CHAPTER 22

They arrived back in Wellington quietly. Urs intent on making a stop on the way to Saul’s, some secret place that he wouldn’t tell Andi about. Flip sat up front with the limo driver, getting into the bodyguard mode with fervor and as they rolled smoothly through the city and neared their destination Urs had her close her eyes. At last they stopp-ed and he led her into a cool building that they had to push a buzzer to get in and when she heard the voice that greeted her Andi knew where they were. Andre’s, they had stopped at Andre’s. The little designer was overjoyed to see them, led them to a large, private viewing room with soft couches and elegant side tables, offered them wine, tea, coffee, what ever they would like. “Urs, why are we here?” she said, giggling at the effusive way the designer treated them. “You’ll see. Andre, I think the garments first, we’ll save the best for last.” The little man clapped his hands and the models started coming from hidden doors. “These are the pieces I would suggest, Mrs. Buhler, Suitable for business lunches or press interviews, casual but elegant and of course in a smaller size to fit your perfect figure.” Andi hid a laugh at that comment, thinking that it wouldn’t be so perfect for much longer. Urs squeezed her hand, knowing what she was thinking. The parade of clothing went on, slacks suits, suits with skirts, short sets, sundresses, semi-formal gowns, jackets, a long coat, all with appropriate shoes and bags, all in colors and fabrics that suited Andi beautifully. “Urs, I can’t decide. They’re all so beautiful.” “Mr. Andre, she likes them. We’ll take them all. Now you have that selection I asked for?” “Yes sir, All from Jorgens.” Urs turned to Andi while Andre went to get something else. “Pixie, I didn’t give you much of a chance in Tauranga. I’ve wanted for months to ask you to be my wife, but the time never seemed right. Are you sure? I didn’t just rush you into a wedding before you had a chance to think?” “Don’t think you’re going to weasel out of this now! I married you because it’s what I’ve dreamed of since I fell over your dog. I love you Urs.” ‘I wanted you to have a proper ring but couldn’t find one I liked so that’s what we have to do now. Andre has brought a selection for you to choose from, with a few suggestions from me but you get to pick.” Indeed Andre came back with a glass topped table on rollers and stopped in front of Andi to remove the black velvet cover. Nestled against another black velvet bed was an array of diamond rings, all the stones set in platinum, all with matching wedding bands, some with emeralds or rubies or sapphires, some with a matching wedding band for the groom. Andi was stunned, hardly knew where to look, but found her eyes going back several times to a thin band with a large oblong emerald set among smaller pave diamonds. The matching wedding band had a smaller inset emerald with a triangle of three diamonds at each end, the grooms ring exactly the same only wider. “Urs, will you, I mean is it OK. Will you wear a ring?” He cupped her face in his hands and whispered, “I would be honored, Pixie.” and kissed her softly. “Then this is the one I like. I know it isn’t the biggest but it looks pure and simple and elegant. Do you like it?” Urs took the rings and placed first the engagement ring on her slender finger, then the wedding band and handed her the groom’s ring. She put it on his finger, found that all of the rings fit perfectly and laughed. “I really didn’t have a chance did I? You knew I would pick that one.” “I hoped, when Andre sent me the photo of them online, I liked this set best and hoped you would too.” Urs handed Andre his credit card for the rings, knew the bill for the clothing would come with the delivery and while the card was being printed, availed himself of Andi’s unprotected neck. Andre returned, Urs signed and they swept on out of the establishment to the waiting limo. As expected the women cried when they reached Saul’s. Selma and her friend, Rudy, were there and he hung around with the men, all of them looking long suffering and uneasy until Saul shook his head and corralled the four men to go out on the deck for a beer. Flip and Rudy introduced themselves and Rudy kept glancing at the huddle of women in the living room, chattering and crying and laughing. “Selma’s usually so calm and logical. I can’t believe this side of her.” “Don’t sweat it Rudy. They’ll run down soon and get back to normal.” Saul laughed as he looked over at his wife, saw her reach for another tissue and pass the box to Selma. “And they haven’t even watched the video of the wedding yet,” Urs said as he thought of the scene to come. The guys sat on the deck and talked of the press release, the publicity and the plans to make Peter come to them. “Just how much are you going to reveal about Andi. You know the press will ask all sorts of questions. They’ll want to know everything about her.” “We’re hoping to forestall the details by revealing that she’s Mandy Aroha and we’ll try to let the world think she was reclusive, people accept that of the creative. Then I get to play the part of the white knight who drags her back into the world and we fall in love. Not quite how it happened but close enough for the fan mags and maybe enough to make Peter angry.” “Are you ready to start? They want the two of you, live, tonight on the Gary Jardine Show, 15 minutes of being charm-ing and having Gary snap questions at you. More to the point do you think Andi can handle it?” Urs looked at his wife as she sat on the couch with Celia and Selma, talking and laughing, waving her hands about as she made a point. “She’s tougher than you think, Saul. She can handle it.” They had lunch with their friends, for a while forg-etting about the cloud hanging over their lives, after lunch making plans for the press meeting at the Paladium the next day. Technically it was to be a meeting about the release of Dark Destiny but Saul thought it would be a good time to have the photographers gorge themselves on pictures of his star and his writer, a fact he planned on annou-ncing. Late in the afternoon Selma and Randy had to leave to check on the business. Saul had an appointment he couldn’t get out of and Urs, Andi and Flip went off to Urs’s house for a swim and to receive the delivery of the outfits from Andre’s. Andi left Urs tending to his many messages and, accompanied by Flip went next door to gather up some essentials. They met Jenna in the living room, busily vacuuming. “Miss Becker! You scared the beejeezus out of me, coming in so quiet and with that young giant following you.” “Just came for some of my things, Jenna, and it’s Mrs. Buhler now. Urs and I were married in Tauranga two days ago.” “Congratulations, Miss, I mean Mrs. Though there’s some women are not going to be happy that such a good looking man isn’t single anymore.” Andi laughed and went in the bedroom to pack some lingerie, her copies of Tolkien and some CD’s. She loaded Flip with the bags and went back to talk once more to Jenna. “Selma will be staying with a friend for the next little while but there will be some friends staying here periodically, Maori friends of ours. I would appreciate if you could fit in another afternoon or two to keep their rooms tidy. You can come next door on Fridays to pick up your pay, if that’s not an inconvenience and maybe after we get settled I’ll have you come full time to our new place. You do very nice work and I’d hate to lose you, Jenna.” “Thank you, ma’am. People are always ready to tell you when you don’t do it just so; not many have the manners to tell you if you do good work, and I thank ya for the courtesy.” She found Flip looking over the exercise equipment, promised to find a place for it at Urs’ and they returned just in time to find Andre and an assistant hanging her new clothing in the nearly empty side of the walk-in closet that was to be hers. “Andre, you are a treasure. Do you treat all your clients with such devotion?” The dapper little man smiled as he directed his assistant to a bank of drawers for the shorts and lingerie.
“It is my pleasure, Mrs. Buhler,” he said, hesitating and bowing a little when she stopped him and insisted that he call her Andi. “I enjoy my work and you are a beautiful woman. For you to be seen in garments from Andre’s will not hurt my business.” He smiled as she laughed and promised to mention that fact whenever possible. Andi asked Andre for advice on what to wear to the Gary Jardine Show and without hesitation he indicated the outfit he thought would be a good counterfoil to the black he was sure Urs would wear. They shared a glass of wine on the deck, Andi including the young female assistant, much to the delight of Flip. Soon Sally and Flip were talking as if they were old friends, about the hotel business that Flip was going to settle into, the career in design that Sally was working towards. She admitted that she had a portfolio of designs, something she did in her spare time, also some-thing that Andre was unaware of. “I’d love to see them sometime, Sally,” Andi said and Flip shot her a look of thanks. “Perhaps you might show them to Andre and, if he approves, bring them over some evening.” Urs joined them, sitting on the wide arm of Andi’s rattan chair, stroking her hair absently as he caught up with the conversa-tion. She looked up at his tanned face, searching for any hint of problems and feeling her gaze he met her eyes, smiling and shaking his head slightly. Andre was telling a hilarious tale of a nameless actress who ordered outfits from him on occasion, always insisting she wore a size ten, her self deception perpetuated since Andre had the size 14 tags removed and replace with size ten. Andre and Sally left soon after and Andi set about finding something in the kitchen to make a dinner for the three of them. She was shaking her head in despair when Urs came in the kitchen and wrapped his arms about her. “I don’t know how you ever survived, Kiwi. There’s nothing here except TV dinners and cereal. We’re going to have to do a major grocery shopping before you guys get a decent meal. Tonight I think you better find the number for that Chinese place we ordered from before.” “Already done, I phon-ed it in from the office.” He rubbed his day’s growth of stubble gently across her neck and laughed when she ducked her head to get away. “I promised to take care of you. Can’t have you going hungry, not when you’re eat-ing for two.” He turned her to face him and she saw concern in his eyes. “We need to get a good obstetrician, take him all your medical records, especially from the ‘accident’. I don’t want to take any chances with either of you.”
“Celia said she would refer me to hers. She had ‘high risk’ pregnancies and he got her through them.” The door-bell rang as they talked and Flip answered it, brought the bags of food in and gave Urs the bill. They ate on the deck, listening to one of Urs’s favorite groups, Ozzy Osborne. “Man don’t you have anything new? How about Emminem or Avril Lavigne? No? gotta have my tunes, man.” “Use my PC, download some stuff you like and use earphones!” Urs laughed at the look of disgust on Flip’s face. They cleaned up the debris from dinner, Flip went to see what he could find online and Urs and Andi went for showers before dressing for the guest appearance. It would be necessary to be at the studio around eleven to meet Gary and to have makeup give them a touch up before the midnight show. Urs joined Andi as she brushed her teeth at the double sink, started setting out his gear to shave and asked if she was nervous. Her mouth full of toothpaste foam she held up her hand and waggled it back and forth to indicate ‘sort of’. He wet his face and lathered it, started shaving while she finished. “I’m sure Saul has warned Gary to be gentle with you. He’s a nice guy, I’ve known him for years. We used to play on opposing soccer teams.” He put his razor down and wrapped his arms around her from behind, his face still partly lathered.
“Just be yourself. The camera can spot a phony and so can Gary. I’ll fend off anything that might make you uneasy.” Andi smiled and turned in his arms. “I know you will, Kiwi. This is new territory for me but I’ll be OK with you there.” She started the shower while he finished shaving, was rinsing shampoo from her hair when he joined her. They bathed each other, enjoying the slick feeling of wet skin, indulging in petting and teasing, laugh-ing as they backed off, the time getting too short to go any further. Andi was still in her terry robe, in front of the vanity mirror applying makeup to her eyes when Urs came in to be inspected. “What do you think? Do I look like a happy groom?” She looked at his reflection in the mirror and her heart leapt. How could this larger than life man have chosen to spend his years with her? She turned to face him and he grinned at her. As Andre had guessed Urs was dressed in black, a perfect match for his shining dark hair and brows. Andi let her eyes feast on him, starting at the polished black leather half boots, up the long, sculpted legs, clad in form fitting supple leather pants, to the ebony silk long sleeved shirt, the top three buttons undone to expose some of his chest. As he moved she saw the twinkle of a diamond stud in one earlobe. His amber eyes were twinkling as she finished her inspection and met his gaze. “Every woman who sees the show is going to hate me. You’re so adorable, sexy, perfect and mine! Now get out of here before I rip those fancy duds off you and jump your bones. Go play with Flip or something!” Fifteen minutes later she was ready, left the bedroom and headed down the hall to the curved stairs. Flip and Urs were standing in the hall, talking, and Urs turned when he saw the startled expression on the young man’s face. Andi was at the top of the stairs, starting down. She wore black silk sandals, high heeled, the first time he had ever seen her wear them and they made her legs seem longer, more curved. Her hair was longer now, just touching her shoulders, the mahogany color deep and shining in waves she had brushed from a side part, exposing the dainty diamond studs in her earlobes and her creamy neck with the pendant nestling on her chest. The dress was one of the new ones, some famous designer that Urs couldn’t remember, composed of black and white panels of silk in varying widths, a tight, wide black silk band at the waist and flaring from the hips to the uneven hem that swirled about her knees as she came down the stairs. She stopped and frowned down at the two staring men. “Did I pick the wrong dress? It shows too much bosom. I was afraid of that. I’ll go change, Urs. I’ll try to be fast.” He laughed and took the stairs two at a time. “Don’t you dare! You’re perfect!” He kept laughing at her and tugged her hand to bring her to the bottom of the stairs. The bodice of the dress was a little low cut, sleeveless and cut very low in the back, the front dipping far enough to just show a little swell of breast where the built in bra pushed her up to form a deeper cleavage. Her Twisted Greenstone pendant hung just above, laying on the light sprinkle of freckles. “Flip, wipe the drool off your face and get your own. This one is taken,” Urs scowled at Flip and spoiled his attempt at anger by laughing. He helped Andi into the light coat that came with the dress, shrugged into a soft, black leather jacket and they were off.

CHAPTER 23

“Well it’s over and you lived through it. Was it as bad as you thought it would be?” They were back in the limo, heading home, tired from the stress and the late hour. Andi laughed and kicked off her sandals, curled her legs up on the seat and nestled into the curve of Urs’ arm. “It wasn’t bad at all, except for the roar from the audience when you came out on the stage. I like your friend, Gary. He’s comfortable, no wonder his show is so popular.” The first few minutes at the studio had been a little hectic, an assistant meeting them at the door, shepherding them into a bright room where a team checked their makeup, added a little more to Andi to avoid camera ‘washout’, down a Long hallway to the famous ‘green room’, which wasn’t green at all but a soft shade of peach, the comfy couches and chairs a cozy grey leather. Wine or coffee or anything desired was offered and after a few minutes, Gary breez-ed in, followed by 3 aides with meters, checking for lighting, colors of clothing, recording what was said to use as a prompt later. Urs and Andi were standing, looking at some of the collage of photos on the wall, shots of other guests, some with Gary, some of location shoots, some of the stunts that the show occasionally planned. “Urs, good to see you, buddy. So this is the lady that brought the mighty bachelor to his knees. G’day Amanda. Wish I’d seen you first.” He was an imposing presence at first, as tall as Urs but running a little to flab, common enough in athletic men who are athletic until mid forties when they start to slow down. His head was shaved and shiny, his neck thick and the hand which swallowed Andi’s was soft and large. He felt the little tremble as he held her hand a moment longer than necessary, placed the other one over top and smiled And she relaxed. He had that smile, the same one that Tonu often wore, the one that identified him as of the people, gentle but strong, wanting only to be a friend, at peace. “Kiaora, Gary. Urs didn’t tell me you are Maori.” Gary laughed and glanced at Urs. “She’s sharp, brother. Only part, Amanda, like Urs here, the best part.” He laughed and drew her to the couch, sitting and tugg-ing her down. “OK. Down to business, You two are up first, and if you can I’d love for you to stay for the whole show. Your segment of one on one will last about fifteen minutes, part of it a tape Saul sent of a part of your wedding, a great Hangi by the way, my family can’t stop talking about it. Any taboo subjects?” Urs was perched on the arm of the couch and rested his hand on Andi’s shoulder as she paled and looked at him. “Don’t dig too deep into Andi’s life back in Canada. It’s painful and very private. Someday, off the record, we’ll get drunk, just the three of us and tell you what we can, then you’ll understand. For now, trust me, my friend, please.” “Done, now tell me about this dress. My aide here says she thinks it’s a Narsico Rodriguez. That means Andre’s, I think he has exclusive rights here in Wellington. Let’s have a look at it.” Andi stood and stepped away slightly, twirling in place so the skirt swirled about her legs. She laughed as she regained her seat. “Your lady has a good eye. Yes, it is and it’s from Andre’s. He has such amazing things, but the best is that he has a great instinct for what’s right. I love shopping there.” “Question: You had Saul send me a novel today, a new release by Mandy Aroha, why?” “We thought you might like to be the first to break the news on that too. Gary, meet Mandy Aroha, my wife.”
“Damn! How are we going to cover all this in 15 minutes? You have to stay for the whole show. OK here’s what we’ll do. Hello and all that, ask Andi about the dress etc., seat the two of you, a bit of teasing about Urs taking the big step, how you met, clips of the wedding, commercial, reveal about the book, switch to Urs’s new movie, any plans you can share, commercial, guest spot by Nickleback. Ya, ya I know you love them, commercial. You guys aren’t afraid of wild animals are you? Cause the next one is this guy who trains big cats for the movies a short segment with Nickleback playing us into commercial, the last before the wrap we want to play a longer clip from the wedding, two pieces we spliced together, then it’s all of us schmoozing as the credits roll. Sound OK? Great! See ya after the monologue.” He raced from the room and Andi laughed. “He reminds me of Saul, all that energy. I like him, Kiwi. This might even be fun.” With a few minor exceptions it was. An aide wearing a headset and mike came for them and they waited in the wings for only a few moments before they heard Gary announce “Ladies and Gentlemen, in their first public appearance, Urs and Amanda Buhler.” The ‘APPLAUSE’ sign began flashing but it really wasn’t needed. Urs was very popular and the audience was eager to see this woman who had caught New Zealand’s most eligible bachelor. They walked out onto the glaring stage, hand in hand, Andi smiling because Urs was, that boyish grin she loved so much. They paused as Gary came to the edge of the carpet to meet them, taking Andi by the hand and turning her swiftly so that her skirt flared out, flashing his own smile at the audience and calling out “What do you think, folks, is she gorgeous or what?” The applause was ebbing when they finally sat on the couch and Gary resumed his place behind the desk. “Amanda, my assistant has a bet with me about your gown. Can you tell me about it before we get to the juicy stuff?” She laughed for it was the same question asked of her in the Green Room. “First you have to promise to call me Andi. No-one has called me Amanda for years. This is a Narciso Rodriguez from Andres’ here in Wellington. He’s a genius when it comes to knowing what looks suitable. I love to shop at Andre’s, so does Urs.” There, she thought, that should make the little man happy, two mentions of his name. “Urs, you look like a happy man and why not. How did you meet this mystery woman, there aren’t even any rumors floating about, no photos of dates. You’ve managed to keep the whole thing very secret.” Urs slipped his hand over Andi’s. “Yeah the privacy was nice. We met when Andi came to Wellington, about nine months back. She does a lot of screen writing, for Saul as well as others, and did some major surgery on Dark Destiny. We kind of hit it off as friends, hung out for a few months, on set, surfing, and suddenly I realized she was the one. Then I chased her until she let me catch her and here we are, married.” The gleam from their rings caught Gary’s eyes and he insisted they hold their left hands so the camera could do a close up. “My family was at your wedding and at the Hangi after and they can’t stop talking about it. We’ve got a clip from the videos taken. It was a traditional Maori wedding, in the Marae in Tauranga. Let’s watch.” The monitor to the side of the stage blinked and there it was, the flower strewn path, the group of sarong clad women leading Andi, Urs waiting on the path, looking eager and sexy with his oiled body, the challenge, part of the fight, Andi and Urs in front of the Ariki while he lifted the veil and when he kissed his bride. The screen blinked again and they were back live. The audience was cheering wildly and Gary had to yell to be heard as he announced a comm.-ercial break. A number of the audience came to the front with cameras, calling out to Urs and Andi for photos and they went to the edge of the stage to pose, talking and smiling, holding hands, snuggling together, one kiss that started out chaste, began to evolve but was quickly ended by Urs. Andi threw her head back and laughed when he whispered the reason. His pants were too tight, to get even the slightest arousal would be painful. The floor manag-er called for places at the 15 second mark and they were safely seated when they went back live. “We’re back. I received a great gift today, a book I’ve been waiting to read for three years, ever since I read the last one by this author.” He stood the book up so the camera could catch it. “Carnivale, by Mandy Aroha. I don’t know how many of you have read the other works by this secretive author. She writes one every three years, intense novels of mystery and intrigue, with twists and turns and a strong, sensitive, courageous, yet insecure woman that I have never yet been able to second guess. If this author was available I might even be tempted to get married, but she’s taken. Andi Buhler IS Mandy Aroha.” They talked for a while after the hubbub died down, where did she get her ideas, why every three years, did she actually visit the places she wrote about. Gary segued it easily into the work she did on Dark Destiny and they talked for a while about the film, the hot location shooting in Australia, the scene that Saul wouldn’t allow in the trailer, yet. Urs was evasive about it, agreeing with Saul that a teaser at the right time would spark interest. Gary asked what Urs’s next work was to be and he laughed and said he had nothing planned except to enjoy his life with Andi for a while. They went to commercial again and this time Nickleback was setting up and both Urs and Andi went over to meet them. They talked music for the rest of the break, rushed back to their seats on the return and spent the next ten minutes enjoying the music. The rest of the show was over quickly and now they were heading home, ready for the next days of interviews, photo sessions, visits from photo-graphers to their home, some candid photos on the beach, at the market, posed but appearing in print as if done by paparazzi. This would be the last relatively private time they would have until Peter was fooled into coming after Andi. “I thought that tiger was going to try to climb into your lap. He sure seemed to like you. In fact, I don’t think there was a male in the place that didn’t want to be near you,” Urs teased, loving the way her face went rosy. “He just likes women, Joren told me that during the break. You should have pet him. He was so soft and such thick fur. I wanted to bury my face in it but I’m not that brave,” she said, laughing at herself for being too timid. They saw lights on in the Carstairs place as they pulled into their own well lit driveway. Flip opened the door even before they completely stopped and came to the limo, nodding to Urs and helping Andi from the vehicle. “Great show, the camera loves you, Andi, you might want to consider doing some on-screen work.” She threw her hands up in mock horror. “Not a chance! I’m happy behind the scenes. We only need one star in this family. And what are you doing still up?” “Company,” he said and glanced across the road and to the side of the house. “It’s early but we thought it was best to start now even though our report from Auckland says he’s still there.” They entered the house, more somber now, the reality of what they were doing crashing down on them. Andi excused herself, went upstairs to wash off the makeup and change to her robe, Urs to the office to forward most of his emails to the secretarial service he used, printing the ones from Tonu and Saul. He told Flip to get some sleep since the unseen friends were on duty and climbed the stairs to his wife. The lights were on but Andi was already in bed, already asleep, laying on her side with one bare arm on top of the velvety blanket. He stripped, put his clothes away and did the usual bathroom routine, then makeup gone, teeth brushed, hit the master control for the lights and slid into bed to curl up to her back. She murmured his name and nestled closer, slipping her cool hand into his when his strong arm came over her, scooting down a bit in the bed so her head fit under his chin. “I’m here, Baby,” he said. “I’ll always be here for you.” She relaxed into his embrace and sighed, sinking into sleep again while he lay enjoying the warmth of her body against his, thinking of the day as he too drifted off into dreams.

CHAPTER 24

Celia dropped by early in the morning, full of praise for the talk show, feigning envy over the Narciso Rodriguez gown, though her body type and coloring was all wrong for it and she knew it. She had an early appointment at the hospital with Dr. Oakley and took the hefty file of Andi’s medical records with her, promising to do her best to interest the doctor and secure a speedy appointment. Urs and Andi had a lazy morning, both working on their lap-tops for a while before Urs and Flip started dismantling the exercise equipment next door and bringing it to one of his spare rooms to set up. They stopped to watch as Andi exercised on the deck, a sort of Tai Chi routine she had worked out with almost balletic moves, all done to music from the movies Dangerous Moonlight {Addinsell} and the Cosi fan tutte from Sunday, Bloody Sunday {Mozart}, segueing into a cool down to the Dances with Wolves theme {Barry}, then the hauntingly lovely Gabriel’s Oboe from the Mission {Morricone}. She was a delight to watch, dressed in a black unitard, all signs of her injury gone as she bent and worked her muscles, stretching them out, relaxing into another move, doing walkovers, flowing from one to the next. They parked themselves on the counter of the outdoor bar and she spotted them but kept going, flashing a smile to them as she moved smoothly from a standing split with her hands on her lower ankle, her face on her knee. “Feels good,” she said, not at all out of breath, though her face was shiny with sweat. “Looks even better,” Urs answered and she laughed as she moved into a graceful side stretch, straightened, emptied and filled her lungs three times before a walk over that extended her body over the other leg. “Need something? Almost done, just have to cool down.” “Naw, we just like watching you. Good music, at least it’s not Bonnie.” “Tomorrow! Now go away.” They laughed and went back to work. The groceries they had ordered online came just before lunch and Andi dove in the bag of fruit to snag some before putting the rest away. She took it to the sink to wash, commenting to Urs who was nosing through the bags. ”I’m always so hungry. I eat but it never seems to fill me up. I’ll make lunch in a few minutes but right now I have to nibble something.” Urs took an apple from the pile of washed fruit on the counter, quartered, cored it and held a piece up for her to bite while she rinsed off a huge bunch of grapes. Andi directed the disposition of the groceries, at the same time putting together a large Caesar Salad and grilling some fresh tuna steaks, filling several bowls with fresh fruit and putting the remainder in the fruit cooler of the frig. They ate on the deck, Andi sipping on iced tea and the guys with beer. “You’ll never guess what Nona is doing now. There was an email from her this morn-ing, yes from Nona. She says Yano is teaching her how to use the computer so she can play gin on line. I promised to play her tonight.” Urs looked astonished and then laughed as he helped himself to a banana that Andi took as soon as it was peeled. “Sure, I’ll peel a banana for you Pixie! Anything else you need?” “No thanks. This is enough for now.” She said and stuffed half of it in her mouth while he laughed at her. “Did you remember to write down her email address?” “Duh, of course, give me some credit. It’s in both address books. I like her name. Shepherd, suits her.” She took a handful of grapes and rose to clear the table. “Leave it, Baby. Rosa will be here in a few minutes and she gets upset if there’s nothing to do. We just have time for showers before we have to get ready. The interview is at 3.” They opted for casual this time, Urs in his signature black, jeans and Tee, Andi in jeans and an emerald green raw-silk tank top. A check of the time showed that they had half an hour before it was time to leave so they went to the terrace and lounged, sipping on bottled water. “We have to talk about a few things soon, Kiwi. Help with the house, and in fact if we will stay here in this house. I love it, I like the lay out and the view and the way you have it set up. Is it going to be convenient though, with your career rising so rapidly? And we need to get money out of the way. I’m not nearly as naïve as people like to think I am. Or maybe it’s the other way around, not as naïve as I like people to think I am.” She laughed and continued. “I know you must have spent an enormous amount of money on our wedding and even more at Andre’s. We’ve never ever spoken about finan-ces, when we’re alone, you know what almost always happens.” She blushed and he laughed at her, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. “Urs, I’m serious. MMM damn you, Urs Buhler, now look what you’ve done.” He looked down and saw that there was an obvious sign of her pleasure, visible through the lace of her bra and the silky tank top. He leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “You’re right. I’ll behave for now. Andi there is no problem with money. I get paid a lot of money for working in film, more than we can easily spend unless we develop some very bad habits. I didn’t ask for a pre-nupt because I don’t like them. It’s almost like predisposing a bad ending for the marriage and that isn’t going to happen to us. What I make is ours, what I have is ours.” “That’s just it, Urs, what about what I make? I have a few commitments but mostly what’s in my accounts just sits there getting bigger. Will you feel dishonoured, if I give you access to it or lump it in with your earnings? I would like to share everything I am and everything I have with you too.” He stared at her for a moment, his face serious. “Do you know how adorable you look when you try to be stern and serious? Sorrrree! I did promise to behave.” He leaned forward and took her hands in his. “As soon as there’s time we’ll get a financial advisor to lead us through this mine field. I already think of everything about both of us as ‘ours’. We’ll work it out. And about the house, we’ll talk but I think you’ll find that having a sanctuary, a base to always come back to will be a blessing, whether it’s this house or one we like even better. When I have to go on location, if it’s a long shoot, it would make me real happy if you and the baby came too. I don’t think either of us would be happy being separated. That 2 months in Oz taught me how miserable I get when I’m away from you.” She smiled and pushed him back in his chair, plop-ping herself on his lap with her arms on his shoulders. “Oh, Kiwi, do you realize what an adventure we’re starting on? We have a whole world to discover, places to go, new things to do, people to meet, a child to love and raise. You have brought such joy to my life, Urs Buhler!” They were drowning in a blissful kiss when Flip strolled in, looked, backed out politely and knocked. “Hey guys, time to go, Urs, Andi? Hey, come up for air you two, we gotta go.” The studio sent a limo for them and once again Flip sat with the driver. He wore a light jacket over his tee shirt and Andi remarked on it when the were entering the offices, quickly biting off her comment when he opened the jacket slightly and she saw the harness and gun he was concealing beneath his left arm. Urs felt her tremble, then tense as she fought with her instinctive dislike of weapons, reasoned the necessity and accepted it.
“It’s just a precaution, Pixie. Don’t get upset.” “I know. It just surprised me, but I’m OK. Lead me on into the lions den.” Saul met them by the conference room doors, bubbling over with enthusiasm about the show the night before. “Great PR for the movie, you two, and the show is very popular all over, even picked up by some stations in Oz. This stuff in the rags today should do it though. How you holding up Andi?” “Actually I’m scared to death but I’ll be damned if I’ll let them see it.” She laughed and tensed as he reached for the door. “Just be your sweet self. You’ll do fine. OK let’s do it.” Saul opened the door and quickly walked into the room, waving at the massed photographers and reporters. This entrance opened directly onto a stage, raised a couple of feet above the main floor where cameras flashed and whirred quietly, the reporters and cameramen calling out to Urs and Andi, making an incredible din. At center stage a cloth draped table had been set up with chairs behind it, three microphones placed in front of the chairs. They walked across to the table, pausing once for several minutes while a bunch of still shots where taken, smiling until Andi thought her face would stay that way permanently. Finally they sat and the place quieted slightly, Saul trying to restore some kind of order, while Andi tried vainly to sit in the deep chair and still see over a table seemingly built for giants. “Man you guys sound like a feeding frenzy at the zoo. You’ll all get a turn, just chill. Guess I don’t have to introduce the couple you came to interview but I will anyway. Ladies and gents, my friends, Urs and Andi Buhler.” Urs rose and waved for silence. “We seem to have a little problem here. This table is way too high. If you’ll have patience for a moment we’ll fix it.” “Come on Pixie, lets get up close and personal.” He picked up the mikes from their stands, gave them to Saul, took Andi’s hand and led her to the edge of the stage, jumping down and reaching back up to lift her and seat her on the edge. Saul joined them and passed the mikes to them as the crowd cheered and clapped. The questions started almost immediately. “Urs, can you tell us how and when you met?” “I’ve known Andi through the books she writes for quite a few years but met her when she was recovering from a car accident. She’s done a lot of screenwriting for movies I worked in, did for Dark Destiny too, even though she couldn’t walk then.” “Andi, you’re something of a mystery woman. Why is it we’ve never heard of you before?” She smiled at the woman asking the question. “There isn’t much mystery about me really. I’m a private person, don’t much like the spotlight and I guess have always been content with my own company. I have an insatiable desire to learn and to write, so if there were books and my computer and music, I didn’t feel a need for more, that is until I met Urs. He’s taught me to share myself, to make friends, to experience the things I usually just read about.” She laughed and took his hand. “He’s even giving me lessons in surfing.” “Urs, why the secrecy? You’ve never been shy about who you were dating before. There wasn’t any hint that you had a serious relationship going on except for something way back, at the airport. And then your wedding, no leaks about it until after.” Urs laughed at the reporter, accustomed to the personal questions and the flare of flash of the cameras, he seemed comfortable as he lounged against the stage and held Andi’s hand. “I haven’t changed, I’m still not shy, just kind of quiet sometimes. When I met Andi, there was a different feeling about our friendship. I guess I felt protective of her at first, then when things got serious, I didn’t want any gossip or rumors spoiling what was developing. It was great just being a couple of normal people, falling in love. And the wedding, well you know my heritage. I’ve always been proud of my Maori blood and I found out that Andi has great respect for the people, the traditions and customs. We just decided to go for it and a couple of days later the Ariki in Tauranga married us in the Marae. I think Saul has some stills of the ceremony if you want some later.” “Andi, now that the secret is out can you tell us your name. I can’t find a mention of an Andi Becker anywhere.” Andi felt a shiver run through her. They knew this question would come, dreaded it and had decided that the truth was the best defense. Urs squeezed her hand and smiled at her. “I was born in North America and lived there until I was eighteen. It was not a happy life, one that even now I prefer to forget, so I used the name Becker and a friend shortened Amanda to Andi. We traveled extensively, a Maori woman and myself, and it was through her that I learned so much about Aotearoa and the way of life of the People. After the accident I needed a place of peace and beauty to work on my recovery and so we came here, to Wellington, to the land of the long white cloud, the place where my life finally began. So, yes, I will tell you my real name. My name is Gabrielle Amanda Buhler.” The questions went on, and on, shifting back and forth from personal queries about their courtship that Urs fielded without giving anything away, to news of any pending movies, to how Urs really was to work with, to Saul’s next project, to how much work had Andi done over the years for Saul and how he had ‘discovered’ her. Urs managed to convey to the press that they would be going on a honeymoon later in the year, but now they both had too many projects on the go so they would stay home, working hard, not even bothered by a maid for they had one that came only 2 afternoons, Tuesday and Friday and those would be days for the surfing lessons. He hinted that they were anxious to start a family and perhaps that would be a priority project. Andi blushed as he knew she would when he said this and he hugged her. “I love it when she does that,” he said to the crowd in general and they lapped it up. “Be careful Kiwi. I only put up with you because your Maori is better than mine and you can change light bulbs with out standing on a chair!” He laughed, as did the press and Saul, both men happy that Andi felt comfortable enough to tease. Anoth-er round of photos and it was over, though they both knew that there would be cameras on the beach Tuesday to snap the surfing lesson. Unfortunately Andi and Urs would not be there because they thought it should wait until after the baby came. They went to Saul’s temporary office to relax while the press took their leave.

CHAPTER 25, PART 1

Flip came in from a casual patrol around the neighborhood. disguised as someone going for a short jog and literally ran into Urs coming from the office with a grim look on his face. “News?” he asked quietly, looking around for Andi since he knew Urs would not want to upset her. “He’s on the move, was spotted boarding a flight for Well-ington. They should be here mid afternoon.” The casual, friendly Maori morphed into a fierce warrior as he slipped into his protective mode, seeming to grow in height and bulk even as Urs watched. “I’ll take care of getting every-thing set up. You get the hard job, convincing your mate that she has to leave.” Flip left Urs in the foyer, striding swiftly to the office to set in motion all their plans. Urs walked slowly to the kitchen where Andi was cleaning up after finishing the glazing of a couple of cakes she had made, one for the other house, one for Urs and Flip and the insatiable appetites they had for sweets. She looked up as he came in the room and her smile froze as she met his eyes. “Tell me,” she said quietly as he took the few steps to her and grasped her suddenly clammy hands. “He’s enroute from Auckland.” He pulled her hands to bring her body close to him, wrapping his arms around her, felt her shiver and clasp him tightly around the waist, her heart beat rapid against his chest. “Easy, Baby, This is what we wanted, what we need so it will be over. Flip is alerting everyone to be ready And he’s calling his friend at the airstrip to have your plane ready.” He felt her tense, the fear of Peter forgotten momentarily as she resisted leaving him. “Andi, we talked about this already. I need to know you and the baby are safe. Please, sweetheart, do this my way. Trust me.” She was still tense but raised her head to look at him and tried to smile. “Promise me you won’t take any chances. There is no future for me without you, Urs. Our Baby needs his Father.” “His? You seemed so sure of a son. Is there something you aren’t telling me?” He returned her smile, the actor in him making his more believable than hers. “Hanna, she claims to be right 90% of the time and she has decided we will have a son.” He put his arm around her shoulder and led her to the stairs, kissing the top of her head as they climbed the steps to get her suitcase. “Well if she’s wrong then we can have the fun of trying again.” In the bedroom they clung together for a few moments, not talking, memorizing the feelings of mouth on mouth, the taste of each other, hands caress-ing, willing the strength each knew the other would need to stay calm and focused. Andi broke away from him to pack the few last items in her small case and Urs took it from her to return downstairs. Flip was waiting in the foyer when they got to the bottom of the stairs. “The pilot is ready whenever you are, Andi, and the van is waiting outside. This all you’re taking?” “Yes, oh wait, I promised Nona some CD’s to burn. They are still at the house. I’ll be right back.” She tried to head for the back of the house to cross over through the hedge but found her arm grasped firmly by Urs. “I’ll go with you,” he said with raised brows and she laughed with guilt. After the past few days of only being alone in the bathroom she should have known better. She took his hand and they passed through the hedge to the other house. Jenna was working, cleaning the bathrooms when they arrived and Andi started quickly going through the stack of CD’s looking for the ones she needed. “Jenna, I wonder if you could finish with the baths and leave the rest for another day?” Urs asked the housekeeper and she looked at him in surprise. “Andi is going away for a few days and there will be a few people coming in and out at odd hours, lots of work for you, both here and next door after they leave. When she comes back I promise we’ll settle into a regular schedule again.” He smiled at her and of course no one could resist the Urs Buhler smile so she nodded and began to gather up her cleaning tools. Andi swung by the kitchen as they were leaving, grabbing the bag of doggie biscuits, waved good bye at Jenna and they went back to Urs house. They were quiet in the van going to the airport, cuddled tog-ether in the back seat while Flip rode with the driver, his black eyes never still for long as he watched everything and everyone they passed on the way. The van drove right onto the tarmac, stopping just yards from the idling small plane and both driver and Flip got out, standing beside the vehicle, scanning the surroundings. Urs pulled Andi onto his lap and took her dear face in his hands. “Thank you for not fighting me on this, my Love.” He kissed her gently, deepening the kiss until they lost themselves in sensations, leaving her mouth to lay his face against her neck, hoping she wouldn’t cry and that he wouldn’t as well. “Remember how much I love you, Urs, and that I want you back in one piece.” “I promise. I love you, Little Mother.” Flip opened the door and Urs helped her out, acco-mpanied her to the door of the plane, followed her up the 4 shallow steps then watched from the doorway as she belted in, jumped back to the tarmac and watched as the plane taxied out onto the runway and threw itself into the sky. He sighed and turned back to the waiting van, steeling himself for the problem at hand. It wasn’t until she left the small plane and was enfolded in Nona’s comforting arms that her resolve failed and she wept bitterly while the older woman held her, waiting it out. Finally she raised her head, wiped her tear-streaked face and smiled. “There that feels better. I couldn’t let go and worry Urs and it was so hard to keep everything bottled up. Kiaora Yano, Nona. Have you heard anything yet?” “Child you just left him less than an hour ago, there’s hardly been time for anything to happen. C’mon lets go to the house.” Yano stood in the back gripping the roll bar as Nona drove in her usual style, pulling up at the main house in a swirl of dust. “Thought you might like to stay with us until Urs comes to pick you up. That way we can sit up all night talking and there’ll be food handy. Urs says you eat all the time, must be a boy.” Nona laughed and put her arm about Andi’s shoulder as they went in the house, Yano quietly grab-bing the single bag and laptop and following. He placed the laptop on the kitchen table and nodded toward it. “Call him, You both will feel better.” She booted up her computer, clicked on the instant messenger icon and then ‘Kiwi’. He answered immediately, plainly waiting for her message. Kiwi says: No news, I miss u already. Pixie says: Be careful! Don’t forget how much I love you! Kiwi says: The house is like a fortress, he can get in but he won’t get out! Trust me, I will rid our lives of this man! I love you, wife. Call me later. This was the time of year when there was little to do about the ranch, daily chores and maintenance, and some of the hands were away on holidays. Dinner was a smaller group, nine now with Andi there and they ate at a long table on the covered back porch, near the grills. All the hands were happy to see Andi, pleased at the marriage of herself and Urs, none aware of the drama that was playing out in Wellington. They teased her, treated her with exaggerated tenderness when they realized she was expecting, all these big, tough men awed by the process of creating a life. Nona and Andi went for a walk about the gardens and paddocks after dinner, laughing at the antics of the foals as they raced about the lush grass, the mares seeming to ignore them but for the ears which moved, tracking the movements of their offspring. By unsaid agreement they didn’t speak of the plan to trap Peter, talked only of the baby, of Urs when he was a child, of the stock, of Nona’s pleasure at being married and her annoyance with herself for not learning about the computer long ago. “I’m already up to orange in Gin and red in Cribbage and if I can figure out what they’re doing I want to try Euchre next. Do you know I played Gin with a woman in Scotland the other night? Imagine that! The world is getting smaller and smaller with all this technology.” Andi laughed. “I guess my gener-ation just takes it for granted, like cell phones. I never use one and Urs hates them but it’s so common to see people walking around talking, even in the grocery store, men phoning their wives to find out if the product they found is the one she wants. No one thinks anything of it.” Nona looked at her in surprise. “I would have thought you would have a cell phone. Wouldn’t it be easier to keep in touch with Selma, you know, warn each other if there was a problem, that sort of thing?” Andi shook her head. “The dangers outweighed the benefit, like credit cards, I’ve never had one of them either, both too easy to trace.” They stopped at the fence of a large field, dotted by a flock of lambs, some resting, some still cropping grass. The sun was bleeding into the mountains, a soft breeze coming from the North pasture, stirring the daisies at the borders of the field. “The two lambs you nursed that terrible night are out there, as healthy as the rest after such a scary start. I can’t tell which ones they are anymore.” She turned to face Andi and grinned at her, looking very like Urs in the dim light. “I was in such a hurry that night, so bossy, didn’t even give you a proper welcome. And I thought we would come back to a little city girl crying in an empty kitchen. You surprised hell out of me, child, and before we finished eating that Texas stew I knew that Urs would have to be crazy to let you go. I could see the love in his eyes and in yours too, but the fear as well, and not for yourself. You were afraid even then of hurting him and I loved you for that. Now I love you for yourself, Andi.”
She hugged the surprised, blushing younger woman and continued. “We’re a sturdy breed, Child. He’s strong and healthy and full of piss and vinegar. He’ll come out of this alright.” They saw Yano coming from the bunkhouse and joined him walking back to the house. “Andi, I’ve told the men there is a problem with a stalker, that’s why you’re here and Urs isn’t, that he wants to keep you safe while he deals with it. I didn’t go into detail, just that there was someone who was after you and they should be extra careful if they see someone they don’t know. We often get naturalists or hikers crossing the land and Nona and I want to be especially alert, call it plan B if you like.” He laughed to make light of his words. They reached the house just as the phone rang, the special double ring of a long distance call, not like that from the neighboring ranches. Yano answered and after a moment smiled and held the handset out to Andi. “Urs and he says he’s lonely, wants to hear your voice.” They left her alone in the kitchen and she sat at the table, her heart racing though Yano had assured her it wasn’t bad news. “Andi? This settles it. When I go on location you have to come too. It’s only been a few hours and I’m going crazy. I miss you so.” “Urs, you scared me. I thought it was news, bad news. But I am happy to hear your voice. I’m sleeping in the main house tonight. I couldn’t face trying to sleep in our place, not in that huge bed without you.” “I’m not even going to try. Flip is on my case about resting, tried to get me to eat but I couldn’t except some salad.” “Urs Buhler, now you stop this right this minute! Eating vegetarian is sensible for a while but you’ll need lots of energy so you better eat properly. You can’t let your anger rule you or you’ll make mistakes. Do some Tai Chi to get relaxed, at least lie down and rest. If you aren’t going to keep in control, I’m coming back and I’ll, I’ll, well I’ll think of something to punish you.” As she had hoped he laughed. “Now there’s a promise I’m looking forward to. You’re right. The guys will wake me if there’s any news. I knew if I talked to you I’d feel better. When this is over I’ll come for you and we can spend a couple of days on the ranch. I miss your face Pixie.” “And I miss that lemony way you smell when you’ve been sweating. It makes me want to lick your skin, all salty and wet, like you’ve had hot lemonade poured over you.” “Don’t, it’s going to be hard enough sleeping alone! Have mercy, woman! I’m going for a nice cool swim. Message me in the morning. Sleep well, Baby.” Andi laughed and said she loved him as they disconnected. Her mood was lighter as she joined Yano and Nona in the cozy living room and they sat in comfortable quiet watching the copy of Dark Destiny that Saul had sent for Nona. It was a good movie, maybe even great, fast paced and with a storyline that not only made sense but swept the small audience up, feeling the pain and joys of the actors, for both Urs and Julie perhaps their best efforts yet. Andi was watching raptly when she realized that the rape scene was coming up soon and went to the kitchen claiming hunger. She timed it just right and came back when the scene was over, on the screen Urs was donning his clothing and crying. Nona took her hand as Andi sat next to her, said nothing but it was evident that the claim of needing something to eat had not fooled anyone. She tossed and turned all night but, remembering the advice she had given Urs, at least lay in bed, reading for a while, a poorly written mystery that should have bored her into the realms of Morpheus but didn’t.

CHAPTER 25, PART 2

At dawn she rose and started some bread to rise, made coffee and stood on the porch to watch the line of sunshine creeping down the distant mountains as it rose behind her. The pastures were shiny with morning dew, the few horses foraging with wet marks to their knees, the foals already having nursed, now at play. A wisp of smoke rose straight up in the still air, coming from the bunkhouse as the hands made their own coffee and breakfast and she waved at the first of them as they emerged with mugs in hand. Tedi came out and headed for the barn with a bucket, dog food she knew. As the youngest hand he naturally was given all the scutt jobs, paying his dues cheerfully, never complaining as he was sent off to the barn, the garden, the landing field shed. The dogs met him halfway, jumping about, the males following Iree’s lead. Yano was in the kitchen when she went back in, smiling at her as he put together a breakfast of bacon and eggs, made toast and sliced fruit. “Sleep well?” he asked and laughed when she shot him a rueful glance. “Didn’t think you would. Nona was restless too, that’s why I left her in bed. I’ll hear about it when she gets up. She hates to show any weakness.” He laughed and sat at the table to eat.
“Anything from Urs yet?” “I haven’t messaged him yet. I hoped he was still sleeping.” “He’s up. You can call him. Trust me Andi, he didn’t sleep much either.” Sure enough when she booted up the ‘puter and messaged him he answered in seconds. Kiwi says: G’day beautiful! I already brushed my teeth so it’s safe to give me a wake up kiss. LOL. How I wish you could! He’s on the move is the latest news, was tracked to the airport and booked into a hotel in downtown Wellington, accompanied by two weight lifter types. We have guys at the Hotel here to track him but it’s too early. I would tell you not to worry, but I know it isn’t in your nature. Pixie says: Be careful, Urs. He’s so devious, he won’t do what you expect him to. And yes I will worry, your are so dear to me, I can’t stand the thought of you putting yourself in danger. Wish I was there just for a moment to taste your minty mouth and feed off your courage. Mine is sadly lacking today. Kiwi says: That I can’t believe. I read somewhere that true courage is being afraid and doing what needs done anyway. You’ve always done that and are doing what you must now, protecting our child. I love you, Andi, I always will. It should only be a little longer until this is over. The police are watching the house along with Tonu’s men. When he breaks in they’ll get him, after we have a little chat. The stalker laws here are pretty tough. Pixie says: Keep me posted and come for me as soon as you can. I need to touch you and know that you’re alright. Namarie. All through that long day Andi was never far from the ‘puter yet the frequent messages had no real news. Peter was esconced in the penthouse of one of the grand hotels, used the landline infrequently, normal calls to check flight times at the airport, theatre tickets, all non-threatening calls. Without a warrant they couldn’t check on his cell phone calls so they waited and waited. The third day dawn-ed bright and clear. Again, with Andi on the porch watching the light march down the mountain slopes. The dogs were accustomed to seeing her there now and came to visit, never relaxing their vigil on the bunkhouse, waiting for Tedi to emerge. She joined Yano when her canine companions deserted her, sank into the kitchen chair with exhausttion and smiled fleetingly when he grasped her shoulder in comfort. “The waiting is telling on you, child. Heard from Urs?” “Yes, no news. What is Peter waiting for? I don’t like it. I have a terrible feeling of foreboding, as if something really bad is going to happen.” She sighed and sipped at the coffee Yano handed her. They talked a while, Nona joining them moments later. The dark circles under her eyes as well showing that she too had slept poorly again. Nona and Yano discussed the days assignments, most of the hands taking some of the many vehicles to check on the scattered flocks to the south, Yano and Merl to the North to bring in some horses for an order to be filled, Tedi to the airstrip to mend the roof on the shed. Only Tedi would be back for lunch so the women made stacks of sandwiches and wrapped desserts while Yano filled thermoses. Alone in the rambling house they made a light breakfast of fruit and toast, neither having the energy or the taste for anything heavy, then for something to occupy their minds and bodies started re-organizing the store rooms. They played CD’s, loud so they could hear them in the store rooms but this time the singing along was half hearted and soon died out altogether. Andi was nervous, more so than the past two days, kept dropping things and found it hard to concentrate. Nona put a bin of discards out the back door onto the side porch, things from the dated and labeled supplies that she thought had been around too long and gave her a nudge toward the kitchen. “Go make tea while I still have a few unbroken things to my name. You’re nervous as a lamb facing a pack of wolves.” Andi put the kettle on and set out cups, cream and sugar, all the while fighting the rising panic that threatened to bubble into weeping. She toed her shoes off, checking them for shards of broken glass from the platters she dropped, set them to one side and when the kettle whistled poured the water into the pot, set the tea to steep and called Nona. There was no answer and she took a step toward the store room, hearing the voice behind her but refusing to let it register. “Hello Gabrielle.”

CHAPTER 26

It was very like one of his movies, the tension, the heli skimming the ground, chasing the bad guys, the beautiful woman needing to be saved by the hero he was portraying and yet this felt real, more gripping than any scene he had played before. The scene changed and he watched in horror as the burly men tugged at her hair, ripping out chunks, leaving her scalp bloody while she bit her lip, refusing to cry out, to give them the satisfaction that they wanted of hearing her scream with pain. He tried to reach her but was blocked, the air like thick jelly that closed around him, robbing him of breath, inhibiting his forward motion. He sat up, suddenly wide awake, dripping with nightmare induced sweat, to find Flip standing in the doorway of his bedroom. “Urs? You alright Man? I could hear you yelling all the way downstairs.” Urs swung his legs off the side of the huge, lonely bed and rested his arms on his thighs, needing a moment to curb the residual fear from the dream. He looked up at the young Maori man and smiled. “Nightmare, this waiting for him to attack is getting to me. Any word?” Flip shook his head. “Nothing, go talk to Andi. You’ll feel better if you know she’s safe. And stop worrying. He can get in here, but he won’t get out, except dead or in handcuffs.” Flip flexed his considerable muscles and turned on silent feet to go back downstairs, taking up his position once more, waiting as they all were for Evil to fall into the trap they had laid. Urs replaced the hand set and stood thinking about the news just relayed to him. Peter and one of his men had been tracked to a diner about 3 miles from the house. They were inside enjoying a late breakfast, not making any move to leave or call another cab and where was the other one? Sending his hired man to silence Andi didn’t seem like the kind of thing he would do at this point. He made coffee and toast, almost able to hear Andi admonishing him to eat, worked out for a while, stopping every ten minutes or so to glance out past the edge of the curtain, try-ing to spot any vehicles that shouldn’t be around. After nearly an hour he gave up with the workout, drank a glass of juice and tried to calm himself. The dream from his short nap was still with him, disturbing, nagging at his subconscious, not allowing him to lose the uneasy feeling he had. He paced and as he passed his puter he glanced at it automatically, checking for a message icon from Andi. Nothing, perhaps he should message her, just to keep in touch. He reached for the keypad but remembered that she told him earlier that they would be in the store room most of the morning, doing a yearly clear out and tidy up. She wouldn’t take her laptop out there with all that dust swirling about. He resumed his pacing until Flip came in. “Nothing, just the pool men next door. Park it man, you’re making me nervous.” The front door wasn’t locked and Leni, one of the guards came in. “Don’t know if it’s anything, bro, but it’s been bothering me, just doesn’t feel right. Only one of the pool men came out and drove off about an hour ago and the other one is still there. Cop didn’t think to mention it until I got off patrol just now.” “Men? There’s only one guy, young, about 24 or 5, blonde, tall, thin.”
They raced out the back door, the shortest way, heard the phone ringing as they ran and Urs called for Flip to get it. Through the gate and across the empty deck into the living room and they stopped. A young blonde man lay on his back in the middle of the room, his shorts, tank top and the surrounding furnishings sprayed with the blood that had fountained from his slashed throat, his sightless eyes wide with dismay but showing no spark of life. Across the room, Jenna lay on the table, her clothing ripped, small painful cuts on her legs and arms, bruises on her neck, one arm twisted unnaturally. Her side oozed blood onto the table top, she was breathing, but lightly, a froth of bubbles at her lips as she saw Urs and tried to speak. “Leni, call for help!” Urs bent over her and tried to soothe the woman but she made the effort again to talk. “Came to let pool man in. He hurt me too much, so scared. Told him. Sorry, told him. Dog biscuits, probably at the ranch. Don’t want to die! Help, Please help me.” Leni came back to his side, paling under his naturally dark skin when he looked at the little housekeeper. “They’re coming, what did she say?” “He knows where Andi is, knows about the ranch. Stay with her Leni, don’t let her move.” Flip raced in the door as Urs turned to leave. “A pool maintenance truck picked them up at the diner. What the hell happened here?” “No time, where did they go?” “The cops who were watching said they headed for the private airstrip south of town. They thought they were leaving, got busy busting some kids for shoplifting and just reported it to the Captain. They have nearly an hour lead on us.” “They know about the ranch, know Andi is there. Flip, talk to the officers outside, try to get us transport. I have to try to get Andi on the puter.” He was at the keyboard in less than a minute and had to key in her address twice, clicking another on the address list, his fingers clumsy with haste. Kiwi says: Andi he’s coming to the ranch, get out of there. There was no answer and he repeated the message and sent it again. Still no answer. He tried the land line and got an ‘out of service’ recording. The front door burst open as he was redialing, Flip and an officer. “Let’s go, choppers coming, the park down the street. They say we can reach the ranch in 35 minutes.” The sounds of an ambulance coming at full speed and the welcome ‘whump, whump, of landing helicopters filled the air as they ran the half block to the park, the few people about scattering at the sight of a fierce bunch of men pelting across the grass and the armed officers who beckoned them to 2 idling helicopters. The last man had just barely jumped in when they were airborne, rose straight up and slid in an arc to speed north.

She looked up and saw Nona, in the doorway with a beefy man holding her, one huge arm around her throat. Behind her a chair scraped as it was dragged across the floor and she took a deep cleansing breath before she turn-ed. Peter sat casually at the kitchen table, leaning back on two legs of the chair, a smug smile on his face. It was a surreal moment, frozen, the only sound the music coming from the stereo, Peter relaxed and confident, Andi facing him with ice and hatred in her eyes, Nona pale but rigid with anger. A movement near the living room became the other thug as he moved into the room and pulled the plug on the stereo. “That’s better. Your passion for trashy music has been your downfall this time, Gabrielle. You would have heard the plane land if it wasn’t for the so call-ed music.” Andi said nothing, waiting for him to set the tone. He smiled and adjusted his clothing, natty as always in tan slacks and a v necked knit top, his footwear brown, crepe soled casual boots, very clean, except for a little rim of dust around the soles. He was bald again, his thinning hair shaved off and his head looked oiled, the bumpy surface gleaming. “Nothing to say? Well I’m sure you’ll be singing like the proverbial bird soon. I’ve come to take you home. We have a little party planned and you are to be the guest of honor.” “How did you find me Peter?” She sounded calm but inside she was shaking with fear. What had happened, was Urs alright, how could she get away, protect her baby from this monster. Her mind was in turmoil while her outward appearance remained unruff-led. He laughed and explained as she knew he would, his ego needing constant stroking, if not by others then by his biggest fan, himself. “You’ve become sneaky over the years, Gabrielle. I didn’t trust you and decided to check. It’s surprising how quickly you can buy friends. Your pool man was eager to line his pocket with my money in payment for letting a ‘reporter’ go along with him into your house. Unfortunately he wasn’t quite so cooperative when I followed him too and Stan questioned the little maid. She was tight lipped until Stan worked on her for a while. I was also forced to give the pool man another smile when the fool interfered. That’s when the woman dec-ided to tell us everything she knew.” He gloated as Andi shuddered and looked at him with revulsion. “Now, now that’s not a pretty face to greet me with after I’ve come all this way to take you home.” “No! I will not go with you, Peter.” Her eyes bored into his and her fists clenched at her sides as she defied him. Instantly his face redden-ed and he sprang to his feet, spittle flying as he screamed at her. “You’ve become an obstinate little bitch! YOU WILL DO AS I SAY!” His voice lowered and smoothed as he let a wicked grin form about his mouth. “You will do as I say or what short life you have left will be filled with pain beyond your wildest imagining, more than any-thing you ever wrote about. Yes, I’ve read that garbage they pay you to write. What a surprise to find that it was written by my own Gabrielle.” He sat back comfortably in the kitchen chair again, seemingly in no hurry to proc-eed now that he had been successful. “We just missed you in Geneva, Gabrielle. It’s too bad really. I had such a lovely reunion planned. It is rather beautiful there is it not? I’m told the skiing in Switzerland is outstanding and of course the views, amazing. When you disappointed me by leaving so abruptly, I decided to stay for a while. Some of the younger tourists made interesting companions for a brief time. Unfortunately the Swiss take a very dim view of some of my more refined tastes and we were forced to leave. I almost despaired of finding you until that little article appeared in the trash tabloid. And you missed some truly entertaining parties at the house. Remember your old room? The most adorable boy is living there now, such a sweet, obedient little fellow.” He rambled on and on about the newcomer in lurid detail, things that Andi could picture from her years of captivity, thinking of it now made her stomach threaten to revolt and she choked back the nausea but let him continue, not reacting, knowing that was what he wanted, knowing only too well how her reaction would trigger his rage and that it was his goal.
Nona went limp in her captor’s arms and in the instant of surprise before he reacted she slid from under his arm and flew across the room to attack Peter. Unfortunately the table was between them and she was grabbed from behind by a hard pull of her grey hair. She was cursing at the men, ordering them out of her house and Peter glared at her. “Stan, shut the old hag up! Now!” Stan backhanded her across the face and she fell, the snapping of a bone in her arm audible as she fell against the heavy Aga on her way down. She lay still, too still, huddled in a broken heap, a tiny trickle of blood staining her hair. Andi wanted to go to her but steeled herself, knowing that if she showed weakness at this point, they would use it against her, would probably hurt Nona again. “I see you haven’t changed any, Peter. Old women and children always were your preferred opponent. Well I’m not a child anymore. You won’t find me quite so easy now.” She knew it was dangerous to provoke him but needed to stall for time, hoping that Yano and the men would come in, that Urs would figure out that the plan had gone very wrong. “You were always so obedient. What has happened to change you, Gabrielle? Have you been too long without a man in your life and now this crude actor? Is he good, Gabrielle? Does he make you scream? Or do you still remember our years together and yearn for them?” She let her anger swell and it made her careless. “I never had a real man in my life before I met Urs. He’s more of a man than you could ever dream of being, Peter. I don’t have to pretend anymore like I did when I endured your pitiful attempts at sex.” He leaped from his chair, letting it fall over back-wards in his rage, his hand darting like a striking snake and clenching her throat. His grip tightened until she felt her neck spasm and she clawed at his hand trying to loosen his grip, desperate to take a breath. He smiled and released her, sucking the bloody nail tracks across his hand as she slid to her knees and gasped, filling her lungs.
“I think we have spent enough idle time in this squalor. Come along, Gabrielle. I have a nice little plane waiting. Hugo here is such a talented man, he’s hung like a stallion, strong and sadistic, a licensed pilot as well. I can hardly wait to get some place private and watch him use you until you scream for mercy. Bring her!” He turned away and strode for the door, trusting his thugs to strong arm Andi after him.

CHAPTER 27

One of the ranch Jeeps waited outside and they propelled Andi toward it, placing her in the passenger seat, her thoughts of dashing away thwarted when they climbed in the back and one of them held her in place. She glanced as Peter got in the drivers seat, noticed the blood on the seat back and her heart thudded. “What did you do with him, the boy who had this Jeep?” Peter grinned at her. “Silly young fool. Let’s just say that he’s not going to see his next birthday,” and he laughed. He drove carefully, keeping to the long driveway, the trip taking considerably longer than when Nona drove. All too soon the buildings at the small field came into view. Andi was running out of options. She could not get on the plane with them or it would be over. She tried to calm her racing heart and breathe deep, filling her lungs for the run to freedom she knew she must attempt. They had just reached the airstrip when one of the men spoke up. “Choppers, sir.” Coming steadily closer were two large helicopters, one veering off towards the house, the other quickly app-roaching the airstrip. They raced to the plane, dragging Andi though she kicked and fought like a demon, clawing and biting at any exposed flesh she could reach, had started to climb in when Hugo swore. “The kid! He wasn’t dead and he messed up the plane.” Sure enough there was nobody anywhere near and the cowling of the plane was open, wires hanging in disarray, a pool of av-gas spreading on the ground. Andi tried to slip out of Hugo’s grip, succeeded in taking a few steps away but Stan caught her in his huge arms. She bit his chin, hard enough to draw blood and he threw her to the ground, catching her in the ribs with one well placed boot but she deflected it with an arm that went numb for a moment, tried to scramble back up but felt herself lifted easily with one of Hugo’s meaty hands around her throat. They threw her in the back of the Jeep, climbed back in and roared off, leaving a cloud of dust as the chopper landed and a half dozen very large men, some in uniform, spewed out of the doors. One of the officers raised a firearm and took aim but was knocked aside by the lunge of a man dressed in black. “No, don’t fire. He has my wife!” Urs whirled as Flip called out to him. As they were landing Flip had spotted a body on the ground and raced to check it out. It was Tedi, still alive but bleeding freely from a long, deep chest wound. “Bast-ards.” he whispered as Urs knelt beside him. “They won’t get that plane in the air again.” He clutched a tangle of wires and tubing in his large hand and tried to grin at Urs. “You did good, Brother. Rest now.” Urs gripped his hand and gestured one of the Maori’s to stay with the injured young man. “We’ll radio for a MediVac for him. Try to stop the bleeding. I’ve got to go after Andi.” He raced for the waiting chopper, followed closely by the others and quickly the pilot took off, the co-pilot radioing for medical help. The pilot beckoned Urs forward and he brac-ed himself, leaning forward to listen with a hand on the back of each seat. “Your aunt was at the house, unconsc-ious, head wound, bruises and a broken arm. She’s trying to get away from the officers to get to a Jeep, wants to help catch them.” Urs smiled a grim, mirthless smile and nodded, his eyes never leaving the grassy plain below them. In seconds the speeding Jeep was visible, careening over the landscape, following a faint track that was used by the men only to get to the North pastures. It led no where else. They caught up with the fleeing vehicle, dropped low over top and could see Andi fighting with one of the big men, raking his face with her nails, biting an arm that tried to restrain her. He swung at her face, a roundhouse blow that should have knocked her from the Jeep but for the interfering roll bar. He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back against the seat, slapping her repeatedly, so hard her head rolled from side to side and blood sprayed from her mouth. Urs seethed with rage, helpless, watching as she fought these vicious creatures, this brave woman he loved more than life, that carried his child in her body, that he couldn’t bear to lose. He couldn’t stop a moan from escaping when the thug wrapped his hand around Andi’s throat, cutting off her air, making it impossible for her to fight him. The pilot tried getting very low, in front of them, but the driver, a slender, bald man that Urs assumed was Peter, veered off the track, angling for the small groves of trees on the steepening hills. The second chopper was approaching fast now and they began herding the fleeing vehicle towards the rocky out-croppings, trying to block the driver, to limit his choices. The ground grew more uneven but Peter never slowed, taking to the air at times as they hit the hidden obstacles head on. They wat-ched in horror as the Jeep flew again. Knew that this time it wouldn’t land flat for it was starting to flip over even as it became airborne. It landed on the drivers side, the wheels still spinning madly, one of the hired thugs in a huddle several feet away, no sign of the others at first. The large rocks were close, the base scant yards away from the overturned Jeep and the pilot was forced to back off slightly to land, Urs and Flip jumping out when it was still ten feet from the ground. They rolled and rose running and now they saw the other men and Andi. Peter and the man who had slapped her so brutally were between them and Andi and she was running, her bare feet and legs flashing over the mounds of dry grass as she ran for her life to the base of the rocks and began to climb. The big man was slower, limping slightly, an injury probably from the crash, Peter doing better, but staggering as he ran, blood trickling from his shaved head. She reached the base and began the easy upgrade, scrambling in the loose stones, using her hands and feet and gaining the first of a series of narrow ledges. Fear gave her agility and she flowed up the ledges like a mountain goat, pausing only once to look back, hurrying on when she saw Peter close behind. On the ground Urs and Flip had reached the big man and Flip tackled him. Urs glanced again at the figures of Andi and Peter on the rocks, saw that Andi had entered the chimney and that Peter was inching across the ledg-es, losing ground to her better skills. He reversed his course and ran back to the chopper, jumping in and yelling. “Up top, take me up top! Her legs aren’t strong enough, she’ll fall!” Two minutes later they were hovering above the table-like top of the rock formation and he leapt from the chopper, a coil of strong rope over his shoulder. He raced to the top of the chimney and wound the rope around a convenient rock, paying little heed to the questions or looks of the four Maori men who joined him. He tied the rope around his waist and walked down the chimney, holding the rope with one hand, his friends understanding and belaying the rope as he descended. He reached Andi just in time, her legs, though still braced against the wall, were shaking and she was afraid to trust them with any more movement. Even as he neared her he saw her feet, bare feet for gawd’s sake, sliding a few inches on the rock wall, heard the soft cry of pain as she tensed the screaming muscles beyond their limit. Peter was still well below her, struggling though he had taken her lead and was slowly moving upward using proper technique. Andi started and raised a clenched fist when Urs touched her shaking leg, sliding down another inch and trying to maintain pressure on her bleeding feet. He grinned at her and held out his arm. “Need a lift, lady?” She smiled and nodded and he moved closer. “Let me take your weight.” She raised her arms and started to slide but he caught her and encircled her body with his strong arm. With ease he swung her around in front of him and she sat in his ‘lap’, wrapping her arms and tired legs around him, her breath rapid against his chest. The men at the top pulled them up quickly, the weight nothing to them and in seconds they were at the top, untied but Urs still holding her close. He walked away from the rim of the chimney and sat her on a mossy covered stump, rubbing her still shaking legs and letting his heart slow down. She was a mess. Her face already starting to bruise, a head wound trickling blood down by her ear, across her bruised neck and staining her tee shirt, her lip was cut, arms bruised and feet bleeding from rock climbing barefoot. She had never looked more beautiful to him. “Nona?” Urs smiled and cupped her face gently, careful of the injuries. “Nasty temper, broken arm. Wanted to come along and catch him.” He grinned at her and she tried but it hurt too much. “Your timing was perfect. I don’t think I could have moved one more inch. I knew if I could just hang on you would come for me.” One of the men approached and Urs turned to hear what he wanted to say. “He’s still coming up, slow but he’s getting here. Should I wave to the guys to send up an officer to arrest him?” Urs rose and the anger came back full force. The images of that hired heavy hitting Andi, the thought of Nona, of her injuries, of Tedi and Jenna, the dead pool boy. They bubbled through his brain into a rage that was just barely controlled. He shook his head at the messenger, one of the guards that had been so dilig-ent at the house, and spoke to Andi, cupping her face in his hands gently. “I want you to stay here, out of the way. Don’t fight me on this Andi. This is something I have to do.” She nodded her acceptance and brought his hand to her mouth, leaving a smear of blood on the knuckles when she kissed him lightly. Below them the grassy plain was crowded: two helicopters with the rotors gently turning, several Jeeps parked hastily at angles for the hands had seen the choppers and came to investigate. One was speeding in the direction of the house, probably Yano on learning that Nona was injured. The officers and remaining men were clustered about in groups, one man hand-cuffed and on the ground with Flip standing over him, near the overturned Jeep a large, motionless body was crum-pled in a heap. Urs went to the chimney and looked down, heard the inane babble punctuated with grunts as the crazed man worked his way up, saw that in a few more minutes Peter would reach the top and he backed off about ten feet, growling at his friends, “Stay back! He’s mine!” Peter’s bald, sweaty head came up over the rim of the chimney and he levered himself up onto the flat ground, rolling to his hands and feet in one athletic movement. He was breathing hard but not distressed and stood for only a moment before straightening, keeping up the stream of threats they had heard as he worked his way up the chimney. Immediately he stopped talking to himself, his focus on Urs and he erupted with rage. “You! You can’t have her! I’m taking her back with me! She’s mine!” His face was bright red with anger, his eyes crazed as he reached to his ankle and drew out a bloodied hunting knife. Urs faced him, never dropping the rigid gaze he had on the man’s eyes and he answered the manic tirade in a firm, controlled voice, raising his bloodied hand toward Peter. “This is my wife’s blood on my hand, blood you caused to be spilled. I’m going to beat you until you can’t stand for what you have done to her. She was never yours! She chooses to be with me!” Peter roared with rage and rushed Urs, trying to slash at him with the knife. They grapple-ed. Urs caught his knife hand with steely fingers and they went down, rolling over and over in the grass. Urs never relaxing the iron grip he had on Peter’s knife hand. They struggled, rolled and Urs threw him over his head and sprang to his feet to meet the enraged man’s next charge. This time Peter feigned to the right and caught Urs with a quick slash across his arm. A wound that, in his blind fury, he didn’t even feel. He rained a telling blow to Peter’s head, snapping it back, another and then another to his belly. He was no match for Urs’s controlled fury, flailing at the younger man, landing a few blows but never able to complete the jabbing motions with his knife. They parted and stood for a second, facing each other. Urs raised his hand, palm up and beckoned with his fingers for Peter to try again. “What’s the matter, old man? Not so easy when it’s not a tiny woman, is it?” He charged again, driving Urs back a few steps with the momentum of his rush. Peter was a strong man, but undisciplined, fighting with a manic rage that negated whatever skills he possessed. They separated again and Urs met the next charge with quick kicks to the face and wrist, the knife flying out of Peter’s hand, his wrist broken. He was staggering, his head on his chest and Urs caught him by the ear to raise his head and crash one more blow to his face. The battered body fell to the ground, face down, and he tried to crawl away but Urs roared with rage and grabbed him by the tattered shirt, pulling him to his feet and swinging a backhanded blow that sent the man reeling to fall against a boulder. Again he lifted Peter off the ground, holding him by the throat while his body jerked feebly. With a look of disgust Urs flung him to the ground. He kicked the knife away and rolled Peter over, wanted to beat him until he stopped breathing but drew a deep breath and walked away, met Andi halfway across the grassy area and held her quietly, allowing his body to calm, the adrenal rush to abate. One of the men signaled for the chopper to bring the officers up and they waited, the Maori men silently expressing their respect to Urs, gripping his shoulder or nodding, perhaps in agreement at his show of mercy. It wasn’t long until the chopper landed and Peter was cuffed and load-ed in. Andi watched from the safety of Urs’s arms as it began a slow ascent, somehow not quite believing that it was over and she was right. About 100 feet above the table top they could see some kind of commotion in the chopper, an officer nearly falling out and then a body jumping feet first from the open doorway, a body with hands cuffed behind his back. Peter fell to the tumbled rocks, bounced and fell again, rolling finally until his broken body stopped at the base of the outcrop. Now it was over.

CHAPTER 28

Saul, Celia, Rudy and Selma met them at the hospital, all but Selma appalled when they saw the damage that was visible on both of them. Selma seemed to become another person, grim and efficient, calm and firm, from long years of subduing her emotions able to be detached from the proceedings. She bustled them all to the waiting room, all but Urs who glared at her and refused to leave Andi’s side. The nurses recognized Urs and took them through the corridors to an examining room that was a little more private, eager to ask questions but limiting them-selves to the injuries they could see. Andi laughed a bit, nervously trying to think of anything but the possible injury to their baby but well aware of how they must look. They both were filthy, covered with dust and blood, gauze pads on her feet, head, cheek, the blood oozing through, both with their clothing in shreds, Urs with dress-ings to his hands and arm. Both had black eyes, swollen lips, bruises everywhere. In fact they looked like they had been in a brawl. “Cheeky woman! If the paparazzi gets a shot of you they’ll have it all over the tabloids that we’ve had our first fight and that I’m a wife beater!” Andi tried to grin at him but her mouth wouldn’t cooperate. “Looks like I gave as good as I got. You’re a mess! You need to clean up a bit before you go see Nona, maybe even let one of these nice nurses put a few stitches in that arm.” His face blanched under the coating of dirt and though it was painful she laughed again. “Don’t tell me. You’re afraid of needles! Where’s the press when you need them? Wait until they hear! There goes your macho image, Kiwi.” They moved her onto a high examining table and tried to shoo him out. “Mrs. Buhler, who is your family doctor?” A young female intern was at her side, blonde and tall, serious, as the nurses checked her blood pressure and she looked over Andi’s injuries. “I’ve never needed a GP since I’ve been in Wellington. Dr. Stringer is my orthopedic surgeon and Dr. Oakley is, hopefully going to be my OBGYN. Before you do anything else I need to know if my baby is all right. I’m in my twelfth week. If you want me to be a calm, cooperative patient for the rest of this stuff, check out my baby first.” The intern met her gaze, saw that she would put up with no delay and asked the nurse to put in a call for Dr. Oakley to attend in Emergency.
“Mr. Buhler I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to step outside while I examine your wife.” Again she met a gaze that defied her. “Go ahead, Dr Cummings? I’ve seen my wife naked before.” He smiled slightly to soften his words and she chuckled. The sounds in the room seemed magnified as the doctor ran a fetal stethescope over Andi’s belly, at this stage a soft mounded swelling from below her breasts to her pubis. She was thorough, listening intently, mov-ing to every quadrant and finally removed the instrument and grinned at the anxious couple. “Dr. Oakley will want to check further, ultrasound and other tests just to be sure, but I detect no distress, a good strong heartbeat. I believe your baby has suffered no trauma from whatever it is that happened to you.” The relief was incredible, Urs let out the breath he had been holding, Andi’s eyes filled with tears as she relaxed her rigid control. He raised her hand to his lips and though they didn’t speak it was almost unbearable for those in the room to witness their relief.
A nurse came in with a message that Dr. Oakley would be about half an hour, he was in the midst of a Caesarean Section. They were to page him if there was a problem before then. “Now, Mr. Buhler, I would suggest that you have someone look at your arm, hands and anything else that needs attending. I’m going to see to Mrs. Buhler’s injuries and when you’re cleaned up you can come back.” He nodded to the doctor and kissed Andi on the brow before he left, laughing at her parting shot about being brave when he saw the needle. “And Urs, bring me some-thing to eat. I’m starving!” A quick trip to the waiting room to ease the minds of their friends and he gritted his teeth and presented himself to the waiting nurse. She cleansed his injuries, collected an intern from somewhere and 7 stitches later a pale but clean, sewn up and bandaged Urs, wearing a surgical vee necked top, checked back with Andi to see how she had fared. The room was empty, cluttered with discarded bloody gauze pads and sheets, but no Andi. He whirled around in panic, bumping into the short blonde nurse who came up behind him. “Mr. Buhler, sir, she’s fine, just gone for ultrasound. Dr. Oakley would like to see you in his office, third floor, to the left when you get off the elevator.” He found the elevator and shortly after, the reception desk for a group of doctors offices. The matronly nurse led him to Dr. Oakley’s office and announced him to a middle-aged tall man in a white smock.
Dr. Oakley looked up as he entered, a thick file on his desk that he closed as Urs crossed the room and held out his hand. The doctor looked down at the proffered hand then met Urs’ smile with a stern look. “Did you do this to your wife, Buhler?” The anger was clear in his clipped words and the tone as he glared at Urs. Urs dropped his hand to his side, speechless that anyone would think he had treated Andi so badly. He felt the blood flush his face and glared back at the doctor. “How could you think that? Andi is my life! I would die before I hurt her!” Dr. Oakley stared at him for a minute, raked his hands through his thinning hair and chuckled. “I know you’re an actor but no-one could fake the indignation that’s in every line of your body. I’m sorry, I’ve had a rough day and to see that small, pregnant woman so battered and so brave. She said it wasn’t her husband but they all say that.” He paused for a moment and then held out his hand. “G’day Buhler. I have half an hour. Can you tell me what I have to know in that time?” They sat and Urs considered what he should tell the doctor other than the obvious. “OK. This is it as simply as I can put it. My wife was an abused child who at 13 was sold by her father as a sex slave to a rich manic/depressive. She’s incredibly intelligent, totally self taught and at 18 escaped to begin a life on the run, supporting herself and her friend, a Maori woman, by writing, books, screenplays and so forth. He has never stopped hunting her and 3 years ago caught her, tried to kill her, succeeded in crippling her and doing damage to her internal organs. She’s worked her way back to being mobile, thought she couldn’t have children, that’s why this little miracle is so important to us. She’s an incredible woman and I love her more than life.” He paused for a moment and his face became steely. “We wanted this stalking to be over and tried to lure him to our house. I sent Andi to my aunt’s ranch to be safe but he managed to find out, killed a man to get the information, maybe killed two more, I don’t know yet. He beat my aunt, beat Andi and chased her up a rock wall before I could stop him. That’s where she got the injuries and why we were so frightened for the baby.” Dr. Oakley was in his physicians mode, his face inscrutable. He inhaled sharply, the only indication that what Urs had said affected him. “And where is he now?” Urs met his eyes with a cold hard stare. “He attacked me with the same knife he had used on the other three and I beat him senseless, then turned him over to the authorities. He jumped from the chopper and fell a couple of hundred feet to the rocks. He’s dead.” Dr. Oakley stood and held out his hand. “Good.” He led Urs to the door and told him to wait at Emerg. for Andi then come back here. They waited in the reception area for nearly an hour, Andi in a wheelchair because of her bandaged feet, the other waiting women looking at them with curiosity and some with pity, two bruised and battered people who tried not to let the world or each other see how nervous they were. The receptionist called to them and they held hands as they entered the doctor’s office, sitting before his desk, Andi in the wheelchair and Urs in one of the chairs he waved at. He was studying a hefty file, shuffling pap-ers and reading them intently and for a few moments there was only the sound of rustling paper. Finally he looked up. “Since we are going to be rather intimately acquainted I plan on calling you Urs and Andi, if you have no objections. First, let me relieve your worries. “Andi, both you and your baby are in remarkably good health, desp-ite the visible signs to the contrary. You are a little on the thin side but should find it easy during the next few months to gain a bit of added weight, in addition to what you’ll gain with the pregnancy.” Andi was crying quietly, the first time she had completely released her control since Peter confronted her in the Kitchen at the ranch. Urs hitched his chair closer and put his arm around her, his eyes suspiciously glistening. “Are you sure? She was beat-en, in an over turned Jeep, hit repeatedly, had to climb up a rock face and chimney, fell a few times.” Dr. Oakley smiled, a patient look about him and he leaned back in his chair. “There seems to be a misconception that the womb is like an egg containing the chick, fragile, easily broken. On the contrary, your child is floating in a cush-ioning sac of fluid, like, like a strong bag of water containing a goldfish, laying at the bottom of the ocean. It would take one hell of a storm to do more than move that bag gently around in the water. And another thing, I don’t understand why you thought that you couldn’t have children, Andi. I see no reason why you shouldn’t have as large a family as you and Urs want.” She looked at him in shock and her words were scrambled, hesitant. “But after the accident, they said, in Paris they said.” “It’s written right here in your chart from Paris. ‘Patient was informed that she suffered a spontaneous abortion due to blood loss and was advised that she should not have children for several years. Perhaps you misunderstood. I assume that you had been given something for the pain. What I don’t understand is why you didn’t confirm the diagnosis while you were recovering and why you have so few documents from the hospital.” Andi shook her head. “No, I didn’t stay. I couldn’t. Peter came to my room and threatened to finish what he had started and so Selma and I fled. She took the chart from my bed and we went to Switzerland.” Dr. Oakley leaned on his arms on the desk and shook his head in wonder. “Someday I want to hear about the adventures and misadventures you have been through. Someday when you don’t need to rest and I don’t have patients in stacks in the waiting room. Until then, if it is acceptable to you both, though there is no way yours could be called a high risk pregnancy, still I would like to see it through to the delivery of a healthy child. Good, I’m glad you agree. “Get some rest for the next few days and then carry on as usual. I would like you to have a 6 ounce glass of red wine daily, continue your exercise program but no heavy weights, whatever your diet is, cont-inue, it seems to be working and yes a normal sex life. I could see that question in both your eyes. Make an app-ointment to see me again in two weeks. Now go home, enjoy your good news and relax.” Their crowd of friends had been banished to the corridor and as Urs and Andi relayed the news the nurse from reception looked on with amusement at the racket. Nona had signed herself out of the hospital and already had numerous signatures on her cast from their Maori friends, Saul and Celia, Rusty, who somehow heard the news and came to get first hand news, Sally who was worried about Flip and came to cling to his side and an officer from the rescue chopper who seemed at sea in the mob of happy faces. Yano had news of Tedi, the sturdy young man having survived the attack and the subsequent surgery, was doing well. Jenna was off the critical list and expected to recover. Celia was the one to notice when Andi ran out of energy and leaned heavily against Urs. She took charge and sent everyone on their way, Nona and Yano to the heliport to go home as the stubborn older woman insisted, the Maori guards to friends homes since Andi’s house was a crime scene and couldn’t be entered yet. She bustled Urs and Andi into the car with herself and Saul, waving at Flip and Sally as they went off together, and to the officer who muttered something about statements tomorrow as he got in a squad car and left. At the entrance to their house the weary couple waved to their discreet friends and went inside, going directly up the winding staircase to their room, Urs carrying Andi in deference to her sore feet. Within minutes they were stretched out on the bed, carefully nestled together, still dressed in their hospital gear and sleeping.

EPILOGUE

He watched as Andi patiently encouraged Ty to walk on the uneven ground, squatted beside their son to examine the daisy he plucked from the flowers dotting the hillside. She scooped the gleeful child into her hands and raised him high above her head, laughing along with him, her hair long now, a burnished tangle of waves that fell to mid back and glowed in the sunlight. He ran his hand over his head, missing the mop of thick dark hair that was just beginning to grow back in after his last role, one that called for him to have a shaven head. How she had teased at first, then lovingly shaved his head every morning, not trusting the girls in makeup to do it without nicking him.
His passion for this woman hadn’t diminished over the 2 and a half years they had been together, nor had hers. Making love was never the same twice, though they enjoyed each other often, very often. Still it was the small things that kept their love fresh, the way she embraced his interests, was always eager to go with him on location, practiced lines with him, gave no quarter when they played chess, nursed him through the flu, encouraged him to spend time with his friends, sometimes together, sometimes a boys’ night out. Andi was good for him, kept him grounded, helped to keep their lives real, not the artificial ‘star’ lives that was the downfall of so many relation-ships. And with her life so full of joy now, she had changed. She sang all the time, while doing the laundry, hum-ming when they climbed the rock wall at the club, sang opera for Nona at the ranch, so happy that the music bubbled out of her and he often sang with her, their voices blending perfectly. She had been pleased when his last role called for him to sing on screen, something his fans had never realized he could do and now they clamored for recordings, wanting to enjoy this talent he had ignored for too long. He had never been so happy, so complete, the part of his existence that he wasn’t aware before was missing, now filling his days and his heart. The wounds had healed and the nightmares ceased, the birth of Tyler an uncomplicated success that he was present for, an exper-ience like no other he ever knew. Ty was a delightful child, big and impish already though he was just over a year old. He had his mother’s dark red hair but the amber eyes and size of his father and a nearly toothless smile that made Urs’s heart melt. Andi put Ty on her hip and strolled back to Urs, both of them smiling at him as they appro-ached. He felt the familiar stir in his groin as their eyes met and laughed when a knowing smile crept across her mouth. Ty reached his chubby arms to him and spoke in the singsong voice he had developed to deliver his first and only word. “DADADADA!” Urs laughed and took the boy in his arms. Ty played with his favorite toy, Urs’s neat moustache, while Andi flopped down beside them on the blanket. “I suppose we have to start back soon. Nona will complain that she never gets enough time with our little charmer here,” she said and laughed. “Ow! Not so hard, son.” Ty laughed at the strange sounds his father made and did it again, so Urs lay the boy on his legs and gave him a ride. “She’ll get lots of time with him while we’re in London. Are you sure he can’t come with us. I hate being separated from either of you?” “Positive! I want some time alone with you. Call it a delayed honey-moon if you like. Except for the BAFTA ceremonies, where you are going to win by the way, I don’t plan on leaving the hotel often.” Andi looked down at the straining front of his jeans and giggled, just a slight tinge of flush staining her cheeks as she licked her lips and met his darkening eyes. Urs eyes dropped to the front of her shirt and grinned when he saw the distinct outlines of her engorged nipples poking the cloth out, larger now than before Ty was born and darker, an almost visible brown circle that he could taste in his memory, wanted to lick and suckle on now. She rose to her knees beside him, slid her hand across his thigh, unclipped the dome and lowered the zipper of his jeans, wriggling her tiny hand inside to touch him. Urs glanced at Ty and saw that the boy was falling asleep, lying on his stomach on his father’s legs. “Andi, don’t, don’t stop. That feels so good! I’ve been thinking about making love to you since this morning. I’m on the edge, Baby, can’t wait.” “Then don’t, just don’t move and wake our son,” she laughed at him. She ravaged his mouth, swallowing his moans and he devoured her, sucking on her lips, their tongues battling for space and they ended the kiss, breathless. She spread the edges of his jeans and exposed his engorged shaft, lowering her mouth to him, flicking her tongue across the wet head before taking it into her mouth, a curtain of her red hair obscuring what she was doing. Urs moaned and threw his head back as he felt the peak coming closer and she flicked the head with her tongue again. He came with a long rolling orgasm that drained him and she rose to kiss him, her mouth tasting of cum, not a pleasant taste but oh so sensual. Their kiss was tender, sharing, promising pleasure not yet encountered, years of giving and sharing that would never pale, filling them with the wonder of this great love they have had been given. “Kiwi, I’m pregnant,” she whisper-ed against his swollen lips and waited for a reaction, her eyes twinkling for she knew how much he wanted more children, just as she did. His face was radiant with a grin as he hugged her and roared with happiness, waking Ty who crawled up between them, laughing because they were. They rode back slowly in the fading light, Tyler in front of Urs on his powerful grey gelding, Andi on her favorite mare, Marcy. Behind them the sky was filled with the long white clouds of Aotearoa, pink now with the sunset, ahead the lights of the ranch buildings and a future they would embrace together with joy.