sexually. The bitches!"

However, apart from that moment nothing else all evening was about sex, at least not that he detected, and when they walked Meg out to her car the kisses were what one would expect between friends. Very strange but he decided not to discuss his suspicion with Kade because if she thought it were important for him to know she'd tell him, either tonight or eventually. Try as he might he couldn't imagine Meg confessing to Kade that she was having an affair with her husband.

After they waved Meg off, Kade asked, "So, we take another step forward when we meet this other party tomorrow?"

"Yes, we will be having dinner with Dinah Ross and her husband"

"Dinah from the coffee shop?"

"Yes and her husband Andy who is a sports and recreation adviser to the Council."

Kade shook her head confused and Dick caught the sight of breast wobble so moved in to hug her.

"Dick, we should clear away first."

"I'll do it later. Dinah and husband will lease the events center from the Council and run it, providing we finance them to set themselves up with a low-interest loan and I think we should do that."

"God you have it all falling into place and we don't get out hands on the site until tomorrow."

"Something like that darling. In the meantime, pull out a tit. I want a nibble."

"Have you asked Meg to do that for you darling?"

Dick grinned, having set Kade up to encourage her to be outspoken as she had consumed several glasses of wine.

"I'll think about that darling," he said smoothly. "It could assist our cause as she still has to sign."

"God, you are such a smooth skunk. Anything to get a project on track. I really don't mind what you do with Meg, just keep me out of the frame."

Dick blew into her eye and she clutched him hard. "Oh Dick, I want it -- p-l-e-a-s-e."

"What you want is a baby," Dick said, carrying Kade to the bedroom and positively leering at her, turning her almost into jelly.

Meg had firmed up her thinking and been to see her lawyer that day and instructed him to register her as a company entity, with her lawyer and her accountant name with her as directors. Her lawyer agreed that Dick was correct in suggesting there would be tax advantages for her doing that and their two companies could then form a joint venture company and allocate stockholding between them on the basis of capital input of either party. In separate talks with Meg and Dick after that, Meg had agreed to prepare to sell a couple of out-of-town properties and liquidate monies elsewhere to equal the amount Dick and Meg had paid for the land including legal and realty commission plus half of Dick's time spent as a 'finder' once agreement was reached on all fees and payments.

"This is all very involved but I can see where it's leading too," Meg said, and Kade said she shared that view.

"I would suggest you invite your lawyer to be a director with us in the joint venture company and we do the same with our tax adviser.

Meg and Dick agreed with Kade on that. Meg said Dick should be chairman and Kade agreed.

They then talked about the need to conduct a poll to find the most promising mayoral candidate because campaigning had already started.

Meg startled her two companions. "Ian Ryder of Ian Ryder Pharmacies will win the mayoral race hands down. The Ryder's are a founding family of this town, both his father and grandfathers were much-loved Mayors and on the night nominations closed I attended a meeting of Business and Professional Association executive where it was decided to canvas members which candidate to endorse and my brother Ian received 87% of all votes cast by town business owners."

"Your brother?" Dick almost gulped.

"Oh yes," Med said almost carelessly. "I'm a Ryder -- how else did you think I got my big inheritance? Well go and meet Ian over a barbecue lunch on Sunday if you wish and tell him what his campaign platform is to be. He and his children are sports mad. Wife Cynthia will be interested in the events center as she is president of the horticultural society and no doubt is a past president and patron of numerous other societies including the Horse Society because she'd that kind of person."

"Oh Meg, how wonderful, how exciting, you have cleared the way for us."

"No!" Dick said firmly. "Meg, call your lawyer and tell him to put the joint venture company on hold and I want you to stay right away from your brother and his family until after the election result is known. Then after publication of that result you instruct your lawyer to reactivate formation of that joint-venture company. If we went riding on the back of the successful Mayor on this project and then the town learns that we intend trying to sell the events center to the council, imagine what the shouts would be -- 'bribes', 'a swindle', 'underhand tactics', 'corruption'."

Meg and Kade pulled apart and Kade said, "Oh how could I have been so blind. He's so right Meg."

"Yes of course. We must delay. I'm off to see my lawyer now -- we can still plan can't we?"

"Yes of course, just be careful that you display no business connection to me and Kade. Social connection is quite okay and we can have planning meetings in our apartment. This arm's distance is necessary because there will be a big splash about Kade and me purchasing the seminary and school property in the newspaper tomorrow along with my indecision about whether to use the land to build factories and warehouses, or an events center or a stadium. The public will debate this and it could well become an election issue forcing council candidates to take sides. That may be to our advantage or may be a disadvantage -- in my view it will clear the air and make taking that risk worthwhile. If the general feeling of the public is for factories and warehouses then so be it, as we'd still make several millions out of that. But factories and warehouses are not sexy, methinks the media will go for one of the other options, perhaps both of them. Then all we need to do is to sit back and wait, which is what we must do anyway until after the election."

Meg stood to go. "That makes perfect sense to me, what about you Kade?"

"Agreed. We have a hotel, movie multiplex and a new home to press onwards in the meantime. Your business association with us in those three projects will provide a perfect ground for coming to a wider business involvement in a mega-development."

"Great thinking," Dick said.

"Not only a pretty face and a lush body," Meg laughed. "I'm off. I'll see you tomorrow night."

"I'll call, we'll pick you up on the way."

"No," Dick said. "That dinner is cancelled until just after the election. The risk is too great."

"Oh dear," you are so right Dick. Bye."

Dick called Dinah that they were canceling but when he said it would be better to do nothing until after the election Dinah said she thought she understood.

"That's why I only said to Andy I'd invited you guys to discuss a possible business proposition. He didn't ask what it was about, I suppose thinking it was something to do with supplies to my coffee shop."

"Good girl, now here is the real reason but say nothing to anyone. We just want to keep everything under raps because we've just learned from Meg that one of the mayoral candidates is her brother."

"Of course, she's a Pryde. Oh Mayor Pryde would be chairing discussion about the purchase, wouldn't he?"

"You've got it. We don't wish to give anyone grounds for casting nasty aspersions. It will also prevent finger pointing at Andy. Thanks for your understanding and pleased keep tight lipped."

"I will -- elections are three weeks away tomorrow. Goodbye Dick."

Kade asked, "Well?"

"Dinah has a complete understanding of the need for caution and miraculously mentioned business discussions to her husband but make no mention of what kind of discussions. She sensed there could be complications so left it to me to make the presentation."

"She's too smart to operate a coffee shop. She should be CEO of an events center."

"My thinking exactly."

Dick returned to his office beside the Blue Horizon Hotel and was greeted by complaints by the two women clerks they were becoming board with nothing to do. Dick gave one of them the task of searching all the back copies of the Courier on its website for the past twelve months that related to the sale and purchase of commercial property -- buildings or even bare land -- and to file them suitable folders that she could name and run out an index for him when she was finished. "Cassidy, in fact make that anything to do with commercial property including defaults on taxes, fires, burglaries. Just anything."

He then said to Marlene he would attempt to bring in work for her to do for which she'd have to invoice according to the time she worked on it. Both women were delighted with the prospect of activity and informed Dick they had only received two business calls in three weeks and Kade had attended to both matters.

"Soon this office will be a real nerve center," he promised.

Dick called Mal, general manager of the hotel, and asked if he any backlog of clerical work his two office ladies could do to keep busy but the output would need to be at a commercial rate.

Mal said it was out of his direct area of responsibility and gave Dick the number of the administration manager.

"Hello, Pearl Hart, admin manager."

They had a long talk. Pearl expressed disappointment she hadn't yet received an invitation to picnic privately with Dick on his ranch and he neatly changed the topic and asked did Pearl wish to be considered admin manager at Cattleman's and she said yes please and in a husky voice asked how could she ensure she got the job. Just as he was about to panic the answer came to Dick, "Out of my hands Pearl. Kade will be in charge of initial appointments but I'll put in a sweet word for you. I promise."

"Okay, meet me over at the coffee shop on the terrace in ten minutes to talk about out-sourcing some of our admin backlog work."

"Right, I'll be there."

Pearl spent ten minutes talking about out-sourcing and twenty minutes discussing why Dick was failing to respond to her overtures. He managed to fend off desperately but she became so explicit about what she wanted him to do to her that he warned unless she began speaking in a whisper he'd be forced to leave.

They stood outside the hotel, Pearl almost weeping. "I cannot believe your only reason for not balling me left, right and center is your respect for Mal and desire to become real pals with him."

"You must be able to see that our two desires are so diametrically opposed they are impossible to achieve."

Pearl dabbed at her eyes. "I fail to see that. In becoming more friendly with Mal you will have far greater access to me."

"But that would mean me becoming disrespectful to Mal."

Pearl showed her teeth. "Damn you, can't you accept you cannot avoid being disrespectful as you call if you are to commit adultery."

"Brilliant Pearl, that's it in a nutshell. Your grasp of my situation could not be explained with greater clarity. Now you know why you and I can only be friends."

"Do I?"

"Yes my friend. I'll send Marlene to see you in say thirty minutes?"

"Yes, that will be fine. Can we have a relationship that's not quite adultery?"

"You have a think about that Pearl and if you work something out we'll meet over coffee to discuss it. Right?"

"Yes. I'll look it up on the Internet. I hope to find a citation stating if you pull out in time it's not adultery."

Dick kissed her in a friendly fashion and walked away smiling. If she managed to find a recognized authority proclaiming that he'd be most interested.

* * *

The Friday night official opening of the cinema multiplex was restricted to invited guests, who included Josie and Rex, Mal and Pearl, company directors and partners, India and her husband, the editor of the Courier and her husband, Meg and her husband, and the principal players in the design and reconstruction of the cinema and the design and construction of the parking building, senior Council personnel, cinema staff, Marlene and Cassidy from Dick and Kade's office and their husbands, possible events center operators Dinah and Andy Ross and key people in the Business and Professional Association and partners.

A revolving sign above the building 'Random Movies' glittered by day and was illuminated at nightfall. At the entrance, the black powder-coated sign at the side of the smooth white plastered frontage ran vertically and stood out starkly. Inside the décor was minimalist, hard-wearing and low-maintenance. The foyer walls of the ticket counter incorporating refreshment service and for the coffee bar opposite and the walkthrough adjoining foyer to the two elevators and stairway to the new offices of McKenzie Law at the third level were light wood vertical paneling of different timbers for contrast, carpeting was heavy industrial type and the ceilings cream and festooned with down lighting. McKenzie Law Partners were due to shift into their offices over the weekend -- they also had direct access from the parking building -- and their hosting of clients and other guests at an opening function would be held on Tuesday evening.

Because of the narrowness of the foyer and passage that led to the three ground level cinemas Kade was forced to restrict the guest list. It was great night and Kade interrupted the lavish eating and drinking to make a short speech of welcome. She then introduced Dick who named the leading players in the cinema project and then Kade announced the two as yet commercially unreleased films to be screened at 10:00. Screening in Cinema 2 would be an Italian farce about a visiting America male gay campaigner being mistakenly elected as Mayor of a small city where voters cast their votes in Italy's first trial of electronic voting and the person selected position of the Council's new chief executive was a celebrated porn queen. Screening in Cinema 3 would be Hollywood's latest epic The 5-year Oil Wars.

The function ended at midnight and the elated Dick and Kade decided to sleep at the old ranch house because the tenants would be moving in on Sunday. Dick reluctantly agreed and couldn't understand Kade's growing excitement. On the drive out to D&K Ranch Kade said she was sad that Dick had decided to accept McKenzie Law Partners to buy the Random Movies building and to lease the fourth floor of the parking building.

"The idea of lawyers owning the town's largest movie house doesn't sit well with me but as you say lawyers exist to make money and if any interference in respect of censorship results in a dip of revenues they will pull back and allow those running the show free rein. However, as an expectant mother I would not like sick porn movies to be shown there."

"The cinema operators already are restricted by a charter that relates to sex and violence standards," Dick said. "Going back to your comment about being an expectant mother, are you pregnant?"

"No, but I expect to become an expectant mother in time," Kade said. "I just dropped in that phrase to wind you up."

As they entered the old ranch house Kade said, "Right my darling, tonight I want to learn everything so I no longer have to speculate. I want you to pretend you are eighteen to nineteen and I am my mother and I want us to re-enact every move she made on you during her long period of tuition."

"But that will take ages and the slow beginning will sexually frustrate you," Dick complained.

"Shut up and get going, we have all night," Kade said. "Just don't over-excite us too much if this is to take us through dawn. Let's jump the boring preliminaries. Start with the first time she touched you sexually."

"Right," Dick said, walking to the old sofa. I was eyeing her tits when she flushed and walked over to me."

"Like this?"

"Yes, exactly like that."

"Keep the commentary going my darling."

What Dick had forgotten he invented.

* * *

On the morning of the election of the new Mayor and Council, Kade yawned and said she was most likely to sleep for most of the day.

Also tired after a very heavy week for them, Dick yawned and said, "I'll get more shut-eye myself and will wake you in time to vote. Don't forget we've going to Dinah's and Andy's with Meg to watch the progressive voting results on TV and once the voting trends appear set, we then begin talking about the events center project."

"Oh God, couldn't we just have one day off?"

"This is business Kade and as well you know business in this family takes priority. If you wanted a rest day you should not have allowed me to fuck you into exhaustion last night."

Kade stroked the side of Dick's face and yawned heavily. "I loved last night having yet another re-enactment of what my mother taught you during those months of sex lessons. She was such an enterprising slut dragging those lessons out long after teaching had become redundant. So sly. I now love her even more. She was so enterprising."

* * *

Meg's brother won the mayoralty in a landslide and all but one of the council candidates he'd endorsed during his electioneering won a seat. Meg arranged with her sister-in-law for Kade, Dick, Andy and Dinah to call late afternoon to discuss a project they were involved in together.
They arrived late because the new Mayor had hosted his election team at a midday cookout. He was resting but wife Cynthia was on a roll and hosted them beautifully until Ian emerged, looking in good shape. Cynthia and Ian listened with great interest to Meg and Dick explained the events center project and nodded in agreement when Meg said they'd decided not to say anything to Ian until after his election to avoid possible finger pointing since his sister would be heavily involved in the proposed development.

Ian looked interested, but nothing more than that until the obvious drunk Cynthia cooed, "Oh darling, it would stand as a landmark in your time as Mayor of this town, just like your father's drive gave this town the War Memorial Hall as the legacy of his mayoralty and similar his father beat down opposition and had the water lake gardens demolished and the area greatly enlarged to become the town's water reservoir large enough to serve the town for the foreseeable future."

In scratched behind his ear. "You're so right darling and the events center as outlined is far larger that what I had in mind as my epitaph, a new town cemetery. Hey guys, stay for dinner and let's thrash this out. Dinah as CEO and as director of operations Andy Ross, the greatest sports hero this town has had in living memory -- what a package. I reckon my Council will fall over themselves to become involved in a project of this magnitude."

Dick smiled his approval. "It will need inspired marketing to sell to the community if we are to invest the millions to have a true all-purpose events center to service the entire region. We'd need to import a couple of professional specialists."

"Yes, I endorse that," said Ian. "Well darling, where's the champagne?"

* * *

Driving home along Main Street after dropping off Meg, Kade said, "Coming up on the right is our latest purchase, now available to us with McKenzie Law relocating above the cinemas. What have you planned for that and not told me darling?"

"It's directly opposite the hotel and is rather a large area and the site is zoned for a three-level building with full underground parking. We demolish and build a department store. Strangers arriving at the hotel will want to shop so that's why it's the logical place for a department store."

"A department store -- God, why have you kept this from me!"

"Hush darling, no need to scream. I don't have a concept and such development is rather outside my interest. It's your project."

Kade, who was driving, ran off the road and the SUV was on the sidewalk before she stopped. It was Sunday night so she mounted the footpath clear of parked vehicles and the only pedestrian was a drunken guy who called out, "No parking on the sidewalk lady."

"Should I drive darling," Dick said laconically.

"No thank you Dick. I'm not as drunk as you are."

* * *

Eight weeks before the glittering opening of the Cattleman's and the associated wedding of Dick and Kade, the bride-to-be had found she was pregnant.

"I have conceived and it will be a daughter," Kade said, who'd been waiting anxiously for Dick to return from watching excavations being prepared for their new ranch house.

Dick beamed and hugged Kade and thanked her for being so clever. He then spoilt it all by correctly her, "No it will be a son." Reluctantly Kade accepted the need to change her thinking that it would be a girl. Dick being visionary was usually correct about such things.

* * *

Dick was out supervising the preparation of parking areas around the rising events center when Kade called Meg to take her to the birthing center. Meg was under instructions not to call Dick until the birthing process was under way because Kade thought she'd do better with him not being around urging her to hurry along.

Dick arrived, happy and panting, and had Cassandra Pauline Savage placed into his arms for a brief hold ten minutes after her arrival.

"God, you two look a dangerous pair together," Kade said, wearily. "Are you aware she's born on your birthday?"

Dick looked bewildered.

"Yes darling, today is your birthday."

As the baby was taken from him Dick pulled out his phone.

"Thanks darling, are you calling mom?"

"In a minute. I'm calling Molly to find me Cassandra's first pony."

THE END