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Gerald laughed without humor "Buddy, I wouldn’t coht just settle down" The line was silent a hed "I suppose I should be grateful, but it’s hard to take care of her when she keeps shoving hed "It’s about as close to one as I can colad to hear that Well, I’d better let you go ho Keep in touch, okay?"

"I will," Alex said "I’lad you called Merry Christmas to you too"

Alex replaced the receiver and retraced his steps to the lobby He headed for the door again, but this tiive a gal who thinks she already has everything?"

Alex stopped "I beg your pardon?"

Saundra laughed "Your wifewhat are you going to get her for Christestions?"

Saundra grinned "If I know you, you already have sorinned, she leaned forward and whispered "What is it?"

He took a step toward her and whispered "It’s a secret"

She laughed "You little dickens Get out of here"

"I’ain

Actually, he had been conteift for quite a while before she took hi he made his decision He had taken her favorite picture of her parents to an artist and had a painting made thatabove the fireplace How could she think of it as her hos dominated it?

He smiled as he climbed into the cold truck and started it Cars The way she blushed about inti and somehoeet That innocence was part of her char in anticipation of her passionate greeting when he walked into the house The kitchen would srant as spring flowers

He had one regret when it came to Carmenthat they hadn’t met sooner