No Greater Joy Read Online Free Page B

touched Alison's, her skin felt as if it was on fire. She wanted to remove herself from that touch, yet she didn't know how to do so without seeming childish in Clint's eyes.
    She kept her eyes straight ahead of her. 'How long did you live on the sheep farm?' she asked him.
    "Till I was twelve. My mother died then, and the heart seemed to go out of my father. Dad sold up, and we became city people after that.'
    'That must have been hard for you,'
    'It was at the time.' And then in a different tone, he said, 'Alison...'
    'Yes?'
    'This isn't touching.' His voice was soft. 'Not the kind of touching you were referring to in the car.'
    Her head swung round at the words, but after a fevered moment she looked away from him again. 'I suppose you're right... it isn't,' she agreed quietly.
    'Not that I wouldn't like to touch you in just that way.'
    'Don't say that—please!'
    'You're so awfully uptight,' he observed. 'I wish 1 knew why.'
    'It's...nothing personal. I just don't go in for touching strangers, that's all. I already told you that.'
    'I thought the last hour had taken us beyond being strangers.'
    On a dry throat Alison said, 'I may be working for you for a little while, but basically we'll always be strangers, Clint.'
    She didn't stop to wonder why his lips tightened at that. She was only conscious of a strange sadness deep inside her. She was relieved when he shifted his arm away from hers and said, 'Would you like to try out the roan, Alison?'
    'Oh, yes!'
    'All right, then, let's see what I can arrange.'
    Clint strode away, lithe and loose-limbed, and as tall and tanned as any of the farmers. Alison watched him stop the man walking with the roan, and talk to him for a few moments. And then they were walking back towards her.
    Minutes later Alison was in another paddock, astride the lovely horse. This was her world, the world where she felt secure and happy, no matter what. There was just the horse beneath her, and the wind stinging her cheeks and tugging at her hair.In the veld she'd have ridden for hours. As it was, the ride couldn't last long. At last, reluctantly, she had to slow the horse to a gentle trot, and after that a walk.
    Clint was right beside the horse as Alison made to dismount, his hands reaching for her waist.
    'I haven't been helped off a horse in years,' she protested.
    He laughed at her. 'Doesn't mean you can't be helped this time! Enjoy the ride, Alison?'
    Her eyes were great and green and shining. 'That's just the most marvellous horse!' she told him eagerly.
    'You looked marvellous riding it.'
    It was the compliment that brought home to her the fact that he was still holding her—a loose hold, his hands just touching her waist. There was no reason at all why the touch had the feeling of an embrace.
    She took a step backwards, away from those big hands, and Clint did nothing to stop her. Instead he said, very softly, 'Do you know how beautiful you are?'
    'Shouldn't we be moving on?' Her voice was jerky.
    'In a moment.'
    Reaching out, he pushed a strand of wayward hair behind her ear. Alison tried to ignore the excitement that flamed suddenly inside her.
    'Clint...' she began.
    'that wasn't touching, either, Alison. Nothing you could object to. You know that.'
    'It must be getting late,' she said, taking another step away from him.
    'Does your boyfriend tell you every day that you're beautiful, Alison?'
    'Stop this, Clint!'
    'I'd never stop telling you so if you were my girl.' His voice was low and husky, as caressing as his touch had been.
    'But I'm not your girl.'
    'No, you're not, are you?' His hand went to her hair again, smoothing it from her forehead this time. 'I know one thing: if you were my girl I'd never have permitted you to go away with another man.'
    'I haven't gone away with another man,' she gritted. 'I've taken a job. I'm travelling to the camp with you— that's all there is to it. You know that as well as I do.'
    'I'd want you near me all the time if you were mine.' He was so close