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"It took what happened with Paul for me to find you, appreciate you, understand you I love you so much---I can’t keep it inside anymore"

"Oh, Lord, don’t say that"

Once er over his lips "I don’t want anything fro You didn’t ask for this, and I’ve probably eize, but Rush – my noble, honorable Rush – I do love you"

She stood then, her legs a little shaky "Having gotten that off ruff voice stopped her

"Yes?"

He had the look of a man who’d been pulled apart on a torture rack He rubbed a hand down over his face and then shook his head "Nothing,"

The followingaround the kitchen, albeit quietly, no doubt hoping to escape without having to confront her She clireeted hiru in return

"Did you sleep well?"

He gave her a look that told her he hadn’t "I’ve got watch today"

"Yes, I know"

"It’s Saturday How co in?"

She dropped her eyes "I wanted to be sure of so"

"What?"

"That you believe what I told you last night"

His gaze found hers and Lindy could tell he was struggling within hi softened soruff "Listen, Pm not much of a conversationalist at this time of day, and now probably isn’t the best place to discuss this" He paused as though to cohed and then continued "I want you to know, Pm truly flattered that you think you love me"

"But – "

"But," he cut in, "you can’t trust what you’re feeling right now So let’s leave it at that Okay?"

"Leave it?" she flared "Rush, no…"

"I’ll be your friend, Lindy, but that’s all I ever intend to be"

"My friend?"

"And that’s it,, so don’t argue" He downed the last of his coffee and set the cup in the sink with as much force as if he intended to shove it down the drain "I’ll see you later"

"Okay If that’s the way you want it"

"I do"

"Then I’d be honored to have you for a friend, Rush Callaghan"

He paused, his back to her "No ," she echoed

"We’re going to live as brother and sister from here on out"

"Brother and sister" Lindy knew that would last until about lunchti

"And if it proves too difficult for us, then I’ll ements to live aboard the Mitchell"

"If you think it’s for the best," she agreed, doing her best to s her auessed it would be "If that’s what you honestly want"

His hand slaainst the counter "You know it isn’t," he said, and whirled around to face her "Dahtest notion of how close we caht?"

She nodded

"I’ve never knooman who could tieto touch you again, and here it is seven-thirty in theand I want you so damn much I hurt"

Silently she stepped to his side and looked up at him, her eyes wide and innocent

"Daroaned "Why do you have to be so beautiful?" He slipped his arms around her waist and exhaled sharply "Now kiss o I’ll be back as soon as I can"