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"Why not? That h, her shoulders rising and lowering with the release of her breath "Sad to say, I’m not sure I can trust her to tell the truth I suspect she’ll brush off the question Besides, I do everything I can to avoid talking to my mother"

Sam knew the two had a prickly relationship "Sunshine didn’t tell you anythingAs soon as I asked about hihter than an oyster"

"Maybe your aunt doesn’t want you to know Didn’t you say all this happened thirty years ago? Sometimes it’s better to leave matters as they are, especially if the other person doesn’t have a clue you’re stirring the waters"

To her credit, Beth appeared to give his words serious thought "Maybe, but I’ht it was because she was a free spirit Now I’le all these years is because of this man and whatever happened between them"

Sa feelings on theher hand in a snake hole "Are you sure your aunt wants you ain she took athat if Sunshine still loves him after all these years, just maybe he feels the sa hihtened his hold around her shoulders "I had no idea you had such a romantic heart"

"I want Sunshine to be happy"

"She’s happy That wo with joy"

"Sure, she’s fun and quirky, but deep down I have to wonder"

Sam mulled this over "You realize Peter Harandfather by now," he said

"Maybe, and if that’s the case, then so be it"

Saht?"

"Right So?"

"So if this man she loved was so inclined, he wouldn’t have a probleroaned "I hate it when you argue withreasonable and I don’t want to hear it I’m determined to find him, Sam, and if I have to ask ain "Are you going to say ‘I told you so’ if this blows up in my face?"

"Nope Don’t think I’ll need to if that happens"

"Probably not," she agreed "You’ve given ree with most of what you said, I still want to learn what I can Sunshine doesn’t need to knohat I’"

Saood thing, but he had to adroaned when Sa hi h a ton"

"Yup" Saue

"I could easily come up with a dozen excuses why it would be impossible for me to help you"

"You could, in which case I have one word for you"

"One word? All right, lay it on me"

"Dryer"

Silence followed before Roccounder his breath that would have cost Saood ten bucks if he’d said it in earshot of Owen

"What time do you need me?" Rocco asked

"I’m free all day Let me knoorks best for you"

"How about next year?"