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  “Excuse me, is this seat taken?” He couldn’t quite place the accent. He opened one eye and shook his head. Her shoes identified her as European. There was something about their footwear that gave them away every time. That and the accent, of course. If he had to guess, he’d say she was Dutch. He made a broad gesture, indicating that she should make herself comfortable, and closed his eyes again. She pushed her backpack against the bulkhead, then sat back, resting against it. Her scent invaded his nostrils; it was something fresh, light and decidedly feminine.

  Don’t even think about it, he told himself.

  She raised a hand in greeting and a young man came and sat beside her. Bradley smiled to himself; he didn’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved.

  * * *

  Bradley Jamieson was one of those rare men who really loved women. At least the ones he’d been involved with told him he was a rarity, and judging by comments from the men he’d served with, they were right. The couple beside him were chattering away in a language he didn’t recognize, and he relaxed, thinking back to his younger days.

  He’d grown up in Comox, home to Canadian Forces Base Comox. It was inevitable, he supposed, his desire to become a pilot. He knew every aircraft type that flew in and out of CFB Comox–American as well as Canadian. But even back then, he’d known that you just didn’t walk through the gates and sign up. As a matter of fact, you were lucky if they even considered you, and a degree or two always helped.

  And so in the summer holidays, while his friends went fishing or chased girls, he worked at every job he could find, saving money for his education. The grocery store paid the best; he made himself available for work any time they called, but it wasn’t enough. In between, he mowed lawns and did yard clean-up.

  It was a hot summer day when he first noticed her...really noticed her.

  “Bradley” she called from behind the screen door. “Could you help me with something?”

  He looked up, trying to recall her name. Oh yes, it was Mrs. Fraser. Her husband worked at the base, and according to her, had little time to spare for yard work. He’d noticed her several times that day; she seemed to be watching him through the kitchen window. He hoped she was happy with his work.

  He wiped the sweat from his brow as he walked up the back steps. She opened the screen door and stood there, almost as if she were posing. She had on some sort of a top that tied under her breasts, leaving her midriff bare, and incredibly short shorts for an older woman. At least she seemed older to him. He tried not to look at her, but she had an amazing body and she wasn’t shy about showing it.

  “What is it?” he said, looking around.

  She walked across the kitchen and he noticed that she was wearing what the school girls called ‘wedgies’ on her feet. They made her legs go on forever. He swallowed painfully.

  She bent over as if to lift a cardboard box from the floor. “This box is too heavy.” He could see the crease of skin where her legs joined her buttocks and got an instant erection.

  She straightened up and turned back to him. “I was hoping to move this out to the storage shed, but it’s just too heavy.” Her gaze dropped to the level of his crotch and her lips parted. “Would you do it for me?”

  “Sure.” He didn’t know how he got the word out; his tongue felt thick and clumsy in his throat. She stood back a bit and he picked up the box. “The storage shed,” he said, trying not to look at her cleavage.

  “Yes, and then come back in. I’ve made some lemonade.”

  He practically ran to the shed and shoved the box into the first spot he could find. It was all he could do not to race up the steps when he got back to the house.

  “So,” she said, handing him a glass of lemonade. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

  He swallowed half the glass in one gulp. He wasn’t quite sure where this conversation was going. “Sort of,” he said, wondering if she could tell he was stretching the truth.

  “Aha.” She took a small sip from her glass, eyeing him over the rim. “And what do you do for fun?”

  “I, ah, well, we...” How could he explain the fumbling and groping in the back seat of his friend’s car?

  “Do you have sex?” She came closer. There was a musky smell about her. It was unfamiliar but oddly arousing. “I mean, I hear about young people these days and it all sounds so different from when I was your age.” She placed her glass on the counter then took his glass and placed it beside hers. She was so close to him now that her breasts were almost brushing against his chest. At least when she was this close she couldn’t see that he was hard again.

  Or maybe she could. She ran a finger over his lips and his mouth dropped open. She slid the finger inside his mouth and then withdrew it, putting it in her own mouth. He was afraid that he was going to come right there, in her kitchen. That would be mortifying and he closed his eyes, trying to regain control.

  She touched his face again with her fingertips, tracing the line of his jaw, then down his neck, resting her hand against his chest. Her fingers tweaked his nipple, and he groaned aloud.

  “You’re really a very handsome young man,” she said. Her voice had changed. It was husky, and when he dared to look into her eyes they had darkened. She slid a hand lower and cupped his erection. “Would you like to make love to me?” she asked, running her hand up and down the length of him.

  He could only nod.

  “Then come with me,” she said, and walked up the half flight of stairs in the split-level home.

  He followed her into a cool, dark bedroom. “What about your husband?” he croaked. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything, but he didn’t relish being beat up by an irate husband.

  “He’s out of town on deployment,” she murmured, stepping out of her shorts. She was naked underneath. Her halter top soon followed, and she stood in front of him, naked. Her pubic hair had been trimmed and he stared at it. He’d never seen anything like that before, not that he had much experience with naked women.

  “Know what I was doing this morning while you were working outside?” She lay back on the bed, watching him undress.

  He could care less what she’d been doing. All he could think about was what was being offered and he wanted to get it before she changed her mind.

  “I was watching you and wondering what it would be like to make love to you.”

  He tore off his shorts and his erection sprang free.

  “Oh, come to mama,” she said, reaching for him. “I don’t imagine you want to wait any longer, do you?”

  He thrust into her. Once, twice, and then he exploded like nothing he’d ever experienced before. He lay there for a few moments, catching his breath, and then raised his head. “I’m sorry” he said, and meant it. “That wasn’t much good for you, was it?”

  She smiled. “No, but you show great promise. Next time will be better.” She rolled out from under him and took his hand, guiding it to her innermost recesses. “In the meantime I’ll show you a sure fire way to please a woman.”

  And she did. That afternoon and many more throughout that magical summer. She was an inventive teacher and he was an eager student. By the time school started again and her husband had returned from his posting, Bradley had acquired more sexual experience than most men gain in a lifetime.

  * * *

  The ferry shuddered as it moved away from the dock. Bradley opened his eyes, disoriented for a moment. Then he remembered where he was. He supposed he should go and get in line for some food. He didn’t mind the wait; it was something to do during the crossing. Besides, he needed some energy and his wits about him for the hectic pace of traffic on the mainland.

  Chapter Three

  Laura had been to Vancouver Island several times before. Most recently with Stew, a man she’d thought she might get serious about. They’d gone to Long Beach on the west coast of the island for a long weekend. Back before her world had fallen apart.

  Everything looked different today as they pulled into Nanaimo. Even though it was sunny, the island appeared to hunker down, as though something bad were about to happen. Laura gave a small shudder and pulled her jacket more closely around her shoulders.

  “Are you all right?” Myrna’s tone was kind. Laura knew that the other woman was watching her carefully for the first signs of withdrawal.

  “I’m okay,” she replied, forcing herself to stay calm. She was starting to feel restless, but was determined not to show it. As if her actions mattered now. But for some reason, they did. She wanted to hold it together at least until she got to the rehab facility.

  “What’s the name of the place we’re going?” she asked.

  “Water’s Edge.”

  “Sounds like a resort, or a golf course or something.”

  Myrna smiled. “It does, doesn’t it?” They were on the highway now, and she was signalling to move into an exit lane. “You’ll hate it for the first few days of course, but I’m sure you’re expecting that.”

  Laura twirled a piece of hair around her finger. “I wonder if I’ll ever get my job back.” She looked at the other woman. “I love nursing, especially paediatrics.”

  Myrna shot her a sympathetic look. “Rachel said you were a terrific nurse. She cared enough about your future to contact your family and initiate the intervention.”

  Laura stared out the window. “I was a terrific nurse. Past tense.” She was silent for a few moments. “But I only have myself to blame if they never take me back.”

  “If it comes to that, there are lots of other things you can do with your skills.”

  “I suppose so, but it won’t be the same.” For the first time today, tears came to her eyes. “It’ll never be the same.”

  * * *

  Laura’s childhood had been like no on
e else’s. That is, no one she knew. She’d been born beautiful; at least that’s what her mother told her...constantly. She was born and grew up in Quesnel, where her father owned a dealership selling heavy equipment. Unlike her friends, who viewed their parents as infallible and rock solid, Laura recognized at an early age that her parents didn’t belong together. Her mother complained about living “in the sticks” and bemoaned the lack of what she termed “culture” and a “social life”.

  Her parents were constantly at war over how she should be brought up. “It’s not ladylike,” her mother shouted, when shortly after her twelfth birthday Laura announced she’d been riding with Jenna and helping out at the stables.

  Her father, as usual, was on her side. “For God’s sake, Carolyn, the Queen rides a horse. Besides, this is ranch country. What do you expect the child to do?”

  “Have you looked at your daughter recently?” Her mother stabbed him in the chest with a finger. “Really looked at her? She’s a beautiful child, Hugh, and she could have an amazing career ahead of her as a model.”

  Laura cringed. Why did her mother always have to focus on her looks? She’d examined herself in the mirror, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

  The arguments raged on, but her father stood his ground. It wasn’t until Laura heard the dreaded word ‘divorce’ that she decided to take matters into her own hands.

  She found her father on the sales lot, in the cab of a backhoe with a prospective buyer. He broke into a smile at the sight of her. “Hi, Sweetheart. I’ll be with you in a few minutes.”

  Laura waited in his office, reading a book she’d taken out of the library that afternoon.

  “This is a surprise,” her father said, filling the room with his presence. He looked at her carefully. “Is anything wrong?”

  “No.” Laura used one of her father’s business cards for a bookmark and returned the book to her backpack. “Dad, I’ve been thinking. I could try this modeling thing. Especially if it would make Mom happy.”

  Her father’s eyes narrowed and he was silent for a few moments. She sensed that he was struggling to formulate a reply. “Laura, I understand what you’re trying to do, but I’m not sure that anything would make your mother happy at this point in her life.”

  She recognized the truth in what he said, but she had to try. She loved her mother...perhaps not as much as she loved her father, but if they divorced over this, it would be her fault.

  “No, really Dad. I want to try it.” She gave him what she hoped was a convincing smile. “Summer’s coming up so it wouldn’t take time away from school. It could be fun.”

  He looked at her long and hard. “If that’s what you want, it’s okay with me. But you have to promise me one thing. If it ever stops being fun, or if you feel you’re not being treated well, you stop. I’ll back you up one hundred percent. No questions asked.”

  The change in her mother was remarkable. She planned her assault on the agencies in Vancouver like a general mapping out a campaign. It seemed that there wasn’t a thing about her daughter that couldn’t be improved by a visit to a salon. “Only the best, mind you” she said. “I know the perfect place in Vancouver. We couldn’t possibly trust your hair or brows to the local people.”

  Laura tried not to notice the triumph in her mother’s voice when she announced that “her daughter” wanted to try modeling. After all, the constant bickering between her parents had died down. That was progress, wasn’t it?

  She put Laura on a strict diet. “It’s only for a couple of weeks, child. You need to lose ten pounds before Kristof photographs you.”

  “But Mom, I’m not fat.” Laura was sitting on her bed.

  “No, of course not, but the camera has a way of making a person look heavier.” Her mother glanced at herself in the full-length mirror on the wall and frowned. “Trust me.”

  Her father drove them to Vancouver and saw them settled with Gran. “You remember what I said,” he reminded her, giving her a hug before he left. “Call me anytime you want to come home.”

  And so it started. Laura had to admit that it was fun; being pampered, being photographed, the endless shopping.

  “How do you know so much about this?” she asked her mother. They were sitting on the outdoor patio of a downtown hotel. Laura smiled up at their server and waved away the offer of dessert.

  “I dabbled in modeling when I was younger.” Her mother sat up a little straighter and Laura saw her through new eyes. Her mother must have been very attractive when she was younger.

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “Yes, well, it didn’t go very far.” Her smile was brittle. “I wasn’t the type they were looking for, evidently.” She gazed off into the distance for a moment, then returned her attention to her daughter. “But you’re different.” She tapped the portfolio that rested against her chair. “The camera loves you, as they say. We should see some good results next week.”

  Her mother was right. Of the three agencies they visited that week, they had two immediate call-backs, resulting in two offers of representation.

  “Daddy,” cried Laura over the phone. “An agency wants to represent me. They have a major client who’s launching a new line and they want me to be their new face.”

  Her father laughed. “You sound like a pro already.”

  “Yeah, well I don’t know about that. The contract is humongous.”

  “You haven’t signed it yet, have you?”

  “No, Mom’s reading it over before I sign it. She has to sign it too.”

  “I want you to fax me a copy right away.” Her father’s tone had changed. “Your mom has done well to get you this far Sweetie, but contracts are serious business, and at this point we need the advice of someone who doesn’t have so much invested in this.”

  She didn’t quite understand what her father meant, but when she told her mother, she went ballistic.

  “No!” she cried. “Absolutely not! Who does he think he is, trying to control your career when he’s done nothing to encourage you.”

  Laura opened her mouth to set her mother straight, and then thought better of it. “He’s not trying to control my career, Mom. He just wants his lawyer to read the contract.”

  “No.” Her mother spit out the word.

  “Then I guess I can’t sign it.” She was quaking inside, but she held her mother’s gaze. “I promised.”

  Carolyn MacLeod glared at her daughter. There was malice in that glare, and in that moment Laura realized that she’d done nothing to help her parents’ marriage. As a matter of fact, this latest development might just tear it apart. But she had a lot invested in this modeling venture, and she wanted to see it through.

  “All right.” Her mother tossed the contract on the table and glanced across the room toward the computer. “You know how all this computer stuff works. Can you send a fax on that machine?”

  “Yes, or I can scan it and send it as an attachment.”

  “Whatever.” Her mother started to leave the room but paused at the door and turned back. “I’m doing this for you, you know. I hope you appreciate that.”

  Laura knew better but she smiled. “I know Mom and I do appreciate it. I really do.”

  * * *

  Laura became the face of a hot new designer and over the next two years appeared in print and television ads for every one of his wildly successful products. Her father had ensured that all of her earnings were deposited in a bank account in her name. Her mother was predictably furious, but she was bathing in the reflected glow of her daughter’s success and didn’t raise much of a fuss.

  * * *

  “I’ve missed you.” Jenna gave her a big hug, then held her at arm’s length. “You look so different in those magazines. Sometimes I think I don’t know you anymore.”

  “Don’t be silly.” Laura heard a horse nickering and looked toward the barn. “Is that Ciero? How’s she doing?” Jenna’s horse had been heavily pregnant the last time she saw her.