It was all so silly, really. He'd always been one for playing the field and he enjoyed his freedom. But over the last month or so, while dating a string of others, he'd come to realize that none of them could replace Spring. She simply possesses qualities he adores.

When it came right down to it, she was the only one he'd wanted to call upon arriving…He'd have to consider just exactly what that meant. And, he'd have to call Max Markham, his best mate, and see what he could sus out regarding Spring's whereabouts…

Now that he'd worked out a plan, he felt his appetite returning and the headache receding. He dug in with gusto and quickly finished his lunch.