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This large gathering and the love in the rooirl as his niece Not for the first time, he realized he had his work cut out for hilanced at Zoe, who sat on the arlared at hi, she obviously hadn't forgiven him for his lie Despite the fact that they were adversaries, she hadn't thrown him out, at least not yet Instead he sensed that for the tih solely for Saaze, an odd sense of gratitude filled hi? When he looked at the raven-haired beauty, a hell of a lotSaift and the newest hts as she walked into the roo a leash in one hand

"Ooh, what is it?" Sam asked

Ryan tried to see, but she darted in front of hi his view He heard a loud squeal that could have cout instinct told him the sound was from an animal

Of the swine variety, if he wasn't mistaken

"It can't be," he muttered

"It is," Zoe retorted

He hadn't realized he'd spoken aloud

"And you will be nice about it" She treated him to a forced smile

He rose and stepped around the couch to catch his first gli Snout and all "It's gratifying to knowtricks on you, either," Zoe said helpfully

"Gee, thanks"

Elena leaned down beside Sam and patted the space beside her "Come sit quietly"

Saed on the floor Everyone else had grown silent, too, respecting the fact that the tiny piglet was shaking like a leaf

"Sa and placing her gently in Sa as she thought about the na

"I don't," Ryan , doofus," Sa" When Ryan didn't answer right away, Saot a— "

"Saently took Sam's chin in her hand and turned her face toward her own "Be nice to Mr Baldwin He's a guest in our home and he's your elder In this house we respect our elders"

Sa his way, her features contrite "Sorry,the old keys around her neck