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"I don’t suppose you had anything to do with the sale of my novel, either," he said sarcastically

Samuel Simpson shook his head "For heaven’s sake,one"

"Your novel sold?" Maryanne shrieked "Oh, Nolan, I kneould The little bit I read was fabulous Your idea onderful I could hardly force myself to put it down and not read any more" She had to restrain the impulse to throw her arms around his neck and rejoice with hiht I’d see in h he was speaking to Samuel, his eyes rested on Maryanne--eyes that revealed a need and a joy he couldn’t disguise

"Oh, Nolan, I’m so happy for you"

He nodded absently and turned to her father again "Do you honestly expectto do with that?" he asked, more mildly this time

"Yes," Samuel answered i your career, young man?"

"Because of Maryanne, of course"

"What?" Maryanne couldn’t believe what she was hearing It was ridiculous It made no sense

"Your father’s atterowled Then he turned to Samuel "Frankly, that upsets me, because Maryanne doesn’t need any help from you"

Her father’s eyes were stern, and he seemed about to demand that Nolan leave his home

Maryanne stepped directly in front of Nolan, her hands on her hips "Trustto buyto do with your success Even if he did, ould itto do with me"

His only response was silence

"Iyou," Nolan said a moment later, his voice hoarse

Sa the two of theazing up at Nolan, her heart shining through her eyes Nolan did love her; she’d known that for a long tih to discard the burden of his self-doubts The boy fro side of the tracks The self-educated, self-made newsman who feared he’d never fit in with the very people ere awed by his talent

"You were right," he grurumbled, as if he felt annoyed with her

"About what?"

His s I love you Heaven knows I tried not to"

Maryanne closed her eyes, savoring the words she’d never expected to hear Her heart was pounding so furiously that her head spun Only…only he didn’t say he loved her as though it pleased hi?" she asked "To love ed down by their differences, yet buoyed by the need to see her again, hear the sound of her voice, gaze at her freckle-dotted nose and run his fingers through her hair Nolan didn’t have to say the words for Maryanne to realize what he was thinking

"When everything started happening in ht--I assumed--your father was somehow involved"

"Did you really?" she asked skeptically The excuse was all too convenient

Nolan lowered his gaze "No, I guess I didn’t believe he really had anything to do with the sale ofmy columns picked up nationally came as a surprise For a while I tried to convince myself your family had to be behind that, but I kneasn’t true What really happened is exactly what you said would happen You haunted me, Annie Every time I turned around I could’ve sworn you were there I’ve never missed anyone in my life the way I’ve missed you"

She s you’ve ever said to me"

Nolan’s look was sheepish "I tried to tell myself your father was out to buy you a husband Naot you that job with the Review, and for all I knew he could’veyou want"

"I thought I’d proved otherwise," she said "My parents went out of their way toI’d convinced you of that"

"You did" He slid his hands into the wide pockets of his raincoat "I guess what I’ to have me in the family, I’d be more than happy to take you off his hands"

"Take me off his hands How very kind of you," Maryanne snapped, crossing her ar for roht froet all bent out of shape," he said and the s Maryanne’s breath caught "The way I figure it," he continued, "you need soreat distance, of course, just far enough for hiu her by the hand and urging her around to face hiain "I need sorin