They seemed much happier and were following more outside interests, which made Nyree smile.It also made her realize how domineering Ari had been over their lives and hers.No longer.
Her mother and Hana were thriving under Manu and Jessalyn’s care.
The moment she woke, Nyree checked her email, hoping for one from Tawera.There was nothing, and fear licked through her veins.She made a cup of tea and dressed.There was a noticeable chill in the wind now, and when she walked outside, she noted the higher mountains on the horizon had a fresh coating of snow.
Winter was on its way.
She made her way past the penguin colony.Most of the chicks were fully-fledged now, their feathers resembling an adult’s and waterproof instead of their previous wooly brown coats.She snapped several photos, thought of home and Tawera, and issued her usual sigh.
Tawera had a different life now, and she was turning into a miserable, whining cow.What she needed was a plan for her return home.She had a few days in Ushuaia before she flew to Buenos Aires.After three days of sightseeing, she was catching a direct flight to New Zealand.
She had a job waiting for her back at George Taniwha & Sons but wondered if she shouldn’t try a fresh start.Maybe do a little traveling in New Zealand now that her mother and sister had settled.She could learn to make coffee and work in a cafe or take a job in a bar while seeing the country.
She’d catch up with Tawera to make certain he was happy before she moved on with her new life.During the ten-hour flight back to New Zealand, she’d make a list and decide her future.
Late March, Auckland, New Zealand
Nyree’s plane ended up delayed for eight hours, and it was late afternoon by the time her Air New Zealand flight landed.With the packed aircraft, it took ages for her to deplane and collect her luggage.
Of course, the lines through immigration and customs were long and full of rude, snappish men and women who wanted to leave the airport as desperately as her.
An hour and a half later, she plodded into the public part of the airport, dragging her single bag after her.She’d emailed her arrival time to her mother and expected her mum or Hana to greet her.
Not a single welcoming face stood waiting in the terminal.
She checked her phone to find a text from her sister.Both she and her mother were working.Could she grab a cab home?
Sighing, Nyree threaded through the now smiling passengers greeting their friends and family.Outside, it was raining in the way it often did in Auckland, making the buildings appear dull and dingy.She joined the line for the cabs, also long.Go figure.
“Nyree!”a masculine voice called.“The traffic was terrible.We almost missed you.”
Nyree blinked at the confident man striding up to her.Even dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, his long black hair loose, he oozed power and attracted glances.Before she could catalog more, he drew her in for a kiss.For an instant, she froze, shocked, and her brain took long seconds to jolt back into gear.Not understanding any of this, she just enjoyed the moment.She leaned into Tawera and kissed him back, reveling in the physical contact and not caring they were blocking the line from advancing.
Finally, Tawera pulled back, his grin wide on his familiar tattooed face.Other people continued to stare, but it might have been because of his vibrant personality and the sheer happiness spilling from him.He commandeered her suitcase and clasped her hand in his free one.“Come on.Manu came with me to pick you up.He’s waiting in the car park.”
Bemused, Nyree walked at Tawera’s side, her mind crazy with a blur of thoughts.What was going on?She was awake because the rain was dampening her face.Tawera had emailed her a few times, but they’d tailed off, and she’d honestly thought he’d moved on without her.But this…this was something else.
“We’re this way,” Tawera said.“Your plane was late.Do you know what happened to it?”
“They had to replace a part before take-off,” Nyree said.
Tawera led her to an SUV and loaded her gear in the rear.
“Hi, Nyree,” Manu said from the passenger seat.“Good flight?”
“The actual flight was okay, but everyone was grumpy because of the delay.I’m glad to be here.”
Tawera opened the rear door for her and waited until she’d settled herself before he climbed behind the wheel.
“You’re driving?”she blurted.
“Yes, I have my learner’s license.”Tawera’s gaze met hers in the rearview mirror.“I am an excellent driver.Manu taught me.”
“I see,” Nyree said, glancing at a grinning Manu.An understatement.None of this meeting was going as she’d suspected.
Manu laughed outright.“Tawera is a fantastic driver.You’ll see.You should be proud of him.He has mastered many tasks.”
“I have a job,” Tawera said, and pride filled his voice as he started the vehicle and pulled away from their parking space.
