Harry and Sara (ePub)

Harry Harrigan, tough Australian financial investigator, has been brought in from the cold to enjoy a quiet domestic life in Brisbane, Australia, after a hazardous two years solving financial crimes all over the world--non-stop. His boss, George Balfour, believes that Harry, having just survived an attempt on his life during his final and biggest inquiry, has done enough. He appoints him manager of the company's Queensland branch, but indicates he will want him in New York in the future , with a view to taking over Balfour G as chief executive. But Harry's immediate goal is to marry Sara Grayson, a beautiful girl from a small cattle town in Central Queensland. They've been in love, but separated, for four years. In a confused state, believing wrongly that Harry had fathered an illegitimate child, Sara had broken off their engagement and made a bad and hasty marriage to a difficult and devious man, who leaves the marriage almost immediately but continues to frustrate Sara's attempt to get a divorce. As he was leaving for his first assignment Harry devised a slightly illegal plan to help Sara and she is now free. Now they are married and settled in Brisbane. Their domestic bliss is shattered, however, when Sara suffers severe brain damage in a riding accident and is in hospital for two years, much of it on life support. Harry is never far away. Sara eventually recovers but is not the same. A risky but possibly curative operation is offered through the Balfour family and Sara, who has thought of suicide because of her mental state, accepts. Harry has to be present and helping in the surgery. It works to the extent that Sara is invited to appear before a Congressional subcommittee which is inquiring into the surgery. The beautiful Sara and handsome Harry are a sensation in the United States and, for a while, Australia. They return home to their comfortable anonymity where Harry has taken control of his family company Pattersons Industries. He has inherited a third share from his mother and is now becoming a wealthy man. He and Sara set up a charitable foundation to dispose of their money, but more importantly, to help those less fortunate. But since returning to full health, the now energetic and vibrant Sara has taken enthusiastically to management of her family, where once, in her illness, Harry had ruled. She assumes more and more control. Harry observes this but he is so happy to have his old Sara back that he doesn't interfere, afraid he'll cloud her happiness. He realises eventually that he now has no say in their lives and tries to talk to Sara but she is beyond listening and Harry realises their marriage is in trouble. It comes to a head when Harry, having used his business skills to investigate the worth of a cattle property his mother-in-law has inherited, proposes to buy it and form a family company. Sara, now the decision-maker, dismisses the idea, suggesting that Harry, a townie, wouldn't know enough about such a rural undertaking, to succeed. Harry tells Sara all that he knows, disclosing that the property has been an exceptional one and very profitable. He then calls off the deal, packs his bag and leaves Sara, telling her he still loves her but can no longer live with her. A distraught Sara begs him to stay but he is adamant, resisting all attempts by family and friends to bring about a reconciliation. Living in Brisbane, away from Sara, in Elmsford, he begins to think of divorce. But Sara has a plan...