Nyree held her breath, tension sinking to her passenger-driver feet.
She prepared to brake then discovered Tawera drove with a natural deftness and competence.He pulled up at the barrier arm and was soon zooming south to Papakura.Nyree relaxed another increment.
“What sort of job do you have?”
“I work for Manu and do many things,” Tawera said, leaving Nyree none the wiser.
“Did you visit your home?”
“Yes,” Tawera said.“Russell orKororareka, as I once knew it, is much changed.During my time there, it used to be a busy port, and it was the first true European settlement in Aotearoa.Now, it is a sleepy town.”
“Did you find any family apart from Eve?”
“The descendants of Rawiri.I have not told them the truth.Manu suggested I tell them I discovered a common DNA when I was searching my family history.”
“That worked because we got Tawera’s DNA tested and waited to learn if he had any close connections,” Manu said.“We’ve discovered close relations and many more distant.”
“I have also searched through old documents and church records to learn what happened to my father and other people I knew.Rawiri was a very famous tattooist.I hope no other man crossed him and ended up cursed.”
“We’ll probably never know, although we could search records to learn if any other men or women disappeared around the same time.We tracked down an early newspaper that noted Tawera’s abrupt departure fromKororareka,” Manu said.“It mentioned Aroha and how Rawiri comforted her in her grief.”
Tawera snorted as he merged with the motorway traffic.“We know why he comforted her.Aroha was his plan all along.”
Tawera drove them to Manu’s house.Manu got out there.“See you tomorrow,” he said to Tawera and disappeared inside.
Tawera backed out of the driveway and drove farther down the road.He pulled onto a private driveway and navigated the rutted track before pulling up in front of a tidy, white bungalow.Flowers bloomed at the front of the house, giving splashes of purple and red against the white of the exterior.
“This is my home.I rent it from Manu.Your mother and sister live nearby.They are away at present, which is why I volunteered to collect you.”He stopped the vehicle.“You’re staying with me today.Longer if you wish.We have much to discuss.”
No kidding.Nyree stared at him.So many questions.So many questions.
He opened the vehicle door for her, and she scrambled into action.
“I can’t wait to show you my home.I have worked hard to make it a place you would like.Come.This way.I shall collect your bag later.”
Bemused, Nyree let Tawera urge her to the front entrance.He produced a key from his pocket and unlocked the door.He stood back and ushered her inside.
By habit, Nyree slipped off her shoes before entering.
He guided her straight into an open-plan living room.The kitchen was white and spotless with all the usual contents.The lounge contained a combination of Tawera’s Maori heritage in carvings and the cushions and that of European—a blend that genuinely worked together.
As Tawera guided her through his home, she became increasingly off-balance.She thought… But maybe…
A shudder worked down her spine, and it wasn’t one of fear but more akin to moonlust, which was crazy since the full moon wasn’t for another two weeks.
“I have two bedrooms,” Tawera said to her, stopping at the first.“You can use this one.”
Her heart sank, and she realized she’d been kidding herself.She wanted Tawera, and it was going to be hell to step back and let another woman scoop him up.Wait!Her thoughts skidded to an appalled halt.
That was her when she’d been with Ari.She’d let him walk all over her to hide her otherness.She’d promised herself she’d never do that again—let a man have that sort of power.It was possible to have an equal partnership.Her friends with their mates were all proof of that.
“Nyree?”
Belatedly, she realized she’d drifted into her thoughts—a product of spending much of her time alone during the last two months.“Sorry.I didn’t sleep on the plane.”
“I asked if you wanted this room,” Tawera said, “or you can share mine.Either choice is fine, but my preference is for you to sleep with me.I have missed you.”His gaze was solemn.
“I’ve missed you too.”She closed the distance between them.“I will share your room.”
