Dick

"Those two became almost like brothers -- brothers that absolutely delighted in being in each other's company although it was never spoken about. Now they are so distant. Time moves on Carolyn, time moves on."

Carolyn asked when did her mother last have sex with Dick.

"At the time your father and I agreed to have another baby -- you."

"Will you ever go to him again?"

"No, there's no need like all those years ago, a lost youth who'd lost some of the best years of his childhood. He found love through me and I helped him discover his emotions. He's found women, one in particular, and I have lost interest in sex."

"What, even in sex with dad?"

"More or less but can we talk about something else darling."

"But mom, don't yield to time like this. If you lose interest in sex your life is all but over."

"I rather don't believe so darling. I actually feel losing my youth was far more important to me."

"Oh."

"Yes darling, so treasure it. What about you and Dick?"

"I'm in despair, he won't allow me near him."

"Being a man, he may yield eventually but I'd not wish to have you being responsible for overriding his better judgment Carolyn."

"I'll keep that in mind mother, and my relationship with Kade."

"Kade is rather soft about such things as morality darling. I rather think her attitude would be, forgive and forget. I'm only saying this to place you clearly in the position of knowing nothing appears to stand in your way baring Dick's resistance and the deepest feelings you have for your sister. You have the choice of deciding what's wrong, what's okay and what's wrong."

Carolyn darted across and hugged her mother and said she wished Josie hadn't said that to her.

"That's the very reason why I said it."

Carolyn sighed deeply and loved having her mother pat her back.

* * *

During dinner at a restaurant, Dick and Kade finished preparing the agenda for next week's first meeting of their board. Kade popped her notes into her handbag on the floor beside her and lifting back up asked casually, "Have you plowed Carolyn yet?"

"No, more wine?"

"Yes please. What about India?"

"No."

"Mom?"

"No. God you have a rampant mind at times."

"Molly?"

"No."

"Damn. Who else is there?"

"You tell me."

"Oh, of course, Rosalie."

"No, you two have been spending so much time together I was wondering what else was going on."

"Pig."

"Have you found a man?"

Kade looked shocked and caught his soft smile and heard him say it was okay, that he knew he had the occasional dip at times.

"He hasn't asked me but I feel he might soon," Kade said, thinking of her growing intimacy with a guy. "I admire him very much and wouldn't mind a short fling."

"I feel privileged that you are discussing this with me. You have my support and take the initiative if he dallies too long. Just be careful. That's all I need to say."

"I can't believe I'm even thinking of doing it with another man."

"Providing it's only sex I have no objection Kade, believe me. Now, if that's the good news here's the bad news. Kevin and I met the rancher across the lake today with his wife and two married daughters. We yarned for a couple of hours and walked away with the rancher agreeing to sell the 31.9 acre patch plus five acres on the other side of the ridge thrown in, asking price, $900,000 take it or leave it."

"Oh God, that's extortion -- walk away from it Dick, you could do much better with that money."

Dick said they did walk but didn't terminate negotiations. "Dick said with the new Council elections due soon it's almost certain progressive new blood will be elected and already there's talk about the need to stimulate town growth. The land over the ridge is rubbishy so we've really being asked to pay the equivalent of $30,000 an acre and he says it's a wonder the rancher didn't think $50,000/ac. He wants to return in two days alone with my unconditional offer of $800,000 and stating we'll pay the entire rancher's legal costs and costs to cut off that block. He reckons with a $200,000 deposit we ought to find mortgage money on the security value of the land. If not perhaps the company could advance the full purchase price or alternatively we pay the $200,000 deposit and the company loans us $600,000. We need to get professional advice on that. Whatever, I've instructed Kevin to return in two days with the 'take it or leave it" offer of $800,000 and without fear of over-paying because both Kevin and I believe you are visionary about this. So take a pat on the head."

Kade looked pleased. "Look, sleep on it and then get tax advice and then make your decision."

"Okay. By the way how are the wedding plans coming along?"

"I've been talking to Molly and her friend a dress designer. We'll get underway as soon as I say. I'll fix up the wedding party."

"That's great, at least we have the venue secured so you'll just need to book the church."

"Haven't you done that?"

"I was tempted but your mother advised me to leave those things to you because it's your wedding."

Kade asked, "You don't mind?"

"No, just remind me to keep the day of the wedding free. By the way, I would like you to make Carolyn a bridesmaid and for you to say I endorsed your suggestion."

"Why?"

"I reckon she feels I've been a bit rough on her, pushing her away."

"And for very good reason. I had intending asking her."

"Good, you have your dessert and I'll have coffee. I'm really pleased for you to have a long term project such as that housing development -- you know, something to call your own project."

* * *

Dick went to his and Kade's (D&K) ranch next morning at 7:00 to meet Austin and Otis, the two retired farmers from the syndicate who'd bought the four adjoining ranches from him. The guys toured the property in Austin's old 3-seat ATV pickup and the opinion was Dick had the second-best block after the flattest property that had a stream running through it and irrigated hay paddocks. Setting a deal for the syndicate the three guys agreed on an annual fee for grazing rights of D&K Ranch for a term of five years and they agreed on the cattle tally of 233 head were on Dick's ranch, all with ear-tags and purchased them on behalf of the syndicate. Austin said that herd needed to be cut back to around 190 to winter over and Otis agreed.

They inspected the proposed house site on the plateau and Otis's suggested it be moved over about fifty yards to put the hayshed and the calving barn completely out of sight from the ground floor. That also put it closer to the old logging track for more direct access to the main highway. The ranchers also staked out a two-acre house site with another fence to go within that to plant shelter belts, with much lower trees to be planted along the line looking down the valley with its grand views. They left staking the access track in until Dick learnt from the architect where the garages would go, presumably at the rear but perhaps on the far boundary to give extra site protection from winter snowstorms. Austin volunteered to organize the fencing contractors and supervise them, much to Dick's delight. Otis said he would help out because he liked keeping busy.

They arrived back at Rex and Josie's old house and inspected it and the barns and when the retired ranches left Dick leaned against his Mercedes drinking coffee he'd brought with him, letting old memories roll through his head. He also considered what the very practical Austin had said -- the old logging road would be rather tough on the Mercedes. Dick would be better off with an heavy 4WD vehicle and if he wanted comfort and luxury as well he could find it in a few of the top-of-line models. Dick then thought about the guy Kade had her eye on.

Dick sighed, wishing she'd not told him about it. But now that she had he was left wondering who was the guy? As he drove off to meet Kade in town for lunch as arranged, he went through all the guys he knew she had dealings with. There weren't all that many and some automatically fell out of contention until he was left with only two. He continued his analysis and removed Kevin Copeland from this thinking. He smiled and muttered, "Not a bad choice my darling."

At the restaurant Dick found Kade had secured a table under a green and white striped umbrella. They kissed and a waitress arrived with their wine and returned with their salad starters. Dick pulled out his phone and selected a number from his phone book but waiting until Kade was reaching for her wine before he pressed the selected number.

"Mal Hart please."

He smiled, watching Kade spluttered into her wine.

Bingo!

"Hi Mal, Dick Savage. Any chance of Kade and me seeing you this afternoon, say around 3:00"

"At 3:00. That's great. Bye."

Dick had almost finished his pasta before Kade asked every so gently what were they meeting with Mal Hart to discuss?"

"We need to sit down with him and prepare strategy for the process of formerly inviting Blue Horizon Group to take up a contract to operate The New Cattleman's Hotel. No use leaving it to the last minute when the pressure would pile up on us."

"Oh, is that all? I mean yes, it's important we do that now."

"I was also thinking we ensure Mal stays on as general manager no matter what. You'd like that wouldn't you."

"If you say so," she yawned, stretching.

Dick thought her nipples had stiffened, or was that imagination? He knew better than to ask, so as far as he was concerned they were up like small finger ends. He now had the suspicion that she was on to him but damn it when he looked at her telltale eyes they were back behind her reflective sunglasses. Why had she put them back on when they had the protection of the umbrella?

As if readying his mind she said conversationally, "There's a lot of glare out here."

"Oh is there?" he said mildly and noticed her teeth show as her smiled blossomed under her dark shades. Oh how he wished she'd not told him about her desire to engage with another man.

Later as they sat around the low coffee table in Mal's office Dick noticed Mal motioned to Kade to sit opposite him, leaving Dick to take the chair between them. Mal had kissed her lightly as they entered but Dick saw no evidence of sly tonguing between them and that was unlikely because Mal's welcoming kiss hand landed moth-like high on her check, just below eye level. Mal winced and worked the fingers of his right hand partly behind his back after shaking hands with Dick. Although Kade was wearing one of her disgustingly short skirts, Dick noticed as the men remained standing for her to sit, she sat with her legs together and bent them demurely in the direction of Dick, denying Mal any glimpse of stocking tops.

That cheered Dick no end.

During the forty-minute conversation that was sharply focused, intelligent and productive Dick observed nothing that passed between the other two by way of utterances or exchanged looks that raised his blood pressure. Never once had Kade swept her blonde hair back as she usually did once ever few minutes when sitting and talking, and her legs remained anchored whereas usually she wriggled and changed position every fifteen minutes or so. Dick was very satisfied about this until thinking it was very suspicious behavior -- so abnormally restrained.

Mal looked quite surprised as they were leaving when Dick's handshake was applied without power and Dick said an amazing thing, capturing the attention of both Mal and Kade: "Would you are Pearl like to eat out Saturday evening with us as my guests."

"Yes, thank you. We'd appreciate the company."

"I'll call you when I've made the booking."

Out on the sidewalk Kade said, "I wasn't aware you knew the name of Mal's wife or even that he was married?"

"Always know the background of people before you offer them senior appointments darling."

"That's excellent darling, so thorough. Is she beddable?"

Kade's face colored at the indignant look she received. "Kade, for God's sake, I only know two things about the woman. Mal's PA gave me Pearl's name and answered my question that yes Mrs Hart did like living in Random with she enjoyed the wider social life beyond the hotel better than at Mal's previous posting."

"Oh darling, I had not intention of upsetting you. I was just a wee tease."

Just then Kade's phone went and she backed to the edge of the sidewalk to listen. Dick looked across the busy street and caught the eye of Carolyn's friend Ann's mother, Meg Tompkins. She waved and he waved back and although she was walking and chatting with another woman he watched as Meg slowly drew a hand over the roundness of her right breast and it came to rest across her belly. She looked back at him and smiled.

"That was one of Rosalie's underlings wanting me to approve the layout of garaging at our new home, so I'm off. She kissed him and said she was off but four paces later turned, caught him eyeing his ass, and smiled: "You may like to see it as well. So far you've taken no interest."

She held out her hand, "Come along."

Chapter 22

Dick trotted over to Kade like a puppy, knowing he couldn't say no as that would tell her he wasn't interested. Fucking garages -- how many were they having and how could architects and draftsmen stuff them up?

An hour later Dick left the design offices where Rosalie was a partner and felt very elated. At the exit Kade had smothered him with kisses saying she was so happy he'd taken an interest in the preliminary design work at last. She'd returned inside for further discussions on the placement of the lounge fireplace and exposed timber ceiling support detailing with Rosalie and her timber-framing specialist.

Dick's discovery had come when they entered the office of the architectural intern, a skinny guy and probably at least a year younger than Kade. The guy could barely conceal his lust, his eyes running over Kade's body like a razor as he straightened his hair. Soon the kid, who virtually ignored Dick, had Kade giggling like a schoolgirl. Dick could virtually smell sex in the air and was delighted because this was simply a kid with testosterone overload. The kid posed no real threat because he was not the laidback and consummate seducer like himself or Mal who had been cruelly misjudged by Dick, or at least Dick hoped he'd misjudged Mal and that now looked likely.

A few minutes later Dick suspicions were confirmed. It was Kade's fault, she favored wearing those thin bras and Dick would see her nipples were up and her face was flushed. She just loved the pressure they kid was applying although he still managed to talk business so was getting on with his job.

Dick was impressed at the design -- rather than ugly box-like garages it was actually a barn-like building that curved and offered great protection to the lower level of the house during the worst of winter storms, providing shelter to people running between the house and garages.

"What do you think Mr Savage?

Dick thought, you're trying to fuck my fiancée so just call me Dick... "Oh, very impressive. Call me Dick Benny."

Dick said he liked the curvature -- far more expensive but architecturally looked stylish.

The kid beamed. "So it's approved?"

"No."

The kid's mouth flopped open and Dick heard Kade who was standing beside him suck in breathe.

"Oh?"

"Just a small change, Dick smiled and as they looked at the floor plan he said, "Imagine what will happen when this vehicle here and this vehicle here at the apex of the curve backed out together. Bang!"

The kid jumped when Dick shouted bang. Kade giggled nervously.

"But how many times would people back out simultaneously?" the kid smiled with a superior air. "Twice in five hundred years."

"That's two unnecessary collisions," Dick said thoughtfully. "The thought of my big vehicle mangling the beautiful body of my wife in her light roadster almost breaks my heart."

"Oh Christ," said the kid, eyeing the body in question.

"Most mornings Kade and I leave our apartment together."

"Right, we scrap this enlightened design and have a straight line of garages."

"Yes, my body doesn't deserve to be mangled," Kade teased, managing to make the kid look terrified.

"No-no," Dick soothed. "Just a little adjustment. Transfer this storage/utility room on the end to the apex, and bingo, we have the separation of vehicles from at least immediate impact avoidance and widen the utility room a little so it can be used as a tack room for the kids' ponies."

"What kids?"

"Kade and I will have sex to produce children Benny. You know, those little guys like most of us once were -- all of us actually."

"Oh yes, of course."

"Kade, when that's done I approve the design. Also I'd like to see four rooftop ventilators added to give the impression it's a real barn as parking for six vehicles does seem a little bourgeois."

"But who's going to see us darling, it's a remote location?"

"Our visitors but I'll see it each day. Oh, why do we need parking for six vehicles?"

"Your vehicle, my vehicle, your farm utility vehicle because I want you to get back into maintaining fencing to keep up your fitness, covered parking for any houseguest and the other two for family extensions."

Dick looked puzzled and noted he could not longer see nipple rise. "Whose family extensions?"

"Yours you dope."

"Oh yeah, look take Benny out to lunch today in appreciation of what he's doing for us. Meanwhile let's go and look at Rosalie's house concepts. I'll want her to stretch out the gym a bit to include a heated lap pool."

"A lap pool, why do we want a lap pool?"

"To keep you fit you dope. Bye Benny, really great work."

As they walked to the other end of the building Kade asked, "Why did you push me into taking Benny to lunch? Some people might mistakenly think there is something going on."

"Let the jealous idiots think like that."

"Dick, I..."

"You need younger company."

"Dick, I..."

"Hi Rosalie," Dick said, giving Rosalie a tight hug and kissing her on the lips.

"Dick, have you forgotten I'm a married woman and the woman standing behind you with her mouth open is your wife-to-be?"

"Oh come on, Rosalie. Since when hasn't a guy been able to say hello to a family friend?"

Rosalie and Kade kissed, lightly on the lips and Rosalie asked was Dick on something.

"Highly unlikely. I think spring has caught up to him late. There's something going on inside his head I don't quite understand."

* * *

Dick called on India and she came out and took him into a side room, saying she was with a client. For a moment he thought she was going to kiss him but she looked away, so her kissed her.

She kissed him back and asked, "Does this set a new level of intimacy between us?"

"Er, good friends?"

"Okay," smiled the West Indian lawyer, showing magnificent teeth. "But not much more intimacy huh? I'm a one guy at a time girl, or rather old girl, and I'm rather happy with my lot and besides, there are professional ethics involved here."

"That's cool. For an older girl you have rather a hard body."

"I bet you think that. God Dick don't become a problem for me."

"Fine, rest easy India. How are the legalities over the cinema sale going?"

"Mrs Curtis phoned not two hours ago. The distributors have released them from their contract without penalty and a document confirming that will be in the mail tonight. The agent also called me and expressed their desire to sign you up, so I ask him to send me a contract and to include notation on the more favorable terms you'd be offered in changing from one theatre to four theatres."

"Good girl. Anything more on my other deals?"

"No, run along. You need more work -- you are dangerous when loose like this."

She kissed him without haste but removed his hand from her breast. "Now run along," she said a little huskily.