1

J
usta

FRI
END

Gr
aceGer
vas

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right© 2019Gr
aceGer
vas

Al
lr ight
sr eser
ved.No par toft hisbookmaybe
r
eproduc ed ortrans
mitt
ed in anyf orm orbyanymeans ,
el
ectronicormec hani
cal,and includingphotoc
opying,
recording,orbyanyi nformation storageand ret
riev
al
syst
em,wi t
houtt hewritt
enper mi s
sion oft
hewr i
ter.

2
 Thisbookisaworkoffi
cti
on;Allnames,char
act
ers,i
nci
dents
,
plac
es,ins
tit
uti
onsandbusines
sent i
ti
esinthest
oryareei
ther
fi
cti
onalorusedfi
cti
ti
ousl
y.

Resemblancetoanyot
herworkofar
t,l
ivi
ngs
ituat
ion,peopl
e
(deadorali
ve)i
sapurecoi
nci
dence.

3
 CHAPTER1
Itwasones ummermor ningwhenMr s.TheresaAsht
on
recei
v edacallf
rom herfri
endabroad,shes eemedall
excit
edunlikeherus ualmoodswingsthatscared
everyoneoff.Shewasav erycl
assylady,f
aircomplexi
on
withdar ks
hor t
-st
yledhair
.Ther
esawass urroundedby
nothingbutelegance.
Wi t
hmuc henthusiasms hef oll
owedherc hi
ldreninthe
gardent ogivethem thegoodnews" Chri
s !Carol
y n
darli
ng,mayIhav eamoment ?"Sher untowar dsthetwo
si
blingswhower eint hemi ddleofac onversati
on.
Carolyn,theyounger ,pouted;asifsheknewt hat
what everhermot herhadt os ay,wasnev ergoingt obe
pleasant.Alt
houghs hei nherit
edhermot her'sbeauty,
shewasabs olut
elytheoppos i
teofher .Thei deaofbeing
anobl e-manneredladypor tr
ayedasanexhaus t
ion,she
wasar ebel
.
"
Therecomesthequeen,It
hinkI'mcal
li
ngar ai
ncheck
s
oon!"Shewhis
peredtoherbrotherandtheybotht
ried
t
omakeas mil
e.
"We'r
eheremom,whatisi
t?"Chr
isr
espondedlov
ingl
y,
befor
eexchangi
ngaknowi
ngglanc
ewithCaro.
"
Okaymyc
hil
dren,gues
swhat
...
"Shepaus
ed,"
Doy
ou

4
r
ememberAbi
gai
l?Abbi
e?Myfri
endJul
ia'
sdaught
er?we
mett
hem ony
ourtent
hbir
thdayChr
ist
ian"
Af
teralongt
hinki
ng,Chr
isnodded,"Um...wel
l...I
wasonlytenmother
,ri
ght?
...okaylet
'ss
ayIremember
her
,So?"
Carojumpedabrupt
ly,"Okayevery
one!si
nceIdon't
knowanyEbbieorwhat everI
--"s
hegather
edherstuff
s
butTheres
acuthershor t
.
"
Abbie!I
t'
sAbbiesweet
hear
t!Andwher
edoy
out
hink
y
ou'r
egoingCaroly
n!"
"Fi
ne,Abbie!Idon'
tknowher--soIdon'
tthinkyouneed
meher e.I
'l
lgomakemy s
elfusefuls
omewher eels
e.
Kiss
esbro,loveyoumom! "Sheletoutacrookedsmil
e
andleft
.
"Ohthisgirl!Ithinktheremust'
vebeenami st
akeatthe
hospit
al.Theyc ould'v
es wit
chedorswappedherwith
anotherchild,Ican'tbeli
eveshe'
sactual
lymydaughter
with-
-"shes toodhal f
wayasherey esres
tedonherson
whowasl aughinghear t
il
y."MyDarli
ngson,onl
yyou
understandsme! "Shepathispal
m.
"
Alr
ightmom,y
ouwer
esay
ing?
"Chr
iss
napped.
"OhAbbi
e!Wel
l,t
hegirli
scomi
ngtomorrow.She's
admit
tedt
oyourcoll
egeandIwast
hinki
ngoflett
ingher

5
st
ayhereforfewday s
.Woul dyoubeki
ndenoughtopick
heratt
heairportdear?"Theyc
onti
nuedtheconv
ersat
ion
andintheendChr i
sagreed.

MEANWHI LE.Sarah,thec ookatt

heAs htonr
esidenc
e
wasont hephonewi thherdaughter,Hannawhowas
supposedtoarri
veont henextdayr eadytostar
ther
studi
esinthesamec ollegeonthecomi ngweek.
"Godhelpmewiththi
schi
ldofmine.Idon'tknowhow
shemanagedtofi
nishhi
ghschool
!"Shewasmur mur
ing
tohersel
fwhenHerman,t
hegardenerenter
edt he
kit
chen.
"
What
'swr
ongSar
ah.Tr
oubl
ewi
tht
hes
oup?
"
"Iwisht
her ec
ipewasmyonlyt roubleint
hisworld.It'
s
Hanna,She'
llbeheret
omorrowi nsteadoftoday
.To
thi
nkthatIonlyhadaper
missionf ortoday
.Ohwhat ever.
She'
llhav
etof i
ndherwayhere."Shes aidi
nfrust
ration.
"
Ist
hatal
l?Heyrel
axwoman,Icangiv
eyouahand.I
'l
l
gopi
ckherupify
ou'ret
hatwor
ried!
"
"
Really
?OhHerman,I'
l
lbeverygrat
eful.Hannai
ssuch
atroubl
emakert
hat
'swhyI'
m afr
aidtoletherwander

6
thec
ityal
one.
"Atl
astitwasdec
ided.Theni
ghtwentby
andthenewdaybegan.

CHRI SARRI VEDatt heair

portfi
vemi nutesearli
erthe
fl
ight'
sar rival-
time.Her ushedtowardst hearri
val
sc urb,
j
us ttoreal i
zet hathe'dlostAbbi
e'sphonenumber .He
quicklymadeac al
ltohismotherbuts hewas n'
tpicking.
Dec i
dedl y,het ri
edt hehomenumber ,yetnoone
answer ed.Fr ustrat
edly,herunahandt hroughhisblack
hairins earchofanot hers
oluti
on.
Therewasonl yonewaygi vent her unningti
me,hehad
touseaname- boar d.Evidentlyhec ouldn'twrit
eAbi gail
onit,sinceitwasac ommonname,henc ewroteAs hton
i
ns t
ead,hopi ngthats he'dunder stand.Mi nutespas sed,
alotofpas sengerspas sedby ,somemett hei
resc ort
s ,
rel
ativesandwhomev erpos si
bleandot herslef
ts tr
aight
totheexi t
.Hisey esstucktoanyy oungl adythatwoul d
passbutnoneoft hem seemedt obeher .Hetri
edagai n
tocallatthemans ionbutitwast hes ame.Whenhe
almos tgaveup,s omegi rldressedupi nloosedeni ms
withleatherjacketandSni ckers,tappedhi m ont he
shoulder.
"Heymis
ter
.Whosti
lldoest
hatold-f
ashionedgest
ures
nowaday
s?Don'
tyouhav eacel
lphone?"Shesnappedat

7
Chr
ist
ianwhol
ookedal
mos
tst
art
led.
"Excuseme,arey
out
alki
ngt
ome?
"Heas
kedwhi
le
gazingaround.
Shes mirkedbef oreput ti
ngherc apof f,hermedi um
blonde-hairfelldownhers houlder s.Shes hookherhead
alitt
leandl i
ftedherey est ofacehi m." As hton?"She
referr
ed,point edlyt
ot hepi eceofs ignhewashol di
ng,
"Aren'tyouher et opickmeup? "Shegl aredathi m" I
thoughtc hangingmyf l
ightwoul ds avemef rom t
his
charade...Sher eal
lycaughtont histime,may beI
shouldc hangemys trategy"Shemut t
eredt ohersel
f.
Chrislookedflust
eredforawhil
e,butt henreal
iz
edt he
si
tuation."Ohy oumus tbeAbb--
"Bef or
ehec oul
df i
nish
hissentence,t
hatgirl
'sphonebuzzedands he
i
mmedi atel
yplacedaf i
ngeronChr i
s'
sli
ps .
"
Ohno!It
'smymother!Idon'
twanthert
ofi
ndoutI '
ve
ar
riv
ed!
"Shesai
dwhil
es t
ari
ngattheri
ngi
ngphone.
Chrispul
ledherfi
ngeraway."
Whatdoy
out
hinky
ou'
re
doing?"Hesnapped,angr
il
y.
"Sheesh!Youhav eac ar,ri
ght?
"Sheas kedhim andhe
nodded."Gr eat
,let'
sgo!"Anent husias
ticsmil
es pread
herface.Shepul l
edhimt otheexitwit
houtgivinghima
chancetor etal
iat
euntiltheyreachedt heparki
ngl ot.

8
 "Hey -hey
...wai
t!Whattheheckdoy outhinkyoure
doing?Nobodydr agsmear oundli
kethisokay?"He
fi
nallyreact
edbys hout
ing,buts
urpri
singl
ys hewasjus
t
st
ar i
ngathim,unbl i
nki
ngly.
"
What
'sy
ourname?
"Sheas
kedoutoft
hebl
ue.
"
Chr
ist
ian"
"Chr
ist
ian?"Sher emainedthoughtfulforawhil
easif
thenamedi dn'tri
ngthebell."
Okaywhat ever
.Chri
sdo
youknowanyr es
taur
antnearby ?I
'mf amished!
"She
added.Thisti
mes hel
efthimc ompletel
ys t
unned.
"
Par
don!
"
"
Eat
ingdude!I
'm hungr
y.Wher
e'sy
ourc
arany
way
?"
Forthefi
rstti
meinhisli
fe,Chri
sAshtonfoundhi msel
f
i
nt hehandsofatotalwei
rdoofagirl.Hecouldn'tsay
anythi
ngmor e,ot
herthanfulf
il
li
nghersil
lyrequest.
Onceatt herest
aurant
,Heletherpickf
rom t
hemenu-
l
istand stayedasi
dewatchi
ngherasi fs
hewas n'
tagi
rl
he'dpict
uredinhismindnomat terhowimperf
ecthi
s
i
magi nat
ionwas .
"Youknow,Ithoughtyouwouldbedi
ff
erent
.Maybe
kindof...
."Hebrokethesi
lenc
eashertr
ayofchi
cken-
saladswit
hfri
esarri
ved.

9
 "Differ
enthow? ...
Sortofaprett
ygi r
l?I'msorryto
disappointy ou,spendinghoursinfrontofami rroris
terri
ble!"Shepr ompted" Heythefoodt ast
esgreat,are
yous urey ouwantt opas s?
"Sheimmedi at
elychanged
thes ubject.Sheneverc eas
edtoamaz ehim,themor ehe
kepts cr
utinizi
ngher .
"
Not hanks.Hurr
yupthen,I
'l
lwai
tfory
oui
nthec
ar.
I
'm gonnatakecareoft
hebil
l!
"
"
What?Hol
don!"Sheurgedhim."
Fir
st,I
'm notl
ett
ing
y
oupayandsecond,I
'm notdoney
et,Howc anwegoin
s
uc habr
oaddayl
ight
."
Herwor
dslefthim dumbf ounded.Hepul l
edac hai
rand
r
esumedhisseat."Li
s t
engirl
,I'
m nother etoful
fi
llyour
l
it
tl
ewhims!Ifyouwannas tr
ollthecit
y,doitsomeot her
t
imeandwiths omeot herperson."Thisti
meheus eda
v
eryhars
htonebuts hedidn'tseem shakenatal
l,her
f
acewasexpressi
onless.
"
Isn'
ttheresomethi
ngyoulikeandhav
en'tdoneina
l
ongtime?"Sheasked,Herl
ipsstr
etc
hedintoawide
s
mi l
e.
"
What
?"
"Whatdoyoul
ikeChr
is?Swi
mmi
ng?Mov
ie?Mus
eums
?
Comeon,tel
lme!"

10
 "Ohno!What '
swr ongwiththisgir
l?Fi
ne,Ili
kehor s
e-
raci
ng.I'
ms ur
et hat'
stheleastofyourint
erest.So,s
hal
l
wegonow? "Chrisrepli
ed,inar esi
gnedmanner ,
obvious
lyti
redofheri mpudenc e.
"Il
oveit
!Ist
hereaplac
efort
hat?
"Tohisdi
sgrac
e,s
he
becameenthusi
ast
iconc
eagai
n,event
houghshe'
dli
ed
aboutl
ovingi
t.
"Youdo?"Heaskedands henoddedherhead.Hiseyes
showedas mal
lsparkle,asift
ouchedandreadytogiv
e
i
nbuts uddenl
ydarkenedagai n."
No,we'
regoinghome
andthat'
sfi
nal
"hes toodupandwal kedout.
"
Howl
ame!
"shemumbl
edt
oher
sel
fwhi
lef
oll
owi
ng
hi
m.
Shef oundChr i
sout side,l
eaningagai nsthi
swhi teSUV,
as ull
enl ookonhi sf ace.Hewasgood- looki
ng,f airheight
around5' 10ftorso,hands omebr unnete.She
contempl atedhi sfeaturesforawhi leandf oundher self
smi l
ing.Wel lheisn'tsobad,s het hought.Ast heireyes
met ,heopenedt hedoorr eadyt ohopi n,whens he
suddenl ygr abbedhi sshirt
.Furiouslyher et
urnedt olook
atherandf oundherf aces otenderandi mpl oring.
"
Nowwhat
?"Hes
napped.
"
Pleas
eChr
is,Ipr
omi
set
his
'l
lbet
hel
astone.Hor
se-

11
r
aci
ngImean.Huh?Pl
eas
eeee!
"
Chr
issi
ghedheavi
ly,
vi
vidlyti
redofhergames.He
t
houghtforawhil
eandr epli
ed,"Youpromis
e?"
"
Ipr
omi
se!
"
"
Okay
.Ther
e'soneatOl
dDer
by,Geti
n!"
"
Yay!Thanky
ou!
"Shes
creamedl
oudl
yandr
unl
ikea
c
hild.
Het
ookanotherdeepsi
ghwhi
les
haki
nghi
shead.
"
Whatapain!
"Hemut ter
ed.
Aft
erpl aci
ngthei
rbets
,theybot
htookaseatwit
hother
raci
ngf ansasthegames t
art
ed.I
twassonoisyas
everyonekeptshouti
ngthenamesandnumber soft
he
compet inghor
ses.
"Hey,areyousur
ewe'vemadear i
ghtchoic
e?"Thegir
l
askedloudl
yinatt
empttosurpas
sthenoises,asthe
horsetheybetonkeptl
aggi
ngbehind.
"Tr
us tme.IknowDomi ngowon'tletusdown!"He
repl
iedc l
osertoherear,whil
epay i
nggr eatat
tenti
ont o
thegame.Ev enthatst
rangegirlcouldspotthedif
ference
andf ai
ledtoresi
stl
augh." What,i
stheres omethi
ngon
myf ace?"
"
No.J
usty
ourf
urr
owedbr
owf
rom ov
eri
ndul
genc
e!"

12
Shekeptl
aughi
ng.
"
Ohc
omeon.I
'm onl
ypr
otec
tingmymoney
!"
"Yeah.Suuuure!
"Sher epli
eds arcast
ical
ly.Suddenly,
Domi ngoplacedtheleadings potandtheybot hstarted
shouting."
Yeah.There,there,comeonboy ?...Go!
...
Gooooo!Yes !
"Andi tapproachedt hefi
nishlinewithan
enormouss peed,thenfinis
hedt heraceamomentl ater
.
Chri
s,wit
hat ightgr
ip,huggedherwithj
oy,theybot
h
s
r eamedloudlybeforepull
ingaway,al
mostawkwardly.
"
Themoney !Let'
sgogetourmoney !"Hesnappedand
t
heybot hlaughed.
Oncethegamewasov ertheylef
twit
hs omec asht
hey
gotoutofthatl
uckyday
.Asagreedsheledt hewayto
thecarbutChri
shadac hangeofhear
t.Thisti
mehe
wantedtograbsomedrinksbefor
etheylef
t,itwaspret
ty
hot.
"Heey,It
houghtyouwerenofunbutIguessy
oudo
haveitinyou!
"Shesl
appedhisbac
kplayf
ull
ywhil
e
chuckl
ing.
"
Don'
tpushitl
ady,orel
seI
'l
lchangemymi
nd!
"He
s
nappedser
ious
ly
"
Al r
ightmybad!Shallwe?"Shedeci
dedtoplaysaf
e.He
walkedfir
stwi
thoutreali
zi
ngthatshewaspretendi
ng

13
s
mac
kinghi
shead.
Therewasajui
cebarac
rosst
hestreetwi
thamazi
ng
f
reshs moot
hies
.Whil
ehavi
ngthefi
ll
,Chri
stookt
he
mos toft
hemomenttoaskhersomequesti
ons.
"
So,ar
eyouc
omi
ngs
trai
ghtf
rom Sout
h--
"
"No.Anddon'tyoudaretel
lmymother.Il
eftt
herea
weekago."Sherepl
iedevenwit
houtheari
ngtheful
l
questi
on.
"
What?Andwherewer
eyou?"Chri
swasreal
lys
urpr
ised.
Fr
ankl
y,ev
ery
thi
ngaboutt
hatgi
rlkepts
hocki
nghim.
"Around.Heyt hisc ountryisbig.Butwel l,Iwentforthi
s
summerc amc ampi ng...itwass pectacular,Ihada--"
Anotherphonec allfrom hermot heri nterrupt
edher
again.Thisti
mes hedec i
dedt oanswer ."Yesmom.I t'
s
me,Hanna"s herepliedandc onti
nued.I nthewhol e
conversati
ont helookonherf acekeptc hanging,andso
didChr i
s'
s.Theybot hrealiz
edt hattherewasahuge
misunder st
anding.Sheputt hephoneas i
deandas ked,
"You?Whoar eyou? "
"Hanna?Isthaty
ourname?"Hesnappedatherands
he
nodded."Hanna?andnotAbi
gai
l?
"
"
Yes.Hanna.Andwhot hehec
kareyou?Ithoughty
ou
weresentby...
"Shet
riedtoexpl
ainbutChri
s

14
i
mmedi atel
ygrabbedhi
sc el
lphoneandf
ounds ever
al
mis
sedc all
sfr
om hismother.Hehadabriefc
allbef
ore
t
urninghisburni
ngeyes.
"Damnit
!Youtri
ckedme!Arey
ouaphony ?Whatdo
youwantfr
om me?money ?
"Heaskedherangr
il
y,
alr
eadyonhist
oes.
"Pho-
phony?You'r
ecrazy
.Whothehel
ldoyouthi
nk
youaretocallmephony!Wer
en'
tyouholdi
ngaboard
withanAshton?"
"
Andsowhat
?Youthoughtyoucoul
dri
pmeof
fsome
moneybec
aus
eI'
m anAs ht
on?"
"Eh?Youmus tbedel i
ri
ous!May bewes houldc allt
he
poli
ce.Thisiskidnapping!Howdi dy ouknowIwasgoi ng
totheAs htonresidence?Youmus tbeac r
iminal!"Hanna
shouted.Atthemomental otofpeoplewer estaringat
them.Bot hofthem lookeds uspi
ciousoftheother .Thei
r
debatetookawhi leunti
ltheydecidedtoc al
m down.
"So,accordi
ngt oyou,you'
r eal
sogoingtomyhouse?
"
Chrisaskedher ,at
tenti
vel
y."Andals
oy ou'
recl
aimi
ng
thatnannySar ahsentyous omeonetopickyouupand
yout houghtt
hatper sonwasme? "
"
Yessir,doIhavet
owri
tei
tdown?Appar
entl
yy ours
o
c
allednannySarahi
smymother
!So,wher
eisthatAbbie

15
gi
rly
oument
ionendl
ess
ly?
"
"
She'
sonherwayhome,someoneels
epi
ckedher
.Wai
t,
Ar
eyoual
socomingfr
om Sout
hAfri
ca?
"
Eh?Hel
lno.I
'mf
rom Sout
hWal
es,Si
dney
!"
"
Jus
tgr
eat
!Andwhyt
hehec
kdi
dn'
tyout
ellmebef
ore!
"
"
Bec
auseyouneveraskedyouidiot
!"Hannar
epl
iedand
t
heyst
art
edargui
ngalloveragai
n.

16
 CHAPTER2
Latert
hatday,Chr
isdr
ov ebackhomeaftert
henever-
endingargumenthehadwi t
hHanna.Theybarel
yspoke
thewholewayasbot hs
ulked;eachbel
iev
editwasthe
other'
sfault
.
Backtothemans i
on,Sarahwaswai ti
ngoutsi
de
res
tless
ly.Itwasobv i
ousthats heknewherdaughter
perf
ectl
ywel ldespi
tebeingapar tforalongti
me.She
j
umpedwi threl
iefwhens hefinall
ys awthecar
approachingthemai ngate.Sherus hedover
,impat
ient
ly,
wait
ingforChr i
stogetoff.
"Ohs on,t
hankGody ou'
rehere.Youdon'
tknowhow
sorryIam foral
lthet
roubleyou'
vegonethrough.
"Sarah
snappedandhegent l
yputhishandsonhers houl
der
withas mil
e.
"Relaxnanny !It
'salri
ght.Ev er
ythingisokaynow.J ust
--i
s
sher eall
yyourdaught er?"Hewhi speredhislast
ques ti
onwithanamus edey ebrow,itevens t
abili
zed
Sarahwhos efac edrewal i
ttl
es mile.Andatthatmoment ,
Hannawast akinghers tuff
soutwhi l
eey ei
ngt hetwoof
them wi t
houtawor d."Wellnanny ,notawor doft hist
o
Ms .Theresaplease...It oldhert hatIhadaf l
attyr
eand
Godknowswhatel se,youknowhowhandys hecanget."

17
"
Thanky
ous
omuc
hChr
is!
"Sar
ahr
epl
ied,gr
atef
ull
y.
"
Don'tmenti
on...Nowl etmegoands eeherMajest
y,
wit
hournewgues tofc
our s
e!"Hewinkedands hoot
Hannaasombreglancebef or
eleav
ing.Atlas
tthestor
m
wasover
,notenti
relythough.
"Howlovely!Don'tIatleastgetahug? "Hannasaid,
tr
yingtolookasi nnocentass hec oul
dbutunf ort
unatel
y,
hermotherdi dn'tfal
lfori
t.Instead,shes l
appedher
backhardlyuntilsheshudder ed."Ouc h!Thathur
ts
mom! "
"
Serv
esyouri
ght
!Imean...
can'
tyoustayawayfrom
t
roubl
esevenf
oraday
?Isthi
showy ourauntrai
sed
y
ou?"
"Moooom!I '
ms or
ry!
"Shewr appedherarmsaround
Sarah'
ssti
ff-
slenderbody,andinawhileshehuggedher
daughterback."Imiss
edy oumom! "
"Imiss edy out oomybaby"Sar
ahr epl
ied,hertoneof
voicewasj ov i
al.Whenshefi
nall
ypulledaways hetol
d
her,"butt hatdoes n'
tmeanIfor
giveyou!Nowl et'
sget
yours t
uf f
sinbec aus
eyou'
vealotofexplai
ningtodo
youngl ady !
"Shemadeas t
if
ffacebuteventual
lythey
bothlaughed.

18
 CHRI STIANwal kedint othemans i
onandwents traight
tos eehi smot her.Aspr edict
ed,Theresawasmaki ngher
eveningr oundst omakes ureev ery
thingwasinorder;
herus ualroutinewhi c
hnor mallyendedwi t
hfew
scoldi
ngs ."Youbet t
ert el
lthatus el
essSarahtoprepar ea
descentdi nner...Idon' tknowwhatI '
m payi
ngherf or,
she'salway snowher et obef oundwhenIneedher "she
tol
dMar ia,themai dandr i
ghtthattimeChriscl
earedhi s
throattopr esenthims elf.
"
I'm homemom! "Hes napped.Aplasti
csmilepl
aster
ed
onhisface,hewas n'
tsogoodatlying.Ther
es awal
ked
cl
oserands tar
tedinspect
inghim wit
hhers harpeyes
"
Myoneandonl yson.So,arey
ouokay
?Idon'
tseeany
t
raceofanac
cidentthough!
"
"
I'
mf inemom...Isai
ditwasonl
yaf l
att
yre!I
'mr
eal
ly
s
orry,butI
'm gl
adev
erythi
ngwentf
ine"
"
Aflatty
reyousay!Fi
ne,I
'l
ltrustyouson!"Theres
a
r
epli
ed,butfr
om thewayshes poke,shedidn'
tseem
c
onvincedatal
landevenChrisnoticedthat
.
Heimmedi at
elychangedthesubj
ect."
Sowhereisshe?I
shouldatleastapologiz
etoher!
"Heknewhi smother'
s
enthusiasm wouldreturnqui
ckl
yifhespokeofher
favor
itethings
.

19
 "Oh,ofcours
ey ous
houlddarli
ng...Abbi
eisins
ide,
andshe'ssuchanadorabl
egir
l.I'
ms ureyoutwowillget
al
ongv erywell
"
"
Mom pl
eas
e!"
"
Imeani
tdar
li
ng,y
ou'
l
lsee"
"Ifyoui nsi
st.Butmay beIshouldwas hupfir
st.I'
m
reallyt
ired.Bes i
des,I
'ms ur
es hemus tberesti
ngnow.
Let'sgi
vehers omepr i
vacy!
"Hes uggesteddespit
ethe
disappointedl ookonTheresa'
sface.
"
Maybenot
.Look,t
hereshec
omes"shes
nappedwi
tha
warmsmi
lewhil
eeyeingt
hest
air
cas
e.
WhenChr i
stailedhergaze,hec oul dn'
tbeliev
ehiseyes.
Abigailwasv erypr ett
yinherwhi temaxi -dress
;shewas
sl
enderandt all,withlongdarks i
lky-hair
,shelooked
mor elikeanangeldes cendingfrom heav en.He
swallowedass hes mileddelic
ious l
ywi t
hherpi nk-
shaded
l
ips.Wi thoutknowi ngs hewasal readythere,ri
ghtin
fr
ontofhi m,wai ti
ngeagerlyforaf ormalintroduct
ion.
"Well
,I'
m glady
ou'
reher
eAbigai
l.Iwanty
out omeet
Chri
sti
an,I'
ms ur
eyoudon'
trememberhims i
nceyou
weresolit
tl
ewhenyoubothmet"
"
Hi.It
'ss
oni
cetof
inal
lymeetyouChri
s.I
'm Abi
gail
,you
c
anc al
lmeAbbi
e"s
hes ai
d.Hervoi
cewassweet,and

20
shespokewi
thgreatnovel
ty.Sheext
endedahandand
hefol
lowedaf
tersnappi
ngoutofit.
"
Uh--
hi.Metoo.And...
I'
msor
ryaboutear
li
er,Idi
dn'
t
meantostoodyouup!"
"I
t'sokay
.Iforgi
vey ou.
"Theyl
ockedey
esf
orami
nut
e
beforepull
ingapart
.
"Oh,aren'
tyoutwoador abl
e?I'
ms ureyouhaveal otto
tal
kabouts i
nceyou'l
lbothatt
endthesamec ol
lege!
"
Theresasnapped,herremarklef
tbothofthem sur
prised.
"Mom please!You'
reembar r
assi
ngher !We'
vejus
tmet,
there'
llbeti
mef ort
hatlat
er.Abbie,pl
easemakeyour
selfathome.Andonc egai
n,welcome"Het ol
dher
polit
elyandlef
t.Shenoddedandt urnedtoTher
esa.
"
Aunt
,Idi
dn'
tknowy
ours
oni
sthi
shands
ome!
"
"
Andagent
lemant
oo!
"addedTher
esaast
heybot
h
madet
hei
rwayout.

Lat
ert
hatni
ght,asChr
iswasrest
inginhisbedroom
t
herewasknockandshort
lyaf
ter
,Caroly
nent er
ed.
"HeyChri
s,aren'
tyouhavi
ngdinner?Don'tt
ellmeyou
gonnamissthehonorofdini
ngwithour'dearAbbie'
So
what'
stheverdict
?"Shenudgedherbrot
herwhi l
e

21
pl
acingher
sel
font
heot
hers
ideoft
hebed,i
tfor
ceda
smil
eoutofhi
m.
"
ComeonCar
o.Whatv
erdi
ct?
"
"
Abi
gai
l.Tel
lmewhaty
out
hinkofher
!"Shec
ried.
"Wel
l,s
heseemsokay
!She'
spr
ett
yand...
Wel
l,Idon'
t
knowCaro,s
he'
sjus
tfi
ne!
"
"
Real
ly?Sohowmanys
tar
s?"
"Fi
v e?four
?Ohs topit
,we'renolongerkidsforGod's
sake."Hes t
oodupandc l
osedthedoorbef oreretur
ning
tothebed.Car ol
ynwasj ustl
aughi
ng."Nowwai tunt
ilI
tel
lyout hereals
torybehindthi
sawf ulday..."he
explainedthewholethingaboutHannaandt heeventf
ul
dayt heybothhad.Intheend,Carowass tari
ngathim
withmuc hdi
sbel
ief
"
No.Thatcan'tbe.Youmeany ouact
ual
lypi
ckedt
he
wronggi
rl?Andt hat'
snannySar
ah'
sdaught
er?Gos
h,
whatacrazycoincidenc
e!"
"
Crazyi
sunder
stat
ement
!Youknow...t
hat
'snott
he
wors
tpart
!"
"
Icanonl yimagineduh.I
'msorr
ybutsheseems
i
nter
es t
ing,Ireal
lywannameether"l
aughi
ngl
y,s
he
r
emar ked.

22
 "
Iwouldn'tbetoos
ur ei
fIwereyou.Anyways,noneof
t
hisi
satmom' sknowledge,s
odon'topenyourbig
mouthplease!
"
"AsifIwouldsi
taminutewithherandsaymom gues
s
what...Blahbl
ahbl
ah!Really
?areyouforget
ti
ng
TheresaandIaremortalenemies
?"
"
She'
sourmom Car
o"
"
Yeah.What
ever
!"

****

ThefollowingdaySar ahwasinthekitchenasal ways,

alreadymaki ngbr eakfast.I
twasSaturdayandHanna
wasal readyawake.St r
angely,s
hewasabi tenthusias
tic
aboutt hekitchen,s heevenbak edsomemuf fi
ns
somet hingthatsur pri
sedhermot her.Thef r
eshar oma
wass odel i
ciousthatany onewoul dbetempt edtohav ea
bite.
"Theysmel
lnic
e,soyour eal
lyknowhowt obake?
"
Sarahcoul
dn'
tresi
staski
ngher ,whi
lepoki
nghernose
cl
os et
otheoven.
"Onl
ytobakemom,don'tgoover
board!AuntVict
oria
doest
hisof
ten,Igues
sitwasc
onti
guous!"Sherepli
ed,a

23
fl
ashofhappi
nes sonherf ace.It
'sbeenal
ongti
mes ince
they
'vebeentogether,bei
ngt herewit
hhermotherwas
somethi
ngshey earnedfor.Shehelpedwit
hthedishes
asSarahwentoutf orawhi l
e.
Suddenly,af emalev oic
es tar
tledher."Excuseme,can
yougetmeagl assofmi l
k,lowf at
!"Shes nappedlazi
ly,
herlongf i
nger srunningthroughherl onghair.Obvi
ous l
y,
she'
dj ustwokeup.Hannapaus edthedishes,andthrew
heras cornfulglance.Ifthere'
sonet hingshehated,was
tobepus hedar ound.
"Goodmor ningt oyout ooma' am!AndI 'ms or
ry,Idon'
t
knowwher et hel owf atmi l
kis..."sher epl
ied,
sarcast
icall
yofc our s
e.Wi thsuc har emark,thefurrowed
browont heot herprettygirl'
sfacewasi nevit
able.She
seemedr eallyannoy ed,herey esf l
as hedwithrageasifit
wast hefirsttimet obet ur neddownherdemands .But
beforeanyr etali
ationSar ahintervened;
"
I'
mv erysor
rymis
s ,doy
ouneedany
thi
ng?
"Sheas
ked
t
helady,i
napoli
tetoneofvoi
ce.
"Aglassofmi l
k,l
owf at
.Right
?"Someonec utin,"Goon
wit
hy ourt hingsnanny,I'
llt
akecareofthi
s"itwas
Carolyn'svoicethatawakenedalloft
hem.Shepopped
outofnowher eandwal kedtowardst
hebigFr ench-door
ref
rigerator.Shegrabbedaboxofmi lkandpour eda

24
glass,thenhandedi ttothey oungladywithan
undes cribablesmi le."Here...Ihopenextt imeyouwon'
t
forgetwher et ofindi tAbbie!Unfortunat
ely,ev
eryone
doest heirownt hingsint hi
shous e.Soit
'sbett
eryouget
familiarwi t
hev erythingy ouneedandwher etofi
nd
them"s headded.
"
What ?Andwhatarethemai dsf
or?"Abbi
es eemed
mor es
hoc kedt
hansurpr
ised.Hergazeshi
ft
edf r
om Car
o
t
ot heothertwowi
thouthidi
ngherfrust
rat
ion.Sarah
t
riedtoopenhermouthbutCar otookover.
"Ther e'
snomai dher e.Sarahisournanny ,sher aisedus !
Shet akesc areofthehous ebutnotatper s
onall evel.
Nei therChr isnorIhav eanyr i
ghttoor derherar ound,
buti fi t
'ssohar dfory ou,t here'sMar i
a,shec ant akec ar
e
ofy ourneeds "Car os aid.Shewasav eryfi
ercey oung
woman,al way sj
us tands toodupf orherpr incipl
es .She
wasat ruer ef
lecti
onofMr .JamesAs hton,andasher
fatherheknews hewoul dmakeaper fectl
awy er.Abi gai
l
felts mal l
,shedidn' tappr eciat
eCar o'sbehav i
oratal l
,on
thec ontrary,shefel thumi li
ated.Afteralongs ighof
frustr ati
ons hestar edatt hem onel asttimeandl eft.Asif
not hinghadhappened,Car osnapped;" Dids omet hing
happen?Whyt hel ongf acenanny ?"
"
Thatwas
n'tni
cec
hil
d,y
oudi
dn'
thav
etot
akemys
ide.

25
Itwasjus
taglas
sofmi
lk"Sar
ahs
aid,herar
msac
ros
sed
agai
nstherc
hest.
"Iwasn'tt
akingsides,Ijus
twanthert or espec tyou.To
mey ou'r
elikeamot her..ands peakingofwhi ch,canI
getmys tuf
f?"Asmi l
eill
umi nat
edCar ol
yn'sf ace,and
withthat
,noonec ouldr esi
stsmili
ngbac k.Ev enHanna
whowasqui et
lyobservi
ngt hescene."Oh,y oumus tbe
Hannar i
ght?Hiandwel comet oLy c
os!"
"
Uh-
-thanks
"Hannar
epl
ied.
"
Hah.Idon' tknowwhattodowithyou.Hereisyour
st
uff,Igues
sy ouares
kippi
ngbreakf
astagai
n!"Sarah
asked.
"Yeah,wit
ht hes
epotat ochi
ps,whoc aresabout
breakfas
t...butwhateverthat'
ssmelli
ngr ightnow,sav
e
somef orme,Ibet t
erleavebeforeherMaj estywakesup.
Thanksnanny ,byeHanna!"
"
Bye"
"
Takec
arec
hil
d"
"Mmh,don'
tyouthi
nkyou'r
ebeingtoomuc hmother
?
I'
m her
eyouknow.Someonemi ghtt
hinkshe'
syour
daught
erandI'
m not
!"Hannasnapped,pr
etendi
ngto
sul
k.

26
 "
Canyoubl
ameme?"Sherai
sedamoc
kingey
ebr
ow
whil
epr
epar
ings
omecoff
ee.
"
Wellal
right
!Iadmi
tshe'
sreal
lynic
e.Al
thoughIcan'
t
s
aythesameaboutthatAbbi
egirl
.Icanonlysmel
l
t
roubl
e."
"
Youbet
ters
tayawayHanna.Idon'
twantanypr
obl
em
wi
thMrs.
Ther
esa!
"
"
Rel
axmom,I '
mjus
tsay
ing.Wel
l,I
'm goi
ngfora
j
oggi
ng.Cany
oukeepaneyeonthosemuf f
ins
?"
"
Okay
.Butr
ememberdon'
t..."
"
Mak
eanyt
roubl
e?Igoti
tmom,pl
eas
e!"
OnceHannal ef
t,somepiecewasr es t
oredint he
kit
chen;ThewaySar ahli
kedtokeepherl i
tt
les anctuary.
Forherthatplacemeantal ot,s
hepr acti
cal
lyshar ed
somebeaut i
fulmemor i
eswi t
hallotherempl oy eeswho
wouldgatherformealswi t
hal i
ttl
ejuicyneighbour hood-
gossi
p.Shetookal ongsighwhilegazingaroundasi fshe
wass ear
chi
ngf orami s
singpieceuntilChri
sbur st
edin.
"
Sleptwel
lnanny
?"Heas
kedherwi
thaki
ssonher
c
heek.
"
Yess
on.Howar
eyout
hismor
ning?
"
"
Great
.I'
m goi
ngt
oexer
cis
eal
it
tl
e,i
t'
sbeenawhi
le

27
andpl usthos
est
uff
syoufeedus,I
'm af
raidI'
vegained
fewext r
apounds
!"Hecrackedaj
okethatli
ghtened
Sarah'sfacei
mmedi
atel
y.Shewasveryfondofthose
kids.
"
Ohs
topi
tChr
is.Youl
ookv
eryhands
omeasy
ouar
e!"
"Butit'
sneverbadt obecauti
ous...Seeyoulater
nanny !
"Her ushedoutandlefthertothesames pot
.Her
mindqui ckl
yrecall
edthatHannahadal sogonet o
exercie.Ij
s usthopethosetwowon'tendupf ighting
again,shethought.

OUTSI DEt hemor ni ngai rwass oothing,andc onsider

ing
thet al
ltreess ur
roundi ngt heirfancyneighbor hood,
ev er
y t
hingabouti tfel tpleas anttotheey es.Hanna
dec i
dedt ot akeadvant ageofnat ur
et ohav ear oundor
twoofj oggingalongs idet her oadthatledt othes mall
l
ake.Ami dstallt
hat ,s hefel tapr es
enc eofs omeone
from behi nd.Shes l
oweddownabi tandt urnedbac kj
ust
tof i
ndChr i
salmos tc atchingup.What '
swi t
ht hi
sjerk
now,s hewonder edwhi l
es taringathim.
"
Whatisthi
s,ar
eyous
tal
kingmenow?
"Shes
napped,
mocki
ngl
y.
Chr
isputhi
sear
phonesof
f;"
Hah.Asi
fyouownt
his

28
road!DoIhav etoremindyouthatyou'
renowinmy
propert
yyoungl ady?
"Healsorepli
edinthesametone
ofvoic
e,sti
llrunni
ngatthesamepac eunti
lHanna
star
tedrunningfast
erjustt
oovert
akehim.
"Yourproper t
ymybut t
!Idon'ts
eeyournameengr aved
ont hisl
and,treeswhat s
oever!
"Shesnapped,li
ketwo
kids,hestart
edr unningevenfast
erandleftherbehi
nd.
Onc eagain,t
heyendedupi nac r
azyduel,bi
ckeri
ngand
runningli
kec ontenders.

29
 CHAPTER3
Af
terawhol elonglaps etot hes malllake,theyboth
coll
apsedont hegreengr ass ,gaspingfors omeair.It
wasn'teasyrunningandt al
kingatt hes amet ime
especi
all
yinac ompetiti
onmode.Thei rissuewasy ett
o
beresolved,butneit
heroft het wos eemedr eadyto
compr omise.Lucki
ly,Chrisac tedast hebiggerperson
anddec i
dedt obreakt heice.
"Look...Hanna,ri
ght?
"Hes napped,whil
ec atchinga
breath,hi
stil
tedheadfaced herastheyli
edflatont he
l
awn." I'
ms orryaboutyes
ter
day ,Ir
eali
zethatitcould'
ve
beenmymi st
ake;Canwef or
getaboutitands tartover
?"
Hiss uddenapol ogys t
unnedHanna,s he'dnev er
expectedi t
.Sheey edhims us
piciousl
yforamoment
beforer ai
singhertorso,shesatupandr eplied,"Well
,It
's
okay...Ialsoapologize,i
twasn'tenti
rel
yy ourfault
!"She
sai
dwi thaf lust
eredlook,Chri
ss mil
ed."So,ar ewec ool
now?"Sheext endedahandt owar dshim.Her eleaseda
heavys ighandr espondedwithanodaf tersitt
ingup,
bothdr enchedi nsweat.
Somemi nut
esl
ater
,theywer
echat
ti
ngwhi
ledoi
ngf
ew
workout
s.
"
Andt
hat
'st
hel
asthous
eont
hiss
ide,i
t'
sbeenv
acant

30
f
oroverei
ghtyearsnow.Goi ngfart
hermeansyouent
er
t
hewoods"hetoldheraboutt heabandonedhouseat
t
heend,hercuri
ousey eskeptscanningt
hesur
roundi
ngs
t
hatevi
dentl
ycapturedherat t
enti
on.
"Reall
y?Nowonderit'
stooquiet
!ButIl
iket
hisplace,as
calm asitmaybe...i
thasit
'sc
harm"sherepl
ied,her
bodyi nstr
etc
hingmoves.
"
It'
seit
heryou'r
epeculi
arortooadv enturous
.Nogirli
n
t
heirri
ghtmindwouldlovethi
splace,infactnoone
c
omesher e.Exc
eptf
orwoodhi kersonc einawhil
e!"
"Butyoujus
ts ai
dyouusedt
opl ayint
hathous
e,Imean
befor
ey ourf
riend'
sfami
lymoved."
"Thatwasl
ikes
omey ear
sago,bynow,i
tmus
tbemor
e
ofahauntedhouse!
"
"Ohy eah?Soundstempt
ingtome.Don'tyouwannago
backthere"sheglar
edathim,amisc
hiefsparkpai
nti
ng
herpuppyey es.
"Huh?You'r
er eall
ys omethingel s
e.Now,l et'sgoback
home!"Hebr eathedoutt henthr ewal astglanceatthe
smallwhit
ehous eac rosstheroad.I t
'sbeens ol ongsi
nce
helasts
etfootint here,itcontainedloadsofgood
memor i
eswithhi schildhoodfriend,Johnwhos efamil
y
suddenl
ydisappear edonedaywi thoutawor d.Insome

31
ways
,itwassomet
hingt
hatkeptbot
heri
nghi
m,and
madehims c
aredt
omakenewf ri
ends.
"Um--c
hris?Cany
ougivemeatouraroundthec
ampus
,
Ialway
sf i
ndtheori
ent
ati
onweekbori
ng."She
demandedoutofnowhere.
"
Sure.Howaboutt
oday
?Idon'
thav
emuc
htodo"Chr
is
s
uggested.
"
Real
ly?Thanks
.Thatwaseas
y,I
'ms
tunned"
"
Why
?Di
dyout
hinkI
'm al
lgr
umpyl
ikey
ou?
"
"
Didyoujustc
allmegrumpy?Heyyou...
"shetr
iedto
hi
thim buthesl
ippedandendedupchasi
ngaf
terhi
m
whil
eshari
ngalaugh.

Ac oupl eofhourslater,Chri
swasheadi ngouts
idethe
hous ef orsomeai rwhenhes pottedhismothertogether
withAbbi eatt hegardenpav i
li
on.Theyseemeds o
fri
endl yandi twasquitear ar
es c
enet ofi
ndsomeone
pleasingwhenc omest oTheresaAshton.Heslowlypaced
towardst hem andsaidhi.
"I
'm gl
adyou'r
ehereChris
,howcany ouall
owthose
ki
tchenser
vantstogangupagai
nstAbbie,huh?Canyou
bel
ievewhattheydi
dt oher
?Andont opofall
,myown

32
daughterkeptdef
endi
ngt
hos
e--
thos
epeopl
e"s
he
barked.
"
Aunti t
'sokay
,Ithi
nkIwaswrong.I
'mtoous edtot
he
wayt hingsrunathomeandIforgott
hatI'
ms omewhere
el
s e"Abbi ej
umpedin,f
orasecondChri
sinspect
edher
si
lently
.
"
Oh,l ookhows weetshei s
.Butofc oursethat
'show
t
hingswor k,Is
pendaf ortuneoft hosemaids.Iwantyou
t
of eelathomedear ,sof r
om nowonIwon' tbeleni
ent
wit
ht hoselow-l
iv
es.Res tass ur
ed!"Theresaadded,a
st
ernl ookonherper f
ec t
lyc ontouredface.
"Mom isr i
ght ,thisi snowyourhome.We' llmakes ure
yougetev erythi ngy ouneed...andIapol ogiz
ei fyoufelt
off
endedt hismor ni ng"Chri
ssaid,whi l
es tari
ngat
Abbie'
sreas sur edf ace.Shewaspl easedt oheart hat,
comingfrom Chr i
s" Butther
e'sjustonet hingy ous hould
beawar eof ,Sar ahi snotjus
tanempl oyeeoft hishous e,
andmor et hanany oneel seit
'syoumot herwhos hould
knowthiswel l
"hes hi f
tedhi
sgaz etowar dsTher esa.
"Ugh...That
'sal
lIneeded!"Theresahummed,"Okay ,
forgetaboutt
hat.Abbi
ewant stodos omeshopping,so
yous houlddri
vehersi
ncey ouseem tohavenothing
bettertodo"shetol
dChr i
s,Het ri
edtoarguebut
hes i
tat
edoncehiseyesmetAbbi e's
.

33
 "Okay!
"Herepli
edshortl
yjus
ttoreali
zethathe'
d
alr
eadymadeplanswi t
hHanna,andtherewasnowayt o
backoutAbbi
e's
.Her unahandonhi shai
rbutheldhis
tongueast
hegirlst
oodupwi t
has mil
eandwentt oget
ready.
Minuteslat
erhewasdr i
vingquiet
lywhenshebrokethe
sil
ence."
I'
mr eall
ys orr
yChr i
s,butIneedal
lthethi
ngs
forsc
hoolbyt oday.IfIknewthisplac
e,Iwould'
vegone
bymy sel
f"
"I
t'
snobot her,don'tworry!
"Heprompted,andthey
sharedas mil
e."Bytheway ,whydidyouchooseLycos
?
Youc oul
d'vest
ayedi nSAforcol
legeIsuppose!
"He
deci
dedt omakeac onver
sati
onandluckil
ythegir
lwas
upforit.
"
Whatc anIs ay,maybeIneededachangeofscener
y.
Don'
tgetmewr ong,Ilov
eJohanes
burg...
Ijus
twanted
t
os t
ayawayf orawhi l
e"shekeptt
ell
inghi
m while
makingfewcomment saboutLy
cos."
Iheardyou'
rein
f
ourthyear,r
ight?"
"
Yes,I'
m aseni
ornow!ToobadIwon'twit
nes
sy our
dr
amat i
csophomore!
"Heteasedher
,itmadeherblush
ali
tt
le.
"
Comeon,whywoul
ditbedr
amat
ic?
"

34
 "Idon'
tknow,plentyoft
hingshappendur
ingt
hatt
ime.
Perhapsati
met ofindyoursel
f?"
"So,di
dyouf
indyour
sel
f?"Sheas
ked,c
uri
osi
tyal
lov
er
hercharmi
ngeyes
.
"Um...yesandno.Atl
eastIr
eal
izedthatIt
rul
ylove
busi
nessmanagementinst
eadofpoli
ti
csasmymot her
wanted!
"Her epl
ied.
"
Howc
ool
!I'
m al
sot
hinki
ngoft
aki
ngt
hes
amemaj
or"
"
Oh,wel
comeonboar
dthen!
"
Thewholeri
dewasf
ullofst
ori
estotel
lunti
lthey
r
eali
zedthatt
heywer
er i
ghti
nfrontofabigmall.

MEANWHI LE,Hannatookas t
rolli
nsi
det hemans i
on
hopingtofi
ndChr i
sfortheiragreedschedule.Shefound
Mariaattheli
vingroom andas kedifs
he'ds eenhim,but
Theresaburst
edinbeforeanyr esponseandques ti
oned
aboutheridenti
tywhil
es cr
olli
ngherasi fshewas
someonef r
om theAmaz on.
"I
--I
'm Hanna,Sarah'
sdaughter!
"Sher
epli
ed,s
li
ghtl
y
nervous.I
feyescouldkil
lthenshewoul
d'v
ediedfrom
Theresa'
sglance.

35
 "Sar
ah'
s?Soshedoeshaveadaughteraft
eral
l...and
howdoy ouknowChri
s?"Ther
esaasked,shewaspac i
ng
aroundHannasl
owlyandmadehers wall
owhard.
"Imethim whenI -
-"Hannawant edtogiv
eherdetai
ls
whens herecal
ledthewarni
ngf r
om Chri
saboutthe
ai
rportinci
dent,af
terasmallpausesheconti
nued"t
his
morning,duri
ngwor kout
!Iwantedtoaskhims omet
hing
aboutcoll
ege!"
"
Mmm...aboutcol
lege?So,y
ou'
real
sogoi
ngt
othe
s
amecol
lege!I
t'
sst
rangehuh?"
"
Whati
s?"
"
Thefactthatanyonecanj
oincol
legenowaday
s!"She
s
napped,thes ar
casminhertonestar
tedt
oupsetHanna.
"Yes.Aslongasonehaswhatittakes!
"Sher epli
ed.
Mar i
awasal mos ttr
embli
ngwhil
ewitnessi
ngt hedrama.
Ononehand,s hewantedtowarnHannaoft heways he
spoket oTheresa,andontheot
hershec oul
dn' ts
aya
wor dinfrontofherboss.
As hor
tsi
lencerei
gnedforaminute,Theresa'
seyes
fi
xedonHannawhos eemedunshaken.Andt henshe
burs
tedoutlaughi
ngbeforest
eppingrighti
nf r
ontofher
.
"
Wher
ear
eyouc
omi
ngf
rom agai
n?"Sheas
kedHanna.

36
 "Sy
dney,Austr
ali
a!"Sheanswered,wi
thconf
idenc
e.
Theres
alookedint
riguedbutshewasabletomaintai
n
hercomposure.
"Mys onisnothome,andIdon' tthi
nkhe'l
lbebac k
soonc onsi
deringhi
scompanion!"Sheblendedittoher
face,asifs
hewasdel i
ver
ingac ert
ainmessage."MARIA!
Bac ktowork,Iwantthest
airstobes hi
ny!
"Shes uddenl
y
turnedtoMar i
awi t
hherkil
lergaze.
"Rightawayma'am!"Mar
iarepli
edandrunof f
.Theres
a
plantedafakesmil
eashergazeshif
tedbacktoHanna
beforewalki
ngawayandlefthercomplet
elydej
ected,a
fr
us tr
ati
onsighesc
apedherlul
ungs
"
ThatdamnChri
sli
edt
ome!
"shet
houghtoutl
oudl
yas
s
heleftt
hehous
e.

****

Chri
sandAbbi er eturnedhomepas tdinnerti
me,from
thesmileontheirf aces,itprovedthey'dhadagr eatti
me.
Themoonwasc rescent,sodes pi
tethebr okenli
ghtat
theparkingarea,thebr ightnes
swasadequat e.Abbie
wascarryinghers hoppingbagsasChr islockedthecar.
"
Ican'
tbel
iev
eyoumademer
uinmydi
etChr
is,Inear
ly

37
f
ini
shedthewhol
echi
cken"Abbi
esai
dwhi
legi
ggl
ingat
t
helaughi
ngChri
s.
"Hey,yougott
aloosenupsometimes...Idon'
t
underst
andwhywomenar esoobsessedwithdi
eti
ng!
"
Her epl
ied,t
henleanedgai
nsthi
scar-
side.
"
I'drathers t
arvetodeaththangett
ingfat
,soj us
tleave
i
t!
...Byt heway ,t
hanky ouChris
,todaywasr eal
lyfun!
"
Hertonec hangedtoac al
m ands oothi
ngone,asher
eyespiercedintens
elyint
ohi sf
oralongwhi l
e.She
sl
owlyc l
os edthedist
ancebetweenthem.
"Um...it'
smypl easure!Imean--Ials
ohad--"hefound
himselfs
tri
vingf
orwor ds ,ashismindgotbusydecoding
Abbie'
sweirdgesturesasi fshewasabouttodot he
forbi
dden.Sheseizedthec hancetolayasoftki
ssonhi s
l
ips.
"Goodnight!"Shewhi speredandwal kedaway ,leav
ing
him al
ldi
straught.Hes trai
ghtenedupandt ouchedhis
l
ipsasiftomakes ur
et hats omethingdidtouchthem.
Andallofas uddenaf ami l
iarvoi
c esnappedathi m.
"
Howwonderful
!Ithi
nkyourdaywasv er
yproduc
tive
br
other
!"I
twasCaroly
ncomingfrom behi
nd,dr
essedin
pyj
amas.
"
OhGod,y
ous
tar
tledme.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e

38
Car
o?"Hegas
ped.
"Nothi
ng.Iwasjustwait
ingf
orac al
landl
uckyme,Igot
toseeanadultrat
edmov ieri
ghtouts
idemyhouse!
aren'
tyoutwomov ingtoofas
t?"
"
Ohpl eas
est
opexagger
ati
ng,i
fyousawcor
rec
tlys
he
wastheonewhoki
ssedme.Soifyou'
l
lexc
useme,I'
llgo
i
nfir
st!
"
"
You'
rerightIguess
.Ithinkourguestismor ecunning
t
hatIthought!
"Shesaidsarcas
tic
all
y,andadded," don'
t
y
outhinkyouowes omeoneanapol ogyt hough?Iheard
y
ous t
oodupt heothergir
l"
"
Oh.Ri
ght.Hanna...
I'
llgos
eeherr
ightnow.
"He
r
epli
edandlef
t.
Therewasanouthous efortheemploy
eesandt hat
's
whereHannas tayed.Chri
sknoc kedt
hedoorand
for
tunatel
y,Hannaher sel
fopened.Shelookeds
ur pr
ised
atfi
rstbutkeptherusualface.
"Hey,whatar
eyoudoinghere?I t
'spas
tworki
nghours!"
Shesoundedveryspec
ifi
cthatitmadeChri
sevenmor e
unease.Hewasfumbli
ng,whilelooki
ngver
yapologet
ic.
"
No,it'
snotthat!
"Herepli
edqui
ckl
y."
I--Iwantedt
o
s
ays orr
y.IknowIs t
oodyouupbutIswearitwasn'
t
i
ntenti
onalatal
l"

39
 Hannanarrowedhereyesasifshecoul
dn'tf
oll
owwhat
hewass ay
ingbutimmediat
elycaughton."
Oh,that!
Don'tworr
y,Iassumedyouhads omethi
ngimportants
o
well
,it
'sal
lcool
"
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Sur
e!"
"Okay !goodnightIguess?"Hes aid,s
til
lusur
eof
hi
ms elf
.HannanoddedherheadandChr i
sturned
around,butt henreturnedbackt oherass hewassti
ll
st
andi ngbythedoor ."Areyoual waysthi
s
unpr edict
abl
e?"Heas ked,histoneami dstangerand
di
s appointmentfrom herindif
ference.
Sheseemeds
hoc
ked,"
Me?Whatar
eyout
alki
ng
about
?"
"Imean,It
houghtyoumightbemadandthr
owa
punchorsomethi
ng!Ihonest
lywi
shyou'
ddonet
hat
!"He
snappedwit
hhisfi
dget
ingvoi
ce.
Hannachuckl
edandasked,"Doy
outhi
nkI'm asavage?
I'
m humantooChri
s,Icanals
obeunders
tanding!Why?
Areyouf
eeli
ngguil
ty?
"Thisti
meshemovedc l
osertohis
fac
e.
"
Yes.If
eelgui
lt
y!"Herepl
iedl
ikeas mal
lboy.Hi
s
r
eact
ionmadehers tepbac
kalitt
le,anamusedsmil
eon

40
herf
ace.
"Okay .Whydon' tyoumakei tupt omei nanotherway ?
"
Shepr oposed,whi l
emov i
ngclosert ohim.I nsti
ncti
vel
y,
het i
lt
edhi sheadbac kdef ens
ivelyandc aus eahuge
laughfr om Hanna."Relax!Iwon'ts ati
sfyy ourrott
en
mi nd.LikeIs ai
d,I
'm notas avage!Sohowabouty ougive
meat ourar oundthecityinst
ead? "Sher esumedher
pos i
ti
onandmadeChr islaughbac k.
"Fi
ne.Oh,Ithi
nkit'
sagr eatideac oztomor r
owthere's
anopen- mar
ket,i
t'
slikeac ountryfai
rexceptther
ewon' t
bebul l
sandhorses!
"Hes aid,suggesti
vely."Butt
here'l
l
beplentyofi
nterest
ingthings...Ifyour'
ey ouupforitof
course"
"
Soundsli
keapl
ant
ome!I
'veal
way
swant
edt
oseet
he
c
ountryf
air
!"
"
Good,Seeyoutomorrowthen!
"Chri
ssai
d,"
Oh,Isai
d
i
t'
sli
ke,acount
ryfai
r!Notanact
ualc
ountr
yfai
r...
"
Theys
har
edal
augh.
"
FineIgeti
t!
"
"
Per
fec
t!Goodni
ghtHanna!
"
"
Goodni
ghtChr
is!
"
Af
terhi
sdepar
tur
e,Hannar
etur
nedi
nandc
los
edt
he

41
door
;whens
hebumpedi
ntohermot
her
.
"
WasthatChri
s?"Sar
ahas
ked,herf
acewasc
over
ed
wi
ths
eriousnes
s.
"
Youscar
edmemom!Wel l
,yesitwashi
m.Why ?I
s
t
hereanyprobl
em?
"Hannaaskedherworri
edl
y.
"Noit'
snothing.Goinands l
eep!"Sher epl
iedand
walkedtotheirki
tchenwit
houtanot herword.Her
daughterfoundherbehaviorrat
herpec uli
arbutdeci
ded
toignore.

OnSat urday
,thefoll
owingmor ni
ngtheywer eallr
eady
tohitthefest
ivi
ti
eswhent hetwos i
bli
ngsmar chedout
together.
Chri
swasdr essedcasual
lybuti
naf ancyway
ands odidCaro.Asus ual
,Hannawasi nhertomboy
atti
reexceptthegir
lyT-shi
rtshewaswearing.
"Wow.Il
oveyourmixol
ogy!
"Caros
nappedatHanna,a
genui
nesmil
eacros
shertinyl
ips
.
"
Thanks
...
Igues
s?"Hannaqui
pped,s
kept
ical
ly.
"Ihopewe'r
er eady.Oh,act
uall
ythi
sismys i
ster
Carol
ynands he'sj
oini
ngus!"Chri
sint
roduc
edt hem but
i
nr et
urnhefoundCar or ol
li
nghereyesandHanna
l
aughing."
DidIs aysomethi
ngfunny?"Heasked,

42
bewi
lder
ed.
"No.I
t'
sjust
...we'
veal
readymet.Plus
,Ithi
nkit
's
gonnabefun.Themorethemerri
er!"Hannatol
dhim.
"Ohdear ,becaref
ulofwhatyou'
rewi
shi
ngfor-
-the
anc i
entphrasesays
"Carosai
daudibl
yashereyes
directedt
ot hesi
dewhereAbbiewasemergi
ng.Theyal
l
reali
zedherpoint.
"Heyguys
,canIjoi
ntoo?Idon'
thav
eany t
hingtodo
here!
"Abbieas
ked,wit
hhersweetal
lur
ingvoic
e.
Chr
isexc
hangedglanc
eswi
tht
her
estandans
wer
edher
.
"
Nopr obl
em!Shal
lwegonow?"
"Wai
t!I'l
lgoandc hangefir
st.Iwon'tt
akelongI
promise!
"Shes nappedandr unoff.Theycoul
donlyhear
Carol
yn'ssarc
asti
cc huckl
e.
"Ohthepr
incesshastoc hangeherprett
ylit
tl
egown,
Gosh!Cans
omeonet ellherthatwe'r
eonlygoingf ora
st
roll
?Andnotaball?
"Car osnapped,allf
ourey eswere
f
ixedonher,
beforeeveryones t
art
edlaughingloudly.

43
 CHAPTER4
Day spass ed,andev enweeks .Hannas ett
ledher self
withhernewl if
e;school,homewor kandas s i
gnment
becamepar tofher.Ev erythingwor kedper fect
lyfine,and
herfriendshi pwi t
hChr isAs htongrewev endeeper .
BetweenHannaandAbbi e,t herewasal way san
unbear abl
et ensi
on,andt heybot hunder stoodt hatthey
couldn'tstandoneanot her.Ont opofev er
y thi
ng,Hanna
tr
iedherl ev elbesttoav oidTher esas i
nces he'd
specifi
call
ys howedt hatshehadnogoodopi nionofher .
OneSatur
daymorni
ng,af
teral
onghect
icweek,Hanna
gotupearl
yasus
ualandheadoutf
orajogwhens he
metChri
sontheway.Thi
stimet
heencount
erfelt
pleas
ant
.
"
Heyt
here!Ar
eyour
eadyt
ogetki
cked?
"Shet
aunt
ed
hi
m,pl
ayf
ull
y.
"It
hinkyoumeanI,ki
cki
ngyou,no?
"Heknoc
kedher
outwithabas
hfuls
mi r
kbefor
erunni
ngof
f.
"
That
'snotf
airChr
is!Idi
dn'
thearac
ue"
"
Younev
ers
etanyr
uleasf
arasIr
emembermadam!
"
"
Ohy
eah?I
'm gonnagety
ou!
"

44
 "
Andy
ou'
regoi
ngdownl
it
tl
eMi
ssy
!"
Theyhal
tedatt
heusuals
pot,byt
hel
ake."
Umph!I
t
houghtwe'dnev
ermakeit
!"
"Speakf oryours
elfl
azybum,Ic antakeanotherround
j
us tsoy ouknow"Chr i
ssnapped,justt
oannoyherwhi l
e
s
tr et
chingup.Buts hewasstrangelysi
lent
,hereyes
f
ixingthathous e.
"Don'tyouf eelast
rangeconnectiontothathous e?Ki
nd
li
ke,it'
scall
ingy out
ogoi n?"Hannas ai
d,mi micki
nga
weirds eri
oust onet
hatalmosthadhi m.Her ais
edan
ambi guit
yey ebrowwhil
es t
aringather."That'
sit,I
'm
going!"Shes toodupreadytoleave.
"
Areyouc r
azy
?Whatwil
lyoudowheny
ougett
her
e?"
Heasked,hi
shandonherwri
st.
"
Idon'tknow,I
'mjus tc
urioustos
eetheins
ide.Wanna
c
ome? "Shesmil
edbr oadly,s
hehadawi l
dadventurous
s
piri
tasChrisusual
lytol
dher .Her
emainedi
ndecisi
ve
f
orami nuteandeventuall
yendedupfoll
owi
ngher .
Theyf oundabiglockatthegatewhic
hmadeChr is
shrugasi fsay
ingItoldyou.Tohiss
urpri
se,Hanna
startedcli
mbingupt hegateandinasecondshewas
alreadyin.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngHanna?
"Heur
ged,bewi
lder
ed.

45
 "Did!becauseI'
m al
readyi
n!"Sherepli
ed,whil
esmili
ng
cornil
y."Whatareyouwaiti
ngfor,j
umpi n"Sheorder
ed.
Hel ookedaround,t
hen fol
lowedhesi
tantl
y,wit
hutmos t
cares oastonevermissastep.
"
Idon'tbel
iev
ethi
s!Don'
tyouknowtrespas
singi
s
i
ll
egal
?"Hesnappedoncehesteppeddown.
"Ido...butis
n'ti
twhatmakesi tmoreinteres
ting?
Besides
,I '
vegotyou,t
heJust
iceminist
er'ssontobac k
meup,l et'
sgopar t
ner!
"Hanna'senthusi
asml efthi
m
speechl
es s.
Hes i
ghedands tar
tedcrui
singaroundf oralmosta
minute.Abunc hofmemor i
esflashedbac k;hecouldsee
hi
slitt
levers
ionroamingaroundt hatti
nyy ardwithhis
buddy,Johnwhous edt
oenj oycoll
ecti
ngbugs .They
wereinseparabl
e.Suddenly
,Hanna' sscr
eam from ins
ide
broughthim backtoeart
handher ushedov er.
"
What'swrong?Whyar eyous c
reami
ng?"Hefoundher
onherknees,hi
dingherfaceaway.Whenhelookedup,
hespott
edahuges pi
deroni t
'sweb.Hebrokeint
oa
l
onglaugh.Shei
mmedi atel
ygotup,annoyed.
"Iwasn'
tsc
aredy
ouknow.Ij
ustf
ellof
f!
"Shedef
ended
hersel
f.
"
Yeah.Ri
ght
.DoIl
ookt
hatdumbt
oyouMs
.I'
m-not
-

46
scared-
of-
any
thi
ng!
"Het
eas
edherwhi
lec
lear
ingt
he
path.
"Shh...
overther
eChris
,hav en'
tyous eenashadow
passi
ngby !
"ItwasHanna'sturntomes swithhim.She
cl
utchedhisarm,pret
endingtobef r
ightened.
"No,nopleases t
opthat
.Youknowihateghosts
tori
es
andIdefi
nat el
yhateghosts
"herepli
ed,
looki
ngabit
weary.Hi
sr eact
ionmadehergiggl
e.
Thehousewasames s,f
ewfurni
turethatwerequi
te
dust
yands omeoldbooksontheshelf
.Chrisr
eachedfor
thebooks
,andfoundthefami
li
arc omi
cone.
"
Hav eyouf
ounds omethi
ng?
"Hannaaskedhi
m,
c
uriousl
y.Henoddedhisheadandshowedhert
hebook.
"Igaveitt
oJohnonhisbir
thday"Hel
etoutaf
aintsmil
e
astheybothtookaseatonthetabl
eaf
terunwr
apping
i
t'
spl as
ticc
over.
Hannagav
eherami nut
etoremi
nis
ceandas
ked,"
Then
whydidheleav
eitbehi
nd?"
"Idon'
tknow.Maybehewant ednothingt
odowi t
hme
anymore,hewant
edtodet ac
hhi mselff
rom t
hes
e--t
hese
st
upidmemor i
es!
"Hes ai
dbitter
ly.I
twasHanna'sf
irst
ti
mes eei
nghimsovulnerabl
e.

47
 "Isthathowc rookedyoursmartmindwor ksMr.
Ashton?"Hannademanded,hert onewas hedawayhis
pens i
velook,"Whatifit
'st
heotherwayaround?May be
hewant edyout or ememberhimthroughthat,orhejus
t
forgottopic
kitbef orel
eavi
ng.J
ustkeepthebookand
stopimaginingthings!
"
Hes t
aredatherint
ens el
y,andtheysharedasmil
e.But
hethenadded,"I'
mj ustconcernedaboutonethi
ng,why
didtheysuddenl
yleave?Andt hatwit
houtsayi
ng
goodbye?Whatcould'vehappened?"Hisgazewassti
llon
Hanna.
"
IwishIc
oul
dgivey outheanswer
,buty
ouknowi
t'
s
t
otal
lyi
mposs
ibl
e!"Sherepli
ed.
Theys
pentthenextf
ewmi
nut
esl
ooki
ngar
oundand
deci
dedtol
eave.
Onceouts
ide,Chr
isaskedher;"
Howcomesyou'
reso
nat
urali
njumpingfenc
es ?Coul
ditbey
ou'
reathi
ef?
"
"
Yes.Andex-
convi
ctt
oo"Sherepli
edsar
cast
ical
ly.He
l
aughedheart
il
y."
What?Imightaswel
lshowyoua
dr
agontatt
ooonmybac k!
"
"
Youhav
eone?
"
"
No!Ar
eyous
tupi
dorpr
etendi
ngt
obeone?
"

48
 "
OkayIgetit
!Youwer ebei
ngsar
cast
ic!
"Hegri
nned.I
t
wasalwaysapleasur
eseei
ngHanna'
soutbur
sts
wheneverheteasedher
.
"Ir
emembertry
ingtostealt
wic
e,butIgotc
aughtin
bothocc
asi
onsbecauseIcoul
dn'tf
acemyauntinthe
eyes"
"
Real
ly?Andwhatexac
tly
?"
"
Pas
tri
esi
nherbaker
y!"
"
What
?Pas
tri
es?It
houghts
omemoneyorj
ewel
ry"
"Hey,myaunt'
sbakingski
ll
sareext
raordi
nar
y.Besi
des,
Irespec
totherpeopl
e'smoneycozIknowhowhar diti
s,
toearnsome...andIdon'twearj
ewelri
es"

WHENChr i
sret
urnedhomeanhourlat
er,he
s
urpr
isedl
yfoundTher
esai
nsi
dehisbedroom.
"Mom?Whatareyoudoi
ngher
e?"Heas
kedwi
thout
t
aki
ngast
epfrom t
hedoor
"Wait
ingf
ormys on,ofcours
e!...
Sinc
ey ou'
retoobusy
wit
hy ours
oc al
ledf
riend,t
hatyoucompletel
yforgot
aboutme,Ifi
guredIshouldbetheonetov i
si
tyou!"She

49
sai
dwithaseri
oust
oneofvoi
ce.Chr
iss
ighedandpul
led
achai
racros
sthebed,t
henhel
dTheres
a'shands
.
"Ar
en'tyouexaggerat
ingalitt
leMs.Theres
a?"He
st
artedsweet-
tal
kingher."It
'snottr
ue.YouknowI'v
e
beenbus ywi
thclasses
,thesi
sandbunc hofothers
tuff
's.
Butdon'tworr
y,I'l
lmakeitupt oyou!Ipromis
e"he
managedt omakehers mile.
"Okays
on,butonemorething,t
hatgi
rl...
what'
sher
nameagain-
-Hanna!
"Shesnapped."
Arey ousur
et her
e's
nothi
ngmorebetweenyou?"Thequest
ionseemedt o
annoyChri
s,hest
oodupandr unahandonhi sface.
"Agai
nwiththatmom?Hannai sjustafri
end!Itol
dyou
onceandI '
mr epeati
ngagai
n.Okay ,supposei
t'
smor e
thanfr
iends,whatwouldyoudo? "Foronc ehedeci
ded
tobeless-
subtleaboutt
heissue.
"Ever
ythi
ng!IwouldNEVERletthatt
hingbepar tofour
li
fe.NEVER!Anddon'tev
enthinkaboutstar
ting
somethingwithherChri
sAshton!Orels
e,youwon' teven
keepherasaf ri
end!
"Sheexplodedwithanger .Fora
momentChr i
s'
seyeswerewideopen,inshoc k.
"Mom?Ar eyouev enli
steni
ngtoyoursel
f?Whathas
sheeverdonef oryoutohateherli
kethat
"Helooked
heri
nt heeyes,unabletounders
tandherreas
oning.

50
 "Hateher?Idespiseher .Cons
ideryour
selfwar
ned!"
Shes ai
d."Chri
s,don'tforcemet obeabadmot her
!"She
roseup,threwhim ac oldgazeandthenstormedoff,
leav
inghimc ompletelylost.
Per
plexed,hedroppedonthebed,amill
ionthoughts
i
nhi smindwhenhi sdoorswungopenagain.Caro
peekedherhead." What
?Hav eyouals
ocomet olect
ure
meaboutHanna?orques t
ionourfr
iends
hip?"He
snappedather .
"Hey,takei
teasybro!Ij
ustwant
edac har
ger
,Ican'
t
f
indmi ne.Di
ds omethi
nghappen?"Car
olynas
ked,wi
th
muc hconcernsasshewalkedi
n.
"I
'msorr
yCar o,Ij
usthadaone- on-
onewithmom!"He
pic
kedthec har
gerfr
om theci
rcuitandgav
eher,t
hen
fi
ll
edherin.Shewasalsosur
prised.
"
Oh,that
'snotagoodsign.Butr
eal
lyChri
s,Idon'
t
meantopry,i
ss hej
ustafri
end?Imean,i
t'
sbeenmor e
t
hanamont hsinceshecamehereandyoutwobec ame
i
nsepar
able!
"
"Ohpleas
e,notyout
oo!Can'ttwopeopl
ebebes
t
buddi
eswithoutr
omanceinvolv
ed?"
"Welly
ou'
llhav
etofor
giv
eme,butt hosetwopeople
happentobeofopposi
tesex,notal
lofushaveboysfor

51
bestfr
iend!Youknowhowt hi
splaceis...it
'sli
keonly
cavemenlivehere"s hes
aidinsuchawayt hatthey
foundthems el
veslaughi
ngoutloudly
." Okay,forget
aboutHanna.WhataboutAbbi e?Forther ecord,Icaught
youtwoki s
singtwi
c e.WhatdoImakeoutofi t?"
"LookCaro,Iwon'tdeny ,Abbiei
sprettyandt
oo
strai
ght
forward!Idon'tknowi fIl
ikeherornotsowe
agreedtotakethingscasualandseewhathappens,and
pointofcorr
ecti
on--sheki ss
edme,Idi dn'
t!
"
"Ohcomeon!Nowy ousoundl i
keaj erk!I
'm of
f"She
walkedtothedoor,thenpaus edandlookedbac k,"Ijus
t
hopey ouwon'tmessany thi
ngupChr is,Icantel
lhow
harddeali
ngwi t
hAbbi ecanbe.Plus,she'sMom' s
favour
itet
oy!"Hercoldtonelefthim withalottothinkof.

****

Weeksf lewbyveryquickl
y,atl
astt
hefir
stsemest
erwas
over.Itwast hel
astdayofexamsandjustaft
erHanna
submi t
tedherpapers hefoundChri
soutsi
dethe
auditori
um.Sher ushedoverandsli
ppedherarmtohis
neckonat t
empttos t
art
lehim.
"What
'supAshton?Di
dyouwai
tlong?
"Shegr
inned,
obvi
ousl
ygladtoseehi
m.

52
 "Hey,howwast heexam?"Heaskedafterdroppinghi
s
headphonesoff.Sheslowl
ytookaseatacrosshi
m,a
skept
icall
ookinherey esf
orasecond,butthenthe
assur
inggrinappeared.
"
Wel l...itwasokay.Wit
hageniust
utorli
keyou,Ihi
t
t
hos ec al
culusl
ikehell
.Soitwaswor
thstayi
ngup
f
ortnight!"
"
Oh,I'
m glad.Becaus
eIwasbegi
nningtowonder
what
'sf
il
ledinthatdumbheadofyours"
"I
'm notdumb! "Shepretendedtosulk,andChri
spoked
herforehead."
Ouc h!IguessI'l
lbedumbt oaskhow
yoursendeds i
ncey ou'
retoos martt
os aythel
east.Shal
l
wegoandeatnow?I '
mf amished!
"
"Iwaswonderi
ngwheny ou'
regoi
ngtos
aythat
.Here,I
broughty
ourfavour
itebur
gerandfr
eshl
emonade!
"He
handedhertheparcel
.
"
WowAs ht
on!Howt hought
ful!Thankyou"shepec
ked
hi
m ont
hec heekbef
oreheadingt othecar
.
"
Alway
sont
ime!
"Hegr
inned,pr
oudl
y.

Somemi
nut
esl
ater
;
"
Chr
is?
"Shes
uddenl
ycal
ledhi
m ast
heyr
odebac
k

53
home.
"
Yes
?"Her
epl
ied,hi
sey
esf
ixedont
her
oad.
"
I'
m goi
ngt
oAus
tral
iai
ntwoday
s!"
"
What
?Andy
ou'
rej
ustt
ell
ingmenow?
"
"Hey,hearmeoutf
ir
st!IswearIonl
ythoughtofthis
yest
erday.Imi
ssmyAunt ,We'
veneverbeenapartthi
s
l
ong.Youunderst
andme,r i
ght?
"Shetri
edtobes eri
ous
asshec oul
dbe.
Herel
easedalongsi
ghandsai
d,"Ido.Butwhat
'st
he
hur
ry?Can'ty
ous t
ayaweekbef
oregoing?"
"That
'spr
ec i
sel
ytheproblem.I
t'
sgoi
ngtobeher
bi
r t
hdaynextweek,Vi
ctorandIpromi
sedtot
hrowhera
partyt
hisyear.
"
"
Igetit!
"Herepl
ied,therewassti
llafur
rowbet ween
hi
seyebrows.Sur
prisedl
y,Hannastart
edlaughing.He
st
aredathershocki
nglyandasked,"Whyarey ou
l
aughing?"
"Nothi
ng.Well
,youjusts
oundedlikeI'
m nevercoming
back,I'
m onl
ystayi
ngforaweekort wo.Besi
des,i
t'
snot
l
ikeyou'llmi
ssmeors omethi
ng,no?"
"
No.Theonl
ythi
ngI
'l
lmi
ssi
smaki
ngf
unofy
ourugl
y
f
aceanddumbhead!
"

54
 "Alri
ght.Takeiteasy,whyar eyougettingmadatme? "
Sheey edhi m,bewildered.Hejustsni
ffedandkept
quiet.
"Willyoutakemet otheairport
?friend?
"She
teasedhim,t ryi
ngtor educethetensi
on.Appar ent
ly,
Chrisdidn'tseem toli
ket henewsatall
"
Ofc
our
se!DoIhav
eac
hoi
ce?
"
"
No?
"
"
Fine!
I'
llt
akey
ou.Happy
?"
"
Mor
ethanhappy
!"

Fewday slat
erAbbiefl
ewbac ktoSout hAfri
ca,atlas
t
t
hehous ewasbac kt
ohowi twasbef ore.Theresahad
l
osthergr eatcompanionandt oref
illt
hegap,s he
s
tartedat t
endinghersoci
algatheri
ngwi thotherhigh
s
ocietyladiesandforawhiletherewass omet ranquil
it
y
i
nAs hton'sresi
dency.
ForChris,thi
ngswer en'
tthes ame.Heobv i
ouslygr
ew
f
ondofhi sbes tf
riend.Lucki
ly,hewasbus ywiththe
i
nternshiphegoti noneoft hec ommerci
alcompanies
wherehes pentmos tofhi
st i
me.Henev erstoppedvideo
chatt
ingwi thHannaandAbbi eatti
mes.Withoutknowing,
t
het hreeweeksf adedinabl i
nkofaney e.

55
 ONEmorni
ng,asChr
iswasget
tingr
eadyt
oleav
e,
Car
oly
nappr
oachedhi
m andasked;
"
IsHannar
etur
ningt
oday
?"
"
Yes,
wit
hamor ni
ngfl
ight
.Infac
t,I'
m headi
ngtothe
ai
rpor
tri
ghtaway!
"Herepli
ed,wit
hmuc henthus
iasm.
"
Awwlookatyou,i
fsomeoneseesyoumi
ghtt
hink
y
ou'r
egoingt
omeety ourgi
rl
fr
iend!
"
"
Car
oly
n!"
"
Okay
,I'
l
lkeepqui
et!CanIt
agal
ong?
"
"
Nopr
obl
em"
Awhilelat
er,theywer
ewai t
ingforherwhenthey
suddenl
yhear dafamil
iarv
oicecall
ingthei
rnameint
he
middleofthecrowd.
"
Chr
is!Car
o!Ov
erher
e...
"Hannas
hout
edwhi
lewav
ing
wi
thj
oy .
"Ohno!Thisissoembar r
assi
ng!Can'tshejustcome
withoutmakingascene?"Carosnapped,tr
yingtohide
herfaceaspeoplearoundstaredatthem.Onot herhand,
Chriswaslaughi
ng.
"
Arey
ouforget
ti
ngit
'sHanna?Al
waysmaki
nga
dr
amati
cent
rance"hesai
dwhilewav
ingbac
kather
.

56
Theybothpacedtowar
dsherwhenshequi
ckl
yjumped
overt
ohugChr i
s,shepul
ledav
eryl
ongembracethat
lef
tCaroagape.
"Okay.Thi
sisoffi
cial
lydist
urbi
ng!Whydon'ty oujust
dateal
ready?Seriousl
y,justqui
tthatfr
iendcharade!
"
Carosaidbutitwasasi fshewastalki
ngtoherself
!"Hell
o?
I'
mr i
ghthere!"Shec l
appedherhandsandt het wo
l
aughedbef or
epul l
ingapart.
"Imis
syout ooCaro!
"Hannahuggedherandtheyal
l
smil
ed."I
'ms ohappytoseeyouboth!It
houghtt
he
pl
anewoul dn'
ttakeof
f!
"
"
Andsoweare.ButIt
hinks
omeonehass ur
passedus
al
l!
"Car
osai
dwhilest
ari
ngatherbr
other
,provoki
ngl
y.
"IthinkwhatCar omeansisthatwes houldprobabl
yget
going,rightCaro?
"Hes i
gnall
edtoherf orabackupbut
shes hruggedinst
ead.Unabletocontainhisj
oy,Chri
s
added." I'
ms ureyoumus tbehungrybynow.Whydon' t
wegoandeats omethi
ng?"
"
Yeah.Ri
ght.Becaus
ey outhi
nkI'
m apigwhoonly
t
hinksoff
ood?"Annoyed,Hannarepli
ed.Herr
eac
tion
madethetwos i
bli
ngslaughhear
til
y.
"Hey,I
'msor
ry.I
t'
snotmyfaultt
hatal
lthegir
lsIknow
havegotahugeappet
it
e,wel
l,exc
eptAbi
gailwho

57
constant
lywatchesherf igure.Buty ou,Caro...Idon'
t
needt osaymuc h,doI ?"Hel aughed,hilari
ousl
yasthe
gir
lsexchangedadi sdainfullook."So,l
et '
sgo.AndEAT!"
Hes nappedwithas ati
s f
iedgr i
nandmadeaway .

Theyreturnedt othemansi
onearl
yatni
ght,andHanna
wass urpr
isedthatthehousewassoqui
te.Carobi
dher
goodnightandr eti
redf
ir
st,l
eav
ingt
hem outsi
deHanna'
s
plac
e.
"Hey,t
hankyouf
orpi
cki
ngmeup.Arey
ous
urey
ou
don'twantt
ocomein?
"Sheas
kedhi
m.
"No,youshouldgetsomer est
.OhbeforeIforget...
takethis
"hehandedheras ingl
ekeybutshec ouldn'tget
whatfor."I
t'
sthekeyforthathouse...
Youknow,t hat
house!"Hetri
edtoexplai
ns ubt
lyandsheimmedi ately
caughton.
"Thathouse?Buthow- -"Shes napped,st
unningly.He
smiledwar mly,bothhandsi nhispocket
sandt oldher
t
hathe' dduplicat
edthel ockandc l
eanedthatplaceup.
Hewant edt okeephisc hil
dhoodmemor i
esint
ac t
."So,I
canus ethatplacewhenIwantt oescapeabadday ?"She
l
ookedathi m mi sc
hievously.
"
Mor
eorl
ess
!If
igur
edy
ouwer
ehav
inghar
dti
me

58
s
tudy
ingi
nheresi
ncei
t'
sashari
nghous
e.J
ustmake
s
urenooneseesy
ou.Goti
t?"
"Yessi
r!Ohthanky ous omuc h!
"Subc onscious l
y,she
foundhersel
fwrappinghi mi ntoatightembr ace.But
somethingwasn'
tr i
ght,asifherbodywasr eac ti
ngin
somes t
rangeway .Sameasatt heairport;atl eastby
thensheconvinc
edher selfthatitwasal ongi ngef f
ect
.
Butatthatmoment ,sher eal
izeditwas n'
t,it'
sl i
kes he
neverwantedtoletgo.Shei mmedi atelyletgo,her
cheeksfl
ushedred.
"
Iss
omet
hingwr
ong?
"Chr
isques
tionedher
,wor
riedl
y.
"
No!Goodni
ghtChr
is"
"
Ah,yout
oo"Andwi
tht
hat
,sher
ushedi
nwi
thout
l
ooki
ngback.

59
 CHAPTER5
Awei rdwav eofemoti
onss tar
tedtoov erwhelm Hanna.
Herf eel
ingswerealmostoutofpr oport
ion;everyti
me
shes awChr i
swithAbbie,herheartshatter
ed.Shec oul
d
nolongers eehim asj
ustaf r
iend;andshehat edthe
feel
ing.
Severalweekswentbys i
ncetheyr
eturnedbackto
school.Bythen,Chri
swasabitbusi
erthanbefore.
Somet i
meshe' dspentni
ghtswit
hhiscl
assmatesinthei
r
place,st
udying,whic
hmadeHannami s
shim evenmor e.
ItwasFr i
dayev ening,whenHannahear dChr i
stian' s
voicet al
kingtos omeone,r i
ghtfrom herr oom.A
pleas antsmilestretchedherl ips.Shet ossedthebook
asideandr ushedout si
de,toatleas tseehi m aft
ert wo
day sofbei ngoutofr each.Asifthedes t
inywas n'
tonher
si
de,s heemer gedtot hefrontyardandt riedtocal lafter
him whenAbi gailappear ed,ahuges mi l
eonherf ac e.
Shepr act
ical
lyr unt owar dshim andpl ant edakissonhi s
li
ps .Chrissomehows eemedunc omf ortablewitht he
gest ureashes li
ghtlypus hedheraway .
"
Hey ,we'
rehomeandany
onec
ans
eeus
!"Het
oldher
whil
elooki
ngaround.
"
Comeon!Noone'
sher
e"s
hei
nsi
sted."Ic
an'
tbel
iev
e

60
y
ouc
ame!
"
"
Yousai
ditwasurgent
...pl
us,I
'm donewi
tht
he
pr
ojec
tsohereIam"
"Oh,doest hi
smeany ou'renotgoingbackt oyourstudy
buddies?"Sheleanedc losertohim,playf
ullyasthey
headtot hehouse.Att hemomentHannawaspeeki ng
fr
om adi stanc
e,bloodboi li
ngwithanger,fi
s t
sclenc
hed
ands t
il
lshedidn'tdaret oshowher sel
fup.Notf ortoo
l
ongunt i
lMar iablewof fhercoverbyc al
li
nghername
outloudly.Hannat ur
nedbac kandsawherappr oac
hing.
"Whatareyoudoinghere?
"Mar
ias
napped,hol
dinga
bucketf
ullofdr
ytowels
.
"
Shhh...Canyoustopshout
ingandmindy
ourbus
ines
s
Mari
a?"Hannaaskedherinalowvoic
e.
"I'
ms orr
y,Ididn'tmeantointr
ude!"Shereplied.Hanna
growled,t
henr ol
ledhereyesbefor
eMar ialeftquiet
ly.
That'
sallIneeded,shethoughtandatthatv erysame
momentChr isappeared.
"
SoIwasr
ight
...
it
'sy
ou!Hi
?"Hegr
eet
edherwar
mly
.
"Oh,hiChr
is?
"Shetr
iedt
ohi
dehergl
oomi
nes
swi
tha
half
-char
mingfac
e.
"
Hey
,what
'swi
thy
ourr
eac
tion?Di
dyoumi
sst
hat

61
muc h?
"Chr i
saskedinac heesyway ,thencuppedher
f
acewi thhispalms
.Hismer et ouc
hwasbyt henenough
t
oc hargeupherbody ,shefeltacurrentrunni
ngher
vei
nsast heirs
kint
ouc hed.Shequicklybrokefr
ee.
"No.Ididn't
!Am notaki
d!Stoptouchi
ngmyf ace?
"She
snapped,completel
yannoyedaft
erpull
ingaway.Chri
s
wassurprisedbutheburst
edoutlaughi
ng.
"Whati
sthi
snow?Areyoumadbec
aus
eIc
oul
dn'
t
answery
ourtex
ts?Wel
lI'
msorr
y"
"
Notatal
l.Yout
hinkyou'
ret
hecent
reoftheuni
ver
se?
t
hatev
eryt
hingIf
eelhastodowi
thyou?"
"Al
ri
ght
.NowI'm of
fi
cial
lyconfused.Wher eist
hisal
l
comingf
rom,huh?"Heasked,seriouslythi
sti
me.Before
Hannacoul
danswer,anothervoic
es teppedin.
"Ithi
nkwhats hemeansi s,yous houldstopt reati
ngher
li
keal i
tt
legirl
.RightHanna? "Abbies napped,apl asti
c
smileonherf ace,beforewr appi
ngherar msar ound
Chris'
swaist,asifshewasmar ki
nghert erri
tor y.Hanna'
s
glar
ewasr ightoni t
,andc ouldntcontainthej elousy.
Luckil
y,Chri
swas n'ttoocompel l
ingashes l
owl y
remov edAbbie'sarmsbefor ehisphonebuz zedl i
kehis
personalsaint.
"
It'
smymot
her
!"Sai
dhe,hal
ti
ngl
y."
I'
lls
eey
oul
ater

62
Hanna...wheny ou'
refeel
ingbett
er!
"Hes ai
dknowi ngl
y.
Obvi
ously,hedidn'
tpayattent
iontoAbbie'
stheor
y.He
knewhisfri
endbettert
onot i
cethatsomethi
ngwas n't
okay
.Hel eftt
hegirl
sal
oneandwal kedaway .
Oncehedi
sappear
ed,Hannaglar
edatAbbi
ewhos
e
pi
erc
inggaz
ewasf i
erc
elyf
ocusedonher.
"
What
?"Hannaas
ked.
"Doyouhav et omak ei tthatobv i
ous ?"Abigails
tepped
cl
oser,armsf ol
dedac ros sherc hest.Foramoment
Hannas eemedc lueless ,asifsheunder stoodnot hingat
al
l."
Ohpl ease!Qui tthei nnoc entac t,y
ouknowexac tl
y
whatI'mt al
kingabout .Youc anf oolevery oneelse,foral
l
Icar
e,butIknowt haty ou--areinlov ewithhi m"s he
fi
nal
lysnappedi t.
Thist i
met her
ewasunr eadableexpr essi
ononHanna' s
face.Shes wall
owedhard,ey eswideopen." Idon'tknow
whaty ou'
retal
kingabout,anddef i
nitel
ywhom y ou'r
e
tal
kingabout .Unli
keyou,Ihav ebetterthi
ngstodo...if
you'llexcuseme!"Hannas norted,determinedtokeep
herc ool.
"
CHRIS!
"Abbierais
eds harpl
y.Wi t
hthatHannacouldn'
t
makeanothers
tep,shes t
oods t
il
l.Anyonecoul
dsee
t
hroughhernervousexpressi
onasAbbi epacedri
ghtin

63
frontofher."Ial
way sknewy ouwer eafterhi m...
with
thisbestfri
endfacade!Wel l
,it
'sOK.Whowoul dn'
t?After
allhe'saquiteagoodc atch.Smar t
,hands omeandRI CH!
Isn'thethemos tatt
racti
vepac kage?"Shel eanedover
andwhi s
peredthelastsentence,withac unningrais
ed
ey ebrow.
"Wi
llyoupl
eas
es t
opmakingt
hingsup!That
'sal
ie,
Chri
sisonl
yafri
endtome,SoI-
-"
"Ohi she?Youknow,I '
veheardthats t
orytoomany
ti
mes .Butitdoes n'tmeanIbel i
evei t
,I'
m notdumb!The
onlythingIwanty out oknowisthat,don'tmakei t
obvious...Cany oui maginewhat'dhappeni fhef i
ndsout
?
Yougonnal osehi m...Wannabet ?"Therewasawei r
d
si
lenceaf t
ers hootingsuchques t
ion.Hannawas
cornered.Shet ri
eds ohar dtohideherf eeli
ngsandinan
i
ns t
ants her eal
izeditwasnol ongeras ecret.She
couldn'tbri
ngher sel
ftoarguewi t
hher .
"Ar
ey oudone?
"Wi
thadeepandy
etdef
eat
edv
oic
e,
s
heuttered.
"Iguess.That'sall
.Or ,may benot"s hes mirked,whi
le
trail
ingherey esplayfully
."Justonmor ethi
ng,c anyou
pleas es
topt hrowingt hosejealoustantrum?They 'r
e
reall
ybegi nningtogetonmyner ves!"Sher ec
koned
befor el
eav i
ngtriumphant l
y.

64
 Whenal one,Hannaleanedbackagains
tt hewall
,her
bodytremblingwit
hbot hangerandfear.Everyword
keptechoingins
ideherears.NowwhatGod? ,she
thoughtwhilepl
acingahandonherpoundi ngheart
.

EXACTLYasAbbi e'ss mar theadpr edict

ed,Hannaf el
l
rightint
ohert rap.Shev er ywel lknewheropponent '
s
weaknes sands trategicallyus editt
oheradv antage.
Hannas t
artedav oidi ngChr is,shemadei tpos sibleto
stayawayf r om himf orthet imebei ng,hopi ngt of i
nall
y
bur ythefeel i
ngss hehadf orhi m.Whi chinr ealitywas
farfrom beingpos sible.Af teral ongweekofhi deand
seek,Chrismanagedt oc atc hherar oundc ampus .She
hadt oplayni ceands howhi m howapol oget i
cs hef elt
fornotbei ngar oundhi m ast heyus uall
ydi d.Butwhen
heas kedhert ojoinhi mf orl unch,shetur nedhi m down,
wi t
hanexc useofgoi ngtot hel i
braryfort heas signment .
"Again?ReallyHanna,what'sgoingonwithy ou?I'
m
star
tingt othi
nkyou'reavoi
dingme! "Hebar ked,f
eeli
ng
bothf uri
ousanddi sappoi
nted."I
t'saboutat hi
rdti
me
you'r
egi vingmethes ameexc usethisweek...hav
eI
dones omethi
ngwr ong?Talktomedamni t!
"
"
Chr
isno!I
'm notav
oidi
ngy
ou,Is
wear
"sher
epl
ied,her

65
handsonhi sshoulderwi
thaguil
tyexpres
sion.Hesighed,
hi
shaz eleyesdeeplyonher
s.Hannas t
art
edf i
dget
ing,
unabl
et olietohi
m anyfurt
her."
Okay!You'reri
ght
.Iam
avoi
dingy ou"
"
What
?Why
?"Hegl
areddownonher
,wi
thambi
gui
ty.
"
Wel
lthet
hingi
s,I
t'
sAbbi
e.Shet
hinksI
'm-
-"
"Abbi
e!Abbie!Abbie!It'
sal waysaboutAbbi e!Look
Hanna,Iunderstandy out wodon' tgetalong,butdoesit
havetogot hi
sfar?Get t
ingi nthewayofourf ri
endship
andall?"Heasked.Hannawasj us
tglaringathim,asi f
shewant edtoscream tohi sfacethatshewant edhimf or
hersel
f."Fi
ne.I
'm goingtoendt hi
ngswi thher...i
fthat'
s
whatyouwant "hedec lared.
"
Andwhywoul
dyoudot
hat
?"
"Per
hapsit
'stheonlywayt oshowhowimportantyou
aretome.You'remyf r
iendHanna,maybetheonlytrue
fr
iendI'
veeverhad.Sopl eas
edon'tdot
histome!"
Oh,afriend!Isee.Howt ouc
hing,s het hought."I
fyou
expectmet osaythankyou,theny ou' retotal
lywrong
aboutmeChr i
s.Idon'
tknowhows eriousy our
rel
ati
onshipwithAbbieis,butI'
llnev erbear eas
onfor
yourbreak-up".
Herr
eac
tions
tunnedChr
isev
enmor
e."
Ther
ewego

66
agai
n.I'
m al
way st
hebadguy ,Ican'
tbeli
evewe'rebac
k
tosquar
eone.Exactl
yasthedaywemet ,you'
rejus
tso
hardtounders
tanddamni t
!Sothen,whatdoy ouwant
met odo?"Wit
hhisteet
hc l
enched,helungedtowards
her.
"
Not
hing!
"Hannar
epl
ied,f
ier
cel
yandt
urnedhert
oes
.
"Okay.I'
llj
ustst
opbothermyselfwit
hy ou.I'
msoti
red
ofthi
ss t
upidgame!"Heshouted,angri
lyasshekept
walki
ng."Ireal
lydon'
tunders
tandwomen! "Hemutt
ered
tohimself
.
St
ar t
ingly
,anot herfemal
e-voi
cerepl
iedt
ohisremark
.
"Unfortunatelynoonedoes ...
Ift
herewasone,he'
d
haves urel
yc onqueredtheuniver
sebynow!"
"
Car
o?Howlonghaveyoubeenli
steni
ng?
"Heas
kedas
s
oonashesawCarol
ynapproac
hing.
"Longenought owi t
nessthemi sf
ortuneofthebes t
coupleinLycos!"Sherepli
ed,withherus ualsarcas
ticair
,
alit
tles
mi l
eonhernat ur
al-beaut
yf ace.Chris'
seyes
narrowed."Oops !Mybad!Imean,bes tfr
iendsinLyc os
!"
Shes mi
ledwi delyathiss
o-predict
ablereacti
on.
Hesi
gheddeepl
yandas
ked,"
Whatc
oul
dbewr
ongwi
th
her
?"
Shes
hrugged."
Ify
oudon'
tknow,t
henhowwoul
dI?
...

67
butt
henagai
n,somes ec
ret
sar
ebet
terr
emai
nunt
old!
"
Shesai
d,t
houghtf
ull
y.
"
Sec
ret
s?Whatdoest
hatmean?
"
"Not
hing.J
ustali
neIpic
kedfr
om t
henov
elI
'mreadi
ng.
Wereyouheadingforl
unch?Ic
andoyout
hehonorsi
f
youwant?"
"
Yeah.What
ever
!"

Thefoll
owingfewday swer en'
tasgoodasnor mal.Chr
is
deci
dedt obecoldandt rymov ingonwithoutHanna,and
shedidexactl
ythes ame.I twasabitofahabi t
,that
whenevertheyhadaf i
ght,Hewoul dbetheonet o
i
niti
atepiec
ebutt hi
ngswer en'
tasthatatthatmoment .
Hes woretonevertalktoheragain.Theykepti gnori
ng
eachotherforseveraldays,anditwasposs i
blebecause
hedecidedtospendmos tofhistimeoutdoors.
OnSat urdaymor ning,aft
eras olojoggingsessi
on,
Hannawass tari
ngatherc el l
phonewi t
hChr i
s'
sc ont
act
onthes creen.She'dhopedt oatleas tseehimfortheir
usualworkoutr outi
nebuthedi dn'tshowup.Shewas
tense,s
adandr egretf
ulatt hes amet ime,ands t
il
lher
egocentri
cnat uredidn'tal
lowhert odialanumber .She
toss
edt hephoneonbedandr ushedout .Shejoi
nedher

68
mot
heri
nthekit
chentohelpar
rangi
ngf
lower
ssi
nce
Mar
iawasbus
ywi t
hthedis
hes.
"
Ididn'tr
eali
zedyou'
resogoodwit
hfl
owers"Sar
ah
s
aidafterscr
uti
niz
ingherdaught
erf
oralongwhil
e.
"
Didn'tItel
lyous hewassogoodtheotherday?Ev
en
Mrs.Theresasaidtheywerel
ovel
y.Alt
houghIdidn'
t
mentionthatHannawast heonewhoar rangedt
hem"
Mariajumpedi n,wit
hhercheer
fulpers
ona.
"I'
m gladyoudidn'tmenti
onmyname,orel s
es he'd
haves mashedthepoorv aseonthef
loor!
"Hannas ai
d
andt heyal
llaughed."Um--wher
eisever
yone?Thehouse
seemsempt y"Hannaas ked.
"Idon'tknow!Oh,Il
ovewheni t
'st
hispeacef
ul,t
hat'
s
whyIlikeitwhentheheadofthehous et
akescharge!
"
Sarahsnappedenthusi
ast
ical
ly.
"Whati
sshebl
abbl
ingabout
?"Hannat
urnedt
oMar
ia,
andsheonl
yshr
ugged.
"
Ifyou'r
easkingaboutChri
s,helef
tear
lyi
nthe
morning"Sar
aht ol
dher,af
terres
umingherser
ousf
ace.
"
Mot
heeer
!"
"
What?I
sn'
thetheoneyou'r
ecuri
ousabout
?So,what
ar
eyoufi
ght
ingaboutt
hist
ime?"

69
 "Fi
ght?Whatf i
ght,Ithi
nkIbet tergoandwell
...f
ini
sh
myl aundry?
"Hannawasv er
yflusteredass
hewalkedout
ofthekitc
hen,buthermot her'
sgaz ewasascol
dasan
i
ce,asifshec oul
ds eethroughher .
"
Aw!Didyouseehowembarr
assedshewas?Theymus
t
behav
ingalov
er'
squar
rel
!"Mari
ajumped,
exci
tedl
y.
"MARI A!
"Sarahglar
edatherass hes hudderedupon
hearingherownname." Becar
efulwithyourwor ds!Now
backt owork!
"Shec l
osedthesubjectandMar ianodded,
nervousl.Ij
y usthopeit
'snotwhatI'
mt hi
nking,Sar
ah
thoughtbeforeexhal
ingaudibl
y.
Thataf t
ernoon,af terspendingf ewhour sf eeli
ng
restl
ess,Hannat houghti twasbet tert ogetoutandgul p
somef reshai r
.Shej ustroamedar oundt hemans ion,
sinceitwashugeenought ogetl ost.Thes unwas
beami ng,butther ingofaf r
es hbr eezef r
om t hetrees
madei twor thyday -walking.Shewal keds l
owl y,ar
msi n
herdeni ml ooses hortswhi l
emaki ngr egularsighswit
h
hermi ndabl aze.Suddenl y,allthec hainemot i
onsgotc ut
offwhens hehear das oundc omi ngf r
om t hehedges .
Shegaz edov erands awunf ami li
armi ddle-agedmanon
topoft heladder ,st
ar i
ngdownatt hedr oppeds ci
ssor
s .
Itlookedlikehewaspr uningt hefenc e.Sher ushedov er
andhel pedhi m.

70
 "
Thankyou!
"Themant
oldherass
oonass
hehanded
hi
mt het
ool.
"Don'
tmenti
on.I'
veneverseenyoubefore,areyouthe
newemployee?"Hannaaskedhim bef
orehec arr
iedon
withhi
swork.
Hes mil
edwarmlyandr
epl
ied,"
Yes.Anddoyouli
ve
hereYounglady
?"Themanaskedher,whi
lel
ooki
ngat
herthist
ime.
"
Yeah,mymot
herSar
ahwor
ksher
e"
"
You'
reSarah'
sdaught
er?
"Hes
tar
edatHanna,
s
omehows urpr
ised.
"
Yes
.Youknowmymot
her
?"
"Um...I'
vehadapleasur
eofmeet i
ngher.Sheseems
l
ikeanicewoman"her epl
ied,whi
leconc
entrat
edwith
hiswor
k,thathewassogoodat .
"Toogoodi fy
ouas kme"Shet uckeddownont hegras
s
ashercompani onl aughedhear t
il
yafterherr
emar k.
Therewass omet hingfamil
iaraboutthewayhel aughed
thatHannadet ected,evenhislooks."
Doy ouli
vearound
here?It
'sl
ikeI'ves eenyoubefore!"
"
Reall
y?Idon'
tthi
nkwe'
vemetbef
orebec
aus
eI'
m not
f
rom here"

71
 "Oh,okay.Thenwhydi dy ouc hoosetowor khere?"She
asked,butshortl
yregrett
edas kingsuchanobv i
ouswhen
hereyesmethi samus edlook," St
upidquesti
on,isn'ti
t?
What '
simportantisgett
ingpaid.Iguess?"Shewas n't
surehersel
fifherwor dswer econvinci
ng.Surpri
singly
,
thatmanbur stedoutlaughing.
"
Youdon'
tthi
nkIs
houl
dwor
kher
e?Why
?"
"No!Ithinky oumisunderst
oodmeSi r
.I--"s hetri
edto
makes omet hingup,butaft
ers eei
nghi sr ai
s edeyebrow,
shesighed."Okay,I'l
lbeveryhones twithy ous ir
.It'
snot
badwor kinghere,theypaywel l
,atleastnoonei s
complainingandpeopl eareniceher e"shepaus ed.By
thatti
me,t hatmanwasl is
teningattentively.Heev en
halt
edf orawhi l
e.
"And?BecauseIc
ans ens
eabutthere,no?"Heasked,
knowingl
y,wit
halit
tl
es mi
rk.Hewasquiteenj
oyi
ngt he
convers
ati
on.
Hannanodded,agreeabl
y."Butther
e'sj
ustone
i
mpor t
antdet
ail
.Don'tmes swit
hMr s.As
hton!St
ayaway
f
rom herandyou'l
lbes af
e"
"
Ohreal
ly?Areyous
ugges
tingt
hats
he'
sabadper
son,
abul
loratyrant
?"
"
NoIdi
dn'
tsayt
hat
.Hol
don,whyar
eyout
wis
tingmy

72
words?Yousoundli
keapol i
ti
ci
an"s hesnappedathim,
andtheybot
hs har
edal augh."She'
snotabadper son.
Jus
tquit
ehandyandt oooverprotec
tiv
eofwhat'shers"
"
You'
resor
ight
!Imean,yous
oundr
ight
"her
epl
iedand
c
onti
nuedwi
ththepr
uning.
ForamomentHannadi s
appearedandcamebac kwit
h
abot t
leofwat
erandglas
soffres
hj ui
ce."Ta-da!Idi
dn't
knowwhaty ou'
dpref
ersoIbroughtboth.It
'stoohot,
is
n'tit
"shesmil
edasthemandi s
mount edtheladder.
"Oh,howt hought
fulofyou.Thankyouy ounglady
!
Sarahmus tbeveryproudofy ou"Her egardedand
gulpedthewaterastheyboths atdown." Youseem ver
y
smar t
.Youmus tbedoingsowel li
nclass"
"Me?NoI '
m not ,ont hec ontrar
y.Idon'tevenknow
whatI'm doi ngi ncollege.Is uckineveryt
hing!
"Hanna
sai
d,bitterl
y.St rangely,shef oundher s
elfl
ikeshecoul
d
openupt othats t
ranger .Shetoldhim abouther
str
ugglesac ademi cal
lyandt heways hef el
tabouthers
elf
compar edtoot herpeopl eherage,whos eemeds o
cert
ainwi t
ht heircareergoal s.
"
Ist
hatwhyy
oulooks
osad?"Heaskedherwi
thout
maki
ngacommentont
hesubjec
t.
Hannar
unherpal
m ont
hef
ace,"
DoIl
ooks
ad?
"Her

73
c
heesyreac
tionf
orc
edas
mil
eoutofhi
m ashe
c
onti
nued;
"Letmet el
ly out hiss
ecretthatIwishs omeonehadt old
mebef ore,bac kinmyday s"hes ai
dhaltingl
y."Don'
tfeel
depr essedori ntimidatedbyt hekidsyouragewhoac t
l
iket heyhav eital lt
ogether,becauseinreali
ty,noneof
them hasi tallfiguredout.Growt hconceptisbroader
thanmeet stheey e!
"Het oldherwar mly,asaloving
fatherwoul dtohi sdaught er.
"
Yout
hink?
"Sheas
kedwi
that
ouc
hedexpr
ess
ion.
"I
'velivedenoughtoknows o.It
'sokaytoli
vedili
gentl
y
asay oungster,butmakesurenottomi s
sac hanceof
doingthingsy ouwantandcapableofdoing...you'd
neverknowwhi chonewouldmakey ouc omplet
e.But,it
shouldn'tbreakthelaw!
"Hes t
ressedthefi
nalwords
cl
early.Thens mil
edwarmlyatherbeforetheydwel li
na
shortsil
ence.
"Ac
tual
ly,t
here'
ssomethingels
ethat
'sbot
her
ingme!
ButI'
m notsur
eifit
'sokaytotel
lyou"
"Let
'ss
ee!Theonlythi
ngt hatyoumayfindhardt
o
confi
deistheoneinv
olvesmat t
eroftheheart
.Isi
tabout
aboy?"Hewasl i
keapsy c
hicinHanna'seyes
.Asusual
heonlyreact
edwithasmi l
e."Okay,howaboutsome

74
trade.I
'l
ltellyouas ec
retandy ou'
l
ltel
lmey our
s!Orar
e
yougoingt os aythatIs oundl
ikeabusines
smanr i
ght
now? "Hes aidteasingl
y,andthisti
meitwasHanna's
turntolaugh.
Theymadeanagr eementandhet oldhert hathiswi f
e
wasonc ehi sgir
lf
riend'sbestfr
iend.Henar ratedt he
storyi
nav eryhil
ariouswayt hatitwasn'tpos s
ibleto
j
udgehi mf orhischoi c
e.Intheend,Hannac onfi
dedi n
him,shet oldhim aboutherpr oblem withChr i
swi thout
ment i
oninghi sname.Hel is
tenedc almly,withoutmaki ng
fun,andgav eherhi spieceofadv i
ce.Shewass ohappy
aftert
alki
ngt othatman,andf oronces herealizedwhat
todo.
"
Thankyous omuchsi
r,I'
l
ltakey
ouradv
ice.Byt
heway
,
I
'm Hanna.Andyou'
reMr..."
"
YoucancallmeJames"hegrabbedhi
stool
,readyt
o
l
eave."
JamesAsht
on!"Heextendedahandtoher.
"J
amesAs hton!OkayMr .Ash-
-"Whileshaki
nghands ,
shejustf
rozewithas t
onishment.Al
lthatt
imes hewas
act
uall
ytalki
ngt othehonorabl
eJ amesAshton,Ther
esa's
husbandandt hefatherofChri
sandCar o.
Hesmil
edwidelywhi
lel
eavi
ng,andturnedhi
sheadjust
t
os ay
,"May
bey ou'
renotsmartaf
teral
lyoungl
ady,but

75
you'
reveryint
ell
igent!Iass
ur eyou.Remembert
o
consi
derwhat'smos timportantri
ghtnowandbesubt
le.
Goodthingshappent othosewi t
hpatienc
e"Hes
aidand
l
eft.
"
Whathav eyoudoneHanna? "Sheslappedhersel
f
whil
espeakingl
oudly
."He'sJ
amesAs hton!Damnt hisbi
g
mouthofmi ne!
"Shepinc
hedherl i
ps.Afterr
eleasi
nga
l
ongs i
gh,s
healsowalkedaway .
Heregoesnothing,shethoughtwhil
eheadi
ngtot
he
l
ake.Shetext
edChr istoapologi
zeandaskedi
fhecoul
d
meethertotheirsecrethidi
ng.

****

Hannas pentmor ethant hreehour sbyt helakewi t

hout
anys i
gnofChr i
s.Shethent riedt oc al
lhiscellphonebut
hewas n'treachable.Disappoi ntedly,sheleftthebenc h
andpac edar oundwhi lethrowi ngs omepebbl esintothe
wat er.Shewass ad,andbel i
ev edt hats he'
dal readylost
herbes tfr
iend.Wi t
honef i
nalgl ancetot hewat eri
n
frontofher ,shedec idedtol eav ewhens hec amef aceto
facewi thChr is
.Hewass tandingr ightont her oad,
staringather .
"
Didy
ouwai
tlong?
"Heas
ked,wi
thundes
cri
babl
elook.

76
 "
Notatall
...justthreehours!
"Sherepli
edri
dic
ulousl
y,
t
hensnif
fed,asat eardropfel
loffherc
heek."
Whydi dn'
t
y
outextmebac k
?"Shes obbed.
Her ai
sedhi sphoneandans wer ed,"Mybat terydied!
I'
ms orry,thet r
affi
cwaspr ettybadt oday.AndIwasout
oftown!"Hewass ti
llstandingfewmet resfr
om her .He
watchedherwi pinghert ears,andmov edc l
os erunti
l
theywer ejustal i
tt
lef art
herapar t.Hethens preadhis
arms,bec koninghert oc omec l
oser.Alitt
lehes it
ant,
Hannal ungedf orwar dsandhuggedhi sav eragey etf
it
body.
"
I'
ms osorry
!Pl
easef
orgi
vemeChris"Shesai
dtohi
m.
Ali
tt
lesmil
eappear
edatthec
ornerofhisl
ips.
"It
'sokay!Iforgi
vey ou"herepli
ed,andreleas
edher,
thenstaredintheey es"You'v
enoi deahowhappyIwas
whenIgoty ourtext
.Iforgotevery
thingaf
terwards
.
Becauseatleastonce,myhar d-
headedfri
endmadet he
fi
rstmov e"
Hannac
huc
kled,"
Doest
hatmeanInev
ers
ays
orr
y?"
"
Dower
eal
lyhav
etogoi
ntodet
ail
s?"
"No.Let'
spass!
"Sherepli
edcoldl
y,bef
oretheybot
h
laughedaudi
bly.Theyheadtothebenchandhadas eat
.
Shet ur
nedtofacehim."Idon'
twantustofi
ghtagai
n,

77
atl
eastnotbecauseofAbbie.So,I'
vemadeupmymi nd,
whetherit
'swithheroranyot hergi
rl
,s olongasyou're
happy,I'
m goingtosupportyou"Sher emember ed
James'
sadv i
ceearli
erthataf
ternoon.Foc usonwhat's
mos ti
mpor t
ant,andbes ubt
le.Andfort hemoment ,
thei
rfri
endshipwasmor eimpor t
antthanherc r
ooc ked
one-si
dedc r
ush.
"ThanksHanna.Alt
houghIdon'tthi
nkIcanputupwit
h
herfortoolong!I
nfact
,I'vebeenmeani
ngtotal
ktoyou
aboutthis
,butwekeptfighti
ngand--
"
"Why?It houghty oul ikedher "Sheas kedanxi ously,t
hat
detai
lwast ooc rucialtoi gnore.Chr i
sexpl ai
nedonhow
thi
ngswer ewi thAbbi e,thats hewas n'tt hegi
r lheexac t
ly
needed.Ther ewasnoc ommoni nterestsbetweent hem;
theynev erc li
cked." So,justbec ausey oudon' ts hare
somet hings ,yout hinks he'snott heone?Ser ious lyChris
,
what'
st her ealr eason? "
Shef
ixedhergaz
eint
ohi
s,det
ermi
ned.
"Al
ri
ghtfi
ne.Idon' tfeelmy s
elfaroundher ...i
t'
sli
ke
I
'ms ur
pas s
ingther ealme!Happy ?"Hes nappedmadly,
l
ikeanangrylitt
leboy .Theypaus edforami nut
euntil
Hannastartedlaughing."Youthinki t
'sf
unny ?IknewI
shoul
d'vekeptittomy s
elf"hepout edandl eanedback
t
hebenc h,withfoldedar msac r
os shischest.

78
 "
No!Look,may
bey
ous
houl
dgi
veherac
hanc
etoknow
y
oubetter
."
"
Yout
hink?
"
"
Yeah"s
her
epl
ied.
"Idon'tknow.Ifi
ndi ts
ohar d.Imean...Can'
tshejust
belikeyou?You'r
es imple,y
ouunder s
tandme,you'
re
notpicky...
"Hec onti
nuedment ioningHanna'
sposit
ive
trai
tsasshewatchedhi mc l
osely,wit
hherownt hi
ngs
runningherhead." Shewantsev ery
thingdoneherway!"
"
Buty ousti
llc
hoseheroverme!"Wi t
houtr
eal
is
ing,she
s
pill
ed.Chri
ss t
aredatherabrupt
ly,asi
fhewant
edt o
c
onfirm whathe'dj
ustheard.
"Arey
ous ecr
etlyi
nlovewit
hme?"Hes uddenl
yasked
her,wi
thas er
iousl
ookwhilemovi
nghisfacecl
oser
.She
sl
owlyti
lt
edherheadt oavoi
dthecont
act.
"
Wh--whatareyoudoi ngChr
is?Pleasestop,It
'snot
f
unny!
"Shesnappedwi thascratc
hyv oi
ce.Beingtoo
c
loset
ohim wasn'tgoodforherheart,i
twast humping
t
oohardthats
hes tart
edburning.
"
Howc omesy ou'
retheonlygirlI'
ms ocomfortable
wit
h?"Hewhisperedwithoutreali
zi
ngt hehar
mc aused
byhishoar
sevoice.ForamomentHannawasaboutt o
cl
osehereyesbutimmedi at
elyregainedhersensesback.

79
Shebangedhi
sfor
eheadandgotupf r
om thebenc
h.He
scr
eamed"Ouch!I
twasjus
tajoke!Thatr
eall
yhurts
!"He
gri
maced.
"Becaus eI
'mtheonl ygir
lwhoknowswhataPl ay
boy
youar e!AndI'l
lneverbeoneofy ourgroupiesj
uniorMr .
Ashton!May beyous houldfoc
usonpol i
shingyour
charmsabi t!
"Shes hovedhim off
,pret
endingtobe
annoy edandwal kedawaybutv eryf
lust
ereddeepi ns
ide.
shec ouldn'
tgethisclos
e-upimageoutherhead.
"What
?Aren'
tIchar
mi ngenough? "Chri
srunaf
terher
wit
habigsmile."
Hey!Wec an'tf
ightagai
n?Wejustmade
up?"Heshout
edwhil
ef ol
lowingher .
"
Don'tworr
y.I'
m al
way
supf
oranewf
ighti
ncas
e
y
ou'v
ef or
gott
en!"
"Hanna,wai
tforme!"Hekeptchasi
ngherastheyhead
backhome.Atlastt
heirpr
oblem washal
f-
sol
ved.
Whent heyarr
ivedatt hemans i
on,Abi
gailwaspeeki
ng
atthem thr
oughherbedr oom wi
ndowwi t
hc l
enched
fi
sts.'
'
Soyou'vefinal
lycrawledbackfr
om thedead
Hanna.Justwaitands eewhatI'v
epreparedforyou,l
it
tl
e
bit
ch!'
'

80
 CHAPTER6
Fewday spostthestor
m,t hi
ngswerebacktonor mal
.Hanna
foundMr .Ashtoni
nsidetheli
vingroom bychanceone
after
noon.Goodpar t
,Itwasjusthim,i
nac ompanyofahuge
news paper.Herai
sedhisfaceassoonashef el
therpres
enceat
thedoor .

"
Um- -I
'ms or
rySi
r!Ij
ustcamet ocleanup,Idi
dn'
tknowy
ou
werehere.
"Shesai
d,apologet
ical
ly.

"
Hanna?
"Hesmil
ed."
It'
salr
ight.Come,hav
eas eat!
"Heur
ged
wi
thmuchdec
orum,af
terputti
ngoffhi
sreading-
glas
ses
.

"Si
t?Idon'tt
hinki
t'
sagoodideasi
r.Mrs.Ther
esawills
kinme
ali
ve.Er
...ImeanShe'l
lbemadifs
hef i
ndsmeher e"Shesai
d
cauti
ousl
y.

Asalways,Jameslaughedal
it
tl
ebefor
etos
singt
henewspaper
as
ide."Real
ly?Seemslikemydearwi
fei
ssuchabadnews
ar
oundher e,huh?"

"
No.Idi
dn'
tmeani
tthatway
.It
'sj
ust
...
"

"
Hanna?Doyour
eal
izewhom y
ou'ret
alki
ngt orightnow?"Thi
s
t
imeMr.Asht
onwasverys
eri
ousthati
tdestabil
iz
edher .

"
Yess
ir!
"

"Ver
ywellthen,haveas eat
...nomoreargument!"He
snappedands hefol
lowedhisorder
.Immediatel
y,heresumed
hisnormall
ook."Aslongasy ouhav
en'tdoneanythi
ngwr ong,
beboldandbr avetostandonanyground.It
'sawayt os
ur vi
ve

81
i
nthi
sfi
erc
euni
verse.Nowwherewer
ewe?
"Hec
ont
inued.Hi
s
wor
dsmadeherl
ightenali
tt
le.

"Soareyousuggest
ingIshouldfor
cemy s
elft
ofi
twhereIdon't
belongj
ustbecauseIfearofbei
ngac owar
d?"Sheques
tioned
hi
m.

"That'syourinterpretati
on.Idon'tthinkc owar dic
eisin
ques t
ionher e,butselfconfi
denceis .Nomat terthesit
uati
on,
there'
sal waysanexpl ai
nati
onjustasev erylawhasi t
's
exception.Enoughofphi l
osophy,don' tyouhav es omethi
ngto
tel
lme? "Heimmedi at el
ychangedt hes ubject.Itwassohardfor
Hannat okeepupwi t h,yetf
oundher sel
flovingt hecompany
i
mmens el
y.

"Ohr
ight
.Whydi
dy ouhi
dethatyou'
reMr.
Ashtont
hatday
?
Youmademebeli
eveIwastal
kingtoawor
ker?"

"
Wouldi
thav
emadeanydi
ff
erenc
eifIi
ntr
oduc
edmy
sel
f
f
ir
st?
"

"
Ofcourseyes!
"Sherepliedquic
kly.Jamesstar
edatherand
s
hequickl
yretr
acted,"
Imeanno!It hinkitwoul
dn'
thave
c
hangedanythi
ng"Sher epli
ed,c
ertainly
.

"
Arey
ous
ure?
"

"Ialwaysspeakmymind,regardl
esswhoI
'mtal
kingt
o.AndI
know,it'
snottoogoodsometimes,It
endt
ocauselot
'sof
troubl
es"

J
amessmiledwarmlyandsaid,"It
'sexac
tlywhatIwant
edt
o
hear
,butIdidn'
thi
demyi denti
ty,youjustdi
dn'
task!
"

82
"
Wel
l...Igues
syou'
rer
ight
."

"
Speaki
ngofwhich,di
dyouf i
xthingswiththatfel
low?"He
s
uddenlyaskedaboutt
hatsensit
ivetopi
c.Atfir
stHannawas
r
eluc
tanttorepl
yconsi
deri
nghewasChr i
s'sfat
her,butdec
ided
t
ogowi t
hit.

"Yes.Anditwentv er
yfi
ne.I
'm gl
adIli
stenedt
oy ou,because
we'refinenowsot hankyouMr.Asht
on!"Sheanswered,alitof
happinessinherface.

"Gladtohel
p.But,areyouokaywit
htheresult
s?"Heres
umed
hisatt
enti
ontothec onv
ersat
ionandabandonedthepaperonc
e
again.

"Surpri
si
nglyIam.Butguesswhat?
"Sheleanedover,asifshe
wastalki
ngt oherf
ri
endandJ amesnodded,"If
oundoutt hat
he'snotevensureaboutthatot
hergi
rl
.It'
sli
keIsti
llhav
ea
chanceafteral
l"

"
Ohyeah?That
'sagoods
ign,i
sn'
tit
?"Heas
kedherandher
f
acedr
opped.

"
Well
...
Iti
s,butI'dr
athernotkeepmyhopesup.So,I
'l
ljus
t
f
ocusonbei
ngfriends
!"

"Mmm...t hat
'sclever!"Jamesr epl
ied.Withasati
sfi
edlook.
Butbeforehec ontinued,hi sdriverwalkedinandannounced
thatthecarwasr eady .Hedi smissedhimr i
ghtaway,aft
erwards
.
"Ithi
nk,thi
si si
tfortoday .I
twasapl easurehavi
ngac hatwit
h
youHanna.Unf ortunat elymyt imeislimit
ed,butperhapssome
otherti
me? "Hes ugges tedwi t
has mile.

83
 "Ofcourse,someot herti
me!Yourc hildr
enmus tbever
ypr oud
ofyousir,I'
ms ureyou'reasuchagoodf ather!
"Hannas ai
d,
whil
eget ti
ngup.Althoughitwasac ompl i
ment ,Mr.Asht
onwas
i
ndiff
erent.Heglaredatherforawhi le,untils
hedec i
dedtot ake
astep,feeli
ngawkwar dfrom hi
sreaction.

Andatlastheresponded,"I'
m notsureaboutthat!
"Hisv
oice
madeherr etur
nt ofacehim,shecouldal
mos tseethepainand
r
egr et
sinhiseyes."
I'm notagoodfather
,andIt hi
nkmy
chil
drendon'tt
hinks oeit
her!
"headdedandt heyfelli
nas hor
t
si
lence.

"
Whywoul
dyout
hinkl
iket
hat
?"

"BecausetheybelieveIonl
yc areaboutmyc areer,thatI
abandonedt hem.Andt hey'
reright
...I
'vemadet oomany
mistakesHanna"Thi sti
mehes toodupf rom hi
sc hai
r ,and
walkedtowar dsthewindow,asiftohidehissadnes s
.Hanna
st
oods ti
llbythedoor ,watc
hinghim." Youshouldgetgoi ng,I
wouldn'twantt oboreyouwithmyr emor se"hesmi l
edweakl y
ather.

"Perhaps...inst
eadofwas t i
ngmor etimef eel
ingremor seful
,
youshoul dgooutther eands howthem thaty ouac t
uallydo
careforthem,thatyouc anbet hatproudf ather
!"Hanna
snappedwi thasmile,heabr uptl
ylookedather ."It
'snottoo
l
atetogi vethem mor eattention,maybei t'
stheonlythingt hey
need!ThinkaboutitMr .Ashton.Noc hil
dhat esthei
rpar ents,
eveniftheydouswr ong" .I
'ms peaki
ngf rom experi
enc e!She
tol
dhi m andleft
.Hanna' sbiggestwishhadbeenal way stomeet
herfather.Shenevers awhi m againsinces hewass even,when

84
hehandedhertohishalf
-si
sterVi
ctor
ia.Despit
eev er
ythi
ng,
Hannaneverres
entedhim,shealwaysbelieveditwastheonly
opt
ion.Ihopemyfatherfeel
sthesamewayMr .Asht
ondoes.

COUPLEofday sl
ater,HannametChrisforlunc
hatthe
caf
eteri
aastheyagreed.Hewass i
tt
inginoneofempt yt
abl
es
whens hewalkedoverwithaver
yhuges mileandtappedhi
m on
t
hes houlder
.

"Hey,t
ooky ouf
orevert
oar r
ive.It
houghtyou'
vebai
ledme
out!"Hesnappedwit
habl ankfacewhi
leremovinghi
s
earphones.

"
ButI
'm her
e,r
ight
?"Sher
epl
ied,whi
legr
inni
ngasi
fshehad
s
omegoodnews .

"Haveyouwonaf reepi
zzaorsomething?"Heteasedher,but
i
nas eri
ousway .Shefrowned,andthatmadehi mlaugh."Oh,I
shoul
d'v
es ai
dalotter
yri
ght?I'
ms orr
yit'
sjust
,Ithi
nkifyou
weretoc hoosebetweenmoneyandf ood,you'
ddef i
nit
ely
choosefood!"

"CHRI
S!"Shepunc hedhim.Hegr i
mac edandt henlaughed.
Theydrews omeat t
enti
onf rom theneighbourtables."
Can'tyou
beseri
ousf orevenami nute?,l
ook,everyoneisstari
ngatus "
Hannas pokeinalowv oic
e.Hel ookedar oundasiftoconfi
rm
hercl
aim andt henshr
ugged.

"
So?Doweowet
hem any
thi
ng?
"

"
Oh,y
ouar
eimpos
sibl
e!"

85
 "Goodt hatyouknow,I'
llgogetuss omefood.Theusual
,
ri
ght?"Heas kedherwhileonhistoesalr
eady.Shenodded,
agreeablyandoffheleft
.Mi nut
eslat
erher et
urnedwi
thtwo
hambur gersanddrinks"So,what'
stheoccasi
on?Youseem i
na
goodmood"heas ked,ashewast akingaseat.

"
Not
hing.Can'
tIj
ustbei
nagoodmood?
"

"
Ifyous
ayso"herepl
ied.Theys
tar
tedeati
ngi
nsil
enceunt
il
Hannaas
kedhimifhehadanyplansfort
heeveni
ng."
Notsure,
why?"

"Nobigdeal
,Ijustwantedt
owatchamovi
eory
ourfav
orit
e
Alvi
nepis
odes?"Shetri
edtotempthi
msi
ncehewasacart
oon
fr
eak.

"
Atthes ec
retden?
"Heas
ked,r
efer
ringt
othathous
eatt
he
s
treetend.

"
Yeah.So?
"

"Okay
.Icanjustpas
sit,af
teral
lit
'sjustadi
nner!
"Heagreed,
butHannacouldn'
tunderst
andther estofhi
sst
atement
.

"Di
nner?Whatdinner?"Herc
uriousey
esc
ouldn'
tleavehis
.He
hadanotherbi
te,tookhist
imetochewasshei
mpat i
entl
y
wait
edforhisanswer.

"I
t'
smyf at
her...Hewant sthewhol efamil
ytodi neout
t
onight!"Hepaus ed,seemingabi tuncomfortabl
et oconti
nue,
l
ikeac ert
aintouchys ubj
ect."Hannay ou'
vebeenint hathouse
f
orov ersixmoths ,butIdon'tthi
nky ouevenknowmyf ather
,
c
or r
ect?"Hisexpres s
ionwasmor es eri
ousthanus ual
.Fora

86
momentHannawant
edt
oli
e,butdec
idedt
obehones
t.

"Well
,Ihaveseenhims omedaysago...ButIdidn'
tev
enknow
hewasy ourfat
herunti
llat
eron"shetoldhim,andthe
surpr
isedlookonhi
sfacemadeherf eelguil
ty.

"Youdid?Whydi dn'
ty out ellme? "Hegl aredather ,shewas
justpuzzl
ed,unabletotellhimt hewhol es i
tuation.Lucki
ly,he
droppedit."Welli
tdoes n'
tmat ter
.Thet hingis ,Idon'teven
rememberwhenwast helas ttimewet alked.He' sal
way sbus y
.
Theonlythingimportantforhi mishiswor k,youknow,i t'
slike
hedoes n'
texist
"hes pokewi thhi seyesont hehambur gerthat
hewasnei thereat
ingnorl ettinggo.Hannal ethi ms ay
everyt
hinghe'dkeptinsidewhi l
ewat chinghi m.

Andwhenhewasdone,s
hes queez
edhi
shandthatwas
wander
ingont
hetabl
eandletoutawarmsmil
ethatmadehi
m
smil
eback.

"YouknowI 'm notgoodatf eel

ings
orry
,ri
ght?
"Sheaskedhi
m,
butinst
eadhi seyeswer ewideopen."Imeanit
.SoI'
m not
gonnasays orry!I
nstead,Isayyougotothatdi
nner
,andno
Alvi
ntonight.Peri
od"s hesnapped.

Heleanedbackhisseat
."Ir
eall
yapprec
iatet
henotf
eel
ing
s
orrypart,butthedi
nnerpart
,Nothanks"Hehadasi
pofthe
c
oldmango- jui
ce.

"Li
stenChri
s,Ipract
icallydon'
thaveafather,s
oIunder stand
yourpain.Butri
ghtnowIt hi
nkyou'
rebeingunr eas
onable,
Perhapshewant stost
r aight
enthi
ngsout,yousaidy our
selfthat
he'dneverdonethisi
ny ears
.Sowhynotgi v
ehim ac hance?

87
onedinnerwon'thur
t"sheinsi
sted.Hel
eanedov
ert
oins
pec
t
herc
losely
,asifhecoul
dn'treadher.

"
WhydoIf eell
ikey
ou'
ret
aki
nghi
ssi
de?
"Heas
ked,hi
sgaz
e
s
til
lfi
xedonher.

"I'
m nottakings i
des ,andIi fhadt o,I'
dhavetakeny our s.The
onlythingIwant,i sfory out onotmi ssthechanc eoffi
ndi ngout
foryoursel
f"shes aid.Thei rfaceswer efewinchesapar t
.Any one
whoknewt hem,ands awt hem,mus thadhadmi l
li
onques t
ions
ont henatureoft heirrelati
ons hip.Hetookadeepbr eath,but
hiseyesstil
lcouldn'tleav ehers,asifthey'
repulledtogether ."I
thi
nki t
'sgoingtobeokay ,tr
ustme"s hereass
uredhi m,s hev ery
wellunderstoodMr .
As hton'sintenti
ons.

"Ohyeah?Andhowdoy
ouknow?
"Heques
tionedher
dubi
ously.

"Ij
ustknow.Calli
tahunch!
"Shewinkedandpul
led
back,
smil
ingl
y.Despit
eheranswer
,Chri
shadsomedoubt
s
aboutherconfi
dence.

****

Atnight,Hannawasonherbedt ry
ingtogetsomes leepbut
couldn'
ts urpassheranxiety
.Shekeptwonder i
ngifeveryt
hing
wasokaywi thChri
s.Sheattemptedtogivehim acallbut
real
izeditwoul dbeabot her.Af
tersev
eralminutesof
rest
lessnesss hedeci
dedt ograbsomenot es
,li
tthes t
udying
l
ampands atonthedes k.

88
 Alit
tlewhilelonger
,s hehear dasoundofar oari
ngengine,s
he
knewt heAs ht
onswer ebac k.Shequickl
ysentChrisatextt
oas k
howt hingswent,andi nli
kef i
veminuteshecalledher
.As mil
e
spreadherf ac
e.Shet hrewagl anceathermot herwhowas
sl
eepings oundlybef
or epickingup.

"
Areyouup?
"Itwast
hef
ir
stt
hingChr
isas
kedaf
terget
ti
ngher
t
hrough.

"Ofcour
seIam,howel
sewouldIbetal
kingt
oyou?"She
snappedathi
m,ther
ewasaf
aintl
aughfrom t
heothersi
de."
So,
howwasi t
?"

"
Jus
tfine,Iguess
--hey
,woul
dyoul
iket
otakeal
it
tl
ewal
k?"He
s
urpri
sedlyaskedher.

"
Rightnow?
"Hannapr
ompt
ed,herey
esbac
konhers
leepi
ng
mother.

"
Yeah,Iknowit
'ski
ndofl
atebutI
...
"hehes
itat
edbuts
he
i
mmedi at
elyr
epl
ied;

"
I'
mcomi
ng!Wai
tjus
tami
nut
e!"Shes
aidexc
itedl
y.

"
Oh,okay
!"Wi
tht
hat
,theyhungup.

Hannapeekedonhermot heronemor eti

me,tomakesureshe
wasreal
lyasleep.Shethengrabbedhercardi
ganandsneak
ed
outasquiet
lyaspos s
ible.

Moment sl
ater
,shefoundhim paci
ngout si
dethemansion
absentl
y,wi
thhisearphonesonasus ual
."Hither
e?"She
greet
edhim,beforeexhali
ngheavi
ly,cat
chingabreat
h.

89
 "
Hey,thatwasfast
!Ar
ey ousureyoudon'
thav
esomehi
dden
wi
ngs
? "Hefeignedtoi
nspectherbac
k,smi
li
ngl
y.

"Cutitout !Ijustwalkedli
keahumanIam.So,didyoumi s
smy
prett
yf acet hatmuc h?"Shenudgedhi
m ontheshoul
der,wi
th
hermi schiev ousai
rt hatmadehimchuckl
easifi
twasthemost
ri
dicul
oust hinghe'dheard.

"Yeah!Dr eam on!"Her epli

edands tart
edwal king.Shef ol
lowed
him,pr etendingtosulkunt i
lhesaid,"Okayfine.Ididmi ssy ou.
Alitt
le!"Hes taredathert oseehows he'dreact.Ands he
seemeds oothed,gri
nningl i
kegi
ftedlit
tl
egirl.Hel ookedather
foral ongmomentandendedupl aughing,thenf oll
owedar eign
ofsil
enc e.Hannawasaf r ai
dofbringinghisfatherup,t hati
t
mightups ethim.

"
Beaut i
fulni
ght
,is
n'ti
t?"Dec
idel
y,shebroket
hesil
enc
e,whi
le
walki
ngs l
owlybesi
dehim,undertheshi
ningst
arst
hatwer
eful
l
i
nthes ky.

"
Idon'
ts eeanythi
ngbeaut
if
ulaboutit
,anighti
sjus
tani
ght
!"
Herepl
ied,obvi
ouslyt
ryi
ngtoprovokeher
.

"Soty
pical
!"Shewhisperedunderherownbreath.Chri
sonly
l
aughed,hes eemedtoenjoyhercompanytremendous l
y.She
deci
dedtobeupf ront
."So,howdiditgo?t
hedinner!"

"J
ustf
ine...butHanna,c anwenott alkabouti
t?Jus tfor
toni
ght
,please?"Hei mplored,inas eri
ousmanner .Shenodded.
Sheknewitwasas ensi
ti
v es ubj
ecttohim,andhes eemedt o
havealotinhisminddes pitehiss mil
ingfac
e."Thanks .I
promis
eI '
l
ltellyoueverythinglater"

90
 "Yess i
r!"Shetriedtobeent husi
ast
ict
onots poi
lthenightt
hat
wass t
il
lyoungc onsideri
ngherexcit
ementtheminutes he
sneakedoutherbedr oom.Regardl
esst
hedi s
tanc
ef r
om the
mans i
on,theyfoundt hems el
vesatt
helake.Goodthing,t
he
streetli
ghtswereal lovertheway."Whydoweal waysendup
her e?It
'ssofunny !
"

"
Iknowr i
ght?
"Hes i
ghedandthensatonthebench."Ar
eyou
s
cared?It
'sonl
yushere!"Het
easedheraft
erseei
ngt heway
s
hes ear
chedaround.

"
No,You'r
eherewithme,whywoul
dIbes c
ared?"She
r
emarked,ali
nger
inggl
eam i
nhereyest
hatref
lec
tedthef
ull
-
moonli
ght.

"
Whatac
onf
idenc
e!Youmakemes
oundl
ikeaSuper
man"

"Youar eaSuper man,inmyey es "shedeclar

ed.Theyshareda
l
ongi nggaz eforaf ullminut
eunt i
lChriscl
earedhisthr
oatand
l
ookedaway ,alit
tl
egr i
natthec ornerofhismouth."Whatare
youl i
steningat ?
"Hannaques t
ionedhi m.Hebec konedhert o
mov ec l
os er
,thenpl acedoneear phonepiecetoherear.She
l
istenedf oraf ews econdsandl ookedupathi m,frowning."I
t'
s
notev enamus i
c,whatisthis
?"

"I
t'
sins
trumental
.For
ev erinl
ove,KennyG"hegr
inned."
Ili
ke
howmelanchol
icandrelaxinghi
stracksar
e"

"
Ist
hiswhaty
oul
is
tenev
ery
day
?"

"
No,onl
ywhenI
'mt
oot
iredandc
an'
tgetas
leep"

"
Liket
oday
?Wast
hatwhyy
ouwant
edawal
k?"

91
 "No,Iwant edt os eey ou"her epliedbutwi thi ndifference.
Hannaf eltherhear tf
lutt
er i
ng,shes mi l
edandl eanedov er,
tryi
ngt olist
enhi sfamousi nstr
ument alagai n.Shes lowl yrested
herheadonhi ss houlder ,asifdrawnbyas trangeener gy,
uncomf or t
ableatf i
rst.Chrislookedather ,thens mi l
ed,he
continuedhummi ngthemus ic,hisonehandt appingt hetopof
thebenc h.Ast het rac
kc hanged,t hetappi ngs topped.Hef ound
hims el
fwr appi ngHannat ohisside,andt heyev entually
connec t
ed.Ev er ythingfeltinplace;thes oot hingmus i
c,the
war m breezeandt hebeaut if
ultwinkling-sky .Itwasl i
kenot hing
elseexisted,jus tthetwooft hem.Theydi dn' tev enr eali
zewhen
they'dfall
enas leep,whenChr i
sopenedhi sey es,hes taredat
hisphonet oc hec kthet i
me,t henatHannawhowasl ostint he
wes t
."Hanna?Hanna?Getup"hes li
ghtlys hookher .

"
What
?"

"
Getup!I
t'
sget
ti
ngl
ate"
.

"
Alr
eady?"Shefinal
lygotagr
ip."
OhGod,whatti
meisi
t?"She
gr
asped,whil
efl
inchi
nghereyes,wit
hsev
eraly
awns.

"
It'
sal
mos
t2a.
m"

"
What
?Okay
,It
hinkwes
houl
dheadbac
khome"

"
Yeah,l
et'
sgo"heagr
eed.

Thewholest
reetwassil
entli
kenoonel i
vedthereast hey
walkedbackhome.Chrismades urethatHannaenteredt he
shari
nghousebeforeheadingtohisroom.Fort
unately,Sarah
wass nor
ingasHannatipt
oedbac ktobed.Shecouldn'tstop

92
r
emi
nis
cingthemomentatt
hel
ake.Shes
mil
edl
ikeaf
oolunder
t
hes
heets.

Earlyi
nthemor ni
ng,ofthefoll
owingday.Chri
sheardaknoc
k
athisdoorandaminutelaterAbbiedashedin.Shej
umpedto
hisbedandkiss
edhimv oluptuousl
y.

"
Morni
ngbabe...
"shegav
ehim herbes
tsmi
leashepul
led
hi
msel
ftoget
herasi
fhe'
dbeenattac
ked.

"Heyhey ,whatisthis
,huh?Don'tyouthi
nkit'
stooearly?He
demanded,hewas n'ttoohappywit
hhergesture,apparent
ly.
Hes neakedoffthebedandputonaT- s
hirtt
hatwasl yi
ngont he
couch.

"What'
swr ongwi t
hmeki ss
ingy ou?"Shesnapped."Never
mind,I'
m doings omeshoppingt oday.Canyoucomewi thme?"
Shewalkedov ertohim,andwr appedherar msaroundhisneck
seduct
ivel
y.Shewass ti
lli
nherr eveal
ingnightdr
ess,butChri
s
detac
hedhi mselfri
ghtaway.

"
I'
ms orr
yAbbiebutIcan't
...
Ineedtostudytoday
"hes ai
d
whil
eheadingt
ot hebat
hroom andshef
ollowedbehind,t
his
t
imemor eannoyed.

"What '
swr ongwi t
hy ou?Doy ouevenconsidermey our
gi
rlf
riend?Bec auseasf arasIremember,wehav en'tdone
anythingthatnormalc oupledo,I'
ms oti
redoft r
y i
ngt ogety
our
att
ention.Fine,I'
llj
ustgowi t
hauntTheresa.She'stheonlyone
onmys ideany way"shes aidwit
htearsi
nherey es ,shewas

93
r
eal
lyhur
tbyhi
sindi
ff
erenc
etowar
dsher
.

Chri
ssi
ghed,heputbac kthet oothbrushhewasholdingand
l
ookedherintheeyes."Thingsar en'
tliket
hatAbbi
e...Ijust
needtostudy
,that
'sall
.Finalsarear oundthecor
nerandi t
'smy
l
astshot
"

"IknowChr is.ButI'
m al s
oawar ethati
fitwer ethatstupi
d
servantgir
l,youwoul dn'thesitat
et opostponeany t
hingjustto
bewi thher.Youknowwhat ,yous houl
djus tdateher,you'd
makeav erygoodc ouple.Goodl uc kwit
hy ourstudying"she
snortedbefores t
ormingout .

"
Abbie?Abbi
e?"Hecal
ledaf
terher,butsheleftany
way,and
sl
ammedt hedoorbehi
nd.Heleanedagai
ns tthewall
,si
ghi
ng.
WhatkindofamesshaveIgott
enmys el
finto!

L
aterthatday,hej oi
nedCarol
ynandHannaatt hegarden
pavil
ionwheret heyplannedtost
udy.Thewhet herwasc ool
,
hencetookadv antageofitt
orevi
seformor ethanthreehours,
withoutanybreakunt i
lCarobangedthetable.Theyal
lturnedt
o
seeher.

"
Ithi
nkthisisenoughstudyi
ngf
oral
if
eti
me.Imean,ar
en'
t
y
ouguy st
ired?"Shesnapped.

Hannachuckl
ed."Iwashopi
ngsomeonewouldsayt
hat"she
s
aid.Chri
sshookhisheadasi
ftheywereacoupl
eofalost
c
ause,befor
ehec onti
nuedwi
thhisnot
es.

94
 "
Wel
l,It
hinkIneedabi
gCoc
ktai
lri
ghtnow"Car
osai
d.

"
CAROLYN!
"Thi
sti
meChr
iss
hout
ed.

"Alri
ghtbigbr o,rel
ax.Imeantaf ruitcocktail
,non- alcohol
ic
!,
theonet heys erveinsweet -si
xteenthbi rt
hday s,happy ?Whata
party-pooper"s hescowled.Hannac ouldn'tresistlaughi ngas
thes i
bli
ngsexc hangedat t
itudes .Suddenl y,Carot ookadeep
audiblebreathands ai
d." Oht hat'
sal lIneededr ightnow,l ook
who' shere?"Theot herst urnedt heirgaz eandf oundAbbi e
walkingtheirwaywi ths ev eralshoppi ngbags .Des pitethe
arguments hehadhadwi thChr isthatmor ning,shel ooked
perfectl
yokay ,withabr ights mileonherpr ett
yf ac e.

"
Heyguys?Oh,It
hinkI'
mtheonl
yonel
eftbehi
nd"Abbi
e
gr
eet
edthem pl
easant
ly.

"
Yeah,someofusarenotass
mar
tasy
ouar
e.Youev
enwent
s
hopping"Car
orepl
ied.

"Yesmydearsis
ter-
in-l
aw.Tomes hoppingist
wiceimport
ant"
Abbiesai
d,bef
oreshift
inghergaz
etowar dsChr
isandplac
ed
herhandonhis."Chr
is,I'
ms or
ryaboutthismorni
ng,Iwasjus
t
overtheedge"

"Oh,okay"herepl
ied,hes
itant
ly.Ev
ery
onewass ur
pri
sedwit
h
hernewbehav i
or."
So,where'smom?It houghty
outwolef
t
toget
her?"

"Wedid,
buts
hehadherper
sonaler
randst
orun"s
he
answer
edandmovedasi
de.

"
Okay
.It
hinkIr
eal
lyneedt
hatdr
inkr
ightnow"Car
osnapped

95
agai
n,alr
eadyupherfeet
,andHannavol
unt
eer
edt
ojoi
nher
,
butbefor
eleav
ingAbbiehel
dherhand.

"
Sorr
yHanna,c anyoupleas
ehelpmeputthesetomyroom?
I
'vef
orgot
tensomet hi
ngimport
antinsi
det
hecar"sheas
kedi
n
apol
it
ewayt hatlef
tever
yonestunned.

"
Um ...Okay
"Hannat
ookt
hebags
.

"Thankyou"s
hesai
dandwal
kedaway
.Ther
ests
tar
edatone
anotherf
oralongwhi
le.

"Wow!Sheac t
uall
ycall
edyoubyyourname?Oops,I
'm gett
ing
goosebumps!Isitf
ull
-moontoni
ght
?"Caros
aidwit
hherus ual
sarc
asti
ctouch.

"OhcomeonCar o,s
hewasj ustbei
ngnice"Chri
ssaid,then
st
oodupabr uptl
y."I'
m goi
ngt ogetmytextbook,IthinkIlef
tit
atmyclas
smat e'
s.Healsolef
t.Withnomor etosay,thegirl
s
deci
dedtoleaveaswel l
.

Aft
ermakings ureev ery
onewasoutoft hepav i
li
on,Abbie
ret
urnedbackt here.Shet ookHanna'
sbag,i
ns pectedthe
surr
oundingonemor et i
meandmades urenoonewaspr esent
,
shesli
deas i
lverbraceletintooneoft
hepoc ketsi
ns i
dethebag.
Withanevilsmirkonhermout h,s
hel
eftasquicklyasshewent.
Let
'sseehowyougetoutoft hisonel
it
tl
eservant,shethought.

96
 CHAPTER7
"Ican'
tbeli
evethere'
snothi
ngtoeather
e"Carowasr umbl
ing
tohersel
fwhileret
urningtheemptyc
ontai
nerstooneofthe
kit
chen-cabi
nets
.Atthatmoment,Hannawalkedin,af
tert
aki
ng
Abbie'ss
tuff
stoherbedr oom.

"
Somet
hingwr
ong?
"Sheas
kedCar
owhos
efac
espoket
roubl
es.

"No,Ij
ustthoughtIcouldf
indsomec ookies,cakeor
somethi
ng,butthere'
snothi
ng.ShouldIjustgot othebaker
y?"
Sherepl
ied,thenremainedt
houghtfulasHannai nspect
edthe
kit
chenasifchecki
ngforsomethi
ngpar t
icular.

"Ormaybewecanbakeone"s
hes ugges
tedwi
thgr
eat
enthus
ias
m,Car
ostar
edback,s
tunned.

"
Who?You?
"

"
Yes,butI
'l
lneedalit
tl
ehelp.Whic
hflav
ourdoy
oul
ike,
c
hocolat
e?Vanil
la?St
rawber
ry?lemon?
"

"Hey,yousurpr
iseme...Wel l
,Il
ikeeveryt
hingyoumenti
oned
butlet
'sdolemon,Iseewe' vegotplent
yoft hem"Car
osaid.
Hannas mil
ed,deepinsi
des hewashopi ngthesameopti
on,
si
nceitwasChr i
s'
sfavouri
te.

Theystar
tedworki
ngoni
t."
So,doIs
qeez
ethel
emonj
uic
eor
what?"Caroas
ked.

"
Arey
ous
eri
ous
?"Hannabur
stedoutl
aughi
ng.

"
Iam!
"

97
 "Okaylook,we'
reonlydeali
ngwit
hthelemon-peel
...
"s he
demons t
ratedali
tt
leand Sever
alminut
eslat
erthemixturewas
ready,Hannaplac
editinsi
detheovenandlef
titwit
hthet i
mer.

"
IswearIdon'tknowanyt
hingaboutbaki
ng,butareyousur
e
wediditr
ight
?Imeanisthathowthosedeli
ciouscakesar
e
made?"

"Tr
ustme,Igr ewupinabaker y!
"Hannawi nkedather.She
smil
ed,skept
icall
y."Okay,thatwasli
ter
al.Whatimeani s,my
aunthasabaker ysoIlear
neddi f
fer
entreci
pesfrom her"

"
Wow.I '
m env
ious!"Carosnapped,wit
hawei r
df acet
hatmade
Hannal
augh.Astheyc ont
inueexchangi
ngs t
ori
es,Abbi
ewalked
i
nasifshewaspulledbyt heawesomear omacons i
der
ingt
he
wayshewasinhal
ingtheai r
.

"
Ismellafr
eshbakedcake,t
ellmeyou'
rebaki
ngone?
"She
s
aid,i
tfor
cedalaughfr
om theother
s.

"
Yougotthatr
ight,Ij
usthopeyouwon'tr
uinyourdietwi
th
t
hishol
ytemptati
on"Carorepli
ed,i
roni
cal
lyasusual
.

"Iappreci
ateyoursarcasm Caro,butdon' tworr
y,oneday '
s
calori
eswon'trui
nmyl ife-
term proj
ect.SoI '
m defi
nit
elyeat
ing
thatcake,I
'l
lbeback!"Shes ai
dexc i
tedly,andlef
t.Herchangeof
atti
tudekeptsurpr
isi
ngt hem.

"J
ustbetweenus ...don'
tyouthi
nkAbbi
ei sac
tingweird?She'
s
l
ikesupernice,t
hat'snottheAbbi
eIknow!"Carosaid,wit
h
s
us pi
ci
ouslook,whi l
etrai
li
nghergaz
eafterAbi
gail
'sback.

98
 Hannashr
ugged,uns
ureonwhatt ot
hink."
Idon'
tknow,
maybeshe'
stry
ingtogetal
ong,l
ikewhatChri
ssai
d"

"
May be!Speaki
ngofmybr
other
,hewon'
tknowwhathe'
djus
t
miss
ed,toobadf orhi
m"

"
I'
llsav
eapi
eceforhi
m,don'
tworry"Hannasai
d,awarm
s
mi l
eonherl
ips
.Carowal
kedoverandlookedheri
ntheeyes
.

"Ishould'v
eseenitc oming,huh?YouandChr is
,can'ts
top
taki
ngeac hother
'sside,cany ou?"SheshookherheadasHanna
blushed,thenwalkedpas ther."I'
llgogetourbags,Idon'
tthi
nk
ther
e'llbeanymor es tudyi
ng"Shes ai
dandl ef
t.

Whenalone,HannasentChr
isaquicktextandtol
dhimt o
hurr
ybac ki
fhedidn'
twanttomisshisfavor
itedes
ser
t.Injus
ta
minuteherphonebuzzedandshestart
edgiggli
ngassheread
hi
stextrepl
ywhichseemedtobefunny .

WhenCaror et
urned,s heeyedherdubiousl
y,butkepthercool
.
Someti
mel at
er,Abbiejoinedthem.Foroncetheyhadadec ent
conver
sat
ionwhilelaughingli
kegoodf r
iends
,andwhent he
cakewasdone,Abbies uggest
edthattheyshoulddecorat
eit
.

"
Finebyme,I '
l
lprepar
et het
oppi
ng"Hannasai
dandgott o
work,al
thoughCar
o,ont heot
herhandl
ookeddisappoi
nted.

"
Guy
s,r
eal
ly?Can'
twej
usteati
tal
ready
?"Shepout
ed.

"No.I
'veal
way swantedt odothi
s,sopleas
eCar ol
yn,let
'sdo
i
t"Abbiebegged,shewass oenthusi
ast
icaboutthetask.Caro
rol
ledhereyes,butagreed."Okay
...
let
'sputredinhere"s he
als
omov edcloser.

99
 "
Justgreat!Wemi ghtaswellmakei
tar ai
nbow,soev er
yone's
f
avourit
ec olorwil
lbedispl
ayed"Car
os napped,hereyesfi
xing
t
hecake.I ttookal
mos tanhourtofi
nis
ht hei
rculi
naryproj
ec t
.

WhenChrisr
eturned,hehear dscat
teredlaughst hatsurpri
sed
him,andwhat'smores tunni
ngwast of i
ndthet hreegirl
s
toget
heri
nthekit
chen,eac hwithasli
c eofcolourfulcakeon
hand.Hecl
earedhisthroattogathertheirat
tentionandas ked;

"What'
sgoingonher e?Ar ey oucel
ebrati
ngsomet hi
ng?"He
tookastepc l
os er,s
til
luns ureofthesi
tuati
on.Beforeanyone
couldanswer,Abbi ewal kedov erwi
thapiece,abroadgrinon
herbeautif
ulfac eandf edhim.Het ookamoment
contemplati
ngi t'
sfl
avour .CaroandHannaexc hangeda
meaningfulglancethens mil
ed.

"
Del
ic
ious
,is
n'ti
t?"Sheas
kedhi
m.

"Obvi
ous l
y!I
t'
sHanna'slemoncake.Butt
hatdoesn'texpl
ain
what'
sgoingonher e"herepl
iedwit
hhighcert
ainty
,that
dest
abil
izedAbbie,wit
honeglanceonecouldreal
izethats
he
washurt,especi
all
ythefactt
hatheknewthetasteofthecake
byheart
.

"
Soyoual
readyknowthatHannacanbake?"Sheas
ked,and
t
herewasasi
lenc
eintheroom asi
fatornadowasyettocome.

"Ofcour seIdo,ifyoupai dal i

tt
lemoreatt
enti
ony ou'dreal
ize
thatallthosedel
iciousdes sert
saremadebyher .Anyways,I
don'tknowwhat 'stheoc casionbutdosaveapieceforme"He
winkedatHannawhor epliedwi t
hherbestsmil
e,withoutcari
ng
ofAbbi ewhowass ti
lls
tandi ngri
ghti
nfronti
fChris
." Wel
l,I'
l
lbe

100
wi
thHer
manout
side,he'
schec
kingmyc
ar"

"
Her
man?Doest
hatmeanMom i
sbac
k?"Car
oas
ked.

"Yeah,andcany
oupleasewipeoutt
hatdirtony
ourmout
h?
You'resuchamess"heref
err
edtohissi
ster
.

"
It'
stheici
ng,andI
'm notames
s"Car
orepl
iedc
oldl
y.Wi
thj
ust
asnif
f,Chr
islef
t.

Abbiewhowass oannoy ed,fi

xedhercompos urefir
s tbefore
ret
urningbacktofacethegirl
s,wi
thherplast
ics mil
e." It
hink
I
'vehadenough,I'l
lgos eeauntTher
esa.Thanksf orthec ake
Hanna,itwasdeli
cious
"s hetri
edherbesttoac tnormalbef ore
walki
ngaway .

"
Doy
out
hinks
he'
smad?
"Hannat
urnedt
oCar
o.

"Idontknow,andIcouldn'tcar
eless.WhencomestoAbbi
e,I
neverknowwhatt oexpect
"s herepl
ied,t
hought
ful
,asi
fshe
neverreal
lyt
rustedher."
I'
llwashthedishes
"

"Cool.I
'l
lcl
eanupt hi
smessbefor
emymot herwal
ksi
n,
apparentl
ythiski
tcheni
shersanct
uar
y"Hannasai
dandthey
sharedas mil
e.

Whendone,t heyleftt
hekitchenjustt
ofi
ndac ommot i
onin
theliv
ingroom.Sar ahandMar i
awi t
hthei
rgr
oc er
ybags
standingasi
de,Ther esaseat
edonherexpens i
vesofawhile
Abbiewass tandingatthes t
airs,wi
thsadl
ooki
ngey es
.

"Asy
ouc ans
eema'am,we'rej
ustgett
ingbacksoIdon'
t
under
standwhaty
ou'r
etal
kingabout"Sarahans
wered

101
Theresa'
sinqui
ryasHannaandCar
oar
riv
ed,c
onf
usedl
ookson
thei
rfaces.

"I
t'
sokayaunt
,let
'sfor
getit
.It
'sj
ustabracel
et,Icanbuya
newone!"Abbi
etoldTheres
a,thentookalongbreathasi
fshe
wassoti
redofifal
l.

"Nodear,I'mverysorrybutt
hisconcernsthesaf
etyofmy
house,Ican'tl
etits
li
de.Whoent er
edAbbi e'
sroom t
oday?
"
Ther
es aasked,shesoundedverydeter
mi ned.

"Idid.Butwhat
'sgoingonhere?
"Sti
llc
onfused,Hannaasked
thepeoplewhower ebythenstar
ingatherasifshe'
dkil
led
someone.Theresastoodup,t
henwalkedupgr aci
ousl
ytowards
her,butwithani
c e-
coldl
ook.

Caroimmediat elycuti
n." Mom what '
sgoingon?Ihearda
bracel
et,whatbr acel
et?
"Shes hiftedhergazefr
om Theresat
o
Abbie.Hermot herexplainedthes it
uati
onbutinturn,Car
o
fr
ownedands hootAbbi eapiercinglook."
Ands o?Areyou
tr
yingtosaythatHannat ookit?
"

"
Yes,i
fnooneel s
eenteredherroom today,t
henhowc oul
dit
di
sappearj
ustli
kethat?
"Theres
ar epl
ied,hereyesonHanna
whowasalreadypanic
king.

"No!Ididn'
ttakeany
thi
ng,tel
lherAbbi
e,Ionlywentthere
becauseyouas kedmetobri
ngy ours
tuf
f'
s!"Hannalookedat
Abbieforabackup,butshel
ookedaway .

Car
oadded,"Thi
sisri
dic
ulousmom,Hannaisincapabl
eof
s
teal
ing,what
?Abracel
et?Don'tmakemelaugh"

102
Likeauselessthing,Theresashovedherof fandmovedc l
oser
toHanna."Wher eisthebr acel
et?Youbettercomecleanbefor
e
Ical
lthecops!"Shes nappedather .Bythen,tear
swere
l
ingeri
ngHanna' seyes,unabletos aymore.Forthefi
rstt
ime
shefel
tdefeatedf r
om suc hahumi li
ati
on."Fi
ne.Int
hatcase,I
'l
l
havetosearchy ourbag"

"Isai
dIdi dn'
ttakeanythi
ng!"Shesc
reamed,herv
oic
escrat
chy
.
Atthec or
nerofherey es
,shec oul
dseehermother
'sf
uri
ous
gaze,andMar i
af i
dget
ingwi t
hfear
.Sheti
ght
enedhergri
pon
thebackpac ks
hewashol ding.

"LookHanna,let'
ssayy oudi dn'
tdoit,thenWhydon' tyoulet
Auntsearc
hy ourbag,i fyoudon'thaveany t
hingtohi de"Abbie
fi
nall
ymadeani nput,andTher esanoddedi nagreement .Hanna
wasev enmor eshocked,s hestar
edatt hem wit
hdi sbeli
ef,t
hen
athermotherwhowasqui ett
hewholet i
me,hopi ngs hewould
saysomething,ands heev entual
lydi
d.

"Giv
ethem yourbagHanna!
"Af
teral
ongf
rus
trat
ions
igh,
Sarahsnapped.

Hannawasc omplet
elyperplexed."
MOM!Howc
oul
dy-
-!
"Tear
s
f
ellf
rom hereyes
,unc ont
roll
ably.

"I
fit
'st
heonlywaytopr
oveyourinnoc
ence,thensobeit"She
i
nsist
ed,unabl
etof
aceherdaught
erintheeyes,buts
uff
ering
deepinsi
de.

" Well
,atl
eastthemot herhassomes ense...Give.Me.The.
Bag"Theresagrabbedit.Hanna'
sey esweres t
il
lonSarah,she
felts
obetrayedthatsheletTheres
ahadherway .Buteven

103
bef
oreopeni
ngt hebag,Chrisappear
edands natc
hedi taway
,
makingev
eryonesurpri
s edwit
hhisgrandentrance."
Whatdo
youthi
nkyou'r
edoings on?Givemet hatbag!
"

"
Nomot her.That
'senough."Hes houtedfuri
ously
.Behindhi
m
wasCar
olyn,shewast heonei nf
ormedhi m ofthechaos
."What
i
sthi
s?Someki ndofac i
rcus
? "Hec ont
inued.

"Youdon'
tknowwhat '
sgoi
ngonChr
ist
ian,s
ost
ayoutofi
t!
"
Theres
arepl
ied,angr
il
y.

"
Ido,andIt hinki
t'sveryr
idi
culous.Ifsomeonewantstoframe
Hanna,should'
veatleastusedsomet hingcommendable!A
brac
elet
?Arey oukiddingme?"Her eferredthatr
emarktoAbbie,
whil
edirect
lylooki
ngather.Hismot hers t
aredathi
m,s t
unned.

"
You'
rereal
lyunderherspel
lson!Idon'
trec
ogni
zey
ou.J
ust
,
whatmakesyousosureofher?"

Bef or
er epl
y i
ng,ChrislookedatHannaf oralongmoment ,the
sightofhert earingeyesmadehi sjawcont r
act."Becaus
ei t
'sher.
Bec auseit'
sHanna,nots omebodyelse"Hannas wal
lowedhar d,
asifallthepai ns hef
eltami nuteagodisappeared.Chri
slooked
bac kathermot her,"
I'
lltakecareofthi
smot her,jus
tgot oyour
room andgety ourbeaut ysleep"

"Ic
an'tbel
iev
ethis.MyGod,whathaveIdonet
odeser
vethis
"
Theres
alamented,holdi
ngherheadasifs
hesuf
fer
edmigr
aine
andascendedthestai
rs,sl
owl
y.

Chr
isr
eturnedHanna'
sbagandaskedev
eryonetol
eave.They
al
ldi
d,exceptAbbi
ewhowasglar
ingathi
m withc
ontempt.He

104
als
os t
aredatheri nexac t
lythesameway ,andwi thoutsayi
nga
word,sher unoffupstair
stoherr oom.Onc ehe'sleftal
one,he
satdownont hestai
rs,asiftaki
ngabr eakf r
om al onghassl
e.
Withalltheruckus,i
twasl ikehe'
dforgottent obreatheandat
themoment ,hetookav erydeeponewhi let hinki
ngof
every
thingthat'
dj us
ttakenpl ac
einas hor tperiodoftime.

SOMEt imel ater ,Hannat ookar efugeatthes ec

retden.
Soli
tudewasal lsheneededaf terwhathappened.Shewas
ins
ide,s obbing.Al lherli
fe,she'dneverexperiencedsuchan
accus at
ions,Nev er t
heles
s ,f
eeli
ngs ohumi l
iatedandthat,i
nher
mot her'spres enc e.Thathur therthemos t.Inthemiddleofher
thi
nki ngshehear ds omef ootst
epsf r
om outsideand
immedi atel
ys traightenedup,wi pedhert earsandwaitedtosee
who' sgoingtos howup.

"
IknewI'
dfindyouher
e!"Chri
ssnapped.Hewasatthedoor
,
br
eathi
ngaudibl
y,t
henwalkedi
n."Youwerecr
ying?Why?"

Hannas
nif
fed,"
It'
snoneofy
ourbus
ines
s"Sher
epl
ied.

Herai
sedanamusedeyebr
ow."Oh,s
onowit
'snotmy
busi
ness
!ButInev
erheardt
hatwhenIsav
edyouras
sout
ther
e"

"Iknewy ouweregoingtoboast
!Al
way sasnob!
"Shesmil
ed
weakly,andhelaughed.Hetookaseatbesi
deher,ont
hefl
oor.
Theystayedsi
lentforawhil
eunti
lsheasked"Whydidyoudo
it
?"

105
 "Becaus
ei twastheri
ghtt
hingtodo"herepl
ied,asc
onf
ident
asalways.Shelookedupathim,st
unned.

"
Howdoy
ouknowt
hat
?Whati
fIr
eal
lyt
ooki
t?"

"
ThenI
'l
lgogetmy
sel
fabr
ainc
hec
k-up!
"

"
Wil
lyoupleas
ebes er
iousf
oronc
eChr
is"Hannas
lappedhi
m
s
li
ght
lyonthethigh.

"
Iam s er
ious
!"Heinsi
sted."
Handmey ourbag!
"demandedhe.
Withoutanyquest
ion,Hannacompli
ed.Hewentt hroughi
tfora
minute,asHannawatchedhim wi
thoutknowinghisint
ent
ion.

"
Whatarey -
-"Shes t
oppedmi ddl
ewaywhenhes howedher
t
hesi
lverbracel
etfrom herbag.Shewasdumbs
truck."
What?
Howc-
-Is wearIdidn't
--"

"
Hey,rel
ax.Iknowi
twas
n'ty
ou.Ij
ustknewi
t!
"Hec
lenc
hed
hi
sfi
sts
.

"
Wai
t,howdi
dyouknowi
twast
her
e?"

"
Icoul
dseei
tinherey
es"

"
Who?Yourmot
her
?"

"No.Abbi
e!Shewass ocer
tai
nthatthey'
dfi
ndi
tinyourbag..
.
maybeIwasj us
tluc
ky,butIfel
tsomethi
ngwasoff
"

"Noway,ist
hatwhys hewass oi
nsis
tentthatt heysearchmy
bag?Doesthi
smeanAbbi eputthebracel
eti nsi
demybagj us
t
tomakemel ookli
keat hi
ef?And-
-andthat'swhys heaskedme
tohel
ptakeherthingstoherroom?"Sheas kednons top,asif
he'dj
ustopenedhereyes.Itwasl
ikeevery
thi ngcamet olight,

106
buti
tmadeherf
eelev
enwor
se.

"YesHanna,andI'
mr eall
ysorr
y!"Chrissai
d,hi
seyesst
il
lon
hers,des
pit
eherheartache,s
het r
iedtobenor mal
.Shesmil
ed
andpokedhisnose."Ouch!What'sthatfor?
"

"That'
sformi
sus
ingt
heapology!Whathaveyoudonewrong?
"
Sher es
umedhermisc
hief
,butitwas
n'tenoughtomakehim
feelbett
er.

"Ican'
tstopfeel
ingli
keallthi
sismyfault
.Webothknowwhy
Abbiedidit.
"Hisighedsoft
ly,whi
lel
ookingatt
hebracel
etinhi
s
hand."Butdon'tworry,I
'm gonnaputanendtothi
s."
Hes ai
d
withadeterminedlook.

"
MayIknowwhaty
ou'
rer
efer
ringat
?"

"Nothing.J
ustwhatIshould'
v edonealongti
meago"he
decidedtoleaveheri
ns uspense,thi
sti
mewi t
hawar msmil
e,
beforeretur
ningthepokebac k,andmadeherc r
eam al
it
tl
e.He
l
aughedhear ti
ly."
Revengeisthedishbests
ervedcol
d"

"
Ohy eah?Andyouthi
nkI'
mjustgonnal
eti
tsl
ide?"Shet
ried
t
ohithim buthegr
abbedherhandsandt
heyst
artedasil
lyfi
ght
.

"OnlyifIdeci
deotherwis
e"hetwist
edherhandandshe
archedherbackagainsthi
schest
."Iknow,yout
hinki
t'
svery
unfair
,don'ty
ous t
ubborngir
l?"Heti
ghtenedhi
sgri
p,buts
he
managedt obreakfree.

"Notatal
l.I
nc aseyou'r
eforget
ti
ngAsht
on,I'
m anat
hlete!
"
Shetri
edtojerkhim butendedupfal
li
ngontopofhim andthey
bothsl
idonthef l
oor.Therewasapauseforamoment,asthey

107
stayeds i
lent,f
eeli
ngtheimpact
.Faceswer esoc l
oset oone
other,theyc oul
deachfeelot
her'sbreath.Hannas wall
owed
hard,whi leChris
'sey
esfi
xedher."I-
-I'ms orr
y!"Backt oher
senses,shet ri
edtogetup,butsurpr
isingl
yChr i
spulledherbac
k,
herey eswi dened.

"
NowI'mt
heonewhot hi
nksit'
sunf
air.Whattodo?If
eell
ike
ki
ssi
ngy
ouri
ghtnow"hesaid,i
nalmostawhisper.

"
K- -
kiss?"Shewhi sper edlikeahy pnotiz
edper son,her
hear t
beatac cel
er ared.Thei rfacesk eptgett
ingc los er,untilhi
s
li
psdomi natedher s .Heki s s
edherpas sionatelyasi fhe'dbeen
waitingfor everfort hemomentt oc ome.Wi they esc l
osed,
Hannal ethermi ndt akenov erbyt hestrongs ens ationt hatit
brought ,hopi ngthatI 'dnev erend.Chr i
sfli
ppedherdown,and
continuedwi ththear tthathes eemedt ohav emas teredwel l
.
Sheenc i
rc l
edhi snec k,andpr essedhi m harderagai nstherbody
untiltheybot hs toppedi nani nstantjustbef orec ros si
ngt he
boundar y.Theyi mmedi atelystoodupandl ookedi ndi f
ferent
dir
ec ti
ons ,embar ras sed." Um...It hi
nkwes houldgo"Hanna
said,sti
llunabl et of ac ehim.

"Yeah,weshoul
d!"Herepl
iedfast
,andsuddenl
ybumpedt o
eachotherasshetri
edt
opic kherbagandhethebrac
elet
."Are
youhur t
?"Heaskedher
,wor ri
edl
y.

"
No.I
'mf
ine"

Hannarus
hedout.Chri
sstaredatt
hecri
mes
ceneonemor
e
t
ime,thensi
ghedheavi
lybeforel
eavi
ng.

108
 Onthewayhome,t
heatmospher
ewastense.Buteit
herway
,
Chri
sdeci
dedt
obreakt
heice.Hecl
ear
edhisthroat
,andHanna
st
aredathi
m.

"
Didy
ous
ays
omet
hing?
"Sheur
ged.

"
No!Butwel
l...
Aboutt
heki
ss-
-"Heut
ter
edhal
ti
ngl
y.

"Akiss?Whatkis
s?"Shes
nappednerv
ous l
y,almostl
oudl
y.He
wassur pr
isedatf
irs
tbutf
oundhimsel
flaughingfr
om her
reac
tion.

"
Not
hing.Imean,not
hinghappened"hes
aid.

"Exac t
ly!Nothi
nghappened!"Sheinsi
sted.Shet
henlooked
away ,as mirkonherblushi
ngface.Theywalkedbac
khomei n
si
lenc e,unti
larr
ivedatthemansion.

"Well
,we'rehomenow.I
'l
lseey
oul
ater
?Ort
omor
row
perhaps"Chri
ssai
d.

"Tomor r
ow!andThanky ou...forhelpingmet oday "Shesaid
andhenodded,f oramoments hewasl ossatwor ds."Chris
?"
Shec al
ledhim beforehewenthi sway .Hereturnedar oundwith
archedey ebr
ows .Aft
erhesitat
ingforawhi l
e,shes aid."I
twas
thebes t
!Thekiss!"
.Final
lyshemadeac omment ,andf r
om the
lookonChr is
'sface,hewasv erydeli
ghted.Shebi therlowerli
ps,
shyly.

"
Iknow!
"Herepl
iedandwal
kedaway,leavi
ngheri
nmuch
moresus
pens
e,wonderi
ngwhathi
slas
tr emarkmeant
.

Wheni
nsi
de,Chr
isheads
trai
ghtt
oAbbi
e'sr
oom,det
ermi
ned

109
t
ogi
veherhi
spi
eceofmi
nd.

110
 CHAPTER8
Foramoment ,Hannalivedinas er
endipi
tousworld.Shekept
fantas
izingaboutt hekis
sf ortheres
toftheday,andl ikea
miracle,she'dcompletelyforgot
tenaboutthebraceletinc
ident
thatcould'veruinedherday .Shewastotal
lyzoned-outwhen
hermot herent eredtheroom.

"It
houghtyou'dbeangr y,butwhyar
ey ous mil
ingl
ikeanidi
ot,
al
lbyy our
self
?"Sarahasked,whil
escrut
iniz
inghercaref
ull
y.
Despit
ebeingstar
tled,Hannawalkeduptoherandhuggedher
ti
ghtl
ythatshefel
ts t
range"What?Whyar ey--
"

"
Ohmom!Il
ovey
ous
omuc
h!"Sheki
ssedherc
heek
.

"
Uh...Ilov
ey outoo.Butar
en'
tyoumadatme?
"St
il
lin
di
sbel
ief
,Sarahasked.

"
Mad?Ofc
our
senot
"

"
Oh.Okay
."

Meanwhil
e,Chr
iswasout s
ideAbbie'
sdoor;she'
drefus
edtol
et
hi
mi n,c
lai
mingthatsheneverwantedtoseehim aft
er
ever
ythi
nghedidthataft
ernoon.I
nt heend,heforc
edhisway
i
n.

"Beli
eveme,i fi
twereuptome,Iwouldn' tbehereeit
her.
"
Christol
dher,ignori
ngherpr
otest
."Here,Ic ametogiveyou
thi
s"het ookherhand,andpl
acedthebr aceletonherpal
m.She
wasv eryshocked,buts
hequi
cklyst
rai
ght enedherface.

111
 "It
'smi ne.Wheredidyougeti t
?Ibetthatlos
erfr
iendofyours
gavey ou!"Abbi
es napped,withavi
cti
mi z
edexpressi
on.That
reacti
onmadeChr isl
aughf orasec
ond,wi t
hhishandsonthe
doorfr ame,heleanedov er
.

"Aren'tyouatleas
tas hamedafterwhatyoudid?Youknow,I
knews omet hi
ngwasof ftheminuteyoustar
tedac t
ingnice
towardsHanna,butt henIthought,maybeshe'sreall
ymaki ng
anef f
ort!ButIwaswr ong,didyoureal
lyhavetodot hat?
"He
askedher ,i
nal owtoneofv oi
ce,wit
hhisnarrowedey esstari
ng
ather.

Abbies i
ghed,rais
edaney ebrowwhilec l
aspingherli
ps
togetherasift
ryingtohi
det hetensi
onr unningthroughher
,"I
don'tknowwhaty ou'
ret
alkingabout"sher epli
ed,dryl
y.

"Ohs paremet hatcrapAbbie!Iknowy ouputt hatbr ac

elet
i
ns i
deherbag,jus ttomakeherl ookl
ikeat hi
ef.Lookmei nthe
eyes,andt r
ytodenyi t"Heheldhersl
anders houlder sti
ghtl
y
whilegivi
ngherac ol
dgaze.I
ns t
eadofs hudderingfrom hisgri
p,
shejuststaredbackathim,withadetermi nedlook.

"You' reright.Ididit"shes pi
lled.Hes l
owlyl etgoofher ,a
disappoi ntmentgl eam inhisey es.Thisti
meAbbi eheldher
wais tandt ookadeepbr eath."Athome,atc oll
ege,s he'sal
ways
yourc enterofattention!I'
my ourgirl
fri
endChr i
s,buthowmany
ti
meshav ewegoneout ?Kissed?Oh,don' tev enletmego
furtherbec auseyoumi ghtprobablysaywes houl dwai tunti
l
mar riage!Ins hort,youmademedoi t,Iwant edt osepar at
eyou
two,butgues swhat?Asal way s,youappear edj ustli
keher
guar dianangel ,andt ookhers ide.Youknow,al lididupt onow

112
wast r
yingtogetc l
osetoyou;Il i
keyouChr i
s,butdoyou?"She
askedwi t
hal augh,butabitterone,hereyesful
loftear
s.She
glar
edathi mf orawhileandt henwalkedtoherbed,ands at
down.Ther ewasaheav ys i
lenceasifbothofthem were
contemplati
ngt hesit
uati
on.

Decidedly,Chri
spacedforward,ands t
oodinfrontofher,"Fi
ne.
Let
'ss ayI
'm atfaul
t,I'
mt hebadguy "hepaused.Abbierais
ed
herfac et
ol ookathim."You'
reright
,I'
m notgoodf oryou,t
hat's
why,wes houl dendhere!Let
'sbreakupAbbie!"Hes napped,i
n
averynor malway .

"
Ha!Iwonderwhatt
ookyous ol
ongtos
aythat
...I
ntheend,
Hannagotwhats
hewanted!andver
yeas
il
y"

"Cany
ous
topi
t?Hannahasnot
hingt
odowi
tht
his
,andy
ou
knowit
"

"You'r
ewr ong!Thisiswhatshewant ed,c
an'tyouseethatbest
fri
endofy oursisi
nl ovewithyou?Orar eyoujustpr
etending
becauseyoual sofeelthesameway ?"Shes c
reamed,without
reali
zi
ngthei nt
ensityofherwords.Chrisl
ookedathert hen
shookhishead,asi fshewass omecrazywoman.Hewal kedout
withoutanotherwor d.

AFTERsuchabr eakup,Abbi
eswor etomov eout
.Consi
der
ing
herego,sheneverwantedtolos
e,es peci
all
ytoHannawhom
shealwayscons
ideredthelowestperson.

Onherwayout
,thef
oll
owi
ngear
lydawn,s
hemetCar
oly
n.She

113
wantedtowalkpasther,butthendeci
dedt hati
twas
n'twor
thy
l
eavingwit
houtcongrat
ulati
ngher.Shelookeduptoher,
def
iantl
y.

"
What
?"Car
oas
kedher
.

"Areyouhappynow?Seemsli
keyouandy ourl
it
tl
eser
vant
fr
iendhavegotyourway"Abbi
erepl
ied,f
ist
sonherwai
stas
usual.

"Woahwoah...Seemsl i
kes omeonehasforgott
entodri
nkher
l
ow-fatmi
lkthi
smor ning!Nowwhatar eyoutalki
ngaboutgi
rl
,
canyouquitt
hesubtlety?"Carohadnoideaaboutthei
rbreak
up,soatt
hemoment ,sheunderstoodnot
hing.

"Webrokeup,don'
ttel
lmey oudon'tknowaboutthi
s.I'
msur
e
youmustbeoverjoy
ed!"Shebit
ter
lyutter
ed,wi
thfi
erce
expr
ess
ion.

NowCar o'sfacewass tunned."Ohy oudi

d?Wel lI
'ms or
ry,but
don'
ty outhinkthatwasboundt ohappen?"Despit
ethe
sur
pri
s ingpieceofnews ,shesti
llas
kedher."Imean,let'
sbe
honesthere,youdr aggedhimi ntot
hatrel
ati
onship,no?"

Thosewordss eemedt ostirAbbi

e,shegotreal
lyhys
teri
cal
,as
i
fCar ohadjustcrossedtheline."
Howdar eyou!Areyousayi
ng
thatIfor
cedthatpoorbr otherofyourstobewithme?Ishea
nine-
years-
old-boy?
"Shel ungedforwards.

Carost
eppedback,"Noatal l,andcany ourel
axpl
ease?"She
askedher,i
roni
cal
ly."Look,Chrismaybev erysmar
t,atop
st
udentbuthe'satotalidi
ot.He'ssostupidwhencomest o

114
women...hedoes n'tevenknowwhom heac tuall
yli
kes.
Anyway s ,youbroughtitupony ourselfAbbie,whaty oudidwas
extremel yfool
ish,sodon'tbl
ameot hersforyourfail
ure!
"She
tol
dher ,inaserioustoneofvoice.Therewass omethruthinher
words ,ev enAbbieknewt hat
,butshewashur tandonl ysawher
asanenemy .Caroly
nat t
empt edtoleavewhenAbbi esuddenl
y
askedher ;

"Whydoy ouhatemes omuc h?"Thatquest

ionint
riguedCar o,
sheturnedt heeyestowardsherforalongmoment ."I
understandy oupref
erHannaov erme,butI'
veneverdoney ou
anywr ong,yetyouwerehos t
il
etowardsmef rom t
hev er
yf i
rst
ti
mewemet "therewassadnessinhereyes
,itwasherf i
rstt
ime
showings i
ncerit
y.

"Idon' that ey ou!ForGod' ssake,youmakemes oundl i

kea
means ist er
- i
n-l
aw!"Shepr etendedt obeof fended,justto
reduc et het ension,butt herewasas t
r i
ngofs entiments,notf or
l
ongass hei mmedi atelyresumedhernor malc ompos ur e."But
i
tdoes n'tmeanIl ikey ouei t
her...Wannaknowwhy ?Bec ause
you' r
es oegoc entri
c ;Youwantt hes potli
ght,tobel oved,
admi redandr espec tedbyev eryone,f orfree.Buty ou'r
e
forgettingt hatallthos ethingsar eearned,t hrought hewayy ou
treatot her s.Yes,we' realli
mper fect,butIj ustcan'thelpit,I
des piset hos ewhol ookdownonot her s
."

"
Ohr
eal
lynow?I
sthatal
l?
"

"
No,there'
ssomethi
ngel
se.I
'msureeveryoneknowst hat
Hannalov
esChrismoret
hanjustafr
iend,wellexceptmystupi
d
brot
herhi
ms el
fwhocan'
tseetheobvi
ous.Buts heneverpl
ayed

115
f
oulj
usttohavehi
m,li
keagoodfri
end,s
hes
tuc
ktohi
m.Woul
d
y
oudot hati
fyou'
rei
nherpl
ace?
"

Abbiest
aredathers hort
ly,t
henl aughedoutl
oudly,"Ohhow
hil
ari
ous!I
tturnsoutthes erv
anthass uchagrandloveforthe
youngmas t
er,howpat het
ic!Whydon' tyougi
veitarest
?Playi
ng
cupidandall
?Chrisisagrown- as
sman,hedoes n'tneedanyone
tomak ehi
sc hoi
ces"Shesnapped,c ynic
all
y.

Caroly
ns mirkedandwhi speredtoherear,"Youc anlaughall
youwantAbi gail,butwebot hknowt hattheverysames erv
ant,
isyourbigges tthreat.Andgues swhat,i
fChr i
sdecidestobe
withhernowt hatyou'renolongertogether,I
'l
lsupporthim.
I'
venev erseenhi m happierli
kethewayhe' sbeens pendinghi
s
senioryear,allthankst oHanna!Butdon' tworry,I
'm notthe
kindoflit
tlesis t
erwhoi nterf
eresmybr other'
slovelif
e,inthe
end,heal onewi l
lbet hej
udge"

Shec oulds eeAbbi eget t

ingallwr eckedupasherbodys tif
fen
withanger ."Wel lyouc andr eam on,bec aus eunfort
unately,
yourmot herwoul dnev eral l
owt hat,andi fithappens,she'l
l
makeHanna' sli
feal ivi
ng- hell
.Sincey ous olovehumani ty,I'
m
sureyouwoul dn'tlov es eeigthepoorgi r
lget t
inghurt!
"This
ti
meAbbi es pokewi ths arc asm,andi treallygotintoCarolyn,
shepatheront hes houl derands miled."Thisegocentri
c,
spoil
edbr at
,andwhat evernamey ouc al
lher ,i
sleavi
ng.Seey ou
dearsister-i
n-law,t hatwasj ustabat tl
e,thewari syettoc ome!"
Shesmi rkedandwal kedout .

****

116
 Thefol
lowingweek,Chri
slef
tearl
yforc ol
lege,t
ogetherwi
th
Hanna.Itwasthefir
stdayofthefi
nals,andhehappenedt o
havehisfir
stexam i
nthemorning.Theyrodei nhisc
aras
Hannaas ked;

"What'
sgoingon?Youus
ual
lyr
idewi
thAbbi
e,butIdon'
tsee
hertoday.

Hef r
owned.Asi fhewas n'
ttoohappyt oheart hatname.
Hannac ouldn'tcontainherconfusedlook,espec i
all
yduet ohis
si
lence,butabr uptl
yapai rofhishazeleyesstaredather,with
calmnessthistime."Youdon' tknow?Abbi el
eftlastnight
,She'l
l
bes t
ayingi
n- c
ampuswi thherfriendsorsomet hing,unti
lthe
examsar eover "her epl
ied.

"Reall
y?That'
sodd!Butt henagain,it'
sfi
nalsright?Iguess
evens martpeoplelikehertr
ytodot hei
rbest,andy etsome
dimwitsli
keHannagetabeaut i
fuleight-
hourss leep"shesai
d
ir
onicall
y,bef
orer el
axingherbackatt heleat
herpas sengerseat
.
Therewasaf aintsmi l
eatthecornerofChr i
s'
smout hbutit
immedi at
elydisappear.

"Webr okeup!May bethat'

swhy "her emarked.From thel
ook
ofhisface,hewas n'
tpr oudofi t
,butyethebelieveditwasthe
bestdecision.Hanna'seyeswidened,hermout hagape."Okay
,I
knowthatl ook.Itwasn'tbecauseofthebr acel
et,soholdyour
horses
... Ijustf
elti
twas n'
tfairtocontinuesuchar el
ati
onshi
p"

Thati
ncr
eas
edherc
onf
usi
on."
What
?Why
?"

"
Thetr
uthis,Idon'
tfeelany
thi
ngspeci
alforher
,sowhybei
ng
wi
thher?Look,I
'drat
hernottal
kaboutthat.We'
reov
erandI

117
bel
iev
eit
'sbes
tforbot
hofus
"

"Oh!okay "Hannawas n'tsureifshewashappywi ththenews

ornot ,butdeepdown,i tsparkedal i
tt
lehopet hatwass lowly
dy i
ng;thehopeoff i
nallycommuni cati
ngherf eeli
ngst ohim,
may be.Butont hesecondt hought,shedidn'twantt oraiseher
expec t
ati
ons ,eventhoughherhear tkeptrecei
vingmi xed
signalsaft
ert hekisstheyshared.Theyar ri
vedatthec ampus
ands heas kedhi mt odropherof ffi
rstbeforeparking."Iguess
thisisit
,thanksf ortherideandGoodl uck!
"Shequi ckly
snappedandgr abbedt hehandl er.

"Heyheyhey ,y
ou'rel
eaving?justl
iket
hat?"Hel eanedoverthe
st
eering,eyeingherteasi
ngly,wit
has punkys mil
e.Shestared
back,wide-eyed."Imean...withoutagoodl uckkiss?
"Hisv oi
ce
washus ky,fei
gningshyness.

"
Akiss
?Sincewhen?Oh,Iknow--WakeupAs htonjuni
or,wi
ll
y
ou?thatonekis
swasas i
ll
ymistake,don'tt
ellmeyoutookit
t
ooseri
ous?"Sheseat
edhersel
fback,star
ingathim pr
ovoki
ngly
.

"Hey,whyar eyoubringi
ngthatup?OK,notanac tualkis
s ,j
ust
apeck!Youknowy ou'
remyl uckyc
harm"heinsi
s t
ed,hi sface
ti
lt
eds l
ightl
y.Foramoment ,Hannawashesit
ant,shes wallowed
hardwhi l
elookingathim,wonderi
ngifhewasseriousornot ,
buttherewasadet erminedlookbehi
ndhismischievouss mile.

"J
ustapec k,ri
ght?"Sheasked,sti
lluns
ureandhenodded.She
caughtalongbr eathands l
owlyleanedoverandpl
acedherli
ps
onhischeek ,whichinturn,
theylandedonhishotl
ipsaf
terhe
brushedhisf ac
eas i
de."Youschemi ngj
erk!
"Shepull
edaway

118
ver
yfastands
pankedhi
shead.Hegr
imac
ed,l
aughi
ngl
yass
he
qui
ckl
yjumpedoutoft
hecar.

"
Hey,wit
ht hatyougonnablowtheexam.Ipr
omise"he
s
napped,sti
lll
aughing,es
pec
ial
lyathergr
owli
ngannoyedv
oic
e.

"
Youtri
ckedme.Goaway !
"Shesl
ammedhisSUVdoorandlef
t,
bl
ushi
ng,andhewasc ont
entedwi
thpl
eas
ure,asi
fhi
sdayhad
j
ustst
art
edbeauti
ful
ly.

Laterthatday ,atthes unset ,theymetagainatthecanteen.

Hannas pottedhi mf ir
s t
,shewav edandwal kedovertohim,
aft
ers ayi
ngs omet hingt othegi rlshe'
darriv
edwith.Chri
swas
withhisgroupofot hers enior s
.Hequi ckl
ygothi
sthingsand
fol
lowedher ,leavings omec heer i
ngcomment sf
rom hisgroup
asiftheywer emaki ngf unofhi m.

"Hey,howwastheexam?"Hesnappedass
oonashear
riv
ed
befor
eher,handsi
nhispocket
s.

"Justasits ounds,EXAMS!Youal readyknowIdes pisewhoev er

startedi
t,itwast hewor s tki
ndofi nvent
ion!"Hannar epli
ed,and
theyboths haredalaugh.Abr uptl
ys hechangedherf ac e,
when
Raphael,oneofChr is'
sfriendswav edather ."Oh,it'
st hatdork
again!Pleas elet
'sgobef orehes tart
sbickeri
ng!"Shegav ethem
abi gsmilebef orewalkingout .Raphaelwasv erytalkative
amongal lhisfri
ends,theyal lknewHannaandnev erbel i
eved
thatChrisands he,werej ustfri
ends.

"
Jus
tleav
ehi
m be.Hey
,Is
awy
ouwi
tht
hatc
uti
e,i
sshey
our

119
c
lass
mate?
"Chr
isr
efer
redt
othepr
ett
ygi
rls
hewaswi
thatt
he
c
afet
eri
a.

"
Natasha?Yeahsheis,why
?"Hannaasked,al
it
tl
ecur
iousas
t
heyslowlywalkedpas
tfews t
udent
senter
ingt
hebuzz
ed
s
tudents-
junc
tion.

"Not
hing!She'
sjustsodamnhot!Youshoul
d'veint
roduc
edme,
Cometot hi
nkofit,Idon'
tknowanyofyourf
riends.I
t'
snotf
air
"
Herepli
ed,pret
endingtomakeaface.

"
Yeahr
ight
.Sot
haty
ouc
angoonhi
tt
ingont
hem,r
ight
?"

"
Ofcoursenot!I'
m nothi
tt
ingonher
,Iwasj
ustappr
eci
ati
ng
God'
screat
ion.Isi
tac r
ime?"

"No,i t
'sokay.Whil
ey ou'r
eati t,whydon' ty ougobac kandas k
forhername,whats helikes,herf avouri
tec olorandal lother
pick-up-l
inesyouuset owoogi rls,huh?I nfac t
,Ic angiveyou
hernumberi fyouwantt o"Shes napped,annoy ed.Without
reali
z i
ngthatherreacti
onl efthims tunnedi nt hemi ddleofthe
way .Chrislookedar
ound,af raidt hatpeoplewer estari
ng,
cons i
deringhowangr yHannawasandt heways hesnappedat
him.

"Heyr el
ax!Whyareyougett
ingal
lwrecked-up?Iwasjust
kiddi
ng.ButIwon'tmindtaki
nghernumber "hegrinned,and
saidhislat
ters
entenc
einalmostawhisper.

"Woah!Ic
an'tbel
iev
eit
!Fine,
here,t
akeit!
"Shescrol
ledher
phoneandshowedhim,butthelookonherf ac
ewasenought o
shovehi
m away.Herwholebodywast ens
e,withherfir
m ey
es

120
s
hoot
ingf
ir
e-beams
.

Hes wall
owedhar d."Nothanky ou.I flooksc oul dki
ll
,Iwoul d
besix-f
eet-underbynow"hes aidinac almv oice,asifhe'dj ust
surv
ivedt hedeath-row.Shej ustlower edhergaz eandt ooka
deepbr eath.Theyc onti
nuedwal kingwi thoutt alki
ng,justfora
shortwhile."Butseriousl
y,whyar eyouget ti
ngmadatme? "He
endedupr ai
singhisv oi
ce,ands ti
rredt hingsal loveragain.

"
Whosai
dI'
m mad?I
'm notmad!
"Sher
epl
ied,wi
tht
hes
ame
t
one.

"Ofcourseyouare.Look,yousoundlikeajeal
ous
ywife.Wai
t,
Isthati
t?Areyoujealous?"Hehal
ted,botheyesonher
,both
unsureandamus edwi thherfl
ust
eredlook.

Sheimmedi at
elyturnedhergaze."
Wh--what?Jeal
ous
?Me?
You'
res osi
ckups t
airsChr
isAsht
on!"Shesnappedathim,mor
e
angri
er.Its
eemedl ikehehadhitthebul
ls
eye.

"Al
ri
ght.Noneedt oshout ,Igetit!"Hesmil
ed,stil
lst
unnedby
herdefensi
veatti
tude.Heev enl aggedbehi
ndf orawhi l
e,
cont
empl at
ingherbehav i
our .Theywer eal
mos tattheparki
ng
l
ot,whens hesuddenlytoldhi mt hatshewastakingabushome.
"No.That'
scrazy
.Whywoul dy out akeabus?"

"Bec
aus eIdon'
tfeell
ikeri
dingyourdamnc ar!Si
nceAbbi
eis
nothere,whydon'tyoutakeNatashai
nstead?"

"Nowthisi
stoomuc h!Itho-
-"befor
ehereali
zed,s
hewas
al
readygone."Okay
,doasy ouwi s
h!It'
swhatyoualway
sdo
anyway.MyGod,whatat emper!"Hewasallal
one,mumbli
ngt
o

121
hi
msel
f.

Infour t
ymi nutes,thebusdr oppedHannaatt hes topands he
pushedherwayhome.Thes kywasal mostdar kass het ooka
pathint hetree-tr
unkr oad,listeningt othec hurningleav esas
theev eningairblewpas tthedr yAut umn- l
eaves.Nor mal ly
,
quit
ef ewpeopl epas sedatt hatt i
meduet os mallnumberof
resi
dent sandt hef actthatmos toft hem hadpr i
vatec ars.She
wasal mos talone,hermi ndwasabl aze;sheknews he'dmadea
mistake.Ac t
ingallimmat urewi tht hejealousyfitwas n'tpartof
herplanands hefeltsos tupid.

Asmallbreathes c
apedher ,asshebracedherbac kpackand
tri
edtos peedupal itt
le.Themans i
onwasonl yt enmi nutes
from t
hebuss t
op,ittookherl essthanthattor eachandatt he
samet i
me,Chr is'
scarar r
ived,asifhe'dbeent ail
ingher.Shefel
t
l
ikehidingbeneatht hegroundwhent heireyesmet .Hegotof f
andwai tedforherinthemi ddleofthewayt hatledt othe
shari
nghous e.Shegotahol dofher sel
f,pacedf orwardsand
stoodri
ghti nfr
ontofhi m.

"
Chr
isI
--
"shet
riedt
osays
omet
hingbuthec
uthers
hor
t.

"
I'
ms or ry
!"Hesaid,i
ns uc
hat enderwayt hatmadehertaken
aback."Trustme,Iwasjustmes s
ingaroundaboutthatNatasha
gi
rl
.Ididn'tknowitwouldoffendyouli
ket hat.Pl
eas
eforgi
ve
me,huh? "Heclas
pedhi shands,i
mploringl
y.

"
Ithi
nkIs
houldbet
heonetoapol
ogi
ze.Ibehavedl
ikeabi
tch,
pl
usyoudi
dn'
tdoanyt
hingwr
ong.I
'mjustovert
heedgewit
h

122
t
heexamsandev eryt
hing,itmakesmeal i
ttlesensiti
ve.I'
m
real
lysorr
yChris"shesaid.Evi
dently
,herr emar ksurpris
edhim.
Henoddedhi sheadhes i
tantl
y."AndI'm beings eri
ous,Ican
i
ntroducedyoutoher ,s
he'sanic egi
rl,I
'ms ures he'
lll
ikeyou"
sheadded,butthatonelefthimr at
herper plexed.

"
You'
ddot
hat
?"

"
Yes
.Imeani
t"

"Oh,Isee!Buti t'snotnecessar
y,li
keIsaid,Iwasonlyt
easing
you"her eass ur
edher ,andtheybothnodded,s at
isfi
edwit
ht he
outcome.Af teras hortres
ignedsil
ence,Chri
sburstedwit
hhi s
sardoni
cl aughal lofasudden.

"
Whyar
eyoul
aughi
ng?
"Bewi
lder
ed,Hannaas
kedhi
m.

"I'
ms or
ry,i
t'
snothi
ngmuc h!
"Hereplied,almostchockedfr
om
allt
helaught
er."I
t'
sjus
t,Ir
emember eds omethingAbbietol
d
mewhenwebr okeup,heari
ngyoutalkrightnow,mademe
real
izedhowsil
lyshewas"

"
Abbie?Whatdi
dshetel
lyou"s
heques
tionedhi
m,her
c
urios
itybey
ondli
mit
.

"Thatyou'
reinlovewi thme!Cany oubeli
evehowc razyshe
canget?Idon'tknowwher et hehellshegott hatidea"he
snapped,st
illl
aughing,butt herewass omethi ngdiff
erenton
Hanna'sface.Shewass hockedasi fherhearts ki
ppedabeat .
Shewasgapi ngwithey eswi del
yfixedonhi m.Hec oughedt wice
toclearhi
st hr
oatands ai
d," Well
,sincewe'rec oolnow,I'
llhead
in.Ithi
nkwhatIneedi saqui ckshower .Goodni ghtHanna" .Sti
ll
,

123
therewasnores
ponsefrom her,s
hewasdumbst
ruck,mi
ll
ion
thought
sinsi
deherhead.Befor
ehecoul
dtakeast
ep,shetook
herchances
.

"
Whati
fit
'st
rue?WhatAbbi esai
d"Wi t
hunknownc our
age,s he
as
kedhi
m.Hisreac
tionwasnor malatfi
rst
,unti
lhereal
izedthe
pr
oxi
mit
yofherques t
ion;hi
sexpres
sionchangedimmedi at
ely.

"
What
?"Hes
napped,whi
legl
ari
ngather
.

"Whatifshet
oldy outhetr
uth,thatI
'mreall
yinlov
ewit
hy ou?
"
Sherepeatedt
hes ameques t
ion,butt
histi
mewi thamore
seri
oustone,s
tar
ings t
rai
ghttohisbaff
ledeyes.

Hes l
owlymov edc l
oser,asifitwastheonlywayt ori
dhimself
fr
om s uchaconfound."Whatdoest hi
ssuppos etomean
Hanna? "Hi
shus kyvoic
epi er
c edherears.Withoutmovingan
i
nc h,s
hekeptglaringathim,hopi nghewoul dus ehi
ssmart
braintogetanswersforhims elf."
Holdon,doest hi
smeany -
-"

"I'
mi nl ov ewithyou?Yes ,Iam"s hefinallyspil
ledthebeans .
Therewasunr eadableexpr essiononChr is'
sface,adejected
lookthatmi ngledwiths hock.Hannagul ped,lookeddownand
tookas tepbac k,togiv
et hem as pac e."Idon'tknowhowor
wheni tal lstar
ted...Ij
us twokeuponeday ,andr eali
zedmy
feel
ingshav echanged.Abbi ef oundouts omehowandIt r
iedto
dist
anc emy sel
ff r
om you,andt her est
,y ouknowhowt hi
ngs
went.Ilov eyouChr i
s,mor et hanj ustafriend!"Withthat
confession,Chr iswasleftspeec hless.Het ri
edt outterawor d
severaltimesbutnot hingcameoutexc epthi ssombr eface.

Ther
ewasani
ntens
esi
lenc
east
het
wobes
tfr
iendss
tar
edone

124
another
.Hannawass l
ight
lyt r
embl i
ng,whil
eChri
shadablank
fac
e,unabl
et out
terawor d.Evidentl
y,hewasstr
uggl
ingon
whattosay.Uponreal
izi
ngt heordeal,Hannasai
d;

"Youdon'thav et
os ayawor d,I
'm awarethatyouonl yseeme
asaf r
iend...Ionl
yt houghtIhadtotellyouhowIf eel,f
ormy
owns ake.May beI'
vejustmadey ouunc omfort
able...I'
m
sorry
!"Withthat,s
hewal kedpasthim andr unaway ,c
overing
herfacewithherpalm,t r
yinghardtohol dhertears
.

"Hannawait
!I--
"hehadtostopmiddl
eways inc
eshe'dalready
sl
ippedhisway.Ext
remel
yconfus
ed,herunahandthr oughhis
darkhai
r,si
ghi
ng.Hewatchedaft
erher,unt
ils
hedisappeared.

125
 CHAPTER9
Theni
ghtwasn'tsogreatc
ons
ider
ingthes
tateChri
swokeup
in,t
henextmorning.Hewasacomplet
emes sasi
fhecoul
dn'
t
getawinkofs
leep.

"Seemslikesomeonedi dn'ts
leepwell,whereyour evi
si
ng?"
Car ol
ynaskedhim ast heyheadout s
ide,readyforschool.
Strangel
yhec ouldn'
tr espond,hismindelsewhere.Shes c
owled
anddec i
dedtoi gnore."CanIt agal
ongi nyourcar?"Thi
st i
me
shemadeaney ec ontact

"
Sure!"Somewhatstart
led,herepl
ied.Theyhopedi
n,but
i
nsteadofleav
ing,hekeptstar
ingattheshari
nghousedi
rect
ion.

"I
fyou'rewai
ti
ngforHannashe'dalreadylef
t.Iwassurpri
sed
my s
elf
,itwast
ooearly
.Shedidn'ttel
lyou?"Caroasked,eyeson
herbelovedbr
otherwhowasn'thimselfatall
."Di
dy oufi
ght
agai
n?"

"
Nowedi dn'
t.Canwegoi
npeac
e?Wi
thouty
our
i
nter
rogat
ion?
"

"
Alr
ightf
ine!Noneedt
oshout
!Gos
h!"

"
I'
m not
!"

"
Yeah.Ri
ght.J
ustdon'
tlety
ourmoodswinggetsi
ntheway,
y
ouhav eexams,remember!
"Shet
oldhi
m,wi t
hmuc hconc
ern.

"
I'
lldof
ine.Don'
twor
ry!
"Her
epl
iedandof
ftheyl
eft
.

126
 HANNAwas n'ts
ogoodei ther.Af
terfl
ippingthingsover
,she
wasafraidwhatAbbi esai
dmi ghtcomet rue;thatshewasabout
toloseevenherfriendshi
pwi t
hChr i
s.Shedec idedtowaitand
see.Hannaal waysknewhowt odealwi ththeodds ,sodespi
te
everyt
hing,shetri
edtobeasc al
m aspos si
blefortheremained
examswhi chweret otaketwoweeks ,atmos t.

Therewasjustonet
hingshecoul
dn'thandleatthatmoment ;
meet i
ngChri
s.Shewasn'
tsurei
ftal
kingtohim af
tersucha
confessi
onwasagoodidea,soshedecidedtoavoidhim onc
e
agai
n,andsheknewexac t
lyhowtomakei tpossi
ble.

Luc
kil
y ,theplanwasmut ual,asattheendofthatday,s
hegot
atextf
rom Chr iss
ayingtheys houl
dtalkaf
terexams.Sheread
themes sageandthrewt hephoneont hebed,beforeres
umi ng
hernotest hatwer
es cat
teredallovert
hedes k.

"
Isev
ery
thi
ngok
aywi
thy
ou?
"Sar
ah,whowasup-
tyi
ngherhai
r
as
ked.

"Yesmom.I'
mj ustst
ressedwit
hexams"Hannarepl
ied,
absentmi
ndedl
y .Sarahlookedatherf
oralongmoment ,asi
f
shedidn'
tbuythes tor
y.

"
Ify
ousayso.Iknowy ou'
l
ldowel
l"s
hes
aidanddi
vedunder
t
hecover
s."
Goodni ght
!"

"
Sleept
ightmom!"Hannat
oldher
,thenl
eanedagai
nstt
he
wooden-
chair
,wonder
ingwhatc
ouldbegoi
ngins
ideChri
s'
s
mind.

127
 Final
lythetwoweekspas s edqui cklythanexpect
ed,justto
reali
zef i
nal
swer eoverandf res hmenwer et
hefi
rs tt
of i
nis
hon
thatFridayaft
ernoon.Hannawents trai
ghthomeandf ound
almos tnooneatt hemans i
on.Wi thhert ummygr owli
ng,she
headt othekitchenforsomes nacks.Whendone,s hemadeher
wayoutwher es hegotf
acet of acewi t
hTheresawhokept
cracki
ngt heti
leswithherlongheel s
.Ev enathomes henev er
l
os eac hancetobef emini
neandc l
as sy
,unli
keotherwomenher
age.

"You?Whyareyoulurki
ngaroundhere?Ihopeyoudidn'ts
teal
anythi
ng,bec
auseletmewar nyou,mysonisn'
theretosave
you!"Ther
esasai
d,sar
casti
cal
lywhil
escr
oll
ingherheadtotoe.

"I
'm notathiefma' am andyouknowt hat!
"Hannaj umped,her
fi
stscl
enchedasi fs hewasaboutt ograbTher esa'
sebony -hai
r
butmanagedt oc alm down.Shetookal ongbr eat
ht ogether
withastepbac k.Ther esawasglar
ingather ,wit
har aised
eyebr
ow." Iknow y oudon'tl
ikeme,ev enthoughI '
vedone
nothi
ngwr ongt oy ou.It'
sunderst
andable!
"

"Oh,Isi
t?"Ther
esaquer
ied,f
oronc
eshes
eemedc
uri
oust
o
hearthenextpart
.

"Yes
.It'
sallbecauseI
'mc losetoyourson,butyoudon'
thave
toworry,whatyou'ret
hinkingwon'thappen.ChrisandI
,ar
e
andwi l
lonl
ybef ri
ends.Ijusthopey ouwon'tdenymethat
!"
Shestaredher,withapleadingexpressi
on.

128
 "Fri
endsyous ay
?Andhowdoyouexpec
tmet obel
ievet
hat"
Theresaasked,asinc
erec
onc
erni
nherbigey
es,whi
c hwere
direc
tlygl
ari
ngatHanna.

Shelower edhers
,thoughtfulforawhi leandrepli
ed,"Becaus
e
i
t'sthetruthma'am!Unfor t
unately,Idoknowmypl ace...
so
restassured,we'
rejustf
riends!"Itwasav erypainf
ul
declar
ationforHanna.Shel ovedChr i
s,ands heknewthatitwas
animpos sibl
efeel
ingtorealiz
ei t
'smut ual
it
y.

"Verywell
.I'
l
lpretendIhaveyourword!"Theresasai
d.
Howev er
,shewas n'
tenti
rel
yconvi
nced,buts hedeci
dedtogo
withit
.Asamot her,shehadgreat
erexpectati
onsforhi
sonly
son,andoneoft hem wastoseehim marri
edt othegi
rloft
he
sames oci
alst
atus,andHannawas n'
tevenc l
osetobetheone.

"
Wel
l...
exc
useme!
"Hannas
aidpol
it
ely
,andl
eft
.

****

Whens hearrivedinsidethes hari

nghous e,shes t
oppedby
theirtinylivi
ngr oom theybar elyused.Itwasasi fherlegshad
suddenl ylostthei rmobili
ty.Thetalkshe'djusthadwi thTheresa
sti
rredherupal i
ttl
e,butdeepwi thi
n,s hewasr eli
evedwi tht
he
factthats he'ds omehows t
oppedherf rom breathi
ngunderher
neckev eryti
met heymet .Sheleanedagai nstthewor n-out
cushionwhi l
et ackli
ngherbl ond-hairback,exhaustedly.Ina
minut e,av oicec amef r
om behi ndheranddes tr
oyedt he
rel
axings i
lences hewasonl ys t
arti
ngt oenjoy.

129
 "Ohyouscaredme!Idi
dn'
tknowyou'r
eback!
"Mariasnapped,
ahandont hehear
tsi
deofherches
t.Hannaqui
ckl
ylookedover
hershoul
der.

"I
'ms
orr
y,It
houghtnoonewasin...
"sheret
ort
ed."
Speaki
ng
ofmymom,haveyouseenherany
where?"

"Wehaveadayof
f,s
hement
ionedmeet
ings
omef
ri
end?
...
andshe'
l
lbehomelate"

"
Af ri
end?That
'sst
range!
"Hannasaid,thought
ful
ly."
Nev er
mind,andwherearey ougoi
ngsodolledup?"Shestaredat
Mariawhowasf i
nis
hingputt
inganearri
ngon,looki
ngal l
dr
essed-up.

Shesmiledwidely,appreciati
ngt hecompl i
ment."
Out .Andy ou
shoul
dtoo!Wi thChris!
"Shewhi s
per edthelastt
wowor ds
befor
ewal ki
ngpas ther,
leavingonl yatraceofhercheap,y et
nic
e-smelli
ngperfume." Don'tforgettoc l
osethewindows ,I
heardit
'sgoingtoraintonight"Mar iaadded.

Hannawass tunned,unablet
or eplyanyofherr emar ks.
Insteadshejustwat c
hedMar i
aleav ingbeforesheher self
,made
awayt othebedroom.Shepeekedatt heskythrought he
window,andr ealiz
edi twascl
ear-blue,nos i
gnofr ain
what soev
er.Whatr ain?Thi
scl
ums ypar r
ot!Hannat houghtwhil
e
throwingherselfonbed,andv er
yf as t
,hermindwasf il
ledwi
th
othermi l
li
onthought s.

Sheopenedherbac kpackandt ookherc el

lphoneout
,
i
ntendingtor
e-readthelasttextChrissenther,j
ustt
ofind
anotheronesentfewmi nut
esago.I tread;I
'm onmywayhome,

130
let'
smeetatt helakeinanhour.P.
S,Iwon'tl
eav eunti
lIsee
you.Shef i
nishedreadi
ngandherheartwasracingli
kecrazy
,
butonet hingwasf orsur
e,s
hedidn'tr
egretc
onfessi
ngher
feeli
ngsevent houghshewasverymuc hawareonwhatt o
expect.

Somet imepas sedby ,Hannac ouldn'tcont r

olherner vous
outbur st;butatl as tshemadehermi nd.Wi t
hintenmi nutesshe
appr oachedt hel ake,andf r
om al i
ttl
ef arthershec ouldsee
Chris,seat edont hebenc hwi t
hhi sear phonesonasi fhewas
eternallymar riedt ot hem.Att hatmomentherpul sewentoutof
order ,withal i
ttl
ec olour eds un-raysthathi therey es,she
almos tcoul dn'tmov e.Shes tal
ledf orami nute,asifshewas
aboutt or unaway ,buti mmedi atelybracedher s
elfandmov ed
on.Shef oundhi m qui etlystaringatt hec alm waterwhi le
obvious l
yl i
steningt ohi smel anc holi
cmus icthathes omuc h
l
iked.Wi t houtmak inganyhas tenoi s
e,Hannat ookas eatnextt
o
Chris.Het urnedt oher ,inst
ant ly.

"
Ithought
syouwouldn'
tcome!"Chri
ssnapped,whil
e
r
emov i
ngthepi
ecesf
rom hisear
,wit
hapens i
velook.

"Wel
lyouthoughtwr ong.Her
eIam Chris"Hannarepl
ied,not
asent
husias
ticassheus ual
lyt
alkedwhenaroundhim.He
fr
owned,unpleasantofthecol
dnessinherblue-
grayey
es .

"
HannaI
--"

"
Chr
isI
--
"

Theybothspokeatthesamet i
me,andsur
prisedlyt
heystar
ed
eachother
,thenlaughed.Fors
omer eas
onithelpedtoreduce

131
t
het
ens
ionasChr
iss
ugges
ted,"
Yougof
ir
st!
"

"
Uh--okay!
"Sheagreed,t
hensi
ghed."Well,Iwantedtosay
t
hat...
aboutthethi
ngItol
dyouthatnight
,thatI-
-"shewas
s
tammer i
ng,asifi
twasthehar
desttopict
hant heCalc
ulusthat
s
hedes pi
sed.

"Thatyoul
oveme?"Hehel
pedher,buti
twasmoreofa
moc ker
yconsi
der
ingt
hemischi
evoussmi
rkonthecor
nerofhi
s
l
ips.

"Yes.That .Well,whatI'
mt r
yingtos ayi s
...c any oupr etendI
didn'ts ayanything?Imean,Idon' twantt hingstobet his
awkwar dbetweenus ,Ist
il
lwanty ouasmyf r
iend.I '
lltakec are
ofmyf eeli
ngsand...andt hatkiss,let'
ss ayi twasj us tami stake!
Soc anwef orgetaboutallthat,pleas e?"Shewasgl aringathi m,
andChr iswaspr ettysur
prisedwit hev er y
things hes aid,hewas
almos tdisappointed.Whi l
es t
il
lins hoc k,Hannaadded" Look,I
nevermeantt ol etyoufi
ndoutabouti t,Idon' tev enknowwhat
camei ntomeatt hatday,Idon'twanty outohav eanot her
imageofme... may beI'
m beings hamel essbyas kingy out his,
butpl easedon' tbreakourf r
iendship,y ou' r
emyonl yf ri
end
Chris".Shewai tedf orhi
sreplywhi cht ookal mos tami nute.

"Wow!Thatwas...s
ounexpect
ed!"Hes napped,bef
oreget
ti
ng
up,wi
thHanna'seyesfol
lowi
nghi
m." So,areyoudone?CanI
tal
know?"Heasked,poli
tel
y.

"Sure,goahead"shenodded.Hetookhi
sti
me,paci
ngabi t
,hi
s
onear mf ol
dedacrosshi
schest
,theot
herhol
dinguphischi
n,
thoughtfulofhi
snextmove.Heabrupt
lyr
etur
nedhisgaze

132
t
owar
dsher
,looki
ngathers
oint
ens
ely
.

"Ok ayHanna,f i
rstofall,Idon'tunder
standhowy ouc an
changes oquicklybutI '
llpretendIdo...alt
hough,Irefuseto
pretendy oudidn'tsayany t
hing"hedecl
ared."Andalso,that
kis
swasnev erami s
take,atl eas
tnottome!"Hes aidwithmuc h
sereneands eriousness,t hatmadeHannal eav
et hebench
quicklyands t
oodupherf eet.

"Whatdoest hatsupposetomeanChr is?"Sheques t

ionedhim,
hesi
tantl
y ,herhear
tpoundingev enfasterthanitalr
eadywas .
Withtheirgli
mmer i
ngey esl
ocking,Christookas t
epc loser
,and
cuppedherf acewithhispal
ms .Shes huddered."Chris,whatar
e
you--
"bef oreshecouldaddanot herwor d,hereachedherl i
ps
andkissedhers l
owly,foral
mos tami nutethenpulledaway ,hi
s
handsstil
lonhol dofher.

"Didthatansweryourquesti
on?
"Hel azi
lyasked."
Idon'
tknow
i
fthisiswhattheycalllov
e.Asmyc r
azysist
eralwayss
ays,Imay
bev er
ys martbuty
ets odumbwhenc omestowomen"het old
her,ands hewasasredasat omato,wit
houtleavi
ngbehi
ndthe
shockedlookinherey es.

"
I...
uh...Imean,doest
hismeany
ou-
-"

"I
tmeans ,whatIf eelforyouisspeci
al,s
omet hingI'
venever
fel
tforanyot hergir
lbef or
e.Andit'
smor ethanwhataf ri
end
shouldfeel.Hanna,I'
m notasc ert
ainasyouar ethatit
'sl
ove,
butI'm wil
lingtoexplorewhateverthi
sfeeli
ngmaybe!Cany ou
beal i
ttl
epat i
entwithme?Unt ilI
'm abl
etos ayIloveyoutoo?"
Heas ked,andlikeani di
otHannanoddedf ast.Shewass o

133
happythati
tmat t
eredless
,asl
ongashehadc onfess
edt obe
feeli
ngsomethi
ngmor ethanasi
mplefriends
hip.Herlipsslowl
y
turnedi
ntoas mil
ethatbecamecont
iguous."But,Idon'tt
hinkI
canwaittotast
ethoseli
psagai
n?Canwemakeanexc epti
on?"

"Chr i
s!"Hannat riedtowal kaway ,embarrassed,buti twast oo
l
at es i
ncehegr abbedherandpr essedherbodyagai nsthi
sf i
r m
torso."No,wec an't--
"Onc eagains hewast oolate,he'dalready
takenc ontrolofher ,asifhe'dwaitedforeverforthat.Heki ssed
hert enderlythatshec ouldnolongerresis
thisc harm.Wi t
hher
armsonhi ss houlderss hec l
osedhereyest osavourt he
delici
oust ast
eofhi sli
ps ,t
heones he'ddreamedoff orav ery
l
ongwhi le.Hermi ndwast otall
yoverwhelmedwi t
hs uch
unexpec tedev entthatt ookanewt ur
ninherl i
fe.

Astheys
ay,enjoywhil
eitlast
s.Uponrecal
li
ngtheli
tt
lechat
shehadwithTheresaear
liert
hatday,Hannaimmediatel
y
detac
hedherselffr
om hisarms,l
ookingcomplet
elys
panked
out.

"What ?Youdidn'tli
keit?"Chri
sas kedwi t
has urprisefrom her
reacti
on.Hannar eturnedt othebenc h,unabletoc ontai
nher
uneas i
ness.Heslowlyjoinedher ,thent ookherhandsi nhis
,
wor r
iedthisti
me." I
'ms orry!Ishoul dn'thaveforcedy ouint
oa
kiss
,especial
lysi
nc eI'
m nott oos ur eofmy sel
f!
"

"
NoChr
is.I
t'
snotaboutt
heki
ss"

"
No?Thenwhati
sit
?"

"I
t'
saboutthepromiseImadetoyourmother
!"Shesnapped,
butthatmadehim waymoreconfus
ed.Shegav
ehim allt
he

134
det
ails
,buts
urpri
si
ngl
yhej us
tlaughed."
Yout
hinki
t'
sfunny
?"
Fi
ercel
yshepul
ledherhands.

"
Ofcourseiti
s.Imeanwhydidyoutel
lhers
uchathing?Oh
mymot her
!whenwillsher
eali
zet
hatI'
m nol
ongerhi
slit
tl
eboy
t
hatneedstobelookedaft
er?
"

"
Well,howwoul
dIknowt
hatt
hingswoul
d'v
etur
nedoutt
his
way"

"It
hinkyoumadeahas t
emov e,Imeanaf terconfessi
ng,
shouldn'
tonewaitf
orananswerfir
st?Ididn'tgi
vey ouanyand
yetyoumadey ourownconc
lusi
on!"Hes aid,inareprimandi
ng
way.

"Right
.Rubitonmyf ace!Is
houl
d'v
eknownt hatthemighty
AshtonJrhassomef eel
ingsf
orhi
sfri
end.Howc onveni
ent!
"She
roll
edhereyes,annoyed.

"That'sbecauseshe'snotjustafri
end.She'smybestfr
iend,
Hanna,av eryspeci
algi
rl!
"Hisv oi
cebecamehoar s
ewhi l
etel
li
ng
hert hosemel ti
ngwords,ands heblushed."
Don'tworr
yabout
Ther esa,I
'l
ltakecareofher!She'snotashardasevery
one
thinks!"

"
Yout hi
nkshe'l
lunder
stand?I
'mj
ustamai
d'sdaught
erChr
is,
I
'm notli
keAbigai
l"

"We'l
lfigureitout"Hepul l
edheri nt
oat i
ghthug,andst
ayed
l
ikethatf ormoment s,unti
ltheyreali
zedtheskywasdark,wit
h
t
hes tr
ongwi ndbrushingthetrees.Whil
es t
ari
ngaroundthe
r
aindr opshitthem andi mmedi at
elyitt
urnedint
oaheav yrai
n.

135
"Damn!Wecan'
tmakeitt
othemansi
on,f
oll
owme!"Without
expl
aini
nghegr
abbedherhandandr
untothei
rsec
retden.

"
Doy ouev
enhav
ethekey
s?"Hannas
hout
ed,i
twast
oonoi
sy
al
ready.

"
Let
'ss
ee"hesl
ippedt
hroughhi
spocket
s.Luc
kil
y,hehadt
hem,
t
heyent
eredqui
ckl
yassoonasheopenedthegat
e.

Onceins
ide,theysti
fl
edal augh;r
unni
ngundertherainwasa
hi
lari
ousscenetoignore,theywerebot
hdrenched."
Ic an'
t
beli
eveMariawasright!Shetoldmeitwasgoi
ngtorain"

"Andyouignoredher!"Chri
srepli
ed,heappearedwithanold
toweli
nhishand.Hannaunt iedherwethair
,all
owedt hento
fl
owunderhers houlders
,itgaveherabrandnewl ookthat
almostl
eftChri
s'sj
awont hef l
oor.

"
Doy out
hinkit
'l
lst
opanyti
mes oon?"Sheaskedbutther
ewas
nores
ponse."
Chris-
-Chr
isarey
oul i
steni
ng?"Shesnapped.

"Hah--I'
m nots ur
e!Perhapsitmaytakeawhil
e.Let'
sjustsi
t
andwai t
!"Hes uggest
ed,theyclos
edthedoorandrestedonthe
sofa.Hefigur
edhowdr enchedHannawasanddec i
dedt ohel
p
her.

"Thanky ou"Shes miled.Hestart

eddr yingupherhai randtheir
facesmet .Therewasani r
res
ist
ibl
eat tr
ac t
ion,wi
ththeirgazeon
eachot her.Therewasnomor evoice,exceptoftheirheart
beating,themelodiousr ai
nthatcrackedt heroofandthedes i
re
burninginsidethei
ry oungbodies."Whyar eyoulooki
ngatme

136
l
iket
hat
?"Shemanagedt
omakeas
oundaf
termaki
nganef
for
t.

"Becausey ou'r
es oenchant i
nganduni que!Justlikethef i
rst
ti
meIs awy ouatt heair
port,withy ourhairfalli
ng,y ouwer eso
beautif
ul,untily
ous tart
edt al
king...Isaidhel lno,she' sj
usta
punk!"Hel aughed,ands hes l
appedhi ms of
tly." Okayokay !I
takeitback!Butr eal
ly,I
'm onlythinkingofonet hingrightnow!"
Histonec hangedt oahus kyone.

"What -
-whatisi
t?"Hannaasked,hervoi
ceshaking,wi
thher
hormonesr ac
ingatthespeedofalight
.Sheswall
owedhar d,
feeli
ngthebutter
fl
iesi
nhers t
omac hasChri
sleanedovertoher
face.Shecl
osedhereyesjusttohearawhisperi
nherear .

"Exactlywhaty ou'reimagi ning"het ol

dher ,bef ores t
aring
deeplyintoherey es,withthec l
os i
ngdi stanc e,wi tnes si
ngher
li
pstrembl ing.Hel i
ftedaf ingerands trokedherhai r,whi le
brushinghers ki
ns ofty
.Het henki ssedheratt hec or nerofher
mout h;Itmadeherexhal i
ngaudi bly.Hec ont i
nueds hower i
ng
herwi t
hki sses,andc aressesbeneat hherwetT- shirt.Shes lowl
y
li
eddownont hesofa,whi l
eher unhi shanddownt oher
stomac h,playfull
ywhi l
emaki ngt hemos toft hef al l
ingaudi ence
ofther ainout si
de.Hes t
opped,andonl yc onc ent ratedon
stari
ngather ,whilebrushinghermas s
ivehai rbehi ndherear s.
Shewasgas pi
ng,ands owashe." Idon' twanty out ot hinkI'm
taki
ngadv antageoft hesituationHanna,i fy oudon' twant ,we
cans t
opher e"

"No.Don'
t!
"Sherepl
iedqui
ckl
y,t
her
eac
tionf
orc
edas
mil
e
outofhim."I
'mj
ustalit
tl
escar
ed!
"

137
"
Scar
ed?Why
?"

" Well,i
t'
s--noit'
snot hi
ng!Iwantt obewi thyounow! "She
snappedandpul ledhisfacetokisshim;itwass hewhowasi n
thehur rythisti
me.Wi thouttalki
ngmor e,sheremov edhisshir
t
ands t
aredathisf i
rm bodyinat antal
iz
ingmanner .Thes ame
featuresthatsheus edtos eeduringtheirworkoutrouti
nebut
righttheretheyfeltmor espicyandmagnet ic
.Itwasasi fal
lthe
emot ionsexplodedatonc e,theys oonbecameoneandenj oyed
ther estoftheforbiddendes i
re.

Somet
imel
ater
.

"Ar
ey ouokay?
"Chr
isasked.Theybothwerel
yingont
hefl
oor
matt
ress,c
over
edwit
hthebl anket
,Hanna'
sheadonhi
schest
.

"MorethanIcoul
dev
erbe!
"Sher
epl
ied.Hel
aidas
oftki
sson
herfor
ehead.

"
Wast
haty
ourf
ir
stt
ime?
"Hehes
itant
lyas
ked.

"
No.I
t'
swas
n't
"shej
umpedt
odeny
.

"
Ofc
our
sei
twas
!"

"
Isai
diti
twas
n't
"

"
Fine.ButI'
ms urei
twas
!"Hei
nsi
stedwhi
lel
aughi
ngather
embarrass
edf ac
e.

"
No,itwasn'
t!J
ustwhenwi
llt
hisr
ainend?
"Shedi
ver
tedhi
s
at
tent
ion.

"Idon'
tknow.AndIdon'
tcar
e,i
tcanl
astf
orasl
ongasi
tcan
be.Thatwaywecan...
"

138
"
Don'
tev
ens
tar
tChr
is!I
'm goi
ngt
osl
eep!
"

Itcouldn'tstopr ainingt hatnight,andwhet herint

ent i
onall
yor
not,theys penttheni ghtthere,andi twasfullofpassion.None
ofthet wohadev erf ores i
ghteds uchaday .Thefoll
owi ng
mor ning,whichf eltmor eofac alm aftert
hes tor
m,t herewasa
knockatt hegat e.Itwasal lstr
anges incenooneel seknewof
thei
rs ecrethide-out ,plus,itwasnot hingbutanabandoned
hous e.Hannawast hef i
rs tonetogetup,s hewokeChr isup.

"
Whoc oul
ditbe?"Chri
swondered."Wai
there,I
'l
lgoc
hec
k!"
Hereac
hedforhiscl
othesandshedidthesame.

"
Chr
iswhati
fit
'sy
ourmot
her
?God,I
'ms
odead!
"

"Hey,r
elax!Itc
an'tbeher,andevenifiti
s,I'
l
ltel
lherwhat'
s
goingon!
"Heki ssedherf
or eheadandgavethereassur
ingsmil
e,
whichwas n'
tenoughtocalm hernervesasthebangsoutsi
de
conti
nued.

139
 CHAPTER10
Carol
ynr eali
zedthatChri
sdidn'
tretur
nhomeatni ght
,ev
en
thoughhisc arwasparkedoutsi
de,whichmeantthathedi
dget
homeaf terschool
.WhenTher esaaskedheri
fsheknewwher e
herbrotherwas ,s
hehadt oli
ethathe'dsl
eptoverathi
sfr
iend'
s.

"
Ihat eitwhenhet urnshiscell
phoneof f
,andt hatwithout
i
nformi ngusanythi
ng"Ther es
as napped,sti
lli
nherel egant
ni
ghtr obe.Shewas n'
tagreeablewithherson'ss l
eepingout.
Withoutanyf ur
therargument,shewal kedoutofCar o'sroom.

Onceal one,Carol
yngotdres
sedandquicklyruntotheshar
ing
house.Sheknoc ked t
wicewhenMar i
aopenedt hedoor.I
twas
st
il
lear l
yconsideri
ngtheweatherandthecoloroft
heskywhich
i
ndicatedther ai
nwasn'tov
ery et
.

"
HiCaro!I
'mv
erysor
ryI
'ml
ate,If
orgotSar
ahi
sn'
ther
eand
s
he'st
heonewho--
"

"
Wai
t,NannySar
ahi
snother
e?"Car
oas
ked,al
it
tl
esur
pri
sed.

"Yes
,Iguesswiththatheav
yrain,s
hec oul
dn'
tret
urnl
astni
ght
.
ButI'
ms ureshe'l
lbeheresoon,youknowhowr es
pons
ibles
he
i
s!"Mari
areplied.

"
AndHanna?Whereisshe?
"Abi
thes
itant
ly,Car
oas
ked,a
worr
iedl
ookonherface.

"Pr
obablysl
eepi
ng..."r
epliedMari
a.Carowasalreadyheadi
ng
toHanna'sr
oom justt
ofinditempt
y,sti
llt
idy
-up,asifnoone
usedit
."Huh,wherecoul
ds hebe?Ithoughtshewasin,doyou

140
t
hinkshes
leptout
?"Asal
ways
,Mari
a'si
magi
nat
ions
tar
ted
r
unningwi
ld,hermout
hwideopen.

"Shemus t
'vel
eftearl
y,Ithi
nkshehads omethingtodoi
n
coll
ege!
"Carosaid,whil
eleavi
ngt heroom.I twasmoreofa
diver
gencetodist
racther,however,i
tdidn'tseem t
owork.

Mar
iainsi
sted,"
Idon'
tthinkso.I
'ms
ures
hedi
dn'
tsl
eepi
n,I
meanlookatthebed,i
tsli
ke--
"

"MARIA!Isai
ds helef
tear
ly!Ear
lythi
smorni
ng,geti
t?"Car
o
s
houted,i
nsis
tingl
y,wit
harchedeyebrows
.

"
Ah-
-yes
!Shel
eftear
ly!
"Mar
iagr
innedner
vous
ly.

"
That
'swhatIt
hought
.Now,youbet
tergetreadyandprepare
br
eakf
ast
,youdon'
twantTher
esatoski
ny ouali
ve,doy
ou? "

Ij
usthopeit'
snotwhatI'mt hi
nking,carothoughtasherlegs
l
edheroutsidethemansion.Thegr oundwaswet ,asthe
morningdewfellf
rom t
het r
eebr anches.Sheknewexac t
ly
wheretofi
ndthetwo.

Sher eachedatt helake,andey edthesmallhous efora

mi nute.Sheev entuall
ymadeuphermi ndandwal kedover,t
hen
knoc kedtheoldmet al-
gate.Chri
semer gedfrom insideand
camef acetofacewi thher.Compl et
elydumbs t
ruc k,hefi
xedhis
T-shirtwhichwasappar entl
y,ins
ide-outbutfai
ledt ohidethe
shoc kinhiseyes .

"
Caro?Whatareyoudoingher
e?"Heas
kedhissi
ster
,who
wasn'
ttoohappyt
os eehiminsuc
hamanner,andhec aughton.

141
Heswungt hegetopen." Um--li
stenCaroI
--"waybeforehe
coul
dexplain,s
hebr ushedpasthim andst
artedheadi
nginsi
de.
Hannashowedher selfri
ghtaway.

Shest
oodt
her
e,embar
ras
sed,herpl
ungi
nggaz
etowar
dst
he
s
ibli
ngs.

"
Sothi
sisit
?Huh?"Withacol
dgl ar
e,Caros
napped."
How
c
ouldyou?Imean...t
hisi
soutrageous,y
ouspentt
henight
t
oget
her?Inher
e?"

"Caroplease,wecanexplai
n...
"Hannatri
edtoreas
onwi t
h
her;she'
dnev erseenherasmadass hewasthatmorni
ng,and
forsomer easons
,Hannaunder s
toodher
.

Immediat
ely,Chr
iss
teppedin,runni
ngahandt hr
oughhi
shai
r
andsai
d,"Ithinky
ou'
reoverr
eactingabit
.We'r
egr ownup
adul
tsandwehav en'
tdoneanythingwrongher
e."

"
Chri
s!
"Hannanudgedhim,asawayt
oref
rai
nhi
mfr
om
maki
ngthematt
erworse.

"Exactl
ymypoi nt!You'readul ts,soy oumus tknowv erywell
whatt hewor drespons i
bil
itymeans ...anddon' twor r
ydear
brother,I'
m notplanningoni nt erf
er i
ngwi thyourlitt
leaffai
r,I
j
us thopey ouknowwhaty ou'redoing.Ic amet owar ny ou,
everyonei sl
ookingfory ou,soy oubet t
erhurrybac khome! "
Caros aidtothem,bef oreturninghers l
ippers,butaftertwo
st
epss hehal t
edandadded," May bey ous houldfi
xy ourselv
esa
bi
tmor e,wit
hhowy oul ook,any onec antellwhaty ou'vebeen
upt othewhol enight...I'
ms odi s
appoi ntedChr i
s,andev en
mor einy ouHanna,It houghty ouwer ediffer
ent!"Wi t
ht hose

142
words,Chri
salmostlungedt
owardsher,butHannagrabbedhi
s
wri
st,eventhoughtheremarkdi
dn'tl
eaveherindi
ff
erent.

"Caro,Iknowy oucan'tunderstandusri
ghtnow,butI 'ms ur
e
youwi l
l.It
'sas hamet hatyouthinkil
lofmej ustbec auseofmy
feel
ingsfory ourbrother"Hannas ai
d,handss ti
lll
ockedwi th
Chris'
s,togethertheyexc hangedameani ngfulglanceandt here
wasabeaut ifulspar
klebetweent hetwothem.Car ostaredat
thepair,wr y
ly,andleft.HannalookedupatChr is,"I'
ms ure
Carowass urpri
sed,that'
sall
...Butshe'
sright,whydon' tyoufix
yourT-shirtfi
rst"

"
Thatgoestoyoutoo,It
hinkit
'sbes
tyoutieupthi
sbeauti
ful
hairofyour
s"hepinchedtheti
pofhernose,bef
oreheadi
ngin,
l
ikenewlyweds.

Atear
lyaft
ernoonoft
hes
ameday
,Car
oent
eredherbr
other
's
r
oom withafoodtr
ay.

"
Her eisyourlunch,eatordon't
,it
'supt
oy ou!
"Sheplacedi
t
ontopofhi sbed-s
idetableandturnedhertoes
.Chri
swas
si
tt
ingi nf
rontofhiscomputer,ashewatchedhisf
rowning
si
sterleav
ing.

"Caro...
"hemadeamov ebutshewasst
il
ladamantl
ytr
yingt
o
i
gnor ehim."Car
othat
'senough.Won'
tyouevert
alkt
ome
again?"Herosetohi
sfeet
.

"Andwhynot?Youdowhatyouwant ,can'tIdothesame?I
haveari
ghttosul
ktoo!
"Shebarked.Chrislookedatherf
ora
l
ongwhile,andhi
sli
psst
ret
chedintoirr
es i
sti
blesmil
e.Hi
s

143
s
ist
er'
sli
tt
let
antrum r
emindedhim oft
hei
rchil
dhoods
omehow.
"
Oh,soyouthinkit
'sf
unnynow,don'ty
ou?"Shewasevenmor
e
f
rust
rat
ed.

"Car
ohol don.Pl
eas
e!"Thi
sti
mehegotaholdofherhand.
"I
'ms orry!YouknowI'
dneverhideany
thi
ngfr
om you,not
i
ntentionall
y"hemanagedtoregai
nherat
tent
ion,f
rom t
helook
ofhers t
arryface.

Shes ighed."That'swhatIus etothinkt oo.Buthowc any ou

explainwhatIs awt oday?Withthat,FRIENDofy ours"shes ai
d,
sarcastic
all
y,whi l
es lowlypaci
ngtowar dst hec ouchatthe
cornerofhi sroom.Chr i
sthrewhims elfonbed,andl eanedov er
thepai rofpil
lows ."ChrisI
'm notangrybec auseyouwer e
together,YouknowIl i
keHannaandev eni fy ou'
rereall
ydat i
ng
her,I'
ds uppor tyou...buty oufooledme,y oumadeev eryone
beli
ev ethatyou' r
eonl yfri
ends,andf i
ndingoutl ikethat,Ifel
t
betrayed!"

"Ohl i
t t
lesis
ter,f
orgi
veme.Is wearnoneoft hatwas
prearranged."Hev aguelyexplainedhowt hi
ngshappeneduntil
thei
rr elati
onshipstat
usc hangedi ns uchashorttime,andt
he
reasonwhyt heyspentt henightout ,wit
houtgoingintomuch
detail
s.Car o'
sfaceheightened,asi fthestor
ywass o
exhil
ar ati
ngtotheear s.Shequic kl
yc hangedseatstothe
wheeledof f
icechai
randmov edc l
osertoherbr ot
her.

"No,Ican'
tbeli
evethis
!Isthatwhyyoutwostoppedtal
king
duri
ngexams ?So,t
ellme,otherthanki
ssi
ng,whatel
se
happened?"Caroasked,wit
ht hi
swil
dairt
hatmadeChr i
s
i
mmedi atel
ystandup.

144
 "Um...t
hat--you'l
lhavetoforgi
vemeCaroly
n,Idon' tthi
nk
we'r
ethatcloseenoughf ormet ogi
veyousuchinti
mat edetai
ls
.
I'
my ourbrother,notyourBFF,Okay?
"Hewalkedpas ther,and
reac
hedforaf oodt r
ay.Therewasas mi
rkonhisfacet hat
expres
sedwhathewast hinki
ngatthatmoment.

"Argh!Okay
"s hepouted,di
sappoint
edl
y.Shejumpedtoher
brother'
sbedandl i
eddown,wat c
hinghi
ms ippi
nghisl
ukewarm
tea.Shehadplentyofquesti
ons."Doyouloveher?
"

Thatal
mostchoc
kedhi
m."
Car
o!That
'sonehel
lofaques
tion"
hesnapped.

"Notatal l
,it'sav er ys i
mpl eone.Iknowhowi mpul siveyouc an
getwhens t
ar ti
ngar elations hip,I'
ves eeni twithyourpr evi
ous
girl
sandAbbi et oo,t hepoort hing.ButIdon' twanty out omake
anothermi stake,f orHanna' ss ake,andy ours,becaus eIknow
youwon' tforgi v
ey our selfify ouev erhur ther.So? "Shegav eher
brotherahar dt ime,bec aus ei nrealit
ys hewasr i
ght .Ifanythi
ng
wer etogowr ongi nt hataf fair,i
t'sHannawhowast os uff
er
from it
.Seeinghi m beat i
nghi ms elf
,asifuns ureofwhi chwayt o
take,Caros aid,"Hey ,it'
sal right.Takey ourt i
me,t hinkt hroughit
careful
ly.Ther ehast obec l
ues omewher e,deepi nsidet hat
clueles
shear t!Buti fy ouas kme,It hi
nky ou'
rec r
az yinl ovewith
Hanna!Imean... youev ens haredani ghtwi thhery ounaught y
boy !
"

"Shuti
tCar
o!"Heshout
ed,tr
yingt
ogetri
dofhers
punki
nes
s.
Knowingher
,he'dnev
erheartheendofi
t.

Whi
lel
aughi
ngt
heygoti
nter
rupt
edbyaf
ami
li
ar,y
ets
over
y

145
s
car
yvoi
cebyt
hedoor
.

"YOUSLEPTWI THHER?Thatl it
tl
elowli
feserv
antofagi
rl
?You
Chris
?"Ther
esas napped,hervoiceasc
racki
ngasathunder
,
theybothgl
aredathers urpr
isedly.

****

Backatthesharinghous e,Hannawass itt

ingbes
ideherbed,
veryanxi
ousofwhatwasgoi ngt obenext.Shehuggedherfeet
,
andplacedherc hinontheknees ,whens heheardthebangat
thedoor.Wonder i
ngwhomi ghtbe,s heheadouttoopen,and
cameinc l
osecont actwit
hTher esa,whosefacewasasdarkas
themoonlessnight .Wi
thoutsay i
ngawor d,shesl
appedHanna
hardl
yont heface.

"MOM! "Chr
isshout ed,andwalkedbetweent hem,fol
lowedby
Carol
ynwhos eemedqui tet
erri
fi
ed."Stopthismom!Stop
meddlingwit
hmyl i
fe!Hanna,arey ouokay?"Heturnedtofac
e
her,s
hewass ti
llholdingherlef
tsidecheek.

"
GetoutofhereChri
s t
ian!Don'
tmakemef orgetthatyou'r
e
mydamns on"Theres
as napped,hergaz
ecoldlikeanAt l
anti
c
i
ceberg.Hedidn'
tbat,hewass t
il
lgl
uedtoHanna,ext r
emely
worri
edabouther.

"
GoChr
is,l
eav
eusal
one"Hannaf
inal
lys
poke,al
thought
he

146
contentslef
tChrisal
it
tl
eperpl
exed.Hefrowned,butshe
i
nsisted,thr
oughhereyes,t
hathesowellunderst
ood.Heletout
aresignedsigh,ands
teppedasi
de.Itwasjus
tTheresagl
ari
ngat
her,vici
ousl
y.

"Iknewy ou'
renot hi
ngbutas impleoppor tuni s
t!Buts til
l,I
thoughtforonceIc oul
dt rusty
ouaf t
erwet alkedy esterday.And
whatdi dyoudo?You' r
es uchahooker ,j
ustl i
key ourmot her.
Well,Iguessafruitneverfal
lsfarfrom at ree!"Shes pouted
suchwor dswit
hc ontemptasHannas wallowedhar d,obviousl
y
hurtbyherpiercinginsult
s.Onot herhand,s heknewi twas n't
enti
relywrong,shewaspar t
lyrespons i
blef orsuc har uckus.

"Pl
easema'am,don' ti
nvolvemymot herinthis.Imaybe
everyt
hingyousay,butthere'sonetr uthyoudon' tknow"with
eyesli
ngeri
ngwithtears,shes ai
d."IloveChr is
.Andmaki ng
suchapr omiset
oy ou,wast hewors tmi st
akeofmyl i
fe"she
fi
nall
ygatheredt
hec ouraget otel
lthet ruth,whichinturnmade
Theresaevenmoref uri
ous.

Shepac edov erands ai

d,"Love?Didy oujus tsaylove?Don' t
makemel augh.Youknow,Idon' tunderstandhowy ou
managedt os educemys on...butyou'reapi eceoft rash,notin
amilli
ony earsI'dletsomeonel i
key oubemys on'sgirl
fri
end!"
Theresa'
sf ac
ewasabl az
e,andHannawas n'tindiff
erent.With
herfis
tsc l
enched,s heexhaledsoft
ly,t
r y
ingt oc ontr
olher
nerv
es .

"Well
,that
'sforhimt odeci
de,don'tyouthink?
"Sherepli
ed,
cal
mlywhi l
elookingherintheeyes."Iknowt oyouI
'm notgood
enoughforhim,butc an'
tyoutrytounder s
tandmyfeeli
ngs?

147
You'r
eals
oawomanma' am,I'
m noti
nteres
tedi
nyourf
amil
y
nameoranythi
ng,Ij
ustl
ovehi
m,andIt hi
nkhehasari
ghtt
o
chooseonhi
sown!"

"Don'tyoudar elect
ureme!Remembery ou'reinmyhous e,
andIc ant hrowy ououti nas econd...Listentomegood,y ou
eit
herendt hingswithChr i
sti
an,orgetreadyt oleavet
hishous e
forgood,andt hatincl
udesy ourmot her"Theresasnar
led.Itwas
almostat hreat,andf orsomer easonsItgottoHannaasas li
m
sweatfellhert empo." Oh,andit'snotawar ning,i
t'
sapromi se"
Sheaddedandt urnedaround,whenherey escameacross
Sarah,whowasgl ar i
ngatherl i
keas tat
ue.

"Don'tworr
yTheresa,I'l
lbegladt
oleavet
hishous
e!"She
repl
ied.Ther
ewasas kepti
calr
eact
ionfr
om Ther
esaasthe
unexpectedhappened.

Shequi ckl
yr esumedherc ompos urewitharai
sedeyebrow.
"Great!Whydon' ty
ous t
artpackingthen?Seemsli
kebeinga
tr
ampr unsi nyourblood,orwhat ?Don'tt
ellmeyoudidn't
knowt haty ourdaughterspentthenightwithamanandy et
you'r
es oc alm!"

"Andt hatmani snoneotherthany ourson,who' showol d

again?"Sai dSarah,sarc
asti
cal
ly."Itdoesn'
tmat ter...Ijust
don'tgetwhymydaught erist
heonl yonetobl ame,di ds heput
api l
lonhi sdr i
nkandmadehi ms leepwithher ?"Sarah'swor ds
l
eftalloft hem inshock,evenChri
sandCar owho' djust
returnedwer esurpr
ised.HowandwhenSar ahlearned
everything,nooneknew,may beexc eptMariawhor emained
pens i
veass healsoappeared.

148
 "
Howdar
eyou!
"Theres
afur
ious
lyt
riedt
orai
seahandbuthi
s
s
onqui
ckl
yst
oppedher.

"
Mom pl
eas
e!s
topembar
ras
singy
our
sel
f"Chr
ispl
eadedi
na
l
owvi
ce.

Sarahquipped,"Hus h,Theresa!There'salimitf orev eryt

hing.
Anddon' tworry,Iknowhowc unningy ouare,get t
ingr idofthe
peopley oudon'tli
keisapi eceofc ake"itwast hef ir
s tt
ime
anyones eei
nghers oangr y.ThistimeHannahadt oc al
m her
mot herbuttheeffort
swer ei nvain.Car owasjus tatt hecorner,
feel
ingsoas hamedofhermot her'sscandalthats heal ways
hated."Nokids,yous tepaside.ThisisbetweenTher esaandI ,
yes,THERESA!Why ?Ar eyouof fendedt hatI
'mc all
ingy ouby
yourfirs
tname?

Bewil
dered,Theresas l
ippedoutofhi
sson'
sgri
p,t
henl
aughed
cyni
cal
ly."Ar
ey oudr unkSarah?Howcouldasi
mplemai
d--
You
know,Idon'tcare.You'r
ef i
red!
"

"
Ofc ourse!Sot ypic
alofy ou.Youalway sfi
ndawayt ogetridof
whaty oucan'thandl e!I
sn'tthatwhatyoudi dtoMar ti
n?"
Withoutreali
zing,Sarahs pokeofs omethingforbi
ddenf orquit
e
alongt i
me,somet hi
ngthatar ousedeveryone'scuri
osit
y .

"Shutupyoul ous
ywoman!Howdar eyoument i
ont
hatname?"
Theresabarked,al
readyatSar
ah'sthr
oat.Luc
kil
yChr
iswasthe
mos ti
nter
es t
edoneont hesubjec
t.

Hebutti
nquickl
ywithdi
smay.
"Wai
t,whatareyoutalki
ng
about
?"Heasked,andbot
hladi
eswentsi
lent
."I'
mt al
kingt
o
you?NannySar
ah?Mom?Youment i
onedJohn'sfat
her?Byany

149
chancedoy ouknows omethingaboutthei
rsudden
disappear
ance?"Heturnedtohismot herwhoseemedal i
tt
le
nervous,sounl
ikeher,andthentoSarahwithherpar
tly
-
regretf
ulf
ace.

"NoChr i
s.Butper hapsy ourmot herdoes.Hanna,l et'
sgo"She
bec konedherdaught ertoheadi nafters
t i
rringt
hingsup.Hanna
threwas mallgl
anc eatChr iswhos eemedc omplet
elylost,and
Ther esatookac hanc etos neakawayasi fnoneofi tinvol
ved
her.I nfact
,sheas kedMar i
atotellthedrivertoprepareac ar.

"
Mom,y oucan'
tleav
ewi
thoutexpl
aini
ngt
hings
?Johnwasmy
f
ri
end,s
o- -
"

"Idon'thav eany thingtoexplain!Ifyoudec idedt odef ymeand

hookupwi tht hatl owl i
fe,don'texpectmet os ati
sfyyour
chil
dishtantrums...Idon' towey ouanyexpl anation!Nowi f
you'l
lexcuseme,Ineedanewai r
!"Shes hovedhi m of fand
walkedtot hec ar.Nowor dc ouldexplainChr i
s '
sfac eashe
watchedTher es aleav i
ng.Heal waysstrivedtof indt heanswer
astowhyandwher eJohnandhi sfatherl ef
tthatni ght,andall
ofas udden,hegotagl imps eaboutit,andhewaswi l
li
ngtogo
allt
hewayt of indt het rut
h.

"
Thi
sisn'
tovermom,Ik
nowy
ou'
rehi
dings
omet
hing!
"he
t
houghtoutl
oudl
y.

THATdaybecamethewors
tforal
mos
tever
y one.Itwascraz
y
howthi
ngscouldf
li
pinsuc
has hor
tmoment.Justanightbef
ore,

150
t
heywerehappyasifl
ivedi
naf
air
ywor
ld,andy
eti
tal
lended
l
ikeapas
singshadow.

Hannawasinsi
detheirbbedroom,whenhermot
herst
omped
i
nlikeahur
ric
ane.Sheglaredatherf
orqui
teawhi
lebef
ore
as
kinghert
opackupt heirthi
ngs.

"
What
?Youc
an'
tbes
eri
ousmom!
"Hannas
napped,s
tar
tled.

"OhyesyoungLady ,I'
mv eryser
ious.AndIdon'tt
hinky ou
haveanyrighttocomplain"Sar
ahr epl
iedwithadetermined
l
ook,star
tedtowal kout,
thenhesi
tated."Andonemor ething,
I'
m notgoingtoaskwhaty oudidwheny ousl
eptout.So,you
shoul
dn'tquesti
onmydec i
si
onseither"

Shes oundedl ikeadi f

ferentperson,aresentfulwoman.But
Hannaunder stoodt hatshewashur tanddi sappointed.Stil
l,i
t
wasn'tappeal i
ngf orhertol eavethemans i
on;s hewas n'twi l
li
ng
toendt hi
ngsupwi thChrisbeforetheycouldev enstart.With
herpuz zl
edr eac t
ion,shewander edherhand,s ear
chingf orher
cel
lphonet hatwas n'
tanywher etobef ound.

Aft
errummagi ngev erywhere,s hes uddenl yremember edthat
shemus t'
velef
tittot hesecretden.Abi ts
luggis
hly
,shebr aced
hersel
fandwalkedt othedoor ,justtor eal
izeitwaslockedfrom
outsi
de,obvi
ous l
yhermot her'
sdoi ng.Feeli
ngmor edejec t
ed,
Hannaf el
lonherf eet,tuc
kedupandl eanedonherknees .I
t
wasasi fs
omethinghadpos ses sedherus uall
ywell
-reserved
mother,andherint uit
ionkeptt ell
inghert hatitwasn'tonly
becauseoftheincident,evenSar ah' snightoutwasal it
tle
mysteri
ous.

151
 Shehadt ospendtheres toft
heaf t
ernooni ndoors,andthe
onlythoughtdominatedhermi ndwasherr elati
onshi
pwi t
h
Chriswhichwasatthemomenti nagr eatdanger .And what'
s
worsewast hefactt
hats hewasn'tevenablet otalkhim upunti
l
then.Aft
erthelongwait,fi
nall
ytherewass omeoneatt hedoor,
Mar i
a.Hannawasr el
ievedwhens hes teppedi n.

"
Ohgirl
,Ican'
tbel
iev
eSarahi
sdoingt
his
"mar
ias
ett
ledher
pi
tyi
ngeyesonherasshes
aidthi
s.

"
Howisshe?I
sshes
til
lmadatme?
"Hannaas
ked,af
ter
s
tandi
ngupfas
t.

"Yeah...Sheisn'
ttal
kingtoanyoneappar entl
y.I
'm wor r
ied,
whatifshe'sser
iousaboutleavi
ng?"Wi t
hs uchremark,Hanna
becamemor eperpl
exedandt ense.Leavi
ngwast helastthing
sheneeded." Is
upposey ouhaven'tspokentoChrisyet,OhGod
Idon'tknowwhat '
swr ongwitheveryonetoday.Actual
ly,I'
ve
seenhim awhi l
eagowi th-
-"

"
Wher
e?I
'vegott
omeethi
m.Ri
ghtnow!
"

"
Uh...
okay
.Hewasheadi
ngt
othegar
denand-
-"

"
Pleasecov
er-upformeMar i
a...
Iwon'ttakel
ong"wi
tha
t
hankfuls
mile,Hannarunoff
.Eventhoughther
ewasaworri
ed
l
ookonMar ia'
sfaceasshebi
thernail
.

Sheruntothegar
denasfastasthepaceofherheart
beat,wi
th
abrightsmi
leonherf
ace,whil
edeepinsidepray
ingnotto
bumpi nt
ohermotherwhowas n'
tsofri
endlyt
hen.Inami nut
e
shearri
vedandhersmil
ebroadenedwhens hecaughtagli
mps e

152
ofChris'
sbac katthepav i
li
on.Hes eemedl os
tint henight
clouds
,asi fcountingthes tars.Hannawat chedhim,wi th
sparkl
ingey es;despit
eal lthec har
adeoft hatday,shes ti
llhad
theaudac i
tytowonderi fitwass heonhi smi nd.Shefoundt he
i
deaabs ur dandc razy,buty etthri
ll
ing.Sheshookherheadt o
doaways uchembar rassingt houghtswhi l
eblushingandmade
herwayf orwar ds.

That '
swhens hes awChr iswal ki
ngtot heot hers i
dewher ea
slenderwomanwhos eemedv er yfamiliarwass tandingwi th
crossedar ms .Hes lowl yhuggedherf rom behi ndands hewas
compl etelymel t
ingi nhi sarmsass het urnedar oundand
huggedhi m ev entight er.Hanna' shearts unki nas econd,her
armsdr oppedandev enherf eets tar
tedt rembl ingast hey
mov edbac kwar d.ItwasAbi gail,whenandhows hegotbac kto
themans i
onwas n'tinques t
ionatt het i
me.Theonl ythingin
Hanna' smi ndwast hem t ogetherins uc hintimat epos ture.
Tearsf ellf
rom herey esasi fstabbedi nt hehear t.Itwasa
feeli
ngofbet rayal;ev eni fwhatt hey'
dj us tshar edwas n'tseri
ous,
itsti
llhur t
.

153
 CHAPTER11
"I'
m donepac ki
ng.Wear esti
lll
eaving,ar
en'twe?"Hanna
askedhermot herassoonass her et
urned.Thisti
mes hewas
theoneeagert oleav
et heAshton'
smans i
on.Therewasan
aggress
ivenes
si nhertonethatSarahc oul
dn'tqui
teunders
tand.

"Yes
,firstthi
ngtomor rowmor ning.Didsomet
hinghappen?
Youdon' tlookwell
"Sar ahstaredatheri nagoodwhi l
e,butshe
onlyreceivedsil
ence,inreturn."LookHanna,I'
m notdoingthis
tohurtyoudear ...onthec ontrary,Idon'
twantyoutogethur t
,
yourrel
at i
onshipwi t
hhi m wil
lonl ybri
ngyoupain.Idon'twant
thehist
or ytorepeatits
elf.
"

"Areyousayi
ngthatfrom yourownexperi
enc
e?"Atlastshe'
d
soft
ened,curi
ous
lylookingathermother
,whowasv i
vidly
exhaustedandworn-of
fi nj
ustoneday.

Sar
ahs lowl
ys atnexttoher ,andtookherhandsintohers."
Yes.
Thesekindoflov est
ories,don'thavegoodendi
nghoney .Chri
s
isaverygoodki d,buthismot heris
n't
,andfrom whatIknow,
Ther
esahast heupperhand,s healwaysgetswhatshewant s
!"

Asifment i
oningofhisnames tirr
edHannaup,s he
i
mmedi atelypul l
edawayands toodup,snif
fi
ng."
Don'tworr
y
mot her.We' r
el eavi
ngtomorrowandi t'
sonlybec
auseIwant
to.
"Shegat hereds omecourageandr et
urnedherfacet
olookat
her,thenf orcedas mil
e."I
'm goingtosl
eepnow,goodnight"

Thatwass
omewhatweird.Sar
ahdetect
edsomethi
ngunus
ual
i
nHanna'seyest
hatkeptdi
stur
bingher
,butshegotmi
xedup

154
whenMar
ias
howedupwi
tht
ear
s,beggi
nghert
orec
ons
ider
.

Aspl anned,t heyl eftearlythenextday .Upunt ilthen,they

bothc oul dn'tbel ievewhathadj usthappened.I twasaqui ck
ands uddendec isi
on,andmor epai nfulforHannawhoc ouldn't
stops tari
ngbac kt heclearlyfami l
iarr oadt othel aket hats he
knewbyhear t
.Irresist
ibly,shewi pedawayhert ear sand
swallowedhar d,beforet r
y i
ngt ogets omes l
eepaf teralong
rest
les sni ght.Shewant edtof orgetev erything,es pec i
all
yher
one-sidedl ov ethatf ai
ledmi serably,andmos tlyimpor t
antt he
scenet hatkeptr eplayi
ngi nherhead,ofAbbi ei nChr is'
s
embr ac e.Sar ahl ookedatherf r
om t hef ronts eatoft het axi,
feel
inggui lty.Ins pit
eofal lthec haos ,shef eltstranget hat
Hannanev eras kedwher etheywer egoi ng,asi fs hewasr unning
awaymor et hanv oluntaril
yleav i
ng.

Af
teralongthreehoursdri
ve,thetaxipull
edoveri
nfrontofa
beauti
fulhouseanddr oppedallthei
rlanguages
.Hannawas
completel
ystunnedastheytookof f
.

"
Whyar
ewes
toppi
ngher
emom?
"Shef
inal
lyas
ked.

"Tookyoul ongenough,helpmewi t
ht hebag"Sar ahrepl
ied
whilepushingt hel
argestsui
tcasetotheent ranc
e.Thehous e
wasv er
yqui et,inaquit
es mallnei
ghbor hood,outsi
dethec i
ty,
yetshelookedqui tecomfort
ableandf ami l
iarwit
hi t
.

"
Mom?You'r
enotans weri
ngmyques
tion!Whos
ehous
eis
t
his?
"Hannai
nsi
sted,det
ermined.

"
It'
syourhous
e!"Sar
ahr
epl
ied,ex
haus
tedl
y.Ther
ewasa

155
pause."Yes
.Yourfat
herboughtyouthi
shouse.Now,c
anwego
i
n?"Wi t
houtwait
ingforananswer,s
heopenedthedoorand
walkedin.

"What ?Wai t,myfather?ButIthoughtyouhaven'

tseenhi
mi n
years !Mom? ...Mom? "Shetooktherestoft
hebagsand
fol
lowedher ,despit
ethes i
gnthatshewasn'tupfort
he
discus s
ion."Mom?Hav eyoubeens eei
ngeac hot
herinsec
ret
?
Butf atherismar r
ied,Howc oul
d--"

"Stopi tHanna!Res pectme!Whatar ey ouinsinuat

ing,huh?"
Saraht urnedv ici
ous lyasifshewasaboutt os wall
owheral i
ve,
verypi ssedbyheri ndecentremar k."
Yes,hemanagedt ofi
nd
mes omemont hsagoandof fer
edt hi
shous e,whichIrejec
tedof
cours e,Ididn'twantany t
hingfrom him;Itoldhim wewer efi
ne"
shes lowlyt ookas eatatthenear estmoder ncouch,thoughtf
ul
ashermi nddrift
edaway .

"For
givememother
,Ididn'tmeantooff
endy ou.Iknowwhata
remarkabl
ewomany ouare,I'
msosorry!
"Sincer
elyapol
oget
ic,
Hannaembr ac
edhermotherwhos mil
eds of
tl
y.

"
It'
sokay.MaybeIshoul
dhavet
oldyouaboutt
his
,butIdi
dn'
t
wantyoutogetmixedupint
hesi
tuat
ion"Sar
ahtol
dher
t
enderly
.

Hannanoddedbefor
est
eppi
ngasi
deandasked,"Thenwhat
madeyouc hangey
ourmindt
hen?Aboutt
hehouse!"

"
Ijustthoughtabouti
tcareful
lyandreal
izeditwasjus
tmy
pri
de,becauseyou'r
eentit
ledtohaveanythinghecanoffer
,he'
s
st
il
lyourfatheraf
teral
l,s
oIgav ehim acal
landac c
epted.I

156
didn'tknowwewoul dneedi tsosoon"s herepli
edast heyboth
staredar oundthatshinyli
vingroom." Ihopeyoudon' tr es
ent
mef orseparat
ingyouf rom Chr
is...Ialwaysknewy ouhad
spec ialf
eeli
ngsforhim,andIwasal s
oawar ethatnot hinggood
woul dc omeoutofit "shesuddenlychangedthes ubjec twhic
h
turnedHannav erytense.

"Nomom.Youdi dn'
tseparateus
,itwasonl
yamatterofti
me
beforewepartourways!I
'm gl
adtheti
mingwasper
fect!
"She
repli
ed,v
aguely
.

"
Idon'
tgeti
t,whatdoy
oumean?
"

"Nothi
ng.Canweunpac know?Ialsowantahousetour!God,
i
t'ssonicet
ohavear i
chf atherhuh?
"Shegotupwi t
hextra
enthusi
asmthatl
eftSarahal it
tl
eworri
ed,abouthersudden
changeofatt
it
udetowar dsChris.

****

AttheAs hton'
smans ion,thingswer equit
eov er -
the-
edgewhen
t
heydi scoveredthatHannaandSar ahhadleft.EvenTher esa,
whos eemedent hrall
edaboutt heideaofkicki
ngt hem out,was
ali
tt
letakenabac k.I
twas n'tsuchagoodmor ni ng,especial
ly
f
orChr i
swhoc ouldn'
tutterawor dt hanwalki
ngt ohisr oom
completelydeject
ed.

"Mari
a,forGod'
ss ake!youmus tknowsomet
hing,t
ellme
wheredidtheygo?"Car ol
ynkeptpress
uri
ngMariawithoutany
succ
ess.

157
 "Idon'
tknowCaro,bel
ieveme.Sarahref
usedtot
ellme
anythi
ng.I
'msor
ryIdidn'twar
ny ouaboutit
"sher
eplied.

Caros i
ghedheavi
ly,hert
wohandsonherwai
st,st
il
lconf
used.
"Al
right,y
oucango!Butpleas
e,l
etmeknowinc as
eoneofthem
cal
lsyou.okay?
"

"
Okay
"shenodded.

Thewayev er ythinghappenedwasl ikeabaddr eam inone

nightwhil
ehopi ngt hati
twouldallbefineonc eey esopened.
Caroheads traightt oherbrot
her'sroom ands t
ormedi n
withoutknocking.Sur pri
sedl
y,shefoundhi m busytunedonhis
laptop,wat
chinghi sAlvi
nepisodes.Abitfiercel
y,Shewalked
overandc l
osedt hedoorbehind,befores hoot i
nghim acold
gaze

"
Ser
ious
ly?Wi
thever
ythi
ngthat
'shappeningy
oust
illhav
eti
me
t
owatchyours
tupi
dchipmunks?
"Shes col
dedhiml
ikeababy.

Chrisstar
edathi m wit
har esignedlook,asifhewasleast
i
nter
es t
ed."Caro,I'
m beggingyou,please,leavemealone.Ihad
averyterri
blenightsoIthoughtI '
datleasthaveapeaceful
morningwhi chyou'r
einfactstarti
ngtoruin"heansweredwi t
h
anic
ec oldtoneofv oi
ce.

"OhChris,c
omeonnow...s t
oppr et
endingl
ikeyoudon' tc
are
becauseIknowy oudo.Tel
lme,areyousureHannadi dn'
t
mentionanythi
ngatall
?"Shei
nsis
tedwit
houtr eal
izi
ngthatit
wasmakingmat ter
sevenworseconsi
deri
ngthef r
ownonhi s
face.

158
 "Damni t!thisi ssoannoy ing!Doy ouhav et oment ionher
nameev er ytimewet alk?"Theel ectri
fyingv oicestartl
edCar oas
shes t
eppedas ide.Theangeri nChr is
'sfacewas n'
tnor mal;he
wasus uall
yr es trai
ned" Fine,ifit'
llmakey oul eavemeal oneI'l
l
tel
lyou.Is pentt hewhol eni ghttryingtoc allhers othatwec an
tal
k,Isentherbunc hoft ext sbuts heignor edt hem all.Likean
idi
otIkeptt ryingunt ilherphonewentof f.Andt henIf oundout
theyhavel eft.So,whatdoy ouwantmet odo?Sear cht hewhol e
Lycosforapai rofper fec tl
ynor maladul tswhowi ll
inglydec i
ded
toleave?Ors houl dIgot ot heai rportands topt hepl anei ncase
theydecidet ol eaveforSy dney .Caro,givemeabr eak ,Idon't
carewhoc omesorl eav est hishous efrom nowon,s ogoonand
pestersomeoneel se"hes creamedathernon- st
opt hats he
foundher selfatt heedgeofhi sbed,wi they esopen.

"Uh-
-Okay.Igetit
.I'
ms or r
y !
"Foronc eCarodecidedtogivein,
sheknewhewasv eryhurt,especial
lybecauseitwasas econd
t
imepeoplec l
osetohi m disappearedwithoutsayi
ngany t
hing.
Hewasdevas tat
edwi t
houtknowi nghowt otakei
t."Well
...ar
e
yougoingt
ot akeAbbietot heairportthen?"

"Ofcours
eIwi l
l.She'
staki
nganafter
noonf l
ight.Andpl
ease
tr
yt obenicetoherfortheti
mebeing,she'
sgoi ngthr
ougha
verybadti
me"Atl astt
hepitchofhi
svoiceret
ur nedtonormal
ashec omfort
abl
yc ont
inuedwithhi
scartoon.

"Don'tworr
y.Ican' timagi
nethepai noflosi
ngaf atherbutI
'm
sureshemus tbes ufferi
ng"Caros ai
d,butitwasasifs hewas
tal
kingtoawall,bec auseChri
swasal readymilesawayi nhi
s
ownt hought
sregar dlessofhi
sfixedgazeont hescreen.And

159
obv
ious
lyhewas
n'tt
hinki
ngofAbi
gai
lwho'
djus
tlos
therf
ather
.

Aft
erCar o'sdepart
ure,heimmedi at
elycl
osedthel aptopand
li
edonbed,f aci
ngthec ei
li
ng.Severalquesti
onwer erunningi
n
hisheadwi thoutlet
ti
nghisus ualcalmface.Deepins i
dehewas
hopingt ohearhiscell
phoner i
ngandhears omethingfrom
Hanna,ev enal i
tt
leexcuseforleavinghim wit
houts ayi
ng
goodby e.Butminutespassedandev enhours,yethegot
nothing.

****

AsforHanna,s
het r
iedt ospendherdayproducti
velyby
hel
pinghermothercleaningandar r
angingt
hingsi
nt hei
rnew
homewhi chbyfarwaslikeadr eam.Theyhadabus ymoment
unti
learl
yeveni
ngwhenSar ahmadet hem somenoodles.

"OhthankGod,Iwasstarvi
ng!
"Hannarushedoverand
grabbedherbowlasSar
ahs tar
edatherf
oraf ewseconds
.
"What?Whyareyoulookingatmeli
kethat
?"

Shes mi
rkedandrepl
ied,"
WhathappenedHanna?Iknow
y
ou' r
ehidingsomet
hingandithast
odowi t
hChri
s?"Shefi
nal
ly
t
ac kl
edher.

"Nothi
nghappened.Ionlydec
idedtousemyheadi
nsteadof
myhear t.I
sn'
tthatwhaty
ouwant ed?
"Hannaans
wered,
aggress
ivel
y.

"
ButIt
houghtaf
terwhaty
oubot
hshar
ed,y
ou'
datl
eas
ttr
yto

160
c
allhi
m and-
-"

"Mother,pl
easestop.I'
m al
readyas
hamedofwhatIdi
dsocan
youjust
...notaddtoit?Chri
sandIwerejus
tfri
ends
,what
happenedwas n'
tsupposetohappen"shecr
ied.

"
Buty
oul
ikehi
m mor
ethant
hat
,no?
"

"
Itdoes
n'tmat
ter
.Notany
mor
e"

Withthatthei
rconversati
onended.Asamot her,Sarahfel
ther
daughter'
spain,buthadnoi deaonhowt oc onsoleher.The
ti
met heyspentapart,unabletowatc
hhergr owingup,madei t
hardforthem tohaveani nti
matechat,notevenonc e,andthat
l
eftheralitt
lesadass hewatchedHannawal kingtohernew
bedroom.

Asifhermot her'sques t
ionsrekindledalltheangui sh,Hanna
fel
ltoherbedands t
arteds obbingonc eagain.Itallcameat
once;thes t
ormyni ghtshes har edwithhim,t hekisses,the
promisingwor ds,ev eryt
hingc amebac kt ohermi nd.I twasall
sobeaut i
ful
,shet hought .Buts eeinghimi nAbbie'sar msagain,
underthemoonl ightliketwol onginglovers,wass omet hingshe
couldn'
tforgie.I
v '
llforgetyouChr i
sti
anAs hton,IswearIwi l
l,
shethoughtoutl oudl yandv erydetermineds hegotupand
wipedhert earsaway .

Sever
aldayspassed,t
ryi
ngt
oadjustt
otheirnewli
fe.Wit
h
muc hdif
fi
cul
ties
,Hannamanagedtoli
vethosedayswit
hout
giv
ingmuc hthought
sonthepast
.Butonedays heremember
ed

161
thest
oryaboutt
hatchil
dhoodfri
endofChr
ist
hatc
onnec
ts
Ther
esainsomes t
rangeways.

"Mother,whatreal
lyhappenedt oJohnandhi sfat
her?The
onesyous pokeofwheny ouc onfr
ont edTher
esa?"Hanna
deci
dedtodi gthemy s
tery.Sarahrefusedtoanswer."Ohmom!
It
'sj
ustusher e,i
t'
snotli
keI '
m gonnat el
lanyone,Ican'
tbel
iev
e
youdon'ttrustme"

"Lookwho'stal
king!Aren'
tyout heonehi dingthingsfrom me?
Anyway,it
'salongs t
orybut--
"Sar ahpausedas ec ond,asthey
bothsatcomfortabl
yatt heki
tchenc ounter.Hanna'seyestotal
ly
fi
xedonher ."
Mar ti
nwasaf ami l
ydr i
ver,speci
fi
c al
lyTheresa'
s
si
nc eMr.Asht
oni salwaysawayf rom home"

"
Wait,Marti
nisJohn'sfat
her,r
ight
?"Hannabutti
nandher
mothernodded."Thenwhat ?
"Shewass oeagert
oheart
he
st
oryasifexpec
tingittobethemos tj
uic
yscoop.

"Well
,hewasagoodman,v
eryhardwor
kingandal
l...
but
ther
ewasar umoratt
het
imethathewasinvol
vedwit
h
Theres
a"

"
What?No,Ican'
tpict
urethatt
yrantwomanhav
inganaf
fai
r
wi
tht
hedriver
!Reall
y?"Shechuckl
ed.

"Willyoul
etmef ini
shgirl
?Inevers
aidt
hat...andI
'm nots
ure
i
fit'
st r
ueornot,butwhatI '
ms ur
eofist
hathewasc r
azyfor
her,hewoulddoany t
hingtopl
easethel
ady.AndTheres
aused
thattoheradvantage"

I
twashar
dtoqui
teunder
standwhatSar
ahi
mpl
ied,r
egar
dles
s,

162
Hannawaspat i
entenought olethermot herconti
nuenar rating
thes t
ory .ItappearedthatonedayTher esahadaf i
stquar rel
withherhus band,andtotakeitalloutshetookac aranddr ove
away .That '
swhens heknockeds omeoneov er;for
tunatelyit
wasn'tfat al,alt
houghhes uff
ereds omei nj
uri
es.Surpri
singly,
Mar ti
nt ookt heblame,claiminghewast heonedrivi
ngt hec ar,
hev oluntarilyconfess
edt othepolice.

"
Why ?Doyouthi
nkTheres
amadehi
m doi
t?"Wi
thmuc
h
c
urios
ity
,Hannaquer
ied.

"Maybeormay benot.Peoplei
nlovecandos tupi
dthings
sometimes
.Idon'tknowhow,butJ amesfoundoutandl i
ke
every
oneelse,hestar
tedhavingdoubts
.Every
thinggotsett
led
regar
dingt
heac ci
dent,andthenextday,Mart
inwasf i
red"

"
ByMr
.As
hton?
"

"No.ByTher
esa.Andafterthat
,thingsc
hanged,It
hink
somethi
nghappened,becausetheirmarri
agewasalmostov
er
andJameslef
thomef orav er
ylongt i
me"

"
Gos h!Whatawi t
ch...nowonderMr .Ashtondoesn'
tst
ayat
t
hemans i
onforlong,well
,despi
tehisjob.Andther
eChris
t
hinkshisfat
herisirr
esponsi
ble,howawf ul
!"Hannasai
d,almos
t
s
adly,Saraheyedhers i
deways.

Duri
ngthattime,Hannaandhermot herconti
nuedbonding
well
.Itwasli
kelif
ehadj us
tbegun.Witheachother
'ssuppor
t,
t
hingsweren'tsohard,andsl
owlytheygotusedtotheirs
imple
l
if
e.

163
 Afterr
ec ei
vi
nghers everanc epayfrom Mr .Ashton,Sarah
decideditwasaboutt i
met hats heopenedherowns mall
rest
aurants i
ncec ookingwast heonlythings hewasbes tat.
Hannawasv eryenthus i
as t
icaboutt heidea,especiall
ysinc
et hat
townwaspopul arwitht ouri
s t
s,havingal ocalres
taurantwasa
grandthought.Theyi mmedi atel
ystartedtomakepl ans.

Fewweekspas sedby ,andt herewasnocontac

ttonorfr
om
Chris;Hannatri
eds ohar dtoletgoofhi
m despi
teallt
he
haunt i
ngmemor iesthatkeptherawakeatti
mesi ntheni
ght
.
Event hatonemor ni
ngs hewokeupf eel
ingsoexhaust
edand
rushedt otheki
tchenfors omewat er
.

"
Arey
ouokay
?"Sar
ahwhowasal
readydoi
ngherc
hor
esas
ked.

"
I'
mf i
ne.Ij
ustc
oul
dn'
tsl
eepwel
l"s
her
epl
ied,bef
oreopeni
ng
t
hefri
dge.

"Why?Werey
outhi
nki
ngofs
chool
?Orsomeonenamed
Chri
s?"Sar
aht
eas
edandmadeherfr
own.

"
No.Noneofthem.Ithi
nkI'
m hav
inganupsetst
omach,Iat
e
t
oomuchofthoseshri
mps "s
hesai
dwhiler
ubbinghert
ummy .

"
Iwar
nedy
ou,di
dn'
tI?
"

"
I'
llgoands
leepal
it
tl
emor
e"

"Okay,butdon'ts
leepf
ortool
ong,r
ememberwehav
etoc
hec
k
t
hestoretoday"Sarahs
aid.

Wi
thas
impl
enod,Hannawal
kedbac
ktoherr
oom whens
he

164
suddenl
yfel
tnauseous,s
hequi ckl
yruntothebat
hroom and
thr
ewup.Afterwashi
ngherf ac
e,shestar
edthemirror,s
hewas
paleandweak.What'
swr ongwithme,sheaskedhersel
f.

165
 CHAPTER12
" I
'm offfortheint
er v
iewCaro,seeyoulat er"Chr i
ss ai
dashe
qui c
k l
ywal kedpastthetwoladiesinthedi ni
ngr oom.I twashis
finalinter
v i
ewforthej oboff
erhe'drecei
v edf r
om t hec ompany
he'di nt
ernedbef ore.Itwasmerelyaformal i
tys incehewas
alreadyhi ghlyr
ecommendedt hroughhishar dwor kingandgr eat
résumé.Car ohadtof oll
owhimc onsi
deringt het ension;
Ther esawasf umingmadandChr i
swasleas tinterestedtoeven
lookheri nt heeyes.

"
Chriswai
t...
"Shecall
edhim upandal it
tl
er eluct
antlyhe
c
ompl i
ed."
Yes.Yes
.Yes.I'
mv er
yawaret hatyouf eell
ike
s
trangl
ings
omeoner i
ghtnow,butthatpersoni ssonotme.So
t
ellme,howlongareyouplanni
ngoni gnori
ngmot her
? "

"Unti
lsheacknowledgehermistak
esandapologiz
e.Andwe'
re
nottal
kingaboutthi
sagain!Al
so,Ithi
nkI'
m goingtomove
pret
tysoon...it
'saboutti
meIs t
opbeingTheresa'
spet
"he
snappedinsuchav iol
entmanner.

Car
owincedabi t."
No.I'l
lpret
endIdi
dn'
theart
helastpart
.
Goodluckwithyourinter
view,t
hisc
onv
ers
ati
onisnotover!
"
Shedecl
ared,ser
iously
.

"CaroI-
-"hetr
iedtoadds omethi
ngbutupons eei
nghissi
ster
's
eyesalmostwatery
,hes t
oppedi mmedi atel
y."
I'
llgetgoi
ng"he
saidandpacedtohiscar,leavi
ngherstandingli
keas tat
ue.For
thefir
stt
imeCar ol
ynlookeds odefeat
edands cared,shewas
afrai
dofseei
ngherf amil
ys hatt
eri
ngast heydri
ftedapartsl
owly.

166
Butsheknewshehadtodos omet
hingabouti
t,orel
se
ever
ythi
ngwouldf
allapar
t.

Whi
les
tandi
ngtherefi
dgeti
ng,Mari
ashowedupc
ryi
ng.Car
o
t
ookadeepsi
gh,readytofaceanot
hertr
ial
.

"Okay,letmegues s...y ou'vejustgotr eprimandedbyTher es

a
forthatawfulbreakf
asty oumade"s hes ai
d,whiledryi
ngher
eyesdiscreet
ly.Mari
ac ont i
nueds obbi ng."OhpleaseMar i
astop
i
t!youknowi t'snotyourf aultatall,youwer en'
thiredforthe
cookingandweal lknowt hat .I'
m hav ingsomuc ht odealwit
h
andhav i
ngy ouaddingt oitdoes n'thelpmeatal l
.Look,why
don'tyougoandr es
tabi tandl ateronwec anfi
gureoutabout
l
unc h,huh?"

"
You'r
es oki
ndCarol
yn.Youdon'
tdes
erv
ewhat
'sgoi
ngoni
n
t
hishouse"Mari
arepl
ied,s
nif
fi
ng.

"Iknow.Tooki ndthatI'
m alwaysi
nthemiddleofother'
s
problems .Any
way s
,I'l
lgot al
ktomymother,weneedt ofi
nda
replacementfornannySar ah.Asmuchasi
thur t
s!"Shesmil
ed
bit
terlyandleft
.

Laterint heev eningoft hatday,onceagain,Caroattemptedt

o
reachtoherbr otherafteras i
ngleknocktohisbedroom.She
wasr elentlessatf i
rstbuttookherc hancesandwal kedin.
Christ
ian'sf acedar kenedass oonashisblazingeyesr es
tedon
her.Itwasac oldgaz ethatcouldturnanyonepale,butnotCaro,
shewast oot enac i
ous .

167
 "I
fyou'
vecometogi
vemeoneofy
our
--"hes
neer
sbuts
he
quic
klys
il
encedhi
m wi
thas
mil
e.

"Don'tworrydearbrother,Iwon'tpeekmynosetowher eit
doesn'tbel
ong,notanymor e.Ionlycametoaskaboutyour
i
ntervi
ew!"Shebr ushedpas thi
m andleanedagai
nsttheedgeof
hi
sbed,ar msc r
ossedwi t
has c
rut
iniz
inggaz
e.Hejustscowl
ed
i
ns i
lence."
So,howwasi t
?"

"
Great
!Ihadnodoubtaboutthepos
iti
on.I
'ms
tar
tingon
Monday"herepl
ied,v
aguel
y.

Aft
eralongresi
gnedquietness
,Carol
ynsnapped."
Okay,
Congrat
s!Thatwasal
l"shethrewhim onel
astglance,wi
thout
himfli
nchi
ng,andpouti
nglydecidedtol
eavewhenaquac ky
voi
cefrom hi
m madehers topdead.

"If
oundhercel
lphone.Hanna'
s.Atours
ecr
ethi
deout
"he
announc
ed,st
il
limpassi
ve.

"
Reall
y?Howc omes?"Shequi ckl
yhas tenedtos i
tbesi
dehim,
t
ryi
ngtogr asphisunreadableexpr ess
ion.Hel etoutacyni
cal
s
mi r
k,pretendi
ngtobei ndiff
erent,event houghitwas
i
mpos s
ibletofoolCaro."Thatexplainswhys hec oul
dn'
tgetyour
c
alls
.Aren'tyougoingtodoany thingabouti t?
"

"No.Hernumberisnolongeri
ns er
vic
e,andbesidesshemade
herchoic
e,sof
rom nowon,She'sgoodasdeadt ome.Idon't
wanttohearathingabouther
!"Hestoodupandwal ked
towardsthewi
ndow,bothhandsinhisrippedbl
uejeans,he
seemedtohavelostfewpounds.

168
 Toavoi
dt hemagni t
udeoft hes i
tuat
ion,Carodecidedtot ake
herbrot
her '
ssideands aid,"Youknow,t othi
nkt hatIalway s
l
ikedandbel i
evedshewast her i
ghtgirlf
oryou,itmakesmes o
madather ...So,you'
r eright,s
he'snotwor t
hi t
"herr emar k
madeChr i
slaughabi t,heknewt heexactl
yironbehindt hose
words."
Ithinkt hecr
az yAbbieismuc hbet t
er,speakingofwhi ch.
..anynewsabouther ?"Atl asttheychangedt hesubject
.

"
Ispoketoher
,shewas
n'ts
owel
lbutar
riv
eds
afel
y.Iwi
shI
c
ouldgiv
eherahand"

"Toobadhuh?She'
sat
oughonet
hough,I
'ms
ureShe'
l
lgetout
ofit"

****

Twoday slat erHannawashomeal oneaf teralongnap.Bot h

herment alandphy s
icalhealthwer en' tt
hebes tatthemoment .
Shehadal oti nhermi nd,andwas n'ts okeenons haringher
innermostt orment swi t
hhermot her .Shemadeher s
elfacold
lemonadeands atcomf ortablyattheki t
chenc ounter,herold
laptopatthec ounter-t
op,c hecki
ngherf avouriteculi
naryblog
asaf ai
ntbac kgr oundmus icsuppres sedherdi str
ess.Nottoo
longlater
,Sar ahwal kedi n,smili
ngbr oadlywithherhandf ulof
grocerybags .Hannal ookedupatheri nbewi l
derment .

"
Hass
omet
hinggoodhappenedMr
s.Sar
ah?
"Sheas
ked.

"
Veryhoney.Guesswhat,Imetthiswomanwholi
vesjus
tfew
bl
ocksf
rom here,andshe'
sactual
lylooki
ngf
orapart
nerinher

169
rest
aurant.Ievens awit...it
'ssmallbutverypopul ar
.Hanna
i
t'sever
ythingIdr eamedof ,Ilov
et hispl
ace,andt hepeopl eare
verynic
e.I'ms oexc i
teddear"Sar ahspokesoent husi
as t
ical
ly
whileunpacking,hereyess parkl
ing,andthesightenlight
ened
Hanna.

Shepac edoverandhuggedher ."Ohmom.I t

'ssoniceseei
ng
youhappyandpos i
ti
ve,Ihopeyourdr eam comestrue,because
youdeser v
ethatandmor e"theybot hsmil
ed,beforepull
ing
away,andas uddenwor ri
edexpressionengrossedSarah'
spale,
yetf
airface.Sheobservedhercarefull
y.

"Hanna,areyoureal
lyokaydear ?
"Shequer i
ed,andqui ckl
y
Hannar et
urnedtoherplace,evasi
vely
."Hey,tal
kt ome...y ou
l
ooks i
ck!Nothiswon'
tdo,let'sgetyoutothehos pit
al"s
he
demanded.

"Nomom.I 'mf ine.Ijustwokeup,that'

swhy .AlsoIhav e
somethingtotellyou"s hemanagedt odivergeSarah'sattent
ion
asshenoddedandpr esentedhers
elfmoreat tent
ively.Abit
hesi
tantatfi
rst,Hannadec idedtobreakthenews ."Mom,I '
m
notgoingbackt ocoll
ege"s hest
aredather ,waiti
ngf orthe
reac
tion.

"What ?Ar eyouc razy?Why ?IsthisbecauseofChrisagai

n?"
Sarahas kedwi thoutabr eakinbet ween.Hannarubbedher
sweatypal ms,s caredofhert oucheds ores
pot."Honey,you
can'tthrowawayy ourli
febec aus
eofhi m.Iknowy oulovehim,
andmay bewon' tbeabletof acehim aft
erevery
thing,but
quitt
ings chool?Id- -
"

170
 "
Mom it
'snotbecauseofhi
m,Idohavemyreasons.Iwantt
o
dowhatIreal
lywant,whatmakesmyhear
tbeat
,baking!
"

"
Huh?
"

"Yesmom.Youknowex act
lyhows t
ruggli
ngschoolhasbeen
forme,andf orwhat ,jus
tsoIc anobt ainadegreeandwonder
whatmynexts tepgonnabe?Nomom,Is awhowexc it
edy ou'
ve
beent hesepas tfewday s,gett
ingclosertoyourdream.I tmade
mewonderi fthi si
sr eal
lywhatIwantf ormysel
f,andIc ameto
conclusiont hat,Ionlywantwhat '
sbes tforme"whilefini
shing
thesewor ds ,Hanna' seyeswer etwinkli
ng,asas of
tsighescaped
hers oftli
ps,plunginghergaz edir
ec t
lytohermot her.Thenthe
sil
enc ereigned,moment ar
il
y,beforeSar ahcl
earedherdr y
throat.

"
OkayHanna.Whatc
anIs ay?Seemsli
keyou'
veal
readymade
y
ourdeci
si
on"Sarahs
aid,unabletohi
deherdi
sappoi
ntment
.

"
Mom?
"

"No,it'
salri
ght.I'
m notc omplai
ning-
-wel
l,Ic
an'ts
ayI'
m not
disappoint
ed"s heforcedalaugh."Butift
hatwil
lmakeyou
happy ,t
hengof orit.Li
kewhaty ourfat
herusedtosay
,best
peopleexcelfrom whatt hey'
regoodatandnotwhatmakes
them lookgood.So,Is upportyou"

"OhMr s.Sarah,thankyousomuc h!
"Hannagaveheraquic
k
peckandt heyshar edaloudlaugh.Shethenres
umedher
seri
ousnessass hef ac
edSarah."Um...Igues
sIs houl
dal
sotel
l
youthi
s,I'm goingt ot
alktof
ather!"

171
 "
Yourf
ather
?Why
?"

"Well
...
He'llbemybenef act
or!Anddon'ttr
ytoar guemom,I
knowhowhar d-headedyoucanbebutt hi
sisenti
relyuptome,
I'
llc
onsultauntVictor
iat
os eeheropi
nionont hi
s,butI'
ms ur
e
she'
llbehappy "

Al
thoughthi
swasn'tsopleasantinhermother'
sear
s ,s
he
somehowletoutafaints
mi l
et oshowherfulls
upportwhic
h
wasexact
lywhatHannaneededatt heti
me.

Sev eraldayswentby ,astheys l

owlyc ontinuedgett
ingus edto
thelifeatGr eenhi l
ls
.Wi t
hSar ah'
seas y goingpersonali
ty ,i
t
was n'thar datalltogetac quit
tedwi t
ht heneighbourswhower e
mos tlyfriendly
.Itwasasi fHanna' sfatherknewwhatSar ah
want edashepur chasedthehous e;itwas n'tt
oofancybutqui t
e
agreeabl e.Hannawasabl et ogetapar t-t
imej obatac onv eni
ent
storef ewki l
omet ersfrom home;t hankst ooneoft hef ew
fri
endshermot hermade.Unf ort
unat elyt hereweren'tmany
youthsheragebec auseforonc es her eallyneededaf riend,a
femal eonei fpos si
ble.

Onedays helef
thomeear l
yforwork,itwasquit
eaf ine
Novembermor ning,andtheblues k
yinGr eenhi
ll
s
complimentedit
'sbeauti
fulnatur
ethatwasagr eatattract
ionto
t
het ouri
sts
.Itwasagr owingtownwi t
hapur enaturaltouch.
Hannaar r
ivedatthestoreabitwornout ;s
hehadwal kedl i
kea

172
r
ocketjustsoshewoul
dn'
tgetint
roublewi
thMr.Sc
uba,the
s
toreownerwhowasc omplet
elys
mi t
tenbySar
ahdespi
teher
s
tri
ctreject
ion.

"
HANNA!You'
relateagai
n"Hesnapped,hi
svoi
cer
eal
ly
gr
umpy,hi
spersonali
tyev
engrumpier
.

"Ohpl easeMr.Scuba,i
t'
snoteveneightyet.Besi
des,Iwas
helpingmymot herpr
epari
ngtheac c
ounts!
"Sher epl
ied,whi
le
puttingoffherbrownbackpack
.Shec oul
dalmos tseethebul
ky
bi
g- bel
liedMr.Scubasof
teni
ng,sl
ightl
ytouchinghiscl
ean
mus tache.

"Ohyourmother
?Issheokay?
"Heaskedinal
owvoi
ce.
TOUCHÉ!Hannasmil
ed.Sheknewexac
tlyhowt
odi
sar
mt he
poorman.

"
Yess
ir,t
hanksf
oras
king.CanIgett
owor
know?
".

Thatdaywasf illedwi thas t

rangel onelinessass oonasMr .
Scubal eftthes tor e.Thememor i
esofLy c osflushedl i
kea
summerbr eezeandl efthercompl etelydi s
oriented.Shewas
mis singhi m,sobadl ythanev erbef ore.Shes tartedwonder ing
whati fshe'dc onf rontedChr ist hatnight,anddemandf oran
expl anat i
onatt hel east.Whati fImi sunder st
oodt hewhol e
thi
ng?Butno,i twasc rystal
-cl
ear ,hewasonl yplayi ngme.s he
thought .Tearsc amedownass hes niffedwi thherf aceburied
insideherpal ms .Itwast ooint ens ethats hec ouldn' tsuppress
thes oundofherc ry.Sli
ghtl
yl eaningont hec ount er ,asudden
spikeofadr enal inemadeherf eeltheur gentr us ht ohear
Chr i
s ti
an'sv oi
c e,s hei mmedi atelypi ckedherbr andnews mart

173
phonef rom herbac kpack.Fort
hef i
rstt
imei namont hshe
at
tempt edt ocallhim.Shes l
owlydial
edthef ewdi gi
tssheso
wellremember edbyhear tandaftersev
er albeeps,awarm
huskyvoi c
ef r
om t heotherend,theonet hatmeltedherhearti
n
ablinkans wered;

"
Hello?
"Therewasapause."Chr
ist
ianAs
htonhere,whois
t
his?
"Hequer i
ed,s
oundi
ngs oreser
vedasal
ways.Butthe
s
il
ences t
art
edannoyi
nghim.

Hanna'sbreathingbec ameunev en,s hec onv ul

sed.Feeli
ng
evenmor eindistress,shedr oppedt hec ellphoneont hef l
oor,
handstrembling.Themi xedmemor i
esoft hepas s i
onatenight
theysharedandt hedamnr aidofhi m andAbbi ehuggingmade
herlosethelit
tl
egr ipshewasl ef
t.Shebendedov erandtugged
thephone,beforet urningitoffwithdi ff
iculty.Withhernumb
l
egs,shefellonthef loor,tucki
ngt hem whi l
ebur sti
ngintears,
thetearsshesuppr essedf orawhi le,pretendi ngtobes tr
onger
thanshelooked.

Herheadgotheav y,anot
herdi z
zyspel
ltookherov erand
madehergas pfors omeair.Ihavetogetoutofhere,she
thoughtwhi l
estruggli
ngtomakeamov e.Noc ust
omer
appear edatthatmoment ,sounlikel
ybutHannawast hankf
ul
forthat;thelas
tthingshewant edwasforanyonet oseeherin
thatstate,es
pecial
lywiththewaynewst ravel
ledfasti
nt hat
town.

Abitlat
ers hewasabl
etofeelbett
er,thankstothefresh
outsi
deair.Somethi
ngkepttr
oubli
nghert hough;theforei
gn
changesshekeptexper
ienci
ng;thedizz
iness,t
heloathingand

174
anunneces
saryfat
igue.I
twasal
armi
ngands
odec
idedt
osee
thedoc
tordis
creet
ly.

Intheaft
ernoonoft
hefoll
owingday,s
hewassit
ti
ng
i
mpat i
entl
yatthedoct
or'
soffi
cewhenthesl
enderman,
probabl
yinhisear
lyt
hirt
iesappear
edwiths
omepapersinhi
s
hand.

"WaitedlongMs .Anders
on?"Herefer
redtoHannaashes li
d
i
ntohisc hai
r,undescri
bablel
ookonhisface.Shejustsmil
ed
nervousl
yast hedoctorcl
earedhi
sthroat
,af aints
mirkatthe
cornerofhisli
ps."Well
,Ihaveyourt
estresultshere!
"

Hannatens
edup."Um...
Isi
tser
ious?Am Isi
ckors
omet
hing?
"
Sheaskedhi
m andhesmil
edtohersurpr
ise.

"NotatallMs.Ander
son.Thet
ast
eshowst
haty
ou'
repr
egnant
.
Congrat
ulati
ons!
".

175
 CHAPTER13
"
Pregnant
!"Hannaexc
lai
medl
oudl
y.

"Yes.I
sthereaprobl
em? "Thedoc t
orques t
ionedher,butwit
h
aperfecti
ndif
fer
ence,asifhewasac customedwithdiff
erent
react
ionsfr
om hispat
ients.Des
piteallthat
,hisi
nquir
ingcalm
eyesneverlef
thersunti
lshedecidedt ogetupabruptl
y.

"I -
-"Shes tammer ed,alit
tl
emor econfused,handsf i
dgeting
whi l
etightl
yholdingherpr egnancyresul
ts.Itallcameasa
giganti
cs urpri
sethatnoti nami l
li
onyearshads heimagined
her s
elfpregnant,muc hlessattheageofni neteen."I
'ms orry
,I
thinkIbet t
erleave"Wi t
houtawor dmor e,Hannas t
ormedout
ofhisof f
iceinahur ry.Consider
ingherspeed,t hedoctornever
gotac hanc etosayanot herword.

Uponherar rivalatthes econdhal l

way ,Hannadec idedtot ake
abr eak .Shewasoutofbr eat handherent i
rebodywass haking
asshet ookanot herquickgl anc eatt her es ultsonl ytoc onfi
rm
thati twasr eall
ypos i
ti
ve;s hewasgenui nelypr egnant .Hermi nd
drif
tedi mmedi atelytothedays hes har edapas sionateni ghtto
thef atheroft hatgr owingt hingi nherwomb,t hemanwho
happenedt obenot hi
ngmor et hanherbes tf r
iend,t heonl y
mans he'deverl oved.Ev erythingmat ched,t het imewasper fect,
andwi thnodoubts hewaspr egnant .Shel ong- sighedi nwar dly,
tryi
nghar dt ogetahol dofher s
elf,buti twasl i
keev eryforceof
theuni versewasagai nsther .Herl egsbec amej ell
yandwi thout
anyr es i
s t
ances hewasdownont hef l
oor ,s l
ightlyleaningher
headagai nstthei mmac ulatelywhi tec orridorwal l
.

176
 Thetimef eltinas tands ti
ll
,herey esopenbutunabl etos ee
anyoneexc eptherownt hought s.Whatam Igoi ngtodonow? ,
sheas kedher self
,befor eall
owi nghermi ndt ogobl ankass he
sl
owlyc losedherey es.Likeas oundf rom adi stantfar,s
he
heards omeonec all
ingoutt oher ,andunf amiliarhandsshaking
hershoul ders.Sheopenedhers ens esasi fsplashedbyc old
water.Herey esmetal ongwhi tec oatt hatbloc kedeverything
aroundher ,shec learedherheadwi thas hakeandc l
ear
lys awa
manbes ideher ,sherealizedhewasanot herdoc t
or,abit
youngert hant hepr evi
ousone.

"
Areyouokay
?Cany ougetup?
"Heofferedherhi
shandand
wit
hextr
emediff
icul
tyshemanagedtogetupwithhishel
p.J
ust
t
henshewassurpris
edt oseeanumberofpeopl
estari
ngather
.

"I
--I'
mf i
ne!"Sheti
ght
enedhergr
ipar
oundoneofher
backpackstr
aps,embarr
ass
ed.

"
Arey
ous
ure?
"Mor
ewor
riedt
hist
ime,heas
ked.

"Isai
dI'mfi
ne!"Sherepl
iedloudly,c
ompl et
elyannoyedbut
thedoctorwasstil
lcal
m despit
ehert oneofvoic
e."Thankyou.
Excuseme!"Shetoldhi
m and leftqui
tefast.

Withgreatdealofpoli
teness,t
hedoctoraskedev er
yone
i
ncludingfewpatientst
ogoonwi t
hwhat ev
ert heyweredoing.
Andwhenhewasaboutt oleavehims
elf,hesawHanna' stest
res
ultsont hef
loor,hegrabbedthem,thentriedtocatchup
wit
hher .

I
twasalmostt
oolat
eashearri
vedatthehospi
talexi
t.
Wonder
inghowfas
tshemust'
vebeen,hestoodtherepant
ing,

177
hiseyesscanningt hes ur roundingsuntilhespottedheratone
ofthebenc hesint hepar k.TheGr eenhil
lhospit
alwas n'
tthatbig,
butquiteagreeable;I thadmoder nfacil
it
iesandt hebui l
ding
it
selfwasveryc ont empor ar
y .Nevertoment i
ont henat ural
greenvegetati
onwhi chr epr esent
edt hebeautyofGr eenhil
lin
general
.Onec oul dnev ers t
opadmi ringthecoll
ec ti
onof
peculi
arshapedhi ghlandsf rom adi st
anceandt heai rwass o
cl
eanands oothing.May bet hat'
swhatHannaneededatt he
momentwhent hedoc torappr oachedher .

"Damn!Ar eyouanat hlet

ebyanyc hanc e?"Heannounc edhis
presenceinthatway.Butunfortunatel
yhi saudiencewasleast
i
mpr essedbyhisarrival
.Hannas hoothim ac ol
dgl ar
e."Well
,I
supposethisisyours!
"her ev
ealedthepaper sandHanna' sfi
rst
reacti
onwast osearchhersel
fbefores natchi
ngt hem,wit
hout
utter
ingawor d."Don'tIgetathanks?"Her eproached.

"Thanky ou"Hannar epli

ed,asi fforcedtoc ompl y.Shes l
id
them insideherbag,befor es hift
ingattentiont ot hedoc t
or.She
noticedhowt allandwellpr opor ti
onedhi sbodywas ;hewas
admi tt
edlyhands ome,probabl yt hemos tbr eat htaki
ngman
she'dev ermet.Hehadbes tf eaturesenought odr i
veany
womanc r
azy,butthatwas n'timpor tantforheratal l,asher
headwast oooc cupi
edtodwel lons uc hmat t ers.Hewasl ooking
atherwhi l
erubbinghiscleanc uthairedc hin,ashi sotherhand
burieddeepi nsidethepoc ketofhi smedi cal-c oat.

"
Ist
hatthereasonwhyyou'
resohy
ster
ical
?Thet
estr
esul
ts?
"
Hefi
nal
lyquenchedhi
scuri
osi
ty.

"
No.Ther
esul
tsar
enotmi
ne!
"Hannar
epl
iedwi
thoutt
hinki
ng,

178
al
mos
ttooqui
ck.

"
Alri
ght!Youdon'
tneedt
obi
teme!
"Her
ais
edhi
shandsi
nthe
ai
r,asifsurr
ender
ing.

"AndI
'm nothy
ster
ical
.What
'swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
"Annoy
ed,s
he
gotup.

"
Arey
oul
eav
ingal
ready
?"

"
Yes
.DoIneedy
ourper
mis
sion?
"

"
No.
"

"Wellt
hen..."shesnappedathi
m,wi
thac
yni
csmi
rkt
hist
ime
andturnedherfeet
.

F
ews
econdsl
aters
hehear
dhi
m;

"
HannaAnder
son?
"Hec
all
edaf
terher
.

"
Whatnow?
"Shes
tar
edbac
kathi
m ev
enmor
eannoy
ed.

"Ever
ythingwil
lbefine.Don' tworry!"Hes ai
dloudl y,abr i
ght
smileonhi sf
ace.Hethenwav edatherandwal kedaway ,
l
eavinghers t
andingthere,nol ongerannoy ed,butr ather
fasc
inatedbythosefewwor dss pokenbyt hatstrangedoc tor;
thewordss heprobablywant edt ohears obadly.Notawhi le
l
ongerherf acechanged,whens her eal
izedthathe'dj ustcall
ed
hername,whi chmeantheknewev eryt
hing.

Hannar
etur
nedhomelat
ethatni
ght;s
he'
ds pentt
heres
tof
t
hedaywalki
ngai
mles
slyunt
ilt
heskyswal
lowedthesun.

179
Lucki
lyhermotherwasfas
tasleepass hewalkedi
ntoher
bedroom andhadaterr
ibl
enightafter.Shewokeupatusual
ti
me,thenextdayandfoundSar ahalr
eadyinthemiddl
eofher
routi
ne.

"Teaorcof
fee?"Shes
nappedatherasi
fshehadeyesather
backcons
ideri
ngHanna'sdi
scr
eti
onwhil
eenter
ingt
hekitc
hen.

"
Teapl
eas
e.Goodmor
ningmom"s
her
epl
iedl
azi
ly.

"Morni
ng.Youreturnedhomel atel
astnight,wher
ewereyou?
Mr.Scubasaidyouleftear
ly"Sarahqueri
edwhi l
ehandi
nghera
t
eamugwi t
houtanyey econtact
.Multi
taski
ngwasherspec
iali
ty,
shebarel
ylookedany onei
nt heeyesatsuchamoment .

"Nowherespeci
fi
c,Ijustr
oamedar ound"shesai
d,vaguel
y,
whil
emas sagi
nghert empo.Itwasthenwhenhermot her
pl
acedherapl at
efullofscr
ambledeggsandfreshtoast
.She
hadasingl
emout hfulandgrimacedaudibl
y.

"What
?DidIputtoomuc hsal
t?"Sarahrus
hedoverandhad
some."
Ithi
nkit
'sfi
ne,thenwhyar e-
-"shet
riedt
oaskherbut
Hannadodgedherupcomingbombar dment.

"Mom I 'm gett

inglate...I
'l
ljustpackmybreakfastandhaveit
lat
eratt hes t
ore.Youknowhowt hatol
dmani s"sheat t
empted
tofoolhermot herandi twass omewhatef
fect
ive."I'
llj
ustdr
ink
myt ea"s hesmi l
eds heepis
hly,butther
ewasahi ntofdoubtin
Sarah'sey es.

"
Okay
.I'
l
lpackitf
oryou,getr
eadyf
orwor
k!"Sar
ahs
aidbef
ore
r
esumi
ngherdis
hes.

180
 "
Okay
.Thanky
ou"s
heans
wer
ed.

Af
terchangingqui
ckl
y,Hannagrabbedherthi
ngs
,inc
ludi
ng
f
ewbr owniesandbidhermothergoodbye.

"What 'swit
hthebr owni
es?Ithoughtyouneverli
kedt
hem,
especiallyt
heoney oubakedy our
self
"Sarahr
aisedthe
surpri
s edeyebrows,unablet
ounder st
andsomethingt
hats
he
couldn'tquitef
igur
eout .

"Oh,thes
e--I
'mjusttaki
ngt hem asasample.IaskedMr .
ScubaifIcoul
dsellt
hem inthes tor
e"Withoutknowing,shewas
slowl
ybecomingapr ofes
sionall
iarinj
ustfewmi nutes
;shewas
tensebutperf
ect
lycompos edintheoutsi
de.

"Real
ly?That
'sgood!Ionl
ythinkyouc
oul
dus
esomef
res
h
ones,butanyway,it
'suptoyou".

Atl astthemor ningpas s

ed,thoughwi thsuchahas sle.During
wor kinghour satt hestore,Hannawasanxi oust hewhol etime;
event hedist
racti
ngnaggi ngofMr .Scubawas n'
tenought o
diver gehertension.Themi xtur
eoff ear,anxietyandmos tl
y
restlessnessmadeherf eelevenmor eterribl
e.Sheneeded
someonet ot al
kt o,buthermot herwast heonl yones hehad,
andt heideaoftel l
ingherev erythi
ngwas n'therbes toptionat
themoment .Shec ouldonl yimaginehowdi s
appoi ntedher
mot herwoul dbe.

Thatwentonforthr
eedays.Shemadeitpos
sibl
et ost
ayaway
f
rom hermotherforasl
ongass hecoul
d.OnSaturdaymorni
ng,
t
hef our
thday,shewasbus
ypr epar
ingaweekl
ys al
esrepor
t

181
whenac
ust
omerappear
ed.

"
Onegi
ngert
oni
cpl
eas
e"hes
aid.

"
Jus
tasecond"Hannarepl
ied.Shef
inis
hedherent
ryont
he
c
omputerandrai
sedherhead.Surpr
isedly
,shemut
ter
edl
oudl
y,
"
You?"

Al
it
tl
estar
tled,themanwhoseemedbusywi t
hhiscel
lphonea
s
econdagostaredather
,bewil
der
edandexclaimedi
nt he
s
imil
armanner" You!
"Hesmil
ed."
Hanna,r
ight?"Headded.

"Yes...Doc
torSt
range?
"Sher
emar
ked,andmadehi
mlaugh
audibly.

"
Doc t
orStrange?Well
,Idon'
tknowifIs
houl
dbef
lat
ter
edor
of
fended,butI'l
ltakei
tasacompli
ment"

"
It'
snotac
ompl
iment
,dummy
!"Shemur
mur
ed.

"Iheardthat!
"Hes ai
d,st
il
llaughi
ng,asHannaret
urnedwit
h
hisdri
nk,pretendi
ngli
keshe'dheardnothi
ng."Whatanic
e
coinc
idence!So,youworkhere?"

"
Obv
ious
ly!Whyel
sewoul
dIbeher
e?"

"
Yeah.St
il
lhy
ster
ical
!Doy
ouev
erqui
t?"

"HeystopsayingI'm hyst
eric
al!Youmakemes oundl i
kea
mentalpati
ent"shepout ed,stari
ngathim drinkinghisginger
toni
cwithmuc hc almness.Seeinghiminaf reshmor ninglight
,
hewasev enmor eat t
ract
ive;casual
lydressedinkhakipant s
withaRoyalblues hir
t,helookedmor elikeafashionmodel
thanaphy s
ici
an.Andwhenhes mil
ed,t
hewhol eworldturned

182
i
ntoabeaut
if
ulParadi
se.Hannac l
ear
edherthr
oatand
c
onti
nued,"
Andy ou?Whatbringsyouher
e?"

Het
ookhi
sti
met
orepl
y,"
Ili
vear
oundher
e.Thewhi
tehous
e"

"
Thatbi
gboar
dinghous
e?"

"
Exact
ly!Pl
easegi
vemet womor etogo"herequest
edfor
morebottl
es,andi
nles
sthanami nuteHannaretur
nedwithhi
s
or
der.Heopenedhiswall
etreadytopay.Hannadecl
ined.

"It
'sal
lonme! "Shesai
dcasuall
y .Itmadehimr ai
sean
eyebrow,unti
lsheadded"Consideritasathanksandapol
ogy
formyhy st
eri
aDr .Mart
in!
"Shef oundhersel
fsmili
ngathi
m
andhej oi
nedheramomentl ater .

"Ok
ay.Apol
ogyaccept
ed!But
,howdoy
ouknowmyname?I
don'
trec
allt
ell
ingy
outhat"

"
Oh,soyouthinkyou'
ret
heonl
ysmartone?Okay,i
fiteas
es
y
ourcuri
osi
ty,Isawanametagonyourcoat
.Happy?"

"
Ah.Thatexplai
nsit
.Act
uall
yI'
mJohn,J
ohnMar
tin"he
pr
operl
yintroducedhims
elf
.

"Asy
oual r
eadyk
now...HannaAnder
son!
"Sher
epl
iedwi
tha
handshake.

Theyl
ockedey
esf
orami
nut
e,wi
ths
mil
ingf
aces
.

"Wel
lms.Anders
on,I'l
ltakemyl eav
enow.Ihopeyou'
ref
ine,I
meanyouand-
-"hisgazefellt
ohers t
omac
hands he
i
mmediatel
ypl
acedahandoni t.

"
Oh,y
eah.We'
ref
ine"s
hes
aid,t
henr
eal
iz
edhowawkwar
d

183
t
hatfel
t.We'
ref
ine?Ic
an'
tbel
iev
edI
'vej
usts
aidt
hat
,she
t
hought.

"OhthankGod!Iwass owor r
ied!"Johnsnapped,wi t
hahuge
si
ghofr el
iefthatalmostl
eftHannadumbs tr
uc k.Henot ed."Oh
I'
ms orry...Thatjusts
oundedwei r
dr i
ght?It
'sjustIthought
youhav e-
-youknow,y oudidn'tseem happywi thther esul
tsso
Ithoughtmay be--
"

"Yout houghtI'
doptforanabor t
ion?"Hannaas kedplainl
yand
hes hookhisheadagreeably."No,thatneverocc
ur redtome,
notev enonc e"s
hesaid,absentmindedly,deepi
ns i
de
wonder ingwhyitnevercros
s edhermi nd.

"That'
sgood.Okay ,I
'l
lgetgoingnow.SeeyouaroundHanna,
anddon' tfor
gett
os eeadoc tor,i
t'
sver
yimport
ant"hesai
dand
disappearedasquickashec ame.Butsurel
y,hi
svisi
thadl
eft
herwi t
hal ottot
hinkof.

****

BackinLy cos,ChrisescortedAbbi ebacktothemans ionaft

er
herlongt ri
pfrom Johannes bur g.Shes eemedpr et
tymuc hokay
foraper sonwho' djustl
os taf ather ;s
hewasindeedas t
rong
gir
l.Asalway s
,Ther esawasdel ightedtoseeher,theyhugged
ands ettl
edatt helounge.Des pit ethetimepassed,her
rel
ationshipwithherbel oveds onwas n'tr
est
oredbac kto
normal ;t
herewass omet ensionl ef
t.

"
Don'
ttel
lmehe'
sst
il
lmadaty
ouaunt
?"Sai
dAbbi
e,

184
conc
erned."
Butdon'twor
ry,nowt
hatI
'm her
e,ev
ery
thi
ngwi
ll
befi
ne"shereas
suredher
.

"
OhDar l
ing.Youreall
yli
kemys on,don'
ty ou?Thenthi
sisyour
t
ime.Nowt hatthegolddiggerisgone,Nothingcanst
opy ou.
I
t'
llmakemes ohappyknowi ngmys oniswi t
hyouandnot
s
omec heaplitt
leser
vant"Theresasaid,s
piteful
ly.

"Doy
outhi
nkHannawoul
dret
urn?We'
rei
nthes
amec
oll
ege
r
emember
?"

"Well
,Idon'
tknow.Butwhoc ar
es?Mys onhateshernowand
besi
desshe--
"Theres
astoppedhalf
way,andlookedover
Abbi
e'sshoul
der,t
henheard;

"Ohwel lwel
lwel
l...ifit
'snotmyt wosuperv
ill
ainst
henwhat
elsedowehav ehere?"Car ol
ynsnappedoutofnowherewi
tha
fakelaugh."
So,whatar eyouplott
ingnow?"

"Canyouatl eastpret
endt ohavesomemannersdaught
er?
Eavesdroppingissoinappropri
ate!
"Ther
esas
aid,gr
acef
ull
yas
Abigai
llookedaway ,si
ghing.

"Ohwhatapit
y!I
'msorr
ymom,per hapsyous hould'
vet
aught
mebetter
"sheanswer
eds ar
cast
ical
ly."
Abbie,welcomeback!
AndI'
m deepl
ysor
ryforyourlos
s"

"ThankyouCar
o.May
bethisi
sthef
ir
stgenui
net
hingy
ou'
ve
eversai
dtome"sher
epl
ied.

"Ohdear,I
'm nots
owellaccus
tomedt oironi
es.ButI
'm gl
ad
youbeli
evethi
sone,exc
usemel adies"shesmil
edatthem
befor
eproceedingt
oherusualescapades.

185
 Lat
eratni
ght
,Abbies
neakedi
ntoChr
ist
ian'
sroom when
ever
yonewasasl
eep.

"Whatisi
tAbbie?I
t'sl
ate,aren'
tyousupposedtoberesti
ng?
"
Chrisj
umpedass helockedthedoorinacert
ainmischi
ef.Her
atti
rewasrat
herdist
urbingconsi
deri
ngitwasjustt
hetwoof
them al
one,l
ockedinhisbedroom.Hes t
rai
ghtenedup
cauti
ousl
y.

"
Weneedtot
alkChri
s.Rightnow!"Sheexc
lai
med,det
ermi
ned
t
omakehimli
stenwhatev
ers hehadtosay.

Abi
trel
axed,het
ookalongbreat
h."
Okay,I
'ml
is
teni
ng,what
's
s
oimportantt
hatcan'
twai
tti
llt
omorr
ow?"

"
It'
saboutus
!"

"Us?Okay,I
'm allear
s"Hes aid.Shet i
ptoedcl
oserands at
besi
dehim,withherr eveal
ings i
lkynightgown;I
twasal most
hardforChri
stolethims el
fcalm down." Wait
,putthisonfi
rst
"
hehandedherhi slongCardigant hatwaslyi
ngonhi sbedsi
de.

"Why ?DoImakey ouuncomfortabl

ebyanyc hance?"Likea
cl
uelessl i
tt
leteenager,s
hedar edaskinghim,buthenever
answer ed."Ohpleas est
opbeingbar bari
c!I
'mfinel
ikethis.AsI
wass aying,Iknowhowy oufeelaft
erbeinghurtbyHannabut -
-"

"STOP!"Hes nappedmadly."I
fy oucameal lthewayher eto
discussaboutmyf eel
ingsf
orHanna,y oubet t
erleavewithall
duer espect
.That'
smyownmat terandI'm notdiscussi
ngitwith
anyone.Notev enyou"hes t
res
sedi namos ts er
ioustoneofhis

186
v
oic
e,s
car
yev
en.

"Relax!I
'ms orr
y...Inev ermeanttosti
ryouli
kethi
s"shetold
hi
mi nav er
ys of
tmanner ,andforonceshemanagedt omake
hi
mr el
axashes l
owlyleanedbackagainsthi
spil
lowmountain.
"We'llt
alkonlyaboutus .Chri
s,Iwantyouback!
"Shesnapped
st
raightathisface,ey
esf i
xedonhi m.

"
AbbieI-
-"wi
thoutgivi
nghim achancetoproc
eed,shejumped
onhisl
apandfoundt hemsel
vesonlyacenti
meterapar
t."Abbi
e
whatdoyouthi
nky ou'r
e--
"

"Shh!Nomor etalking!"Sheplacedheri ndexonhi sli

ps,st
aring
athims ointentl
y." Letmel oveyouChr i
sti
an! "Wi t
ht hatnoti
on
sheat tackedhiml ikeahungr yli
on,kissi
nghi sl i
pss o
voluptuous l
y.Ittookhi m byahuges urprise;theAbbi ei
nhis
armswasmor es educ t
ivethanhe'devert hought ,mor eofa
volcano,s omethingc ompl etel
ydiff
erentf rom thewomani nhis
hear t
,Hanna.Hi smi nds hi
ftedtothatnight ,her emember ed
herinhi sarms ,hert remblingbody ,hows c areds hewast oeven
l
ookathi m.Her ec alledhowc ontentedhef eltknowi nghewas
thef i
rstmani nherl i
fe.Whenhi ssens escamet ol i
ght,Abbie
wass tari
ngathi m,hal f-
annoyed.

"What'
swr ongChr i
s?I
fyoudon'tl
ikei
tIc
anjustl
eav
e!"She
snapped,angri
ly.Thenatt
emptedtodoassai
d,whenhe
grabbedherwr i
st.

"
NoAbbie!Pleas
est
ay!
"Hes
aidi
nahoar
sev
oic
e,det
ermi
ned
t
olethi
mselfgo.

187
 CHAPTER14
"Goodmorni
ngfamily
!"Wit
hgreatenthusi
asm,Abi gai
lgreet
ed
every
oneasshedesc
endedthefews t
airst
ot hediningroom
wherether
estift
hefamil
ywashavingbreakfastpreparedby
thenewCook.Shewasapparent
lyi
nherbes tmood.

"Oh,s eemsl ikesomeonewokeupont herightsi

deoft hebed.
Goodmor ningtoy out ooAbbi e."Carorepl
ied,andf ound
herselfglaredbyt hreepai rsofey es,ali
tt
lereproachingl
y.She
shrugged," Fi
ne!I'
mt hebl ac
ks heep.Butasmuc hasI 'dli
keto
knowwhat '
ss ogoodaboutt hisbor i
ngmor ning,I
'vegotapl ac
e
tobe.SoI '
llseeyoul ater,FAMI LY!"Shesmiledarchlybefore
rushingout .

Abbierol
ledherey
esandmut
ter
ed,"
Ijus
twonderwhatIev
er
didtoher"
.

"Forgetitdarli
ng,s
he'sli
ket hatt oeveryone.Howdi dy ou
sl
eep? "Theresaasked.Asus uals hewasal readytooelegantf or
as i
mpl emor ningwit
hnowher etogo,wi thherf orkdeli
cately
holdingapi eceoffr
eshpineappl e,s heplaceditdownt hepl ate
asifshehadhadherf ull
,thens lowl yrunherper f
ectl
y
mani curedhandt ofi
ndanapki nt hatsheus edas ec
ondl ater.

"Verywellaunt,thanksforas ki
ng!"
sherepli
edwithasmil
e
beforeshif
tingherentireat t
enti
ontoChr i
swhowasj us
t
li
steni
ngins il
ence."Andy ouChr i
sti
an,howwasy ourni
ght
?"
Shebr eakitplay
full
y,maki nghim al
mos tchokehi
scoff
ee.

"
Fine!
"Her
epl
iedbl
atant
ly,andwi
thoutanyf
urt
heradi
eu,he

188
excusedhims
elf;I
twasti
meforwor
k.Abbie'
seyes,f
il
ledwitha
mischiev
oussparkl
enev
erlef
thi
sbackashelef
tthedining-
room.

"
DidsomethingIshoul
dknowhappen?Whydi
dmys
ons
eem
s
of l
ust
ered?
"Theresaasked,v
eryc
uri
ousl
y.

"Ever
ythinghappenedaunt!Fors
tart
ers,I
'm nolongera
fr
eshman,Sophomor e,her
eIc ome!Howaboutwegos hoppi
ng
aunt?Whoknows ,maybeI
'l
lgiveyouthedetail
s"shesaid,
suggest
ively
.

"
Whynot ?Youreall
yremindmeofmy
sel
f.Sopr
act
ical
.Let
'sgo,
I
'vegotnothi
ngplannedforaday
"

"
Onl yify
oupromi
seyouwon'
tactl
ikemymot her
.Li
vingi
nthe
Natalhasmadeherev
enmoreconservat
ive"

Wit
hthat,t
heybothlaughedl
oudly.Ev
identl
y,Ther
esali
ked
Abbi
ec ompl
etely
,shewaswill
ingt
odoany thi
ngt oseeherend
upwithChri
sti
an.

Thefol
lowi
ngday,duringeveni
ngAbigai
landCarolyn
conf
rontedoneanother.I
twasinevi
tabl
econsideri
ngthatt
hey
weretheonlyonesi
nt hedini
ngtabl
efordinner.

"So,y ouwantt otal

k?Fi
ne!Let'
stal
k "Caros napped,butthe
hos ti
li
tyairbetweenthem wasli
keas mal lhalti
naBat tl
efiel
d.
"ButI '
llgofi
rst.Abbi
e,Iwon'tbesubtleatal l
...
Isti
lldon'
t
believey ou'
reagoodmat chformybr ot
her!Idon'tknowwhy ,I
j
us tfeelitwil
lneverwork!
"Shepaus ed.Sur pri
si
ngly,Abbi
ewas

189
v
erys
ereneandc
ompos
ed,unl
ikeherus
ualr
epul
si
ves
elf
.

"Goon,I'
ml is
teni
ng"Abbi
esai
d,andheraudi
enc
ebr
eat
hed
outalongsigh.

"
Butdes pit
eal lt
hat,IpromisedI'
llnev
er,ev
eragainmeddl
ein
mybr ot
her'slovelif
e.So,ify
out wodecidest
ostar
ta
r
elat
ionship,i
t'supt oyou"

"
Whati
fIt
elly
out
hatwehav
eal
readys
tar
ted?Las
tni
ght
?"

"
Iknow!
"

"
Youdo?
"

"Yes,nothingpas sesmei nthi

shouse.Isawyous neakingout
hisroom ear li
erinthemor ni
ng"CarolookedAbbiestraightto
herbewi l
der edface,foronceitmadeherlaughgenuinely."You
should'v
es eeny ourface!Youlookl
ikeatrappedsquirrel"

B" As quirrel?"Shet ouchedherf aceasi fconfirmingCaro's

accusations .Andt histimet heybothl aughed."LookCar o,Igetit
.
.. I
'm har dt odealwi t
h,abr atmay be,evens elf
ish,butIreall
y
l
ov eChr is.AndI 'l
ldoev er
ythingtomakehi ml ovemebac k.I
'm
notas kingy out olikeme,Ionl yhopewec anhav eac iv
il
rel
ations hip."Ar esignedsilencefel
l,andamomentl aterCaro
repli
ed.

"You'
reri
ght
.We'r
etwogr
ownwomen,l i
vinginthesame
house,andgotot
hesamecol
lege.I
t'
sonl
yf ai
rthatwetr
ytoget
al
ong."

190
 ****

Hannawascl
osingastor
ef oradaywhens heheardsomeone
cal
li
nghername.Thevoic
es oundedal
mostf amil
iart
oherear
s
asshetur
nedaroundands awJohn,al
lsmi
ley .

"Hithere?I'
ms ogladyou'rest
il
lhere"hesnapped.Evenin
part
ialdarknesshi
sf eat
uresneverdecei
ved,hesteppedtothe
l
ightholdingsomethingli
keagiftbasket
.

"Hey!Hi
...
"Sherepl
ied,ali
tt
les
urpri
sedwithhiss
uddenv i
si
t
whichwassurel
ynotasac us
tomer."
I'
m abouttocl
ose,need
anythi
ng?
"

"Notatal
l.Ionl
ycametogi
vey
out
his
"hewal
kedf
orwar
ds
andhandedherthegif
t.

"
Frui
tbas
ket
?Forme?
"Shes
aidenqui
ri
ngl
y.

"Yes.But-
-notf
oryoureall
y?I
t'
sfort
hatone!
"hei ns
tinct
ivel
y
pointedtoherbell
y."
Ididn'
tknowwhatyouli
ke,s
oIbr oughta
l
it
t l
ebitofevery
thi
ng!"

"Oh,Isee.Thankyou!"Hannarepli
ed,hesi
tantl
yatfi
rst
,she
wasn'ts
urei fi
twasagoodi deatoaccepti
t,butshest
rangely
fel
tcomfortabl
eaboutit.Shefi
nis
hedt hec
losingandgrabbed
herbackpack."Ar
ey ouheadinghome? "

"
Yeah.You?
"

"
Same.Seemswe'
reheadi
ngt
hes
amedi
rec
tion!
"

"
Thati
tseems
"hes
aidast
heys
tar
tedl
eav
ing.I
twasal
mos
t

191
nine-t
hirty,butwal kingt heni ghtwasnev erscaryatal l
.
Greenhillwasv erysaf eands ower ethepeople.Wal kinglike
that,somehowr emi ndedherofhert i
mei nLyc os,wit
hChr isto
beex act.Theonlydi fferencewast henumberofpeopl estroll
ing
around,t hefoods t
al l
s ,coupleshavingfun,itwasa
neighbor hoodthatnev ersleepear l
y.Aftersl
aggingabi t
awkwar dlyforawhi le,Hannadec i
dedt obreakt heice.

"Tel
lmedoctorMartin,whydidyoureal
lydr
opby ?I
sitj
ustt
o
givemethefr
uits?
"Theques t
ionseemedtostar
tlehi
m,hisj
aw
contr
act
ed,butremainedimpassi
ve.

"Idon'tknowHanna,doIneedanot hers peci

fi
creasont obe
here?"Hei nqui red.Hismoonl i
tf acerel
axedasi fst
udyinga
subjectforar esear c
hpur pose.Seeingnor esponsefrom her,
whowass til
lunc onvi
nced,decidedt ocomec lean."Okayyou
gotme! "Atlas thegotherf ullattenti
on."IspoketoDr .Spenc
er,
theonewhoat tendedy ou,andhes aidyounev ercamebac k"
Hisrevelati
onl efthers peechl
es sforonefullminute.

"Holdon,l
etmegett hi
sstr
aight.Soyoucameallt
hewayher
e
tomak emegobac ktothehospital
?"Sheaskedast
heybot
h
halt
ed,henodded."Okay.Why ?
".

"Um... well
,asadoc tort
oapatient
.Hanna,I
'm only
concernednot hingels
e"hest
ipulat
ed,wit
hutmos tsi
nceri
ty
j
udgingf rom t
hel ookonhisf
ace."Andifi
tmakesy oufeelmore
assured,you'l
lnev ers
eemeagain.Butonlyi
fyoupr omiseto
seeDr .Spencer,So?"

"
Heyeas
yther
e!Whati
sthi
s?We'
renotf
ight
ingr
ightnow,ar
e

192
we? "Shesnappedathim andhes i
mplyshr ugged."Li
stenDr.
Strange-
-ImeanMar ti
n"wi t
hthatnameJ ohnc ouldn'
tr es
ist
rai
s i
nghisthic
kbeauti
fuleyebr
ow."Forgivemei fIsounded
reproachf
ullyawhil
eago,I'mjustsoconfusedatt hemoment
soIt endtodoubtever
y t
hingandeveryone"

"VerywellyoungLady,Iherebyforgi
vey ouandtelly
ouexact
ly
nottowor ryaboutathing.I
'm notathug,norastal
ker,I
'mjus
t
ac oncer
nedhumanbei ng,maybeabitnos ybut
--"

"Al
ri
ght.Alr
ight.Dr.St
range!God,y ousoundj ustli
kesomeone
Iknow!Modes tyisnotyourthing,huh?"Shes aid.Theylaughed
heart
il
y,andc onti
nuedwal ki
ng,atleasti
nhar monyt histi
me
unti
ltheyreachedc l
osertoHanna'splace."Thisisitgentl
eman!
I'
m offhere"

"
Oh,i
sthi
swher
eyoul
ive?
"

"Yes
,wit
hmymom! "Sheenlightenhim.Hestoodtheresi
lent
ly
foraminute,bothhandsinhisdar kpantpoc
ketsasifhewas
admiri
ngthes oot
hingnightinhisownway ."
I'
llgotothe
hospi
talt
omor row.Ipromise!"

"
Wis
echoi
ceHanna!Anddomakesuret
oletmeknowwhen
y
oucome,t
hatwayIcanres
tmoreass
ured!
"

"Huh,haveyoubeenc ornedy ourwhol elif

edoctor?
"She
beamed."Anyways,I
'l
lletyouknowdoc t
or,thatwayyoucan
stopnaggi
ngme!"theypr olongedthec onversat
ionforal
mos t
twentyminut
es,l
aughing,teasingwasal li
ttook,andwiththei
r
combinedcharmingpersonalit
ies,thewor dsfl
ews osmoothly
withoutmucheff
orts
."Hey ,yous houldgonow,webot hhave

193
wor
ktodoi
nthemor
ning"

"
Ohy es
.You'
rer
ight
"hepeekedhi
scel
lphonequi
ckl
y."
Good
ni
ghtHanna"
.

"Goodnight.
"Shestay
edt
herewit
nessi
nghimleavi
ng,al
mos
t
hesit
ant,l
ikehenev
erwant
edto.Andthenshesuddenl
y
recal
ledsomethi
nganddec
idedtocal
lhim."J
ohn?"

"
Yes
?"Het
urnedhi
stoes
.

"
Howwi
llIl
ety
ouknow?Idon'
tev
enhav
eyourc
ont
act
!"

"
Oh,ri
ght.Hows i
ll
yofme!Her
e,i
t'
smyc ar
d.Youcancal
lme,
e-
mailme,anyt
hingthatwor
ksf
oryou"hegaveherwi
thas mi
le.

Fir
stt hingSat urdaymor ning,Hannawokeupear lyandf i
xed
thehous e,t henaqui ckbreakfastforhermot herwhos eemed
tohav ehadabus yFriday.Onc edonet idyingherownbedr oom,
shes hower edandputonherpal ebl ueT- s
hir tdresswi t
hs i
mple
whites neaker s.Somet hingtor emindher selfinSydneywher e
herauntVi ctoriawoul dnagheraboutf emi nism andt ellherto
dresslikeal ady.At witchysmi l
ees capedherl i
ps,andt he
reminis c
ings t
oppedwhenherey esr estedont hemi rror.She
almos tpatherbel lybutdec i
dedt oqui cklyr es i
gnheri mageon
thereflec t
ion.Shel eftanot eatt heki tchenc ounterbef ore
l
eav i
ng.Af terherf irststopt othestor e,s heheads trai
ghtt othe
hospitalar oundei ght-fi
fty.

Asagr
eedsheletJ
ohnknowofherarri
valandhemether
momentaft
er.Hewasextr
emel
ydelight
edt oseeher
,asus
ual

194
hischarmsnev erceasedtobri
ngHanna'
ssmil
ebac kast
hey
tal
keds hor
tlyont hei
rwaytotheGy/
obsdepartmentwhereDr
.
Spencerwasal readywait
ingf
orher
,perJohn'
simmediat
e
arrangement.

"
Comei nMar t
in..."Heinvi
tedt
hem i
nsidehisoff
ice,befor
e
s
hift
inghisgaz
es olel
yonHanna."HannaAnder s
on?Pl eas
ure
t
ohav eyouback"heext endedahandtowardsher.

"Thanksdoc
tor
.I'
msor
ryf
ort
heot
hert
ime"s
her
esponded
poli
tel
y.

"
Alr
eadyfor
gott
en.Igett
hatal
ot,ev
enwor
se!"hes
mil
ed.
"
So,shal
lwe?"

Nerv
ousl
y,Hannaf
acedJ
ohn,andhes
hrugged,play
full
yas
al
ways."
Canyoust
aywit
hme?"Surpri
si
ngly,sheaskedhi
m.

"
Ofcourse,Ifyouwantmet o!"Johns
aidr
eas
sur
ingl
y."
It'
sno
t
roubl
eifIstay,rightSpenc
er?"

"Notatal
l.Gi
vemeas ec
ond,I'
l
lbebac
k!"Dr
.Spenc
err
epl
ied
befor
edisappear
ingt
oanotherr
oom.

"Hey.t
akei
teasy!I
t'
sav erynormalproc
edur
e,nopai n,no
st
ingsorel
ax.I'
m herewithyou"sensi
ngheranxi
ety
,Johnhel
d
herhandsandwithalongsighshenodded.

TheUl t
rasoundtestwentsmoot
hlyandtheresul
tswer e
pleas
ant.Itappearedshehadahealt
hys i
xweekspregnanc y
andev eryt
hingwasokay.Shehadafoll
owupc onsult
ation,
askedallthequesti
onsshehadandreceiv
edallnecessary

195
det
ail
ssheneeded.NotevenoncedidJohnl
eav
ehers
ideasi
f
hewasthefat
herofthatunbor
nc hi
ld.

Al
mos tanhourpassedandtheordealwasover
."Oh!I
'm gl
ad
t
hisisover
.Gos h!"s
hes nappedoutl
oudlyonthei
rwayout.

"
Howdoy
ouf
eelnow?
"

"
I'
m notsure,r
ejuvenat
ed?Idon'
tknow,I
'mj
usts
eei
ngt
hings
i
nadiff
erentli
ght"

"
Real
ly?How,pos
iti
ve?Negat
ive?
"

"
Pos
iti
ve?
"

"Great!That'
sallIwant edtohear"hesmi l
edbas hfull
yather,
thekindt hatcanmel tahear tandheappar ent
lyseemedt o
havethatef f
ectonmanywomen,gi venthenumberofey es
from theLadynur seswhi s
per i
ngatt
her ecepti
on."LikeItol
d
youbef ore,i
twillbefine"HeaddedandHannapr ompt edwitha
simplenod." Bytheway ,I'
lldropyouoffifyou'r
egoi nghome!"

"Ohno!That
'l
lbeabusi
veofy
ourkindnes
s,you'
vedone
enoughal
ready.Bes
ides
,I'
msurey
ou'reneededhere!
"

"
Hanna,I'
m notachi
ld.Iknowmys chedul
eandifIoff
ertodo
s
omethingit
'sbec
auseIcan.Per
iod!So,anyot
herexcuse?
"

"Nosir
,Iseeyoudon'ttakenoforananswer,doyou?"
Smil
ingl
y,s
heas kedhim.Heonlygiggl
ed,bemused,s
hookhi
s
headsli
ght
lyandl edt
hewayout.

"
Waither
e.Iwi
llbri
ngt
hecarshor
tl
y"hedemandedandin
l
esst
hanfivemi
nutesabl
ackBMW hal
tedi
nfrontofHanna,

196
t
henthefr
ontwi
ndow-
glas
ssc
rol
leddown"
Hopi
n!"He
i
nst
ruct
ed.

"Wow!Nicec arDr.Str
ange!You'v
egotquiteataste.
"Shetold
him af
termakingher s
elfc
omf ort
ableagai
nstthedark-c
ream
l
eatherseat
.Shes mirkedseeinghisar
chedlipstur
nintoa
l
ingeri
ngsmile.

"Asmuc hasI'dliketoheary oufl

att
eri
ngmeagai nandagai n,I
hatetobreakittoy outhatthisi
snotmyc ar"hes t
aredather
archl
ywhileroaringtheengineast heacc
elerat
ionproceed,his
sl
enderlongfingersdeli
catelyhol
dingthesteer
ing.

"
It'
snot
?"

"
Yes
,ar
eyoudi
sappoi
nted?
"

"Arey oucraz
y?Whywoul dI?
"Shebarked.Shewascl
ear
ly
offendedbyhisr emark,however
,shemaintai
nedher
compos ur
eperfect
lywell.

"Afr
iendofmi neisintoc ar
sdealership,he' st
ryingtotrapme
i
ntobuy i
ngit.So,Ihav en'tdeci
dedy et.Buthear ingy ousayit
's
nic
e,I'
m kindofi nter
es t
ednow"her emar kedwi t
hi ndi
ff
erence,
somethingthatbother edHannaabi t.Shewashav i
ngahar d
ti
meunder standinghimi ngeneral
,wonder ingwhathi swords
meantattimes ,butdec idedtoignore."SinceI '
m goingtoLycos,
i
t'l
lbeaper f
ec ttes
tdr iv
e!"Headded.

"ToLyc
os?Ri
ghtnow?
"Shej
umpedqui
ckl
y,asi
fshe'
dseena
ghost
.

"
Yes
,toLy
cos
!Whyar
eyous
osur
pri
sed?
"Hei
nqui
red,

197
s
omewhats
urpr
isedbyherr
eac
tion.

"Um--not
hing!Jus
t--"shehesi
tat
ed.Hermindwasal
readyat
theAshtonresi
dence,itwasst
ubbornl
ytempti
nghert
ot hi
nkof
Chri
s,thepregnancyandmanyot herst
uff
s.

"
Doy
ouwantt
ogowi
thme?
"

"
Yes
!"Sheur
ged."
Imeani
fit
'sokaywi
thy
ou!
"

"Cool.
"Heagr eedandof ftheyhi tahi ghr oadt oLy cos .Hanna
hadal otinherheadt hats hef ail
edt or espondpr ompt lyat
John'
st r
ialst
oc onverse.Theyf ellsil
entt heres tofthet ripas
sheonlyc oncent r
atedont hes li
dingl andscapedi splay ed
outsi
det hewi ndow,whi lewel comi ngt hef r
es hairthat
nonethelessfailedtoc al
m herr agingner ves.Whent heyar riv
ed
overtwohour sl ater,s
hepol i
telyas kedhi mi fshec ouldgof or
herpersonaler randandmeetupwi t
hs omet imelater ." Fi
neby
me,justmakes ur ewemeetont i
me.Samepl ace!
"Hei ns is
ted
andtheybot hagr eed.

Qui ckl
y,shehauledat axiandwents t
raighttoherf ormer
home;t ot
heAs hton'
s .Eac hs tept hatshet ookclosertot he
hous e,madeherhear tbeatouti frhythm.I twasalreadyt oo
sunnybutt het hi
cktreet runklineal l
owedonl yfewr ay
st ohit
hers kinasshepac edf artherandf art
herawayf rom wher ethe
taxihaddr oppedher .Sheev ent uallycamef acetof acewi t
ht he
met alli
kerail
ingsgatet hat '
sinf rontoft hemans ion.Mi xed
emot ionstookherbys ur pri
s eass her emember eds omeofher
mos twonder f
ulmemor iess he'ds haredint hathous e.

198
 SheSt oodt heref orqui t
eagoodwhi l
e,tryinghar dnott ogi v
e
inthet empt at
iont ogoi n,norc ryi
ngl i
keac raz
ywomani nt he
frontofs omeone' shous e.Decidedly,sheheadt ot hel ake,
probabl yherfav ourit
epl aceinLy cos.Apl acewher es heus edt o
hangoutal otwi thhim,us i
ngjoggingasanexc us e.Thebenc h
wass til
lthere,thewat erasc al
m asi tusedt obe,wi t
ht hewhi t
e
fl
oat i
ngduc ksont opt hatshequi t
eenj oyedwat chi ng.A
bitt
ersweets milees capedherdr ymout hass heins ti
nc ti
vely
heldhers t
omac h.Shes ighedheav il
ybef oreturningt ot he
secretden,herhear ttightenedagai nstherc hest.That '
sr ight,
thisiswher eitallwentwr ong,shet hought ,herhandpr es sed
hardagai nstherbel ly.Shec ouldn'
tev enbr ingher selftoget
closer,inst
ead,s hedec i
dedt oleave.Foronc esher ealizedhow
stupiditwast ogobac kthere,shes wall
owedc onv ulsiv
el y
,
glancingonel asttimeatt heplace.

Shewal kedv er
yquicklyonherwaybac k,hopingnott obe
notic
edbyany onethatmi ghtrecognizeher ,butunf ortunatel
y,
thi
ngsdi dn'tgoasplanned.Shes uddenl ypaus eds t
illwhen
reachedneart heAsht on's,ChrisandAbbi e,wer eget ti
ngoutof
thehous e,holdi
nghands ,li
keahappyl ovingcoupl ewoul d.It
wasSat urdaynoon,obv ious l
ytheywer eenj oyingthebeaut i
ful
autumn- weekend.Buti twasabl ow-jobt oHanna,s hef el
t
numb,unabl etomov e,andwi t
hnowher etohi de.Sheknew
shewas n'tsupposedt oseehi m,nei t
herheher ,buther
questionwas ,howdoIgounnot i
ced.

199
 CHAPTER15
Faci
ngthewor ldshe'
dleftbehi
ndwas n'tt
hebes tmov e;Hanna
wasnotr eadyforthat
.SeeingChr
isagain,tookheragr eatdeal
ofshock,espec
iall
ywithAbbiewhowasl ikeamor talenemyat
theti
me.

Shei mmedi atel

yturnedar ound,wi t
houtt akingas tep,holdi
ng
herbr eathasifherentirebei ngdependedoni t,withherhands
clut
chingt heroundc ol
larofherT- shirtdress.Itwast heonly
refl
exs hec oul
dc omeupwi th,hopi ngt hattheynev ers eeher
ands urprisi
nglythatwast hec ase.Mi nutespas s ed,buti tf
elt
l
ikethewor ldhadc eas
edt or evolve.Wi thherheav il
ypoundi ng
heart,Hannas lowlyreturnedar ound,andf oundt hem gone,
probablyt otheotherdirecti
on.That '
swhenal ongbr eathof
reli
efes c
apedherl ungsandal mos tfelltothegr ound.

Shecomposedhersel
f.Butt
hewholeideathatthosetwower
e
evi
dentl
ylov
ers,madeherfis
tsc
lenched.Hurri
edly,s
hemade
herst
epsfart
herjus
ttogetawayfrom t
hatplace.

Unfortunat
elyt
herewasnos i
gnofanytaxisi
ncealmost
ever
y oneinthenei
ghborhoodhadthei
rownc ars
.Asifheavens
werenev eronhersi
de,sheendedupmeet i
ngMar i
acarry
ing
thegroceri
eswhoscreamedenormously.

"Hanna?MyGod,i t'
sreall
yy ou!"Shewass oast
oundedtosee
her,hencestart
edbombar dingherwi t
hc ountl
essquest
ion
whichweremos t
lyhardtoans wer."
So,whydi dyouagreeto
l
eav el
ikethat?
"Wi t
hMar i
a'sc ur
iousnature,Hannahadno

200
choi
cebuttot
ellherexac
tlywhathappened;t
hatChr
iswast
he
mainreas
onwhys hedecidedtol
eave.

"So,t
hat '
sit...Anyways,i
tseemshe'sdoingfinewithAbbie.It
al
lwor kedoutf ine,ri
ght
?"Withl
ingeri
ngtearsinherblue-gray
eyes,s
het riedtomakei tsoundfunasifi
tnev erbother
edher
buttheexpr essiononherfacebetray
edher ."I'
ms ureTheresa
i
sov er
- j
oyednow! "

"Youbett hatr i
ght!Shepracti
cal
lyenc ouragest heir
relationship...cany oubeli
evethetwooft hem s leept ogether
somet i
mes ?AndTher es
adoes n'
tev ens ayat hing!whata
hor ror!"Shes napped,seemedl i
kehergos s i
pinghabi thad
nev erc eased,shethenr eali
zedhowhar ditwasf orHanna." Oh
noHanna,y out womadeagr eatcoupl e!Idon' tknowhow
thi
ngst urnedoutt hiswaybutI '
ms ure- -
"s hepaus ed,asi fs he'
d
j
us tr emember edsomet hi
ng."Wait,may bey oumi sunder stood
thes ituati
ont hatnightbeforeyouleft...bec ause--"

"I'
ms orryMar ia,IthinkIhav etogo!Pleasedon' ttellany one
thatyou' v
es eenme.Abs olutelynoone!Seemsev er
y onei s
happy ,solet'sleavet hingsast heyare"s heprofessedi nahur r
y,
herphonewasbuz zingbutgotdi sc
onnec tedass oonass he
picked.Shei gnor ed,andt urnedt oMar ia" Welli
twasgr eat
seeingy ouMar ia,I'l
ltellmymot hertoc allyou.Shemi ssesy ou
alot"s hehuggedheri naj i
ffbeforeturninghert oesl eavingher
alitt
leflusteredwi thal ottos ayandas k.

Unabl
etogetataxi
,sher
odeabusins
tead.I
twasver
yhardto
c
ontemplat
eallt
hathasbeenhear
dandseeninsuc
has hor
t

201
while.Asherbec omingus ual
,sheencir
c l
edherbel lyandtear
s
fel
ldownwi thoutawar ni
ng.Shewipedt hem fastsoasnottobe
noticed.Shef el
ttheneedt obestr
ong,bec auses hehadto,
beingamot herwasnev erpartofherplans,andmuc hles
sa
chi
ldwi t
houtaf ather
.ItwasasI fherentireuniversehad
col
laps ed,shehadnoi deahowt ogofrom t here,andthat
ter
rifiedherbi gtime.

Aboutfourthmi nuteslater,Hannametupwi thJohn."

Damni t
Hanna!Hav en'
tyous eenmyt ext?Andc all
s?Weneedt ohead
backrightnow,there'sanemer gencysurgeryIneedtoas s
ist
!"
Hes nappedatherf ur i
ouslythemi nuteshearri
vedattheir
meet i
ngplace,aphonet ohisearr eadytogiveheranothercal
l
i
nc ases henevershowedup.Het ossediti
nsidehispants
pocket.

"I
'msor ry
!Iwasal i
tt
ledis
trac
ted!
"Sherepli
edsof
tl
y .She
deli
ber
at el
y,t
riedtoavoi
danyc ont
actwit
hhim bysl
ippingto
thepassengerseatwit
houtfurt
herexpl
anati
on.

Het ookadeepbr eathbef oretaki

nghi sspoti
nfrontofthe
steeri
ng."Sodidy ouf i
nishy ourerrands?"Hesti
fl
edat alkaf
ter
alongr ei
gnofs il
encet hatbegant ofeelli
keafuneralhome.To
hissurpri
se,Hannawasunr esponsive,hereyesfi
xedtothe
fr
ontwi ndscreen.Thepr ofounds adnessthatshetri
eds ohard
torepressendedupget t
ingthebes tofher.Unabletokeepit
any more,shebur st
edi ntotears,audibl
y,andmadet hedoc t
or
hitthebrakeshar d."Hey,what '
swr ong?Whyar eyouc ry
ing?"

"
Not
hing!
"Shemut
ter
ed.

202
 Withherey esclosed,shesniffed,bef orecoveri
ngherf acewith
asinglepalm asifashamedt or evealherweaks idetot hat
sweets tr
anger.Thelastthi
ngs hewant edwastoc ry,especi
all
y
withanaudi encebes i
deher .Johnc ontinuedstaringatherwi t
h
bewilderment,withoutmov inghi sgazeunt i
lheunbuc kl
edhis
seatbelttoall
owhi smus cl
ed-tor s
ot ogetc l
osertoher .

"Hannatalktomef orGod'
ssake,areyoucry
ingbecauseI
rai
sedmyv oi
ceawhi l
eago?Pl
easeforgi
veme,Ididn'tmeant
o
berudeIjus t
--"her
unahandt hroughhisl
ow-cuthai
r ,
regr
etful
ly.

"
Noy ou'renott
hereasonJohn,I
t'
sme!I'msostupid.I
s
houldn'thavegonebac
k !I
t'
sallmyfaul
t!
"Shesobbedwi tha
s
crat
chyv oic
eandforamomentJ ohnhadadist
ur bedlook.

"
Idon'
tgeti
t,gonewher
e?"

"Toourol
dhome,Is
awhi
m!Is
awt
hem t
oget
her
,theyl
ooked
happy!Sohappy
!"

Hef rowned."Him? "Hei nqui r

ed,butwithhissmar tbraini t
onlytookhal faminut etoc atchup."Thefat
herofy our-
-"he
couldn'tevenfini
shass henoddedr esponsi
vely.Itwasasi fshe
hadc onfessedaninjus ti
cetohi m gi
venhisstranger eac
tion
whenheopenedhi sey es,alldarkandfuri
ous,af oldbetween
histwot hi
ckbr ows."Damni t!Howdar ehe--
"hes i
ghed." well...
Isheawar eofy ourc onditi
on? "Abitl
essperplexed,heas ked.

"
No!Ihav
en'
ttol
dany
oneaboutt
his
,notev
enmymot
her
!"

"
What
?Butt
hat
'sc
raz
yHanna!Howc
an-
-"hebar
kedhal
ti
ngl
y,

203
seeingthedef eatedlookonHanna' sface,hel i
ghtened
compl etely.Hel i
ftedonear m andpul ledheri nt
oanembr acein
whichs heac c
ept edwi t
hnor eluctance.Herheadnes t
lingonhi s
shoulder ,shewi pedhert ear
sdi screetl
ywitht hehandker chief
hehadl enther ,shet r
iedherbes ttogetagr ip,whilefeel
inghi s
bodyt ens i
ng,asi fhewass omadats omeone,butdef initelynot
her."Wasi tabr eakup? "Wit
ht hatques ti
on,itwasenough
ti
ckettodet achher sel
ffrom hi
swar ms helt
er.

"
No.I
t'
scompl
icat
ed!Weneverhadany
thingforitt
obea
br
eakup!
"Shewasfi
nal
lybac
ktoherful
lsenses.

"
Whatdoest
hats
uppos
etomean?
"

"
John,I'
drathernottal
kabouti tpl
ease"shepleadedandlikea
t
ruegentlemanhenoddedr espect
ivel
y."Thankyou,l
et'
sjus
t
l
eavenoworel s
eyoumi ghtbelateforthesurger
y"she
s
uggestedass heret
urnedhi shandkerchi
efback.

"
Ohr i
ght
!Pl
easeputonyourseat
bel
tms .Hyst
eri
a,thelas
t
t
hingIwanti
sprobl
emswiththecops
!"Atlas
thischeerf
ul
moodwasbackanditwasenoughtosti
fl
ealaugh.

Throughoutt heway ,theyhadac hancetotalkandexchange

fews tories.Hannagott oknowabi tabouthim,thathewas
volunteer i
ngf oray earasahear t
-surgeon.Hewass t
il
las t
udent
onhi swayt obei ngas peci
ali
st.Hes oundedv erysmartand
ambi ti
ousc onsideri
ngt hefactthathewasf rom ahumbl e
bac kground.Thankst ohisbraidc oupledwithhardwork,hegot
af ull
-f
undedmedi calscholar
shipatJ ohnHopkinswher ehe
foundmuc hinterestinCardiology.

204
 Whi l
etalki
ngtohim,Hannar eali
zedthathewasac tuall
ya
goodper son,admirable,withav eryposi
ti
v eoutl
ookaboutl i
fe
andpeopl earoundhi m,s omethingthatsheneededt olearn.
Evenwhens hetol
dhi mt hatshe'dquitcoll
ege,hedidn'tj
udge
her,inst
eadheas kedi fther
ewass omethingelseinmindt hat
she'dratherdo.Andt hat'swhens hetoldhim aboutherpas si
on
inGas t
ronomy ,hewasi mpr es
s ed,andadv i
sedhertofoll
owher
heart.

Hedroppedherof
fthest
oreasshespec
ifi
ed,andi
twasalmost
f
ourpm,thesunhadalmostcool
eddownwhens hetookof
f.

"Thanky
ou"shet
oldhi
m."Nowgoands av
ealifeDr
.St
range!
"
Sheaddedwit
hami s
chi
evousgl
eam i
nhereyes
.

Hes hookhisheads mi
lingly,"I'l
ldomybes tma' am!Youlook
greatinthatdress,bytheway !"Hes nappedoutifnowher e,
andmadeherbl us hali
ttleass hes taredherdress,heraunt
's
gif
tononeoft heirsummerv ac ati
onsinSantori
ni.Vic
tori
ahad
quiteataste,awomanoft hewor l
d,withatotalcontr
oloverher
li
fe.She'
dbeenHanna' sbes tins pi
rati
oninli
fe.Thethoughtthat
shemi ghtbedi s
appointedaf terc omingtoknowledgeofher
pregnancymadeherhear tsink.

"Thanks!
"Shes
mil
edathi
m andwi
ggl
edherf
inger
stos
ay
goodby e.

****

"
WHATt
hehel
list
hisHanna?
"Sar
ah'
sfl
ashi
ngv
oic
est
art
ledher

205
ami nuteshewalkedinsi
deherownbedr oom,aft
ersl
owly
sneakingherwayf r
om thequietl
ivi
ngroom wi
ththel
ight
s
oddlys wi
tchedofft
hroughoutthehous
e.

Shestupidl
yletherbagfal
lonthef
loori
nfear
."M-
mom Ic
an
expl
ain!It
s--
"shes t
utt
ered,st
il
lmot
ionl
ess.

"Expl
ain?"Sarahs t
oodup,wi ththepapersinherhandthis
ti
me,threwaqui ckglanceatthem thenbackather."
Explai
n
what?Thaty ou'r
epr egnant?Orthef ac
tthatyouhidi
tfr
om me
andIhadt of i
ndoutbec aus eofadamnl aundry?
"Shesnapped,
maddert hans he'
dev enbeenbef or
e,pointi
ngthepil
eofdirty
l
aundryt hatshec ouldn'
tdo.

"I
--Iwant edt otellyoumom,Is wear"Abunc hoftear sfell
downherc heeks,mi ngledwithfeart hatmadehert otally
destabil
ized.Shec ouldn'tutt
erat hingthereaf
terexceptt he
sobbing,facingthes hinyblackti
les."Okay,Imadeami st
ake.I
shouldn'thav ekeptitfrom you,No,Is houldn'
thav esleptwi t
h
Chri
si naf i
rstplace!"Shef i
nall
ygat heredthecouraget os peak
up,roami ngt heroom l i
keac onfusedpuppy .

"NoIdon' tdeser
v ethis!Nomot herdeser vest his!Fir
sty ouquit
coll
ege,andnowt his ?
"Hermot hers houted,exas peratedly
shakingherheadindeni al
.Sheglaredather ,asifs hec ouldn'
t
beli
ev eanyofit."Yous houldn'
thav est
ay edi nAus t
rali
a!I t
'sal
l
myf ault!I
sthatal
ly oulearnedthere?Didn' tVictoriateac hyou
anything?Nowwhat ?Arey ougoingtotel
lt hef ather ?Oh- -does
heev enexist
?"thefolloweds ar
casms ti
rredHannaup.

"
Youdon'
tneedt
obes
uchabr
uteMOTHER!Atl
eas
tnoty
ou,

206
orhaveyoufor
got
teny
ouhadmewheny
ouwer
eonl
ywhat
?
Sevent
een?
"

"
WHAT?Whatdi
dyouj
usts
ay?
"

"Youheardmemom!I fyouwant edaper f

ectdaughter,you
anddads houldn'thavepos tedmel i
keapar celtoaforeign
countr
ywhenIwasj ustseven!Sodon' tyoudarespeakbadlyof
auntmyaunt !"Shes cr
eamed." Sher ai
s edmewheny ouwer e
busyrais
ingotherpeopl e'skids.Infact,Youshouldbet hankf
ul"
shesaidwithclenchedt eeth,Sarah'sjawalmos tf
elloff
,with
eyeswatery,astoni
shed." Andf orther ecor
d,I'
m notec st
ati
c
aboutthi
s...Ididn'
tplananyoft his!"

"HOW darey ou--"Angryt

otheextreme,Sarahraisedhervoice
butonlyforas econdasHannawal kedout."I
'ms ti
llt
alki
ngto
youHanna,wher edoy out
hinkyou'regoi
ng?"Shet ai
ledher
,
try
ingtogetahol dofherbutshewast ooquickforherold
refl
exes
.Shelas hedthedooropenanddi sappearedintothe
darknesswit
houts tari
ngbackatherforevenas econd.

Ahal fanhourofs obbingi nthemiddleoftheGr eenhil

l
kindergarten-pl
aygroundhel pedHannaal i
ttl
e.Frus t
ratedst
il
l,
andpr ettyangry,shes tar
edatherdi git
alwatc h,and
immedi atelyhersubc onsciousremindedhert hati twasagif
t
from Chr i
s."DAMNYOUCHRI SASHTON!IHATEYOU! "she
shoutedwhi l
epulli
ngof fthewat chstr
apsandt hrewitawayin
thegras s-
fiel
d.Luckyf orher,noonewasar oundnearbyex cept
theswi ngs,benchesandot herplayi
ngs t
uff
sf orkids.Itwas
seven-thir
tywhens hedec i
dedt ogetaholdofher s el
fandled

207
herf
eettot
hehos pi
tal
.Sheneededs
omeonetotal
kto,andt
hat
wasJohnMart
in.Heronlywi
shwastofi
ndhi
mt her
e.

"Excuseme,isDr.Mar t
inst
il
lhere?"Seemedtherustl
ingc hi
ll
y
nightwinddidit
smagi ctoal
terhermoodal it
tl
e.Shewasmor e
relaxedassheaskedtheprettys
hor t
-hair
ednurseatthe
recepti
onwhor espondedwithac harmingsmil
easifalready
sheknewher .

"Ohhit
here,It
hinkhe'staki
ngtherounds.Buty
oucanwait
overt
her
e,I'
lll
ethim knowr i
ghtawaythatyouar
ehere!
"She
sai
dandpic
kedherc ell
phone.

Sl
owly,Hannaf ollowedheri ns t
ruct
ionands eatedher s
elfin
theoneoft hechair satthelounge.Afterwait
ingf oroverfift
een
minutes,shedecidedi twasn'tagoodi deatoappearat
someone'swor kplac euninv
ited,plusthequiveri
ngs ensati
on
i
nsideherbodyandmi ndshet houghtitwasbestt oleave.As
soonass hestart
edheadi ngbac ktotherecepti
on,af ami l
iar
andchar mingvoices toppedher .

"Ti
redofwai t
ingalready?"Johnwasrightbesideher ,whenor
howher eachedt hereunnot i
cedwasonl yamat terof
wonder i
ngashes miledsheepishl
yather,deli
catelydress
edin
hisblue-greens urgi
caluniformsthats
til
lcompl i
ment edhis
hands omenes s.Al i
tt
lerel
ieved,Hannaletoutaf orcedgri
n,it
madehi mf r
own." Iseverythi
ngokayHanna? "Heas kedwit
h
concern.

"
Um--
Yeah!Every
thi
ngisfi
ne,exc
eptthatI
'mfamis
hed!Can
y
oubuymedi nner?I
'l
lpayyouback,Ipr
omise!
"Shemutter
ed.

208
Butitwaslikeabl
owev entohersel
fasshenibbledherfingers
nerv
ously,andmos t
lyembarras
sed.Johnrai
sedawr yeyebr ow,
onearmf oldedac
rosshiswidechestandtheotherscrat
ching
hi
ss hor
tbear dwi
thhisthumb,obvi
ous l
ynotconvinc
ed.

"Okay!ButI
'm goi
ngtopretendIdi
dn'theart
hepayi
ngback
part
..."Smil
ingl
y,hegri
ppedherhandandpul l
edherof
fthe
l
obby ,t
aki
ngherbyc omplet
es ur
pri
se.

"
Hey,Ic
anwalkbymysel
fyouknow!"Shesnapped."
Idi
dn'
t
evens
aygoodby
etothepret
tynur
se,howrude!"

"Don'
tworr
y,she'
l
lunders
tand!
"Herepl
ied,withoutpay
ing
anyatt
ent
iontoherst
ruggl
estorel
eas
ehistightandwarm gri
p.

"
Whatdoy oumean? "Sheas ked,eventual
lyrel
axingherpal m
i
nhis.Theywal kedintoar estaurantopposit
etot hehos pi
tal.
Oddly,t
heni ghtvi
ewout si
dewast ot
all
ydiff
erentfrom during
t
heday ,l
esspeopl e,quietness,i
twasal mostcalm exceptforthe
t
raff
icnois
es .Hepul l
edac hai
rforheri noneoftheempt ytable
-
for-
two.Thepl acewasabi tpacked,tradi
ti
onalinteri
ors,almost
t
ooor di
nary."HeyDr .StrangeI '
mt al
kingtoyou!"Hanna
i
nsis
ted.

"Look,Idon'tknowwhy ,butwhenCat hyc al

ledmeear l
ier,she
addressedy ouasmygi rl
fr
iend...Inshort,ever
y oneatthe
hospit
althinkst hatway"het oldhercasuall
y,hi
st wohandson
thetable,s
t ar
ingheri ntheey esashes t
oodac ros sherseat."I
'l
l
gomakeouror der!Oh,I'
m nots urethefoodist oy ourl
iki
ng
butthisisthebes tplacearoundher e"heletoutabeami ng
smilebefores t
raighteni
ngup,l eav
ingHannagapi ng.

209
 Sev
eralmi
nut
espas
sedbef
orehi
sret
urn.

"Wow,t hi
sl ooksdelicious..."shegi ggled whi lepulli
ngov er
thewoodent rayfil
ledwi thpotatof r
ies ,saladsandbeef -s
kewers.
Heramus i
ngl ookstif
ledas uperfl
uousgr inonJ ohnwhowas
eyeingherf ixedly."Buty ouknowwhatI '
dr eal
lylovetoeat ?"
Sheas ked,herhandsal readyc r
ucifyi
ngt hef ood.Intri
gued,John
shruggedhi ss houlder s
,wi t
har chedey ebrow." Gr i
ll
edc hic
ken,
dippedwi t
hgar li
c,honeyands oysauc e... mmhhowt asty!
"She
grimac ed,thistimehec ouldn'tresis
tl aughi ngaudi bl
y,oblivi
ous
ofthef oodt rayathi sfrontashec asual l
yleanedagai nsthis
chair,enjoyingev erythi
ngs hewass ay i
nganddo.

Theyhadameali nanimpossi
blesil
enceaseachtimethey
foundthems el
vescommenti
ngandlaughingons omeindi
screet
coupleswhower emainl
ytheGreenhi
llhospi
tals
taff
s;mostl
y
doctorsvsnurses
.

"You'r
enotfull
,areyou?"Heques t
ioned,st
ari
ngatHanna' s
empt yplat
e.Shenodded,embar r
assed."Hey,I
'm notus
ually
l
ikethis-
-Ijustf
eel
...notful
l,t
hat'
sall
"shedefendedher s
elfto
wipeoffJohn'
ssmirk.

"Iknow.Ihav eanidea,howaboutades ert

?I'ms ur
ei t
'l
l
suffi
ceyourSomalian-hungerwithoutc
ompr omisi
ngy our
digest
ivesyst
em fr
om ov ereat
ing"hesugges
ted,hismischiev
ous
gleam st
il
l.

"
Cool
"

"
Okay
,ber
ightbac
k"

210
 Whenheret
urnedamomentl
ater,hepl
acedabi
gful
ltopped
c
hocol
atec
akebefor
eres
uminghisseat
.

"
Choc
olat
ehuh?
"Shes
qui
rmed,el
atedl
y.

"Yes,youcanhav eital
l!
"Hegr i
nnedmoment ar
il
yands he
shoothim akil
lerglancethats
tolehi
slaugh."Anddon'tbeshy
,I
l
ikepr et
tygi
rl
swi t
hbi gappeti
te"hewhisperedtoherear,t
hen
divedbackhisspot,leavi
ngherwithalinger
ingchuckl
e.

"
Hah!Wast
hats
uppos
edt
omakemef
eelbet
ter
?"

"
Yes
,di
ditwor
k?"

"Notatal
l!Butt
henagain,I
'l
lenjoyi
t,t
hecake!
"Shet ooka
bit
eands l
owlysavour
edthetastebef
oreswall
owing,aVline
formedbetweenherbrows.

"What?Don'tyoul
ikei
t?Ial
way
sfi
ndt
hei
rchoc
olat
ecaket
he
bests
oIt houghtmaybe-
-"

"Youli
kechoc ol
atecake?
"Sheaskedhim,thencasuall
ytook
anotherfor
kful,i
gnori
nghisquesti
on.Henodded,agreeabl
y.
Shehadanot herbit
e,butherfac
ewasi ndi
ff
erent
.

"
Youdon'
tli
kei
t,doy
ou?
"Her
epeat
ed.

"
Well...Iwasrai
sedbyabaker,oneofthebestI'veknowns o
f
ar,soyouc an'
tbl
amemei fIhavehighstandar
ds .Butdon'
t
worr
y,it
'snotsobad!"Shesai
dteasi
nglyandher oll
edhiseyes
t
henlaughed.

"
OhI'
mverysor
ryma'am,Icompl
etel
yfor
gott
hatI
'm deal
ing
wi
thaf
ood-
protobe.Per
hapsyoucanshowmeoneofy our

211
s
pec
ial
it
iesonei
fthes
eday
s"

"
Withpleasure!I
'm gonnablowy ourmi
ndwi
tht
hebes
t
c
hocolat
ec akeyou'v
eev ereaten!
"

Wi t
hal lt
het al
kandl aughi
ng,Hannahadc ompletelyforgott
en
allhertroublesasifthemani nfrontofherhadamagi c alabi
li
ty
towi peawayal lherfearwithasimplec onv
ersati
on.Andt hat
moments hereal
izedthatdeci
dingtos eehim att
het ime,was
thebes tthingshec oul
dc omeupwi th,shehadnor egr
et .

"So,areyougoingt ot ellmenow? "Al lofas uddenJohn'sfac

e
tookas eri
ousfac adeashi semberey esdugher sdeeply."You
didn'
tcomeal lthewayher eforasimpl emeal ,whathappened
Hanna? "Hefinal
lypul litoff.Notknowi ngwher etostar
t,Hanna
exhaleddeeply,herv exedexpr essi
onbac k.Shec l
osedherey es
moment ar
il
ytor ecoll
ec thergripbeforet el
li
nghimt hewhol e
story
.

Itwasalmostmi
dnightwhentheblackBMW par
kedinfrontof
Hanna'shousewi
ththem bothexhaus
tedatt
hefront
.Theyhad
hadar eal
lyl
ongandeventf
uldaywhichwassoontoend.

"
ThanksalotJ
ohn,Imeanit
!"Shes
aids
oft
ly,unbuc
kli
ngt
he
s
eatbel
taroundherwai
st.

"Gladtohelp.Li
keIsaid,apol
ogiz
et oher!She'
syourmot her
Hanna,noty ourenemy.She'l
lal
way sbebyy oursi
deregardless
howmuc hyou'vemessedup"her epli
ed,l
ookingathertenderly,
withthedim-yell
owli
ghtsill
uminati
nghers hi
nyeyes."
AndI 'm
al
soher eforyou,anyt
imey ouneedme! "Headded,witha

212
sweetsmi
lethi
stime,thatgotreciproc
ated,l
uckyf orhim.For
onceHannawonder edhowc razyfatecanbeattimes ,her
meeti
ngwiththatbeauti
fulst
rangerwass omethings he'
dnever
i
maginedevenonce,andheappear edatthecrucialmoment
l
ikeasupermantail
ored-madef orher.

"
Doy oureal
izeyou'
reli
kemysuper
man? "Shes
napped
wi
thoutreal
iz
ing,cat
chi
nghi
m bysurpr
ise.

"Oham Inow?Fr om Dr .StrangetoSuper man!We' l

lseewhat
Marvelhavetosayaboutt hi s"hi
steasingr emarksmadeher
l
augh,eventhoughexhaus tedlyasshel eanedherhead,one-
si
dedagainsttheleather."Goandgets omer est
,anddon'
tover
-
t
hinkors t
ressyourself
,okay ?Youcanonl ythinkoft
he
chocol
atecakeyou'regoingt obakef orme! "

"
You'
rec
razy!Yousoundl
ikeaf
ive-
year
s-ol
dboy ,haveyou
s
eenthet
winkleiny
oureyeswhenyoutalkaboutac ake?
"

"
Ican'
thel
pit
!Youbr
oughti
tup!
"

"Fi
ne.I'
lldoasy
ous
ay.Goodni
ght
!"Shegr
abbedt
hedoor
handler
.

"
GoodnightHanna!"Herepli
ed,thens
il
entl
ywatchedher
walki
ngaway,bef
orefi
ndinghiswaybacktothehospi
talwhil
e
f
il
li
nganempt yspac
es he'
dleftbehi
ndwit
hs omesoulmus i
c.

****

213
" Seemsl ikeI'
m nottheonlyonehav i
ngt r
oubless l
eeping!"
Car olynsnapped,walki
ngt owardsthemar bl
ec ounter-
top
wher eChr i
srest
edhiselbows,idl
y,si
tti
nginonei fthebar s
tool
s.
Itwasf ewmi nut
espastmi dni
ghtandt hemans ionwasc reepy-
silent,everyoneels
easleep.Hes neer
edwhenhec aughther
fac e.

"Grant
's?Atthi
shour?...Ihopey ou'
renotpi
cki
ngal c
oholis
m
atendency,li
tt
lesi
s!
"Hej oked,seei
ngherhol
dingabot t
le,
obvi
ouslystol
enfrom Theresa'
sexpensi
vebarcol
lec
tion.

"
HA!HA!Ver
yfunny!"Sher
epli
ed,s
arcast
ical
ly."
Ones
hotf
or
mysor
rowwon'teverkil
lme!Wannajoi
nme? "

"Sure!I
t'
saweek endaf t
erall!
"Herepli
edandinaj if
fCaro
emer gedwit
ht worectangul
arglas
sesthenas i
lver
-contai
ner
fi
ll
edwi t
hiceblocks,andplacedhers
elfnextt
oheronl ybrother
,
playi
ngbartender.

"That
'sHanna'sphone,ri
ght?"Shec as
uall
yas ked,poi
ntedlyat
theminismartphoneont hetable,af
terpouringhim adrink.
Theycli
nkedglasses
,thensippedac hil
lyburningemberliquid,
shegroanedabi t
,star
ingathim expectant
ly.

"
Yeah.I
'vebeent hinki
ngofhert
hewholeday "hesai
dhal
ti
ngl
y,
"
Ithi
nkI'
m goingc razy,cany
oubeli
eveIf
eltl
ikeIsawher
t
oday!
"Hes mirked,c r
ookedl
y.

"
Huh?Whatdoy
oumean?
"Sheques
tioned,abi
ttens
e."
I
meanwher
e?"

"
Out
sidet
hemans
ion,Iwaswi
thAbbi
e,i
nagoodmoodandal
l.

214
..soIdidn'twanttospoilthingsbec auseofmydel usi
on"He
l
ookedatCar o,andshequi cklygulpedherdrink."Ei
therway,I
t
changesnothingwhetheritwasr eal
lyherornot,I'
vemov edon,
andIdon'twantt ohearanyt hingaboutthatgir
l"headded,
contemptuously.

Car
olynswall
owedhard,sti
lls
il
ent,unl
ikeherusualsel
f."
Are
yousureaboutthatChr
is?
"Shef i
nall
yutter
ed,concer
nsallov
er
herovalf
ace.

"Abs
olutel
y!"Heponder ed.I
nCar o'smi ndwasar ecol
lec
tionof
whatMar i
ahadt oldherearli
erthatev ening,t
hats he'
dmet
Hanna,andexplainedthewhol ereasonf orhers udden
depart
ure.Shealmos tconvul
sedatt het hought."Hey,what
aboutyou?Whatk eepsy ouawaket histime?"

"Ah--
me?Not hi
ng!Whatcouldbewronginmybor i
nglife?
"She
pouredanotherroundtothem bot
h.Car
owast hemos tdiscreet
personint
hef amil
y,sheneverdi
scus
shertr
oubleswithany one,
yetshe'
salwaysavail
abl
eintryi
ngtosol
veother'
sproblems.

"
Ify
ouins
ist
!Justdon'tf
orgetyourbigbrot
herisal
way
sat
y
ourdis
posal
.I'
llbegladtoli
sten,whatev
eriti
s"

"Iknow."Shefl
ushed.Theyt
alkedf oraverygoodwhileunti
l
theygotabitti
psyandheadtot heirrooms.Event
ual
ly,she
decidedtoshuthermouthregardingtheissuewit
hHanna,and
l
eftthingsast
heywer e.

215
 CHAPTER16
"
I'
ms or
rymom!Idi dn'
tmeantohurty
ou"Hannasai
d,s
oftl
y,
t
henextmor ni
ng.ForamomentSar
ahstoppedt
hedis
hes,
t
urnedofft
hefaucetbef
oret
urni
ngtoher.

"Wellyoudidhurtme!Al lIwantedwasf oryoutohaveabetter

l
ifeHanna,theli
fethatIcouldn'tgi
vey ou.Sendingyouaway
was n'
taneasydecision...al
so,Iwant edy outograduatel
ike
otherkids
,haveagr eatj
ob,getmar ri
edand- -"Shecouldn'
t
contai
nherpainass hes i
ghedheav i
ly."Ineverimaginedyou
beingamot heratyourage.Itreall
yshoc kedme! "

"Iknowmom,t hat'
swhyI'
ms ayi
ngsorry!You'
venoi deahowI
fel
twhenIf oundoutmysel
f,Ijustwantedtodie!Itwast erri
ble"
whilewipi
ngthetearswi
thherf i
nger
tips,Hannatoldher ,andin
aninstant
,Sarahcl
osedher
s el
ftoherandgav eherat ighthug.

"Ohmybaby !Forgi
veme...Iwast oohars
handf orgothow
youmust'
vebeenf eel
ing."Shesai
d."
Butdon'tworry
,we' l
l
fi
gur
eitout!
"Shes miled,auspi
ci
ousl
y,t
henreleas
edher ."So,
howareyoufeelingnow? "

"Bet
ter!Mybabyi
sfine,Iwenttothehos
pitaly
ester
dayand--
Ital
lwentwell
"Hannar epl
ied,s
mil
ingl
ywithanoptimis
tict
one
ofvoic
e.She'
devent
uallycomet ot
ermswithhercondit
ion.

"OhGod!lookatyou!You'
reevencal
li
ngityourbabyal
ready
!
You'
resobravehoney,Ijus
twishyouwouldn'tgr
owuptoo
quic
klyandremainmybabyf orabitl
onger!
"

"
Comeonmot
her
!I'
l
lnev
erc
eas
etobey
ourbaby
!Ev
eni
f

216
y
ou'
reagr
andmanow!
"

"Agrandma!OhGod! "Shes nappedaudibl

yandmadet hem
bothlaughoutl oudly.Withthepeac ebackint
act,Hannadi dn'
t
wantt oruinit
,sodec idedtokeept heinf
ormat i
onabouther
visi
ttoLyc osasecret.Shewas n'
tsurehowhermot herwould'
ve
takenit.'
'Bytheway ,Ital
kedt oyourauntlastnight.Iwasso
disori
entedandt houghtIneededt ovent
!"Sarahc onfes
sed.

Sur
pri
sed,Hannaprompt
ed,"Youdidn'
tfi
ghtwi
thher
,di
d
y
ou?"Shelentherahandwit
ht hedi
shes.

"
No,weonlyt
alked!It
oldhert
henewsandl
ikemy
sel
f,s
he
wasf
uming-
mad!"

"OhGr eat!Thatexpl
ainst hebundleofmissedc al
lsandvideo
chatsonmyphone...s he'sgoingtokil
lmewi thwords!"She
gri
mac edandSar ahs
hrugged." I'
l
lhaveac hatwithherlat
er,
thenmyf at
her!"Shemar veledatthethought,anditwasn'ta
happys cenari
o.

"NO!Leaveyourfat
hertome.Iknowhowt odealwi
thhim.
"
Sarahdecl
ared,s
omewhatmadly."Besi
des,HeandIhavea
pendingmattert
odiscus
s"shecl
enchedherjaw,
absentmi
ndedly.

"Oh-
-okay,thatwasscaryms.Sarah!Don'
ttel
lmey ouhada
f
ightwit
hhim! "Shequeri
ed,ali
tt
lewar y
,sc
ruti
niz
inghermom's
r
eacti
onc l
osely.

"
Afi
ght
?Notatal
l...
"

"
Ohr
eal
ly?
"

217
"
Yes
,real
ly!
"

"
Mm ...doy
ous
til
llov
ehi
m?"

"
YES!
"Sarahans wered,t
hengl ar
edregr
etf
ull
yatHannawho
washavi
ngagr eatdealoffun,gri
nni
ng."Ohno,t
hisi
snotf
unny
HannaAnders
on! "

"
Ohyesiti
s!It
'sobvi
ousyousti
lll
ovemyf
ather,l
ookaty
ou,
y
ouneverdatedanyoneforGodknowshowlong--
"

"
Andhowdoy
ouknowt
hatl
it
tl
eMi
ssy
?"

"
Itswr
itt
enal
lov
ery
ourf
ace!AndIt
hinkhel
ovesy
out
oo!
"

"
I'
llpr
etendt
hisdi
scus
sionnev
erhappened-he'
samar
ried
man!"

"
Unhappi
lymarri
ed!
"Shesnappedandf
las
hedoutt
heki
tchen,
l
eavi
nghermotherhangi
ng.

Therestofthemorni
ngwasc al
m andpleasant
.Atlas
ttheyhad
anunder s
tandi
ngandSarahpromisedt
oal waysbetherefor
her.Alt
houghitwashardforher
,shest
il
lmadehermi ndto
supportheronlyc
hil
dthroughsuchamishapwhi c
hwasal soa
bless
ing.

Lateri
nt heaft
ernoonSar
ahpokedherheadi nt
oHanna's
room ands ai
d,"I'
m goi
ngoutforawhi
le,Hanna.Lunchi
sready,
incaseyou'rehungry-
-whi
chyoushoul
dbe!Iwon' tt
akel
ong!"
Sheinsi
sted.

"
Okay.HavefunSarahdear!
"Hannarepli
ed,al
itt
leocc
upied
wi
thherlapt
op,tr
yingtogeti
ntouchwithVic
tor
ia.Inasec
ond,

218
t
hedoorbangedandgonewashermother.Ti
redofwai
ti
ngfor
t
herespons
e,shedec
idedtocal
lJohni
nst
ead,andhepickedi
n
j
ustt
hreeri
ngs."
Heydoctor
!"

"
Hi..."her
epl
ied,hoar
sel
yatt
heot
herend.

"Ev
er y
thi
ngokay ?
"Shes
trai
ght
enedup,andl
eanedov
eras
et
ofpil
lows,r
elaxedl
y.

"
Yes
!Ij
ustgotup"

"
Rightnow,onei
ntheaf
ter
noonDr
.St
range!Hav
eyoul
ost
t
rackofti
me?"

"
Am Ibeingrepr
imandedr
ightnow?
"Heques
tioned,l
azi
ly.
Hannachuckl
ed.

"Welli
tdepends !Forinstance,whatdidyoudol as
tnightto
makey ous l
eeplikethat?"Sheas ked,s
mi l
ingl
y,thenli
eddown
f
lat,f
acingthec eil
ing.Shec oul
dal mosthearhisbreath,ashe
t
ookas ec
ondt othink.

"Um...Iprett
ymuc hsav
edf ewli
ves,Ir
esc
uedac er
tai
n
damsel-
in-
dist
ress,f edher,andtookherhome!ThenIwent
backtothehospit
al ,Ihads omepaperworkt
ofini
sh,s
othe
bott
om li
neis,Iki
lledt henight"

"
Oh!Doesthatmeany
ous
lepti
nthehos
pit
al?
"Ver
yconc
erned,
s
heasked.

"Yes,Ir
etur
nedattheboar
dinghouset
hismorni
ng.Ionl
y
sl
eepher eonweekendsany
way!So,howismypret
tylady
doing?"

219
 "Gr
eat!Thankst
oherr escuer
!Ijustc
all
edtotel
lyouhowi t
wentwithmymom... "sheexplai
nedaboutherl
it
tlechatwi
th
herandthankedhim oncemor eforhi
spreci
ousadvic
e.

"Tol
dy ou!Ev
ery
thi
ngwi
llbef
ine.Nowthatyou'
vewokenme
up,Ireall
yneedtof
eedmysel
f!I
'mstar
ving!
"

"
Breakf
astorl
unc
h?"

"
I'
m nots
ure!What
everIc
anf
indnear
by!
"

"WhatifIinvi
teyouoverforlunc
h?Atmypl ac
e?"She
sugges
ted,thenregret
tediti
mmedi at
elyasJ
ohnf el
lsil
ent."
I
meanifit'
sokaywi t
hyou!Idon'tmeant oi
mpos eifyoufeel
uncomfortabl
ewiththeidea!
"

"Hey,ar
eyoukiddi
ngme?Whywoul dImissac hanc
etoeata
homemademeal ?Oni t
!I'
llbet
hereinanhour,Ineedto
fr
eshenupfir
st!
"Hes nappedhappil
y.

Johnarri
vedearl
ierandrecei
vedawarm wel
comesmilefrom
Hannabef or
eshepol i
tel
yledhi
min."
Welcometoms .Sarah'
s
resi
dence!Toobads hewentoutawhi
leago"sheadded an
apologet
icsmil
e.

"I
t'
sokay,al
thoughIwass
oeagert
oseeher
,andabi
t
nervous
"Johnsaid.

"
You?nervous?I
'dreall
ylovet
oseet
hat
!"Shenudgedhi
m on
t
heshoulderandlaughedtoget
her
.

"
Howl
onghav
eyoubeenl
ivi
ngher
e?"

220
 "Amont hors
o..."sheansweredastheyhal
tedatt
helounge.
"Doyouwantahous etour?
"Shesnappedteas
ingl
y,t
ryi
nghard
tocontai
nherti
ngl
inglaughwhensheheardhisst
omach
growl
ing.

"Ar
ey oumes
singwi
thmeHanna?
"Hes
napped,pr
etendi
ngt
o
pout.

"
Ok ay
!I'm kiddi
ng.Let
'stakec
areoft
hatfel
lanow!
"She
s
mi r
kedandt ookhi
mt othekit
chenwher
es he'
dalr
eadysett
he
t
ableatthec ounter
.

Aft
erlunchtheys ettl
edatt heli
vingroom watchingabori
ng
mov i
ewhi l
etalking.Hannawass i
tti
ngontherugandhewas
comfortabl
yres t
ingi nthec ouch."Damn,thatchickenst
ewwas
t
hebes t!I'
ms of ul
lt hatIcan'tevenmov e"J
ohns napped
f
inall
y."
Thanksf ort hefood,itwasdel i
ci
ous!
"Headded.

"
You'r
ewel come!AndI'
llmakesur
etol
etmymot herknow
t
hatshe'sgothers
elfanewfan.
"Hannagr
innedathim.

"Ohs hesurelyhas!Trustme,i t
'sbeenagess i
nc eIhadahome
-meal.Andnoof fense,thetasteremindsmeoft hiswomanI
know,s hewasl i
ke...amot hertome.Iwonderhows he'
sdoi
ng
now!"Hes tart
edr eminisc
ingins i
lence,al
ingeri
ngs mil
eonhis
rel
axedf ac
e.

Hannal
ookedupathi
mf oras
econd,t
henas
kedhi
m"And
y
ourmother?Wherei
sshe?"

"
Shedi
ed!
"

221
 "
OhI
'ms
osor
ry...
"

"
Don'tbe!Ihar
dlyrememberherface!Igrewupwi
thmy
f
ather
,andhe'sthebest
!"Hesai
d,proudly.

"
YeahIc
ant
ell
...
"shes
aidwi
thas
mil
e.

Witht hel ongt alk,theyev enl os ttr

ackoft imeasi twasal mos t
sunset.J ohnf ellasleepont hes ofaandHannawasi nt he
kit
chen,i ndul gedi nherl aptop,af teras eri
oust alkwi t
hheraunt
Vict
oria.Shehadal ottopr oc essaf t
erget t
ingabr az en
declarationt hats hes houldr etur ntoAus tr
aliaass oonas
possible.Shet ookadeepr esigneds i
ghbef orec losingt hePC
andwal kedbac ktot helivi
ngr oom wher esher egai nedher
smilebac katt hes i
ghtofas l
eepi ngdoct or
.Shemov edc loser
andbendeds li
ghtlytoc atchaper f
ectviewofhi sbeaut ifulface.
Hes eemedr elaxed,deepi ntoadr eamlandper haps ,andhi s
breathtakingl ookswer eev enmagnet i
cinac l
os e-up.He' st oo
hands omef ormyt as t
e,Hannat houghtbef ores tif
li
ngagi ggl
e
thatendedupbr eakingt hes pell.

"
Hit
her
e...
"hes
mil
ed.

"
Hi!
"Shemur
mur
edashequi
ckl
ysatup.

"God,whydi
dn'
tyouwakeme?I
'ves
leptf
orhowl
ong...
"he
peekedathi
swat
ch"Damn!Twohour
s?"

"
Wel l
,youl
ookedti
redsoi
twasonl
yfai
rtolety
ousleep.Don'
t
worr
yy oudi
dn'ts
nore!
"Sheteas
edhi
m,thenrest
edatthe
ar
mc hair
.

"
Ofc
our
seIdon'
tsnor
e!"Her
epl
ied,al
readyathi
stoes
,

222
pul
li
nghi
sshi
rt-
sleev
esuphi
sbi
ceps
."Okay
,I'
l
ltakemyl
eav
e
now"

"I
'l
lwalky ouout
"s hes
nappedandleftsi
debysi
de."Act
ual
ly,I
hadagr eatti
me!"Shesaidwhenhereachedhi
scarouts
ide.
Surpri
sedlyhefacedher,amused.

"Metoo!Itwasperf
ec t
,exc
eptIcoul
dn'ts
eeyourmother
!I'
m
sureshe'saspr
ett
yasy ouare"hesmil
edagai
n,maki
ngher
blush"Seeyoutomorrowmay be?
"

"Notsur
e!I'
l
laccompanymymot hertot
heci
ty,s
hehassome
st
uff'
stobuyforherrest
aurant
.We'
llt
akeamorningbuss
oI'
m
notsurewhenwe'llbeback
!"

"Oh,Isee!I
'l
lcallyouthen...
"hes
aids
ugges
tiv
elyands
he
nodded."OK,staysafe!
"

"
Dri
ves
afel
y!"

Withthat,hev anishedinani ns tant.Sher emainedt heresti

ll
,
feel
ingthes oothingeveningbr eez ebr ushinghersi
lkyhai r
accompani edwi ththerustl
ingt reest hattookherbr eathaway .
Foramoment ,shewant edtofor getev erythi
ngandonl ysavour
thewonder fulSundays hehadj us thad.

Thenextdayshewokeupi nadif
fer
entstat
e,shewasn'
t
feeli
ngwell
.Herbodyrejec
tedallt
heeff
ortshehadputint
o
getti
ngup,anddeci
dedlysheli
edbackexhaustedl
y.

Mi
nut
esl
aterhermot
herwal
kedi
n.

223
 "Goodmor ning!
"Shegreet
edherenthus
ias
tic
all
ybuts
eei
ng
herresponse,shefr
owned."What'
swronghoney?Ar
eyou
feel
ingsi
ck?"Sherushedtoherbedandplac
edahandon
Hanna'sfor
ehead,worri
edly
.

"
Relaxmadam,I'mfine!Ijustfeelexhausted"shesmiled
warmlybef
oresett
ingherselfcomf or
table,l
eaningagainstt
he
mountai
nofpil
lows."Mornings ic
kness?Somet hingl
ikethat!
"

"
OhJ
esus
!Ic
an'
tgetus
edt
othi
s,hear
ingy
out
alki
ngl
iket
hat
?"

"Meneit
her!Creepy ,is
n'tit
?"Hannas ai
dandt
heyboth
l
aughed.Responsiv
ely ,shemov edonhermother'
slapandl
ied
herheadli
keac hil
dwoul d."Thankyousomuchmom!What
wouldIdowi t
houty ou!Ilovey ou!
"

"Il
oveyoutoobaby!"Sherepl
ieds of
tl
y,whi
lebrai
dingherhai
r
i
nas mooth-
mov e."Well
,si
nceMr .Scubaagr
eedtogivemea
ri
detotheci
ty,I
'l
ljustgowit
hMr s.Gregoryl
ater
,youstayhome
andtakeagoodrest"

"
Okay
!Igues
syou'
l
lbehomel
ate,r
ight
?"

"
Igues
sso!
".

Hannaf el tboredlyi
ngonbedf oranhourwi t
houtgetti
nga
sl
eep.Shegother sel
freadyf orwor k.Shetookat axionherway
t
ot hes tore,anhourl ater.Shewasf eel
ingmuc hbetterasshe
sl
ippedatt hebac kwhilegreetingthedr iv
erwar mly,hewasa
middle-agedman.Ont hewayt heyhear ds ev
eralambulance-
si
renst hatwer es ounus ualandmadeheral it
tl
ec uri
ousand
l
uc ki
ly,thedr iv
erhadani nput.

224
 "
Whatat er
ribleday!Seemsalotofpeoplewer
einj
uredi
nthe
ac
cident
!"Hes napped,eyess
til
lontheroad.

"
Acc
ident
?"Shepr
ompt
ed

"
Yes,ther
ewasahugeac c
identear
li
ertoday
!Ihear
ditwas
t
erri
bleandthey
'res
til
ldoi
ngtherescueoper
ati
on!
"

"Oh!Howhor ri
ble!
"Shegas ped,beforegaz i
ngout sidesternl
y.
Justatthatmi nute,sheremember edt hatherphonewasof f
sincelastni ght,shetuggedherbagandt ookitout,thenturned
i
ton,c asual ly.Tohersurprise,t
herewer es everalt
ext sand
voicemai ls,from John.Shetookaqui ckpeekandher
expressionc hanged,confoundedly.Shemadeanat temptt ocall
him butt her ewasnoans wer."Si
r,cany oupleas etakemet o
thehos pitalinstead?"Sheasked.

"
Yesy
oungl
ady
,ev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"

"
Ihopes
o!"

Arr
ivi
ngatGr eenhil
lhospital,thi
ngswer echaoti
c.Thesight
wastotal
lysic
kening,shejus tstoodouts
ideforawhi l
ewat chi
ng
f
ewdoc torsandnur sesrunni nginhavoc,hel
pingeachotherto
car
rythev i
cti
msf r
om t hetwoambul anc
espar kedoutsi
de.

Somewer ebadl yinjured,somedeadc ons i

deri
ngt hewayt hey
coveredtheirbodies.Itwasat erri
bleviewandev eryonearound
wasinabadmood.Fr om adistance,atthemas si
v ehospit
al
door,shespottedt hes hor
thairednur se--
Cathy,t
al ki
ngtoone
oftheEMTs .Hannamov edcloserandwai tedforherunt i
lshe

225
s
awherintur
n,andi
mmedi at
elydi
sper
sedt
heguy
,then
f
oll
owedHannainahur
ry.

"HeyHanna!"Shes napped,f
ri
endl
yasusual,j
ustalit
tl
e
gl
oomy ."Dr.Mart
ini si
ntheER,asyoucanseethingsarenot
goodtoday!ButI'
lllethi
m knowyou'r
ehereifyouwant"she
off
ered.Hows weet,Hannathought
.

"
ThanksCat
hy,pl
eas
edo!I
t'
simpor
tant
!"

"Ok ay .By e!"Shes mi ledanddi sappear ed.Onc eher self,Hanna

wentt othewai ti
ngl oungef ac ingt herec epti
onandt ookas eat,
li
steni ngthef adings irensast heambul anc esleftt hepr emi se.
Shes tart
edgr owingi mpat ientandr estl
es sast hemi nut es
pas sedby ,wi thnos ignofJ ohn.Butt henagai nr ec alledt hati t
wasanemer genc ys ituat i
ons odec idedt owai tabi tlonger ,wi t
h
sever alques tionsi nherhead.J us tthens hec aughtagl imps eof
himj oggi ngt owar dsheratunnec essarys peed,s hes toodup
insti
nc tiv
el y,andmadenoat temptt omov euntilher eac hedf ew
centimet er sawayf rom her .Hewaspant i
ngheav ilyasi fhe' d
runamar athon,whi c hi nawayhedi d.Hi slookwas
undes cri
babl e,plungeds traightt oHanna' sey est hatwer et oo
baffled.Wi thouts ay ingawor d,hepul l
edherf orat i
ghtembr ace,
toot ightlikehewasgoi ngt ol oseher .Andwi tht hat ,shewas
evenmor ec onfus ed,butnotr elent l
ess.Sheal lowedher s el
ft o
mel tinhi sar msunt ilc ouldn' ttakei tany mor e,sher ev olted.

"Um- -John!Ican'
tbre--
"shestutter
edandhequicklysether
f
ree.Hisey esweredark,amixt
ur eofagonyandreli
ef,and
s
omet hingelsethatHannacoul
dn' tquit
eunder
stand.

226
 "You'
reokay,r
ight
?You'
renothur
tanywhere?
"Hes ai
d,whi
le
i
nspect
ingherbodyasifs
he'
djustcomeoutoffi
re.

"I'mf ine!I 'm nothur t!"Sher epl ied,s hocked,andhes lowl y

rel
axed,hi shandsonhers houl der s,stil
lstar i
ngather ." You- -
arey oul iket hatbec aus eofme? "Shemur mur eds of tlybuthe
remai neds ilent,exc eptf orhisi nt ensegaz ethatnev erlef thers .
"Wer ey ouw- -"s hewasc uts hor twhens uddenl yf elthi sl i
ps
env elopi ngher s,inter t
wi nedi nt oapas s i
onat e- yet-tender -ki
ss,
sendi ngac ur rentdownhers pi ne,maki ngev er ythingar ound
sti
llandl ifeles s.Shemoment ar il
yc l
osedherey esandl ether sel
f
fl
yt ot hec loudni ne,butherbr ainwas n'tdul lenought or ealize
thati twasal lwr ong,agr avemi stak e,thats hehadt os topi t
des pitet hes weet nes sitbr ought ,al erti
ngev er yinc hofhers ki
n
andt hebur nings ens ationitdec ipher edf rom t hef eel i
ngoft hat
i
ndec ents ur prise.Wi thoutas ec ondt odec ide,J ohnr eleas edher ,
breat hl es sly.Hel ookedhers traighti nt heey esass hes t
rivedt o
openher si ndi sbeliefofwhathadj usthappened.Hewas
str
angel ys toi c,andHannac ompl et el
yt heoppos ite,s he
ner vous lys cannedt hel obbyandl uckil
ynoonewaspay ing
attent iont ot hem.Ami dstallthet ens i
on,J ohngotpagedand
befor er es pondi ng,Hannas aid" I'm goi ngt ot hes t
or e,y ou
shoul dgobac ktowor k!"Shes aidi nac onfoundedt oneofv oice,
thenl ef twi thoutl ooki ngbac k.

I
twasnothi
ng,hejustgotcar
riedaway,hewaswor r
ied,itwas
nothi
ngbutanimpulse!YesHanna,that
'sit.Li
keamantra,she
keptconv
inci
nghers
elfinwardl
ywhilepacingquic
klyt
ot heexit
.

227
Bumpi ngt othef reshmor ningai rmi ngledwi thc ools unlight,
shefinallygotac hanc etobr eathe,av erylongbr eat hbef ore
walkingtowar dst hes amebenc hs heus edt hedays hefound
outaboutherpr egnanc y.Shef ells t
raightoni tasi fherl egshad
lostthemobi l
it
y ,s oc onfusedoft hes i
tuationt hats hehadno
ideawhatt othinkofi t.Sher emai neds t
il
lov ert her e,herhead
blank,unabl etot hinkofany t
hingexc eptallowi ngherbodyt o
absor btheGr eenhi l
lbr eezethatc amev i
olently,c aus i
nga
rustl
ingands creec hings oundsf r om thet reesnear by.Br ace
yourselfHanna,y ouhav eajobt oat t
end.Ani nnerv oi
ces l
apped
herfrom t heabs ent mindednes sandr i
ghtt hatmoments he
gatheredt heener gyt ogetup,get t
ingupj us ttof indJ ohn
standingr i
ghtbef oreherey es,ani mpas si
vel ookonhi sf ace.

"Iknowal otmus tbegoingoni nsi

deyourheadr i
ghtnow..."
hes ai
dinal owvoice,hal
tingl
y,herunahandt hroughhisblack
hairwithbr
ownt ints,s
eemi ngl
ydistr
aught.Wi
they eswide-
open,Hannas tar
edathi m unbli
nkingl
y;Coldi
ntheout s
idey et
nervousins
ide,wor r
iedands caredofwhathewasaboutt o
reveal
,shewas n'
treadytohearanyofhi sdecl
arati
on."HannaI -
-"

"I
'mleavi
ngthecountr
y!"Shesnappedwi thoutl
ett
inghim
f
inis
h."I'
m goi
ngawayJohn,ver
ys oon!"Sheaddedt ocuthim
s
hor t
,hewasbewilder
ed.Evenshes ur
prisedhersel
f.

"
WHAT!
"Heexc
lai
med.

"Icametosaygoodbye!Andtothankyouforeveryt
hingyou'
ve
doneforme!I-
-I'
mr eall
ylat
eforworkrightnows oI
'm goi
ng
fi
rst
!"Shebl
abberedwithaplas
ticsmil
eandl ef
tinahurry,

228
l
eav
ingJ
ohnt ot
all
ydumbf
ounded,gl
ari
ngather
,runni
ngr
ather
t
hanwal
king.Hecoul
dn'
tsayaword.

****

"Whatdoy oumeany ou'

remov ingoutChristi
an?Thisisyour
houseandnoonei sleavi
ng!"Theres
as nappedast hewhol e
famil
ygatheredfordinnerthatnight
."Thisisally
ourf aul
tJames
,
whydidy ouhavetobuyhi m anapar t
ment ?"Sheglaredather
husbandwhos il
entlychewedhi spast
a,ignori
ngTher esa'
s
prot
est.

"
Motherr
elax!I
'm notl
eavi
ngthecount
ryoranyt
hing,I
'mj
ust
movi
ngtomyownf lat,t
hat
'sal
l!
"Chri
srepl
ied.

"
Whydon' tyouletyours
ondowhathewantsTheres
a?He'sa
gr
own- upmannow,notal it
tl
eboy
.Heneedsspac
e!"Mr.
Ashtonfi
nal
lyspoke,hewasamanoffewwordsandmostly
wi
s e.

"OhIdon'tknow,t hisdoesn'tfeelr
ight!Thishouseisbig
enoughforev er
yone.Any way s,whatothernewsdoy ouhavet
o
tel
lus?Ij
us thopeit'snotanotherunpl easantsurpr
ise!
"She
askedChri
swhoexc hangedf ewknowi nggl anc
eswithAbbie
befor
elett
inghers peak.

"Um...mymot heraskedChr
ist
obei nchargeofourbus i
ness
here!Shewantshimtomanageever
ythingwehaveinLy cos.
"
Abbiesai
d,thenfol
lowedarei
gnofsi
lencefr
om everyone.

229
 "Wow!Thatcal
lsforatoast!Isn'
tthatgreathoney?"Ther
esa
sai
dpointedl
yatJameswhos eeyesnev erl
eftChri
s.EvenCar
o
didthesame,asifexpec
tings omefurtherinputf
rom him.

"
Hol
donasecmot her,it
'sonl
yapr oposalfornow,Ihaven'
t
s
aidy
es.
"Heclear
edt hetensi
on."Idon'tknowany t
hingabout
r
unni
ngahot
el,soI'
ms t
il
lthi
nki
ng"

"
Whichisawas t
eoft
ime!You'rever
ysmar tChri
s,I
'ms ur
e
y
ou'l
llear
nquickl
yanddoagr eatj
ob.Ibel
ieveinyou!"Abbie
s
aidandrecei
vedanagreeabl
enodf r
om Theresa.

"I
t'
st rues on!Unles sy ouhaveotherreasons,experi
enceisn'
t
anissue,whatc ountsi sthewill
.You'
rebr i
ll
iant
,you'vegotthe
power ,theknowl edge,i tsonl
yamat teroftimeandhowf ar
you'rewi l
li
ngt olearn.Wheny ouhaveagut ,nothingcanstop
you!"saidJameshi ms elfandforonce,thewholet abl
eagreed
wit
hhi m.I tlef
tChr iswi thalottothi
nkofaboutt heoffer
,which
fel
tli
keagr eatoppor tuni t
yofalif
eti
me.

230
 CHAPTER17
"Whati
fitwasahugemi s
underst
anding?Hanna'
ssudden
deci
si
ontoleave?
"Carol
ynaskedChri
swhens hesuddenl
y
i
nvadedhisroom,inaweirdmood.

Hefrowned,t
henswungaroundhi
schai
r,abandoninghi
swork
onthelapt
optofac
ehissi
sterwhowasal
readyseatedonhis
bed.

"
Whatkindofmi
sunder
standi
ng?
"Hes
atc
ros
s-l
egged,l
ooki
ng
r
elent
les
s.

Sheswallowedhard."Idon'tknow,Ijustthoughtmay beshe
saworhear dsomethingthatmadeherangr y...s
omet i
mesthe
real
it
yisnotwhatitseemsChr is
!"Shesnapped.Unlikeher
usualsel
f,shewassodi f
ferentthatday,asifshefel
ttheurgeto
warnhim abouthisrashdec i
sionsandjudgement .

"
Itdoesn'
tchangeathing!"Hesaid."
Ifs
hereall
ylov
edmeas
s
hec l
aimed,shewould'
vet rus
tedme!Andwaitedtocleart
he
s
oc al
ledmisunder
standing!Wait
--
"hepaused.

"
What
?"

"
Whereisthi
sal
lcomi
ngf
rom?I
sther
esomet
hingy
ouknow
t
hatIdon'
t?"

"
Um...me?
"

"Yes,y
ou!Igett
hisimpress
ionthatyou'
rehidi
ngsomethi
ng
abouther.Buti
tdoesn'tmatt
er,I
'm donewit
hher!So,t
his
conversat
ioni
soff
ici
all
yover!
"

231
 "
Real
ly?Ar
eyous
urey
ou'
redonewi
thher
?"

"
Pos
iti
vel
y!"

"
Okay,asyouwish!
"Shegav
eup."So,ar
eyougoi
ngt
oac
cept
t
hatof
fer?"Ther
eemergedanewsubject
.

"
Maybe...fat
herwasr
ight
,Iwon'
tknowunl
essIt
ry!It
hinkI
'l
l
t
aket
hec hance!
"

"Great!Goodluc
kt oy ou!
"Shes ai
dhalf-heartedly,Carowas
notthri
lledwit
hthei dea,shehadaf eel
ingthati twouldn'
tend
well
.Shegotup,r eadyt ol
eave,butstoppedt os ay,"Ir
eall
yhat
e
thi
sc r
ap,butforonceIwantt obelieveinit?"

"
Crap?Whatc
rap?
"

"Thatev er yt
hinghappensf orar eason! "Shes aid,wit
hext reme
displeasur e." Whatabul l
s hi
t"Sheut ter edwhi lec l
osi
ngt hedoor
behi nd,leav i
nghi m allbr oody .Hepul ledhi sbeds idedrawer
ands l
ippedoutHanna' sc ellphone,star edati tforagoodwhi le,
thought ful.Hec onnec tedac hargerandt urnedi ton,meta
pictureoft hem t ogetherasawal lpaper .Onc eagai nhet ri
edto
drawapat ternandf ailed,unt ilsomet hinghi thi shead,and
reluctantly ,hedr ewl etterC,i tunlocked.Heexhal edshar pl
y,as
i
fhedi dn' texpec tit
.Hewentt hrought hei nbox,andf oundonl y
hismes sages ,t
hec alllogs ,wasal mos tt hes ame,hes wallowed
conv ulsi
vel yandi mmedi atelyturnedi tof f.

****

232
 Fi
rstcoupleofday s
,afterHanna'sseparati
onf r
om Chriswer e
prett
yhar d.Butintimes helearnedtoli
vewi t
hi t
,andalong
cameDoc torMarti
n,themanwhoappear edlikeanangels ent
fr
om abov e.Inas hortti
me,hebr oughtbac khers mi
leand
madeherf orgett
hegr eatordealshewasf aci
ng,inst
eads hefelt
everythi
ngwasgoi ngt obeokay .

However,comingtoknowledgethatt
hev erysamemanwas
probabl
yhar bour
ingotherspec
ialf
eel
ingsforher,madeHanna
alit
tl
escared.Shedidn'
twanttofacei
t,hencedec i
dedt
orun
awayfrom him.

Johnkeptcall
ingherf ort
woday sinarow,wit
hnol uck.Hanna
wasdeter
mi nedt ostayawayf
rom him,Hopingtheynev ers
ee
eachot
heragai n.Shekepther
s el
fbusyprepar
inghertripback
toAust
ral
ia,event houghapartofherkeptyel
li
ngthatshewas
bei
ngharshandunf air
.

"I
ss omethingbotheri
ngy ou?You'
vebeenpi c
kingyourf oodfor
awhilenow! "Sarahsnappedatherdur i
ngdinner.Star
tli
ngly,
shelookeddownherpl at
eandf ounditst
il
l-
full
,thenstaredat
hermot heracrossthediningtabl
e."Why?Isitaboutthet ri
p?If
youdon' twanttogothens tay
!"

"Nomom,i t'
snott hat!Actual
ly,I
'm goi
ngt
os t
udyinPari
s,
accordi
ngtoaunt "Hannar epli
ed."I'
l
lbewit
hVictor
,youknow
howmuc hhefanc ycooking!I'
m ki
ndofexci
ted!
"Sheletouta
forcedsmil
e,Sarahfrowned.

"
Ift
hat
'st
hec
ase,t
henwhyar
eyous
ogl
oomy
?"

"
Not
hing.I
'mj
ustt
iredIgues
s"

233
 "Okay.Fi
nishy ourf
oodandgotosl
eepthen!Is
til
lcan'
tget
overthefactthatwenearl
ygoti
ntot
hatacci
dent!I
tcoul
d've
beenusy ouknow? "

"Iknow!"Hannapr ompt ed,withanobv i

ousi ndifferenc e.Her
mindwasc ompletel
yelsewher e."Mom,Isitpos sibleforaman
toli
keapr egnant-womanwhoi sn'
tact
uall
yc arryinghi sc hi
ld?"
Sheas kedwithoutthi
nkingmuc h,andreal
izedi twaspr etty
weirdone,judgingonSar ah'simmediatereaction.Shes etthings
str
aight,"Um- -i
t'
sjustas cenari
o,noneedt of reakout "s he
smiled.

"I
'm notsure,butwhynot ?...I'
veseenmenf all
ingf
orsingl
e
mother sandviceversasoIcan'tsayi
t'
simpossibl
e.Besi
des,no
bodyc hooseswhom t olov
e--i
tjusthappens
!"Sheanswered
cal
mly,beforesippingsomewat er.

"
Oh,Is
ee!
"

"
Ist
her
esomet
hingy
ou'
renott
ell
ingme?
"

"Huh?None!Um- -I'
llcl
eart
hetabl
e!"Shegotupabr
uptlyand
grabbedtheplat
es,Sarah'
sgazest
alkedher
.Befor
egett
ing
away,shetol
dher ;

"
Iwi
shyou'dt
rus
tmeal i
tt
lemor
eHanna,Ihopey
ouwi
ll
s
omeday
"s hes
miledt
enderl
y.

Itwasasifshecoulds eethr
oughher,andtherewasar eadable
paininhertone,buttherewasn'
tathingtobedone.Itwas n'
t
easyforHannatoopenupandt el
lhereveryt
hing,t
hatfineli
ne
from mater
nalrelat
ionshi
ptoafri
ends hi
pwass t
il
lhardt ocr
oss.

234
 Nextdayatwor k
,Shes pentbr ows i
ngt hec ul i
nar ys chools he
wasaboutt oj n,LeCor
oi donbl eu,oneoft hebes ti nFr anc e.
Approac hingherdr eam,mov ingt oanot herc ount ry,s tarti
nga
newl i
fe,whi leexpec ti
ngac hil
d,wer es omeoft he
overwhel mingAdi eu'si ns i
de.Shewasec s tati
candner v ousat
thesamet ime,buty etc ouldn'ts topmar v ell
ingt het hought ,
event houghats omepoi ntshef oundi ts uper cilious .She
could'veopt edforac heaperopt i
on,likes tudy ingi nLy cosf or
i
ns t
anc e,butonot herhandi twasnec es s aryt obewar yoft he
l
atter.Whatwoul dtheAs htonsdoonc ef indoutt her ewas
anotheroneoft heirkind,andf rom apoorbr eed?Abor ti
on? ,
Hannas hudder edatt het hought .Shewr appedherbel ly
i
ns t
inctivel
yandbr eatheddeepl y,pres singherl ipst oget herina
rel
axedmanner .

Notknowinghoworwhen,tohers
urpr
iset
herewasan
audienceatthestor
e,af
ami
li
armanwit
hpossess
ives
kil
lsof
arr
ivingunnoti
ced.

"
Wereyour eal
lygoi
ngt
oi gnor
emeunti
ltheend?"Johnasked,
l
ooki
ngs
t unningasal
ways,handsi
nhi
spantpockets
,s l
ight
ly
mad.

Shescowled."Haven'
tImadei tc
learthatIdon'twanttosee
youagain?
"Shes napped,hardl
ykeepingupherc ompos ure
fr
om hisdestabi
li
zi
ngs t
are.Sheswall
owedc onvuls
ivel
y."What
doyouwant ?"

"
Theus
ual
..."Heannounc
ed,c
almly.Hannapoi
ntedatt
he
t
rans
par
entr
efri
ger
atoratt
heotherend.Hemadeamov e

235
towar dst hef ri
dge,stil
lgazi
ngatheri ntensel y
,abi t
disappoi ntedly.Hes ervedhims el
fbeforer eturningt ot he
count er" Seemsl ikerunningawayi stheonl ys olutiont oy our
problems !"Hes aidblatantl
ywhi l
enabbi ngas inglebillfrom his
wal l
et,thenhandedi ttoher.Shefeignedat otaldeafnes s ,
des pi
tet hef actthatherf ac
ewass orelenti
ngt hatitcrac keda
faintsmi lefrom John." Okaythen,I'l
ldoasy ouwant !"He
dec l
aredi nar esi
gnedmanner ,beforefindinghi swayout .For
onc eHannas howedas li
ghtinter
est,herlipspar t
edasi fs he
want edt os ays omething,thenhes i
tated,unt i
lher eac hedt he
glassdoor ,readyt ogetout.

"
Whydi
dyoudoit
?"Sheasked,l
oudly
.Het
urnedar
ound
i
mmedi
atel
ywi
thanimpass
ivelook.

"It
hinky ouknowther eason!"Hesnapped,t
henpac
edback
nonchalantl
y."
Isn'
titthereasonwhyy ou'
repushi
ngmeaway?"
Henar r
owedhi seyes,enquiri
ngly
.

"Idon'tknowwhaty ou'ret
alki
ngabout "Nervousl
y,Hannabit
herlowerlipswhi l
esi
ghingsoft
ly,unabletomeethiseyes.
Secondspas sed,andonlysi
lencefil
ledthest
ore.Shestar
tedto
feeluneasyhenc edeci
dedtolookupt ohi
m,justtomeethis
scruti
niz
ingface.

"Ili
keyouHanna- -Ilikedyouf rom t
hev eryfir
stt i
meIs awy ou.
Ithoughtitwasas impl ei
nterestatfi
rstbutslowl yever
y t
hing
changed"hec onfessed,buttherewasnor espons e.Hannawas
j
us tst
ari
ngashi m,mout hagape.Hec ontinued," WhenIhear d
abouttheaccident,Iwentc razy!I'
veneverfeltthatscaredinmy
entir
elif
e.SoIrealized,Ilovethiswoman,Idon' twanttolose

236
her
!"

"
You'recrazy!
"Sheutter
edbuther eact
edwit
hindi
ffer
ence.
"
Youbar elyknowme,andi ncaseyou'v
efor
gott
en,I'
m pregnant
!
I
'mc ar
ryinganotherman'schi
ld!
"Sheaddedwithhermos t
s
erioustoneofv oi
ce.

"
Sowhat?Doesbeingpregnantmeanst heendofli
fe?Does
t
hatchangethefac
tthatyou'r
ebeauti
fulandmostlovel
y-
womanI'veevermet?Idon'tcar
eaboutanyofthatHanna!"

"
Wel
lIdo!I
tdoesmatt
ertome...I
'msorr
y,butIc
an'
tretur
n
y
ourf
eel
ings
!AndIdon'
tthi
nkIneedtopoi
ntoutmyreasons
!"

"Iknow!"Hepr ompted,madeheral i
tt
lesurpr
ised."Iknow
yous t
il
llov
et hefat
herofyourchi
ld,andt r
ustmeI '
m not
expecti
ngy outofeelt
hesamewayt owar dsme"

"
Good!I
t'
sal
lcl
eart
hen!
"

"No,somethingi
sst
il
lunc
lear!Hanna,myfeel
ingsar
emi ne.I
don'tunderst
andwhyIhavetostayawayfrom youj
ustbecause
Ilov
ey ou!Youevenmadeupas toryaboutl
eavi
ngthe
country
?"

"
Ididn'tmakei tup,it
'sthetr
ut h!
"Sheur gedandatthat
moment ,anothercustomerwal kedin.Theyhadtostopfora
whil
e.J
ohnt ookadv antageofthebr eaktogulphi
ssweaty
gi
ngertonic,v
ividl
ydistraught
.

Hannacoul
dn'tr
esis
ts t
eali
ngfewglancesofhi
m whi
le
att
endi
ngthecashregis
try,c
ontemplati
ngevery
thi
nghehad
j
usttol
dher.I
twasherf i
rstti
mereceivi
ngsuchabraz
en

237
conf
essi
on,from suchabeauti
fulandi ntel
li
gents t
rangers he'
d
j
ustmetc oupleofdaysago.Hewasl i
keafreegiftshethought
undeser
ving,andtosum upherpr iorexperi
encei nlove,itwas
tooenormous .Shewastoooccupiedt onoti
cethatt heywer e
onceagai
nal oneandJohnwasl ookingatherc l
oselyasi f
wonderi
ngwhatkeptherabs entminded.Shebl inked,startl
ed.

"Hey,Ihat
ethatface!Ididn'tas
kyoutomarrymey ouknow?"
Hes ai
dteasi
ngly
,andl ucki
lyitwork
ed.Hannal
aughed."Ther
e!
That'
sthefaceIli
ke"hes miled.

"
John,I
'm bei
ngs
eri
ous
!I'
l
lbegonei
namont
hatmos
t"

"AndI
'l
lbegoneint hr
eemont hs
!"Hes napped.Hanna
fr
owned,conf
used."YesHanna,myf el
lowshi
pwi l
lbeoversoon.
..andI'
llf
lybackt
oBal ti
more,Iremembert el
li
ngyouthis
,
no?"

"
Yeahyoudid,butIdi
dn'
tknowitwoul
dbethats
oon...So
t
hen,y
ousee?We'llbot
hgooursepar
ateway
s!"

"
Ands
owhat
?Yout
hinkt
hedi
stanc
ecans
topus
?"

"
Yes
?"

"OhHanna.We'renotcavemeny ouknow!Imaynotbes uper-

ri
ch,butIcanaf
fordgoi
ngpl aces.Infact
,It
hinkI'
m goingto
developanewhobby,tr
avell
ing!"Hes ai
d,wit
hapl ay
fulgleam
i
nhi seyes
.Agai
n,Hannas t
if
ledal augh."What'
ssofunny?"

"Ther
e'sreal
lynos t
oppingy
ou,ist
her
e?Imean,you'
reso
s
tubborn!"Shebitherlowerl
ips
,"Soar
eyousayi
ngthaty
ou'l
l
f
indmewher everIgo?"

238
 "
Whynot
?"

"
You'
rec
raz
y!Sov
eryc
raz
y!"

Ev entuall
y ,theys t
artedlaughi ngandar gui
ngliketheyus ually
did,andi nt heend,t heturmoi lwasov er.I
twasasi fnot hi
ng
unus ualhadhappenedbet weent hem.Johnmanagedt o
reas surehert hathe'dneverdoany t
hingshewas n'tupf or,and
madei tcleart hathe'dbewi thherunt i
ltheend.Butr efusedt o
beherf ri
end,c l
aiminghenev ermadef r
iendswi t
hpr ett
ygi rl
s
l
ikeher .I
nt urn,Hannaas kedwhatki ndofr el
ati
ons hi
pwoul d
thatbe,andhes i
mpl ysai
dt hatthere'snoneedt ol abeltheir
relati
ons hip,itwasl eastimpor tant.

Latert
hatev
ening,Hannawasatthet op.Herf
acewascol
orf
ul,
pai
ntedwit
habrightsmil
easshearrivedhomeandf oundher
motherint
hekit
chen.Shewarmlygreetedher.

"Iguesssomet
hinggooddidhappen!
"sai
dSar
ah,herl
ook
unsure."Whyar
ey ousohappy?"

"BecauseI'
m happy!"Sherepl
iedwi t
har hythm ofasong,but
Sarahwass t
il
lstar
ingather,waiti
ng."Ohmom,Idon' tknowi fI
shouldtel
lyouthisornot"s
hes ighed,fi
nall
ytookthe
discus
sionseri
ous.

"
I'
m al
lear
s!"Shes
napped,f
oldi
ngar
msac
ros
sherc
hes
t.

"Well
..."shestutt
eredhesi
tantl
y,thentookanothersigh.
"Someonei si
nlovewi t
hme,het oldmes otoday!"Shec l
osed
hereyes,ashamedt oseehermot her'
sreact
ion.Thendec i
ded
toopent hem af
teralongsi
lence,andfoundhers mili
ng.

239
"
Whoi
she?DoIknowhi
m?"Sheas
ked,wi
thexc
itement
.

"
Mom?Ar
en'
tyous
urpr
isedorany
thi
ng?
"

"DoIhav et
o?Why ?You'r
ey oungandbeauti
ful
,soi
t'
sonly
naturalt
hatsomeonelik
esy ou.Besi
des
,Ialr
eadyknewthat
there'
sanews omeoneiny ourli
fe!
"

"Youdi d?How? "Shequeried,al

itt
lesur
prised.Sarahshrugged
withouts ayi
ngany t
hingexceptsmil
ingbroadly."
Any way,t
hat'
s
noti mpor t
ant,mom I'm pr
egnant!Howcanaguyl ovemei nthi
s
st
at e?"

"Whynot ?I
sthatadefectorsomething?I
t'sj
ustanunborn
chi
ld,doesbeingamothers t
opany onetoloveorbei
ngloved?
Darli
ngthisi
stwenty
-fi
rstcentur
y,doIhavet oremi
ndy ou
thi
s?"Sarahutter
edwit
hent husi
asm,leavi
ngHannac omplet
ely
dumbs t
ruck.

"
Arey
our
eal
lymymot
her
!Ihopey
ou'
renotpos
ses
sed!
"

"Ohgivemeabr eak!So,doesheknowy ou'r

epregnant ?Where
didyoumeethi m? "Sheaskedwhi l
eresuminghercooking.Li
ke
acue,Hannat ookas eatatthecounterandpouredagl assof
water,t
hens i
ppedabi t.Shetoldherthewholestor
y,inc l
udi
ng
hervisi
ttoLycoswhi c
hwass t
il
lhi
ddenuntilt
hen."So,y oueven
sawChr i
s?"

"Idid.Hewaswi t
hAbbie!Icoul
dn'
tdoany thi
ng,Ij
usthid
away "sheansweredinalowtoneofvoic
e,shegothurt
whenev ersherec
all
edthatmoment.Tearsthreat
enedtofil
lher
eyes,butsheimmediatel
yrepres
sedthem withaquicksni
ff.

240
"Anyway,it
'sal
linthepastnow.From hereonwards,I
'm onl
y
goingt
ot hi
nkofmybaby ,I'
l
lst
udyreall
yhard,I
'l
lmakes ureto
exceli
nallthatIdo.Idon'twanthi
mt olackany
thing"

"
Oras
he!
"sai
dSar
ahj
oyf
ull
y.

"Yesmom,oras he!WhenIcomebac kher

e,Iwon'
tbethe
sameHannat heyusetoknow,I'
l
lneverl
etanyonel
ookdown
onus !Notev
enthegreatAsht
ons!"
.

ThatwasHanna' sfir
stdeclarat
ionoff uture.Therewasa
hideoussparkl
einherey esass hes aidthosewor ds,ami xt
ure
ofangerandbi t
ternessoutofbet rayalshebel i
eveddonet oher.
Shewant edtouset heoppor t
unityofhav ingar i
chfathertori
se
high,shewantedtol i
veherdr eam foronc e,andatt hatmoment,
shehadar easont ofi
ght,herunbor nc hil
d.

"
Ijus
twantyoutobehappyandheal
thyhoney
.For
getabout
t
heAshtons
,jus
tgoandli
veyourl
if
e!"

"
Iknowmom!
"Shes
mil
edather
.

"
Okaytel
lmeaboutthedoct
or,i
shehands
ome?Whydon'
t
y
ouinvi
tehim ov
erf
ordinner
!"

"Comeonmot her!I'
vetol
dyoueveryt
hingal
ready
.I'
m not
call
inghim ov
er,Idon'twanthi
mt othi
nkthatI'
mleadi
nghim
on.Afteral
lhealreadyknowsthatI
'mleavi
ng"

"Youtol
dhim?Andwhatdidhesay?"Sarahaskedc ur
iousl
y,
andforthemomentHannareminis
cedhiswordst hathe'd
fol
lowherwherev
ershewouldgo.Shecouldn'
tresistl
aughing.
Deepinsides
heknewitwasjus
tanempt ypromise,butit

241
st
rangel
ymelt
edherhear
t."
Hey
,I'
mtal
kingt
oyou!
"Her
motherbar
ked.

"It
hinkt
hepotat
oesarebur ni
ng!
"Shemanagedtodi
verther
att
enti
onandint
elli
gent
lyusedthechancet
osav
ehersel
ffrom
thebombardment.Sherushedtoherroom.

Dayswenton,andHannac arr
iedonwi thherunnamed
relat
ionshipwi t
hDr .Mar t
in.Theywer ebothokaywi ththe
sit
uation.Theyhadmeal stogether,sever
aldates,plent
yof
eveningwal ksandoneweekendget away.Johnnev ermentioned
hispropos alagain,andnotev enonc edidhet r
ytomakeany
i
ndec entmov eonher ,shealway sf
eltsaf
ear oundhi m,may be
toocomf ortablethatitmadei ttoohardforherwhent heti
me
toleavehadf i
nallyarr
ived.

Again,hepr
omisedthathe'
d nev erletherfeelhi
sabsenc
e,
thathe'dbewher
evershe'dbe.Shej usthuggedhim andki
ssed
hischeekbef
oresayi
nggoodnight.Shel ef
tthenextday.

****

FOURYEARSLATER.Thes oundofahandphonebuz zingfi

ll
ed
thecampy -
off
icei
nsidet heLycosUni v
ersi
tyHospital,Cardi
ology
cent
rebuildi
ng.Thepaper swer escatt
eredallover,asifthe
ownerhadqui t
eani ghtdoingas earchands ei
zure.Ther ewasa
whit
ec oathangedbyt hechairwithDr .Mart
insnamet ag
embodiedoni t
.Atthet abl
e,l
ieds everalr
esearc
hf il
es,the

242
c
omput erwhic
hwass ti
llon,t
hebloodpress
urec uf
fsandthe
v
ibrat
ingphone.Jus
tthen,Dr.Mar
tinappearedfr
om theother
s
ideandpickedthephonewi thas
mi l
e,uponidenti
fyi
ngthe
c
all
er.

"
Hi"hemut
ter
ed,wi
thahus
kyv
oic
e.I
twasanear
lymor
ning.

"Let'
ssee,you'resleepingintheof fi
ceagain!WhatdoIdowi t
h
youDr .Str
ange?Ic an'tbeli
evey ouhav en'
tfoundahous eyet!
"
Abeaut i
fulvoic
ef r
om t heendoft heli
nereplied,naggi
ngly.He
giggl
ed,amus ed."You'relaughing,seri
ously
?Tel lme,don'tthey
payy ouwelloverther e?You'r
eapr ominentdoc tor
,whydon' t
youjustgobac ktoBal ti
mor einstead?Seemsl ikeLycoshaslost
it
'stouch"

"
Areyoudonehyst
eri
calqueen?CanItal
know?
"Heas
ked,
t
easi
ngl
y,bef
oret
akingaseatwithayawn.

"
Yes
.Fornow!
"Sheur
ged.

"
Great
.LikeIs
aidbefor
e,Iwon'
tfi
ndapl
acet
ost
ay,unt
ily
ou
gi
vemet heans
wer!"

"
Againwitht
heemotional
-bl
ackmai
l?Aren'
tyoutoooldfort
his
Dr.Mart
in?Fi
ne.I
'l
lgi
veyoutheanswer,int
wenty
-fourhours
"

"
Ohf
inal
ly!Wheni
syourf
li
ght
?"

"
Toni
ght
!"

"
I'
llbewai
ti
ng!Imi
ssy
oul
ikec
raz
y!How'
sisAl
vin?
"

"
Exc
ited!Hec
an'
twai
ttos
eehi
sgr
andma.Hemi
ssesy
ou,and
s
odoI "

243
"
I'
lls
eey
out
omor
rowt
hen!
"

"
Yes
.Tomor
row!
"Shes
tres
sed.

"
Hanna?
"

"
Yes
?"

"Ar
ey ousur
eyou'
rereadyt
ocomebac
k?Iknowy
ou
unders
tandwhatImean!"

"
I'
mv er
ys ur
eJohn!Anddon'
tworry,I
'm nothol
dingany
gr
udge.I
'l
lgetgoi
ngnow,Auntisher
e!"

"
Sayhel
lof
orme.Il
ovey
ou!
"

"
Iknow!By
e!"

244
 CHAPTER18
"Goodmor
ningmot
her
!"Hannas mil
ed.She'
djus
tgoneoutof
herbedr
oom,wit
haworn-
outlook,pr
obablyfr
om aj
et-
lag.

"Goodmorni
nghoney,di
dyousl
eepwell
?"Repli
edSarah,as
usuals
hewasalr
eadyupforaday,wi
thherapronhangingby
thewaist
.

"Asyouc ans ee,riseands hi

ne!OhImi ssedthi
ssmel l...
crunchyonion- pancakes?I t'
sexactl
ywhatIneed!"Sheut t
er ed
withenthusiasm,whi l
etakingas eatatthekit
chenc ounter.
Minuteslater,thebr eakfastwass erv
ed,thenMariaanday oung
gi
r l
,aboutfourt eenorf i
fteenjoi
nedt hem."HiMaria?Coul dn't
beli
evethaty ouac tuall
yqui tyourjobattheAshton'stowor kfor
mymom! "

"Ohwell
,whatcanIsay...Il
oveworki
ngwithSarah.Sowhen
shetol
dmet hatIc
ouldevens t
aywi
thherewithmyl i
ttl
esi
ster
,
Ididn'
tev
enhav et
othinktwic
e"Mari
as ai
dshyly
.

"Ohnogi r
l,Ineveraskedyoutowor kforme!Youc ri
edont he
phone,remember ?"Sarahint
ruded,anditwasac ueforal ong
disc
us s
ionthatmadeHannal aughaudi bl
ymos toft
het i
me.
Lookingatthem,bickeri
ng,madeherr eal
izehowmuc hs he'd
missedthosemoment s
.

She'
dac t
ual
lyarri
vedatGreenhil
lanightbef
ore,af
tert
helong
fouryear
sors o.I
twasahuges urpri
seforSar
ahs i
nceHanna
neverannouncedherret
urnbeforehand.Shewantedto
surpr
iseever
yone.Anditworked,theywereal
lshockedtosee

245
howbeauti
fulandworldl
yshe'
dbec
ome,wi
thherhands
ome
l
it
tl
e-boybyherside.

"I
sAlvins
tillasl
eepHanna? "Gwen,Mar
ia'
sli
tt
les
ist
eras
ked
her,al
mosts tar
tli
nglyasevery
oneels
eseemedoccupi
edwit
h
theunfami
liarconv er
sati
on.

"Yesdear!Hemust'
vebeens ot i
red,especi
all
yafterthegame
mat c
hy outwohadlastnight
!"Hannar ais
edawr yey ebrowat
herands hesmi
ledshyly."It
hinkhel i
kesyoualready,si
nce
you'vebecomehisgaming-partner!
"

"Il
ikehimt oo,he'
scut
e!Andhepl ayspret
tywel
l"Gwen
repl
ied,withhersmoothgi
rly-
voice.SheandHannafound
themselvesinthei
rowndiscussi
on,aboutAlvi
nandhisli
tt
le
gadgets.

L
aterthatday ,afterlit
tl
es trol
laroundGr eenhi
ll
,sayi
nghito
somef ri
endsinc l
udi ngherol dboss ,Mr.Scuba,Hannafounda
ti
met otalktohermot heralone.Theys atatthecanvas
-chair
sin
thefrontold-
bar reny ardt hatwasfulloflawn-gr
assandf l
owers
bythen,compl etelydifferentfrom howi twaswhens helefti
t.

I
twasmid-
spr
ing,al
mos
tev
erywherewascov
er edwi
thser
ene
s
hadesofgr
eenandthes
kywascry
stal
-bl
ueaccompani
edwith
s
il
vercl
ouds
.

"I
'msohappyt ohaveyoubackhoney !Iwai
tedforsolongto
seeyouandmygr andson"Sar
ahs napped.Despit
ethetime,s
he
wassti
llnatural
lybeaut
if
ulinherslenderbodythatneedednot
t
owor kout,forsheworkednonstopherentir
elif
e."I'
ms o

246
proudofy
oudear,yours
onisgr
owingni
cel
y,y
ou'
vef
ini
shed
yourst
udi
es,Ic
ouldn'
taskf
ormore!
"

"Ohmom,s t
opbei ngs enti
ment alnow!Youar egoingtomake
mec ry"shes nif
fed,thens miledast heybot hwipedt hei
r
sadness."I'
m als oproudofmy self!Itwasn'teasymom,at
timesIwant edtoqui t,Ifel
titwass ounfairformet odealwith
everyt
hingalone...buty ougav emec ourage,every
onear ound
medi d,auntVictori
a,myc ousinVictorandmos tl
yes pec
ial
ly
John,Idon'tknowwhatI '
dhav edonewi t
houthi m"

"
From whatyou'
vet
oldme,It
hinkJ
ohni
sav
erygoodman,I
'd
l
ovetofi
nall
ymeethim!"

"
Youwi l
lmom,don'tworry.Tot
hinkhedoesn'
tev
enknowt hat
I
'm her
e,he'
llbeshockedwhenhes eesmetomorr
ow"Hanna
s
aid,amusedtoherownt hought
sass hes
tar
edint
ospace.

"
Youdi
dn'
ttel
lhi
m?"

"
No,het
hinksI
'ms
til
linAus
tral
ia!
"Sher
epl
iedwi
thawi
tt
y
s
mi l
e.

"
Andy
out
woar
enotdat
ingy
et?Why
?don'
tyoul
ikehi
m?"

"Idoli
kehi m mother
,al ot...Whowouldn't?Butwe'renot
dati
ng,YET!"Shesaidwithabl ushandatt hatmoment ,Gwen
approachedholdi
ngAlvin'shand,av eryhands omeli
ttl
eboyi n
hiswhit
es hort
s,redpolo-shirtwit
hmat c
hingc onver
se."HeyMr .
Alvi
n,hads omefunwithGwen? "Hannapul ledhimtoherl aps
andthelit
tleboynoddedagr eeabl
y."Doyoul i
keithere?"

"
Ido!Ar
ewegoi
ngt
oli
veher
e?"Hequer
ied,s
eri
ous
ly.Hanna

247
exc
hangedgl
anc
eswi
thSar
ahandGwen,al
it
tl
etakenabac
k.

"
Idon'
tknowAl
vin,why
?Woul
dyoul
iket
ost
ay?
"

"Yes,Gweni
snice,shemademeaki
te...butI
tfl
ewaway!
"He
poutedmomentaril
y."Canwes
tayal
it
tl
elonger
?Shepromi
sed
tomak emeanotherone!"

"
Ofc
ours
ebaby,wecans
tayf
orasl
ongasyouwant
,onl
yif
y
oupromi
set
hatyouwon'
tmakeanyt
roubl
e"

"
Ipr
omi
se!
"Hes
aidi
nac
hil
dis
hway
.

"
Andnoplayi
ngv i
deogamesatni
ght"Hannaadded,andfora
s
econdAlv
infrowned,buthet
henagr
eed.Theyal
llaughed.
"
Okay,nowlet
'sgetyousomesnac
ks!
"

"I
t'
salr
ightHanna,I
'l
ltakec
areofi
t"Gwenv
olunt
eer
ed,
happi
ly.

"
ThanksGwen,jus
tgi
vehimsomefr
uit
s,andnomatt
erhow
muchhetri
cksyouint
ojunkf
oods
,don'
tfal
lfori
t!
"

"
Don'
tworry
,I'
vegott
his
"sher
epli
ed,s
mil
ingl
y."
Let
'sgol
it
tl
e
man!
"Sheheldhi
shandandbot
hlef
t.

"Gweni susedt obaby s

itti
ng,youcanrelax!Shewasal sotaki
ng
careoftheirsic
kgr andmot herunti
lshedieday earago.Poor
thi
nghass uf
feredal oti
ns uchay oungage,that '
swhyIas ked
Mar i
atoc omeandl i
veher e,
toget
herwithher .Ihopey ou'
renot
upset"Sarahbr okethes i
lence

"
Upset
?Areyoucraz
yMs .Sarah,Iwasrel
ivedtoheart
hat
y
ou'r
enotal
one.Theycanstayforaslongastheyneed!
"She

248
reassuredhermot herwhos mil
edkindl
y."OhIforgot
somet hing,Al
vini
sall
ergictos
trawberr
ies
!IhopeGwenhas n'
t
givenhi m any
!"Shequickl
yrosefr
om herseatandrunins
ide,
Sarahf oll
owed.

Lucki
ly,Gwenwasjusts l
ic
ingsomer edappleswhilet
alki
ngto
t
heboyaboutt hei
rf l
ight.Als
o,itt
urnedoutt hatt
heyrunoutof
str
awber r
iesi
nthehous e,hencenohar m wasdone.Reli
eved,
Hannaandhermot herr eti
redtotheliv
ingroom.

"
So,hehasas trawberryal
ler
gy?
"Sarahqueried,s
eemi ngly
i
ntri
gued.Hannanoddedherhead,per pl
exed."Chri
sti
ani sal
so
al
ler
gictost
rawber r
ies
!"Sheadded,andslowl
yHanna' sface
st
art
edt ounfol
d.

"Yesmother!Hetookafterhi
sfat
her!"Sheprompted.They
bothsentthei
reyestowardstheki
tchenwher eAl
vinwas
gi
ggli
ngbrightl
yinresponsetoGwen'sti
ckl
ing.

"
Doyoust
il
lthi
nkofhi
m? "Sar
ahas
kedi
nal
owv
oic
eonc
e
t
heyr
esumedbacktheat
tenti
on.

"I
'l
lbeal yingifIsayIdon'
t.He'
smyson'
sfat
hermom,i
t'
s
onlynaturalIthinkofhi
mf r
om ti
metoti
me!"Sheans
wer
ed,a
l
it
tlesadly
.

"
I'
dsaymostoft
hetime,Icouldal
mostseeChristhroughhim,
t
heresembl
ancei
srealhoney!
"Sarahc
ontinued,"Don'tyou
wantt
oknowwhatChrishasbeenuptothiswholetime"

"Nomom!Idon'twantt
oknow"shepr
omptedqui
ckly
,
deter
mined,t
hensi
ghedsof
tl
y,"
Whatar
eyoutry
ingtosay

249
mom?
"Hannagl
aredather
.

"
Doy
our
eal
lywantt
ohearmyopi
nion?
"

"
Ido...
"

"Ithinkit
'sabouttimey oulethi
m know,t hathehasason!"
Sarahs ai
dbr az
enly,andimmedi atelyHannaturnedpal
e.Itwas
atoughs ubject
."Besides,i
fyou'r
egoi ngtoli
veinLycos
,the
possibil
it
yofmeet i
nghi m agai
nisv eryhi
gh."

Theawf ul -
sil
enc epr evailedforal ongmi nut
e,Hannas wal
lowed
hardasi fherheadwasdr i
ft
ingawayt ot hecl
ouds .Butshetook
alongbr eathaf terwards ,as i
gnt hatshewasbac ktotheplanet
earth."It houghtal otbef orecomi ngher emot her !
"She
remar kedhal ti
ngly."Andbef ores peakingofrights,atl
eaststop
beingobl iviousaboutwhatI '
vebeent hroughal lt
histi
me,and
pleases topt akinghi ssides or ec
kl es
sly!"Shes nappedather ,i
n
alowy etpis sedt oneofv oice.

Star
tled,Sarahobjec
ted."I'
m nottaki
nganyone'ssi
deHanna..
.st
opac t
ingli
keac hi
ld,wil
lyou?Thisi
sn'
tjustaboutthet woof
you,italsoconcer
nsAl vi
n!Theboyneedstoknowhi sfather,he
hasev eryri
ghtinthewor l
dto,nomat t
erthecirc
ums t
anc es!
"

"I'
mv er
ymuc hawar eofthat
,butnowi snottheri
ghtt
ime"
Insi
sti
ngl
y,Hannasaid."Idon'
twantAl v
intogrowupwithout
knowinghim,butIneedt obeprepared,Ineedtobeableto
protec
tmys onfrom anythi
ngandany one!That'
swhyIneeda
li
tt
leti
me"

"
Prot
ecthi
mfr
om what
?Hi
sownf
ather
?"Sar
ahas
ked,a

250
c
onf
usedl
ookonherf
ace.

"
Yes!f
rom him andany oneel
se...motherit
'st
heAs ht
on'
s
we'r
etakingabout,theyhavemoney,they
'repowerf
ul!Bef
oreI
makeanydec i
sion,Ineedtobewar yofmylegalandeven
ec
onomi cposi
ti
on!"

"Iunder s
t andhoney !Buty oual sos houl dn'tf orgett haty ou're
anAnder son,ev ent houghy our efus etoac cepty ours t
atus ...
youc anbev erypower f
uli fyouwantt o!"Sar ahs tipulated,and
foramomentt heybot hlaughed.I twasmai nlyduet ot hat
remar k,aboutbei ngpower f
ul.Shewasr ightt hough,Hanna' s
fatherownedav erypr estigi
ousl awf irmi nt hec ount ry
,andher
grandfatherwasapr omi nentol dmani nt heexpor tbus ines s
withgr eatc onnec ti
ons .Hewast heonewhos tronglyoppos ed
Sarah'sr elations hiptohi ss on,sinc eshewasas i
mpl emai d
withoutaname.Hewasv erys t
rictandr uthles s,butwhen
Hannawasbor n,hewant edhert ober ais edi nhi sfami ly,byt he
womanhe' dc hos enforhi ss onandnotSar ah.That '
swhen
thingsfellapar tandSar ahdec i
dedt oletVi ctoria,raiseHanna
instead,itwast heonl ywayt os t
ophi shar as smentt owar ds
them.

"Ohmom,don'tevenremindmeoft hat
...Thenerveofthat
oldman,Canyouimaginehowecstat
ichewaswhenhef ound
outIhaveason,hefl
ewallthewaytoAustr
ali
a!"Hannasaid,
casual
ly.

"
He'syourgr
andfatherHanna!Hemaybes
nobbi
shbuty
ou
s
til
lhav
ehisblood."Sarahr
emar ked.

251
 "Af
terev
ery
thi
nghedi
dtoy
ou?Ic
an'
tbel
iev
eit
.Ar
eyouan
angelors
omethi
ng?
"

"I
'mjustamother!Idon'tagr
eewi t
hwhathedid...butI
'm
surehehadhisreasons.Hemus t
'vebeenhappy
,healways
wantedagrandson"

"Andheneverhadone,right
?Actual
ly,Iheardmyf at
heris
gett
ingadi
vorce,di
dy ouknowhiswifecan'thavechil
dren?
"
Hannafoundac hancetoconf
ronthermot heratlas
t.

"
Um...yes!
"Sar
ahanswer
ed,butbefor
ehertackl
ingfurt
her
,
Al
vini
ntr
udedandthec
onvers
ati
onstoppedr
ightthere.

****

HANNAl eftGreenhil
llat
ei nthemor ni
ng,t
henextday .She
rodeabust oLy c
osandar ri
v edar oundt welv
eint heaf t
ernoon.
Despitethet i
mepas sed,ever yt
hingwast hesamei nherey es
.
Shetookas hortwalkfrom thebuss t
opjusttoembr ac
et he
famil
iari
ty.Theweat herwasni ce,t hes pr
ing-
sunshi nedfaintl
y,
andthebus t
lingcit
ynoiset hats t
iflehers mi
leass hehaul edfor
ataxiandheads trai
ghttoLy cosuni versi
tyhospi
tal.

Shepeekedout si
de,throughthet ransparentwindow.The
univ
er si
tybuildi
ngskepts l
idingbackast hec araccel
erat
edina
constantmoder atespeed.Thes ightbroughtbac ksomeol d
memor i
es,theti
mes hewasonc eaf r
eshman,t hemoments he
sharedwi thChrisasheronl yfri
end.As oftsighescapedher
l
ungsass heleanedbac kagainstthes eat
,pressingherli
ps

252
t
oget
hermoment
ari
lyasawayt
oceas
ether
emi
nis
cing.

"J
ustdropmeov ert
her e!"Sheas
kedthedriverandamoment
l
atershetookof
fthec ar.Shewantedt
oc al
lJohninadvance,
butdeci
dedagai
ns ti
t.Shec hoset
osurpr
isehimi ns
tead.

Sheheadt
othebui
ldi
ngr
ightaway
.

"Doy
ouhaveanappoint
ment?Dr.Marti
nisn'
tondut
ytoday
"
s
hewast
oldoncear
riv
edattherecept
ion.

"
Iknow!Ac
tual
ly,I
'm nother
easapat
ient
!"Hannar
epl
ied.

"
Eh?
"Ther
ecept
ionnur
sepr
ompt
ed.

"Imean...I'm hisgirl
fr
iend,Ijustarrivedfrom abr oadandI
washopingt o--youknow,s urpri
sehi m? "Shelied,andher
wordsdrews omeat t
entionfrom theot hernur ses.They
scannedherupanddownasi fconfi
rmi ngs omet hing.Lucki
ly,
shewasdr essedt oimpressthatitdidn'tleaveanyr oom foran
i
llcomment ."Well,I'
l
ljustgi
vehi m ac alli
fit'
sabot her...
"she
smiledki
ndlybefor esli
ppingahandi ntoherdes i
gner -
purse.

"
Wai
t--
"thenur
ses
napped."
Got
othes
ixt
hfl
oor
,room F15.
I
t'
shi
soffi
ce!
"

"Oh,thankyou!
"Hannagrinnedbefor
eturni
ngherheels
,
leav
ingtheint
oxi
cati
ngFrench-per
fumescentt
hatobvi
ously
gavethem aroom t
odisc
us sher.

Fewminut
esofel
evat
orr
idewasenoughtoc
learhermi nd,
andreadyt
omakeherdec
isi
onregar
dings
omethingthatwas

253
probablygoingt oaff
ectherl i
fef
rom thatpoint
.Sheknoc ked
twicewhenr eachedthedoorwi t
hDr .Marti
n'snames tuckonit.
Af i
nefamiliarvoiceprompt edhertogoin,shesmiled.She
slowlyopenedt hedoor ,pokedherfacebeforeemer gingwhol l
y.
Apai rofwides urpri
sedey eswelc
omedherands hej us tst
ood
stil
lbythedoor ,smili
ngly.

"No,tel
lmeI'm notseeingt
hingsnow!HANNA?
"John
excl
aimedloudl
y,alreadyonhistoes
.

"
Hi,Dr
.St
range!
"Sher
epl
ied.

"You-
-wai t
...
"Hepaused,i
nawe,het hens t
artedl
aughi
ng
whileshaki
nghisheadasifs
he'dgothim,leaninghi
sboth
handsont hetabl
etop."
Youreall
yenjoysurpri
s i
ngme,don'
t
you?"

"AndIc ant
ellyouquiteenjoymys urpr
ises,don'ty
ou?"She
answeredwithanar c
hedey ebrows,whi l
ewal kingnonchalantl
y
towardshistabl
e,whichwasi nhugemes s.Foramoment ,they
staredeachotherwit
habr ightsmile.Untilhelefthi
sspott o
giveheralonglast
ingembr ace."Imi s
sedy ou!"Shewhispered,
droppingherpurseont hefloor
.

"
Needl
essf
ormet
osay
,bec
aus
eIt
oldy
ouac
ount
les
sti
mes
!"

"
Itdoes
n'thur
ttor
epeatt
hough"

"Imiss
edyou!"Hes ai
dwhi l
einhal
inganenc hant
ings
mellof
hershampoothroughherl ongwavygolden-hai
r."
Andyes,I
l
ov et
hissur
pri
se!"Hes ai
dwhi l
ereleas
ingher,onl
ypart
ial
ly,as
hi
shandskeptenc i
rcl
ingherwaistands hehisnec
k.

254
 "
I'
m gl
adyoudo,bec
auset
her
e'sanot
herone!
"Hannat
old
hi
mi napl
ayf
ulmanner.

"
Anot
herone?
"

"Yes!
"Shes aid,andlookedint
ohisanti
cipat
ingeyes,cal
mly.
Shes wal
lowedt henpulledhisheaddowni naswif
t.Sheplanted
herpinkc ol
oredlipsi
ntohisandkissedhim wit
houtawar ni
ng,
as horty
etlingeri
ngkindofkiss.Hewass t
art
ledali
ttl
ebut
remainedc ompos eddespit
ehisbaff
ledface.

"
Whatwast
hatf
or?
"Heas
ked.

"
It'
say
es!
"

"
Ayes
?"

"Yes,ayes!Don'
tyour ememberIpromisedt
ogiveyouthe
answeronc eIret
urn.So,ther
e!Thatwasmyanswer.I
'l
lbeyour
gi
rlfr
iend"

"
WHAT?
"

"IsaidIac
cept!Pl
us,I
'vealr
eadyint
roduc
edmy sel
fasyour
gir
lf
riendattherec
epti
ons o-
-"shewascutshortashesuddenl
y
li
ft
edherupi nhisarms,asmileal
loverhi
sface."OhGod!What
areyoudoingJohn?"

"
Finall
y!I
'vewaitedf
oreverfort
his
!OhHanna,you'
vemade
met hehappiestmanonear t
h.Damnit
!I'
mf i
nal
lyhear
ing
t
hosewor ds!Thankyou!Thankyou!
"Hesnappedhappi
ly.

"
OkayOkayputmedownalready
!"Shesai
d,gi
ggli
ngly
."It
hink
mydoct
orneedsashav
ingandahaircut
...Gosh!You'
reatotal

255
mess,ands
oisy
ourof
fi
ce!
"Shenaggedhi
m ass
oonast
hey
set
tl
ed.

"You'
reright!Thisweekhasbeenahell,I
fIknewy ouwere
comingI'dhav emademy s
elfpr
esent
able.Whendidy ouarr
ive?
Andwhydi dn'
tyout el
lme?"Heasked,rest
inghi
shead
comfort
abl ywhilewatchi
ngherroamingaroundhisoffi
ce
casual
ly.

"Twodaysago.Iwentstrai
ghttomymot her'
s,becauseIknew
you'dmakeaf us
swhil
ey ou'r
ealreadybusyenoughasi ti
s!
"She
respondednonchal
ant
ly.Shestoppedbytheglasswindowwi t
h
Lycosuniv
ersi
tyvi
ewfrom afardistanc
e.

"
Isee.Andyourmot
her
?Howi
sshe?I
t'
scr
azyt
hatI
'venev
er
metherti
ldat
e"

"Iknowri
ght?Shesaidexact
lyt
hesamethi
ngyes
terday!
"She
saidwit
hafaint
-smi
le,befor
ewalki
ngbac
ktoherseat."
She'
s
dyingtomeetyou!
"

"
Met
oo...
"

Theyexchangedfewstori
esforoverhalfanhour,dur
ingwhi
ch
J
ohnc oul
dn'tgethisey
esoffher."Whyar eyoul
ookingatme
l
ikethat
?"Shef i
nal
lyaskedhi
m,i nt
rigued.

"
You'
res
obeauti
fulHanna,IseeyoubutIs
til
lcan'
tbel
iev
e
y
ou'r
eact
ual
lyher
e,asmygi rl
fri
end!
"

"
Arey
oubei
ngc
oyDr
.St
range?
"

"
I'
m onl
yst
ati
ngt
hef
act
s,Ij
ustwantt
otakey
ouawayf
rom

256
her
e!"

"
Andwhat
'ss
toppi
ngy
ou?
"Sher
ais
edami
schi
evousey
ebr
ow.

"
I'
m nots
ureofy
ourpl
ans
,that
'sal
l'

"Well
...I'
m meetingVictori
nanhour ,l
ikeItol
dy ouoverthe
phone,he'sal
readytakingcareoft
her es
taurantrenov
ation!So,
IguessI'
llhav
et oleav
er i
ghtaway...but,I'
l
lcatc
hupwi thy ou
toni
ght.Thati
s,ify
ou'refree!
"

"
Great
!buthowaboutl
unc
hfi
rst
?"

"Fi
nebyme!"Sheagr eed.Passi
ngbyt herecepti
on,Hannagav e
theladi
esasi
mpl esmileofgrat
itudebefor
edi sappearingwith
herhandsomedoc t
or,withoutl
eavinganyindiff
er enc
e." You
neverceas
etoamaz emedoc t
or,you'veal
readymadey ours
elf
afanc l
ub!
"Sheteasedhim astheyc l
imbedhisbl acksedan.

"
I'
m nots
os ur
eaboutthat,butIgues
syouhavemadequi
te
animpr
essi
onmi s
sAnderson!You'v
ereal
lyc
hanged!
"

"
Real
ly?Hows
o?"

"
You'retransfor
med,sophist
icated,confi
dent,andv er
ys exy!"
Heeyedhers i
dewaysandmetheri nquir
ingglare."
Okay ,Itake
i
tback!You'renotsexy!
"Hes miledwhi l
ec hangi
ngthegear ,and
Hannas i
mpl yshookherhead,amus ed.

"Youknow,Ihaven'tdeci
dedwher etosleeptonight.Shoul dI
checkinthehotel
?"Sheaskedhi m,buthef el
lsi
lence."I'
dl ove
t
os leepatmyboy f
ri
end'splace,butapparentl
y,hedoes n'thave
ahous e!
"Sheconti
nuedtoc hall
engehim andasexpec t
ed,her

257
r
emar
kst
irr
edhi
m abi
t.

"Doyouac
tual
lybel
iev
ewi
thyourdai
lynaggi
ngIwoul
dn'
t
havef
oundahousebynow?"

"
Wow!So,y
oudohav
eonehuh?
"

"
OhHanna!Howdisappoi
nti
ng!
"Hef
eignedt
heof
fendedand
madeherl
aughaudi
bly.

"
Keepi
tupdoc
tor
...
"

Johnt urneds omec oolmusicon,andHannas crol

leddownher
si
de-wi ndowt ocatchaper f
ectci
tyv i
ewt hatmadehers i
gh
constantly.Foronc eshest
arteddoubtingwhet hershe'dmadea
ri
ghtc hoiceornot ,becaus
es hewasgoi ngtoliveinthatci
tyi
n
not i
me,t hes amec it
ywhereherpas tli
eds ti
ll
.Shes wal
lowed
hardast het houghtskeptdominatinghermi nd.

"
Ithi
nkwe'
realmos
tther
e,I
sthi
sthepl
ace?
"John'
svoi
ce
br
okethes
pell
.

"It
hinkso!
"Sher
espondedwhilel
ooki
ngar
oundashet
ooka
r
ightturnl
eavi
ngt
hemai nroad.

"
Hol
don-
-ist
her
est
aur
ant
'snameAr
omabyanyc
hanc
e?"

"
Yes
,it
'sAr
oma!Youknowi
t?"

"
Ofc
our
se,i
t'
sver
yol
dandpopul
ar!
"

"
Real
ly?Igues
swe'
vegotagr
eatdealt
hen"

"
Right
.Wel
l...we'
reher
e!Nowonderi
t'
sbeenc
los
edf
ora
whil
e"

258
 "
Lookslikeav i
ntage,Iloveitalr
eady!
"Hannas aidasthecar
st
oppedandVi c
torappear edfrom t
hemas si
veglass-
doorsof
t
her es
taurant.Hewast alkingtosomeoneont hephone.He
wastal
landl ean,l
ight-
br owncomplexion;mixedethni
cit
yashis
f
atherwasabl ackAmer ican.

Hegavethem awav eastheyfinall

yreachedhim,hewass t
il
l
onthephonewhichdi dn'
ttakemuc hlonger."
Hicous
in,brot
her
-i
n-l
aw!
"HedisregardedHannaandgav eJohnamanly-hug.
Withaqui
ckgl
anc e,onecouldtellhowc har
minganddown- t
o-
eart
hhewas.

"
Brot
her
-i
n-l
aw?Ser
ious
ly?
"Hannas
mir
kedc
yni
cal
ly,andt
he
t
womenlaughed.

"
It'
sokayVict
or,don'
tmindher!I
'm off
ici
all
yyourbrot
her-
in-
l
awasoft oday"sai
dJohn,ands
her ol
ledhereyesexpect
antl
y.

"Woah!Wai
t-
-am Imi s
singsomet hi
nghere?"Vi
ctoras
ked,
whil
eeyei
ngthem bot
hi nturns,hissl
enderf
aceexposi
nghis
perf
ect
lywhi
teteet
hwi t
hhi smar v
eloussmil
ethatdroveFr
ench
womenc r
azybackincampus .

"Notmuc h,i
t'
sjust...wear eoff
ici
all
ydat
ing!"Hanna
announcedproudly,pressinghersel
fti
ght
lybesideJohn,andhe
respondednatural
lybys l
ippinghishandbehindhers houl
der
s.

"Wow!Fi nal
ly!
"Vict
orsnapped,heexaggeratedsli
ght
lyby
clappinghishandsasifhe'dwai
tedsol ongforthenews."
Iwas
reall
ybeginningtogetboredwiththestoryofyoutwobeing
neither-
fri
ends-nor
-l
overs,i
twassoc onfusi
ng!"

259
 "Metoobr o!"J
ohns aidandi mmediatelyHannas hoothima
col
dglare,buthej ustshruggedhisshoulders
,gri
nningly."
Okay,
whydon' twegetinside,i
t'squitechi
ll
yands omeonei s
underdressedhere"hes uggestedpointedl
yatHannawhowas
weari
ngas i
mplemi ni-
dresswi t
houtevenapai rofstocki
ngs.
Theyallagreed.

Hannawasi mpr essedwitht her estaurant,itwasbet terthan

she'dhoped.Shei nspect
edt hewhol eofi tandc amet o
agreementthatitneededs omef ewc hanges.Abouthal fanhour
l
ater,thedesi
gnert heyhiredar ri
v ed,itwasanel egantwoman
namedCl ai
reStevensands hes eemedqui t
epas sionateabout
herjob,gi
venthedet ail
sands ugges ti
onss hegav et hem
concerni
ngtherenov ati
ont hatwast ot akeplacei naweekt i
me.

"Well
...IthinkIli
kethisdesi
gn,it
'sjus
tIdon'twantt
o
completedestroyit
'svi
ntagesty
le.Ithasit
'sc
harm!"Hanna
snappedafteralongdiscussi
ontheyhadwhi l
emakingvisi
ble
plansbypointingal
lthatneededac hange.

"IunderstandCherie,butdon'tyouthi
nkmoder ni
zi
ngitwoul
d
bringahugei mpac t
,Ithi
nkpeoplewoul dl
oves ome
contempor aryvi
bes!"Sai
dVictorastheyal
lsatdownaroundthe
table.Hanna'seyesweres t
il
lontheoldpaint
ingsonthebri
ck
wal l
.

"Ok aylist
en...
"Clai
reintr
uded,theybothl
enthertheir
attention."I
'mthedesigner
,myj obist
odeli
verwhatyou
env i
sion.Sothen,I
'mthinkingofcombini
ngbothyourideas
together !
"

260
"
Exac
tlymyt
hought
s!"J
ohns
nappedaf
teral
ongs
il
enc
e.

"
Ist
hatev
enpos
sibl
e?"Hannaas
ked.

"Yes!Andbelieveme,you'l
lallbesati
sfi
ed.I t
'l
lbemoder n,
organic,andvint
age!"Cl
air
egav ethem fewdet ai
ledexamplesof
somet hingsshe'
ddoandi tallseemedmar v el
lousasshev i
vidl
y
explai
nedt hr
ought hepl
an-layoutshehadont hetabl
e."Can
yout r
us tmeenought ohandlethis
?"Sheas kedwi t
hconfidence.

"
Ofc ours
e,I'v
es eenwhatyoudidwit
hSophi
a'sc
off
ees
hop!
"
Vi
ctorrepl
ied,aseriousl
ookinhi
seyes.

"
Thanks,t
hatmeansalot!
"Sherepl
ied,al
mos
tbl
ushi
ng.
"
Hanna?..."s
heturnedt
owardsher.

"Well...Iguesss
o!Ihopey oudoagr eatjobClaire,it
'sour
fi
rstdeal,whoknows?May bey ou'
l
lgetplentyafterthis!
"Hanna
repli
ed,tryi
nghardtoloosenupabi t
.Shewas n'tquite
convincedanditwaswr i
tt
enalloverherface.Johns queezed
herhandands hesmil
edfaintl
y.

"Wit
hpleasure!Okaythen,i
fthere'
snothingmor etoadd,I'
d
l
iketoexcusemy sel
fsothatIcans t
artworki
ngont hisr
ight
away!"Cl
airesai
dwhi l
estandi
ngupandc oll
ectedherst
uffs.
"SeeyousoonHanna!Dr .Marti
n!"Shegavet hem ahandshake
befor
eVictorescort
edherout.

"Hey,st
opsul
king!I
t'
llbefi
ne...Ithi
nksheknowswhats
he'
s
doingsohavealit
tl
etrusti
nher!"Johnpul
ledheri
nhi
sarms
oncealone.

"
OhIdon'
tknowJ
ohn!I
'mf
eel
ings
ost
res
sedal
readyandwe

261
hav
en'
tst
art
edany
thi
ngy
et!
"Sher
epl
iedpout
ingl
y.

"
Iknow,I
'msuret
hat
'showev er
ybus
ines
sst
art
s.Wel
lIknow
whatcanc
heery
ouupt hough!
"

"
I'
mli
steni
ng...
"Shequi
ckl
ylookedupt
ohi
m.

"
Adel
ic
iousl
unc
h"

"
Ser
ious
ly?
"

"
Ohpl
eas
eHanna,I
'ms
tar
ving!
"

"
Okay
,let
'sas
kVi
ctort
ojoi
nus
"

"
Hellno!I
'm notr
uini
ngyourdatei
nsucharomanti
c
af
ter
noon!"Li
keaghost,Vi
ctors
nappedaudi
blywi
thhis
mockinggr
in.

"
It'
sokay
,wedon'
tmi
nd!
"Johni
nsi
sted.

"
I'
msorr
ylovebi
rds
,I'
vegotplansofmyown!Woul
dyouk
indl
y
l
eaves
othatIcancl
osethi
splacedown?
"

"Oh,whatever!I
'ms ur
ehehasf oundhims el
fahotc hick
somewher einanightclub!"Hannas nappedwhilegrabbingher
purse.Herremarkmadet hegentlemens t
if
leabrightlaugh."
I'
ll
giv
ey ouac al
llat
erthen...wes t
illhavealottodiscuss!
"She
added.

"Surethingma'am!
"Vict
orsaidi
nanexaggerat
edmanner.
"I
s n'
tshet oot
oughforachef
?Shelooksl
ikearuthl
ess
bus i
nesswoman!"Hewhisper
edtoJohnastheyheadouts
ide.

"
Iknow,r
ight
?"Her
espondedi
nthes
amewhi
sper
.

262
 "Ihear
dthat
!"Hannas
nappedatt
hem.Theyexc
hangeda
knowinggl
ancewit
hasmil
e.

Adistur
bingphonec allr
eachedHannaf
rom Gr
eenhi
ll
,that
Al
vinf
ells
ick.Theyhadjustfi
nis
hedtheaf
ter
-l
unch-
cof
fee,
whenshemadeadec i
siontogoback.

"
Ther
e'snowayI '
ml ett
ingyoutak
eabus !I
'l
ldri
veyout
here!
"
J
ohnmadeitclearsi
nc eHannainsi
stedot
herwis
e."Andpl
ease
t
rytocal
m downabi t
,he' l
lbef
ine!
"

"
I'
mtr
ying!Don'tyouhav
et ogetbac
ktot
hehos
pit
alt
hough?
"
Wit
hmuchc onc
er n,s
heasked.

"I'
l
ltakec ar
eofthat!Nowgetin!"Heopenedthepas
senger
doorandl ethers
lidein.Hequi
c kl
yhitthehi
ghwayandinles
s
thanthreehourstheyarriv
edatGr eenhi
ll
.

Itwasalr
eadysuns et
,almostdar
kwhenhepul ledoverinfr
ont
ofHanna'shouse.Sheunbuc kl
edtheseatbel
timmediately
befor
egetti
ngoff,J
ohnf ol
lowedherlead.Thefrontdoorwas
unlockedsoshejustpusheditandwalkedin,hurri
edl
y .

"
Mom!Mom"shecal
ledher
,inas
hout.Sarahappear
ed,
al
mos
tinahear
tat
tac
k ."
Mom,howismys on?Isi
tseri
ous
?"

"He'
sasleep!Mar i
ahasjustputhimtomybedr oom."Sarah
sai
d,whil
ef ast
eningherbathingrob,i
ts eemedli
keshewas
abouttoshower ."
It'
snotseriousatal
l...Ishoul
dn'
thav ecal
led
youifyouwer egoingtoreactli
kethi
s!
"

263
 "
OhGod!Iwass oscared!"Hannacoll
apsedont hecouch,wit
h
alongs i
ghandatthatmoment ,J
ohnknockedtheopendoort o
r
emi ndherofhispresence."Damn,Ialmostforgot
!Comei n
J
ohn"s hesnappedandhermot herf
oll
owedhergaz etowards
t
hedoor .Heenteredslowly.

"Idi
dn'tknowwehav
eagues
t,I
'l
lgoandgetdr
ess
edqui
ckl
y!"
Sarahsaid.

"Ohcomeonmom!Letmei ntroducey outotwoalr eady..

.J
ohn,meetmymot her
,Sar ah!
"Hannamadeaf or
mal
i
ntroducti
onwhi chwasn'ttooc onvenienttoSarah,shewasa
l
it
tleembar r
as s
ed.Theyfinall
ymetandaboutt outteragr eet
ing,
whent heybothgotparalyzedsuddenl y,astheygotac l
earlook
ofeachother'sfac
e.

"
Wai
t-
-"Sar
ahs
napped,hal
ti
ngl
y."
Iknowy
ou...J
ohn?
"

Hetoo,hadthesameknowing-
look."NannySarah?"He
s
houted,joyf
ull
y.Ther
ewasapleasantsurpri
sed-l
ookinbot
h
f
acesthatlef
tHannaconf
used."
Ic an'
tbeli
evethis
,isi
treal
ly
y
ou!"

"Ok
ay!Let
'ss
ee...y
out
woknoweac
hot
her
?"Hanna
demanded.

"Ofcour s
e!He'sac hi
ldhoodfriendofChr i
s!Ohmys on,Look
atyou!Sohands omeandy ourfac ehas n'
tchangedabit"
Perfec
tlyobli
viousofthes i
tuat
ion,Sar ahhuggedhimt enderl
y,
hewass oecst
atic
,theybothwer e.ExceptHanna,whowas
completelydumbf oundedbys uchat erri
fyi
ngtwis
t.Chri
sti
an'
s
fr
iend?,shewonder ed.

264
 CHAPTER19
Hannatrieds ohardtoc ont
empl at
et hes i
tuati
onands odid
J
ohn.Thes ameJ ohnthatChr i
sti
ans pokeof ;ashisbest
c
hildhoodf r
iend,thefri
endhe' dbeenl ongi
ngf or,wasactuall
y
t
hev erysamemans i
tt
ingbes i
deher .What'sevenwor sewas
t
hef actt
hats hehadt ofindoutjusttheexac tl
ydays hedecided
t
oac cepthisfeel
ingsafteralongtimeofdoubt sandhes i
tati
on.

Thewi ndrust
ledcapri
ciouslyastheysatsi
lentl
yinsi
deJ ohn'
s
car.Noonedar edtoutterawor dforagoodwhi leuntilhelet
outar esi
gnedsigh."
So,whaty ou'
r esayi
ngisthat,Al
vinis
Christ
ian'
sson?"Hequer iedcalml
y ,i
twasmor eofa
confi
rmationthananac tualquest
ion.

"Yes.He'
sthefat
her!
"Hannar epl
iedwi
thoutl
ookingathim."
I
thi
nky oushoul
dgonow,I -
-Ireall
yneedtobealone"she
attemptedtoopenthedoor.

"
Hanna-
-"

"
Johnpl
eas
e,j
ustf
ort
oni
ght
!Letmebe!
"

"
Okay
...youhaveapoint
,thisi
sabittoomuc
hforany
one"He
pr
ompted,hi
sexpres
sionunreadabl
e.

Hannanoddedherheadt henl ef
twithoutlookingback.She
wenttoherroom di
rectl
y,afterbi
ddingeveryonegoodni ght
.
Herfacel
ight
enedass hewal kedinandsawherbel ov
eds on
l
yingonbedlikeali
tt
leangel.Shepac edcloser,l
iedhalf
-way
nexttohi
m,ands t
artedstrokinghishai
rgent l
y.

265
 Shestaredathissl
eepingfaceproudlyasifhewasherbest
comfort,thenpl
antedas mallki
ssonhi st
inyfor
ehead.Theboy
moveds li
ghtlyi
nresponseofHanna' sgestur
e,bef
oreretur
ning
t
ohi sdreamland.

Hannatried,butfai
ledtofi
nds omes leepthatnight,henc e
deci
dedt ogrababot tl
eofwinef r
om oneofhers uit
cas esand
headt ot
heki tc
hen.Shepull
edas t
oolandpl acedher selfatthe
countert
odr inktheredli
quidthatwoul d'
vetastedheav enl
yifi
t
weren'tf
orthehel l
is
h-moods hewasi n.

Sit
ti
ngalonei nt
hedar k,t
hinki
ngoftheMyst
eri
ousfat
et hat
keptdraggingherbacktothepas t
.Shegul
pedahugesip
str
aightfr
om abot t
lethenbrushedherhai
rmessil
ywithher
fi
ngerswhent heli
ghtswentons uddenl
yandSarahappeared,
inanightdr es
s.

"
Iknewitwasyou,butIdi
dn'
tknowy ou'
dbedr
inki
ng"s
he
s
aidwhil
emakingherwaytothekit
chen.

"You'r
es t
il
lup?"Hannaas kedlazil
y,hereyesdownasif
nothinginterest
edherany more.Sarahignor
edherques t
ion,
i
ns t
eads hes tar
tedfixi
ngac upofr osemary-
teaforher
self.
"Whybot herwithteams .Sar
ah?Youc anjus
tsharethi
s
magni f
icentFrench-winewi t
hme"s hespoutedinadrows y
voice.

"
Nothankyou!Youknowv
erywel
lthatIdon'
tfanc
ythos
e
ki
ndofdri
nks"

"
Suityoursel
f!
"Shecons
ented.Thesil
enceres
umed,onlyt
he
s
tir
ringspooninthemugfil
ledtheroom wit
hac l
inki
ngs
ound.

266
"
Mom,howi
shedoi
ng?
"Hannamut
ter
edal
lofas
udden.

"
Who?
"

"
Chr i
sti
an!"Sherai
sedhergaze."
Idon'
tthi
nkIcansuppress
myc uri
osit
ynow,Sohowi she?Ishemarri
ed?No,probabl
ynot.
..he'snotthetypetomar r
ysoearly
!Whatdoeshedo?"She
t
alkednons topwit
has i
ll
ysmil
e.

"
Okay ,oneques t
ionatat i
mehoney !
"Sarahsnapped,befor
e
pulli
ngas toolforas eat
."I'm notsurewhyy ou'
reaskingt
his
j
us tnow,butI 'm goingtoanswery oueitherway"shepaused
withas horts i
gh."He'sdoingfine,ac
cordingtoMaria.He'
snot
mar ri
edy et,buthe'ssti
llwit
hAbbi eandhe' sev
enmanagi ngher
familybus i
ness!"

Hanna'sf
acewassul
lenandmoti
onl
ess
,herhandsgr
ipi
ngt
he
bott
le."
Isee...
"shes
aidcal
mly
.

"
Nowi t
'smyt ur
n,Doesitdis
turby outhatJohnandChr is
tian
ar
enots t
rangers
?Doesitaff
ecty ourfeel
ingsforhim now?"her
motherqueri
ed,hereyesconstantl
yfi
xedonher s
.

Hannat
ookherti
met oreply,"
No.Ont hecontrar
y,Iwantt
o
behappy
!Ideser
vetobe!AndIbel i
eveJohnistheoneforme,
onl
yhim!Sot
hen,aft
ertonightever
ythi
ngwillc
hange"

"Ohdear ,I'
m notsosureoft
hat...al
lIknowi sthaty oucan't
facethefutureifyouhav
en'tc
omet otermswi t
hy ourpas t
;it
'l
l
alwayshaunty ou"sai
dSarahinastrangeway ,asifreferr
ingto
herself
.Thens mil
edsweetl
y,"
Didy our eal
lyacceptJohnasy our
boyfri
end?"

267
"
Idi
d...
"

"
Youdi
d?"Shet
il
tedherheads
li
ght
ly.

"
Yesmom,Il
ovehi
m,t
hat
'swhyIwantt
obewi
thhi
m"

"Okay,i
fyousayso"Sar
ahr
elent
ed,ev
ent
houghherey
es
werefi
ll
edwithdoubts
.

"Wel
l...I
'm goi
ngt
obednow,youshoulddothesameMs.
Sar
ah"shegotup,al
it
tl
eti
psy
,shewasn'tsogoodwit
hal
cohol
.

"
Okay
,youbet
terwat
chy
ours
tep.Goodni
ght
!"

Morni
ngarri
vedandHannadec i
dedtopayJohnavi
si
ttothe
hot
elhewasstayi
ng.Hel ookedst
unnedashesethi
seyeson
her
,att
hedoor waywhileholdi
ngacell
phonetohi
sear;hewas
onanimpor
tantc al
lits
eemed.

"Okay,y oucanus eaby passproc edure...ohy es,i

fitseems
toocompl i
catedjustconsul
tprofes s
orMaxwel l
...Ah,isthats
o?
Welljusts endthefil
et ome,I'
llhav etoreadi tfi
rst
...it
'sokay,
noprobl em"hehungupt henstif
ledas mi le."
Whatani ce
surpr
ise,c omei n"hetoldherands hewal kedin.

"
Wast
hatf
rom wor
k?"Shec
asual
lyas
ked.

"No,justaf
ormercol
league"hepac
edt
owar
dst
hec
off
eet
abl
e
andclosedhisMac-
book.

"
I'm gl
ady oucal
led,unl
essIwoul
dn'
tknowy ou'r
esti
llhere!
"
Hannas ai
d,hereyesscanni
nghisc
las
sichot
el-r
oom before
st
ari
ngbac kathim.

268
 "
I'
m gl
adIdi
d!"Heprompted,pl
ayfull
y."
Wer ey
oupeeki
ng
ar
oundjus
tnow?Why...ar
ey ouhopingtofi
ndsomeoneher
e?"

"
Hah,What?Don'
ttemptmeDr .St
range!Imights
tar
tfli
pping
t
hingsupsi
dedowntounc ov
ery
ourlit
tl
eaf f
air
"sheanswered,
wit
hami s
chiev
oustone.

"Af
fair
?Oh- ohthat'
soff
ensi
ve!
"Hegrimaced.Foroncethey
bothlaughed,butthefunwasonlys
hort-
li
vedast heyt
urned
seri
ousimmedi atel
ywhil
elooki
ngateachother,s
til
lst
anding.

"
Aboutyest
erday...
"shesai
dhal
ti
ngly
,"I'
mv er
ysor
ry,I
s
houldn'
thavesentyouawayli
ket
hat"sheadded.

" It
'sokay,wewer ebot hs hocked"hes mi led.J ohnhadawayof
maki ngs omeonef eelbetterrightawayi nanys it
uation,andhi s
choi ceofbeingadoc torwas n'tamer ecoinc idence." Youdo
knowt hattheydon' tinstal
lthes es ofasinhot elsfornot hing,
right?Whydon' twes itdownnow? "Het eas edherandbr ought
herbr i
ghtestsmi l
ebac k.Onc es eated,theawkwar dnes s
pr evail
ed,asifnooneknewwhatt os ayfi
r st.Butasal way s,
Johni nit
iatedthet al
k."Hanna,IknowIpr omi s
edI 'dwai tuntil
you' rereadytot alkaboutAl vi
n'sf ather,right ?"

"
Yes
,Ir
emember
"

"Wel
l,aft
erwhatwe'vefoundoutyesterdayIdon'
tthi
nkIc
an
keept
hatpr omi
se!Iwanttoknowt hes t
ory,t
ounderst
andi
t...
doyout hi
nkyoucantellmeevery
thing?"

"
YesJohn,t
hat'
swhyI'
m here!"Sheans
weredaft
erali
tt
le
s
il
ence.Shebreat
hedaudi
blythentri
edtos
itcomfor
tabl
yashe

269
stayedc alm,el bowsr es tedonhi sbot hkneesc orrespondi ngly.
"Chr i
sandIbec amef r i
endsass oonasImov edt oLy cos,hewas
theonl yper sonIf el tc omf or t
ablewi thwhi leadj us t
ingt othat
newl ifewhi chwas n'tasgr eatasIexpec t
ed... "s hes tarted,
thenexpl ainedherexper i
enc einAs hton'sr esidenc eand
ever y
things hewentt hr oughwhi lelivi
ngt her e.Sheendedup
tell
ingJohnt hewhol et rut haboutherf eelingsf orChr i
satt hat
ti
meandt hewayt hingsendedup." Whathappenedt hatni ght
maybeanac cident ,butI '
dnev erthinkofi tasami stake...
thankst othat ,Igotmypr eciousson.SoIdon' thav eanyr egret"
shepaus ed,asi fgat her ingt hec ouraget or eacht hec ruci
al
point."John,Iknowt hisi snotwhaty ou' dimagi ned,y ou're
probabl ymor ec onfus edt hanIam...s o,ifbyanyc hanc e...
youhav eas ec ondt houghtaboutourr elationshi p,I'l
l
under stand!Iknowal lthisi ssohar dt otakei n"

Thewhol ewhi leshewast alking,J

ohnwasat t
entivelylistening
withoututteringawor d.Hisf acewasr el
axed,almos ts t
oi cthat
i
tmadeHannas omewhatuneas yofwhat everonhi smi nd.Af t
er
ami nuteofagr i
m quietness,hefinall
ysmi l
ed,befores peak ing.
"Youknowi t'
sbeenles sthant wenty-f
ourhour ssi
nc ey ou
acceptedbei ngmygi r
lfri
end,r i
ght?"Hepaus ed."Ican' tbelieve
you'retr
yingt obreakupwi t
hmeal ready!Am Ithatbor ing
miss?"her aisedawr y,yetinquiri
ngey ebrow.Hannal ookedat
him,dumbf ounded.

"
Breaki
ngup?JohnI -
-"s
hestif
ledalaughwhens hereal
iz
ed
t
hathewasmaki ngfunofher"JOHN!"Sheexcl
aimedandt hr
ew
apuff
y-pil
lowathim,hecaughtitr
ightawayastheyboth
l
aughedforamoment .

270
 Lat
er,hemov edcl
os et
oher ,satinthec of
fee-tableandhel
d
hertwohands,thenlookedstraighttoherey es."I'
l
lneverl
et
yougo,unles
sy outel
lmet o"hes aidtenderly.Itwasone
powerfuls
entencethatf
eltli
keapr omise,i
ttotall
ymel t
edher
heart
.

Aftersor
tingt hi
ngsout,theyspentadayatt heamusement
parkwit
hAl vinwhowasel at
edtos eeJohn,hewassofondof
hi
m.Theboyj umpedonhi m wit
hj oywhent heymet.J
ohnand
Vi
ctorweret heonlyfather-fi
guresAlv
inhad,andnotoncedid
heas kf
orhisr ealfat
her,i
twasasi fheknewt hati
twouldaf
fect
hermothert remendous l
y.

"
Hes
eemstoliket
hisplac
eal ot...
"Johns
nappedaf
tertaki
ng
f
ewpi
ctur
esofhimridi
ngat oy
-carwithabunc
hofotherkids
.

"Yeah,Idon'tknowi fhe'l
lli
ketheideaofmovi
ngtoLycos
!"
Hannar epli
ed,beforeresti
ngherar msontherai
li
ngs
surroundingtheridi
ngar ea.Theyconti
nuedwatc
hinghi
mf rom
adistance.

"Hav
ey outhoughtoft ell
inghim abouthisfather?
"Suddenly,
J
ohnas ked.Hannaglaredathi m withsurpri
sed-face,"
There'
s
somethingInevertol
dy ouHanna"hes aid."Itwasi nPar
is
whenImetAl vi
nf ort
hef i
rstt
ime,right
?"

"Yes,i
twasaweekaft
erhetur
nedtwo.Whyarey
oubringi
ng
thatupthough?
"Sheprompt
edquic
kly
,hergaz
eunabl
et ol
eave
his.

"
Alv
inas
kedmei
fIwashi
sfat
her
...
"

271
"
What
?MyGodJ
ohn,andwhatdi
dyout
ellhi
m?"

"ThetruthHanna!ThatI'm nothisfat
her"herepliedblunt
ly."
I
sawdi s
appoi nt
mentinhislit
tleeyes
,thenheas kedifIknewhis
father
..
."withthatf
inaldetai
l,HannastaredatAlvin
i
mmedi at
ely,aworri
edexpr essi
onalloverherface,tear
s
almostfil
ledhereyes.

"
Andhowdidyouanswerthat
?"Shes
niffed,i
nat
temptt
o
r
epres
sheremoti
onswhichwasabigfai
lure.

"Icoul
dn't
!Luc kil
yVictorwasthere,s
ohet ol dhimt hathis
fat
herwasonas ecretmissi
onfaraway ,thathe' dshowup
somedayaf t
ert aki
ngc areofthebadguy s!It hinkitwassome
sortofamov iethingthey'dwatchedtoget herors omet hi
ng,
becausetheys eemedt ounder s
tandeac hot herwel l
,hewass o
happytoheart hat!"

"OhGod!OhmyGod! "Shewhis
pered,sheal
mostlos
ther
balanc
efrom s
hoc kwhenJohnheldher."
I'
m okay
,don'twor
ry!
"
Shebracedhersel
f.

"
I'
msorr
yHanna,Is
houl
d'v
etol
dyout
his
...Ij
ustdi
dn'
twant
t
oworr
yyou!
"

"NoJohn,It'
smyfaul
t,Ionlybeli
evedwhatIwant edtobeli
eve.
Thateveryt
hingwasokay,Icompletel
yov er
lookedthefac
tthat
hemi ghtact
uall
yneedhisfather
"shec r
iedwi t
hregret
s.

Lat
erduri
ngeveni
ng,Hannawasst
ari
ngintensel
yatAlvi
n,
whil
eputt
inghi
spyjamasonaft
erawarm bath.Ever
ythi
ngJohn

272
tol
dherc onti
nuedtodis
turbher
,andyetAlv
inwass ocal
m as
usual,onl
yexcit
edaboutthewonder
fuldaytheyhad.Hekept
tal
kingofitnonst
op.

"Alvi
n,doy ouwantt omeety ourdaddy ?"Wi t
houtrealizi
ng,she
foundher sel
fas ki
nghim.Despitethestartl
edl ookont heboy '
s
eyes,hequi ckl
ynoddedhi shead.Thatsimpl e-
y et
-i
ntens e
gesturealmos tmadeHannac r
y,butsheus edal lhermi ghtyto
controlherself
,itwasthebestthingtodo." Okaybaby ,I'l
ltel
l
himt ocome!Mommywi llbri
nghi mtoy ou"

"
Reall
y?Didhefi
nis
hthemiss
ion?Di
dhebeatt
hebagguy
s?"
AskedAl
vinwit
hmuc hent
hus
iasm.

Bit
tersweetsmi l
eescapedHanna' sli
psass henoddedherhead.
"Notyetbaby ...buthewill
,v er
ys oon!OhGod!"Sheembr aced
himtightl
y,thisti
mehert earsfelldownwithoutawarning.
"Okay,nowl et'
sputthesoc ksonandgets omes l
eep,okay?"
Sheforcedas mi l
e.

"
Okay
!Ar
eyouc
ryi
ngmommy
?"hequer
iedi
nac
hil
dis
htone.

"
Me?Ohpl eas
eMr .Smar
t-mout
h!Domommi
esev
erc
ry?
"
Hannaf
las
hedaf ei
gnedbri
ghtsmil
e.

"
Theydo!Youc
rywhenIs
leep"

"What?Soyouwerespy
ingonmenow,huh?You-you-you-
-"
Sheti
ckledhi
sbel
lyandbothendedupgi
ggl
ingunt
ilthewhole
room wasfi
ll
edwi
ththechuckl
esandl
aught
er.

Amomentl
aterAlv
inwasalr
eadyasl
eepconsi
deringhowt
ired
hewasf
rom al
ltheri
desatt
hepark.Aphone-
callf
rom J
ohn

273
snappedHannafrom hersmallnapafterput
ti
nghersontobed.
Hewasonhi swaytoLy c
osast heyspoke.Hewantedt
oknowif
shewasdoingokay,s
her eas
sur edhimthental
kedabitbef
ore
hangingup.

Aweekl at
erHannawentbac ktotheres
taur
anttocheckthe
jobClai
redid.Itwasimpr
ess
ivethatshewaslef
tspeechl
ess.
TurnedoutMs .Stev
enswasgreatatherj
obasherreputati
on
spokeforher.

Thewal l
swerec ov
er edwithbrownstonesintwosidesofthe
rest
aurant.Agraywoodenf loor
,ands ever
alpl
antsalongthe
veneersmadef rom oaktreeasapartit
iontodefi
nediffer
ent
areasands eat
ingarrangementliket
ablesfort
wo,fourand
mor e;i
tfel
tquiteorganicandsoothi
ng.

Coral-
bluel eat
hers eati
ngswi thwoodent ablesthatmat ched
thefree-f
orm engr av edwoodpanel sontheot hersidesoft he
l
ounge,wi ths omet ext uredglassinst
all
edint hesli
tstoc reatea
facade.Thec eil
ingremai nedthes ame,exceptforsomenew
decorati
onsandbul b-pendant stosupportthelongs il
ver-
chainedchandel ierthatmai ntainedit'
svint
ageambi ance.Clair
e
addeds omeant iquesandpai nti
ngsasabonuswhi c h
compl i
ment edanaut henti
ctouc htotherestaurant.Thewoman
haddoneas pectacularjob,ins hort
.

"
So?Doy
oual
lli
kei
t?"As
kedCl
air
ewi
thaknowi
ngs
mil
e.

"
Damn!Li
kei
t?Il
ovei
tCl
air
e..
.Imeanwow!
"Hannas
napped

274
whil
eroamingaroundtheki
tchenwhic
hwastotall
ytrans
formed
wit
hnewc abi
netsandappli
ances."
Wow!NowIgeti twhythe
budgetwasover
-the-
top!
"Sheaddedandtheyalll
aughed.

"
See,It
oldy
ouCher
ie...
"Vi
ctorur
gedpr
oudl
y.

"Wel
l,t
hebathroomswil
lbedonebytheendoft
oday!
"Cl
air
e
sai
dastheyapproachedt
heareawher
etwomenwer ebus
y
wit
hloudmachines.

"I
t'
sokay!Igues
sev
er y
thingturnedper
fec
t,waybet
tert
hanI
anti
ci
pated!
"Hannaconfes
s ed.

"
Mypl
eas
ure"s
aidCl
air
e.

Theydis
cusseds
everaldetai
ls
,aboutherfinalchequemostly
,
beforel
eavi
nghertoherjobandmov edont othei
rnextagenda.
Theywantedtopurchasesomeot herthi
ngsli
keplatesand
glass
eshencewenttotheshoppingmal l
.

"Hey,Ithoughtyou'
dhappyaft
erthi
ssowhythelongf
ace?"
Vi
c t
oraskedafteralongbor
ingsi
lenc
easherodehismaroon-
Porsche.

"Wel
lI-
-I'
vemadeupmymind!
"Shesnappedaf
teralongsigh,
buti
twasn'
tenought
ounf
oldt
hefur
rowonherc ous
in'sf
ace.

"
Aboutwhat
?"Hepr
ompted,agai
nt hes
il
enceprevai
ledf
ora
minut
e."
Ohcomeon!St
optormentingmyc ur
ios
ity
!"hecr
ied.

"I
'm goi
ngtolookforChr
is!I
t'
saboutti
meheknowsabouthi
s
son!
"s ai
dHanna,losti
nspaceasVi
ctorl
ookedather
,
bewil
dered.

275
"
Arey
ous
ure?Whys
osudden?
"

"
IhavetoVict
or...ForAlvi
n'ssake!Hest
il
lbeli
evesthathis
f
atheri
sonas ecretmissi
on,thankstohi
scrazyunc l
e!"She
l
ookedpoint
edlyathim andhenar rowedhiseyes,gui
lti
ly.
"
Don'tworry
,I'
m notgonnaki l
lyou.YET!
"

"Ohcomeon!WhatwasIs upposetodoHanna?Itwastheonly
thi
ngIcouldcomeup,youknowv er
ywellhowsmartyourson
is!
"hesai
d."Buthey
,howarey ougoingt
ofindChr
is?Wil
lyou
gotohishouse?
"

"No!Iknowaway !I
nternetknowsevery
thi
ng,ri
ght
?"Shesai
d
vaguel
y,thensighedsoftl
y,asifi
twasthehardes
tpoints
hewas
afr
aidtoreach,butsti
llhadto.

****

"WHYdi dn'tyous howupf ordinnerlastnight?"Abi

gail
snappedatChr i
safterbargi
nginsidehisbedr oom wit
houta
war ni
ng.I twass even-t
hirt
yinthemor ning,andhewasget ti
ng
readyf orwor k.Herearlybarki
ngdi dn'
tseem t obotherhim at
all,onthec ontrary
,hej usti
gnoredherandent eredhiswalk-i
n-
closet.Shefollowedhi m wit
hfury."I'
mt al
kingt oyouChris!
"

"
Iwasbusy
,di
dImis
sanythi
ngspeci
al?
"Heaskedhercasual
ly,
whil
est
andi
ngi
nfr
ontoft
hemi r
ror
,putti
ngonaneckt
ie.

"
Youwerebus
y?Isawoneofyourcheapsl
utsl
eav
ingwhenI
ar
riv
edatt
hepark
ingl
ot!Andy
ou'retel
li
ngmeyouwerebusy
?"

276
Sheat
tac
kedhi
m,ahandonhers
li
m wai
st.

Seemedl ikes hehadn' tchangedmuc hi

nt hos efouryear s
,
exceptgettingthinner.Mor eover,shewass ti
llbold,beaut i
ful
andc unning.Asf orChr i
sti
an,hel ookedsmar t,seri
ous ,l
ike
someonei nhi ghpos i
tion,whi chwasi nfactthec ase.Hewast he
Gener almanagerofI mper ialHotelwhichwasdoi ngs owell
uponhi smanagement .Hi snamewasenought omakenews
headlinesinbus ines
ss ectionsandev engossipings i
tes.Sti
ll
,his
rel
ati
ons hipwi thAbbiewas n'tst
udyatal l
.

Hes i
ghedf rust
rat
edlyandr epli
ed," What'stheus eofat t
endi ng
i
fy ou'
rej ustgoingtotellmeexac tl
ywhaty ou'v
ebeent ell
ingme
i
nmont hs ?
"Hegl aredather ,"
Abbi e,Iknowy ourt r
icks!Butlike
Isaidbefor e,I'
m notint
er es
tedinmar ri
age.Sos topmaki ng
thosearrangement swi t
hmymot her,itwon'thelp"hes tated,
thenre-facedt hemi r
ror,aft
erpulli
ngoneoft hedr awer stoget
apairofc uffli
nks,c
ompl etel
yignoringAbi gai
l'
sangr yreaction.

"WHY?Whyar ey ous oagai nstusget t

ingmar ri
ed?We'vebeen
dati
ngf oralmos tfivey ears!Sot henwhy --"sheaskedhalt
ingly
asiftakinganai r-
br eak."Isitbec aus eofthats t
upidHanna?"
Shequer ied,andf oramomentChr isfroze,onehands t
uckon
thecuffl
inkoft heot hers leeve.Itfeltli
keAbbi ehadjusthitthe
bull
'seye" Don'ttellmey ou'res t
illhopingt hatshe'
dshowup!
Arey our eal
lywaitingfort hatc heapmai d?I st
hatwhyy oudon't
wantust ogetmar ried? "Shec ontinued.

"Youknowwhat?I'm notdoingt
hissoear
lyinthemorni
ng!I
haveameet i
ngintheoffi
ce,andI'
m ki
ndoflate!
"Hefi
nal
ly
snapped,f
acetoface.

277
 "
Ohy
eah?Andi
t'
smyf
aul
t,r
ight
?"Shec
ont
inueds
nappi
ng.

"Mar r
iageistoomuc hofac ommi tment,andI'
m notreadyfor
that.Yousaidityoursel
facountlesstimesthatI
'm aj
erk,you
j
us tsawVivianaleav
ingthebuilding...doyouthinkyoucan
handlet hi
sonc ewe'
remar r
ied?"Hes mir
ked,cy
nical
ly.

"Youbas
tard!
"fi
ll
edwithanger,"
Howdar eyou--
"sherai
seda
handinatt
empttos l
aphim,buthecaughtitr
ighti
nti
me.

"Stopi tAbbie,pl
ease!"Het ol
dherinas oftvoi
cebef ore
releasingherwr is
t."I
ns t
eadofal lthisdrama,whydon' tyoutell
met her easonwhyy oufiredmyas si
s t
ant?"Hec hangedt he
subj ec
t,togetherwit
hhi stone,whi chs oundedtoos cary."You
fi
redani nnocentpersonjus tbecauses hedi dn'
twantt o
bec omey ourspy?Iknowy ou'resuchabr atbutIwashopi ng
thatatl east,y
ou'resti
llapr ofess
ional"

"YesIfiredher!Icandoany thingIpleas
e,itsmydamnhot el
...
youthinkI '
m abrat?Youhav en'tseenathingy et
!Anddon't
everforgetthatyou'r
ewher ey ouarenow,t hankstome!"She
pausedwhenr eali
zedthatChriswass mil
ingdiaboli
cal
lyather
i
namos tabominableway.

"Yout hinkI'v
ec omet hi
sfarbec auseofy ou?Don' tkidyoursel
f!
Howmuc hc any oubett hati
fIr esignmypos trightnow
everythingwi l
lbef ine?Howmuc h?"Hegl aredather ,she
swallowedhar d,deepi nsi
des heknewt hathehadapoi nt.In
twoy earsofhi smanagement ,theI mper i
alhotelmov edfrom
threetof ivestarsandhadapl ant os t
artahot el-chainbus i
ness
thatwass upportedbyal ldir
ec t
or sandhe' dalreadymadea

278
mergerf
oras ec
ondI mperi
alhot
elandres
ort
s.Inspi
teofhi
s
ageandscandal
s,Chri
sti
anwasgreatasabus
iness
man;hehad
shar
peyesforgreat
erdeals
.

"
Wel
lI-
-"

"
Stopspout
ingnons
ens
e,Iwanty
out
ocal
lRos
e,andgi
veher
j
obback"

Abbiewasf umingmad,herf ist

sc l
enched.Wi thoutgiv
inghima
chancet ohumili
ateherevenf urt
her,shet ur
nedherheel sand
l
efthisapartmentfuri
ously.Oncebyhi ms elf
,Chr i
sbreathed
heavil
ywhi l
egazingathiscoldrefl
ecti
on.He' dturnedintoa
dif
ferentpersoninthosefewy earsthat'
dpas sed,hewasno
l
ongert hatsames weetboywhous edtoar guewi thHanna
everytimetheygotac hance.

Coupleofday slat
ert
heyagreedtohavelunchtogetheraftera
l
ongs i
lence-
treatment
.Abigai
lins
istedt
heyshouldforgetitand
st
artafres
h.Itwasahuget askgett
ingChri
soutofhisof f
icebut
asalwaysshef oundherway.

"
Justasyouwant ed,I'
veretur
nedy oursecr
etar
y"Shestri
kea
conversat
ion,upons eei
ngherc ompani ontoooccupi
edwithhi
s
cel
lphone."Chri
sti
an!Arey ouev enli
s t
eni
ng?"Shesnapped
whileabandoningtheknifeandf orkshewasdel i
cat
elyusi
ngon
t
hepi eceoftenderstakeonthepl ate.

"Oh,youdidgr eat!Iwasthinki
ngofgoingt
oherhouset
oday
!"
Her epl
ied,r
elentlessl
y,bef
oreshift
inghi
sat
tent
iont
othe
untouchedfoodasi fhe'djustnoti
ced.

279
 Abbi
esi
ghed,audi
bly
." You'
dreal
lydot
hat
?"Sheques
tioned,a
s
tunnedl
ookonherpai ntedfac
e.

"
Ofc ourse!Ineedher
...toobad,Ievenconsi
deredgi
vingher
arai
se"her espondedseri
ousl
y,makingAbbieevenmoreups et
,
whic
hdi dn'tseem t
obotherhi
m atall
.

"I
'mr eall
ygetti
ngtir
edoft hi
s!"Shemur mur ed,obvi
ously
exhaus t
edwithhisindif
ferenc
e,hebar el
yhear dhercomment .
Shes t
aredathimf oraf ul
lminute,butdecided keepi
ngher
cool."
So,howi stheplantobuyt hathotelinDar -
es-
Salaam
goingalong?"Shedecidedt ost
icktobusiness,i
twast heonly
subjectofint
erestasfarasChriswasc oncerned.

"Great!I'
llbef l
yingov ert
hereint woort hreeday s"he
answer ed," Speakingofbus i
ness ,whydon'tyout akeoverasa
fi
nanc edirector?You' r
eoneoft heboar dmember s,workedfor
twoy earsi nfi
nanc edepartment ,goodwi t
hnumber s,Ican'
tsee
abetterc andidatef ortheposit
ion!"Hes ai
ds uggestiv
ely
.
Abbie'sey esalmos tpoppedouti nsur
prise.

"
Me?ButwhataboutMr
.Mar
co?Di
dhes
crewupagai
n?"

"Yes
!Iaskedhimtoresi
gnv
olunt
aryi
fhewant
stokeephi
s
honouratthever
yleast
!"

"
Whydi
dn'
tyouj
ustf
ir
ehi
m?"

"Abbie,he'
soneofthefounders
!Itwasthel
eastIcoul
ddo..
.Also,i
t'st
hebestbargai
nforourreput
ati
on'
ssake,sol
eti
t
s
lide"

"
Huh?Ir
eal
lyc
an'
tst
andt
hewayy
ouhandl
ethi
ngs
,you'
ret
oo

280
s
oftatt
imes
!"Shes
napped,i
rri
tat
ed.

"
Atl
eas
tyourmot
herdoes
!"

"Exactl
y!Yout woar es omuc hali
ke.Nowondery oualway s
defendt hosel owc l
as speopl e,cany oubelievet heythreatened
togoons tri
kej ustbec auseIf ir
edfewempl oyees?Imean- -they
madeami st
ake,s houl dn'tt
heyl eant otaker espons i
bil
it
y?I
reall
ydon' tunder standpoorpeopl e!"Shec ont i
nuedwhi le
chewingt hes alads.Chr i
swasonl yli
s t
ening,adar klooki nhis
eyes.Heal way sfoundhers nobbi shbehav iortiresome,oneof
themanyr eas onswhyhec ouldn'tseehi sfuturewi t
hher ."I
don'tthinkIc andealwi ththos epeopleany more,s oI'
llt
hinkof
yourpr oposit
ion!Ihav etot hinkofmyc l
ass estoo,Ididn'tknow
MBAc anbes uc hapai n!"

Shec ont
inuedtalki
ngunti
lshegoti
nter
rupt
edwhenChris
grabbedhisvibrat
ingphone,i
twasanunknownnumber,he
pickedwit
haf rown.

"Yeshel l
o...who'st his
?"Hes napped,andhi sf acesuddenly
changed,her e-c
hec kedt henumberont hescreenandpl acedit
bac ktohisear."Yes,Iam Chr is
tianAshton!Who- -ar
e...hell
o?..
.hello?..."heshout edbutt heper sonont hephonehad
alreadyhungup.Hes lowlyputhi sphoneont het abl
e,as omber
l
ookonhi sfaceasifhe' ds eenaghos t.

"
What'
swrongChr
is?Whowast
hat
?"Abbi
eas
ked,wor
riedl
y.
"
Chri
s...
"

"
Noone!Justawrongnumber!
"Herepl
iedcoldl
y,butshe
wasn'
tconv
inced."
I'
m goi
ngbackt
otheoffi
ce!Ineedtosend

281
someimportantemai
ls
"hes
nappedandl
efti
nahur
ry,l
eav
ing
Abbi
ecluel
ess.

Hes l
ippedi ns i
dehi sSUVandi mmedi atel
ydialedthenumber
thathadj ustc al
ledhi m aminuteago,buti twasnol onger
reachable.Het r
iedagainandagai n,ands t
il
lnothing.
Compl et
el yfrustratedhethrewhi sphonet othepas s
engers eat
,
hewaspant ingwi ldlywhil
elooseninghisnecktieasiftobreath
properly
." HANNA!wast hatreal
lyyou?"Het houghtoutloudly,
star
ingathi ss weat yfac
et hr
ought herear-
mi rr
or.

282
 CHAPTER20
Hannawasqui et.Af t
erthefail
edconv ers
ationwithChri
sin
whichsheherselfiniti
atedwithoutreali
zi
ngt hats
hewas n'
t
act
uall
yreadyfori t.Shepressedherl i
pstogether,
embarrass
edlyasVi ct
orstar
edatherexpr es
s i
onl
essl
y.Sheonl
y
shr
uggedhers houl dersandbot hsmiled.

"Icouldn'
tdoi
t!
"Shes ai
d,"I'
ms uchacoward!Howcoul
dI
bailoutli
keast
upidteenagetal
kingtoherc
lass
-cr
ushf
orthe
fi
rstti
me"Shemut t
ered,ri
dic
ulously
.

"
HeyCher
ie,s
tops
ayi
ngt
hat
...
"Vi
ctorans
wer
ed,wi
thal
augh.

"Yeah,justlaughal lyouwant "shepout ed.Growingupt ogether

madet hem f eelmor eli
kefri
ends .Vic
torwasonl yay earolder
butalway stookabi gbr ot
herr ol
es er
iouslyi
nt i
mesofneed.
He'dalway sbet hereforherev enwheni nPari
s,thetimeHanna
wasmos tvulnerabl
e.Hi seasygoingpersonali
tyusually
l
ightenedt hehous ewhenl iv
edt ogetherinAus t
rali
a,andnoone
hadev ergotbor edar oundhim.

"
So,tel
lme...howdi ditf
eelhear
ingthevoi
ceofthat
pl
ayboy?"Heasked,seri
ousl
ythist
ime.Hannathoughtf
ora
whil
ebeforeansweri
ng;

"Welli
twas-
-Vict
or!Stopi
nter
rogat
ingmelikeababy-
gir
l.Let
's
getbacktowork,we'v
egotalottodo!"Shes
neakedoutand
wenttothepantry.

I
twasfewdaysbef
oretheopeni
ngoft
her
est
aur
antand
ever
yonewasr
estl
essl
yworki
ng,t
ryi
ngt
omakeev
eryt
hing

283
acc
ordi
ngtotheplans
.They'dhiredthreeempl
oyeesalr
eady
andhopedtohir
efewmor es pec
ifi
call
yfort
heopeningnight
.
Hannare-
conf
ir
medal lt
heor der
st hey'
vemadeasVict
orwas
busymaki
ngthemenu- l
is
tfortheev ent
.

Thewhol ethi ngwass ochal

lengi ng,buts uggesti
vel
yHanna
saidthattheys houldhaveabuf f
eti nstead,andev er
yone
secondedt hei deari
ghtaway.I twast hebes twaytos avesome
i
nc onvenienceswhi l
eatthesamet i
mer esearchi
ngforthemos t
preferabl
edis hesamongt hev arieti
es,t hatwaytheyc ouldcome
upwi ththeper manentmenuf ort her es t
aurant.

****

Twodayslat
er,Chri
swenthomeafteralongti
me.Hisonly
reas
onwast omeetCaroly
ninpers
onafteraski
nghertodohim
animpor
tantfavourovert
hephone.Hewai t
edforhour
sjustt
o
fi
ndthei
nformationhewantedf
rom her.

"Iwastoldyou'r
eherebutIcoul
dn'
tbel
iev
eit
!"Carol
yns
aidt
o
hi
m." Didsomethingbadhappen?Whywouldy
ous l
eepat
home? "Sheasked.

"Wouldyoupleas
es t
opthedrama!Tellme,havey
ouf
ound
whatIaskedyouto?"Chr
ist
iansnapped,wi
thoutev
enl
ett
ing
hersi
tdown.

Shefrownedabit
,thenpul
ledachairnextt
ohi m.Itwas
almostmidni
ght
,andCarowasjustcomingfrom theoff
ice.She
workedasapubli
cdefender
,theki
ndofj obthatmadeherpul l

284
al
l-
night
sev erynowandthen.Shewasst
il
lthesamerebel
,
natur
all
y-beauti
fulwi
thherext
remeshor
tdy ed-
hai
rli
kearoc
k-
st
ar.

Ther
es ahat edCaro'sj
ob,toheri twasadi s
grace,shewanted
toatl
eas thav eherworkinapr estigiousl awfir
m orc ompanyof
herst
atus .Asal way
s,Carol
ynwas n' tthet ypetofoll
owany one's
whim,notev enhersnobbishmot herc ouldchangehermi nd
whens hedec i
dedtotakethatjobdes piteseveralot
heroffers
fr
om differentfamil
yacquaintances .

"
Yup!Iaskedaf ri
endfr
om Cyber
-pol
ic
eandaccor
dinghi
mi t
s
atel
ephonelinethatbel
ongst
oAroma!thec
allwasmadefrom
t
here!
"Sher epl
ied.

"
Aroma?Whati
sthat
?"

"
Seri
ousl
y?"Carogl
aredathim,"It
'sarest
aurant
,we'vebeen
t
hereacountl
essti
mess odon'tpr
etendthatI
'mtalki
ngshit
s!"

"
Oh,t
hatAr
oma?butwas
n'ti
tcl
osedawhi
leago?
"Her
ecal
led.

"Iknow,butIhear dit
'sbeingreopenedt hi
sweekend..."She
said,st
il
lcl
uelessofthesit
uation.Shejustwatchedhi
mt hi
nking,
asiftaki
ngnot eofwhatshehadt oldhim."Okay,c
ansomeone
tel
lmet hereas onbehi
ndal lt
hisfiasc
o?"Shefinal
lys
nappedat
him.

"
Wel
l...
"Chr
ishes
itat
ed.

"Nevermind...I
'm notint
erest
edwi t
hanythi
ngt
heGeneral
Managerhastos ay,cal
lmewhenmybr ot
heri
sback!
"Shegot
upset
,mainlyfrom hisi
ntrover
sion.

285
 He'dbeens oc l
osedforthepastfouryear
s,andi
tbeganto
drainallherhopest ogetherbrotherbacktothewayhewas
before,thatbrightandcheerf
ulChr i
sthatt
heyshar
eds ec
rets
andwor r
ies.Shegotupr eadytoleavewhenhedecidedtotel
l
her;

"
Hannac
all
edmey
est
erday
!"

"Eh?…"Shes napped,s tart

led."Hannac al
ledyou?How?Imean.
.."s hewasn'tevens urehowt oreact.Shejus
tretur
nedt othe
chairandli
stenedc ar
ef ull
ytowhat everChrissai
d.Tr
uthfull
y,
Carowas n'
tconv i
ncedt hatitwasr eal
lyHanna."Areyous ur
eit
wasn'tyourmi ndplayingtricksony ou?Imean...whywoul d
shec al
lyouafterallt
hist i
me?Andj usttohangupwithout
sayi
ngat hi
ng!"

"Doy outhinkIhaven'
tthoughtofit?Iknowthere'
sa
pos si
bili
tythatIimagi
nedit,butwhatifI'
mr i
ght?"Heas ked
Car o,hisfaceshowedadeepc onfus
ionashisjawclenched.He
sighedwhi l
erunningahandt hroughhiscont
empor arybrunet
te
-hair.

"Wel
l,t
here'
sonlyonewaytofi
ndout!
"Shesaids
ugges
tiv
ely
,
andimmediatel
yChri
sst
aredather
."We'r
egoingt
othe
openi
ngevent!"

"
How?
"

"Ascus
tomersofcourse!Aft
eral
lI'
mcr
avi
ngf
ors
omegood
buff
etandIreaditwi
llbes o!
"

"
Okay
!Let
'shav
edi
nnert
her
e,we'
l
lseei
fIc
anf
indany

286
c
onnec
tiont
othec
all
"

"Deal!
"Caroagreed."
ButIjus
thaveali
ttl
equestionbro,i
fyou
don'tmind"shesuddenlyur
ged."Whyareyoudoingt hi
s?I
thoughtyouneverwantedtohearfr
om hereveragain"

Chrisswall
owed,thequesti
onintr
iguedhi m andev enhe
himselfwasn'ts
ureabouthisreact
iont othattr
oublesomec all
.
"Idon'tknowwhy ,butl
atel
yI'v
ebeent hi
nkingofheral ot,and
aft
ert hatc
all
...Ithi
nksheandIhav eanunf i
nishedbusines s
!"
Hes nappedinas eri
oustoneofvoi
c e,almostscary.

"
OkayIgeti
t!Howcr
eepy!Somebodymi
ghtt
hinks
he'
dki
ll
ed
s
omeone"Carogri
maced.

"
Anywayt
hanksf
ortheinf
ormati
onCar
o,Ibet
terl
eav
enow!
"
Hest
oodup,t
hengrabbedhisc
oat.

"
Whatdoyoumeanl
eav
ing?Ar
en'
tyous
leepi
ngov
er?
"Shet
oo
s
toodup.

"
No,I
'dr
athernot
!"

"
Pleas
eChri
s,whenwast
helas
ttimeyousl
eptinthi
sroom?
Ar
en'tyoumi
ssi
ngit
?Can'
tyoust
ayjus
tfort
onight
?"

"
Okay
...
"hef
inal
lys
ucc
umbedt
ohi
ssi
ster
'sc
har
m.

Asagreed,inSat
urdaynight
,theyar
riv
edatAr omas t
raight
fr
om work.Itwasindeedopenandoverfl
owedwi thcustomers
asithadal
way sbeen,andwit
houtareservat
ionitwouldn'thav
e

287
beenpos
sibl
etogetat
abl
e.

Aladyinaformalbl
acksui
tledthem tothei
rrespec
tiv
etable
awayfrom t
heloungeandremindedthem thati
twasabuf f
et
ni
ghthencetheyshoul
dhelpthems el
ves.

"Wow,t hi
splacelooksamaz i
ng!Don'tyouagree?"Caro
snapped,looki
ngar oundadmi r
ingl
yastheys t
artedafood
puzzl
efr om di
ff
erentv ar
iet
yofmultinat
ionalcui
sinetothehuge
desert
-fountai
n-l
ike-t
able.

"
Iagr
ee,andt
hef
oods
mel
lsni
ce!
"sai
dChr
isbl
atant
ly.

Afterres
umingthei
rwell-
decor
atedtable,hes
tart
eds c
anni
ng
aroundwi t
houtaknowledgeofwhathewasac tual
lys
earchi
ng
for.Ti
redofhisr
estl
ess
nes s
,Car
os nappedathim;

"
Doyoureal
lythinkyoucanfindanythi
ngbys i
mplylooki
ng
ar
ound?
"Shebec konedtooneoft hewait
ers
."Watchandl ear
n
bi
gboss
!"Shesneeredathim asthelady
-wait
erapproached.

"
Anypr
obl
em ma'
am?
"Sheas
kedpol
it
ely
.

"Noatall
!Ever
ythingisper
fect
!...Ionlyhaveali
ttl
equesti
on"
Caroprompted."I
st her
eanyonenamedHanna?Any oneatal
l..
.anempl oyeemaybe?Ac hef?
"Sheas ked,butt
heladyseemed
cl
ueles
s.

"
Wel l
...Idon'
tknowreal
ly!Mos
tofusher
ewer
ehi
redf
or
t
onight'
seventso...
"

"
OhIs
ee!
"Car
orepl
ied,di
sappoi
ntedl
y.

"
Andt
heowner
?Doy
ouhappent
oknowhi
m orher
?"Chr
is

288
as
kedaf
terobs
erv
ings
il
ent
lyf
orawhi
le.

"
I'
m nots
ureeit
her
!Butmaybeyoushoul
daskt
hec hef,he'
s
t
heonewhohiredus..."s
heenl
ight
enedt
hem."Oh,therehe
i
s!
"

Bothheadstur
nedt otheopposi
tesi
de,whereVictori
nhis
play
fulai
r,wasbusytalki
ngtosomecustomers."Wellt
hen,hav
e
agoodev eni
ng!
"Shec oncl
udedwithasmilebeforetur
ningher
heelsassoonastheythankedher
.

Justast heyhoped,t heymanagedtot al

ktothemain-
chef
,
Victor.Us i
ngf ewcompl i
mentsregar
dingthefoodand
restaur antingeneralasanexcuse,t
heywer eabl
etogethi
sful
l
attentionunt i
lChri
sment i
onedHanna.Vict
ordeni
edcomplet
ely
thathehadnoi deawhot hatHannawas ,andsowastheendof
theiraudi ence.

"Idon'
tthinkhe'stel
li
ngthet r
uth"Chri
ssai
donceVictorl
eft
.
"Whatdoy out hi
nk?"Heturnedt oCarowhowasalr
eadybac kto
herchocol
at epastr
ywithstrawberryandcr
eam t
opping.

"
Asalawyer,Icantel
lhe'
shidi
ngs omething!Hegotabittens
e
whenyoument i
onedHanna!"Sheans wered,whi
leli
cki
ngher
f
ork,t
hought
full
y."Butasyoursi
ster,It
hinkyoushouldjus
t
f
orgett
his
"sheaddeds eri
ousl
y.

"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"

"Snapoutofi tChr
is!I
fshereal
lycall
edyouthens
hemus t
havear eason,andsothen,she'
llagai
norshowhersel
fup
eventuall
y.Let
'sjus
twaitforher
,ok ay
?"

289
"
Arey
ous
peaki
ngasal
awy
erormys
ist
er?
"

"
Bot
h!I
fItwasHanna,I
'ms
ures
he'
l
lcal
lyou"

"
Itwasher
!I'
m pos
iti
ve!
"

"Wellthen...
"sheinsi
sted.ForonceChr i
ss eemedtorelax,
andev enstart
edpicki
nginteres
tont hefoodi nst
ead."
You
shouldtrythedesert
,it
'stodiefor
!".Hetastedthelemonc ake,
hisf
av ouri
tefl
avourandhisfacequickl
yc hanged."What?You
don'tl
ikeit?
"Carosnapped.

"No,it
'sj
ust
...i
ttas
tes...
thi
scaket
ast
esexac
tlyas
--"hes
aid
halt
ingl
y,t
henhadanotherbit
e.

"
Tas
tesl
ikewhat
?"Sheas
kedi
mpat
ient
ly.

"
LikeHanna's
!Doyouremembersheusedtobakealot?AndI
s
pec i
fi
cal
lyl
ovedherl
emoncakes
!"Hiseyesl
ight
ened.

"Oh-okay,t
hat'screepy
!"Caroutt
eredwhi
letaki
ngapiec
e
hersel
f."Well
...it
'sdeli
ciousbutt
omeallcakesaret
hesame!
Howdoy outelli
t'
sHanna' s?
"

"Thefl
avour
,it
'sunique!I
'vetr
iedsever
alcakesf
rom di
ff
erent
bakeri
esbutneverfoundthisone!SoIknowwhatI'mtal
king
about"

"
Okay
...t
hisi
ssov
eryc
reepy
!"

"
It'
sher
!Ithast
obeher
!"Het
otal
lybel
iev
ed.

****

290
Hannagotac allfr
om Vi c
tor ,whi
leinsi
deJohn'scar ;he'dpi
cked
herfrom ther estaurantafterwor k.Shewasfil
ledinwi t
h
everyt
hingt hathadhappenedass oonassheleft.Victormadeit
veryclearthatitwasChr i
stian,basedonhi spi
cturesf rom t
he
i
nternetthathes earchedamomentt heyfini
shedt alki
ngtohim.
Itwasqui t
eas urpri
set oHanna,wonder i
nghowChr i
sgotto
reachhers oqui ckl
y.Shewentpal eass hehungupt hephone.

"
Ever
ythi
ngokay
?"J
ohnques
tionedheri
nac
almv
oic
e.

"
Huh...uh- -yeah!Everything'sfi
ne.ItwasVict
or,as
kingifI
'm
f
eeli
ngbetter,seemsl i
ket onightwasas ucces
s!"Sheforceda
s
mi l
eandhi dthedet ail
sfrom hi m.Eventhecallwasvaguethat
J
ohnc oul
dn'tcatchat hingtheywer etalki
ng.

Hejustsmi l
edandanswered"
I'
m glad!You'vebeenworki
ng
ti
rel
esslythi
sweek,nowonderyoufellsi
ck!Butdon'
tworry,Dr
.
Str
angei shere!
"Heteas
ed.Wit
hhiss i
nglejoke,i
twasenough
toli
ghtenHanna'smood,shesmil
edgenui nel
y.

"
Aren'
tyoutooful
lofy
our
sel
fdoc
tor
?"Shepr
ompt
ed,i
nthe
s
amet eas
ingai
r.

"
Me?Nev
er!Modes
tyi
smymi
ddl
ename!
"

"
Ohr
eal
lynow?
"

"Ofcours
e!"Hereplied,befor
eendedlaughingl
oudlytoget
her.
Ami nut
elaterheturneds er
ious,s
tar
ingather."
Ireall
ydon't
l
ikeyougetti
ngsic
k ,youshouldtakecar
eofy our
selfHanna!
"

"
Ther
ewegowi
thy
ourexagger
ati
on,Is
aidI
'mf
ine!I
'l
lbe

291
gr
eataf
ters
omer
ests
odon'
twor
rys
ir!
"Sher
eas
sur
edhi
m.

"
That'
sexac
tlywhaty
ou'
regoi
ngt
odo...andI
'l
lseet
oit
mysel
f!
"

"
Ohy
eah?Andhowexac
tly
?"

"Becaus eI'
m kidnappingy outonight
!Tomypl ace"hesaid,and
Hanna'sr eacti
onmadehi ml augh."What?Wer en'tyoubugging
met ofindapl acet oli
ve?Yous houldatleastseeit!
"Het ol
dher ,
buthers tart
ledfac eremainedt hesame."Wai t
--areyou
thi
nkings omet hi
ngdar kri
ghtnowmi ss?
"Hes t
oppedt hecar,
moment ari
ly,abrightsmil
eonhi sbeaut
ifulface.

"
What
...whatar
etalki
ngabout
?"Shesnapped,embarr
ass
edl
y,
t
henl
ookedawaytotheshi
ningc
ityt
hroughthewindow.

Johnlaughedbef or eclutchingthegear ,t
hemov econt
inued.
"Don'twor r
yms .Hy steria,
I'm agentleman...Iwon' tdo
anythingfoul"hes aid.Theirey esmet ,undertheparti
al-
darkness,andlockedf oragoodwhi l
e." Unles
sy ouaskmet o..
."headdedpr ovoc ati
vely.Thistime,Hannal aughed.

"Fi
ne!Let'
sdoit!
"Shes napped,asi fas uddenc onfidence
overwhelmedher.Johnraisedas urprisedey ebrow." What ?Are
youafraidwhathappenedi nsidethetraintoBal timor ewoul d
repeatagai
n?Irememberc learl
y,allt
hewayf r
om NewYor k,
Phil
adelphi
atoBaltimore-whatanev entfulnight!"She
purposelysai
dit
,playful
lythatitmadehi mc learhi sthroat.
Hannas eemedtoenj oyhisreacti
onev enmor e." Oh,andi n
Pari
stoo;onmygr aduationday !Iwonderwher et hatgentleman
wasinthosedays?Washeonav acati
onper haps ?Ormay be--
"

292
 "
Fine!Fi
ne!You'
vewonHanna,huh?Cany
ous
topr
emi
ndi
ng
met hat
?"Hequickl
yas
kedher.

"Ohreall
y?Butwhy ?It
houghtwewer ehavi
ngf un!
"Shemade
aninnocentface."Areyougetti
nguncomf or
tableatthethought
?
Areyouperhaps --
"s hecoul
dn'tf
ini
shherquer y,asJohn
suddenl
yhitt hebrakesandinvadedhers mart
-mout hwitha
l
ongintense-kis
s.Thememor i
esoftheirmostintimate
moment sseemedt omakehiml osehismind.

"I
fyouc onti
nuetalkingaboutt hatIwon'tbeabletocontai
n
my s
elf!Doesn'
tmatterwe' reinthemi ddl
eoft heroad"He
whisperedinahoars evoice,bothoutofbr eat
h,insi
dethedark
carwithonlyfai
ntli
ghtf r
om t hebli
nkersandinteri
orgadget
s.

"
Okay
...
"sheans
wer
eds
oft
ly.

"
Good!Behav
enow!
"

Theyar r
ivedathi
sapartment,whichwass i
mpl eandc ozy
abouthalfanhourlater
.Shemadeani cecommentofi tast hey
steppedin.Johnmadehers omet eaandinsi
stingl
ytoldhert o
fi
nishitallbef
oret
akingsomepi l
lsforherri
sing-f
ever.The
wholet i
meHannawasobs erv
inghims il
ent
ly,ashet ookagr eat
dealofattenti
onoverasimpleri
seofherbodyt emper ature.

"
YoudoknowthatI
'm notsi
ckri
ght?
"Shefi
nal
lyt
oldhim,"
I'
m
j
ustt
ir
edJohn,y
oudon'tneedtot
reatmeli
keapati
ent"

"Amereti
redhumandoes n'
thavea39°
C"herepli
edina
normalt
oneofvoi
ce,"
Whatki ndofadoc
toram Ii
fIcan'
tev
en
takec
areofmysic
kgir
lfr
iend"

293
 "Ok
aymydoctor
...I'
v etakenthepi
ll
sandplent
yofwat
er!Can
wegotosl
eepnow?If eeldrowsy!
"Hannaas
kedwi t
hasmil
e
andhesmi
ledback,r
es i
gnedly.

"Asyouwish!
"Hehel dherhandandledhert ohisbedr
oom.
Every
thi
nginhisplac
el ookedbr
and-
new,asi fnobodyli
ved
ther
e.Moreover,i
twasc l
eanandneat;exac
tlyasJohnwas.

Per
hapsi
twast
hepi
ll
s'ef
fec
t,Hannaf
ellas
leepr
ightawayi
n
hi
sarms.

Thef ol
lowi
ngdayatt heres
taurant,shec onf
ir
medaboutt he
openingeventwhi c
hwasagr eatsucc
es s.Thenumberof
customersont hatdaywasmor et
hatt hey'dproj
ected,hence
theyhadanot herbusydayunt i
laroundt hreeintheafter
noon
whent heytookabr eak.

"Wer eal
lyneedt ohi r
et heassis
tantchefs
,Is wearI '
m goingto
col
lapseinnot ime!"Hannas nappedaftergulpingagl as
sofc ol
d
water.Shedr oppedont hechairheavi
ly."
Andj us tareminder...
I'
m ades s
er tchef,s
os topmaki ngmedoot hers tuff
sVict
or!"
Shelament edlikeac hi
ldandmadet hewhol es taffl
augh.

"OkayCher ie,stopcomplainingal
ready!Ac t
uallyI
'veal
r eady
madec ontactwi ththepreviousonesasy ous uggest
ed,let's
hopethey'res ti
llunemployed"Vict
orrepliedbeforedismi ssi
ng
theothersforl unchattheot hersi
deoftheki tc
hen."Whatar e
yougoingtodonow? "Heas kedHannaast heywerehav ing
l
uncht hems elves.

Sheunder
stoodhi
sques
tionr
ightawayev
enwi
thoutgoi
ng

294
int
odetai
ls
.Shebitherli
pss l
ightly
,thenexhal
edaudibl
y."
I'
m
goingt
ocallhi
m onceagain,rightnow!"Sheanswer
ed.

"
Rightnow?ar
eyous
urec
ous
in?
"

"
Iam...I
t'
snowornev
er!
"Shes
nappedwi
thadet
ermi
ned
l
ook.

Aminutel
ater,s
hes earchedf
orChr
ist
ian'
snumberanddi
aled
i
tbutitwas
n'tavail
able.Sheat
tempt
edforasecondt
ime,t
hen
anot
heroneandanot herone.

"
What'
swrong?
"Vi
ctoras
ked,hewasbes
idehert
hewhol
e
moment.

"It
'snotav ail
abl e!ShouldIt r
yhisof fi
celi
ne?IthinkIs avedi
t"
sher emar ked,andi nas hortwhil
es hemadeanot hercall
.She
gotdi recteds traighttoChr i
sti
an'soffic
ewhenhi ss ec
retary
answer edandannounc edthathewasi nameet i
ng.Hanna
want edt ogi veupt here,butVict
orgr abbedthephoneand
askedt hes ecretarytopas sthemes saget oChri
s,thatsomeone
namedHannac alled,ands he'
dwai tforhim atAroma." Damnit
Vict
or ,whydi dy oudot hat?
"

"Becaus
eifIdidn't
,youwouldneverhavethegutsto...I
t'
s
bett
ertogetitoverwithCheri
e,t
hankmel at
er!
"Hebl ewhis
cousi
naki s
sbeforewalkingaway,l
eav
ingherperplexed.

Hannawasn'tsur eifshewasreadytofac
eChr i
sornot.Atthat
momentallherf earsandanxieti
escamebacktolif
e,butone
t
hingwasc r
ystalclear,sheneededtodoit
.Alvi
nhadallthe
r
ighttoknowhi sfatherandChr i
shi
sson,eventhoughthere

295
wass omet
hingtr
oublingherasmar vel
li
ngt hethought.How
washegoingtoreact?Wouldhel i
kethenews ?Orgetmad
ins
tead.HowwasHannaher sel
fgoingtofeel,uponmeet i
ngthe
mans heusedtolov
ewi thallherheart
,Coul dshehandleit?
.
Thosewerefewquestionsthatkeptburni
ngandc hur
ninginside
her.

Ats i
x-f
ortypm,shewasal readydonewi t
hherwor kinthe
kitc
hen.Henc etookaqui ckshowerandc hangedt ohernormal
clothes.Heragreementwi t
hVi c
torwasthatshe'donlywor k
untilsixbecauseofhermot herl
yresponsi
bili
ti
es.Inafirs
tplace,
Hannanev erwantedtowor kinar es
taur
antbutv ict
orinsi
sted
forherhel pforatleas
tthreemont hsunti
lhef oundabet t
er
dess ertchef
.Whats hereal
lywantedwast oopenupabaker y
anddowhats hewasgoodat .

SinceAlvi
nwass ti
llatGreenhi
ll,shewantedtohaveaqui et
eveningaloneatthehot el
.Theideaofs eei
ngChrisonthatday
wasal r
eadygones incetheycouldn'thearawordfrom hi
m nor
hissecret
ary.Shebr us
hedhergol den-hai
rthenspri
nkl
edf ew
dropsofherFr enchperfumebef oreleavi
ngthechangi
ngr oom.

"I
fthatplayboys eesyouri
ghtnowhe'dl
osehisjaw!Youlook
mar v
elousCher i
e...andthatper
fumemh...enc hanti
ng!
"
Exaggerat
edly,Vi
ct ors
nappedinhisf
akeFr
ench-accenta
secondhes awher .

Hannasi
ghed,exhaust
edly
."Yeah,toobadforhim huh?That
Pl
ayboy!
"Shemut t
ered.Hermindqui c
klydri
ft
edtoallthe
onl
inear
tic
lesaboutChri
sandhisc onquest
s,pl
entyofscandal
s

296
withcelebri
ti
esandmodel s.Shealreadyhadahandfuleven
withoutmeet i
nghimi nperson,hes eemedli
keadif
fer
entChris
fr
om t heones heknew."Well,I
'l
lseey outomor
row!Don'twai
t
upathome...I '
mc hecki
nginthehot el"s
hetol
dhim.Whi l
ein
Lycos,theybothli
vedinoneoft heirfamil
yhouseswherethei
r
grandfatherwil
li
ngl
yof f
ered.

Onherwayout ,sher ec
eivedanunexpec t
edv i
sit.Itwas
Christ
ianAs ht
onatt herest
aurantdoor,walki
ngi nnonc hal
antl
y
besideher,dif
ferentl
yindirect
ionsashewasheadi ngi nand
sheout .Hannastoppedherheel sthemoments hes awhi m,she
recognizedhimrightawaydes pit
ehi sf
ancytai
lored- s
uitthat
changedhi sappearanceimmens ely.Wit
houtthinkings hecall
ed
outhisname;

"Chri
sti
an!
"Herv oicewascalm,s hesl
owlyturnedar oundand
sodidhe,astoundedl ookonhi sclean-
shavedface.Itseemed
l
ikehe'ddis
c ernedherv oi
ce.Hes toodtherewordlesslyfora
l
ongwhi l
e,juststaringatHannalikeaghost."I-
-hi?..."she
utter
ed.Hewass ti
llfr
ozenforalmos taminute.

"
Hi...Hanna!
"Heunfroz
eeventual
ly,t
hens
wall
owedhard,
f
oll
owedbynot hi
ngbutawkwar
dnessandbewil
dermentonhi
s
t
ragi
clook.

Minutespassedby ,onceseatedatt hecoupl

etableeac
hat
eit
herofthes i
des.Christ
ian'sf
ac ewasf i
ll
edwit
hangerand
contemptwhi l
eHanna' swasasc al
m asthemorningdew.He
wasr i
gidl
yleaningagainsttheleathered-
seat
,gl
ari
nggravel
yat
her.

297
 "I
--Ididn'tthinkyou'dcome!"Atlas
tHannabroket henerv
e-
wreckingsil
enc ethatwasbeginni
ngtofeell
ikeafuneralhome.
Chri
swass ti
llquiet
,asifconsi
der
ingwhethertorespondornot.
Decidedly
,heopt edforthefor
mer;

"Ihadto..."hetookal i
tt
lesi
pofwat erfr
om thegl as
sont he
tabl
e."You'
vec hangedalotbytheway ...youlook--Well
,i
t
doesn'tmatt
er "hehalt
ed,regr
etful
ly."
Youknow- -I'
mv er
y
shockedthatIdon'tevenknowwher etos t
art
!I'm extr
emely
angry!
"Hes aid,wit
hgrit
tedteeth.

"
You'reangry?Why ?
"Hannaas kedinnoc
ent l
y,herstoi
c
manner swer
es t
il
lintac
tdes pi
tetheuneas i
nesss hewasfeel
ing
i
nside.Annoyedbyherat ti
tude,Chrissmi
rkedc ynic
all
ywhile
br
us hi
nghisthumbonhi slowerlipsandsaid;

"Whyam Iangr y?You'res eri

ousl
yaskingmet hi
s?Areyouf or
real?"Hisv
oicerefl
ectedpai nasheques t
ionedher .Hanna
swallowedwithdiff
icult
y,andmoment ari
lylookedawayasi fto
regainherlos
tcompos ure.Hes i
ghedands aid,"Anyways,You
alway sdowhatyouwantandt hendis
appear ...sothen,what
bringsyoubacknow?Whydi dy oucal
lmeher e?"

Hi
slastremarkmadeHannas t
unned,foras ec
onds hewanted
toscream tohisfac
et hathewast hetrai
torandnottheother
wayar ound,butdecidedtoforgone.Shetookadeepbr eath,a
si
mpleges tur
et ogatherallt
hec our
age,beforefi
xingher
post
ur e.

"Ihav
esomethi
ngimport
antt
otel
lyou,t
hat'
swhyIcall
ed!
"
Sheprompt
ed,andhejus
tnarr
owedhisvol
canic
-ey
es,ashi
s

298
shar
pjawcontr
acted.Thist
imehesatc
ross
-leggedwithhis
armsfol
dedagai
nsthischest.Ev
eni
nsuchstate,hekept
emanati
nghi
sboss y-
aura.

Hannac
ont
inued,"
Ihav
eas
on!
"

Chrisfrowned." Youhav eas on!"Hemer elyr

epeat edwhat
she'djustsay,inamoc kingwayashel augheddi abolical
lyfora
shortwhi l
e.Therewasas i
lhouetteofangerr i
singonHanna' s
eyesass hewat chedhi m."Ands o?Doy ouwantmet o
congratulat
ey ouors omething?...Fi
ne,c ongr
at ulat
ions!What
els
e,orIknow...y ou'r
emar r
iedtoo,right?Arey oumar ried?
"
Hes nappedl i
keaj erk.

Ov
er-
frus
trat
ed,Hannagul
pedawholegl
assofwat
eratonce,
t
hensi
ghedheavil
ybefor
eanswer
ing,"
No,unf
ort
unatel
ynot
!"

"
Oh!Is
ee...Sot
hen-
-"

"
He'st
urningfouri
nthreemonths
!"Shes
napped,l
oudl
y.She
wasnolongerablet
okeephercool
.

"Ok ay!Goodforyou!"Chri
sremar ked,int
hes ametone."ButI
sti
lldon'tunderst
andwhat '
sthatgottodowi thme...It'
snot
l
ikeI '
mt hefatherofyour-
-"hestuckmi ddl
e-wayasifhe'dj
ust
seent hepictur
e,astoni
shed."
Didy oujustsayfouryear
s?"he
asked,lookingatherinthemos tconfusedway."Doesthismean
--
"

"
Exac
tly
!Youhav
eas
on!Ours
on!
"Shepl
ainl
ylai
ditdown.

Hesharpl
yst
oodupasi fi
twast hemosts
hocki
ngnewshe'd
everhear
dinhisent
ireexi
stenc
e.Hisf
lami
ngeyesdugi
nto

299
Hanna'swi t
hunfl
inchinggaz
e."You'
rekidding,right?"Hesaid,
thehuskinessi
nhisv oic
emadeHannadi gahandt hroughher
hairasiftoborr
ows omepat i
ence.Heleanedov ert oherface,
withthesupportofhishandsinthetabl
e." You'r
et ryi
ngtomes s
upwi t
hme,ar en'
tyou?Butwhy ...whyar ey oudoingt hi
s?
Whatdoy ouwantfr
om meHanna? "Hedemanded.

"Nothing!
"Sheexclaimedstrai
ghttohisface,withunbl i
nking
eyes."Iwantabsol
utenot hi
ngfrom you!
...t heonlyr easonI'm
hereisAlvi
n!Iwantmys ontoknowhi sfather,Idon'tgivea
damnofwhaty outhinkorfeelf
orme! "Sheal sorai
sedher
voic
eandf oroncether ewasablis
sfulhintonChr is
tian'sface.

"Al
v in?Isthatyourson'sname?"hequer i
ed.GivenHanna' s
si
lenc e,hetookitasay esandslowlyret
urnedtohi sseat.He
l
oos enedhi sneckti
einsti
ncti
vel
ybeforeexhali
ngdeepl y.He
t
ookas i
lentoat
hf orami nut
eandendedups ti
fli
ngal aughasif
what everhe'dhear dbyfarwasatotalabsurdi
ty."You'
r ereal
ly
somet hingelseHanna?Whoar eyou?"

"
Idon'
tunder
stand!
"Shes
aid.

"Imean...youplannedi
tveryper
fec
tly
!Whatwer
eyou
expec
ting?ThatI
'dbeecst
ati
c?Youthi
nkI'mt
hatst
upi
d?"

"
WHAT?
"

"Fi
rst,y
oul eavewi t
houtawor d...notevengoodby e!Andt hen
youc omebac kwi t
hTHI S?"Hespokeinas cornfulmanner ."So,
youwantt os aythaty ougotpr
egnantfrom thatoneni ghtwe
shared?Thedamnni ghtt
hatI'
veforgot
tenlongago?Youexpec t
met obeliev
et hat?"Headded.Unabl etotakeitfurt
her more,

300
Hannagotupi mmediatelyandgr abbedherpur se.Shedi dn'
t
evenbot hertolookhi
mi nt heey esass hepushedthec hair
mas si
velyreadytotur
nherheel s."Yeah,runaway!It'
swhat
you'regoodatany way!
"Hes nappedl azil
ybef
oregulpingt he
restofthewat eri
nhisglass,wishingitwasdoubleSc otch.

Hannaturnedherheads har
plyandsai
d,"I
'm notrunni
ng
away!Ij
ustcan'tst
andlist
eni
ngtoyouri
roniesoverandover
agai
n...You'r
es ocyni
c!"

"
Orreall
y?"Hegotonhistoes
."Andwhatdoy ouexpectmeto
s
ay?Tel
lme!Doy ouwantmet o--
"hisvoi
cewashigh,andthei
r
c
onvers
at i
onhadstar
tedtoatt
ractanaudi
enc
ebutnei t
herof
t
hetwoc aredatt
hemoment .

"J
us t
-don' t-
say-anything!"Hannas hout edangrily."J
ust-shut-the
-f
uck-up!"Sheadded.Thes carytoneofherv oic
es t
art
ledal mos t
everyone,i ncl
udi ngChr iswhos tartedt olowerhi sguards ."You--
havenor ighttomakes uchadr eadf ulcomment ,youhear ?I
shouldn'thav ec all
edy ou,it'
smymi stake!Youdon' thav eany
ri
ghttobeAl vi
n'sfather...sofor getitandc ont
inuel i
vingy our
patheti
cl i
f easy ou'vebeendoi ngs ofar.He' l
lbefinewi thout
you,I'l
lmakes ur eofthat !
"Thistimes hes pokewi thutmos t
cal
mnes s,tearsdr enchedherl as hesass hewipedoutwi tht he
ti
pofherf ingers.Theybot hfel
ls i
lentwhi l
eglar
ingateac hot her
malignant lyuntil
;

"Isever
ythi
ngokayHanna?"Vi
c t
or'
sc oolvoic
ebr okethebad
spel
lassheslowl
ylookedathi
m.Shel etoutadeepbr eat
h.
Noneofthem knewhoworwhenhe' darri
vedt here,buti
twas
obvi
ousthatthei
rargumentmight'
vebeent her eason.

301
" I
t'sokayVic tor!Iwasjustleav i
ng...andIthinkt hisgentleman
willbegonet ooi nawhile"s hes ai
dpointedl
yatChr iswhos e
des tabi
liz
edl ookwasi mpas sive.Asshetookas tept owardst he
exit,anotherpr oblem arose,av eryfamil
iarf
igurewas
wander ingar oundasi fsearchingforsomeone." Justgreat!
that'sallIneededt ocompl et ethemes s!
"Sheutt eredabs ently
andbef or ethet womenc ouldc atchon,i
twasal readyt ool at
e.

"Whyarey ouignori
ngmyc al
lsChri
s? "Abigails
tormedinli
kea
hurri
cane.BasedonChr i
sti
an'
stroubledlook,hedi dn'
tseem
el
atedtos eehereit
her."
Andwhoar ethes e-
-"shethrewa
gl
anceatVi c
torthenHannaandimmedi atelyturnedpal
e."What
--
whatisthis?"

"Abbie,whatar eyoudoi
nghere?Howdi dyoufindmehere?
"
Chrisur ged,butnotev
enhisi
nti
mi dat
ingvoi
cecouldst
opher
fr
om gl aringatHannaasi
fshe'
ds eenas c
aryghostf
rom t
he
past.

"You,whatar
eyoudoingher
e?What
'sgoi
ngonher
e? "Abbi
e
wast r
embli
ngwit
hfuryassheas
kedt
hosetwoques
tionsina
row.

"Okayeveryone...Ithi
nky oushouldallgoout,thi
sisa
rest
aurantandy ou'
rebeginningtoannoyt hecustomersso--
"
Vic
torint
ervenedbutwi thoutevenfi
nishinghi
swor ds,Hanna
walkedaway ,c
ompl et
elyignori
ngAbbie'sreac
tionasifshewas
aninsi
gnif
icantthi
ngs hehadnoi nt
erestat.

Wi
thev
eryt
hingt
hat'
dhappenedi
noneeveni
ng,t
helas
tthing
s
hewantedwasatant
rum f
rom aj
eal
ousandi
nsecur
egirl
fr
iend.

302
 CHAPTER21
Themeet i
ngwi thChri
sturnedoutt obeanotherhear t
achefor
Hanna.Event houghitwasn'tt
othepoi ntofdi
smay ,sti
ll
couldn'
thelpfeeli
ngdeject
edaf t
erhismor t
if
yingatti
tude
towardsher.Shewr appedherarmsar oundherbodyasac hi
ll
y-
breezeremindedherofal ate-
springasshewal kedquickl
yto
thebuss t
op.

Foramoments hedidn'twantt oseeort al

ktoanyone,her
heartandmi ndwasabl azeandeac hwor dChriss
aidkept
echoingi
ntoherear s
.Hewasnol ongerthemans heusedto
know,hes oundedpos s
es sed,angryandwounded;whi chHanna
couldn'
tunderstandwhy .Ishouldbet heangryone,nothim,
shethought.

Shefoundr ef
ugeatt heisol
atedbusstop,unsur
ewhet heri
t
wasac t
iveornotsinceshewast heonlyper s
onthere.Infew
seconds,hercel
lphoner anganditwasVictorontheline.She
pic
kedupr eluct
antly
.

"
What
?"Sheut
ter
ed.

"Not
hing,j
ustchec
kingonyou...ar
eyouokay?
"Heasked
cal
mly,hewass oawareofHanna'
stemperwhensomeonegot
onhernerves.

"
I'
mfine,i
twasnot
hingIcan'
thandl
e!"Sher
espondedaf
tera
l
ongsi
gh."Aret
heygone?
"

"
Yeah,thankGoodness
!Thatchi
ckwant
edtofol
lowyoubut
t
hePlayboystoppedher"het
oldher
,butsher
emainedsi
lent
.

303
"
So,wher
ear
eyouheadi
ngnow?
"

"I'
m notsur
e...evenhellwouldbef i
ner i
ghtnow"She
answeredinanor maltoneofvoic
e.Victorl
aughed,shet oo
foundhersel
fdoingthesame."I'
ms orryforthecommot ion,I
hopeitdidn'
trui
ny ourrest
aurant'
sreputati
on!"Shejoked.

Theytal
kedalit
tl
emor ebeforehangingup.Shespentthenext
f
iveminutessc
roll
inghers on'spi
cturesonthephone,ahopeful
smirkonherti
red-f
ac easas uddenur getoatl
easthearhis
sweetvoi
cesubmer gedher.Shegav ein,anddeci
dedtoc al
lher
mothersoastoreac hAlvi
n.

Theboywashappyt alki
ngtoHanna,andi twasal ong
conv ersat
ion;abuss toppedandl ef t
,sher emai nedr i
ghtt her
e,
smi l
ingass heendedt hecal
l.Atlasthers oulwass oothedand
forawhi l
es he'
dforgot t
enthegreator deals he'djustwent
throughs omemi nutesago.She'dal way sfinds olacethrough
hers on,whenev erthingswentwr ong.Whi letakingadv antageof
thefr eeair,shereceivedanotherc al
lfrom John;s hepi cked
i
mmedi at
ely.

"
Hidoc
tors
trange...
"shes
aid,ent
hus
ias
tic
all
y.

"
Hi...
yousoundhappy
!Didyoumi
ssmet
hatmuc
h?"He
r
epli
edwithhisus
ualmisc
hief
.

"
DidI?
...Idon'
tthi
nks
o?Howabouty
ou?
"Shedec
idedt
o
messwit
hhim.

"Oh-oh!Ifeelwounded!
"Hegr
owl
edexagger
atedl
y."Can'
tyou
atleastpr
etendmi s
singme"

304
 "ShouldI?...Wel l
,Iwast hinkingofretr
actingmypr ior
st
atementandt ellt
het ruth,thatIreal
lyreall
ymi s
sy ou...I
meanf orreal!ButIgues sIs houldjustconti
nuepr et
endingthat
Idon't!
" " Isthatso?Wel lthenf or
getit
,juststi
cktot hetr
uth!
It
'salwaysgoodt ot el
lthet ruth"hesaidandHannal aughed
hearti
ly."
Stil
latwor k?"Her es umedhiss er
iousness.

"
Att
hebuss
top...y
ou?Ar
eyouatt
hehos
pit
al?
"

"
Onmywayhome!
"

"
CanIs
leepov
er?It
hinkIs
leepwel
lov
ert
her
ecompar
edt
o--
"

"Hanna,y
oudon'tneedtoas k!It
'sal
soy
ourhome.Wai
tforme.
..I
'l
lpi
ckyouup"hes napped,theremar
kmadehersmil
e.

"I
t'
sokayJohn,t
hebusi
sher
e...
"shei
nsi
stedasanot
herbus
approac
hed.

"
Arey
ous
ure?
"

"
Yeah,s
eey
ous
hor
tly
!"Sheur
gedands
li
ppedi
nsi
det
hebus
.

Inl esst
hananhour ,HannawasalreadyatJohn'sapartment
;
hers hoesandpurseweredroppedr andomlyattheliv
ingroom
ands hewasc omfort
ablysi
tt
ingatthekitc
henc ounter
-top,
wr i
ggli
ngherfeetwhil
ewatchingherboy f
ri
endpr epar
ingher
dinner.

Het urnedtoher,"Youseriousl
ywanttoeatcupnoodl
es?"I
t
wasthet hir
dconfi
rmation,Shenodded."Youandyour
si
mpl i
cit
y!"Hemurmur ed.Hepour edsomehotwateri
ntoeach
ser
vingandwai t
edf orf
ivemi nut
esduringwhi
chhepaced

305
towardsHannaandwr appedherwai stwithhisbothhands ,
star
ingatoneanot her ."Youwer eplanningtos ki
pdinner,
weren'tyou?
"heas ked,s oft
lybutannoy ed.Henev erli
kedthat
tendencyofhers,ofs kippingmealsjus tbecauseshes pentalot
oftimeinthekit
c hen." Don'tgiv
emet hatpuppyl ook,I'
mv ery
mad! "Headded.

"
I'
msor
ry,Iwasj
ustc
rav
ings
omet
hingpl
ain!
"Sheans
wer
ed.

Theyatethenoodl eswi ths omeor angej ui

cebeforereti
ri
ngt o
thebedroom.Hannat ookanot herqui c kshower,fol
lowedby
J
ohnwhot ookal it
tl
el onger.Whi lewai tingforhim,shejust
sli
ppedundert heduv etinabat hing-robe.Forqui t
eamoment
hermi nddri
ftedt othatev ening'sincident.Shefeltsohurtand
dist
urbedbutJ ohn'sreturn,fewmi nut eslat
ermanagedt o
resumeherj oy.Hewass uperc lean;he' djustshaved,fr
om the
l
ookofi t
.Hej oinedheronbedands tartedinspecti
ngherface.

"
Dids
omet
hinghappenwhi
leIwasgone?Youl
ookgl
oomy
!"

Hannawass urpri
sed."No,Ithi
nky ou'
reimaginingthings.."
sheans wered.Shewasf eel
ingbaddeepi nsi
de,fornott el
li
ng
him aboutChristi
an.Moment ari
ly,s
hewant edtoc onfi
de,butit
waspr ett
yhardt ostar
ttheissue.I'
l
ltel
lhimtomor r
ow,s he
deci
ded.

"Heypret
ty...I'
mtalki
ngt oyou!Whatar eyous c
heming
now?"J
ohns nappedather .Tohersurpris
e,hewass t
ari
ngher
i
ntheeyesasi fr
eadi
ngt hem whil
er est
inghisheadonhislef
t
el
bow.Hiseyebrowsarched.

"
Uh-
-wel
l...I
'mt
hinki
ngofdoi
ngt
his
...
"shepec
kedhi
m on

306
t
hecheek.Hef
rowned,i
nac
hees
yway
.Hannal
aughedathi
s
f
ace.

"
Andthis...
"agai
nsheki
ssedhi
sfor
eheadt
henpaus
edt
osee
hi
sreac
tion.

"
Onl
ythat
?"Heas
ked,asi
fdi
sappoi
nted.I
tmadehergi
ggl
e.

"Andthi
s...andthisone- -
"sheattempt edtokis
shi
sother
cheekwhenhedel iberatel
ycaughtherlips.Hegaveherareal
passi
onat
eki ss
,thatleftherbreat
hless
." Iwasheadi
ngthere...
you'v
eruinedmypl ans !
"Hannas nappeds ul
kil
yandmadehi m
l
aughaudi bl
y.Sheglaredathim narrow-eyed.

"Okayfi
ne!Pr et
endIdi dn'tdoit...here,goon! "Heplacedhis
facecl
oser,somethingthatmadet hem bot hlaugh.They
conti
nuedt easi
ng,giggl
ing,pil
low-fi
ghti
ngandki ss
ingli
keli
tt
le
teensinl
ov e.Unabletoc ontai
nt hemselvesany more,they
endedupmaki nglove;ar omanticonewi thoutlust.

Event hefollowingdaybr oke,s t

il
lHannac ouldn'ttellJohn
aboutChr is.Hedr oppedherathomet ochangec lothes ,t
henof f
atAr omabef oreheadi ngtot hehos pit
al.Itwaspr et
tyear ly,
henc eshedec i
dedt odot hec l
eaningthenar r
angedt hef l
ower s
;
whichs hewass ogoodatanddec idedlyus editat her apy.Her
study i
nginPar ishadc hangedherv ast
ly.Sheadapt edal mos t
everyc harmingf emaleetiquettewi t
houti mpos ingon
super ci
li
ousnes s;shewass ti
llas i
mpl eandl ovinggi rldespit
e
herimpr ovedec onomicstatussinceac ceptedbyherf ather'
s
grandf amily.Thedaywentunev entful
ly,exceptf ormany
customer swhokeptbus t
li
ngatt her est
aur ant.Shepul l
ed

307
ov
ert
imet
ohel
pVi
ctorandr
etur
nedhomet
oget
hert
hatni
ght
.

****

Chriswass tilladj
usti
ngtot heshoc
kofhi sl
ife.Goodt hi
ng
Abbi ewasi nt hemi ddl
eofexams ,whichsparedhi m agr eat
dealofpr oblemsr egar
dingHanna'sappearanc e.Theynev er
talkeds i
ncet hattimeChr i
srepri
mandedherf ors tal
king,whi l
e
refusingtogi veheranyexpl anat
ionregardi
ngt heincident.He
onl yreassuredAbbi ethatitwasthei
rfir
stmeet inginy ears;
whi chshenev erbought.

Hisapar t
mentdoors wungopenandCar olyns tormedin."Okay,
nowt ellmef r
om thebegi nni
ng...Iwaswor king,soIdidn't
havetimet olist
en"s hes nappedaft erthrowi ngherbriefc
ase
andjacketont hec ouc h.Shelookedexhaus ted."You'r
ealone
ri
ght?Idon' twantanyunpl easantsurpr i
sefr om yourconquest"
sheaddedwr yly
.Chr isrespondedwi t
has mirk,hewasdr inki
ng
himselfoutafterfail
ingt oconcentrateonwor kthewholeday ;
hehadl ef
ttheoffi
ceear l
ywithallhisappoi nt mentcancell
ed.

"
Jus
tsi
tdown...s
topwhi
ning!
"Her
etor
ted.

"
Ah- -l
ookatyou!You'
reamess!"Sheshookherheadt
othe
si
des.Shewenttothekit
chenandgrabbedtwocansof
Heineken."
So,youdidmeether?
"

"
Yeah...If
inal
lys
awmyHanna!
"

"
YourHanna?You'
res
ick
!"Sai
dCar
owi
thaf
eigneddi
stas
te,

308
whil
es i
tt
ingonarug.Chriswasontheends i
deofhissec
t i
onal
-
couch,l
yingdownlazi
ly."
And?Whatelse...Imean,hass he
changed?Same?Tellmeev er
ythi
ng!
"Sheur ged,wi
thexci
tement.

Chr
iswasdumbf
ounded,"
Ist
hatev
eni
mpor
tantCar
o?"

"Ofcour
se,I
'm al
way
sabi
gfanofher
...s
he'
sani
nter
est
ing
being"

"
Shehaschanged!She'
sawomannow...av
erybeaut
if
ul
woman!Ic
ouldn'tevenr
ecogni
seher
."

"Wow!NowI 'dreallyl
iketos eethat!Andwhatdi dyoutalk
about?
"Sheas ked,andt ohers urpri
seChr i
swass i
lent
,an
ambiguoussil
ent."Hey,spilli
talready...what'
sthemy ster
y?
Youdidn'
tstartafightwithherbyanyc hance,didyou?"She
naggedhim whileswall
owi ngac oldHeinekenslowly.

"Evenworse..."hemut tered.Carof rowned.Fi nall

yChrisput
hisfeetof
fthesofa,andgothi msel
fs eatedwi thbothelbowson
eit
herknees,thentookav erydeepbr eath."Shet oldmet hatwe
haveas on!
"Saidhe,pl ai
nly,then reachedf orac anont he
tablesandcl
utchedt heli
di nas i
nglemov e,ignoringCaroly
n's
astonis
hedlookwi t
hhermout hagape;s he'
dal mos tchoked.

Suddenlyshes tart
edl aughing."Wait--whatdoy oumeany ou
haveas on?Likear eals on?together...y ouandHanna?A
baby?"Sheas kedandhenoddedi nagr eement ."
Wow,Imean...
wow!Am Ianauntt hen?Ihav eanephew! "shecontinued
express
inghers hock.Thenewss eemedt ohav esurpassedall
herexpec t
ati
ons ,andwhenChr i
stoldhert herestofthestory
;
hisreac
tiontot henews ,howr udelyhebehav edwithHanna

309
andt hes c
enet heycreatedwhenAbbi earri
ved.Carowaseven
mor eappal l
ed,especiall
yf r
om Chris
tian'
swor dstoHanna
implyingthathedi dn'
tt r
us therenought obel
ievehewasAlvin'
s
fat
her ."OhJesusChr i
s!Iwonderhowy oursmart-
mi ndworks
somet imes;howc any out ellt
hattoawoman?Doy oueven
knowwhatt hatmeans ?
"

"
No,I
sitt
hatbad?
"

"Yes,i
t'
sthesameasaccus
ingherofbei
ngawhoreors
lut
;
becauseonlyt
hos ewomenarei
ncapabl
eofknowi
ngwhothe
chil
d'sf
atheri
s!"

Chr isgotupabr uptl

y,r
unahandi nhi
shai randgr i
mac ed.He
closedhi sey esf oramoment ,thenopened.Het ooksever al
mi nutest orumi nat ebefor
et urningbacktoCar o."Iwas
shoc ked!I--Ididn' tevenreali
zet hemagnitudeoft hesit
uat ion..
.It hinkI '
vemes sedupagain!"Hes ai
dr egret
tably,i
nal ow
t
oneofv oice." IguessIus edmyangeragai nsther,andf ail
edt o
seet her ealissue! "

"You'r
es t
il
lmadatherf orleav i
ngyoubackthen,aren'ty
ou? "
Caroas ked.Theliv
ingroom wasf i
ll
edwit
hsil
ence;adr opping
needlec ouldmakeas ound.Af teralongmomentCar os ai
d
hesit
ant l
y,"Chr
is,Hannas awy ouembr ac
ingAbbiethatnight...
shethinksy oubetray
edher !That '
swhysheleftwit
houtawor d!
"
Eventuallythet
ruthcamet oli
ght.

"
WHAT?
"

"
Yeah,y
ouc
anhat
emei
fyouwantbutI
--"

310
 "
No-
-pl
eas
erepeatwhaty
ou'
vej
usts
aid!Hannadi
dwhat
?"

Itwasanot hers urpriseforChri

s .Allthoseyear she' dbeen
resenti
ngHanna,t hinkingshe'
dbet rayedhim af t
ert hebes t
nighttheys hared,andf orwhat,jus ttoreali
zet hati twasa
stupidmi s
under standing.Hefelts os t
upidandangr yatt he
samet ime,andmos tl
ymadatCar oforkeepings uc hi mpor tant
pieceifinf
or mation.Butt oherdef ense,sher emi ndedhi m ofa
days hehintedhi m ofs uchpossibil
ityandhes tif
flyr epl
ied" It
doesn'tmat ter
...i fshelovedmeass hec l
aimed,s he'dhav e
tri
edt osortoutanyki ndifmisunder standi
ng" .Andwi tht hat,
Chrislost.

Thefollowingday ,Chris
tianwasdet erminedtomeetHanna
againafterat tendi
nghi smor ni
ngs chedules
.Hewant edtomake
thingsright,ormaki ngherr eal
izethateverythi
ngwasahuge
mi sunders t
andingatt heveryleast
.Wi t
houtponderingfurt
her,
hegav eHannaac allandsher el
uctantl
yac cept
edhisaudienc
e.
Onc eagai n,theyagreedtomeetatAr oma.

Hepinc
hedthephoneandtol
dRose,hi
ssec
ret
ary
."Shi
ftt
he
r
estofmyappoint
mentsfort
omorr
ow!"

"
Alloft
hem s
ir?
"Ros
erepl
ied.

"Al
lofthem...exc
eptmylunc
hmeetingwi
thStarl
ight
Constr
ucti
ons.I
'l
lpers
onal
lymeetMr
.Cornwal
ltoni
ght."

"
Not
eds
ir!
"

Whendone,hegott
ohi
sfeetr
eadyt
oleav
ewhenTher
esa

311
suddenlypoppedinatthespeedofali
ght
,fol
lowedbyRos
e
whohadat er
rif
iedl
ook."I
t'sokayRos
e,y
ouc angobackt
o
work!"Chri
surged.

"Whati
sthisI'
m hearing?...isi
ttruethatgi
rli
sback?Areyou
seei
ngheragain?"Shebar ked.Shewasasr adi
antasever,
dres
sesuplikearoy al
.Inani nst
ant,Chri
sreal
iz
edthatitwas
aboutHanna,hes i
ghedr esi
gnedly.

"
Mom,I'
m ext
remel
ybusy!Canwet al
kaboutt
hats
omeot
her
t
ime?I
'mrunni
nglat
e...
"hesaid,c
almly.

"
When?
...whenar
ewegoi
ngt
otal
kaboutt
his
?"

"
Lat
er!I'l
lbebackhomet onight...whoknows?MaybeI '
l
lgi
ve
y
ouabi ggershoc
kthanthis".Hisconversat
ionwit
hTheresawas
s
hort
,ashei mmediatel
yleftforhisgrandappoint
ment.

I
NLESSthananhour,Chri
swasal
readyatAr
omaandf
or
oncet
heyexchangedgr
eeti
ngsi
nades c
entmanner
.

"
I'
mli
steni
ng...
"Hannas
aidc
alml
y.

"
Wel
l,I
'dl
iketoapol
ogi
zef
irs
t--f
ort
hewayIreac
tedt
hel
ast
t
imewetal
ked"Chri
stol
dherinthes
ametone.

"
It'
sokay
!Iwasn'
texpect
ingyoutobeful
lofecst
asy
"she
r
epli
eddryl
y."
So,whatisi
tthatyouwantnow?"

"
Iwantt
omeethi
m...Al
vin!I
sitpos
sibl
e?"

Hannagl
aredathi
mforal
ongwhi
le,asi
freadi
nghi
ssudden

312
changeofat t
it
udewhi chcaughtheroff-
guard.Tr
uthful
ly,s
he
wasn'texpecti
ngChr i
ssomet i
mes oon,shehadproject
edit
would'vetakenlongerthanthat.

"I'm br
inginghim her
ethisSunday,may beyoutwocanmeet
afterwards;Ist
il
lneedtotellhi
m aboutthis.
"Sheans
weredand
therewasas l
ims mil
eonChr is
tian'
sfac
e.

Hewant edt oi nquiremor eaboutt heboy ,butdec i

dedt okeep
cal
m unt iltheymet .Hewas n'tev ens ureofhi st
ruef eeling
concerningt hemat ter ,butstillwant edt odot hi
ngsr ightthis
ti
me.Theys tayeds i
lent ,watc hingeac hot herawkwar dlyacross
eit
hers i
deoft het abl e.Ifitwer ef oury earsago,they'dhav ea
l
ott otalkof ;impor tantandev ent hemos tmeaningles sthings,
j
us ttokeept hec onv ersationgoi ng.Andpr obablythey '
dbe
l
aughi ngunt iltheybr eakar ib,butatt hatmoment ,theywer e
l
iketwos tr
anger sonabl inddat eors omet hing.

"
You...l
ookbeaut
if
ulbytheway
.Imeany
ou'
vec
hangeda
l
ot!
"Heutter
edfrom nowher
e.

"Um...thanks!"Hannarepli
eds hyl
y.Shegotfluster
edbyhi s
suddenremar kandforonces hecamet orecogniti
ont hatshe
wasactual
lytalki
ngtothemans heoncelovedc raz
ily
." I
--Ineed
t
ogetbac ktowor kChri
sifyou... "

"
Wai
t!
"Heexc
lai
med,al
mos
tst
art
li
ngl
y."
CanIas
kyou
s
omet
hing?
"

"
Goahead!
"

"
Whynow?
"Chr
iss
napped."
Youc
oul
dhav
etol
dmeear
li
er

313
t
haty
ougotpr
egnant
!Whydi
dyouwai
tthi
slong?
"

Tookyoul
ongenought oaskChr i
sti
anAs ht
on,Hannat hought
.
Foramoments herecall
edthedays hewentbac kt
othe
mansionwi
ththeintenti
onoftell
inghim aboutherpregnancy,
andtoherhor
ror,Chrisappearedwithhisgir
lf
ri
end.She
swall
owedhar
d,beforelookingupathim andmethi sinquir
ing
gaze.

"
IfIdidcomebackandtol
dy ous
o,doy outhinkyourreact
ion
would'
vebeendi
ff
erentf
rom now?"Sheasked,herpier
cingeyes
di
ggi
nghis.

Chr
isfr
ownedabit,t
houghtf
ull
y,thenclenchedhi
sshar
pjaw.
"
Idon'tknowHanna,butevenso...Idon't
--"

"
Whatabouty
ourgi
rl
fr
iend?y
ourf
ami
ly?Howwoul
dtheyt
ake
i
t?"

"
Iknow,i
t'
sjus
t--
"

"Iwant edt opr otectmy sel

f!Andmos tlymybaby !
"Hannas ai
d
withut mos tsi
nc erity
.Chr i
ss eemedl ostforas ec ond."Iwasj ust
as i
mpl einexper iencedgi rlbac kthen...Iwass cared!Sc aredof
everyt
hi ng.Buty ouknowwhat ?Notevenonc edi dIhav ea
secondt houghtaboutkeepi ngmybaby !Iwantedt ohav eitwit
h
allmymi ghtyandt helas tthingIwant edwasf ormys ont o
experienc eREJECTI ON!YesChr is
,Iwasaf r
aidy ou,andy our
family
...Iwass caredt haty ou'dallrejecthim.Iknowt hat
feel
ingbyhear t,AndI --"s hes topped,tor est
rainher selffrom
teari
ng,t hentookadeepbr eath."Mypoi ntis,Idon' tneed
anythingf rom youChr i
s ,Icant akecareofAl v i
nasI 'vebeen

314
doingsof
ar...i
t'
sjust
,heneedshi sfat
her!Henevermentions
i
tbutIknowhedoes .Butifyous t
il
lhavedoubt
s,wec anst
op
thi
shereandnow...I'
llj
us tt
ellhi
my ou'r
edeados omethi
ng
and--
"

"
Hannapl
ease!
"Chri
ssnappedatl
ast
."Ther
eisnoneedt
ogo
t
os uc
hext
reme!Ibel
iev
eyou,andIwanttomeethi
m...my
s
on!"

Thatni
ghtChr
iswentt
ohi
spar
ent
'shous
easpr
omi
sed.

"
What ?YouhaveasonwithHER? "ItwasTher esa'
ssmacking
v
oiceechoingt
hewallsofthegrandliv
ingr oom attheAs
hton's
r
esidency."
No,itc
an'
tbe!She'slyi
ngs on...she'
sonlytr
yingto
t
rapy ouonceagai
nand--"

"Mom...mom please!enoughoft
histal
k!Shetoldmeso,and
Ibeli
eveher
!Inf
ac t
,I'
m goingtomeethims oon!
"Chri
srepl
ied,
deter
minedl
y.

"No,no!Thi sisnothappeni ng!"Ther esagottoherfeet,and

star
tedpac i
ngar oundasi fl
ookingf oranot herway.She
immedi atelyturnedt owardsherhus band,whohappenedt obe
presentt hatnight,andwass il
entlyc ontemplati
ngthenews ,hi
s
expressionunr eadabl easusual."James ,saysomethingfor
God'ssake!Yours oni sget
ti
ngc razierbyday ,he'
sgoinginsane!
"
Shec r
ied.

"
Makes
uret
obr
inghi
m homes
oon...i
fyou'
res
urehe'
smy

315
gr
ands
on!
"Jamess
aidbl
unt
ly.Hewass
til
lamanoff
ewwor
ds.

"
JAMES!
"Ther
esaexc
lai
medangr
il
y."
Youc
an'
tpos
sibl
yac
cept
t
his-
-"

"Chr
ist
iani
snol
ongerachi
ldTher
esa!Lethims ol
vehisown
probl
emsnow...
"hesnapped,s
hortandclear
ly,befor
egett
ing
up.

Chri
sfol
lowedaf
terhi
m ands
aid."
Thanksdad!Thatmeansa
l
ot!"

Jamesl ookedathi m,andpat tedhisbacksli

ghtl
ywithoutsayi
ng
awor d.Ihopet hosetwot urny ouintoamannow,heonl y
thoughts oinwardlyashet urnedhistoestowardsthestai
rcas
e.
Chrisstaredafterhim,proudly.Forthepastfewyearsthey'
ve
beent r
y i
ngt osortourtheirdif
ferencesandatlasti
tseemedt o
havewor kedf orgood.

"
No,al
lmeni nthi
shouseareins
ane!Youandy ourfatherar
e
c
omplet
elyi
nsane!Iknowwhom Is houl
dtalkto!
"Theresa
c
onti
nuedbarkingwhi
lereac
hingforhercel
lphone.

"
Mom,i fyou'r
etry
ingt
ocallAbbi
epl
eas
est
op!I
'l
lbet
heone
t
ot el
lher...
"Chri
sdemanded.

****

OnSundaymorni
ng,Hannawentt oGr eenhi
llwi
thVi
ctor;They
bot
hagreedtoc
losetheres
taurantforadays oastogi
v ethe
employ
eessometi
met orechar
geaft erabusyweektheyallhad.

316
 "
Canyouhel
pmepac ksomeofAl
vin'
scl
othes
,Gwen?
"Hanna
as
kedf
orafavorl
ateraf
terl
unc
h.

"
Surethi
ngHanna!...wannacomeAlv
in?"repli
edGwenbefore
wait
ingf
orthechi
ld'
sreacti
on.Hewassul
king;hedidn'
twantto
l
eaveGreenhi
llwi
thoutGwenastheygr
ewc loseri
nthatshor
t
t
ime.

"What'
sthemat
terbaby?Don'
tyouwanttogowit
hmommyto
Lycos
?Ihaveasurpr
isef
oryou,remember
!"Hannasweet
-
tal
kedhim.

"
IwantGwent
ocomewi
thus
...
"Al
vinr
epl
iedi
nac
hees
yway
.

Hannahadnochoic
ebuttoas
kMari
aifGwenc oul
d
acc
ompanythem andshes
awnoprobl
em aboutit
.

"
It'
sokaywi
thme,it
'snotli
keshehasanyt
hingi
mpor
tantt
o
dohere!
"Mari
asai
dandi twasquit
edeci
ded.

Bef
oreleav
ingwhent
hes
unhadf
inal
lys
et,Sar
ahhadal
it
tl
e
t
alkwit
hHanna.

"
You'redoi
ngt
herightthi
nghoney
!Ihopeevery
thi
nggoes
well
"shetol
dherbefor
eenter
ingVi
ctor
'sPor
scheonthewai
t.

"
Met oomom,Ic
an'
twai
tfort
hist
ofi
nal
lybeov
er!
"Hanna
s
aid.

"
Speaki
ngofwhi
ch,howi
sChr
is?Hashec
hanged?Howi
s--
"

"
Heseemedokaymom!Prett
ymuc
hokay!He'
sas
ucc
ess
ful
mannow...andv
eryhands
omeashe'
sbeen!
"

317
 "
OhIs ee!
"Sar
ahr
etor
tedhappi
ly."
And-
-howdi
dyouf
eel
?I
mean-
-"

"
Ther
e'snowayI
'm di
scus
singt
hatwi
thy
oums
.Sar
ah!
"

"
Butwhy
...
"

"
Mom...It
'sgett
ingdar
kandwe' r
erunni
nglate!
"Shes napped,
di
sappr
ovi
ngly."
Andjustsoyouknow...Il
oveJohn!Bye!"With
akis
sonthecheek,Hannasl
ippedatthef
rontpassengerseat
.

"
Goodby
eauntSar
ah!
"wi
thal
augh,Vi
ctorpokedt
hrought
he
wi
ndow.

"
Driv
esaf
elyson!
"Sar
ahr
epl
ied,andhedr
oveaways
ome
minut
esl
ater
.

When Hannacal
ledChr
isaboutherarr
ivalbackinLyc
os,he
near
lydrov
etoherhous
ethatverysameni ght
.Sugges
tiv
ely
,
shetol
dhimtowaitf
ort
henextdayatleast.

Hannagotupear l
yonMonday ,i
ntendingt opr epareAlvi
n's
favourit
ebr eakfas
t;burr
itobiteswithc hoc ol
atebanana
smoot hieors omehoney -
c heesepanc akes.Shedec i
dedtomake
both,andaddeds omes crambl edeggs ,sal
ads ,bac onand
Frencht oas
t .Shewantedev eryonetohav eafeas t,befor
e
leavi
ngf orwor k.

Whil
ewindi
nguphert
aski
ntheki
tchen,t
her
ewasas
har
pri
ng
att
hedoor.

318
Whoc
oul
ditbeatt
hist
ime,s
het
hought
.

"
Mr s
.Phi
ll
ips,cany oupleasecheckwho'satthedoor
?"She
s
creamedatthebul kymiddle-agedwomant heyhir
edtokeep
t
hehouse;she'sbeenv er
yeffici
entbyfar
.

WhenMr s.Phi
ll
ipsretur
ned,fewmi nut
eslat
er,shesaid
"There'sagentl
emanl ooki
ngfory ouMs.Hanna"s hest
epped
aside,attheki
tchendoorwayandr ev
eal
edthey oungman
dressedupi nanelegantbody-
f i
tsuit
.

"Chri
s!Whatareyoudoi
ngher eatthi
shour
?"Hanna
excl
aimed,unabl
etoconcealt
hes ur
pris
einherf
resh-
mor
ning
eyes.

Chrisl
ungedt owardsher,wit
hperplexedexpressi
onasifhe
wasoutofhi ssane-mind.Hesaid,"
HannaI 'ms or
ry...It
ried,
but...Icouldn'
ttakeanotherminut
e...I--Ihardl
ysleptl
as t
nightand--
"

"
Cany oufi
nishupwiththec offeeMrs.Phil
li
ps?"Hanna
i
nterr
upted.Thewomannoddedwi thawarms mil
e,asshe
dri
edupherhandsbef oresteppingoutofthekitchen.f
oll
owed
byChrisdownthehall
way ."
He' ssti
lls
leepi
ngthough,isit
okay?
"Shepaus edatherbedr oom-doorandas ked.

"
Fine!Ij
ustwantt
oseehi
m"

"
Ver
ywel
l...
"

Hannal edChrisin,hesl
owlyenter
edherspaciousbedroom
andr es
tedhissoftgazeontheli
tt
leboywrappedundert he
blanket
.Hiseyeslight
enedwithj
oyasheappr oachedthebed,

319
andturnedthem onlyoncet ocheckonHanna'sreac
tionatthe
doorwheres hewass t
il
l-
standing.Aner
vousbreathescapedher
l
ungsass hewatchedhims eat
ingnextt
ohissonwhilestari
ngat
himli
keas weetli
tt
le-st
ranger.

"He...hei
sbi
g!"Chri
sut
ter
edincr
edulousl
y.Agr
inonhisli
ps
ent
icedhowexc
itedhewasandr
ightthen,Hannaj
oinedhi
m.

"
Int
womont
hshe'
l
ltur
nfour
!"Shes
nor
ted.

"Hehasmyhair!"Hec
ontinuedwit
hhisinspect
ionwhil
e
t
rai
li
nghisf
inger
sonAlvi
n'shead,heshudderedsli
ght
ly.

"
Yeah,unf
ort
unat
ely
!"Sher
oll
edherey
es.

"
What
?"

"
Not
hing!It
hinkbl
ondesar
ehot
...
"

Hel
aughed."
Blondesar
ehot
?"

"
Yes
,don'
tyouagr
ee?
!"

Withthatli
tt
lebicker
ing,theyf oundthemsel
veslaughi
ngfor
onceinyears.Forasec ond,itfel
tli
ketheywentbackinti
me.
Butthejoywasonl yshort-l
ivedasthemagicvanishedthe
minutetheysharedal onggaz e.

"
Ithinkhe'
swaki
ngup..."Chri
ssaid,andHannamov edc
los
er
t
os eeAlv
inyawni
ngwhil
es t
ret
chingsubcons
cious
ly.

"
Heybaby !Wake-wake?"Sheutter
edwithacrazyi
ntonati
on.A
minut
elater,hewasfull
y-awake.Hest
aredatbothHannaand
t
hes t
ranger,cut
elyashes c
ratc
hedhisli
tt
leheadinconfusi
on.

320
"
Who-
are-
you?
"Heut
ter
edi
nal
owv
oic
e,poi
ntedl
yatChr
is.

"
Me?...um...well
--
"Chri
sstut
ter
ed,hedi
dn'
tknowhowt o
r
espondrightawayunti
lhel
ookedatHannawhosignal
edhi
m
t
ogoon.

"Ar
e-y
ou-my-daddy?
"Alvi
nsnapped,outoft
hebl
ue.Helef
t
ever
yonesur
pr i
sedbyhisqui
ckwit.Howhemanagedtonai
lit
,
wastheques
tionins
ideHanna'sheadasmuchasi
twasfor
Chri
s."
Is-
hemommy ?"

"
Wel
lbaby
--"

"
YesAl
vin...Iam y
ourdaddy
!"Chr
iss
aidc
onf
ident
ly.

"Yay!You'reback!
"Theboyt hrewhi msel
fonhisf
ather'sarms ,
hewasv eryhappyands oundedlikehe'dknownhimfor ever.
Chrisseemedc onfoundedatfir
s t
,butmeltedinhi
slit
tlewar m
embr ace,andheknewr ightawayt hathewasreal
lyhiss on.

Thatmor ni
ngturnedanewc hapterint
oChr i
sti
an'slif
e;hewas
gladtomeetAl vi
n,heenjoyediteven.Talkingtohim,ans weri
ng
someofhi shardestquesti
onsthatcaughthi m off
-guar dmostof
thetimes ,gavehim anewi ns
ightaboutthej oyofbei ngafat
her .
Hedi dn'tneedaDNAt es
tt oprovethepat erni
ty,thec hemi
stry
it
s el
fwasenought omakehi m bel
ieve.Beforeleaving,he
promi s
edt ov i
si
tAlvi
nagainlaterthatday .

"HaveyouseenitHanna?Helikesme...mys onli
kesme!"
Chri
skeptscreamingassheledhim atthehouseexit
.Hewas
el
atedwithar i
dic
ulouss
mileonhi sfac
e,andthesightwass
o

321
appeal
ingt
oHanna.

"
Arey
out
hathappy
?"Shequer
ied,c
uri
ous
ly.

"
Veryhappy...s
ohappyt
hatIwantt
osc
ream t
otheent
ire
worl
dthatIhaveason!
"

"Don'
tyouwanttot akeapaterni
tytes
t?Whati fhei
snotyour
son?"Hannaspoi
ledit,shes
eriousl
ywant edtoseehowdeep
washisfai
tht
owar dsher.Heimmedi at
elytensedup,s
wall
owed
hardandanswered;

"I
'm notgoingtotakeanytest
!Yous aidheismys onandI
beli
evey ou!OrshouldIdoubtyou?"Hepl ungedhispissed-l
ook
onher .Sheneit
hermov ednorans weredhisquesti
on,instead
shestaredathimintensel
y."I
'm goingtotheoffi
ce...butI '
ll
dropbyl ater
!"Hesnappedandr eachedforthemas si
vedoor .

"Wait!"Hannaur ged.Hereturnedinstantl
y,wi
thhispissed-
facestil
l.Shec l
os edthedist
ance,andt ookahol
dofhi scrooked
neckti
e.Fr om allthefusshemadewi thAlvi
nawhi l
eago,hi sti
e
wasoutofs hape.Hannas t
artedfi
xingitandChrisremaineds t
ill
,
feel
ingherhandsmaki ngcontactwithhischest
.Hehel dhis
breathins t
inct
ivelyasifhertouchwass omesortofelect
rif
ying
objectandhef eltmetall
ic
.Wat chi
ngherf acecl
oser,hersharp
brows ,all
uringlips,madehim destabil
ized.

Slowl
y,Hannali
ft
edherfaceandmethi s
.Therewasas par
kle,
thatwould'
vesoontur
nedintoafi
rework;Shedroopedher
handsandmov edalit
tl
efart
herback.

"
It'
sdone!Youc
ango!
"Sheut
ter
eds
oft
ly.

322
"
Oh...t
hanks
!"Chr
isans
wer
edandl
eftr
ightaway
.

Onc ei
nsidehiscar
,hegrabbedadeepr el
iefs
igh.Hestar
edat
hisj
ust-
fi
xedtieandsmil
eds tupidl
y,t
hrewonemor egl
anceat
thehousebeforest
eppi
ngt heclutc
h.

****

Thedayattherestaurantwasf i
ll
edwi t
hjoy,i
twasi mpos si
ble
towipeofft
hes mil
eonHanna' sface.Bei
ngabletofulfi
llher
son'
swishwasthebi ggestaccomplishmentofherlif
e.NowI
don'
thaveanythingtowor ryabout,shethought.Butregrett
ed
ri
ghtaway,whenVic t
oremer gedfrom thelounge.

"
HeyCher
ie,J
ohnc
all
ed...hes
aidhec
an'
treac
hyou"hes
aid.

"Myphone!Ithi
nkIl
efti
tins
idert
hel
ocker
.I'
l
lcal
lhi
msoon!
"
Sheanswered.

"AndIhopeyou'
llt
ellhim ever
ythi
ngwhileati
t...
youcan't
keephiminthedarkforeverHanna,thes
oonerthebett
er!"

HannaknewwhatVict
ormeant,es
pec
ial
lyaft
erhewi
tnes
sed
t
hes ceneatt
hedoorearl
ieri
nthemor
ning.Andhewasri
ght,
J
ohndes er
vedt ngon.Buthowwi
oknowwhathadbeengoi llhe
r
eact,shewonder
ed.

323
 CHAPTER22
"Ireal l
ywant edt oletits l
idewhenIs awyouthatday...but
youal way sfi
ndawayt oi rri
tateme!Whati sitt
hatyou'r
e
pulli
ngnow? "s aidAbbi e.Afterlearningaboutthechil
d's
existencef r
om Chr is
t i
an,s hegotf ur i
ous.She'
dstormedinside
ther estaurantlikeani njuredbuf f
alo,andpouredHannawi th
i
ns ults."Andy ouac t
ual lythinky ou'reschemesaregoingto
wor k?Getr ealhoney ...t hat'sanol dtric
k!MaybeChriscanbuy
i
tbutdef ini
tel
ynotme! "Sheadded.

"
Arey
oudone?
"Hanna,whowasqui
ett
hewhol
eti
meas
ked.

"
No,I'm notdoney et
!"Abbi
es nor
ted."
I'
m notsur ewhatyou
wantfr
om allthi
s,butIcanassureyouthatit
'l
lneverwork!
Never
!Chr i
sismine...mine!Youhearme? "Sheleanedtowar
ds
Hanna,savagel
y."Howmuc h?Howmuc hmoneydoy ouwantto
st
opmaki ngups t
ories
,huh?"

Hannawass i
lent.Shejustt
ooki nallt
hev enom wit
hout
makingaface;Ifapoker-f
acewasal es
son,thenshemus t
've
masteredanAdur ingherlastyearsabroad.Shescowledherfor
awhilebefor
ef i
nall
yresponding;

"
Evenwit
hmyabsenc
ethi
swhol
eti
mey
ous
til
lfai
ledt
ocov
et
hi
my et
?Whatas
hame!"

"
What
?"

"
I'
mt al
kingaboutChr
is!
"Hannasmirked."Ican'
tbeli
eveyou'
re
s
oi nsecureanddesper
ateeven...
Why ?Don'tyoutrus
t
y
our s
el f
?"Sherubbedi
tin,andits
eemedt owor kperf
ect
lyas

324
Abbiegri
ndherteeth,i
nfur
iated."Youknow,Ifeels
orryforyou.
..howmanygi rl
shav eyoudeal twit
h?AsfarasIknow,y our
boyfr
iend'
sreput
ati
onpr ecedeshim!Hehasmades ev
er al
headli
nesingoss
ipc ol
umns ,hasn'
the?...andwhenIs ay
headli
nes,Imeanthoseheadl i
nes!"

"
SHUTUP!
"

"
No,y ous hutup!I'velety ous ayev erythi
ngy ouwant eds oit'
s
myt urnnow! "Hannas napped." Whet heryoubel i
evethes t
ory
ornot,it'
syourpr oblem!Idon' towey ouanyexpl anati
onf oral
l
Icare...Ifyouhav eal otofmoneyasy ous ay,Isuggesty ou
donates omet othec har it
y...ands toppes t
eringme,itmakes
youlookev enmor emi serable!
"Shes aidandAbbi ewas
exploding-
madasi freadyt os crat
c hHanna' sface."Andi fit'
sa
consolati
on,Idon'thav et hes l
ightestinterestwithyour
boyfri
end---I'm warningy ouAbbi e,mypat iencehasal imit...
andI '
m nott hesamegi rlyouus edt oknow! "

Abbi er os etoherf eet"Oh!I '

ms oscared!"Shemut tered
i
r onically,glaringdownatHannac ontempt uously."Yout hink
j
us tbecaus ey ou'vel earnedt oputons omemakeupandwear
dr essesmakesy ous pecial
?Ohdear --you'resti
llthes amepoor ,
l
ow- l
ife,andc heapdaught erofamai d..."s hesnuggl edar ound
thet able,andherpet i
tebodyr est
edatt heedge,c l
osert oher
opponent .Foramoment ,Hannagott ense,angryats uc ha
remar k,shenear lyslappedherf ace,butc ompos edher selfwith
allhergut s.Ins t
ead,s eatedmot i
onlesslyli
steni
ngt oAbbi e'
s
pr oudgr umbl i
ng." Stoppr etendi
ngthaty ou'rehighandmi ghty
!
Webot hknowwhatas lut-
--
"

325
 "
HIHONEY! "Amas c
uli
nev oiceinterr
uptedandbothofthem
t
urnedtoseetheperson,startl
ed."Am Ii
nterr
upti
ng?"Itwas
J
ohnwaltzi
ngtowardstheirtable,wit
hhisusualc
harminggri
n
t
hatfi
reshisbeaut
if
ulface.

"John!"Hannaexc
lai
med,whi l
egetti
ngupf rom herseat.His
grinwidenedashes t
aredatthetwoladiesinturn."
No- notatal
l.
..theladyher
ewasj ustl
eav
ing,ri
ght?"ShefacedAbbiewi t
ha
sternlook.

" Ofcours
e,butnotwithoutknowingwhot hi
shandsomeis..
.
y ou'
vegotquiteagoodt asteHanna,Imus tconf
ess!
"Abbie
flushed,wit
hanenthusiasm bornas econdago.Hercurios
ity
knewnobounduponhear i
ngthewor d'honey'
."Won'ty
ou
introduceus?"Sheadded.

" I
'mJ
ohnMart
in!
"Johnsaidwit
has mi l
e,andext
endedahand
towar
dsAbi
gai
l."
Youmus tbeAbigai
l,Chri
sti
an'
sgir
lf
ri
end?".
Bothl
adi
eswereinshoc
k,especi
all
yHannawhowor eastunned
l
ook.

"
Howdoyouknowme?
"Abbi
eshookhi
shandwhi
les
tar
ingat
hi
m,amaz
ed.

"
No- noty
ou...Ipersonal
lyknowChri
sti
an!"Heretort
ed,but
f
ail
edt owipeoffthequest
ionmarkonAbbie'sf
ace."Let
'ssay
we'r
eol df
riends!
"Hec l
ari
fi
ed.

"
Oh,isthats
o!"Sai
dAbbi ediabolical
ly,despi
tethes t
il
l
c
onfusi
onabouthisstatement." So,yout woaredating?"She
t
urnedbacktoHanna,ignori
ngt hedel ic
atemat t
er.I
nas ec
ond,
t
heywerebothlooki
ngatHanna,wai t
ingforherresponse;she

326
s
eemedl
osti
nspac
e.

Hannaf el
tlikekil
li
ngAbbi eri
ghtt
her e,butatt hesameti
me,
shewaswar yofthef actt
hatJohnhadj ustcaughtherred-
handed;IfheknewwhoAbbi ewas,itcould'
v eonlymeantan
i
ngredientfordisasteronherend.Is hould'
v etoldhimsooner
aboutChr i
sti
an,shet hought.

"Yes,J
ohnandIar edat
ing...
"sheanswer
edal
mostqui
ckly
."I
hopeafterthi
syoucanstopyourunwel
comevi
si
ts-
-unl
essasa
cust
omer !
"Hannaadded,point
edly
.

"Ofcourse.Ishould.I
t'
sjust
,Ifeelli
kewe'regoi
ngtomeet
agai
n.Soon!"Abbieletoutaconnivi
ngsmile."Wel
lJohn...i
t
wasapleasure,Goodev eni
ngyout wo"shewalkedaway.

Theybot
hwat
chedherdi
sappear
ingt
hrought
hemas
siv
eexi
t-
door.

"
Issheal
waysli
kethat
?"J
ohns
napped,t
hes
weetgr
inonhi
s
f
acealr
eadydead.

"
Likewhat
?"

Sohehear
dev eryt
hing,Hannawonder
edi
nsi
de.Andonc
eagai
n
al
lherwor
riescamet oli
fe.

"I
ns ult
ingyouandal l
..."heslowlytookt
hes ames eatAbbie
used,wi t
houtlooki
ngatHanna.Sher emai
neduns eated."I
'd
beatenac rapoutofheri fsheweren'tagi
rl"hesaidcoldl
y,then
l
ookedupather ,andbr okearadiantsmil
e.Hannas wall
owed
hard,wonder i
ngwhen,how,andhowmuc hheknewabout
everythi
ng." Whyisthisplaceempty?"Hequer i
edwhi l
elooking

327
aroundthetabl
esandreal
izedastr
angearr
angement
;itwas
parti
cul
arl
ydecorat
edwithtonesofredr
oseswit
hunl
it-
candl
es
onones ec
ludedtabl
efortwo.

"Somec razyr i
chguyhasr eser
vedthewholer es
taurantforthe
night!
"Hannar epl
ied.Shepeekedonherwr i
st-watc
hand
reali
zeds hes til
lhadanhourbef or
et hec
li
ent'sarri
val.The
decorati
ons,ahundr edrosesfl
owerbanquet,werethel eastof
herinteres tatthatmoment .Sheonlywantedtoknowabout
J
ohn' sperfec tknowledgeaboutAbbie.

"Sincewhen?"Sheut
teredlaz
il
y,fi
xingherbl
ue-grayeyeson
his."Howdoy ouknowher?"Hershar pt
onepier
c edhisear
s.
"Victor
!itwashi
m whotoldyou,ri
ght?"

Hepol
it
elyasked,"Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
os i
tdown?"Shecompl
ied,
andheansweredaft
erwar
ds"If
oundoutfr
om t
hev er
y
begi
nni
ng...
"

Thatc onf essi

onwasl i
keas harpar rowonHanna' sheart.J
ohn
knewev ery t
hingthathadbeengoi ngons i
nceSheand
Christ
ian' sreunionthatni ght.Hewi tness
edt hei
rar gument
fr
om out sidewhenhewentt opi ckherupaf terwor k,andcall
ed
Vict
ort oc onf i
rm dayslater.Sinceitwasnous el
y i
ng,Vict
ortold
him ever ythingandins i
stedt hathes houldwaitforHannat otell
him her selfbecauses hewast ooafraidofhisreacti
onand
scaredhowt ogoabouti t.

"I
'ms orr
y!"Shes
aidsoft
ly,"
Iwant
edto--"shehes
itat
edashe
gotaholdofherfi
dget
inghandsonthetable.

"
It'
sokay
!"J
ohns
aidc
alml
y.Hannaey
edhi
m up,s
tunned.

328
 "
You'
renotmad?
"

"
Shoul
dIbe?...t
rus
tme,y
ouwon'
tbeabl
etohandl
ethemad
me!"Hesmi
led.

"
Ohy
ou-
-whyar
eyous
oni
cet
ome?
"

"
Bec
aus
eIl
ovey
ou...
"her
emar
ked.

Shewalkedoveri
nstantl
y ,ands atonhisl
apbef
oreshoweri
ng
him wi
thkis
sesastonowor dc ouldexpres
showgrat
efuls
he
was.Herespondedbyhol dinghert i
ghtl
ybythewai
standfel
ta
shudderasshewhisperedt ohisear;

"
You'
res
osweetDr
.St
range!
"

"
Icanbeabeas
ttoo,y
ouknow?
"

"
Ohr
eal
ly?I
'dl
ovet
oseet
hat
!"

"
DamnHanna!Ri
ghther
e?Now?
"

"
Whynot
?Unl
ess
...y
ou'
res
car
edt
o--
"

Agr owlf rom Victor,from theoppos i

tesec ti
onoft he
res t
aurantneart heki t
chen,ruinedtheirli
ttleint
imac yashe
slowlyappr oached." Ican'
tbelievet
hewi tc hisfi
nallygone!"He
uttered,ignor i
ngt heirindecentposture."Ifonlyallthedr ama
from theAs hton'scouldbr i
ngthepubl ici
tytot herestaurant,I
'd
allowthei rinfl
uxany ti
me!".Hishalf
-annoy edfacemadeJ ohn
andHannas hareal augh.

"
OkayIgeti
t!Noneedt
obedr
amat
icdearc
ous
in...Ipr
omi
se

329
I
'l
lnev
erl
etanyoft
hem c
aus
etr
oubl
esher
eagai
n"Hannas
aid.

"
Youbet
ter
!"hes
napped.

Fewday slater.Asus ual,Hannas ignedoutear l

yf rom wor k
andwenthomedi r
ectly.ItwasMr s.Phi l
li
ps'eveningof f
.She
arri
vedandf oundas t
rangeat mos pher easthelivi
ngwasa
wreck;twopi zzaboxes ,popc ornboxes ,sodacans ,andpi l
lows
al
lov erthefloor.Alvi
nl aughingloudl y,onhisfather'sneck,and
Gwenhol di
ngagame- padi nc ompet it
ionwiththeboy s.They
werei nthefrontoft hebi gscreen,s i
tt
ingdownt hewooden-
fl
oor.

"
What
'sonear
thi
sgoi
ngonher
e?"Shes
napped.

"
Ohoh!Someoneisgoi
ngtobur s
t!"Chri
smumbl
edandt
hey
al
lpr
ess
edthei
rli
pstoget
her,apol
ogetic
all
y.

Somemi
nut
esl
ater
.

"
Youbett
ercl
eanupev er
y t
hingbef
oreIr
etur
nhere...and
y
ouChris
,youreal
ly-
-"Hannas t
oppedhal
f-
way,gr
umbled
l
oudl
ybefores
tormingtothekit
chen.

Sheopenedt hefr
idge,t
ofi
ndanythingproperfordinneras
shewasalreadyti
red.Sheoptedf
orthes paghet
ti,t
hens t
art
ed
thecooki
ngr i
ghtaway.Shewascutt
inggreenonionswhens he
heard;

"
CanIhel
p?"Chr
ispopped.

330
 "
Yes...
"Hannar
epl
ied."
Bys
hut
ti
ngupands
tayoutofmy
way!
"

"
Ow,t
hat
'sc
ruel
!"Hegr
imac
ed."
Arey
ous
til
lmad?
"

"
NoI
'm not
!"

"
Yesy
ouar
e!"

Frust
ratedl
y,sheturnedtofacehim."Okayfine!Iam mad...I
mean,whowoul dn'tbe?Youguyshavebeenpl ay i
ngv i
deo
gamest hewholeday !Didyouevengot oworkt oday?huh?No
si
r,you'vebeen..."shekeptrappi
ng,whi l
epointingtheknif
eat
himfrom time-t
o-ti
me.Chr i
sfoundhims el
fsmilingashekept
watchi
ngandl ist
eningtohernagging.

" "Shes
Wow! oundsl
ikeawi
fe,het
hought
.

"You'
resmil
ing?
"Shec
hangedt
het
onet
oac
alm but
dangerousone.

"
Um no!Ij
ust
--It
hinky
ou'
rec
ute!
"

"
What
?"

Hewal
kedtowar
dsher,andinst
inc
tiv
elyshepac
edbac
k."
Isai
d
y
ou'
recut
e!"Her
epeat
ed,sti
lll
ungi
ngt owar
dsher.

"Chri
s...Chri
swhatar eyoudoing?"Sheut teredsof
tl
y ,whi
le
cl
ingi
ngatt hecabinetwher eshe'
ds t
uck.Hei gnoredherpledge,
andmov eduntilac ent
imeterapar tf
rom her.Hannas wall
owed
hard,holdi
ngherbr eath.Hishazeleyesli
nger edonherwetl i
ps,
andthenherey es,beforestif
li
ngaboy is
h-laugh.

"
I'
mjus
ttaki
ngagl
ass
...Ineeds
omewat
er!
"Hes
aid,and

331
rev
ealedaglas
she' dj
usts
natchedfr
om thet
op-cabi
netbehi
nd
her.Hethenwalkedawaywit
hawi nning-
smi
le,l
eavi
ngHanna
cat
c hi
ngadeepbr eat
h.

"
Youc
oul
dhav
ejus
tas
kedy
ouknow!
"Sher
epr
oac
hedhi
m.

"
Ithi
nkthewat
erisdone!
"Hereferr
edt
otheboi
leronthe
c
ounter-
topwhi
lepour
inghims
elfsomewat
erf
rom thef
ridge.

'
'
Ohr
ight
!"

Theyhaddinnert
ogether,anditappear
edtheyallenjoy
edthe
f
ood;ev enHannahersel
fwhous uall
yski
ppeddinner.They
f
inishedwit
hsomev anil
laic
e-cr
eam fordes
sert
.

"
Thanksfordi
nner
!Itwasdel
ic
ious
!"Chr
iss
aidashewal
kedt
o
t
heexit
,inHanna'
sescor
t.

"
Gladt
ofeedt
hehunger
!"Sheans
wer
eddr
yly
.

Hes
mil
ed."
Aren'
tyouatl
eas
tes
cor
tingmet
omyc
ar?
"

"
Arey
ous
uff
eri
ngf
rom Al
zhei
mer
'sbyanyc
hanc
e?"

"
No!
"

"Good!Hav eani
c et
riphome!"Shepushedhi
m out,andtri
ed
toslam thedoorwhenhequicklybl
ockedit
.Helookedather
whil
el aughi
nghappil
y."Okay
,perhapsyouhaveanothermental
problem!"Sherol
ledhereyes.

"
Nowt hi
sist
heHannaIknow...Ireal
lymiss
edy
ou!
"He
wi
nked,bl
ewherakis
s,t
henlef
t,sti
lll
aughi
ng.

332
 Shes
tar
edaf
terhi
sbac
k,wi
thawi
des
mil
eonherf
ace.

****

Ever
ythi
ngwasproceedi
ngsmoothl
yunt i
ltwodaysl
ater.Abbi
e
ret
urnedbackatAroma,andmadeas c
enewi t
honeoft he
employeest
hatsheneededtour
gentl
ys eeHanna.

"
Whati
sthi
sHanna?
"Vi
ctorbar
ked."
Ithoughtwewer
edone
wi
tht
his
!"

"
I'
ms orry...I'llgoseeher !"Sher epl
ied.Shec leanedher
hands ,thendr i
edup,bef oret el
lingeveryone," What ev
er
happenst oday,undernoc ircums t
ancesshoul dany one
i
nterfere!"Shewar ned,wi t
has eriousface."Imi ghtaswel lr
ais
e
somepubl ici
tytoday !
"Sheut teredandmadeev er y
oneev en
mor ec onfused,inc l
udingVictor.Shewhi s
per eds omethingto
oneoft heempl oy eesandj udgingonhers tartl
edl ook,itwasn'
t
somet hingc ut
e.

"HOW MUCH? "Abbiesnapped,mor eaggress

ivel
ythanthelast
ti
me.Shedidn'tlookgoodeither,i
twaslikeshe'dhadafight
withsomeonebef orepi
ckinganotherwit
hHanna.Shes igned,
i
mpat i
entl
y."
Ihav emyc heque-bookwithme,s onamey our
pri
ce!Iknowev eryonehasone!"

Hannadecidedtosi
tdown,cross-
legged,dres
sedupinher
c
hef-uni
for
m." You'
rereal
lys
ick,ar
en'tyou?"Shesai
d.

"
Onemi
ll
ion?Ten?Ahundr
ed?Tel
lmehowmuc
hyouwantt
o

333
s
tayawayfr
om us!
"Abbiescr
eamedloudl
y,i
timmedi
atel
y
c
aughtot
her'
satt
enti
on;ev
eryonet
urnedeyesont
hem.

Yesbi
tch!Los
ei t
!,Hannashout
edi
nsi
de."Ist
hatal
lyoucan
off
er?Whydoes n'
titevenmakemyheartf
lutt
er?
"Shetaunt
ed
her.

"
Yous
lys
lut
!"Abbi
esnapped,v
ivi
dlybur
sti
ngwi
thr
age.

"Howabout ...ahundredbil
lion?Canyougivemethatmuch?"
Sheteased,withacompos edatti
tudethatnooneel
sewould'
ve
daredtogues swhatshewass aying.

"
Arey
ouc
raz
y?"

"I
'm perfec
tlysane!Ifever
yonehasapr i
ceasy ousay ...how
muc hdoy outhinkIc ost
?"Shesmi l
ed.Abbiewass il
ent ,but
madly -
sil
ent
,lookingatHanna."Pleasestopwas ti
ngy ourenergy,
youc antbuymeany way...yourofferi
stoosleazy,andi fyou'
ll
excuseme- -
"

Therewasas har
ps plashofwat eral
loverHanna'sfac
e,andt o
herhorrorAbbiewasal r
eadys l
appingherhardont heface.Thi
s
ti
meev eryonegazedatthem,par ti
cul
arl
yatAbbie,shockedand
ster
nlyatthesamet i
me.I tal
lhappenedt oof
astthatHanna
hadnot i
met othi
nknorr etal
iate.

Vic
torandothertwomaleemployeesappear
edandf orc
ed
Abbieout."
We'vehadenoughwithyou,jus
tgetoutofhere!
"He
snappedather,whil
ehol
dingHannawhowasi nas t
artl
e.

"
No,I
'm notdonewi
thher
!"Abbi
econt
inued.

334
 "
Dragherout
!"Vi
ctororder
edandt
hetwoguy
sdi
dasas
ked,
maki
ngherscr
eamingl i
keamadwoman.

Thefol
lowi ngday ,thec l
ipoftheinci
dentwentv i
ralonthe
i
nternet
.Soc ialmedi as,gossi
ps i
tesandbl ogsspokeofitsi
nce
Abbiewasal readyknownast heImperialprinc
ess;theonlyhei
r
ofImperialhot el.Hernamewentonmud.Cons ideri
ngherbad
tyr
annic
alr eput ati
on,Itwasapi eceofc akegett
ingpubli
c
opini
onofher .

Als
o,Ar omaandi t'spoorpast
rychefwasahott opic;s
ever
al
stor
ieswer especulatedtocompli
mentt hevi
deo,alluntr
ueli
ke
theonet hatsai
dt heirfi
ghtwasoverthemixed-
upi nher
dessertorder
.

"
YougotwhatyouwantedandI'v
esolvedmypr obl
em!Don'
t
as
kmehowIdi ditt
hough!"Hannasai
dt oVi
ctor
.

"You'
vereall
ysurpr
isedmeCherie!
"Heret
ort
ed."
Butwhy
don'tIseehappi
nessinyourf
ace,you'
vewonri
ght
?"

Shes
ighed."
Ifeelbadc
ous
in...buts
heas
kedf
ori
t"

****

Whenthest
oryaboutAbigai
l'
ssc
andalr
eac
hedChr
ist
ian'
s
f
amily
,heonlyt
oldTheres
a;

"Iknewsomedayshe'dcaus
etr
oubl
e!"Hepul
ledt
hewhi
skey
-
bottl
efr
om thecount
er.

335
 "Lookwho' stalking?Asi fyoudon'tknowanythingaboutthes
e
gossi
perswhol iveof fotherpeopl
e'smisfor
tunes?"Shesai
d.
"AndIthinki twasal lthatgirl
'
sdoing!Whoev enhiredherat
suchares pec t
abler estaurant
?"Shetossedthetabledonthe
sofaandr eachedf orhergi n.

"
Youc
an'
tst
opf
indi
ngf
aul
tsonher
,cany
ou?
"

"Never
!Andy oubetterst
opthinki
ngaboutaccept
ingt
hatboy
asyours,bec
auseI'
llneverbel
ievethats
tor
y!"

"Againwit
hthi
s!Damni t
!"Chr
isgl
aredatheri
ndis
bel
ief
."But
what'swrongwit
hy oumom? "Heshouted."
Doyouwantmeto
abandonmys on?Isthatwhatyouwant?"

"Iwantyout ostopbeingst
upidands t
artusingyourhead!"
Theresarepli
ed."Thatgi
rli
snothi
ngbutagol d-di
gger...God
knowswhats he'sbeendoingallt
hos ey
ear sj
ustt
oc omeup
withthatcooked-l
ieabouthavi
ngy ourson!Whydidn'tshecome
soonerthen?"

"No,I'm nots
tayinghereonemi
nutemoreli
steni
ngtoy
our
resentfulac
cusat
ions!I
twasamist
akecominghereinaf
irs
t
place..."

"You'
renotgoi
ngany whereChr
istianAshton!
"Theresabar
ked.
"Notunti
lyoucomet oyoursens
es !Ify
ouwantac hi
ldsobadl
y,
whydon'tyoumar r
yAbbieandhav easmanyasy ouwant?Why
areyousoobsessedwiththatmaid'sdaughter
?"

Tir
edoftel
li
nghi
smotheroverandoveragai
n,Chrisf
ound
himsel
fresi
gni
ngf
rom t
heargument."
Ibettergo,t
his

336
conversat
ionisgoi
ngnowher e!"Hesai
d."Ify
oucan'tacceptmy
son,that'
sfi
ne!ButItwon'tchanget
hef ac
tthatI
'm hi
sfather,
andI'mc onfi
dentabouti
t...andIdon'tneedaDNAt estfori
t!"
Hegul pedtheremainedwhiskeybef
ores t
ompingtothemai n
door.

"Fi
ne!Youj ustdowhatyouwant!I
tsnotlikey oul
ist
entome
anymor e...Butdon'
texpectmetowelcomet hatboyint
othi
s
house!Youhear ?"Shescr
eamedafterhim."I'
llnev
erall
ow
somes tranger'
skidtoentermyhomepr et
endi ngt
obemy
grandson!"

Carol
yn,whowasl i
steningbehi
nddoorss
howedher s
elfupand
tol
dherblunt
ly."
You' r
er eal
lys
omethi
ngTher
esa,huh?Doyou
evenhaveaheart
?"

"
Shutupy ouingrate!You'
ret
heonef i
ll
ingyourbrotherwi
th
i
deas...youshouldbeas hamedofyourselff
orrui
ningour
f
amil
y '
sreputat
ion!"Theresas
neaker
ed.

"
Famil
y?Whatf
ami
ly?You'
rer
uini
ngev
ery
one'
sli
fe!Can'
tyou
s
eethat
?"

"Shutup!Youdon' tevenknowwhaty ou'

resay i
ng!I'
mt r
yingall
Icantoputt hisfami l
yintact
,I'
m doingevery
t hi
ngIc anbutlook
howy ou'
real lrepayingme...y ourfat
hernev erstayathome,
he'sal
wayswor kingevenafterhisreti
rement,andy ourbrother
.
..he'sbecomear ebel,j
ustli
keyou!"

Car
osi
ghedheav
ily
."May
bey
ous
houl
dst
oppl
ayi
ngGodand

337
tr
ylett
ingeveryonel
ivethei
rownli
ves!
"Sheprompt
edand
tr
ail
edChr i
sinahurry.Sherunt
otheparki
ng,hewasn'
tther
e
buthiscarwas.Sheunderst
oodri
ghtawayonwheretofi
ndhim.

Assuspec t
ed,hewasheadingtot hel akeinas mallpacing,
bothhandsi neit
herofhi
spantspoc kets,seemingl
yindeep
thought
s .Thesunwasshini
ngbr i
ghtast hes ummer
approached,giv
ingthewarmlate-spr i
nganannualbr eak.He
turnedbac konl
yuponhearingCaroly n'
sv oicecal
li
ngaf t
erhim.

Theywal
kedsi
debysideuptot
hei
nfamousbenc
hheus edt
o
s
har ewi
thHannabac
ki nt
hos
edays
.It'
sbeenawhil
e,he
t
hought.

"
Youknow...
"hemutter
ed,"
NowIunder
standwhyHanna
c
hosetohi
deallt
hist
imeandshowedupj
ustnow!
"

"I
t'
sbecauseofmother,i
sn'
tit?
"PromptedCar
owhil
e
t
hrowingapebbleint
othewat er
,avoi
dingt
hewhit
educks
f
loati
ngmajest
ical
lyi
ntheirt
erri
tor
y.

"SheknewIwasweak...Ic
oul
dn'
tpr
otec
ther
,ands
hes
til
l
t
hinkssoIgues
s"

"Areyoureal
lyweak?
"Sheasked,andf
oramoment
,Chr
ist
ook
hi
stimetothi
nkbeforeans
wering;

"MaybeIwas,backthen!Butnow,I
'l
ldoany t
hingt
omakeup
formymist
akes...I'
l
lnev erl
etourmotherdestr
oymyc
hances
ofbei
nghappywi t
hmys on!"

"
Andt
hemot
hert
oo,r
ight
?"

338
"
Idon'
tknow...
"

"
Ohc omeonChr
is,agai
nwitht
hat
?It
houghtwe'
repastt
hat
s
tage!Orwhat
?Ar
ey ousayi
ngyounol
ongerl
oveHanna?"

"
Idol
oveher
,mor
ethanIus
edt
obef
ore!
"

"
Then,what
'ss
toppi
ngy
ou?
"

"
I'
m af
rai
dshehat
esme!Shes
til
lthi
nksIbet
ray
edher
!"

"So,youdidn'
ttel
lherthetruth?
"Car
osnappedathim.He
denied."OhGod!Ican'tbel
ievehowsl
owyouare...andmayI
knowwhy ?
"

"Bec
auseI'
m donewi thexcuses!EvenifIt
ellhernow,i twon't
compensat
et heti
meI '
vebeenj erkywit
hher ...s helov
edme
andIknewit,yetIpret
endednott onoticeuntilitwastoolate.I
wanttodothingsri
ght,I'
m goingtowinherbac k...butnotas
theol
dme!"Hewasdet ermined.

"Nowthat'
sthespi
rit
!Anddon'tletwhatTheres
as ai
dgetto
you,I
'msuredadwilll
ov etomeetAlvi
n...andmeofofc ourse!
Ican'
twaitt
oplayaunt!"Shesneeredathi
m andt heybot
h
l
aughedoutloudl
y.

"
Thankss
is!Idon'
tknowwhatI
'ddowi
thouty
ou!
"

AFTERthatdayonwards,Chri
sti
an'
sli
fetookatremendous
tur
n.Withoutevenreal
iz
ing,hestar
tedgett
inghometohis
apart
mentear l
y,t
hedayshemanagedt of i
nis
hhisworkin
advanceoftheusual
.He'dmos t
lyfi
ndhisplacecol
dandlonel
y,

339
andforsomeunf athomablereasons
,hismemor ywoulddrif
tto
thedayhes pentwithAl
vin,Gwen andHannawhoj oinedthem
l
ateronaftermak i
ngaqui ck
-di
nnerforthem.Itwaslovel
y,and
coul
dn'tgetitof
fhishead;hehopedt odoitagai
n,andagainif
possi
ble.

Afterponderi
ngf ormi nutesonedayatnight
,hedeci
dedto
driv
eov ertoHanna' splace.I'
llj
ustbr
ingthepi
zzaf
orAlvi
n,he
thoughtinwardlyandc onv i
ncedhimselft
hati
twasquit
enormal,
whic hwasn'
t,becaus ehe'dusuallydr
opbyhisapar
tment
duringthedayfort hepas tful
lweek.

Hewaswel c
omedbyt heki ndMr s.Phi
li
ps,whowasalready
famili
arwithhim.Shegr eetedChr iswarmlybef
oreescort
ing
himt othediningroom,wher eev eryonewasgather
edf or
dinnerasitwasal r
eadyeight .Alvin,asal
ways,wasfi
rstoneto
notic
ehi m;hepr act
ical
lyfl
ewf rom hischai
rtojumponhi s
dad'sembr ace,st
artl
ingever yone.

"
Dady
!"Hes
creamedl
oudl
y.

"Heytherec hamp!Arey ougood? "Chr isrepli

ed,jov i
all
y.The
li
tt
leboynodded.Af terfl
us hi
ngeac hot herthedad- and-s
on
moment ,Chrisfi
nall
ys hi
ftedhisattentiont otheot hers.Hewas
surpr
isedtos eemor epeopl ethanus ual;Vict
orwast hereand
sowasJ ohn.Buthisattentionwasmos tlyonVi ct
orwhom he' d
seem mor ethanonceatAr oma,asac hefofc ourse."Hi?Ididn't
knowy ou--"heutter
edatHannawhowasal r
eadyathert oes.

"Hi
...Iwasn'
texpecti
ngyou!
"Sherepl
ied,i
ncr
edul
ousl
y.The
awkwardnes
sfil
ledtheent
irepl
ace."
Well-
-whydon'
tyoujoi
n

340
us
?"

"
No,it
'salr
ight..."hequi
pped."
Imean,Idi
dn'
tmeant
o
i
nter
fer
ey our--dinner
!"

Lucki
lyornot,Vic
torbutt
edin"I
t'
sokaydude!J
oinus
...
"Al
l
foureyessethim up.Heshr
ugged.

Hannausedachanc
eforafor
malint
roduc
tion."
Um,that'
s
Vi
ctor
!Mycous
in-
-Isuppos
eyoutwohavemetalready
!"

"
Ohy
es!
"Chr
iss
aid."
Pleas
ure!
"

"And...thatoneisJohn!
"ShesaidpointedlyatJohn,who
pl
ay edmut ethewholetime.Hesl
owlymov edfrom hisseat
,and
pacedtowar dsthetwoofthem.ForamomentChr ist
houghtit
wasoutofc ourtesy
,butthenst
artedtofeels t
rangewhenhegot
ac l
eargli
mps eofhim.

"
It'
sbeenawhileChri
sti
an!
"Hemut ter
edc al
ml y
,then
extendedahandforChri
stoshake,i
nwhi c
hheac c
eptedwith
skepti
cis
m.Hismemorywasdoi ngaquickcalc
ulati
onsthatno
mat t
erhowpreci
setheanswerswere,hesti
llcoul
dn'tbel
iev
e
hiseyes.

"
John?No!I
tcan'
tbe!
"Chr
isdeni
ed.

"
It'
shi
m Chr
is,y
ourf
ri
endJ
ohn!
"Hannapi
npoi
nted.

"Eveni
fIt
elly
outhatIdidbecomeadoc torj
usttomakes ur
eI
winthebet
?"Hesmiled.I
tseemedlikeChri
swasrecal
li
ng
somethi
ngashisey
esnarrowed.Theyoncemadeabet ,thati
f
he'dmaketoamedicalsc
hool,Chr
iswouldlethi
m hav
eanyof

341
hi
sprec
iousposs
essions.Bec
ausehebeli
evedbei
ngadoc
tor
wast
hehardestt
hingandasac hil
d,Chr
iswasn'
ttoos
martas
hegr
ewupt obelateron.

"
John!MyGodi t
'sy oubrot
her!
"Hescr
eamed.Theyhuggedi
n
t
hemos tf
riendl
ywayasi fi
twasadr
eam cometrue."
Hey,
y
ou'vebecometall...damn!"

"Andsohav
eyou!
"Johnremarked.Fewexc
hangeswenton,
unti
lthemai
nques
tionar
ose;

"
But
,whatarey oudoi
nghere?"Chrisasked,abi
tconf
usedby
t
hewholethi
ng."Hanna,howdidyouf i
ndhi m?Imean...when?
Howdoyouguy sknoweachother?"Agai
n,theawkwardness
t
ookarei
gn.Everyonest
aredattheotherwi t
hdis
comfort
.

Hannahadt
osayt
het
rut
h."
Johni
s...myboy
fri
end!We'
re
dat
ing!
"

"
What
?"Chr
iss
napped.

Somemi nuteslater,hewasont her oad,dr ivi

ngs avagel
ywi th
hismi ndont hec l
ouds .Heheard,andc onf i
rmedev eryt
hing
they '
dtoldhi m,butwas n'
tabl
et otakei n.Itwast oomuc hto
abs orbatonc e.Hes peeduptheSUVasi fheownedt heent i
re
road,obl i
v i
ousoft hedangerhewasi n,oratl easthewast o
others.Hepas sedt heredli
ghtwithoutas top,itwasagood
thingthatnot hinghappened,exc epts omes peedingandt raf
fic-
signsv i
olati
ont ic
ket stobeexpectedinf uture.Ats omepoi nt,he
almos tkil
ledaper sonwhenhemi raculous l
yhi tt
hebr akesright
beforet heimpac t.

342
 "
I'
msor
ry!Areyoualri
ght
?"Heas
kedt
hey
oungwomanwho
s
eemedshockedthathewas.

"
Igues
s?OhGod!
"Shewhi
sper
ed,hol
dingherc
hes
t.

"I
--I'
mv erysorr
y..."het
oowhi s
peredashewaspant
ing
audibl
y.Theladystar
edather,andreal
iz
edhewasn'
tdrunk,
butratherdi
stur
bedass hewas.

"
It'
sokays
ir!J
ustdr
ivec
aref
ull
ypl
eas
e!"

Onc ebackinsi
dethecar,Chri
sc ouldn'
tfi
ndthest
rengt
hsto
dri
veagain.Heleanedoverthesteeringandtear
sst
artedto
pour.Hegrowledloudl
yinfrust
ration.

"Noitcan'
tbe!...OhGod!Howc ouldt
hishappen?...No,I'
m
goingtogetherback!Idon'
tcar
ewhos tandsi
nmyway...I '
m
goingtofi
ghtforyouHanna!Becausewebelongtogether!
"He
sworn.

TheEnd!
!!

343
Thanksf
ory
ourpat
ienc
eands
uppor
t;Iowet
hist
oyou.Ki
sses
!!

Let
'shopef
orbook2t
hatI
'ms
til
lwor
kingon.

Pleas
edon'tf
orgettor
ateandc
omment.I'
m openf
oral
lki
ndof
comments;aslongast
heyarec
ons
truc
tiv
e.

Rec
onnectwi
thmev i
a:graceger
vy1@gmail
.com andfol
lowme
onWATTPADasgeegerv
yf ormoreupdat
esonmyot herwor
ks.

P.S.dependi
ngonanumberofrat
ings
,I'
l
lconsi
derwhethert
o
publis
hbook2ornot.Hey
,it
'st
heonlypri
ceI'
m aski
ngandit
takesonlyaminut
e.

344
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