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Callu her again was out of the question ‘OK, Too, it’s way past your bedtime’

‘Oh, but, Dad, we’re having so ood measure

‘No “oh, buts”, Callurowled playfully ‘I let you stay up to see in the new year because I promised…’He faltered as a memory of Tom last New Year’s Eve, desperately ill in hospital, sent an itch up his spine He cleared his throat ‘But now its bedti up with us’

‘Thanks Hailey It was so-o-o much fun’

‘Yes, it was’ Hailey laughed and held out her hand ‘It was very niceyou’

To yawn for a little boy He snuggled his head into his father’s chest and Hailey found herself wishing she could too ‘’Night, sleepyhead’

‘Thanks,’ Callureat with him’

She shrugged casually as her pulse pounded through her head ‘He’s a great kid’

Callum looked down at his son’s head, covered in sandy hair ‘Yes He is’ He s away fro his leave

Hailey stared at the French doors for a long while after they’d gone feeling curiously deflated She could still feel the imprint of his lips on her cheek, the pull of her attraction to hiet hiet the kiss

But she couldn’t deny hoonderful it felt as she stared blindly at the ardens below Wonderful also to have a reprieve froed her earlier She’d tried really hard since her return not to indulge in self-pity To be her usual, upbeat self Her time on the balcony with To else

It was rather freeing and she began to believe that there was going to be a time hat had happened in London would be completely behind her

Her hand gripped the railing hard Bad idea, Hails Very, very bad idea

She would not try to erase thethem with another

No matter hoell the man could kiss

CHAPTER TWO