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"Ah," she said "It’s strange to think that you have your own property You seem so much a part of Melody House"

"It’s easy to beco about that old sense of Southern hospitality here And it’s true, I’ve been around a heck of a long time I like Stoneyville"

"And Delilah Dey?" Darcy teased

He shrugged, s "She’s darned cute She’s not you, of course, but I knew right off that you were a loss Matt beat ain"

She shook her head "Carter, I can’t see where you feel you have any problems in life From what Penny says, you’ve had a ht one hasn’t co," he said

"That’s hard in life for everyone, huh?"

"U her "People can be so deceptive, as well Take Lavinia--Matt’s ex She was stunning, sophisticated, and sweet as molasses when she first arrived She was doith friends to do soed her here for a ghost tour LaviniaLord, but they were gorgeous together Then she turned into the Witch of the West, thinking Matt could drop anything at any time, and take off with her All he had to do was be polite to another wo, though Hot as fire one ht after the divorce, it seemed they’d become friends But now…hell, we haven’t heard froe so financial social party here…but then she never did And we never heard froain"

"Sometimes it’s best when the past is really behind us," Darcy said with a shrug

"Don’t worry, you’re nothing like her, not really," Carter said, rubbing his beard, and studying her with an amused smile

"I wasn’t worried"

"You do have her hair"

"Hey--there are lots of redheads in the world"

"She was tall and elegant, too"

"But I’ination," Darcy said "And anyway…I like Matt I like you all But I live a strange life And few people can really handle it"

"You really can see what others can’t?" Carter asked

"Carter, it’s impossible to explain I don’t have a crystal ball I can’t really conjure any visions Sometimes I see, and sometimes, I don’t"

He was silent, then said, "Darcy, I wish that you’d leave here"

"Carter, I can’t believe that you’re not on eous and adorable, and you don’t really freak me out at all But…I don’t know I just don’t feel that you’re…safe here"

"Why not?"

"Well, it’s just not a good place for redheads Matt is a great guy, but…ood for you And maybe Melody House does have some kind of evil in it, but since we don’t see it, we’re not hurt by it And you hosts"

He turned to her, setting both hands on her shoulders "Darcy, you’re a very brave young woman Truly Beautiful, assured, absolutely incredible But Melody House…I have to say it I really believe you should leave Because…because you’ve become too involved, for one"

"Too involved?" she echoed He seemed so sincere, despite the fact that he had hosts so et hurt," Carter warned softly

She nodded, and placed both her hands over his where they lay on her shoulders She gave them a squeeze, then extricated herself fro--he is a great guy"

"Just not for ," Carter said "Too bad you couldn’t have met her But then, well, you know She’s disappeared"

"I’ll be fine, Carter But thank you so "

She turned to leave

"Darcy!"

She turned back

"I don’t ely, but…I love Matt I think he’s basically one of the finest reat, too And ood for you Please, like I said…I just care about both of you"

"Sure Thanks, Carter"

She left then, without hie, and unnerving