“He lied.”
“Yes,” Tawera agreed.“Your friend says you must take a photo of me if possible and send it to him.What is a passport?”
“It is a travel document.We can do that after dinner.”
Tawera nodded.“Manu says that once he has organized a passport, he will arrange airfares for me.”He raised his gaze to stare at her.“He offers me a place to live while I become used to the modern world and any support I require.I am a stranger to him.”
“My cousin, Manu, is an excellent leader.”Nyree chopped a carrot, her knife slicing through the vegetable with a distinct crunch.“His family has helped our tribe become strong, and we support each other.He provides financial assistance for those who require it, helps with housing, jobs, and gives emotional aid when any of us have the need.He is a better leader than his mother.”
“A woman led your tribe?”
“Yes, Manu had to kill her when she tried to murder his cousin’s mate.I only know the basic details of what happened that night, but it took Manu a long time to move past the traumatic events.His father blamed him, but his brothers stood by Manu.His friends.Under Manu’s direction, our tribe has become prosperous and started new initiatives to help the youngsters.”
“Where were they when you needed help?”
“I’m beginning to understand I should’ve approached Manu earlier and asked for help when Ari became difficult.My pride got in the way.I thought I’d handle the situation, but everything escalated and became worse.”
“Will we fly after dinner?”
“Yes, we’ll go as soon as it is dark.”
“I shall look forward to flying with you.”
A dart of awareness pierced her then, and she wondered if she was imagining things or if Tawera had meant more than what he’d said.Shaking her head, she continued dinner preparations.Tawera was right about one thing.The sexual release had left her more grounded and more herself.Definitely in a better frame of mind.Unfortunately, it had also left an acute yearning to repeat the experience, which wouldn’t do at all.
Tawera continued reading Manu’s email.Manu asked if he wanted to learn of his brother’s children and what had happened to them.The knowledge that Rawiri had married Aroha and they’d had children together bothered him.It was as if Rawiri had stepped into his shoes and stolen Tawera’s life.He’d like to learn of his mother’s fate if that was possible.Nyree had explained she’d leave here at the end of summer and return to New Zealand.He must be ready to go with her, and that presented problems now that he was conspicuous.
While he enjoyed learning new things and mastering the machines Nyree used, he found the rapid pace disconcerting.The sheer number of things he had to learn scared him, although he hadn’t confessed this to Nyree.He hated her to worry, but perhaps he could ask her friend.
The thing that bothered him the most was what would he do when he finally reached Aotearoa?The world he’d known no longer existed, and the busy place where he’d lived was now a sleepy town called Russell.It was full of people called tourists.He’d been a skilled fighter and hunter, but Nyree said most people lived in towns and cities.Fighting skills were no longer required in their homeland.If people disagreed about land, they settled the dispute in court.They negotiated a settlement.
How did he support himself?Where would he live, and how would he occupy his time?
And the most burning question of all—how could he walk away from Nyree?
Even before he’d helped her with her moonlust, he’d ached to touch her, to kiss her.He frowned.The strength of his need bothered him, given it was even greater than his memories of desiring Aroha.He’d been younger, and they hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other.With Nyree, the urges were stronger.Fiercer, and he struggled with restraint.
Tawera mentioned none of this to Nyree because he hadn’t wanted to worry her when he’d already caused a massive disruption in her life.Her agreeing to his touch had been a tremendous relief.He’d been hanging onto his control with difficulty.
With this in mind, he turned to the only source he had.He slowly and painstakingly composed his own email and sent it back to Manu.He’d confess everything to Nyree after Manu sent him a reply, but he’d feel better to have advice from the tribal leader.
12
That’s a Lie
Nyree’smindandgazekept slipping to Tawera as he read his book.Sex with him had been different.Better and more fulfilling.It hadn’t been merely the assuaging of her moonlust, but something powerful and enduring.
Stop it, Nyree.You’re simply grateful for Tawera’s help.It’s a crush, and you know better.
It was true.Ari had put her off anything resembling a relationship.It was too soon to think of another man.A crush.Just a stupid crush.Soon, Tawera would go his own way.He’d make friends and start a job.They hadn’t spoken of what he wanted to do once he reached home.
Nyree frowned.Her mother hadn’t emailed recently, and Manu hadn’t mentioned her mother or sister in the part of the email Tawera had read to her.Later tonight, she’d make a point of emailing them again.
She made macaroni and cheese, added fresh vegetables for interest, and popped it into the oven before grabbing her tablet.She discovered a second email from Manu but read the first one’s contents before opening the second.
“Ah,” she muttered.Her mother and sister had gone to Taupo to spend two weeks with Nyree’s auntie.Her auntie didn’t have internet, a fact her cousins had bemoaned whenever Nyree saw them.She would’ve thought her sister would’ve sent her an email, though.She continued reading the results of Manu’s research.He’d offered to have Tawera stay with him and his wife until he got on his feet.Manu mentioned he and Jessalyn were eager to learn the older traditions that the tribes had lost.
Nyree closed that email and opened the second.Her eyes widened since Manu had addressed the email to Tawera.Briefly, she struggled with the ethics of reading his email until she noticed Manu had mentioned her.
