Season of Fear Read Free Page A

living room. Alexander Ridley had been waiting for her, and not too patiently.
    "Good evening, Mr. Ridley." Robin handed him the envelope she had clung to so readily on the bus.
    He gave it only a perfunctory glance.
    "Yes, well, Miss North, as my daughter has no doubt informed you, I'm afraid you do not exactly meet the expectations I have had for a housekeeper."
    Robin stood quietly awaiting her dismissal.
    "However," he went on, "For several reasons, I have decided to give you a chance for a trial. Herman Robinson seems to think quite highly of you, and so I'm certain that you are well qualified for the job. You've traveled quite some distance. My daughter seems to have taken a liking to you, and I'm sure it will be good for her to have someone closer to her age around for companionship while she's home for the summer. Also, it's not easy to find individuals who are eager to live so far from town."
    He crossed the room, and looked out a large window, turning his back to her.
    "I will," he added, "continue my search for someone whom I consider more suitable, but in the meantime, you may stay with us."
    Robin could feel the color rising in her cheeks, her mind stymied by guilt and anger. What would he say, she wondered, if she were to blurt her real relationship to Herman, to admit that she was lacking the experience she claimed? He would immediately rate her with the "fortune hunters" of which Sara had spoken.
    With his back to her, Robin could look at him objectively for the first time. His hair was longish and very blond, such a contrast to the shiny darkness of Sara. His skin was weathered and tanned by the sun. His muscular body looked much at home in the faded Levi's and workshirt he was wearing. She guessed his age to be around thirty-six, and she had to admit to herself that he was indeed handsome. He looked more like a young hired hand than the rich owner of the Ridley Ranch.
    "Another thing, Miss North," he said, turning back and interrupting her thoughts, "I do not care to be bothered with the petty details of running a household. While you're in my employ, I shall expect you to handle any crisis that may arise. Sara and cook will familiarize you with the outline of your duties, as they've been sharing the responsibility since our other housekeeper left us. Have I made myself clear?"
    "Very clear, Mr. Ridley," Robin said between her teeth, growing angry at being treated like a laboratory experiment that was bound to fail. She would show him! She would run his house efficiently and effectively, and she would do it without running to him with her problems like the inept child that he seemed to think she was. But she would do it without cowering before this authoritarian employer. She would keep her self-respect or she would not stay.
    "I'll begin my duties in the morning, Mr. Ridley, and I assure you, you will be more than satisfied with my work. The question that arises in my mind concerns the matter of whether I'll find the Ridley Ranch the type of atmosphere in which I desire to work, even for such a temporary time. I won't bother you with the petty details that you seem to detest, but I will review my responsibilities and inform you of my opinion of the job and resulting decision."
    She turned on her heel to exit from the room when he threw back his head and gave a loud laugh. She stopped in her tracks.
    "Excellent, Robin North, excellent. I have a feeling we have no milksop city girl on our hands!"
    She turned to face him, and he held out his hand. He was smiling now and acting pleasant. She shook it doubtfully as he went on. "For the life of me, I can't imagine why you have adopted the career of housekeeper, but whatever the reason, welcome aboard."
    Was he so curious about her? Would he begin prying into her background and come up with the roots of her deceit? But he changed the subject. "We'll expect you to eat with the family, as most of our help comes in after breakfast and leaves before dinner, with the