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Max nodded "Yes," he murmured "And he tried to destroy that"

She didn’t respond

"I knoher head against his shoulder "I wish I could tell you that the grief you’re feeling will disappear and never return But by now you’ve discovered it won’t completely vanish"

He slowly exhaled

"Because of Kate and Katherine, because you loved them, you’re a different person That love, and the love they had for you, will stay with you forever Nothing can change the way you feel about them They’re part of you and alill be"

Max turned her to face hi his ar ti to each other They didn’t feel the need to kiss, and she believed that was because what they shared transcended the physical This understanding--that they’d both lost what they’d treasured ether in a more profound way than mere attraction

Eventually, they wandered down to the lake, took off their shoes and walked along the shore, holding hands They s in the sand with colorful shovels and pails After a while they found a private spot, where they sat and gazed out at the water

"You’re leaving in the h he already knew the answer

Bethanne splayed her fingers in the sand and nodded

"Have you decided where you’re going next?"

"Probably New Orleans" Bethanne reinal route "Ruth had everything worked out before Annie and I joined her"

"Ruth planned to drive cross-country alone?"

"We weren’t about to let that happen"

"I’ll be forever grateful you tagged along" He reached for her left hand and kissed the knuckles

Bethanne would be forever grateful, too

Her right hand continued to make circles in the sand "Why did you want to know about our next stop?" she asked as casually as she could She ht appear relaxed, but she held her breath, torn between hope and dread She hoped he’d follow but didn’t dare ask if he would

"Have you ever been to New Orleans?" Max asked

"Never"

"It’s a wild and crazy town"

"So I’ve heard"

Max squeezed her fingers "I can’tto hide her disappointain He hadn’t offered any explanations or excuses She could always ask but decided against it If Max wanted her to know his reasons, he would volunteer the information She wasn’t a needy individual who craved constant reassurance

"Then this is it?" she asked, sing hard

Max’s eyes iht hers "No…" He shook his head, then looked away "The truth is, I don’t think I can give you up"

The tension left Bethanne and she threw her arms around him and smiled Max smiled, too, then leaned over and kissed her She set her hand on his shoulder and kissed him back After a moment, they drew apart

Max lay in the sand and closed his eyes "I never expected to feel this kind of peace again"

"I know I’ to feel content Sometimes I’m amazed to realize I’m truly happy At first, I didn’t believe that was possible"

"Are you happy now?"

She closed her eyes, too, and felt the wind and the sun against her face, heard the excited sounds of children playing Max was sprawled out at her side--a man she barely knew, yet was convinced she could love "Yes," she whispered

"I hardly ever tell anyone about Kate and never about Katherine"

She’d noticedpersonal

"Rooster was shocked that I told you"

Turning onto her side, she kissed hi her head on his shoulder "From New Orleans, we’re only a day and a half from Vero Beach," she said "That’s where Ruth’s class reunion is taking place"

"How long do you plan to stay in Florida?"

"A week We’ll return the rental car at the Orlando airport and fly back to Seattle on June 19"

He grew quiet

"I should tell you that Grant will be in Florida at the same time He says it’s for a Realtors’ convention in Orlando, but I know that’s only an excuse"

"Grant loves you"

"So he clai when he went to work and was actually sneaking off with Tiffany to soe of bitterness she felt "The thing is, I don’t know if I can ever trust hio back"

Grant had surprised her, giving Bethanne these days with Max Andrew had left aGrant had phoned and offered to help with the wedding It see not only with her but with their children