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The wedding was lovely Herthe plane trip on

the way back to Seattle Noruished or handso years of steady friendship, were the ideal couple Catherine had heard several people say assure everyone had what they needed Norman had insisted the affair be catered, but Catherine had made busy work in an effort to keep herself absorbed If she'd sat back and relaxed, there , handsoraph that rested on her fireplace mantel The father she'd never known

It was ironic that Catherine would be better acquainted with her new stepfather than the iven her life

When it cae their vows, Catherine had felt a sudden rush of ee to slip down her cheek as she stood beside hera floral bouquet If anyone noticed, and Catherine prayed they didn't, she sincerely hoped they assumed it was a tear of shared happiness

Catherine was happy for her mother and Norman

Even more so now that she'd experienced these few days with the the two They were like young lovers, so involved with each other the rest of the world didn't seem to exist

In many ways Catherine was envious Her love for Royce was so737 cut a wide path through the thick layer of clouds, Catherine couldn't help wondering what kind of reception Royce would have for her upon her return Would he be pleased she was back? Would his eyes search hers out so she'd kno much he'd missed her? Would he find an excuse to be alone with her? Or would the brick facade he so often carried be tightly locked in place? So secure he'd look right through her and reveal little of what he was thinking and none of what he was feeling

Catherine was exhausted when the plane landed at Sea-Tac When she walked off the jetway into the airport ter that Royce would be there waiting for her

He wasn't

It was ridiculous to expect hiht schedule Then why, she asked herself, did she experience this heavy letdown?

"You're an idiot," she whispered as she walked down the concourse to the baggage claiain she reminded herself what a fool she hen she unlocked her apartment door over an hour later, after she'd picked Sahbor's To her disappoint es The first call was to tell Catherine that her story about the Princess and the Dragon had been chosen by her teachers for the Young Authors Progra so fast it was difficult to understand her The second e had been made that afternoon, Catherine decided, and the purpose was to tell her Kelly missed her and wished she'd hurry back soon

Catherine toyed with the idea of phoning the ten-year-old, then noted the tihter was probably already asleep for the night It was unlikely that he'd appreciate the intrusion

Nevertheless, she couldn't give up the idea Fivefor the phone

It was Royce who answered His voice was as rich and oose bu to keep any e for Kelly"

He hesitated, as though she'd caught hio"

The tension crackled over the telephone wire like static electricity "Will you tell her I phoned?"

"Of course"

Catherine closed her eyes against the lack of senti to a casual acquaintance and not the woman he'd once claimed he loved Once, only once, and then it had coe

"II won't keep you then," she announced stiffly

"You aren't keepingmore than television" His control had slipped just a little, as if he were reluctant to disconnect the line For that, at least, Catherine could be grateful

"Hoas the wedding?" he asked, as though looking for ways toit

"Hoere you?"

He didn't need to explain the question He was asking how she'd dealt with the e when she'd first learned her mother intended to aze drifted to her fireplace mantel "Fine," she whispered She'd dealt with it splendidly, far better than she'd expected "Mom made a beautiful bride" Once more there was a noticeable silence He'd done his part, noas her turn "How did everything go at the office?"

"There weren't any proble"

"So I understand"

Say so, Catherine pleaded silently LetTell me you ret that we parted without settling our differences

Nothing The line went so quiet that for a moment all Catherine could hear was the sound of her own breathing

"I'll see you in the ," she said, when it beca the stilted conversation