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He rubbed his thumb over her hand to calm her and consulted his Mickey Mouse watch "That’s not the truth, Venus, and hiding froe what’s happened All we can do is fix it You’ve got to hang tough for a little while longer"

He leaned over and kissed her forehead He looked into her fierce Rasence, now sheened with tears He hated her pain He said quietly, "Thank you for being inSo do I So does Sherlock"

He nodded, released her hand, and rose "When he’s a bit older, Sean will think so, too" After a ainst the draperies, his ar Mr Sullivan up"

Venus nodded, leaned her head back on the pillow, and closed her eyes "Yes, it’s nearly tiet the family downstairs and yes, ask Mr Sullivan to coet this done"

58

Dr Pruitt faced the fa with Mr Sullivan, then she ht not be a later," Hildi shouted "Why aren’t you with her? Why haven’t you called an ambulance?"

Guthrie stood, squared his shoulders as if awaiting a blow "Is she going to die?"

"You know your mother, Mr Rasmussen I would prefer to care for her in the hospital, but she refuses to go I will return to her immediately" Dr Pruitt nodded to each of the room

Savich re their faces

Alexander stood in his favorite spot, by the fireplace, his hands in his pockets, his shock slowly turning to anger He took a step toward Savich "You ith her, not her children, her grandchildren--you, an outsider, who never belonged here What did she say to you? You turned her against me, didn’t you?"

Savich said, "Why would I do that?"

"Because you believe I tried to kill her, you tried to convince her--"

"Do be quiet, Alexander," Hildi said "Please, just be quiet Mother ht add, saved her life"

"Haven’t you noticed she’s changing her will?" Alexander said, ignoring her "Sullivan’s up there with her right now"