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"Did you see the Oly--as if they could possibly have missed them "I learned in class that some of those mountains have never been climbed or explored"

This was news to Shana, but she wasn’t raphy

"Do either of you know about Point Roberts?" Ada next to Adam and across from Shana

Both Shana and Jazmine shook their heads "Never heard of it," Shana said

"It’s a little piece of the United States that is geographically part of Canada"

"What?" Jazet it"

"The United States and Canada are separated by the 49th parallel at Washington and British Columbia There’s a small point of land that drops below it That’s Point Roberts Maybe we can go there sometime"

"So it’s in Canada but not really?"

"Take a look at a map and you’ll see what I mean"

While Jazmine walked over to examine the wall at the other end of the ferry, where a ton was posted, Shana sipped her coffee and smiled at Adam "She idolizes you, you know"

Adam shifted on the hard bench and crossed his arms "As it happens, I think the world of her, too"

It was confession tih what she had to say was probably no secret to Adaaze held hers "And now?"

"Now…" She hesitated "I appreciate the fact that she has you She needs a strong one"

"She’s come to love you, too, Shana And it’s all happened in remarkably little time That says a lot for you, I think You’ve been patient with her and you’ve ht a sheen of tears to her eyes E to hide the effect of his words, Shana quickly blinked the his voice "There’s so around that several of us could be transferred to Hawaii I’ve wanted to go back for quite a while--ever since I left, really I just wish the ti was better I should also tell you it could be soon"

"No," Shana cried, unable to hold back the automatic protest

Everyone in the immediate vicinity seemed to stop and look in their direction

Adam leaned forward and reached for her hand "Dare I hope that response is for you as well as Jazratulate you, then--since this is an assignment you want"

"What about you, Shana?" he pressed "Will youto drop this as easily as she’d hoped "Of…course" The lu disappointment--her own and Jazmine’s This would devastate her niece

"I’ll miss you and Jazmine, too" Adam’s eyes held hers, and he brushed his thumb over her hand "I’ve enjoyed our visits Especially those talks over coffee"

As the old expression had it, hope sprang eternal "It’s not a for-sure decision, right? I "

"I wouldn’t count on it"

"Oh, well," she said, doing her best to seem nonchalant about this unexpected turn of events He’d probably known for souess that answers that" She tried to speak lightly, concealing her sense of loss

He grinned sheepishly "I have to ad plans didn’t upsetsmile felt a little shaky, which was exactly how she felt herself During the last feeeks, she’d co comfortable with him, he made this announce next to her "I probably shouldn’t have said anything about Hawaii yet, but I wanted you to know as soon as possible, so we can prepare Jaz" Until she’d learned that he ht leave, Shana hadn’t realized how much she’d come to rely on Adam She and Jazmine would be on their own for the next four and a half uys," Jaz toward them She flopped down on the wooden seat "I found Point Roberts on the reed solemnly

Shana didn’t knohole day could pass so quickly Victoria was everything she’d heard and read Although she’d never been to England, she iined it must be like this They explored the harbor, rode a horse-drawn carriage through the don area, had high tea at the Empress Hotel and toured some quaint little shops In one of theland teapot covered in delicate little roses, while Ada across the front

"I loved the carriage ride best," Jazeles "I e had time to visit Butchart Gardens" She waved a brochure she’d picked up "The pictures of the flowers are so beautiful I alanted a garden…" She leaned her head against Shana and closed her eyes Within irl off her shoulder and gently laid Jazs, she set them on the bench, then covered Jazelic, and Shana’s heart swelled with love for this child She felt protective and proud Jazht her so many lessons about love

Adam slid over so Shana could sit with him across from Jazmine The day had been wonderful but, like Jazmine, she was tired When Adae to rest her head against his shoulder It was an invitation to intimacy, she realized, and she relaxed, comfortable and suddenly happy "Thank you for such a special day," she whispered as he twined their fingers together

His hold on her tightened momentarily

Shana turned her head to look up at him--and that hen it happened She read the intention in his eyes and kneanted to kiss her At first, she wondered if what she saas a reflection of her own desire, but instinct told her he felt the sa For the briefest of moments, she had a choice--she could either pull away or let hiht, she closed her eyes, lifted her mouth to his and accepted his kiss As soon as their lips ht decision She felt his kiss all the way to her toes