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Ryan Silverstone

By: Egmont Grigor



Chapter 1

Dressed in black with a white collar and white-on-black nametag identifying her as Lucy, the slightly tentative waitress with a soft smile said goodbye and to call again, her eyelids fluttering. At that Ryan knew he only had to ask and she'd date him.

Oh brother, act your age, the newcomer to the city mused. He'd welcome her company but that would almost amount to cradle snatching. "I'll call again," he said pulling out a friendly smile instead of a flirty one and pushed five bucks into her hand. Ryan pretended not to have heard her whisper thank you and add she finished at 2:00. His grin lasted all the way to the exit and into early-morning sunshine.

Ryan Silverstone, who wrote under the name of Rogan Stone, had 45 minutes to kill before his appointment with his publisher. Thirty of those minutes were spent doing something he rather liked. He slouched against a sidewalk traffic sign and watched the pretty girls go by. As well, he occasionally glanced at other less than perfect folk who sometimes exhibited expressions or gestures that might be recorded by his discerning brain as useful to graft on to somewhat lifeless minor characters in his writings to boost personality or expand their oddities. 

The author's 38-year-old mouth with fleshy lips damned the drool to avoid an embarrassing release and Ryan swallowed periodically as chic chicks, often glancing at him, as they tap-tapped on the pavement to their offices. Black was the almost universal outer covering, sometimes with thin stripes. Ryan figured the more reserved women would wear black underneath; those deep into an affair or recent marriage would wear color with lace trim and in a sexy cut while the others... what others? Among the favored with Ryan's favorites, mostly dressed in black or dark blue. They were the babes with very mobile hips and slightly open-lipped smiles that lingered. Inevitably they would be in yellow thongs or red silk boy's shorts and mostly being full-breasted would wear a matching bra, with thicker straps if they were sensible but perhaps if they were confident of staying confined would have just the one hook or a single pull bow at the front. Oh yeah, thought Ryan, who heroines inevitably reflected that preference.

Ryan's attention was diverted and his brain began recording. His penetrating green eyes fell on a skinny guy in tattered clothing bending over amid an assortment of legs, mostly feminine. At first Ryan thought the social misfit was looking up skirts and dresses. He was low enough. Then the guy's hands darted between pavement-pounding shoes and he grabbed two cigarette butts, straightened and pocketed them.

"I'll be damned," Ryan grinned. He'd known street bums did that but had never really observed them in action. This guy who looked an aged alcoholic, probably no more than fifty despite his wrinkled face and emaciated body -- Ryan had no idea how he managed to figure out that age. 

The startling discovery for the author was the guy, in close proximity to all those stocking tops and perhaps even the occasional uncovered pussy, made no attempt to look up and enjoy the sight of freshly washed flesh and perhaps wobbling white thigh above stocking tops of those who detested tights. Ryan knew why -- the guy needed skill and speed to reclaim the butts without having sharp heels bruise or even sever his skinny fingers. He watched the guy progress beyond him, having picked up at least a dozen butts and only missing a couple when a babe collided with him and almost lost her footing. Ryan was aware through this acute observation he was privy to a form of street poetry, acted-out drama totally mimed amid the cacophony of usual downtown noise on principal thoroughfares.

A chauffer-driven black car pulled up in the no-stopping zone right beside Ryan. A fake blonde with fake tits slithered out after kissing her father (?). The guy called, "Great night honey, my balls feel as if they are hanging below my knees." The overweight whore giggled and 'daddy' shouted, "Shut the door. I'll call when the wife will be out of town again." The woman slammed the door shut, glared at Ryan and walked away from him, her fat ass as well as her 'profession' having turned him off but his brain recorded that she was wearing an imitation tiger skin dress with a zip that went all the way from the back of her neck to just below her ass. Great dress for a hooker who could sit on her client's knees on the back seat of a cab without unduly concerning the driver.

The senior receptionist, around forty, recognized her publisher's author as soon as Ryan walked out the elevator. "Good morning Mr Stone, you look younger and more handsome than the picture on the dustcover of your books. I'm Miriam."

"Hi Miriam, what a lovely greeting."

Making no attempt to hide her wedding ring, Miriam leaned forward to allow Ryan to see the white flesh creaming out of her inadequate blue bra under her black top and her tongue tip protruded slightly. "Fetch me a glass of water please Mandy."

With the assistant gone Ryan knew he only had to suggest a drink after work...

He didn't. Miriam sighed and picked up her phone, "Mr Stone is here Mrs Jackson. Pardon me? Oh, sorry, I meant Mr Silverstone." 

Miriam pouted and pointed to the boardroom to her right. Ryan winked and walked towards the boardroom. The door opened and the plump woman with a cheerful face said, "Hi Ryan, it's great to see you in the flesh. I'm Nicola Jackson."

Ignoring Ryan's outstretched hand the commissioning editor kissed him and inside introduced him to the rather watchful trio of publisher Maxwell Simon, Max's third wife and executive editor Belinda and promotions manager Eva Stillwell. 

The 70-minute meeting concluded without an offer of lunch. Ryan found a café filled with classy-looking office workers and a thick sprinkling of dowagers with sharp noses and food heaped in front of their protruding bellies. He sat at the bar occasionally catching the bored stare of woman touching forty in a stunningly cut green suit that spiraled her into the category of a mother of teenagers but still worth a second look; oh yeah. The boobs were a disappointment but then that's why the fit of her jacket was so classical. Ryan heard the waitress say with tip-earning familiarity, "I have your regular table ready Mrs Hungerford."

Slipping into work-mode Ryan's brain dimmed out the chatter and everyone else so when he turned to grab a close-up look at cute Mrs Hungerford she was the only person imaged by his brain in color. It was rather eerie, but he was used to it. If he really concentrated he could visualize a dressed woman in the nude and she'd look totally realistic although exact detailing could be somewhat askew -- for example, the target might not have trimmed her vulva, the thighs would not be as graceful as he pictured and his mind had been too kind about insignificant breast droop. He was in this half daydream when her violet eyes met his and she murmured, "Why not join me Mr Green Eyes?"

Hesitation was understandable: what if that invitation actually had been imagined? Mrs Hungerford must have known backup incentive was necessary because she held out her hand. Ryan took it and was almost jerked off his bar stool. "Leave your drink, lunch is on me," she said, hauling him along like a trophy.

Ryan had gone into Buffalo the previous day to have his almost chestnut-colored hair shaped and combed back, the top had been left long to hide the beginning of a balding spot. He'd purchased a gray suit and was wearing that and a new cream shirt. The top button was undone and the knot of the gaudy yellow and red wide tie hung low, so perhaps he looked not unlike a gigolo. When Mrs Hungerford let his hand go he thought he'd give her a wee thrill -- or the opportunity to turn with a snarl and attempt to send his front teeth down his throat with a vicious face slap. His hand slid over her hip and in descent attempted to grab and snap the lower elastic of her panties. He felt the panty line but only managed to pinch her rather than snap the elastic. She half turned, said, "Tut-tut" and pointed to Ryan to take the outer chair rather than the one opposite her.

As the waitress left with the drinks order Mrs Hungerford handed Ryan her handbag and told him to place it on the spare seat, saying she didn't want anyone attempting to sit there. 

"Why not?"

"Because if I'm buying lunch I expect to have my guest completely focused and be entertained."

Ryan obliged and pressed her knee against hers.

"Leave it there but that's not what I meant. Please identify yourself as an uncommonly interesting man -- what are you, forty?"

"Approaching it but sorry to disappoint. I live out from Buffalo on the bank of a river flowing into a lake. An environmental joy to me but perhaps a dead bore to most folk."

The mouth of Ryan's hostess fell open, giving him a view of a nicely pink tongue without fuzz and expensively maintained enamel. "Ohmigod. I'm reading Josephine's Unwise Venture into the Forest after having had The Bracewell Twins Swim to Glory to read for a group discussion. On both cover flaps you said those exact words: 'I live out of Buffalo on the bank of a river...' But I didn't recognize you. Please get that awful photograph upgraded. Oh, by the way, call me Avon." 

Ryan said his publishers had chosen the photograph and he was relaxed about it. People who needed to know what Rogan Stone aka Ryan Silverstone looked like already knew.

"That's so damn typical of Maxwell Publishing, known as Dour Maxwell Books in my book club with a couple of exceptions: your romance novels and those of Penny Money. You two stand head and shoulders above Dour Maxwell's other authors. We favor Penny of course because she consistently treats her heroines romantically. But you -- God we laughed hysterically at the disgusting things coach Kenny Hartwell and those two blondes got up to in the changing room and in hotels. None of us really knew the term double dipping until you clarified it in the most grossly erotic way imaginable. Every time I see two blondes together I think of Dottie and Jess, side-by-side, butts in the air and spreading. God, you are so disgusting. What are you working on now?"

Ryan said he'd been called to Manhattan today and had thought it was to receive a book award. But at the meeting for the first twenty minutes the female executive editor and commissioning editor ripped into him for the 'unsavory manner' in which his heroines were treated. "They said the sex didn't bother them, it was the cavalier way his heroes treated females -- arrogantly, as sex objects and his heroes were quite brutal in their thoughts about women and no women liked reading about women being sprayed with semen."

Ryan looked for reaction but his hostess showed only a light smile.

"I was ready to lash back at them when I noticed dour Maxwell almost turn his lips up at them and the female promotions manager kept shaking her tresses so I eased back thinking the cavalry was coming. It did. When those two women paused to wipe the vindictive froth from their mean mouths Maxwell said, "You spoke of many complaints -- give me a figure."

Avon simpered, "Well, well. My interest in you grows."

Ryan winked and continued. "The commissioning editor said around two-fifty and the executive editor said at least. Maxwell then asked how many complimentary letters and emails had been received about Ryan Stone and his novels. Maxwell's wife replied she didn't have the figures with her so the promotions manager was asked and said she in the past year about 2000. Maxwell then asked why were they wasting their time on powder puff stuff?"

"I agree," Avon said, pressing her knee against Ryan's. 

"Maxwell then grilled me at length about my attitude about mothers and about Christmas so I gathered this was about mom's Christmas and not about a book prize. Both editors asked, wording their concerns differently, were I capable of writing about women with respect and I replied about moms, yes and Maxwell said he'd heard enough. He offered me an advance to write the best Christmas romance ever and the title already decided was, Mom's Wish -- Everyone home for Xmas." 

Avon pursed her lips without commenting.

"I was ready to puke and saw Maxwell watching me closely so I muttered let Penny Money write it and his wife yelled that's what she wanted. But Maxwell said I had more sting in my writing than Penny. I said sarcastically yeah, that Penny's characters only went through the motions of fucking. The three women gasped. Maxwell grinned, shook my hand and told his wife to hand me my fifty grand advance. He winked at me and said that was a record advance for the company, twice as much as the previous best.

"Well, what a coup for you. Is that all he said?"

"No, at the door he turned and said, "Let everyone fuck young man because it will be Christmas. I want you to produce tears from women readers as well but go easy on seasonal sentimentality. It's about time you brought home a real winner for us."

"And so that was it?"

"Almost, his wife Belinda practically threw the check of me and instructed the promotions manager Eva Stillwell to show me out. Eva said Max had given her a large budget for the book and if early orders flooded in he'd boost the budget. Slender Eva wished me well and said if I wanted to experiment with some new moves to give her a call."

"And?"

"That was it, I left and came here."

"You mentioned slender."

"I prefer my women curvy -- you've read one of my books and are part-way through another."

"You mean contoured nicely like me?"

Ryan ran his eyes over Avon slowly, making her bite her lip and when he poked his tongue tip between his teeth she murmured, "Oh God, this is a tragedy. I have to leave in a few minutes to meet my mother and then go with my husband Tremain to a stupid club dinner that will drag on past midnight. I'll say this: you are an interesting, very interesting guy."

"That's probably because I really like women and doing things to them."

Avon groaned and asked him to swap cards. Avon paid for the meal and outside the café they kissed like friends. Ryan leaned against the building watching Avon walk away thinking going doggie with her could be very rewarding. At that moment she turned and walked back to him.

"Look, I just had a thought. My youngest and unmarried sister Nova Cassidy is living not far from you at Ripley with our grandparents. She's chilling out after an around-the-world cruise working as violinist in the dance orchestra and found on her return to New York her boyfriend was living with one of her girlfriend's stepmother."

"That's not very nice."

"Especially not after he emailed Nova two weeks earlier they should get engaged and she'd agreed."

Ryan sighed. "That means she's off men, even for a no-sex date."

Frowning, Avon said that was probably correct. "Look, how about this. One day soon I'll fly to Buffalo for lunch with Nova. We've planned to do that. She'll come by bus. As we are coming out of the restaurant we'll bump into you and I'll introduce you and we'll go back inside for a drink where you'll find she is from Ripley and you'll offer to give her a ride home, saying you live not far from there. She's bound to ask what you do for a living and will become fascinated, almost as fascinated as meeting one of my lovers as she's forever asking me about them."

"B-but I'm not one of your lovers."

"You wouldn't mind a round or two would you? Please tell me the truth."

"Yes."

"Well then, you are the one with the creative mind. Build on our chance meeting today and we're sure to be consistent with our story if Nova quizzes us separately." 

Avon asked Ryan what hotel he was staying at overnight. He told her and she said she knew it. "The premium suites are from the 38th floors and the five-star full service spa facility and lap pool are on the 35th floor. Do you have a pen and paper?"

Ryan produced a pen and his blue and pink covered writer's logbook. "This is the phone number of one of my best friends. Her husband is away on business in Spain and she'll be lonely. I'll call her soon to give details about you and how I had to miss out because I'm going to that rotten dinner. Invite her over for dinner. I'm sure she'll come, in more ways than one if you're lucky. She's curvy and sexy, a year younger than me. Call her in just over an hour -- I bet by then she'll already have essentials packed. Her name is Carla Friel and I can assure you she doesn't play around a lot; like me only a bit. Our husbands are older than us."

They prepared to part again and Ryan moved in slowly but Avon threw herself against him and sighed, giving him a couple of soft hip thrusts. "Lucky Friel. God I'm horny. Tremain my husband's going to think it's his birthday before we go out tonight."

* * *

Ryan arrived home well satisfied because the trip to New York had turned out remarkable well. He loved his new friend Avon Hungerford and thought if she decided to dump her rich husband -- well, Avon didn't work did she and nor did Friel so with that kind of money flying around Avon wouldn't want to move in with him. What, move into a fancy cabin in a virtual wilderness? Ha, that was a joke. She'd miss her friends and the shopping and goodness knows what else. He hadn't gone much on Friel. Rather too sharp and a little too negative for him. She lacked Avon's warmth and depth of conversation and inquisitiveness but hard a firm body and slammed it into him like there was no tomorrow. They'd parted almost like strangers and he blamed her for that lack of warmth. Well, if the sister almost measured up to Avon's level then perhaps she'd be okay. On the other hand, in being recently jilted Nova was probably not into screwing more than once a day, if that, and would prefer fretting to participating in chat or deep conversation. 

His pal Jack would decide whether or not he liked the sister and in that case Ryan would follow Jack's lead. Ryan thought Jack would want to sleep on Avon's feet because he'd like her that much. The question was, did Avon like dogs, specifically a hard-case black mongrel called Jack? Jack had been abandoned at the kennels and Mrs Ryan had called Ryan eighteen months ago to say, "Ryan baby, I have a year-old dog here who'll probably adopt you. I've had three failures but I reckon you are the guy Jack wants to bond to." She'd arrived with the dog with great eyes, very friendly and trusting. "Lock him in for a week and he'll stay, perhaps," she said, and kissed Ryan and left. Ryan threw a tennis ball for the dog to retrieve until his arm ached. As soon as that game finished Jack began to slope off so Ryan yelled and Jack stopped and turned to look at him. "If you don't like it here then fuck off Jack," Ryan had shouted and went inside and slammed the door. Ten minutes later Ryan answered whining and scratching at the door.

Irish-American Mrs Ryan, sixty if she were a day, often drank in the local bar with Ryan (they shared a name). When he walked in and she was with other people she'd excuse herself and join him. They swapped filthy jokes and disgusting encounters not fit for the ears of most other bar patrons. Ryan and Mrs Ryan now exchanged Christmas and birthday presents and her grumpy husband didn't appear to mind. She was known to everyone but to her husband as Mrs Ryan so Jack had never called her anything else.

Ryan called her. "Hi Mrs Ryan, I'm back."

"Come and get Jack you lazy skunk."

"No, just let him loose."

"It's a risk Jack with young crazy drivers on the roads. They'd run down a dog with glee."

"Jack's not like you Mrs Ryan. He has brains, knowing its four miles by road or just over a mile through the forest park."

Mrs Ryan snorted and said how did he know that? Ryan told Mrs Ryan to put Jack on the phone and he'd give Jack instructions. She replied get fucked but she'd set him loose and the responsibility was all Ryan's.


Ryan Silverstone



"Just point Jack in the right direction and say 'Home!'"

Jack arrived home. As soon as the happy reunion ended Ryan called Mrs Ryan.

"Thank God for that. I'm sitting here almost peeing my pants with worry."

Ryan laughed and said the amount of beer she drank meant she'd flood the house.

"You're a great love of mine Jack. It we didn't have our own kids I would have adopted you."

"Maeve, you're drunk," Ryan laughed easily, accidentally calling her by her first name. Aghast he said he'd be at the bar next evening and cut the call before she'd had time to recover from shock. Ryan gave two hearty sniffs and told the tail-wagger yes it was time for doggie's dinner.

Ryan's phone awoke him just after 9:00 that evening and the caller said, "Hi." Although a word of only two letters, it was the sexiest delivered hi Ryan could ever remember hearing.

Grinning he said, "Wrong number" and switched his phone off. He let Jack out for a pee and when he picked up the ringing phone Avon shouted, "Jack you fool, it's me, Avon."

"Oh hi, it's you. I just had some other crazy dame call with a voice sexy enough to make me blow my rocks."

"Oh really?" Avon replied without interest, pretending the first caller hadn't been her and confirming to Ryan once again that women were natural born liars.

"God I loved seeing you in that green suit the other day. It was worth you having small titties just seeing you capable of walking away with the title of Mrs America.

"I had a tight elasticized band over them to spread them flat Ryan. I have all the curves in the right places."

Ryan smacked his lips and said huskily, "Oh really? " She giggled, sounding a little breathless.

"I have two things to tell you Jack."

"Oh no, you can't be pregnant? I got only close enough to sniff."

"You're disgusting Ryan," she giggled. "First, I fly to Buffalo on Thursday at 11:00 to lunch with Nova at the Great American Grill at the Hilton Garden Inn just across from airport on Genesee."

"I know the hotel."

"Well be outside the grill at 1:30 when I'll walk out with Nova."

"How will I recognize her?"

"You'll recognize me you idiot. God you're a tease. This may amount to nothing and Nova is bound to be a bit off-center still. It's up to you. If it's big tits that excite, you'll be excited by Nova'a biggies. She's talking breast reduction because it's heavy going with them and playing the violin." 

"I wouldn't know."

He was ignored. "The second thing could be a marvelous scene-setter for you and your newly commissioned novel. Mom's told me grandma wants us all home for Mother's Day thinking her Mother's Days are numbered because she's become very frail and turns 89 the following month."

"How old is your mom?"

"Fifty-nine."

"And you are?"

"I turn forty in June. Mom became pregnant at high school and she married my dad soon after they both graduated."

"Wow."

"So there you have it. I have three sisters, two married. So Mother's Day at grandma's house will be celebrated by three generations totaling five mothers. If you and Nova are still a number in five weeks from now you'll be invited and you can observe family interaction and virtually only have to change the setting to Christmas by just adding snow."

"This is unbelievable Avon, it pushes the story line to the max. Baby it's a winner of a setting."

Avon groaned. "Ryan, I think being called 'Baby' when I'm a mother-of-two and almost forty is rather over the top, don't you think?"

Ryan's tightening grip on his phone almost strangled it into scrap.

Avon caught the silence and with a charitable giggle said, "Oh, very well. At least it identifies you as being young at heart. But I'd rather any such sweet nothings be delivered out of earshot of others."

"I'm bowled over by you," Ryan said, voice dripping passion.

Avon's voice quavered: "Oh God, and I hear Tremain arriving with the twins on their college break. Reluctantly I must go. For a man you're almost enchanting."

"I'm trying to get into your pants, you know that."

"And you're so revolting," Avon sighed, cutting the call.

Chapter 2

Avon and her sister emerged from the restaurant but Ryan, diverted by the hip sway of a passing woman, snapped to attention when he heard the yell, "Ryan baby." Avon would tell him on the phone next day that he looked so surprised when she shouted to him that it looked absolutely genuine and he'd boggled as well.

Heaving the delighted call Ryan looked up and gaped. Avon was wearing her green suit again but the buttons were undone because her tits were not bound down. They appeared to be choice medium size. Only then did he remember the purpose of this staged encounter. "A-Avon," he croaked. "But you live in New York?"

"I still do darling, with my husband," she purred and fell against him as if it were a very accustomed place for her. They kissed on the lips, rather dreamily he thought, and feeling the breasts pressed apart over his chest Ryan felt an erection in progress. He all but panicked and pushing her away ad-libbed like a deceitful adulterer, "A-Avon, remember you are married!"

"Oh, so I am," she said nonchalantly, pulling her jacket straight. She turned and said to Nova, "Oh darling, this is...and stopped. Both she and Ryan looked at Nova who had a hand over her mouth as if having just witnessed a disgusting act.

"It's you," Nova choked. "Rogan Stone. Gran said you lived in this area...like a hermit she said."

Ryan, confused, pointed to his chest and asked, "You know me?"

"Yes, sort of, but nowhere as intimately as my sister it would seem."

"Sort of, then we haven't met?"

"No, but that's just an oversight by nature and about to be rectified. May we buy you a drink?"

"Well, I really..."

Avon, dripping in confidence, took over. "Darlings," she said, using the plural form. "Ryan this is my dear youngest sister Nova Cassidy who's living not too far from you at the moment. Yes Nova, this is author Ryan Silverstone who writes under the name of Rogan Stone." 

Taking each of them by the arm Avon said, "This is just so wonderful having two of my favorite people with me and I'm not even in Manhattan. "Say something Ryan, Nova is almost busting out of her bra in anticipation."

"Hello Nova. Lovely day isn't it."

"Hello Ryan. It is and it's so wonderful to meet you."

"Oh God, we need a drink," Avon said, picking up the pace as they entered the restaurant.

Ryan hadn't been blown away at his first look at Nova. In comparison Avon stood out despite having smaller breasts but it wasn't all about breasts and looks, was it? Nova looked sweet and feminine and was well featured but she didn't breathe life and energy, as did her sister. Still, she was a violinist and had recently been jilted. Anyway, why be heartless and compare them -- technically Avon being married was beyond his reach. Maeve was never the best woman in the bar to chat with, being greatly overweight, loud and rude but he'd bonded with her and Jack wouldn't be the best pick as a dog but Ryan knew they were now so well bonded that he'd have no other dog, at least not while Jack was around. There was no baggage with Nova and if she liked the forest isolation and being with him, even if it meant no sex, then he should be without complaint. Avon had set it up for them so go for it. 

* * *

Driving towards Ripley, a small city in Chautauqua County, every time Ryan turned during conversation to look at Nova, as one does to the front seat passenger, he was conscious of jutting breasts -- reasonably shapely ones too, at least when packed in a bra. Nova was animated when she chatted and that was a good sign.

"My turnoff inland is a couple of miles ahead."

Nova looked at her watch. "How far away is your cabin?"

"About half an hour. It's the back way in. Want to take a quick look?"

"Well yes actually, it sounds divine. I'm rather an outdoors person, unlike my sisters."

"Well, we do it then?"

"You mean drive to the cabin?"

Ryan grinned and said yes, a brief detour to the cabin.

Jack was all over Ryan before sizing up the interloper. There was downscale greeting between Jack and Nova and they soon lost interest in each other.

"This is more like a small house than a cabin. Do you own it?"

"No, it was built as a servicing hut with eight bunks in it but following park authority reorganization they mostly fly in work parties by chopper and fly them out before dusk so this place became surplus to requirements. I took a long-term lease on it five years back. When I inherited my mother's estate I found I was left with all my dad's commercial investments intact so sold mom's house and my big apartment in Buffalo and purchased a studio apartment there to maintain alternative living. I was out tramping when I came across this boarded up cabin with the season's first snow around it and the almost tame bird population and saw three deer moving away and they stopped to look back at me. I tell you, I fell in love with it."

Nova said and why not. "I could stay here."

"When?"

Startled, Nova asked had she spoken out aloud and was told yes. "I need to talk to Gran."

"You could do that this evening while I'll go for a walk."

"That's rushing me."

"I'm in no rush."

At that Nova bit her lip. "What about the dog?"

"The dog stays and has the run of the house. He'd my son."

Nova looked wide-eyed. "Jack is loyal, kind and affectionate then?"

"Exceedingly so. I'm all he has."

"Where would I sleep?"

Ryan didn't hesitate. "On the sofa or share the bed. There doesn't have to be sex."

That comment all but won Nova over. "Then I can be the sole judge of that?"

"Yes, but only for that first time. Do it once with me and thereafter we do it often, very often."

Nova starred at him slowly turning pink. "Jesus, you don't mince words. Little wonder my sister took to you. She is one of the most discriminating persons I know. She does become excited enough to take the high risk occasionally, but nevertheless still chooses wisely."

Ryan preferred not to set rules but considered this one necessary. "Nova, let's agree to avoid talking about Avon."

"Okay," she said looking at him intently. She said he could stop thinking about Avon coming to the cabin and then saw it in his eyes. "Give up on her buddy, she'd never leave her family."

Ryan said gruffly, "Do you want coffee or should we go?"

Nova said, "Take my hand and let's go."

As they walked away Nova said, what about locking up.

"I always leave the door ajar."

"For Jack to come and go?"

"That too, but it saves any louts from breaking in and causing damage."

"So they take everything of value?"

"I've had a few intruders but I have nothing of real value on view so they take nothing more than biscuits and make coffee but never wash up. I reckon the surprise of finding the door open leaves them flat on aggression."

"That's good thinking. What about your computer and manuscripts?"

"There's a floor safe where I keep those, spare battery backs and other valuables. It's set in solid concrete and is pretty tamper proof. It's beside the toilet bowl and apparently no-one expects to find a safe there under a smelly mat."

"God, I smelt that stale urine. Do you pee on it on purpose?"

Ryan grinned and she giggled.

He said, "You sound the right sort of woman to live out here."

Nova glanced at him, blushing beautifully. "Then come for me Sunday mid-afternoon." 

At Nova's request Jack had dropped her off at the start of her grandparent's street. Soon after arriving home and feeding Jack his cell phone went (the cabin was in cell phone range from the repeater tower in the village down below). Ryan grinned as he flipped the phone open, wondering which woman it would be.

"Hello."

"It's me."

The voices of the sister were a little similar so Jack said creatively, "Molly?"

The reply was rather cool. "No, it's Nova."

Again creatively Jack explained Molly was from the park authority calling for the nightly weather report.

"Oh, that's nice."

Nova said he was invited to Sunday lunch. "Gran needs to approve of you before she'll let me stay with you."

"But you are a grown woman. How old are you?"

"Thirty-one. You don't know much about close families, do you Ryan?"

"Well, for your information I'm known locally as the hermit who writes."

"Oh you poor darling. My comment was cruel. Please make a magnificent impression on Gran. I haven't told her you write. She has nine of your books and that's how I came to be reading one of them and was able to recognize you by that handsome photo of you on the dust jacket."

"But everyone including me thinks that photo stinks."

Nova scoffed and said well she didn't. It made Ryan appear to be a man of mystery.

"A man of mystery," he echoed.

"God you are juvenile being impressed by yourself."

They laughed and said goodnight.

On Sunday Ryan drove his black SUV slowly down the street in Ripley until he sighted the one level single family house with pitched roof, painted gray with white framed windows set amid trees. Nova had told him it was sited amid a woodlot of just over a half an acre, adding he ought to see it in winter with bare trees surrounded by snow. "It's awesome. Granddad has movies of it and his children and grandchildren taken over the years."

"Family Christmas gatherings?"

"Yes, of course. Unless any of us has other commitments we always ended up here for Xmas."

On the strength of that Ryan was arriving with a blank DVD hoping to be allowed to copy some scene-settings from granddad's library and hopefully something of family arrivals and key social highlights.

A stooped guy with white hair but plenty of it emerged to greet Ryan as he drove into the driveway.

"Hello young fellow, I'm Jed. My granddaughter says she wants to live with you."

"Yes sir, in the plutonic sense. We haven't really discussed...well, you know what?"

"You mean sex?"

"Well, um, yes."

"Is my granddaughter not good enough for you or do you only like guys?"

"Go easy Jed. I'm not against ass-kicking old guys if they start heaping crap on to me."

The old guy roared with laughter and he strode up and slapped Ryan on the shoulders. "You'll do me son. Come into my den for a whisky."

A woman's voice capable of cutting through ice barked, "You'll do no such thing young man. I want you into my kitchen to be interviewed."

Ryan looked at the scrawny grandmother and saw a something of Avon in her. She would have been a looker in her time.

Ryan removed his cap and half bowed. "How do you do Mrs Mellows?" I regret to have to say the offer of a whisky came first. You'll have to wait your turn."

"Well at least you're not a weak-kneed bellyacher," she smiled and then leaning forward to Ryan stared and said, "Christ, you're him."

"Of course he's Nova's cabin host. You said yourself you wanted him here at noon."

"Shut up you fool," grandma told her husband. "It's him -- Rogan Stone. His mug is on everyone of my favorite books."

"What, those crappy books you snigger over the sex and say 'disgusting' and cry when the hero says it's painful to say goodbye?"

"You wouldn't say it was disgusting if you remembered the other purpose of you penis."

"Would so."

"Would not."

Nova ran out the door and shouted, "Gran and granddad stop it! I wish to formerly introduce our guest, Ryan Silverstone." 

"We've met him," said grandma. "How on earth you managed to latch on to him interests me because he seems no pushover. Methinks he's more likely prey for Avon."

"Gran, Avon is a married woman and a mother."

"Try reminding Avon of that darling. Now inside all of you. Nova you fetch coffee."

The afternoon was anything but plain sailing. Ryan hadn't been aware old people could openly argue so much and even rip into each other quite aggressively although those two seemed to spin out of it without a feather being ruffled. He realized he was on a learning curve.

Nearing the time to leave, Ryan took a risk. Looking at granddad and Gran he asked, "Mr and Mrs Mellows. May I ask do you two have any outside interests?"

Gran said, "The weather would be number one."

"Yeah, shoveling snow is my recreational interest of the year," Jed said.

"I mean do you belong to clubs, call on other people, go on bus tours."

Granddad pulled at an ear, thinking. "We walk to the supermarket Mondays and Saturdays and walk to the library Tuesdays and Fridays. What are you trying to tell us son?"

Nova chipped in. "He's trying to say politely if you two joined clubs and went out more you wouldn't have time to scrap so much."

"Humph. I don't think that's very polite at all," Gran said. "You wait until you're locked up in a tiny cabin with Ryan for several days in a row with nothing to do but to eat and climb back into bed to screw."

"Gran! That's disgusting. Ryan's relationship with me has not proceeded beyond a chaste kiss."

"Well that will change tonight honey, believe me. When reading those filthy passages out to me you've commented where on earth does the author get such a variety of ways of sending a woman into obit."

Hugely embarrassed, Nova said she'd fetch her bags, as if they left without delay they should get to the cabin before dark.

Gran cackled, "That's not the reason to rush is it? You haven't had a man for quite some time."

"Gran!"

As they reached the SUV Nova held up the DVD and asked what was that for.

"Um, I'm writing about family gatherings. I brought it along just in case your grandparents had anything that might think could interest me and download it for me."

"Granddad?"

Nova explained what she wanted and Jed told her to go and get it.

"As Nova raced off, Jed said Nova's next oldest sister had stayed with them for a month to just before her second baby arrived. "She copied best bits from old films that had been copied on to CD and film clips in recent years downloaded on to disk and piled best picks onto DVD and made a heap of copies for family."

"That's great, thank you sir. Here, you keep this blank disk. Mr and Mrs Mellows, I lost all my grandparents early and then my parents so it has been a pleasure talking to you guys today and observing you two interact and interact with your granddaughter."

"Oh, so we'll be in one of your novels, disguised of course?"

"Yes Gran, er, I mean Mrs Mellows."

"Gran or grandma is okay with me. Now you appear to be a stable man and I do think you are a bit old for Nova, but she needs a bit of stability right now. She'll talk about that when she's ready. Just look after her well, do you hear?"

"Yes ma'am."

Jed scratched and said, "Invite him here in May."

"Oh yes, if Nova is still with you on the second Sunday in May I'd like you to be here with us."

"The second Sunday -- shouldn't Nova be with her own mother?"

"She will be. You'll see. Now no more of this crap about us joining clubs, fitness centers and going on to the lake paddling boats, do you hear?"

"Yes ma'am."

As Gran went off to walk Nova back to the vehicle Jed cleared his throat. "Young man, if you think Nova is great I can tell you all our grandchildren look great. But you wait till you see Nova's oldest sister -- a guy could get his rocks off just looking at her."

"Really sir? I must remember that piece of advice."

Gran snapped, "What advice was that?"

Jed and Ryan turned to see Gran and Nova staring at them.

"Jed advised me to watch for crazy young drivers on the back roads."

"You're all right son," Jed grinned, shaking Ryan's hand and then giving him a hug.

As the SUV was turned and they drove off after final waves, Nova said, "What did granddad really say to you? Gran and I knew his explanation was bullshit."

Time to become creative, Ryan thought. "He said if you dump me I would be welcome to stay for a while because there were some sexually dissatisfied younger women living in Ripley."




Ryan Silverstone



"The rotten toadie," Nova giggled. "Take the next right and then the first left to the supermarket. I'll buy some supplies to share living costs as well as to get some things I like. What about condoms?"

The vehicle swerved slightly. "Not on my account."

"Good."

Later as they approached the village of five stores (all closed for the evening) and the eatery that specialized in takeouts and next to it the bar, Ryan said he usually called in Sunday nights but he noticed Nova had purchased chilled wine.

"You want to introduce me to someone, right?"

"Yeah, she's from a New York City Irish-American family, short, fat and little ugly but with a heart of gold. She has a foul mouth and cracks me up laughing."

"So you don't bed her?"

Ryan said of course not, she was old enough to be his mother.

"Yuk what a description of a person not to meet."

As they reached the vehicle repair center on the former site of a blacksmith's Nova shouted, "I want to go to the bar. She'd the Vera in one of your books I've read, Pru in another and then she's reincarnated as Bunny in Damn you Matilda."

"Jesus, well spotted. But Damn You Matilda has only just been published?"

"It arrived late last week. Gran is on the publisher's subscription mailing list. I want to meet the real Vera-Pru-Bunny. She's such a scream."

Ryan parked virtually in front of the bar. "Listen promise me this -- Maeve has no idea she's loosely characterized in my books. In fact everyone here thinks I'm a useless writer plugging on trying to get his first novel published, and I want it kept that way for my own good and to avoid local people finding out they have been loosely characterized."

"You rotten scoundrel Ryan. Okay, just keep close tabs on me when we're with locals and if I've put away too many drinks. I'll do my very best to keep my mouth shut on your rotten little secret."

The bar fell silent as Nova walked in with Ryan.

"This is Nova Cassidy, a wildlife researcher who's been assigned by the park authority to stay with me. Now hear this: anyone making snide remarks about that official arrangement best ready to square up to me. If I do manage to impress Miss Cassidy enough over the next month to get a leg over then you are welcome to congratulate me and give Miss Cassidy flowers. That's all."

The announcement met no reaction and normal chatter resumed.

A short fat woman with breasts large enough to make Nova's eyes bulge came over and kissed Nova and introduced herself as Maeve Ryan.

"God, you're going to be a big girl when you grow up," Maeve said, staring at Nova's breasts.

Nova laughed and said, "Well spotted Mrs Ryan."

Maeve laughed as if having just been told the joke of the year and shouted, "Danny, Ryan's usual. What will you have darling?"

"Do they serve Guinness here?"

"Ryan's usual twice Danny and one for me."

Conversation proceeded at pace between the three of them and during a lull Nova said, "Is that violin on the shelf above the bar playable Mrs Ryan?"

"Danny's wife Siobhan plays but is visiting Dublin at present." Maeve called, "Danny, Nova wants to play the fiddle."

"No, no." But Nova had objected too late; Danny was already taking down the fiddle and bow.

When Nova reached the bar Danny said loudly, "There're two conditions if you play this instrument. Play it well and your table of three gets three rounds of drinks after you stop. The second condition is you play your first tune standing on the bar."

"But Danny, I'm not wearing panties."

At that three guys dragged their chairs closer to the bar.

"I need a lift on to the bar fellows." 

Two guys closest obliged and Nova pulled up her skirt to reveal she was wearing black boys shorts. 

The three guys returned their chairs to their original positions and sat with their backs to Nova as if signaling disappointment. She tuned the instrument to her satisfaction and then announced, "This is dedicated to my new friend Mrs Ryan and of course to our favorite bar owner in this village."

Nova then played as best she could on a strange instrument 'Danny Boy'. It was a beautiful rendition and barely a dry eye in the house. Customer and staff from the eatery next-door were soon standing at the doorway. Mrs Ryan had her face buried into Ryan's shoulder. Nova then handled the fiddle and bow to Danny, jumped off the bar and took back the fiddle and then, demonstrating her versatility, began playing it Irish pub style. Word swept through the small community and soon there was standing room only as Nova played requests, virtually non-stop for the next three hours. She then handed the fiddle and bow back to Danny who rubbed a hand through her hair and brushed at his eyes with the other.

"You're a fine young woman," Mrs Ryan cried, now joined by her husband and two of her children. After a while Ryan gently removed the near-exhausted Nova from Mrs Ryan's embrace to take Nova to the cabin.

On the way Ryan told Nova he was so proud of her and that she now would be as widely known locally as Mrs Ryan.

Nova gave Ryan a quick rundown about her distress at being jilted and explained it could be sometime before she was interested in resuming intercourse with any male.

As they got out of the SUV, Jack sniffed at Nova after being all over Ryan. After taking the dog for a short walk Ryan returned to find Nova already in bed, asleep. A note on the bed read: "Please join me."

* * *

In the morning Ryan awoke, almost in fright, when Nova cried, "Ohmigod, what's this?"

Instantly focusing, Ryan grinned hopefully and said with boyish innocence, "Nothing " and was pleased Nova grip of it had not released. Before he had time to consider would she, wouldn't she, Nova moved with the speed of a mongoose. The upper bedding was whipped away. Her lips closed around the head of his penis and she gently sucked and tongue flicked while lower down her hand began massaging the shaft with the deft finger action of a violinist. Eyes closed, head tilted back over the pillow, mouth opened in a wide and fixed grin, Ryan waited relaxed and ready to blast away in appropriate response to achieve a concerted climatic finale.

In less that ten minutes Nova sat back on her heels, gray eyes dark and huge, semen dripping down both sides of her chin and she said, "Wow, when did a babe last get you off?"

Ryan's proud grin only flickered at Nova because then his gaze had drifted down and he saw the not inconsiderable rounds of flesh but more to the point two very erect and fat nipples centered amid dark apricot areola. As Ryan felt his limpness disappearing rapidly Nova felt the movement against her thigh. She laughed and said, "Come on Buster, let's pull on clothes and take Jack for a walk -- just give me half a minute to clean my teeth."

Ryan sat up to watch her white ass disappear into the bathroom. He followed it all the way with a very healthy leer. Jumping out of the bed he pulled on his cotton cargo shorts and placed water bottles, hiker's mix and something for Jack in his small backpack and went outside to wait.

That evening, during an orgy of sex, the bed collapsed so next morning the lovers went to Buffalo where Nova went shopping, Ryan hunted around for a very solid bed base kitset and bedding a woman might find more attractive than his military style covers. When Ryan dropped Nova off at Boulevard Mall they arranged to meet at Bonefish Grill for lunch and then would go on to his apartment to view the family functions DVA he'd received from Nova's grandparents.

Over lunch Nova asked what had Ryan purchased. He said the new bed base, a flash memory stick for his laptop and razor blades. Nova had numerous shopping bags so when invited to reveal all she just grinned and said the only purchases that might interest him were a range of sexy underwear. "I'll model for you when we return home."

Looking at Ryan closely as they sipped wine Nova said, "Avon called me just as I entered the mall."

"How is she?" Ryan asked casually.

"Fine. Gran had called her to tell her I had found a boyfriend at last, who was very sexy and looked as if he could go all night. Polite manners too."

Ryan slurped his drink. "Gran said that?"

Smiling, Nova said, "My grandparents were not always ancient Ryan and it may surprise you to learn Gran had a rather notorious reputation when she was a young woman. Where did you think we girls and our mom got our sex drive from -- reading sexy books?"

There was no reply until Nova said he should close his mouth.

"T-that is an amazing revelation."

Nova asked airily did he think so and said Avon had asked for full details of Nova's and Ryan's first night together.

"Y-you didn't..."

"Ryan, we are a very open family; Avon was entitled to know. She loved hearing about us at the bar and she laughed so much when I described your gusher than she accidentally cut the call."

"Y-you didn't..."

"No, Ryan I didn't. I just added that bit to get you going but I did say I am back into sex and being serviced by rather an expert. Avon appears to have the hots for you."

Ryan gurgled, dropped his napkin and spent longer than necessary to sit back up and was very red-faced. 

"I'm not jealous Ryan. We all acknowledge Avon as the most sophisticated and the sexiest sister."

"T-thank you for t-telling me that."

"No sweat Ryan, we are only together for the sex. Oh, Avon suggested she and I must talk every second day; big sister is big into doing the sisterly thing. Also I should tell you I went to Chicago last week to be interviewed for a tutor's position at a school of music. I am well qualified and have good connection because I graduated from that university. I'll be advised soon."

Welcoming a diversion from talking sex in a public restaurant, Ryan said that was great and said it meant she could forget about her desire for breast reduction.

Nova stared at Ryan and said, "You have been deeply intimate with Avon, haven't you? Something was nibbling at my mind telling me you two had never done it together."

"We haven't," Ryan protested.

"Liar, but at least in this instance that makes you a gentleman."

Relieved at that reaction from Nova, a feeling of dread touched Ryan and then he knew what it was: Nova would be gone before Mother's Day ending his chance of observing interaction of three generations of family and partners.

The meals arrived and he said, "Going to Chicago would mean you'd be leaving me?"

"Oh, brilliant deduction Ryan," Nova said sweetly. "We were but ships passing in the night but for which I'm grateful. If I win the position I can start immediately but it will not be until after Mother's Day, not with Gran thinking this could be her last. With me gone you will be free to plot how to win my sister."

"Nova!"

"You've gotten it deep for Avon -- come on, admit it."

Ryan hesitated and said, "All I know she has impressed me enormously. That's all I can say."

"That's all I need to know," Nova said triumphantly. "Avon is married so to be fair I'll say nothing to improve your chances."

Ryan sighed deeply. "Thank you for that dear Nova. The thought of the consequences worries me."

"Then don't expect Avon to take the leap; she's been in this situation before."

Ryan stared moodily at the remains on his plate.

Nova said softly, "Ryan Silverstone, I see what this is all about. In your adult life you're had women galore but in Avon you see something different: the doorway to true romance. You've never experienced love with a woman to that level, have you?"

Ryan lifted his head and asked in awe, "How the hell did you figure that out?"

Nova just grinned. "Come on, let's go to your apartment and watch the DVD. You are being lovely to me so perhaps we could have a quickie, but only if you promise not to break the bed."

On the way home Nova accepted with delight Ryan's suggestion that they ought to call on Gran and Jed once a week and drive them around and dine out as a foursome. 

While Nova napped Ryan made a major decision: As soon as Nova left him he'd rent a studio apartment in Manhattan near Avon and husband's apartment and would attempt to woo her. That decision satisfied him, knowing that even if he failed to woo Avon the experience would bare his emotions and broaden his concepts as a romance writer. Until now his heroes did bare preliminary work, so when they finally slapped a hand on a breast and ran the other hand over a clothed hip it was all on, and the romance developed from there. Even he acknowledged his novels lacked the slow burn that finally ignited into the first and beautiful penetration and triggered the first return hip thrust. Ryan wiped the dribble that had slid from his mouth and grinned. 

Chapter 3

When Gran and Jed returned with their tiny mains -- the preferred buffet restaurants so that's where Nova and Ryan took them -- Gran said, "Order champagne Jed, this is our last outing with these two together."

"I'll deal with that."

"No you won't young man," Gran said with authority. "This meal is on Jed and me. You two have been uncommonly kind and generous with us and we also want to celebrate Nova's wonderful opportunity in Chicago. Will we continue to see you Ryan, just occasionally would be lovely?"

"Yes Gran, occasionally. I'll be spending quite a bit of time living in New York." Ryan said, catching movement from Nova and turning caught her huge grin.

"I see, for background setting I suppose?"

"You're on the button Gran. I thought I might attempt a novel embedded with a true romance -- you know, slow courtship and that kind of thing."

Gran cackled. "When Nova goes you ought to sit down with me and I'll tell you the story in explicit detail of this old coot's courtship of me and our wedding night when we finally did it. Then, with him out of the room I'll tell you about some of the other bangs I had and gained my reputation as being a scarlet woman."

Nova and Jed cried simultaneously they wanted to be there when Gran told the story of her early life.

"I chose Betsy because I wanted an experienced woman. I was a virgin," Jed said. "I'd thought if only half of those whispers about Betsy's alleged carrying-ons were true, I'd still have one hell of an experienced young woman. You know my parents were so uptight about Betsy and me that they agreed to attend the wedding only after Betsy and I decided to get married out-of-town and we chose to go over to Niagara Falls. We were all living in Rochester in those days."

When Nova managed to get her mouth closed enough to talk she asked, "Does mom know that was the reason why you married at Niagara Falls Gran?"

"No and I ask you to keep your mouth shut about this."

"Very well Gran, I promise."

After the champagne was served and Nova received a toast, Gran looked at Ryan sharply. "Tell me what this is about Ryan. Avon called this morning and one of the first things she asked was were you coming next weekend for Mother's Day. She sounded rather excited."

Ryan forked in food to provide thinking time, but he needn't have bothered.

"Avon and I talk every other day Gran," Nova said smoothly. "My conversation is about what Ryan and I do socially and he's spoken to Avon a couple of times when he's picked up to answer my phone. Avon is aware he's an author and has purchased a couple of his books."

Gran continued to look at Ryan suspiciously until Jed said, "Unload your mind woman."

Putting down her fork Gran said, "I recognized the rising lilt -- some might call it passion -- in Avon's voice when I said of course Nova was bringing her live-in friend."

"What's so special about a lilt in one's voice?" Nova asked curiously, picking up her glass of water.

"I had to think back of course, it's such a long time ago. It's the uptight feeling a female gets when she'd lying about having an affair or is priming herself to having an affair or perhaps is simply lying."

Nova swallowed and coughed on the water. Jed urged her to drink more water and Nova did so. "I would think it's Avon's suppressed excitement at meeting an author of sexy romances she'd just read. She probably wants to ask him where does he get his ideas." 

"Gran nodded and said. "Of course, that is so likely. I was excited to meet the author of my books."

"Where do you get your ideas?" Jed asked. "For example, living with my granddaughter Nova?"

"Yes Jed, that and talking to people for background like Gran and watching the way people interact, for instance on that DVD you gave me and being here on Mother's Day where no doubt Nova's elder sister will make an exhibition of herself gushing on at me."

Ryan heard Nova's gasp just before Gran snorted, "My Avon doesn't gush and she'd very sophisticated, far too much so for you although there's no accounting for some women's inexplicable actions if sexually aroused over something even in a minor way."

Ryan pulled out his log and began scribbling.

"What are you doing?"

"It's his writer's logbook," Nova said. "He notes things of possible interest."

"No accounting for some women's inexplicable actions if aroused sexually over even something of minor consequence."

Gran smiled and said he'd not quoted her faithfully but it was what she had said in essence. "Will that make it into one of your books?"

Ryan pocketed the notebook and said, "In more than one novel I should think Gran. Your words sounded so authentic and touched on a concept I'd never managed to grasp before. It's your apt choice of the word inexplicable that shone the light for me, you are brilliant."

Gran raised her glass to Ryan and said, "That is one of the loveliest things anyone has ever said to me. Thank you Ryan. You are a fine man and that is why Jed and I have agreed that next Sunday we ask that you make the toast in honor of mothers instead of Jed. It won't be an insignificant toast because there will be twenty-nine of us seated around two tables."

"But I can't ...tell her Jed. Tell her the family won't want to hear from an interloper. Jed, please..."

"Shut up son. It's done. Family will know who are before Sunday lunch."

"Yes indeed," Gran said. "And the women will expect you, a romance writer, to bring tears to their eyes."

"But...but..."

"Shut up Ryan," Nova said. "Just accept the honor."

* * *

Well aware of the strong-willed grandparents, Ryan expected their offspring would not be bunnies and how correct he was. Gran had ordered everyone to be present for supper at 9:00 on Friday night. Nova wisely suggested she and Ryan should arrive at 8:50.

"To make a grand entrance?" he asked incredulously.

"No you idiot -- you are the interloper. It's to give Gran time to say you are coming, who you are and then she and Jed have gotten to know you well because you are fucking one of their granddaughters and they want you to give the speech."

"Gran wouldn't say fucking would she?"

"No, she'd say living with."

"Speech -- she and Jed said the toast?"

"This time everyone will be told to expect a speech."

"Oh God."

"I'm not aware God speaks at private functions. Are you ready to chicken out?"

Ryan looking a bit white, actually light yellow, said: "No, I'd not disappoint Gran and Jed. I'm just getting my mind around it."

"Good boy. Just look at Avon and think of fucking her again and you'll be right. I'm happy for you Ryan and said I wouldn't interfere and I'll stick to that promise."

"Avon and I have never fucked."

"Liar, I've seen the way she looked at you that day the three of us met."

"Nova!"

"Where're here. Let your heart soar Ryan and your mind unravel. You'll then have a great weekend."

Although the evening was cool the French doors were open to let in fresh air because the big room was packed with people. Conversation died as Nova, trailed by Ryan, entered and called "Hi everyone, this is my temporary lover Ryan."




Ryan Silverstone



Gran, looking lovely in a black and gold dress, a red ribbon around her hair, came forward and cooed, "Hi lovely Nova," kissed her and said proudly, "Nova leaves on Monday for her old university in Chicago to tutor in music."

The family clapped and when that died Gran took hold of Ryan's arm possessively and said, "This is Nova's boyfriend Ryan who has been instrumental in pulling Jed and me out of the rut we'd fallen into and he's our special guest this weekend."

"Hi everyone," Ryan said. "I'm the reluctant interloper."

Everyone laughed.

"Avon, I believe you are the only other one of us that knows Ryan. Please greet him appropriately," Gran said.

Avon, surprisingly dressed down and almost devoid of make-up, stepped out of the pack, causing Ryan's heart to race because until then he'd not managed to pick her out, his mind being in part blur.

To Ryan's astonishment Avon kissed him full on and added a light body press. She then turned to the family and said, "That was my thank you for Ryan dragging Nova out of rut and putting sex back into her life. I speak to Nova every other day and each time I could hear the growing lilt to her voice that told me she was healing. No one told Ryan what to do; he just knew what to do. He's just a wonderful person."

The family looked at Ryan who was looking at the floorboards ready to scrape them in embarrassment.

As Avon walked away to rejoin her husband and the twins Jed called to stir things along to unintentionally make Ryan feel even more uncomfortable, "Three cheers for Ryan!" 

The ensuring uproar almost lifted the roof. 

Ryan was out on the deck having a breather from the oppressive family atmosphere when Avon's two blondes introduced themselves.

"I'm Carl."

"I'm Denise. You know our mom."

Ryan felt the guillotine descending.

"Avon?"

The twins nodded.

"Have you had an affair with our mom?"

Ryan looked steadily at Carl. "What do you think?"

Carl said with confidence, "At first I thought for sure. There have been a few other guys in her life. But I saw you two guys together tonight and that glimpse of despair I saw from her left me changed to being undecided."

"Denise?"

"I think you've totally seduced our mom, but not physically."

"Well, that's very interesting. You'll not get the answer from me. Goodnight."

Ryan began walking towards his SUV parked down the street to wait out the remainder of the function. He heard Nova's violin.

"Wait! I want you to dance with me."

"Denise, this is a family event. I'm out of place here."

"You're not aware, are you, that Tremain is our stepfather?"

"Denise, that can't be true."

Carl said without emotion, "It is, and neither Denise or much like him but his money is useful."

"But your mom, she told me she couldn't let go, that she had the security of the family unit to consider."

"She told you that although as you say you two had never had intercourse?"

"Yes Denise."

"I believe you. Dance with me Ryan. I want mom to see where her happiness lies."

"You're not making sense to me Denise."

"Mom will see Denise's acceptance of you and that will start the deconstruction of our family."

"No."

"Ryan, listen to me. Mom is everything to us but Denise and I are young adults, no longer in need of the security of a nuclear family. Besides, we have the much larger extended family around us."

"No, your stepfather loves you mother."

"He does probably to some extent but give me some time and I'll tell you about some of his adulterous affairs," Denise said, eyes narrowing "He's such a swine; he does little to hide them from mom. He's gotten at most of her female friends."

Ryan sighed and said, "Look guys. Please don't attempt to make anything happen this weekend, huh? It could wreck the event for the family. I intend moving to Manhattan shortly and will advise your mom. If something happens it will be at her call. Do you understand?"

They nodded and started back inside when Denise shortened her pace. 

"Ryan," Denise whispered. He stopped and was almost blown away.

"Look, give me your address when you find a place in New York City. I've been agog with some of the things your heroes and heroines do. I'd like to sleep with you so you can teach me new moves."

Ryan coughed and spluttered.

Denise said firmly, "For goodness sake Ryan, grow up. It's only sex. I'm not asking you to love me."

"I'll think about it," he said weakly. 

Denise glared at him and stomped off, leaving Ryan wondering if he needed to jump a generational gap to appeal to younger readers.

Standing at the door Ryan beckoned to Gran.

"Have you been having sex with my granddaughter," she whispered.

"You know I have," he said, leaving forward to avoid anyone overhearing the answer, "but that relationship is about to end."

"No you clown, I mean Avon. She can't keep her eyes off you and I know what's behind that look."

Ryan took a deep breath. "Gran, I'll be on the level with you. I have met Avon twice and only twice, and I swear to you we've not done it."

"I'm struggling to believe you."

"I really don't know how to convince you. At the same time I'd dearly love to slip between those thighs."

"That's my oldest granddaughter you're talking about buster, a married woman."

"Well, I can't help the way I feel and if you can't understand her actions just think of what you told me about 'inexplicable behavior'. Doesn't that tell you why I thought your words were so profound? The twins have also caught her look and cornered me a few minutes ago to ask had I had sex with their mom. Gran, this is killing me, an innocent guy but not one innocent of intent."

The anguish showed on Ryan's face and Gran pulled him to her and patted his back. "No one can fake a look like that my poor man; you've gotten it bad. I believe you."

"I want to leave now Gran."

"Yes, good idea. Return at noon Sunday. Nova can use our vehicle is she needs one. I'll explain your dilemma. I take it she knows Avon has a beady eye on you?"

"She knows my real interest and that I'm moving to New York City but coming back here every second weekend to give my dog Jack a breather from holidaying at the kennels."

"Ah yes, the dog. Another reason to trust you. Off you go; I'll tell Nova later and ask her to call you in the morning."

* * *

Nova called just after midnight. "Hi," she said softly. What have you been doing?"

"Working on a draft synopsis of my commission, Mom's Wish -- Everyone home for Xmas. From that I'll draft my storyline and then work on characters and most of the hard grind will be done when I'm ready to start my manuscript first draft."

"Good, I'm glad you are underway. "Look, about this evening. I accepted your decision to leave after your introduction. I told Gran it was how you react when thinking you are doing the right thing."

"What's that?"

"You become unshakable. Gran laughed and said other people would call that stubbornness. She then said something I thought I'd never hear. She said Jed likes you better than any of the other outside men in the extended family and then Gran came straight out with it. She said the possibility of you and Avon pairing up would really upset our mom but Gran said she'd gurgle with delight."

"She didn't say that, did she?"

"She did Ryan, just for my ears only."

Ryan scratched behind his ear and said he didn't know what to say.

"I wouldn't say anything to anyone about what I've just told you. Good night darling -- those of us still standing have stopped drinking and are just chatting. I have my three sisters around me so must get back to them. We're having such a lovely time."

"Good night dear one. I won't let you down on Sunday."

After lunch next day Ryan heard the sound of a 4WD vehicle coming up the track carefully. When it turned the corner he recognized it as Jed's Jeep. He peered and saw as his chest tightened the driver waving was Avon and she appeared to be alone.

He grinned a big wave and stood on the spot where he indicated she should turn around him to park beside his vehicle. Ryan opened the door and as he began his greeting Jack pushed up and was whining in excitement at the woman calling him, "Oh you lovely boy."

"Aren't you going to kiss me, Avon laughed, pulling her arms away as Jack, not content to sniff at her nearest arm began licking it.

"I have been out-maneuvered."

"Then call him off -- he's your dog."

"He won't obey when fired up like this," Ryan said, dragging Jack away by the collar.

"Sit!" Ryan commanded and then added, "Stay!"

"Are you talking to me or Jack?" Avon laughed but a closing in pair of lips that came on to hers cut that laugh short.

They parted, eyeing each other.

"How long can you stay?"

"My sisters have given me two hours. Nova is introducing Kyla and Sloan to people in the bar. I stopped for a few minutes -- Nova brought her violin and a dark-hair pretty woman behind the bar took down a fiddle while a guy called Danny announced this was Nova's final appearance because she was leaving for Chicago early Monday, permanently. A short fat woman began crying near hysterically and then shouted everyone should call family and friends because it was the big finale. Everyone seemed to know Nova."

"They do, because she drinks Guinness and plays a lively fiddle. Let's go down for the last hour."

"Okay, what can we do for the next hour?"

Ryan licked his lips. "I'm thinking possibilities but first Jack and I will walk you down to the river and then we'll show you around the cabin. Then you might have some ideas."

A minute later after more kisses, Avon and Ryan and began walking. As they grouped to set off Ryan put an arm around Avon's waist. She pulled it higher. Ryan cupped the available breast and heard Avon's soft sigh. As they took the fork down to the river Ryan became aware Jack was brushing against Avon instead of him. Good boy Jack, he thought.

"It's lovely here, a private Eden."

Ryan said with a soft sigh, "I know."

"But I could never live here."

Not letting her get away with that Ryan said, "Of course you could but there's no need. I'll see you in your territory, often if you wish."

Avon pressed her hand against his, just softly, just enough to allow him to feel the nipple for the first time. She would be oblivious to that. Ryan slid his thumb over the nipple and against the noise of running river water caressing stones he only just heard Avon's sigh.

"I'm impressed Jack has taken to you so solidly."

"Jack's a good boy and senses I'm a person who tends to say hello to friendly dogs."

They reached the bottom of the track, negotiated the flood scoured riverbank and walked down the slope of gravel and small stones and stood hand-in-hand looking a nature unfolded before their eyes; Soft white clouds painted the sky while beneath them Jack sniffed around for something to eat or to chase.

"I love your garden," Avon smiled softly.

"Yes, I never tire of it and there's no maintenance."

Breaking a small silence, Ryan asked, "Are you here to be seduced?"

Avon laughed lightly and said that seemed to be Nova's plot because Nova had told Gran they were going shopping. "I'm available if that's what you want. A day doesn't pass without me thinking about you and being in your arms."

They kissed, very conscious of the sound of birds above the rush of water.

"Take me back to the cabin."

They walked back slowly, leaning into each other.

Avon said, "We all were puzzled why you had been asked to give the toast to mothers tomorrow and for Gran to say the instruction was for you to lengthen it into a speech. Then on the way here Nova told us in great detail the significant influence you've had on Gran, granddad and her in such a short time, only five weeks. Her word for it was 'rejuvenated'. Then she spoke at some length about Gran teaching you new meaning for the word 'inexplicable' in the context of the inexplicable action of a woman. Nova was driving and I was aware she spent most of the time on that fairly clear section of road looking in the rear-vision mirror at me, leaving me to believe Gran was speaking about me in a sense. She then announced we were going to a remote bar instead of shopping and then looking at me again said, "Except Avon. She's going on for a short drive to meet her destiny."

"To meet your destiny?"

"That's what she said. I knew where you lived and about the remote bar in phone conversations with Nova, so I knew I was being be set-up and I loved her for it."

Ryan decided if Avon was to face her destiny then he shouldn't dive in, that the courtship should extend over a considerable period before they had intercourse. But Avon entered the cabin ahead of him and when Ryan saw the gentle sway of her hips the more primeval part of his brain took over and he placed his hands over those hipbones and Avon simply stopped, leaned back into him and turned her head around for a kiss -- inviting Ryan to deliver a piece of her destiny. Er, presumably, he thought.

They kissed deeply and Ryan became aware Avon was unbuttoning her shirtfront, removing any doubt about what he should be doing; that Avon was happy to have sex ahead of prolonged courtship.

As Avon spilled her breasts into welcoming hands she said, "Not the bed, not while Nova is sleeping with you."

The romance writer experienced enough to creatively have his heroes and heroines surmount every obstacle, eventually, and to lock in carnal connection with blood-pounding climax involving some originality, looked at Avon as if the end of the world was imminent.

"Where?"

She clicked her tongue, jerked the nearest chair away from the table and lay across the table. "Please remove my panties. I'm beginning to leak and don't want to sit in that hot vehicle with my sisters smelling something that reminds them of when they've been very recently sexually satisfied women."

Avon lifted her head and saw Ryan gaping at her. She smiled and said softly, "Come along. I dream most nights of your erection entering me. We have to postpone the more delicate lead-ups until we are in New York with plenty of time to stroke it along slowly. Please, Ryan, shove it in and turn my dreams into reality."

Ryan fed it in slowly and easily because there was no lack of natural lubrication.

"Nova was right, you are princely endowed."

Ryan croaked, "But Nova promised not to talk to you about me."

"What else could she talk to me about darling -- it's about all you did in the cabin, wasn't it? Never once did she see you writing."

"I-I was on v-vacation. But still engaged in m-mental literary thought."

Avon began pushing back at Ryan who was still in two minds about this.

She asked, "Which of the two vaginas do you prefer? I don't believe Nova can use her muscles like this because she was too lazy to train."

Everything turned black for Ryan as he closed his eyes and red and yellow lights flashed as he groaned and ejaculated hugely. "I-I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Avon said, brushing aside his apology and turning. "Fifteen seconds nets a new record for me. You filthy-minded man, have you been dreaming of having sex with me?"

Ryan nodded and they kissed and tongued.

Avon pulled away and asked, "Ready to go again? Nova said you have the fastest reload of any guy she's ever had."

Ryan rolled his eyes and nodded. 

Bending her back as she lifted to brace on outstretched arms, Avon said, "Play with my tits and stroke me slowly to my ejaculation. This time we do it lovingly, eh?"

"Oh yes Avon. You have absolutely splendid breasts for an older woman."

"You cheeky...God, I'm letting that insult go; you are thicker than before. Oh God, withdraw a little and I'll waggle to heighten the sensations I just felt. Oh darling, it's a joy to have you inside me."

Miraculously, despite Avon's continuous mix of endearments, profanities and commentary they proceeded to achieve an almost perfectly timed mutual climactic finish almost fifteen minutes later. They showered together when Avon revealed more of her exciting, almost animalistic repertoire. As Ryan staggered off to dress while Avon finished washing away semen Ryan thought for the first time he felt he'd been totally fucked. He'd thought that occasionally before but that afternoon he'd been taken to a new level of complete fulfillment.

Ryan lectured himself not to rush things and tell Avon he loved her. As they prepared to drive their vehicles down to the village she leaned into him heavily and asked, "Do you love me?"

Swallowing, Ryan forgot to remain restrained. "I admire you greatly and know I'll love you if we progress."

"Oh my, what a discreet fellow. Most men lie to exploit a woman to the maximum." 

Meeting at the bar entrance, Ryan pulled Avon through the crush to the table he always shared with Maeve. He introduced Avon casually to Maeve and Avon then introduced her sisters Kyla and Sloan to him, Ryan maintaining a pose of absolute innocence during the close-up appraisals. Only then did he see what the sisters and Maeve saw: Avon's glow and wet hair. Wearing his embarrassment like a happy man, Ryan grabbed Maeve's empty glass and the empty wine bottle and pushed through the dense crowed at the bar where he knew Nova and Danny's wife Siobhan playing violin and fiddle. They were standing on the bar and apparently not wearing panties. 

Nova came to the table during a couple of breaks and told Ryan Gran had arranged for them to have their last night together in a neighbor's house who'd stay with their married daughter. "Gran, granddad and me are expecting you to drive us to the airport -- we'll need to leave at 5:00."

"That's fine, I had suggested to Jed about taking you guys to the airport but he must have forgotten to say anything."

"Did you and Avon do it?" Nova whispered, first observing Avon and Maeve were locked in deep conversation.

Ryan nodded and Nova cooed, "Good boy," adding if he wanted to keep it in the family she knew Sloan and Kyla were interested but wasn't able to speak for their mom."

"Nova! For goodness sake. I am not that promiscuous. Why haven't I met your mom?"

"Like my sisters she kept her distance during your unexpectedly brief appearance but would have sized you up about your suitability for me and any of my sisters you managed to tail."

Catching Ryan's look as if he were being strangled, Nova grinned and said she'd been joking. "They all know Avon has you lined up for a journey down Erotic Lane."

* * *

On the journey back to Gran's house, Avon pretended to doze, thinking about her lovely afternoon, the highlight being having her intended lover touching her cervix. She sighed, thinking about them playing in the shower when his soft kisses and massaging had her on the brink of going out of control. When Ryan had finally lifted her up on to his hips Avon had keenly pushed him at her smallest hole but he said 'Tut-tut' and rammed her pussy so fast that she'd thought it was Christmas. 

"Let's save the ass for special occasions," he'd puffed.

"Like Christmas?"

"Yeah, good one," he grunted and she just let go and creamed all over the plunging invader.

"Can you go again?" he shouted, the strain of holding her up and administering the major action showing on his face.

"For you darling, anything, I'm a multiple slut." At least that's what she thought she was saying but when one receives a pounding like he was delivering it's difficult to keep one's mind coherent.

Ryan now interested Avon to the core. She knew from their first meeting he was attentive, could maintain good conversation, pushed her mind in new directions and he easily bared his sexuality. And now she knew he fucked well, splendidly actually. The twins were twenty and she would turn forty the next month, leaving Avon unaware of the state of her reproductive system. But if, miraculously, she separated from Tremain and she became pregnant to Ryan would she mind? Avon groaned, her mind befuddled.




Ryan Silverstone



"What's wrong darling -- feeling Ryan slipping into you again?" Kyla, strapped in beside Avon said wickedly.

They all laughed, including Avon who straightened, yawned and joked, "Does anyone have a vibrator handy." 

"Yes, here we go," Nova said. "Grab my handbag from between the front seats."

"Oh no, I was only joking."

"Long and very fat, hugely fat at times," Nova said, looking at Avon in the rear vision mirror.

The other three waited for Avon's reply.

"Yes darling. You'd prepared me for that finding and I confirm it's true."

"Look after him Avon," Nova said. "He really responds to a bit of mothering."

The laughter ended abruptly when Nova asked, "When will you move in with him?"

"That's not even a forgone conclusion Nova. There's so much at stake, so much to get my head around."

Sloan struck with the obvious, saying dryly, "You would have got you head around it a few times this afternoon darling."

The vehicle wobbled because Nova involuntarily jerked the steering wheel and then the vehicle body rocked with almost hysterical laughter.

Brushing away laugher tears Nova said, "You filthy sluts, let's become pure and sing some of the road songs of our youth." She started them off with the rather obscene version of 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles', second verse and renamed 'The Former Virgin's Lament'. Gran had taught it to Avon who'd passed the words down the family line.

Chapter 4

Ryan called Nova, saying he was turning into Gran's street as they spoke. With pride he saw Nova running along the sidewalk to him, waving. She climbed in and they kissed and hugged and she said this day was their finale.

"Yes, indeed and I want you to promise me this: Don't wind up with a stuffy old professor as your long term mate. You are a free spirit with so much living left in you."

"You sound like my big brother."

"Strive to live happily Nova. Let's just leave it at that."

Nova introduced Ryan to an older woman, with fine features and great bearing. She spoke beautifully, too.

"You have produced a fine line of daughters, Mrs Cassidy."

"I guessed you'd have a silver tongue and when I first glimpsed you my expectations have been met. Please call me Eloise. Before the others gather I wish to say thank you for the enormous contribution you made in getting my baby back on course," Eloise said, hugging Nova.

"I simply had to hit the switch; the light was always there."

Eloise smiled graciously, shaking her head. She beckoned and a graying guy, looking athletic for his age, hurried over. "Lewis, this is Ryan Silverstone who has helped rebuild Nova's life. Apparently he's a great admirer of our girls and I heard this morning his eye is on Avon."

Ryan felt his feed turn into concrete and bells of doom rang in his ears. He looked wildly at Nova but she looked completely relaxed, her mom's arm still around her.

"Delighted to meet you Ryan. Call me Lew. Eloise told me she expected to be charmed by you. If what Eloise has heard is true you have our blessing to take Avon away from that fiend of a husband of hers who is slowly crushing her spirit and goodness. The twins want this to happen, believe me. They have told us they've spoken to you but your reply disappointed them deeply."

Big-eyed, Ryan said, "Eloise?"

"Just start the process Ryan. We want to see it happen. Now we must let you go. Others want to meet you."

Walking forward Ryan choked and said to Nova, "They know."

"I keep telling you Ryan, we are an open family. Now you know first-hand what my parents think. Just don't think their go-ahead applies to my other two sisters."

Nova said to a thickset guy, "Tremain, please meet Gran and Jed's friend and my partner of late, Ryan Silverstone. Avon you have met Ryan already."

"Yes, hi Ryan," Avon said, politely lifting her sunglasses.

Tremain smiled politely and poked out a powerful paw that was cold and felt damp and Ryan recalled hearing someone say Tremain was a cosmetic surgeon.

"Hi," grunted Tremain disinterestedly and immediately turned away to look at two nearby younger kin who were giggling.

Ryan thought he didn't have to imagine Tremain being villainous. Remove the practiced bedside smile and the guy fitted the role perfectly, no imagination required. The only problem was Tremain would flatten him like a tank if the brute and he went toe to toe. 

Avon said, "Hello Ryan -- you addressed our book club remember?"

It was a lie of course and Ryan embellished the lie. "Yes I remember. You all had soft hands and perfect nails and were all dressed fashionably. None of you looked if you'd ever had to work for income."

The brute stared at Ryan. "Haven't you ever met ladies before?"

"One can never be sure," Ryan responded, drawing a light scowl from Tremain and a lightening quick wink from his lady.

"Well, what do you think?" Nova said, steering Ryan away.

"The villain, straight from the pages of a book. I would think New York is unsafe with him walking about."

She laughed and Ryan thought he'd really miss that laugh.

Gran kissed him, calling Ryan 'my man' and Jed was very friendly in his greeting and then made Ryan nervous by asking, "Are you nervous about your toast?"

"Of course he's not," Gran snorted. "He's got balls."

Gran was holding a small boy she said was Sloan's youngest and the taller girl standing shyly behind Jed was Sloan's eldest and next to her was Kyla's elder child. 

Kyla arrived from the bedroom with her baby so Gran poked Jed in the ribs and he knew what that meant.

"Everyone, please be seated for Mother's Day luncheon," Jed called. "Today we honor all mothers present in this house. Have a great time everyone."

"Nova, you and Ryan sit between Gran and me."

* * *

After the main course was cleared away Jed announced a new friend of the family, successful romance writer Ryan Silverstone, would give an address before proposing the toast to mothers.

Ryan had decided to fictionalize the meeting with Avon to protect her.

Hi everyone, I'm as Jed said Ryan Silverstone. I'm thirty-eight and last month had my 38th romance novel published. In each novel there is a hero bent on doing things to the heroine that could turn her into a mother. That perhaps gives me some credibility for standing here and addressing you today because I have created mothers out of heroines and many, many sub-characters become mothers before the books end. But that's fiction.

I'm not married so there is no mom attached to me or to my knowledge a mom of my making left in my wake. Even more destructive to my credibility in earning my place here is I have no mom and no grandmothers alive. My last surviving gran died when I was twelve. My own mother died when dad's station wagon hit a train at a crossing in rural Oklahoma. Someone found me yards from the death scene that wiped out my whole family. I was in the cargo area; the rear door was torn off its hinges. Wrapped in bedding I apparently was ejected along with the door and me, being lighter went farther to land in a hedge. I was three years old. 

A series of aunts and friends of mom's took turns mothering me. I still cannot explain how the authorities didn't institutionalize me. The first aunt who cared for me was a pastor's wife so I reckon that might have explained it. She was bossy enough to send the officials packing. Being an orphan I had a pretty good idea what mom's did and especially when I started grade school I cried to be allowed to have a mom like all the other kids. When I graduated high school I was still wishing I had a mom, attending that ceremony. Tough cheese, eh? But not all of us are lucky.

So why am I here? In New York visiting my publishers I received a fat commission to write a novel about a mom wanting her family home for Christmas. Wrong guy to write that, you may well think. He doesn't have a mom, practically never has had one. Well my publisher is not an idiot. He knows I write well enough to sell books by the thousands and knew my background. He didn't say a word but I knew he was thinking this guy never has had Christmas with his mom and family so will write his nuts off creating his mom and family for this book we aim to promote as our company's bestseller, ever. I must say my mom won't be cute with dewy eyes, huge love in her heart, lines on her face etched by worry and the best cook in the world.

No, I'm sorry to drop this on you Gran but my fictitious mother will be loosely based on you as I imagine you were in your prime.

There were gasps around the room and someone yelled, "You can't do that."

"Look, please hear me out before bursting out of your bra young lady. You won't recognize Gran, I promise you that. What I will be immortalizing is some of her character traits and her spirit. I have a feeling I have been sent here, the coincidences are too remarkable, and although she hasn't said anything to me I reckon Gran feels something similar.

"By God, I have been thinking about it Ryan and what I've heard you say here today has me reaching out to you and yet I know you're not family. Something really is going on here. I reckon this gathering and our family will be the basis for your story."

"Yeah, all he needs to do is to add snow," Nova yelled and almost everyone laughed.

"You'll too smart for me Gran," Ryan said, saluting her, but on with my rambling.

How is it I'm here? I'll tell you why -- chance. On the day I met my publisher the misers didn't treat me lunch. So I went across the street, right on peak hour and the place was crowed. A waitress came from speaking to two women at a table with the third chair empty and said, "Sir, these ladies are prepared to have you sit at their table. The one in the beautifully cut green suit said you appear washed, shaven in a nice suit but the tie is gaudy'. So I was seated, introductions were made and both ladies pricked their ears up when I said I was visiting Manhattan to see my publisher."

'Oooh,' said the green-suited lady. "If you write fiction you can speak to our group at lunch tomorrow. Our speaker is ill and we haven't had time for a fill-in." 

I told them their group wouldn't be interested in me because I only wrote sexy romances. The other woman said 'Ohmigod, he's been sent to us from on high'. They giggled and the deal was done: the next day I would speak to their group in return for a free meal. I forget the name of the other woman but the woman in green who is here today - Avon Hungerford warned me not to be too explicit about sex and certainly no talk about fluids. Then left and my order arrived and I was left thinking what to say to a bunch of women who if they met at midday probably had never worked. I then thought I'd emphasize though my heroes learned good manners their mothers my heroines were inevitably defensive when engaged by a guy on the make because their mothers had brought them up to be careful and not to give a guy everything until they were married. So I chose the topic, 'The Influence of Mothers on My Heroines'. The two women who'd met me at the restaurant the previous day were at the door to greet me. Avon kindly warned me no liquor would be served at the luncheon so I darted off to down a couple of vodkas on the rocks. I believe my presentation went very well actually although Avon was the only one present who'd ready any of my books. But that's New York City.

About a month later I'd finished a meeting with my accountant in Buffalo at a hotel opposite the airport when I recognized Avon emerging from the restaurant who a younger look-alike. Avon introduced me to Nova, we had coffee, I offered to drive Nova home when finding she was staying an hour from where I lived. Apparently overnight she thought I could be someone who'd be good company. She knew I wasn't married so called me and I suggested she should sample the air in the forest where I lived.

"The toad, he asked Nova outright to move in with him," Gran shouted.

Oh yeah I had to front up to Gran and Jed to pass inspection. And so that's the convoluted story about how I came to be here today and speaking. As well as Nova, Gran and Jed apparently felt I was okay and we have become firm friends and not only because I had setting in mind. That came later, prompted when Jed gave me a DVD showing excerpts of years of your family gatherings, going right back. Well, let's drink. You know about half the world's population have been mothers, are mothers or will be mothers and that includes every female here today. I have to admit Gran is the oldest mom in my closer circle of acquaintances and she pressed me to deliver this toast. The toast is for all moms assembled here and, of course, moms-to-be. 

Please stand every male in this room and hold your glass at the ready.

Thank you God for coming up with the concept of moms. To moms.

"To moms," toasted the men.

Ryan drew enormous applause. Gran leaned against Ryan, hugged him and whispered. "A little bit of that was bullshit. Avon told me how you two met -- she picked you up."

"Gran, use your brain. I fudged it to protect her reputation and to avoid the possibility of her husband feeling he'd have to slap her around for chatting me up."

"Oh of course, you beautiful man. God you deserve her."

* * *

At the airport Nova and Ryan had their last hug. Nova thanked Ryan for all he'd done to help her and he said he'd appreciated her company enormously. 

"Come to Chicago and see me; I'll love showing you around."

"Love to do that. Give me a final kiss and I'll withdraw, leaving your grandparents to say goodbye."

The drive back to Ripley was far from depressing and certainly not boring. Gran related the story of her life to Ryan, with Jed chipping in to help her over memory lapses. The story was told luridly with plenty of breaks because of laughter. Ryan stopped periodically to make notes in his writer's log; some of the detail and Gran's phrasing were too priceless not to be recorded.

A couple of nights later Ryan came back from the bar with two large glasses of draught Guinness beer and Maeve sank her top lip into the froth up to her nostrils in one of them.

"It's not the same here without Nova," she said. "Danny's takings will be down hugely."

"Roughly the same numbers of people are here as before Nova's arrival."

"I know, but I enjoy her and her lively ways. You must have had a great time with her in bed."

"I did indeed Maeve, I did indeed. Look, I'm preparing to leave as well. There is something I'd like to ask..."

"Yes, I'll take Jack. He'll be better company than my lazy sod of a husband with that blasted TV of his. Jack won't like you going."

"I know Maeve. If he runs away and doesn't survive, then so be it. I'll be moving to an apartment in New York City and that's no place for an outdoors guy like Jack."

"Trust me Ryan. I'll feed him before I let him out. He may stay up at the cabin for a day or two but when he gets hungry he'll come back to me for food. You're going to the city after that married woman, the one Nova and her sisters called Avon. They were disgusting talking about the things you two would be doing up at the cabin. I came close a couple of times to peeing myself in laughter. The one called Sloan asked me about the other men in my life and I almost had them peeing their pants." 

Ryan said, "That Avon, what do you think?"

"Well, thinking about my dear departed mom's upbringing I thought you should not be playing around with a married woman. And then I thought she's a bit too classy for you. And then I saw her eyes whenever she looked at you. I thought to myself, it could be more than the sex she wants from you, but then I'm not too sure about that. So I'd be saying this to you Ryan. Don't dally -- she wants you with her."

"Maeve, I'm hoping she does."

"Fuck Ryan, why listen to my advice based on reason and understanding women better than you when you turn off and go all humble and say you're hoping she wants you. Confuse her by going negative and she'll become uncertain about what she wants. I give you two at least a year."

"I'm hoping it will last longer than that, far longer."

"That's better Ryan. She'll be a good one for courtship. Do you know what her husband's like?"

The next day Ryan called the park board about relinquishing his lease of the cabin. There was no problem, as three other approved 'hermits' were on the waiting list for cabins. Ryan went into Buffalo to sign the documents and receive the remainder of his quarterly rental paid in advance back, less legal fees.

Three days later, termination day of his lease, he left the cabin and took Jack to Maeve. He was relieved when she said, "I've found a new home for Jack if you are agreeable -- a nice family with two boys aged ten and twelve who came in with their mom today looking for an active dog who'll be good with kids -- the boys' sister is six and the father is away a lot delivering farm machinery.

"The decision is yours Maeve. Anything to make Jack happy."

Maeve cried and wouldn't allow Ryan to kiss her, saying it was like losing a son. Ryan didn't mind, as he knew this was total Irish bullshit. As he reached the door Maeve flew at him, arms wide open.

"I've promised an elderly couple I'll call on them a minimum of twice a year," Ryan said, squeezing Maeve tightly. "When I do I promise to call in on you."

"You mean Nova's grandparents?"

"Yes, how did you guess that?"

"Nova and I didn't just talk sex. "Your lovely lady, Nova's sister -- will she come too?"

"That's my intention."

As Ryan drove off, heading for Manhattan Island, he wondered if his priorities were screwed up. Within a week he'd farewelled Nova and now Maeve and Jack. Each of them had meant a great deal to him but he thought the deepest loss would be Jack. He felt a heel abandoning Jack like this but then thought of Jack being persecuted by regulators and undoggy-like people in New York City. Then he thought what Maeve had said, boys aged ten and twelve. They would be lively lads and would give Jack all the exercise he needed and more and some of their mates would have dogs. Maeve had said the farm was run down -- ah, tall grass mean pheasants and a farm meant rabbits. Jack would have a ball. The vehicle picked up speed and Ryan began singing. 

Four songs later and Ryan was done. His mood changed too and he began thinking about traffic congestion on Manhattan. He pulled in for a donut and coffee. Before that was finished he'd decided New York was not for him. Ninety minutes later he was unpacking in his studio apartment when there was a knock on the door.

"Hi, I'm Mrs Childs from the apartment next door, one of your neighbors. We have never met and I..."

She stopped and Ryan knew what was coming...'Oh, you're the popular author Rogan Stone. I possess a number of your books. Will you autograph them for me?'

But no, Mrs Childs was refreshingly different. "You're that asshole romance writer, always hogging review columns. You hate women, Rogan whatsyourname?"

"Rogan Stone, real name Ryan Silverstone. "Oh God Mrs Childs, how refreshing it is to be unmasked. Most women who meet me adore my heroines and express the urge to jump into bed with me and enjoy the treatment I believe they deserve."

"What! I can't believe what I'm hearing."

"I know but you ought to realize Mrs Childs some women are so immature and always think the next man that comes along will be better than the last one. But Mrs Childs, you and I know it is unlikely they ever will be. Women attract their types, unless it's a woman of your intellect with ability to read past postulating prose to analyze the writer's true character which is the key to unlocking reason why he screws up his characters so deliberately."

Ryan was really enjoying attempting to spellbind this uppity bitch, swamping her with verbal crap. "Look, I would love to serve coffee but I'm in such a mess."