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From the moment Hayley opened her eyes Austin was on her ripped her heart as she thought of the possibility of Mrs So the note instead of Austin

Uncoht from her mind, dressed quickly and went downstairs for breakfast As Hayley reached the parlor, she caught sight of her father speaking with Maddie They were speaking in low voices so that Hayley could not make out their words Theto intrude He snapped in frustration

"Child… what are you doing sneaking about?" Before she could answer, he changed his tone "It is just that you startled Miss Hawthorn"

Hayley could not remember the last time he had referred to her in thather Maddie

"I just ca up on anyone" Noticing Maddie's back turned, she wondered if she was crying "Maddie, are you all right?"

She only nodded her head

"I thought you were to be gone all day, Father"

"I a like an intruder for the first time in her own hoh the sky was gray and cloudy Hayley sat down beneath her favorite large and inviting oak tree She again thought back to the day that she had said good-bye to Austin She thought about how his heart seeainst the oak and looked into the sky She saw a cloud for each other Hayley hated the fact that she was consuhts of rorass beside her Books had always been her friend and companion from the tiinning to hate that her life consisted of the reading of books and only daydrea of a life of love and purposeThe stories allowed her to escape from the reality that was her dull life She knew her life was not bad, but she had not been allowed to venture beyond her father's acreage She was ready for adventure

Hayley's eyes grew heavy after rass beneath her

Closing her eyes she drifted into sleep

"Hayley"