After the Affair(5)
Cassie stopped, and let a mask of stone drop over her heated features. 'Isn't that how it was, Dan? Did I get anything wrong?'
He was staring at her with such a look of horror that for a moment Cassie wondered if she could indeed be wrong.
He shook his head. 'You couldn't be more wrong. I never intended to hurt you, Cassie. Not then...or now.'
His rich voice reverberated with such apparent sincerity that Cassie almost weakened. But she didn't. For this was Dan McKay speaking, she reminded herself coldly. Accomplished artist, lover, liar and adulterer!
'Hurt me?' she tossed off airily. 'Don't lose any sleep on my account. I'm well and truly over you now, believe me.'
He frowned at her, but said nothing. Cassie hated his silence. She remembered how when she'd posed for him hours had gone by without his saying a word. She had chattered away, telling him everything about herself, but he'd never reciprocated. It wasn't until he'd left her that she'd known why.
'What are you doing here, anyway?' she demanded. 'Riversbend is a long way from the bright lights of Sydney.'
When her tart words brought an assessing look from Dan, Cassie regretted asking. She hoped he wouldn't think she was interested in him, despite her outburst.
'A change is as good as a rest,' he said cryptically.
A prickle of apprehension darted up Cassie's spine. 'Oh?'
'I needed some fresh air.' He walked over to stare through the large window at the river below. 'I've always loved this place. When I found out it was on the market...'
Cassie's heart stopped. Surely he couldn't mean...?
He turned slowly, saw her widening eyes. 'I decided to buy it. Yes, Cassie, I'm the new owner of Strath-haven.'
CHAPTER THREE
Cassie went weak at the knees.
'I'll be your next-door neighbour,* Dan added, his hands slipping into his trouser pockets. 'That is...if you still live on the farm across the river.'
She didn't know what to say. The feeling of impending doom was overwhelming. It was all she could do to keep standing.
'I gather that idea doesn't find favour,' Dan said drily.
Cassie stared at him. 'You really o-own Strath-haven?' she stammered.
'You sound doubtful.'
'But how?' she blurted out. 'I mean...'
He gave her a sharp look. 'I've done well enough over the years.'
'But...but you're an artist. I was told that the new owner was a businessman!'
'Can't I be both?' His face softened for a moment. 'Look, Cassie, I'm not an artist by profession. Painting's a hobby of mine...a pastime.'
His admission swept all thought of Jason aside for the moment. All Cassie could think of was how little she'd known about Dan at the time of their affair, how little he had told her! It hurt terribly to be reminded of her foolish naïveté.
'Do forgive my stupidity,' she said tartly. 'A pastime... How quaint! Just as your models were pastimes?'
His sigh carried frustration. 'You know that's not true. And I never said I made my living as an artist.'
'You never said much at all, Dan,' she accused.
Silence descended. They looked at each other for several seconds, Cassie with bitter resentment, Dan with an undermining concern.
'Why are you so hostile, Cassie? After all this time.'
'Hostile, Dan? I'm not hostile. I'm merely saying a few of the things I never had the opportunity to say nine years ago. You did leave rather quickly.' Her glare held shivers of ice. 'But that's all water under the bridge, isn't it? The present is far more to the point. I gather you won't be living here permanently? This will be a weekender, or some such?'
Already she was devising a plan to protect herself and her son. Her mother and Roger were getting married soon. They could have the house across the river. She could move, to Roger's place in town maybe, or to another town altogether!
'I shall be travelling back and forth to Sydney,' he admitted slowly, 'but I had intended spending as much time here as I could.'
Her mind jumped on the way he'd said 'had intended'. She clutched at the straw. 'And you've changed your mind?'
'That depends.'
'On what?'
He shrugged. 'On a lot of things.' He gave her the oddest look. It was vaguely challenging. 'Meanwhile...don't you think we could at least be friends? After all, we will be neighbours. How about coming back when this auction is over? Have dinner with me this evening. You could advise me on what to buy for the house. I did keep the essentials in furniture, but the rest will need a woman's touch.'
Cassie stared at him in utter astonishment. 'You don't give up easily, do you?'
'No.'
'I can't,' she said sharply. 'Sorry.'
'Can't or won't?'
'Both!'
'Why not?'
Cassie's head was whirling. Why not? God, if only he knew...
But he would know, she thought frantically, if he meant to really live here. Even if she moved, some day, someone would say something about Jason. And Dan would come looking for him.
Fear made her aggressive. 'I think your wife is a good reason for me not to come, don't you?'