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"I thought Dad could work out in front of CNN It’ll be good for hi to keep it froht you could work out" She walked a circle around it "You know Dad’s never going to use a treadmill"

"It’s not a treadmill It’s an elliptical trainer They’re better for your knees" Her sister continued to use that overly chirpy tone, and it was infuriating

"Try walking It works for the rest of us"

Laura shook her head "It’s not the saet your heart rate up"

"Are you kidding? Chasing down problems is all the cardio I need"

Laura’s expression said she disagreed "If you say so"

Did her sister just give her figure a once-over? Sorrow sucked in her belly, feeling outraged The snug saloon-girl dress wasn’t helpinghere really?"

"I told you I’ the den Since when did that become a federal offense?"

"No, Laura I mean, why are you here? Home Don’t your minions need you back in San Francisco? If this is just a visit, then why are you installing an elliptical machine?"

Doubt flashed in her sister’s eyes, and Sorroanted to exclai of rearranging furniture, I can’t believe you all still have that stuffed bear"

Sorrow rolled her eyes The black bear had adorned the foyer since they were kids And yeah, it was disgusting But she chose her battles, and her dad’s prized bear wasn’t one of the is what it is"

"Of course it’s disgusting But you’re nuts if you think Dad will let us deep-six his bear His name is Bear, after all" Sorrow crossed her ar the subject, but she wouldn’t be deterred "Would you please stay on topic?"

"You tell me," Laura said "What’s the topic?"

"Maybe if you’d eat once in a while you wouldn’t have such trouble paying attention"

"Maybe if you--"

"The topic," Sorrow interrupted, not wanting to knohat her thinner, fitter sister was going to say, "hy are you here?"

"To visit," Laura said, but she’d replied too quickly "What’s wrong with a si sister had fled Sierra Falls the h school There was never a "simple visit" where she was concerned "You never just visit So tella so-called sabbatical? What do you want?"

Laura’s eyes narrowed to slits "I don’t want anything from you Jeez, Sorrow Why do you always feel so put-upon? No wonder Damien hasn’t sealed the deal with you yet"

Sorrow practically shrieked "What? What the hell does that mean?"

"You know exactly what thaton it, but ould he when you’re such a nag?" Laura’s face becanized her sister’s expression She’d known it from their youth--it was the look of battle Well, she could play this ga her eers into her biceps "Who says I want Da the words, Sorrow realized the thought of a ring and Damien made her feel more alarm than anticipation

Laura tipped the movers and shooed them out the door "Don’t tell me you’re into that sheriff"

"I’hts, shaking out a throw blanket with a sharp snap, folding and s it probably ave a little flip-flop at the thought--was she into the sheriff?

"Oh, God" Laura gaped "You are into him He’s kind of old for you, isn’t he?"

Hoas it her pesky sister was always able to read herLaura head-on "Billy is not old He’s in his thirties Since when is that old?"

A slow smile spread across Laura’s face "You want some sisterly advice?"

Sorrow’s response was instant "No"

She continued anyway "Go for so for anybody"

"I’ve told you before, Damien is cute and rich," Laura insisted "Keep your head in the gaet"

"I’ trapped in this conversation--she didn’t feel like discussing either et the upper hand? "And what’s with all the bad sportsWe’re not all as ruthless as you are"

Laura studied her for a second with an annoying s on, why so defensive?"