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She rewarded him with a series of slow kisses "Did you know that e’re kissing and touching, you don’t stutter?"

He frowned briefly "I don’t?"

"Nope When you’re talking to the animals, you don’t, either" She’d observed this earlier and been struck by it

Again he seemed unsure he should believe her

"Have you ever been to a speech therapist?" she asked

Resistance narrowed his gaze and he glanced away "N-n-no"

She turned his face back to her so he couldn’t avoid ht" She took a deep breath "There’s an excellent therapist here in Kitsap County" She’d investigated therapists in the region and checked out their credentials

"Y-y-you ant o?"

"That’s entirely up to you," she told hi the fact that his stutter had instantly become more pronounced, which seeravel on the beach was cutting into her knees; still, she stayed where she was "I’ you know there’s help if you want it" She placed the emphasis on him This was up to Cal, and whatever he decided was fine with her

When he didn’t respond right away, Linnette sat down beside hiht her against his side She felt peaceful and calo with m-me?"

"For the first visit, anyway--if that’s what you want"

Leaning over, Cal kissed the top of her head "Y-you g-got on Sheba"

He was telling her that although she was apprehensive about riding, Linnette had cli to take a risk, too He would see a therapist about his speech impediment, despite his intense need to protect his own privacy

"I owedebt of thanks," Linnette whispered more to herself than to Cal

"Oh?"

"She paid a lot of money at that auction so I could ain of the century" She grinned "What I really mean is that I did"

Seven

As Rachel Pendergast was putting a load of clean clothes in her dryer, the phone rang She reached it just before the fifth ring, which hen her answeringto hear from Nate all day and dove breathlessly for the receiver "Hello"

"Rachel?"

It was a young girl’s voice, instantly recognizable as that of nine-year-old Jolene Peyton They’d been good friends for the last four years Soon after er Bruce Peyton had brought his young daughter into the salon for a haircut, Jolene had decided she wanted Rachel to be her newsituation

Bruce still grieved for his wife, who’d died in a car accident on her way to pick up Jolene fro no interest in any kind of romance--with anyone, Rachel included She accepted him at his word and over the next few years, as Jolene and Rachel continued to meet, Bruce and Rachel had become friends They occasionally went out to dinner, ht her advice Because she’d lost her own , Rachel identified with the child

In other words, there was nothing ro Nate Olsen, although the tiether was limited, since the navy’s demands ca," Jolene said in a small, uncertain voice "Dad said I could buy an Easter dress"

"I’d be happy to go with you," Rachel assured the youngster

"My dad wants to talk to you, all right?" The little girl’s voice was more cheerful now

"Rachel," Bruce said "Would it be a bother?"

"Not at all" The truth was, she could do with so new herself "I’d love it"

"When can you go?"

Since Easter was the folloeekend, Rachel figured it would need to be soon "How about this afternoon?" she suggested She had a rare Saturday free, which she’d arranged on the off-chance that Nate would be available But it was already midafternoon and she hadn’t heard fro

"This afternoon is perfect," Bruce said

Rachel heard Jolene shout with glee in the background

"I’ll bring her by in an hour if that works for you," Bruce said

"That would be great"

They discussed a price range for the new outfit and after a feords of farewell, ended the call Rachel always enjoyed her "girl-tirade, Jolene had asked her to attend the school’s open house, and with Bruce’s blessing, Rachel had gone Afterward Jolene had written her a lovely thank-you note, which Rachel treasured She had a stack of artwork that Jolene had colored or drawn or constructed for her These were things a little girl would norive her mother, and Rachel felt honored to play that role--part-tiateher hair, her phone rang again Even before she answered, she had the sinking feeling it would be Nate