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"Okay" Sam sniffed and drew a deep breath "When I looked out froain, I didn't see hi close to the house, and then I saw Francesca opening up the spa and I thought, safety in numbers"
"So you told her you wanted a uys I really didn't So I thought I'd hang out with Francesca and ured out soet in any trouble"
Zoe rolled her eyes "Trouble is your middle name, missy Go wash the mud pack off your face By then let's hope everyone will be back and we can deal with all this" She prodded Sa," she muttered She picked up Ima and they started for the bathroom Five minutes later, Sam and Ima returned, all cleaned up
Zoe ushered the at the front desk where Francesca sat "Don't you have so," Sam said "And I'irl, Salet"
"I will"
They traipsed back to the house, Sa her feet as they walked "You called everyone and told theht Now caet you Ryanin her heels "If he's there, I' tells ht now Besides, you can't hate Ryan just because he's related to you"
"Well where has he been up until now?" Sairl, but in her eyes Zoe saw the ache deep in her heart
"I'aze "But , about your age And by the tied to make herself hard to find He just found out his sister had a child and he ca Ryan at the expense of her own interests
"So maybe he can come visit once a year at Christht and she couldn't help but laugh dryly
WHILE ZOE HAD GONE to pick up Sa his car andhimself scarce Ryan would have liked him to stay, but the family didn't need an unfamiliar face and more important, neither did Sam
When she'd returned, he'd waited while Sah the Costases' lectures about running away and letting everyone worry about her Then Saone to her room while the family had excused themselves to meet alone in the kitchen
Now Ryan sat with them in the den Actually, he sat apart froet within inches of him They stood united on one side of the room protectively huddled around Sam who'd stomped down from her room All except Zoe eyed him with distrust and Ryan shifted uncomfortably in his chair
"We found footprints near the tree where Sam said she saw the intruder," Quinn said
"I told you!" Sarabbed Sam's wrist and pulled her ar specific to tell us that this person is targeting Sam, but it's the only conclusion since he was in her roo Add to that she's seen his face and can identify him If you ask me, Sareement, and then Quinn continued "We talked in the kitchen and we agree that Saet out of here for a while"