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.`I don't want the hotel, thank you,' she rejected the supposition coolly.`I came to see Vandal Hayward.'When the other girl showed no sign of moving, she continued with just a little asperity, `He is here, isn'the?'`Yeah, he's here,' came the admission at last, along with a suspicious narrowing of pale blue eyes.`What's it to you?'Rebel curbed her mounting impatience with difficulty.Just whose shop was it, anyway? `I'd like tospeak to him, if you don't mind,' she advised in as level a voice as possible.`What about?'`I don't consider that's any of your business!' Rebel's forbearance came to an abrupt halt.`Now, are yougoing to tell him there's someone waiting to see him, or shall I go round the back and tell him myself?'`He might not be ready to see anyone yet,' the hindering blonde began.But on seeing Rebel make amove towards her suitcase, she conceded sullenly, `All right, all right! I'll see if he wants to speak toyou.'With a push that was obviously meant to slam the door, but which only resulted in it rebounding furtheropen, the girl retreated into the darkened interior of the store and left Rebel waiting anxiously outsideonce more.In no way could it have been called an auspicious beginning, and just who the fair-haired girlwas she had no idea, but helpful she definitely wasn't.For Van's sake, Rebel could only hope she wasn'temployed to assist in the shop, because if this morning's effort was any indication of her normal attitudethen it was a fair assumption that she turned away more custom than she encouraged.file:///E|/My%20Library/books/ROMANCE/kerry%20a.%20pitereeka%20TXT/REUNION%20AT%20PITEREEKA.txt (32 of 100)05/05/2010 14:39:23file:///E|/My%20Library/books/ROMANCE/kerry%20allyne/1980%20%20reunion%20at%20pitereeka%20TXT/REUNION%20AT%20PITEREEKA.txtAcross the street, in the newly painted and surprisingly large hotel, two people could be heard breakinginto sudden laughter, and the sound did a tremendous amount to revive Rebel's flagging spirits.Fortunately, it seemed, not everyone in Pitereeka was possessed of reserved and unaffable personalities.At least two persons were willing to share their enjoyment on such a beautiful day.Inside the store the sounds didn't appear anywhere near as pleasant, and even from where she wasstanding Rebel could hear quite plainly every word that was said.The first derisive voice she knewimmediately.`There's some snooty redhead outside who says she wants to see you, Van.`Oh?' There was a quickening of interest in the tone, but Rebel couldn't quite say for certain yet that itwas her brother speaking.`Yeah, and when I asked her what about she said it was none of my business.'The following quiet chuckle succeeded in arousing two distinct emotions.One of overwhelmingexcitement on Rebel's part she would know Van's subdued laugh any time and one of querulousaccusation from the girl with him as she hissed, `Who is she, Van? Who is she?'`How the hell should I know until I've seen her.''Well, you must have some idea ! Or have you known so many redheads that you can't decide which oneit's most likely to be?' sarcastically.`Oh, shut up, Sharon!' the voice was louder now, as if its owner was nearing the bead curtain whichseparated the store from the residence behind, but it was also weary and embittered too, Rebel notedsadly.Nothing at all like the lighthearted Van she used to know.`Your family doesn't own me yet, youknow!'This last sent a deep frown descending on to Rebel's forehead as she attempted to figure out just exactlywhat he had meant by the remark; but when a figure shouldered its way through the curtain and cametowards her all such thoughts fled as she stared through the intervening gloom at the form of her belovedolder brother.Of course, if she hadn't previously heard him talking, and if the station agent hadn'tprepared her for his beard, she might have been hard put to it to recognise him at all.He didn't seem astall as she remembered he was probably no more than four inches taller than she was and he wascertainly thinner than he had been.So much so, in fact, that she might have said almost to the stage ofemaciation.His hair was much longer now too, and with that beard to hide most of his face from view,he looked a total stranger.The remainder of his appearance wasn't altogether prepossessing either, she had to admit ruefully.Hisshirt and pants bore enough creases for him to have slept in them, his eyes definitely didn't have theglow of good health, his hair was dull and lifeless, and his beard could have done with a good trim
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