A Physical Affair

physical attributes swung so easily into gear that she tensed painfully. Her nerve endings quivered, the sensations all but distracting her, and she had to force herself to regain her own concentration.

‘Nowadays a lot more people are interested in the environment,’ she continued quickly, ‘so I feel a magazine like this one could carry more information about that, especially articles that are plain and easy to understand, targeted at the layman and not bogged down in a lot of technical mumbo jumbo.’

Eden smiled faintly and Keira flushed, but persisted defiantly.

‘I’d also like to see occasional reports on the national heritage, exclusively Australian. That was something we planned before we sold the magazine. As a matter of fact you could probably use and expand a lot of the bylines from the old magazine,’ she added thoughtfully.

‘Such as?’ he enquired, looking up.

‘Well, perhaps the general everyday information columns.’

Eden consulted his notes again. ‘I see one of your most popular and successful columns was a write-in questionanswer type on health, naturopathy, pets, etcetera, called “Ask Aunt Aggie”.’

‘Yes,’ Keira agreed slowly. “It featured household hints, repairs and remedies, and old-fashioned recipes using tried and true methods which struck a happy medium between ones that are quick and easy using natural ingredients, and ones that began with “go out and slaughter your ox”. Of course, the name’s a little trite but-’ she shrugged ‘-it worked.’

Eden sat back regarding her and Keira shifted uneasily in her seat. ‘We got good feedback on that particular column,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘So, you feel the magazine would work this time around?’

Keira nodded. ‘I don’t see why it wouldn’t. Allowing that this isn’t the best economic climate for starting a business venture, the magazine would have to have topical appeal and if your research points out that it does, well, it sounds more than viable.’

Eden consulted his file. ‘And some of these contributors-do you think they would be available to work on Natural Life again? Especially this Miss Agatha Rains, who apparently created Ask Aunt Aggie?’

A small smile played about Keira’s lips and Eden’s eyes narrowed to centre on them. ‘There’d be no problem with Aunt Aggie, and I’m sure the others would also be available.’

‘Good. Which brings me to my final question. How would you like to take on the job of editor of the revamped Natural Life?’

Keira stared at him for surprised seconds. ‘Me? But-’

‘You’ve done it before.’

‘Not on the scale you’re obviously talking about and, besides, we’re snowed under at the moment. I couldn’t spare the time from Chloe right now.’

‘I wouldn’t expect you to cover both positions. As I said, you’ve been doing an outstanding job.’

Keira went to speak and Eden held up his hand. ‘And I know all about the situation that exists with the staff. I’ve been aware of it for some time. Let’s leave it at that and not go into the politics of personalities, hmm? I wouldn’t offer you this promotion if I didn’t think you could handle it. All that remains is for you to decide whether or not you want it.’

‘I’m flattered but I… Well, I haven’t really given any thought to changing jobs. I expected to…’

‘Go on doing what you’re doing now? One of my snoops-’ he grimaced ‘-tells me you can do the job with your eyes closed. That’s no challenge.’

Keira felt her cheeks colour. ‘What makes you think I need a challenge?’ she asked shakily, and he raised one dark brow.

‘Let’s just say I’m a fantastic judge of character. So, yes or no?’

‘You want to know right now?’

‘Why not now?’

‘There are considerations. I mean, what happens with Chloe?’

‘All that will be taken care of.’

‘And what about staff for the new magazine?’

‘You can choose your own staff.’ He removed another sheet from his folder and passed it across to her. ‘That’s a suggested list of positions. Read it through and you can make your recommendations to fill them. You can create or delete if you feel it’s necessary and we’ll discuss it.’

Keira glanced down at the list in amazement. On paper it seemed as though she could write her own ticket, so to speak. It was far too good to be true. Would she have to pay for such generosity in the long run, be held on a tight editorial rein by the powers-that-be?

‘If I do take the position I’d want to know what or who I’ll be up against,’ she said slowly, and Eden Cassidy provocatively held her gaze.

‘Who you’ll be up against? Now there’s a thought,’ he said softly, and Keira’s heartbeats accelerated in immediate response.

‘You wish,’ she said as softly, smiling despite herself, and he raised one fine dark brow again.

‘Oh, I do. I can’t dispute that. However, that has nothing whatsoever to do with Natural Life and I wouldn’t be foolish enough to jeopardise Cassidy-Ford’s chances of getting the best person for this position. So I’d better reassure you I’d only be on the periphery of the venture. Technically, you’d be top dog. And you needn’t even contact me directly if you didn’t want to. You could report via Denver Clarkson, as Dianna does now.’

‘And I’d have final say as to my staff?’

He nodded.

‘You say I’d have editorial independence but just what would that mean in terms of the day-to-day editorial decisions?’

‘It would be exactly the same as it is with Chloe. I have trust in you and your judgement. You’ve edited this type of magazine before and you’ve excelled in your present position. I see no problem with your having editorial autonomy.’

Keira returned her gaze to the papers in front of her. Tremors of excitement welled within her. It was really the job she’d been working towards all these years since the failure of her marriage. Admittedly she’d allowed her ambition to slip on to the back burner this past year or so, but there was no denying that a position such as the one he was offering her had been her goal, the pinnacle of her chosen career.

Now it was within her grasp. She simply had to reach out and take it. And less than a week ago she would have killed for this chance.

So why was she hesitating? Her heart skipped a beat. The answer to that question sat right in front of her. Climbing this rung of the ladder took her one step closer to Eden Cassidy.

She was well aware that Dianna Forester, as editor of one of Cassidy-Ford’s publications, often attended various meetings where Eden Cassidy presided. Dianna would return and with studied casualness drop his name into the conversation, much to Roxie Denahey’s disgust.

Keira’s mind shot off at another tangent. Roxie would be the first person she’d add to her new staff. Roxie was competent and trustworthy and they got on so well, always had, which wasn’t the case with Roxie and Dianna.

She could also offer positions to-Keira stopped the direction of her train of thought. She was acting as though she’d decided to take on the job when…

‘What’s your decision?’ Eden’s deep voice made her start slightly and she raised grey eyes to meet his. ‘Assistant editor of the tried and true, or editor of our new endeavour?’

CHAPTER SIX

DANIEL knocked tentatively and entered Keira’s office. ‘I just saw Eden leaving. So how was lunch?’

‘Fine.’ Keira shrugged non-committally.

‘Eden has gone, hasn’t he?’ Daniel said. ‘Or is he likely to turn up again?’

‘He’s gone as far as I know,’ Keira said without intonation, feeling as though she’d been through an emotional