Battle lines formed the day Fairlie commandeered the Australian construction company's giant earth mover blocking the driveway. Carson Tate had gone too far in his aim to drive out her grandmother.

"In future, you'll have me to contend with, not a frightened widow who just wants to go on living in her own home," she warned Carson. And she was too angry to notice that his flickering response had nothing to do with fear.

Fairlie was in more danger of being taken over by a subtle irresistible force than by open aggression.