Bluebells on the Hill Read Online Free PDF Page B

of the sheer animal magnetism he radiated?
    Amanda didn’t like him, but couldn't help
herself wondering what it would be like to be kissed by him, to be
held in his arms . .. Stop it! She took a long sip of Coke, forcing
her eyes away, forcing her thoughts elsewhere.
    He sat in a chair near the sofa, motioning
her to resume her seat. Gingerly, she sat on the edge, conscious of
the rising tension in the room.
    'I won't beat about the bush. I want your
property. I thought Cora had let you rent it to torment me, but on
checking with Martin and verifying it in the county records in San
Andreas, I find the property now belongs to you. I want it. How
much?'
    Amanda took another sip. 'It's not for sale,'
she said quietly.
    John-Michael entered the room with the loose-
jointed gait peculiar to teenagers the world over. He paused,
looking at his father, then Amanda.
    'Did I interrupt something?'
    'No.' Amanda took a final sip, putting her
can down. 'Your father wanted to talk about buying my land. It's
not available, so end of conversation.' To Mac she said, 'Thanks
for the drink. See you.'
    She rose and smiled at John-Michael. 'I love
your taste in music,' she said with secret delight. She was
chancing recognition but she couldn't resist.
    Mac also rose, but no smile crossed his face.
'Is that your final word? Not for sale?'
    She nodded.
    'I think you should reconsider.' Was it a
veiled threat?
    'You have such a way with words, Mr.
Mackenzie. Is that a threat?'
    'No, just advice.'
    'I'll keep it in mind. I'm going now. Thanks
again for the Coke.'
    Amanda moved determinedly to the door. So
much for the MacKenzies. She knew he wanted the land, now he knew
it was no more available to him than it had been under Cora.
    'Goodbye, Miss Smith,' John-Michael
called.
    'Bye.'
    Amanda was a hundred yards down the drive
before she realized she hadn’t met Mrs. Mackenzie. Nor, come to
that, even heard her mentioned. Was she away? Or was there no Mrs.
Mackenzie? She shrugged. What did it matter? She would probably not
see much of her new neighbors.
    She paused once again to let her eyes take in
the beautiful view, a quick glance at the modern house, before
setting off for home, drawing peace and strength from the serenity
of the land she was passing through. Soon the words to the song
crowded her mind again. Amanda quickened her step. She wanted to
write them down before they faded away.

CHAPTER THREE
    Amanda strummed the chord again; again. Now
from the beginning. She played the melody more confidently this
time, sang the new words softly, under her breath. No, this part
still wasn't quite right. Still didn't flow as well as the rest.
She tried another string, another chord. She could hear it in her
head, why couldn't she get it right on the guitar? It was
frustrating.
    'Hello.'
    Amanda looked up from her concentration to
see a horse and rider on the main drive. John-Michael Mackenzie,
mounted on a large chestnut horse.
    'Hi, come on over,' she invited, putting the
guitar aside. She pushed her glasses on her nose, turned the paper
over and watched as John-Michael rode up, dismounted and tied his
horse to a post of the railing.
    'I didn't know if you'd be home or not,' he
said, joining her on the deck. He was already over six feet tall.
Amanda wondered if, when he had filled out, he would approach his
father's size.
    'Especially to a Mackenzie,' he added with a
grin.
    'Why not to a Mackenzie? I only know two of
them and one I think I could like.' Amanda smiled. 'Have a
seat.'
    'You play the guitar?' he asked, picking it
up and strumming a few times.
    'Yes, do you?'
    'No, I don't play any instrument. I'd like
to, though. I can sing a little. Is it hard to learn?'
    'No, it's not. I could start you off, if you
like. Much of it’s self-taught, if you stick with it, practice
every day. Do you have a guitar?'
    'I could pick one up in town. When can we
begin?' He strummed again, then looked up eagerly.
    'Now.' Amanda rose, came around and stood
behind