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Love,

Alison

It wasn’t long before she received a reply

Sent: July 9

From:

[email protected]

To:

[email protected]

Subject: Fireworks and all

Dear Alison,

My goodness, what’s happening? I haven’t heard you sound so down in ages When you start talking about cookie dough, I know there’s got to be ato do with that coht you said you wouldn’t be seeing hio well Tell all!

Jazmine is fabulous, but the truth is, I had a miserable day myself I worked from dawn to dusk, and financially it was ht? I wasn’t I wanted to be with Jazmine and Adam, ere off at a community fair while I was stuck at the ice-creain to tell you howa business like this Catherine was the only e to work this weekend and thankfully, her husband came in to lend a hand I don’t knohat I would’ve done otherwise I really hated not being with Adam and Jazmine They must’ve known it, because they showed up to collect ht I didn’t have ti Adah it was alht deli sandwiches and salads By the time we arrived home, it was after eleven I’m afraid I was exhausted and notthis business was the wisest choice, but it’s too late to think about that now

Write soon

Love,

Shana

Alison read her sister’s e-e between the lines Like Alison, Shana was tired According to Jaz when she h and set it out to rise She usually stayed until closing, which meant she often wasn’t home until after nine Thankfully her sister had had the ithal to hire Catherine, who’d quickly becoh-school kids, didn’t seem all that reliable, but at least she had the a lot of tihter wasn’t the only draw He and Shana were definitely getting along, and that thrilled her But if Adaht be the end of their relationship Still, Alison couldn’t worry about that when she had troubles of her own

Fortunately, she had Lieutenant Rowland to talk to He aiting for her when she reported for duty the next afternoon

"How’s the beast doing?" she asked in a stage whisper Coht jovial

Jordan’s responding grimace answered her question "Sareat"

Rowland rolled his eyes "He’s certainly got a burr under his saddle--and I think I knohy"

Alison did, too "He hates being sick" No one enjoyed it, but the commander orse than most He resented every minute away from his duty station What he didn’t realize was that he wouldn’t be released anyti to be the one to tell him, either

"His problem," Rowland said with an air of superiority, "appears to be you"

"Me?" she protested, flustered that Frank’s ranting from the day before had obviously continued

"He asked me to keep you away from him"

Alison’s face burned with mortification "What did you tell hinant despite her efforts

Rowland’s smile lacked humor "That the United States Navy was fortunate to have you, and if he has a problem he should take it up with Captain Coleman"

"Thank you," she said, and sed a painful knot of gratitude

"Theto say after that"

"Good" Her anger si just below the surface, Alison squared her shoulders "I think it’s time I faced the beast on my own"

Rowland’s dark eyes flared "I don’t know if I’d advise that"

Alison was past accepting her friend’s advice If Frank Dillon had even a clue what she was thinking, she’d likely be up for court-martial

Before common sense and what remained of her Navy career could stop her, she tore back the curtain to his cubicle and confronted the co, he must have heard her because his eyes fluttered open

"I understand you requested not to be under my care"

He blinked, and Alison was shocked to see that he refused to look at her "You heard right"

"That’s fine with me, Commander As far as I’m concerned, you’re cantankerous and ier showed in the tight set of his mouth No one with any desire to advance in the Navy spoke to a senior officer the way Alison just had