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"Faith, listen to me" He cupped his hands around her face and raised her head so that their eyes met "I would rather you had peace ofthat someone’s on the property"

Tears welled in her eyes "I’hts…I haven’t slept more than two or three hours at a time since the break-in"

"Faith…"

"I knoas ridiculous I won’t ignore any noises again"

"Has this happened more than once?"

"No" She shook her head "I don’t know…I don’t think so I sleep so lightly now I’m afraid someone will break in… My emotions are all askew--just look atvulnerable I’e of tears, and all because I haven’t been able to sleep I’ to affect --" she paused "--is the fear Night coain"

Troy pressed his hand against her head, weaving his fingers into her thick dark hair He was almost overwhelmed by the temptation to bury his face in the clean freshness of it He’d missed her more than he’d dared admit, even to himself

He wished he kne to reassure her But nothat desire, he refused to whisper platitudes, nor would hepronized that she’d said lanced self-consciously at the street She folded her arms around her waist, as if she suddenly felt cold

"Let’s talk about this inside," Troy suggested, placing his arain as they headed back to the house

Once inside, Faith re the shoes and boots that stood there Then she refreshed their coffees Troy could tell that this busyas an atteain her composure

For his part, he would’ve been content to spend the next ten years holding Faith, even if itin full view of the street on a bitter January day With the woman he loved in his arms, physical comfort didn’t matter He’d hardly noticed the damp or cold--until she’d stepped out of his arms

"Would you like another bran muffin?" Faith asked Before he could answer, she added, "I believe I got this recipe frohter I saw Megan the other day Did sheit over the back of a chair

"She’s a lovely girl, Troy"

"Faith," he said a bit more loudly this time

She clutched the kitchen counter with both hands

"I kno distressed you h his stateeration "I’m fine, really Tired, but…Okay, I’ll confess this break-in has me unnerved But wouldn’t anyone feel that way?"

"Of course they would Now, promise me you won’t hesitate to call 9–1–1 if you suspect someone’s on the property"

"I…"

"Faith," he coaxed

"I will," she finally said, "if I really think there’s soured this half promise was about all he could wheedle out of her

They stood just looking at each other for a moment, neither of them inclined to speak

"Would you like ree to that, too Maybe she’d let hiiven tiain her trust

She considered his question, then slowly shook her head "I appreciate your willingness to look in on ood idea"

Personally Troy thought it was brilliant

"Would it be all right if I phoned and checked on you in thehis luck, but he had to try

"I suppose…but only this once"

"Only this once," he echoed "I won’t call again after tomorrow" The crack in her resolve to keep him out of her life was barely discernible but it was there

Reaching for his coat and hat, Troy saw that he’d left a small portion of his bran ave Faith a lopsided grin He sishing he’d accepted a second one when she’d offered it "I’ll ask Megan to get the recipe from you," he said on his way to the door

"I’ll be happy to share it"

Troy lingered at the front door, but there was nothing else to say Leaving Faith never seeet any easier

Six

Will Jefferson knew he needed to play his cards carefully if he hoped to have a relationship with Shirley Bliss Now that his divorce fro ring hadn’t been much of a detriment in the past He’d had a nu he took pride in It was just…a fact Georgia had repeatedly forgiven hiood--the best--but then he’d meet someone and the attraction would be there and, well, when it came to beautiful women, he eak That was all he could say about it He didn’t even atteh, to be fair, it did take two to tango--and to do certain other things…