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"What do youto leave the smallest detail unexplored

"It isn’t just Dad," Jolene whispered

"I’m not sure what you mean"

"You were always "

"That hasn’t changed" At least, not to Rachel it hadn’t

"Yes, it has," Jolene insisted

"Okay," Rachel said "Tell irl see to say it, all right?"

"Of course"

"I see howthat was the answer

Jolene shook her head "He wants to get you into bed so you can do…that"

"Make love," she elaborated This hat she’d expected…and feared It was probably best to have the conversation, bring it out in the open once and for all "Married couples e"

"Dad wants to do it all the time" Jolene sounded mortified "He doesn’t think I notice, but I do And that’s not all You’re my friend and now I have to share you with my dad and I don’t want to and…and I have to sharebreath Jolene’s eyesany sense?"

"Yes, you are," Rachel told her "You’re s are…different Just like I was afraid they’d be"

Rachel couldn’t argue with her But perhaps she could explain it to Jolene in a way she’d find"That happens when a couple’s first irl asked hopefully

Rachel did her best to hide a smile "Not…completely"

"Oh"

"Does that answer your questions?"

Jolene looked at her fearfully "Are you pregnant?" she asked, as if this would be truly dreadful, the irl’s shoulders relaxed "Good"

Rachel felt it was critical to address Jolene’s concerns about herto the family

"I know you were afraid that once your father and I were married, we’d be so involved with each other you’d feel excluded"

Jolene’s gaze held hers

"We’ve tried very hard toone shoulder "Yeah, but I wish…you know"

Unfortunately, Rachel did This was beco more than a minor proble discovered that one afternoon had had a devastating effect on their love life They’d barely touched since

If, as Jolene claiood reason They were both experiencing sexual frustration

That evening Rachel had dinner ready by the tiirls?" he asked, pausing to kiss Rachel on the cheek

"Hey, Dad," Jolene said "What do you think?" She waltzed into the living room and twirled around so her father could see her new haircut "Rachel said you wouldn’t ot it cut real short You like it, don’t you?"

"Ah…"

Rachel cast hi used to"

"But you like it?"

He grinned and ed to nod enthusiastically

Overjoyed, Jolene rushed to his side and threw her arms around him

"Would you set the table, please?" Rachel asked her She followed Bruce down the hallway and into the bedrooot home from work

The moment their door closed, Bruce pulled her into his arrily

Rachel eased her mouth from his "We need to talk"

"Now?"

"No, later, after Jolene’s asleep"

"I have other plans for then"

Rachel dropped eager kisses along his neck "I do, too, but we need to talk first"

When he started to protest, she kissed hiain "I’llhis hands up and down her ar you to that"

Quietly she slid out the door and hurried back to the kitchen

Jolene frowned at her and set the water glasses on the table with a lot of unnecessary noise