Then Nicky had woken, hot and fretful and itchy, and that had set in motion the most amazing train of events …
She stared out of the window as the Pacific Motorway flashed past. The traffic was fast and heavy, with that familiar hum of its concrete surface, and the sky was overcast now.
That amazing train of events, she thought, would be the perfect answer to her new resolution, her determination to shape her life differently, to set goals and accept challenges-if only it hadn't come from Max Goodwin.
But was that not simply a challenge too? It was absolutely no good hungering for a man you couldn't have, a man you firmly believed should build a life with the mother of his son, anyway, so you nipped all that in the bud. It just took will-power …
Fortunately, Patti was home when Alex got to Spring Hill, so she was able to ask her to water her plants and collect her mail for her. She also gave her her new contact details, then started to pack, this time more than the basics including some books and favourite CDs.
She hesitated over her new clothes, the ones she'd been going to give back, then decided she could need them in her capacity as PA to Max Goodwin. She stopped what she was doing at that point and stared across the room unseeingly. It was hard to believe-it was a bit like a dream, she decided. It was also the answer to one set of prayers, but …
She squared her shoulders resolutely and chided herself, No buts, Alexandra Hill. Just make the best of it.
On the way back she got Stan to stop at a variety store where she made a few purchases.
When she got back to the Sovereign Islands about three hours later, she was greeted with open arms, metaphorically, by her employer and his housekeeper. Nicky did more. He threw his arms around her neck and greeted her like a long-lost friend. Even Nemo looked joyful.
'OK! OK,' she laughed as she fended the puppy off. 'And I did bring some goodies back. We've got a new jigsaw puzzle, some Play-Doh and a book about boats. What shall we do first? Oh, and I got a plastic bone for Nemo. It squeaks when it's chewed.'
'Was he difficult?' Alex asked as she and Max sat down to a late lunch a little later. Nicky was asleep again.
He reached for a roll and crumbled it. Mrs Mills had provided a chicken casserole and rice. 'Not difficult-lost. And sad.' He picked up his butter knife, but stared at the curls of butter in their fluted silver dish moodily. 'I was obviously no substitute.' He dipped his knife in the butter.
'He's sick,' Alex said practically. 'And Rome wasn't built in a day.'
He raised his eyebrows. 'Another gem of wisdom? You're full of them.'
'I know,' she agreed cheerfully.
He frowned at her. 'But in your case it happened in a matter of moments, the way he took to you.'
'I would say-' Alex sipped her water from a cut-glass tumbler, then picked up her knife and fork again '-he's not much used to men if he's lived with his mother and his grandmother. And I do have experience with kids of that age. Don't worry, it will happen, it just takes time,' she assured him.
His frown deepened. 'You're also-like a new person, Miss Hill, if I may say so. Why's that?'
Alex considered, then told him part of the truth. 'I took myself to task this morning. Look forward, not backward, seek new challenges and goals and-lo and behold!-what should fall into my lap shortly afterwards but your offer. So I'm feeling really positive, you could say.'
She'd changed her Argyle sweater for a cotton-knit top and hadn't noticed the streak of Play-Doh on her sleeve. Her hair was in bunches and she wore her glasses. She looked young but very alive and vital. It was hard to compare her with the girl of the night before who couldn't breathe.
'Have I said something wrong?' Alex enquired a little nervously as she put her knife and fork together and pushed away her plate.
His attention came back to her as if from a distance. 'No. Why?'
'You were looking at me as if-as if-I don't know, but it was a little worrying,' she confessed.
He finished his meal and reached for the coffee pot. 'Uh-no, nothing momentous.'
He grimaced. 'But you and Nicky won't be seeing much of me for the next few days. In fact, probably not at all. I've taken more time off than I should have anyway.'
'That's fine with me,' she replied serenely, and didn't know that Max Goodwin was struck by a replica of the feeling that had struck her last evening-when she'd requested him not to tell her she was quite safe with him with quite such conviction … Did she have to be quite so comfortable about his absence, in other words?
'Well, in that case,' he said-rather tersely, it struck Alex, 'I might get going now.'
Alex blinked. 'Isn't the golf still on?' She looked at her watch.
'I can get there in time to present the trophy. Would you excuse me, Alex?' he asked with rather elaborate courtesy and stood up.
'Of course, but-are you annoyed?' she queried.
His eyes were particularly dense and blue; his expression was particularly hard to read as he looked down at her. 'Why would I be annoyed? We have everything under control, don't we?'
'Yes. I don't know. I just got that impression.' She shrugged. 'I-'
But Mrs Mills intervened. 'Excuse me, Mr Goodwin, but Nicky's awake and asking for Alex.'
Alex jumped up. 'I'll come.' She turned back to Max. 'I'll look after him, don't worry,'
she said reassuringly.
His expression softened a fraction. 'Thank you.'
But Alex was still concerned as she climbed the stairs to Nicky's bedroom. What had been going through his mind? What subtle interplay had she missed?
Then she stopped outside Nicky's door and took a deep breath. Her employer's personal feelings were no concern of hers.
Not much later, as Max Goodwin steered his Bentley over the Sovereign Islands bridge and towards Sanctuary Cove, he was asking himself why the hell he was annoyed. Because he didn't have things under complete control yet?
He gritted his teeth. And obviously annoyed, at that.
Nor was he able to shake off that distinctly disenchanted, annoyed feeling and in consequence he was short with his staff over minute details of the golf tournament that really didn't matter now it was over.
It wasn't an easy few days for Alex.
Keeping Nicky cool, keeping him from scratching, keeping him occupied took quite some ingenuity, but at least it gave her little time to herself. Fortunately Bradley, Mrs Mills' grandson, also had had chicken pox, so when Nicky wasn't feeling quite so sick he came to help with the jigsaw and similar activities. And Alex got to know his mother, Peta, better. And the more she got to know her, the better she liked her.
Peta had also accepted Max's offer of a job as a back-up for Alex. 'It's perfect,'
she'd confided to Alex. 'I'm with Mum, Brad loves playing with Nicky, he adores Nemo and it not only gives me something to do while my hubby is away, it's going to earn me some very nice pocket money.'
But it wasn't until Jake Frost arrived that Alex recalled that the last social event of the negotiations, the farewell, was to take the form of a dinner dance at the Tuscan villa.
Jake came down the day before and Alex sat in on the briefing he shared with Mrs Mills and Stan.
'Item,' he said, putting his forefinger on a clipboard as they sat around the kitchen table, 'a cleaning firm is coming in first thing tomorrow morning. They'll do windows, floors, furniture, everything, but if there's any silver or glassware you want polished-' he looked over the top of his glasses at Mrs Mills '-could you get it out, please? Item: the florist and decorator and their teams will arrive at midday. Item: the caterers will move in early afternoon. Item: we need a room for the band to retire to. I thought we'd use the pink sitting room … '
And so it went on until Jake looked across at Alex. 'Item: children and dogs.'
They all smiled.
It was Mrs Mills who answered. 'As you know, Jake, we can close the guest wing off. Which is how we've managed to corral Nemo out of the rest of the house anyway and Nicky is usually asleep by seven-the guests don't arrive until seven-thirty.'
'Anyway, I'll be on hand just in case,' Alex supplied.
But it was her turn to be looked at over the top of his glasses. 'Item,' Jake said, 'Mr Goodwin has requested your presence at the dinner dance, Miss Hill.'
Alex stared at him as her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. 'Why? Is he short of an interpreter again?'