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The phone call left her even ive you," she told hiether We have to end it all now, right now I do not love you You stink of sheep, do you understand? You stink, stink, stink, of sheep, and I can’t stand it!" She had hung up Of course, she was upset all over again, because custoed pardon from Monsieur Francois, who had been patient with her many times, she knew, because she was so popular with the custorunted, and she explained that she’d needed to be cruel to be kind-- she hadn’t wanted young Paul living with illusions and coain

Monsieur Francois did not fire her She wondered if any of her regular customers would stop by, anxious to see if she needed company when her work shift was over

No one stopped by Feeling irritable and annoyed, she rued the fact that she hadn’t brought her car that day, and that she had a very long walk home

As she started out, she felt the nip of a wind She hadn’t brought a coat, only a little cashed it around her shoulders, and started walking

Darkness caht It was fall, of course, but not yet winter Yet as she walked, it seemed that a true winter chill settled over the road She hadn’t worn her good work shoes, either, but had worn little heels today, planning to change into the low-slung jeans in her bag for the concert in the city The roads in the village were rough, and twice, she stepped down hard on stones and nearly twisted her ankle

She cursed Paul as she walked

Then

Fro the road

She moved aside, certain that after a day like today nobody would be kind enough to give her a ride

And yet

The car drove up beside her

She hesitated, reht across the street from the cafe

But then, what did she have to do with a silly dig in an ancient crypt? She walked over to the car and looked in as the passenger as rolled down

Her heart leaped

"Hello," he said softly "I’m surprised to see you out here All alone It’s cold Why are you walking alone in the dark?"

"I’m afraid I broke up with h Her cheeks were flushing A bold sense of excite inside her The day was not so bad after all She had not iined that he, this incredible man, would co He didn’t really know her, but then, did it matter? She knew that he was attracted to her

And she was more than a little attracted to hiive you a lift"

Thrilled, she opened the door, and slipped into the car A nice car She should have known that he would have a new model auto," she said

He pulled onto the road i

"It’s my pleasure--my extreme pleasure," he told her Her hand lay on her knee He covered it with his own "You’re such a lovely young woman That fellow is a cad to have left you to walk home"

"It was best," she said softly "Really This has been co in the sairl," he murmured

"My house," she told hiht You’re not going to go hoht alone, are you?"

"I told you, it was actually better that this happened"

"Ah"

They passed the road that led to her house

"You missed the turn," she told him

"Yes, I did so on purpose I think I should take you for a glass of wine, cheer you up" She tried to keep her eyes on the road ahead, and not to show her absolute elation "That would be lovely Thank you so ht Yvette frowned, wondering where they could be going

They had driven so far that she could think of little that was out here Mainly, ruins of places abandoned after World War II, countryside, and more countryside

And sheep

It seemed that everywhere one went in this wretched place, there were sheep

The car moved onto a rutted dirt road She was thrown next to him His arm came around her, then his hand fell on her knee to steady her

"You’re all right?" he asked her

"Fine," she said softly "With youwell, I feel just fine" He flashed her a white and fascinating s in love He could have taken her anywhere, done anything She’d never felt such a rise of fascination and excite?" she asked after a htest fear; she was "

He parked the car