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And so he set off down the path with a flashlight and a few supplies He would find her and then he’d plead his case He just prayed Lea would be willing to listen

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

SLEEP ELUDED HER

Lea stretched out on the small bed and stared into the darkness She had never feltthat she knew and loved in Seattle This loneliness was so much deeper and so much more painful

But Xander had made his choice of asexactly as going on with his sister Now that she’d calmed down, she recalled a few of the words she’d overheard when she entered the bungalohile he video-chatted with his sister

His sister had said that she was only doing what she thought was best for hi so overprotective He could take care of himself It was shortly after that that he’d noticed Lea’s presence

At the ti in the pain of betrayal that she hadn’t bothered to consider what Xander ht have meant But out here, away from the drama, she could think

She loved Xander

She missed Xander

She flopped over in bed and fluffed her pillow Thinking of Xander and ood Hoas she supposed to get over him?

Just then she felt a kick The baby It caught her couard She rolled onto her back and placed her hand on her expanding abdo stronger Lea wished Xander was there to share this special moment with her

What would have happened if she’d stayed at the bungalow and waited for him? Would he return? Would he wonder what had happened to her?

He’d never find her because she’d only told one person where she’d gone And she’d sworn Popi to secrecy Maybe that had been overkill, but she’d been running on pure emotions at the time

She reached for her cell phone to text Popi but there was no signal out here With a grunt, she returned the phone to the side table Her hand pounded the pillow into what she hoped was a more comfortable position And then she rested on her side and closed her eyes, willing sleep to take her to drea happily-ever-afters

Knock Knock

Lea’s eyes sprang open The beginning signs of dawn illuminated the room Had she at last fallen asleep? She was pretty sure that was the case But what had awoken her?