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On New Year's Day, Nicola's mother wished her "a happy, flowering year". Though the first day of it produced nothing but thistles from her meeting with Garth Courtney, as the months went by they began to blossom in a quite unexpected manner. |
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From their first meeting, when Garth Courtney had nearly run Nicola down in the lane, their relationship seemed fated to be a stormy one. Until Garth moved into the house next door, Nicola had always run her dog-breeding business in the paddock. But when Garth arrived at Wood Rising, he refused to rent her the land. Her small enterprise was at an end, and her quiet but happy life was rudely shattered. But that wasn't the last time that Nicola was to cross swords with her impossible neighbour. When she found work at a nearby horticultural station, there was the wretched man again - none other than the Director of the place! And giving her orders in his usual peremptory way! It was clear to Nicola that Garth Courtney was a complete male chauvinist. But as the year went on, she found to her horror that her feelings towards him were slowly changing. Surely she couldn't be falling in love with a man who so obviously despised her? |
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No 704 (1971) Theirs was a chance meeting - but they were to meet again ... and again. |
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Their first meeting was a disaster. After that, things got worse .... When Garth Courtney nearly ran Nicola down with his speeding car - he accused her of standing in the middle of the road. Then when he discovered she kept kennels on his newly bought land, he ordered her off - forcing her to sell her beloved business at a loss. But the worst part was when Nicola finally obtained well-paying work at the reseach institute - only to find the hateful Garth Courtney as its director. They were destined to get in each other's hair - like a fighting cat and dog who have backed away from each other - only to meet face to face around the corner. Nicola was determined to put a crack in Garth's stone wall - if not for her own sanity, then for her growing feelings toward him. But there was only one way to reach Garth - and that was through the only person he ever loved .... |
Vol 4 No 21 (1987) From the moment autocratic Garth Courtney burst into Nicola Marlyn's peaceful life, her emotions were in turmoil. But Nicola had all the fire and spirit of her Celtic ancestors. She was not the sort of girl who would submit meekly to his dictates, no matter how well-intentioned! |