The next second, they were off in a rush of wind. Her hair blew behind her and only his muscled strength and the competent way he drove kept her screech of panic behind closed lips.
Recalling his instructions, she held tight and didn’t move an inch, except when he leaned into a corner. By the time they sped through country lanes, past a paddock of grazing thoroughbreds and an alpaca farm, she’d relaxed enough to enjoy the ride and actually use her glasses to see.
He shot down a series of roads and finally turned onto a long driveway.
He stopped outside a sprawling old house with six vehicles of various ages parked out front. The rumble of the bike ceased and quietness filled the air.
“Everyone is here.”
“Will I meet all your brothers tonight?”
“Not Haurahi, my youngest brother. He’s married and lives in the South Island, not far from Lake Tekapo. He’s Ma’s favorite because he and his wife are expecting their first child.”
Cassie recognized Jack’s vehicle and was pleased she wasn’t walking into a total room of strangers. Even after her time performing, meeting strangers made her uneasy.
“Hey, don’t be nervous. My brothers only bite when asked politely. You’ve already met me and I’m the troublemaker.”
Cassie was still chuckling when she entered the house. The man radiated devilment—a carefree charm—and she could see why women would flock to him.
June, tall and robust, with long black hair and a stern face approached them. “Ae, son. What am I going to do with you? Late again. We’ve been waiting.”
“Cassie made me wait,” Manu said.
Cassie gasped. “I did not.”
“You’ve met my mother—June Taniwha.”
“Thank you for inviting me Mrs. Taniwha.” Easy to see where Manu got his handsome genes. June Taniwha with her height and lithe figure would always draw a second glance, her light green eyes stunning against her long black hair.
“I told you to call me June, dear, when I checked you into your room.”
Manu curled an arm around Cassie’s waist and pulled her to his side before she could reply. “Cassie agreed to go out with me.”
June Taniwha beamed. “I forgive your lateness, number one son.”
Manu puffed out his breath in an audiblepffff. “Haurahi is your number one son because he’s busy making grandchildren.”
June’s beam didn’t shift. “There is hope for you yet.” She made a shooing motion. “Take Cassie outside and introduce her to your father and brothers.”
“Yes, Ma,” Manu said obediently.
Cassie took in the details of the house. The wallpaper was a neutral cream, but bore an embossed pattern. Bright jewel colors—so many of them—should have clashed but gave the rooms a cheerful and lived-in atmosphere. The scents coming from the kitchen reminded her she hadn’t eaten for several hours. Garlic bread, if she wasn’t mistaken. Yum. Her favorite. Despite hearing her mother’s squawk of horror rattle through her mind, her taste buds stood and saluted.
At least Emma wouldn’t look askance when she consumed her dinner with gusto.
“Would you like a drink before I take you around and introduce you to my family? We have wine—Sauvignon Blanc because that’s Ma’s favorite, beer and juice or water.”
“A glass of wine please.”
With drinks in hand, Manu introduced her to his two brothers, Kahurangi and Tane. They were younger editions of Manu, both with longer black hair, handsome features and broad, flirtatious grins. Kahurangi wore a form-fitting black T-shirt and sported a sleeve of tattoos—all Maori in origin. Tane wore a royal-blue T-shirt advertising a local beer, and the ends of tattoo spirals peeked beneath the sleeve on his upper right biceps.
“This is my father—Samuel Taniwha,” Manu said.
Okay, he’d contributed to his sons in the looks department too. His hair was short and pitch black. Warmth and welcome wreathed him as he stretched out his hand. Big and tanned, it engulfed hers as they shook in greeting. “Hello, dear. June told me about you. Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you, Mr. Taniwha.”
“Call me Samuel. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of you.” His gentle smile warmed her through.
