Sundown Crossing Read Online Free PDF Page A

ensure his future in the Valley and in time, and God willing, he would create his own Stenmark dynasty.
    Friday had come and Kurt and Marta were expected today. Everyone other than Rolfe was at Stenhaus—the name given to the family home Carl had built for his wife, Anna Louise, several years ago—waiting for them.
    Aware of his lateness, Rolfe set aside the fact that he was bone weary from a hard day’s work and pushed the accelerator of the Holden down hard as he roared up the drive. He swerved around the corner to park at the back of the house, near the garages, beside a new Mercedes sports car. They had arrived. He knew his father had bought the sports car for Kurt as an engagement present and that his brother had taken delivery of it in Adelaide after getting off the plane. For a few seconds, as he crossed the open area of the patio, Rolfe stared at the red, highly polished metal and the vehicle’s sleek lines. A renegade and unaccustomed stab of envy raced through him. Kurt’s new car was, to his mind, but another sign of Papa’s favouritism.
    Conquering his disgruntlement he took the time to wash his face and hands at the kitchen sink, then he wet and slicked back his light brown hair—Greta was always telling him that he needed a trim—and brushed down his soiled work clothes before moving down the tiled hallway towards the drawing room. That room was the most formal area of the house. The furniture, imported from Europe, was of the finest quality and the room was only used for special occasions.
    ‘Aahhh, there you are,’ Carl Stenmark, a disapproving glint in his sharp blue eyes, saw his younger son enter quietly and stand against the closed doors. ‘I’m not sure if you are trying to impress us with your industriousness, Rolfe, but…’
    A slimmer version of Rolfe, with straight ginger hair, cut short, interrupted, ‘Or, Papa, perhaps Rolfe just likes to make the grand entrance to create a dramatic moment,’ his brother teased.
    Rolfe moved towards his brother, shook hands with him then pulled Kurt into a bearish hug. ‘Welcome home, Kurt.’ He made a big thing out of sighing loudly. ‘The house has been so quiet and peaceful without your noisy clomping around.’ Because Kurt was taller, Rolfe had to grin up at him. ‘It’s good to have you back.’
    ‘It’s good to be back. Until I saw the gum trees I didn’t realise how much I’d missed the Valley.’ Kurt took hold of his brother’s arm. ‘Come and meet Marta.’
    The photos Kurt had sent home of Marta Gronow did not do the woman justice. Rolfe realised that as soon as he saw her, sitting on the tapestry sofa between Lisel and Greta while young Luke played with a set of blocks at her feet. She was beautiful. No, more than beautiful, magnificent. He blinked twice, shuffled awkwardly to cover his confusion. Suddenly his mouth went dry, his brain became a blank, unable to think of anything sensible to say. She was a vision of loveliness, with her silky, almost black straight hair, translucent skin, perfectly arranged features and large eyes that had a slight upwards slant at the corners. What colour were they? An unusual shade, the colour of slate, and they were sparkling at him like dark, lustrous jewels. Marta smiled and held out her hand.
    He shook her slender hand briefly, then straightened up. From somewhere deep inside, he found the ability to speak though he felt as if everyone was staring at him and that under his tan, his face was flushed with embarrassment. ‘Welcome to Stenhaus, M-Marta, it is a pleasure to welcome my future sister-in-law.’
    ‘Thank you, Rolfe. Kurt,’ Marta’s English was heavily accented. She stared at Kurt. ‘How naughty you are. You didn’t tell me your younger brother was cute, and gallant.’
    ‘Cute. Gallant? That’s not how I remember him,’ Kurt responded with a chuckle, ‘but then it’s been two years since we’ve seen each other. He could have learned a few things in that time.’He