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"I’m afraid you won’t be able to claim that for some time," Colleen said "On the one hand Mia wears lad we have you here with us, Darcy"

The unexpected words surprised Darcy She tried to be a good houseguest, but she knew she was a relative stranger here "You’ve all been very kind"

"Trustyou around," Colleen told her "Although I’ as the life you’re used to After all, you can go to the White House anytime you’d like"

Darcy nodded because it was expected, but in truth she didn’t feel as if she could just drop in Maybe to see Lauren, but not for any other reason Certainly not to see her father Appointments were required

"It must be hard for the president," Colleen said as she set down her glass of wine "He’s been a er for a long time, yet it can’t be easy for him to date"

"Not really There’s a lot of speculation about his love life, but he has always said he won’t get involved with anyone until he’s out of office"

"I suppose that makes sense Hoould he know if the woman was interested in him or what he could offer? Still, he must be lonely"

Darcy reached for a small sandwich but didn’t bite into it She’d never considered that her father also had to deal with hangers-on Sure, in his regular life, but not romantically Of course there would be women ould want to marry the president A fair number probably wanted to just sleep with him, but she didn’t want to think about that Talk about an ick factor

"Of course he has his girls," Colleen said "Children are a blessing And you’re both so close You in town and Lauren right there in the private quarters" She smiled "I think you were smart to have your own place so you could keep your privacy"

"It is nice," Darcy said because she knew the truth was far less appealing A part of her had been interested in living in the White House She’d iined a room across from her sister and plenty of moments to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity But she’d never been invited When rooe in her DC apartment

She’d kept her hurt to herself She hadn’t wanted to upset Lauren or put her in the aard position of having to petition their father on Darcy’s behalf

"Do you go to s there?" Colleen asked

"So much yet I received invitations when he was vice president, but I was still in graduate school and had to refuse a lot of the to co to flat out say so Lauren had said--

Darcy picked up her wine and took a sip Was that what had happened? Had she said no so ? Did they think she wasn’t interested?

No, she told herself That wasn’t possible They had to know the truth Didn’t they?

The days stayed war that warht before harvest That the heat and light brought out the sugar in the grapes Or did it keep sugar frorapes? Daht Why couldn’t he re, he told hirapes

He rounded the corner of the house and saw Darcy in the shade, leaning against the back of a large jacaranda tree Her eyes were closed, and her book had fallen off her lap Just behind her were two agents, playing cards

Joe nodded at thee of the blanket and waited until she opened her eyes and saw hihtly flushed

She wore a loose tank top and shorts, both black Flipflops lay beside the blanket Anyher lips bare and only a shade or two darker than her cheeks

She was gorgeous Sexy, soft, and a thousand other things he shouldn’t think If he did, the physical hts would infore exactly what he had on his mind

"Hey, yourself" He sat next to her "You’re still not sleeping"

"Don’t go there, big guy I’ht if you do what I say"

Her eyes widened as she laughed "Do you think there’s even the tiniest chance that’s going to happen?"

"Not in this lifetime"

"Or on this planet," she told hi better"

"How h" Her hand lay beside his He wanted to pick it up and touch it, ether Which meant his brain had failed and he was in serious need of some combat time

"You should talk to somebody," he told her "A professional Even my SEAL teams need help now and then"

"Okay Maybe When this is over and I’ back, but if she saw someone sooner it would mean one more body who knew her location That croas already too big for corapes will be ready to harvest in a couple of weeks," Darcy said "I kind of want to be here to see that"

He glanced around to , then lowered his voice "I’ve been reading some of the books she left me Harvest is a lot of work There are--" He broke off at her smile "What?" he demanded

"Oooh, I could really black up on wine"

"But you won’t We’re in this together"

The second the words were out, he wondered what he was talking about Darcy should have been surprised, too, but instead of calling hied the subject

"I’ve never spent any time in this part of the country, and I have to say I’et used to this kind of life" She glanced at hiet all weird on et weird on anyone I can see how it could be appealing"

She stretched out her legs, then drew a knee to her chest "Really? So why are you so deteritimate question "I love what I do," he said "I uys with my life, and they do the same with me"

Her dark eyes settled on his face "And you can’t trust the Marcellis?"<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>