the watering system.’
‘This is quite an operation for a one-woman band.’
‘I’ll show you round if you’re interested.’
She thought he was going to say no. Maybe he didn’t want to hurt her feelings, because he said yes, he was interested, and followed her along the rows of growing plants, the ‘everlastings’ first, then the sunflower bed, where even the most recently planted row of tiny blind shoots yearned towards the sun climbing up the sky. At noon they would stand straight as soldiers on parade, and by evening would uniformly be leaning westward.
‘You must have planted some of these very early?’ Jas touched one of the taller plants. ‘It’s barely spring.’
‘I started the first batch in individual peat pots inside and planted the pots out when the soil warmed up.’
‘Why individual pots?’
‘Traumatising an immature root system can ruin a good plant,’ Blythe explained. ‘Sunflowers are hardy but if they’re to grow up straight and strong they need tender loving care, just like human children.’ She grinned at him and found him still staring at the sturdy young plants.
Then he turned to her and smiled back. ‘You’d be good at that.’
She felt herself grow warm at the unexpected gentleness in his voice. Trying not to sound breathless, she answered lightly, ‘I certainly hope so. It’s my livelihood.’
In the tunnel house she showed him her earlyblooming sunflowers in plastic pots, the buds tight in fat green pods but one or two showing tips of yellow.
‘How long before they grow to full size?’ he asked.
‘These are a dwarf variety, meant for pots. I’ll take my first trial batch to Auckland tomorrow.’
‘Well, good luck.’ He moved, preparing to leave.
‘I suppose I’ve been boring you,’ Blythe apologised. Not everyone felt about plants the way she did.
‘Not at all. I’ve rather enjoyed myself.’
The faint surprise in his voice assured her he was sincere, and a rush of gladness made her bold. ‘After all that exertion the least I can do is offer you a cup of coffee—or a beer. I wouldn’t mind one myself.’
‘Beer—you?’
‘Why not? I’m a big girl.’ She grinned at him.
‘No, you’re not.’ He gave her another of those looks that made her conscious of the few centimetres she lacked. His mouth hardly moved, but his eyes smiled at her. She saw the dark centres enlarge, and realised how close she was standing to him. Close enough to see the fine lines by his eyes, and the way his nostrils widened almost imperceptibly as he took a breath.
Then he stepped back and the humour disappeared from his eyes, leaving them bleak again. ‘Thanks,’ he said, ‘but you must have work to do. Maybe another time.’
She didn’t press him, but turned and picked up one of the plastic pots. ‘Here,’ she said quickly, holding it out to him. ‘It’s called Music Box. All you need to do is give it water when the soil starts drying out, and cut off the spent flowers.’
He took the plant, holding it in both hands. If he couldn’t be bothered watering it, she told herself, it was no great tragedy.
‘If you want anything from Auckland,’ she offered, ‘the van will be empty on the return trip.’
‘There’s nothing, thanks.’
‘I could collect your mail with mine if the store’s open when I get back. Unless you plan to go yourself.’
He paused. ‘If there’s mail you could pick it up.’
‘Okay.’ She smiled at him, relieved that he hadn’t snubbed her again.
He nodded, hefted the pot-plant in his hand and said, ‘Thank you. I’ll take care of it.’
Next morning Blythe saw no sign of Jas as she passed his house. But at the end of the day, when the sun was already touching the seaward hills, she drew up outside and jumped out, a bundle of large envelopes in her hands.
Jas was seated at the desk in the front room, but as she approached he got up to open the door.
She held out the envelopes. ‘Your mail.’
‘Thanks.’ He took them, paused and asked, ‘How did the sales trip go?’
Her relief and excitement bubbled over. ‘The potted sunflowers sold well. I’ve got orders for more, and a lot of interest in cut blooms when they’re ready.’
‘You made a wise decision, moving into sun-flowers.’
‘I hope so. Now I know I can sell them, I should buy more seed, later varieties. There’s one called Autumn Beauty that sounds promising. On the other hand,’ she added thoughtfully, ‘I guess I shouldn’t get too hung up on one crop. I’ve been striking some lavender cuttings…maybe I could market them directly to retail shops, like the sunflowers.’
She looked at him eagerly, then flushed. He seemed very aloof today, his expression a politely interested mask. She stepped back. ‘Sorry, you’re busy…’
As she made to turn away, he said, ‘No, wait.’
Blythe reluctantly faced him again. ‘I was thinking,’ he went on slowly, almost as if he’d thought better of it already, ‘a walk would be a good idea before it gets dark. I suppose you’re too tired to join me?’
Surprised, Blythe gave him a wide smile. ‘I’m not tired. I’ll put the van away and meet you.’
She parked the van in the garage and waited on the track until Jas came along. There was no wind, and he wore a white T-shirt with jeans and sneakers.
She’d worn jeans today too instead of her usual shorts, with an ochre and rusty-red shirt that she’d thought smart enough for a business trip.
The sound of an engine made them turn. Jas’s hand closed about her arm and drew her aside.
A utility truck was lurching along to the beach. Blythe waved and the vehicle drew to a halt, the engine still throbbing as the middle-aged driver rested a brawny brown forearm on the window opening and grinned at her. ‘Kia-ora, Blythe,’ he greeted her.
Beside him a boy in his mid-teens leaned forward. ‘Hi, Blythe.’
She stepped forward. ‘How are you, Tau—and Shawn?’
‘Good, good.’ The man looked behind her to where Jas still stood at the roadside. ‘You’ll be the new fella in the Delaney place?’
Blythe introduced them, and Jas came to her side to shake the big, callused hand that Tau offered. ‘Tau runs a garage at Apiata,’ she explained.
‘Fishing’s good here,’ Tau said. ‘You tried it?’
‘I’m not a fisherman, I’m afraid.’
‘Come along and have a go,’ the man suggested.
‘How about you, Blythe?’ Shawn asked eagerly.
She glanced at Jas. ‘We’re just going for a walk.’
The boy looked disappointed, and she added, ‘We might come and watch for a while.’
‘We’ll give you some fish,’ he promised. ‘Eh, Dad?’
‘Sure, if we catch any.’ Tau had his foot on the accelerator. Winking at Blythe, he murmured, ‘Kid’s got a crush on you. See you, then,’ he added more loudly, including Jas in his glance, and released the handbrake.
As the vehicle continued along the track, Jas said, ‘Don’t let me stop you joining your friends.’
‘Not