page49 (1/2)

“I know that it’s rude I shouldn’t have done that My parents raised me better”

“Traditional Southern folks, huh?”

“Oh, yeah!” She laughed “Very conservative, both politically and socially I grew up in a pretty religious household To the out of the house on my own Shaaswith Shawn God, I would never hear the end of it if they found out”

“I was an Ar in the avemen need that,” I said

“Yeah, everyone does”

“You like structure and order?”

“I like when it exists, yes IYou don’t have to think You just have to follohich is good if you trust the person giving the orders”

“You trust me?”

She smiled “Sure”

“I made a pie for dessert It’s still in the oven Why don’t you get it for us?”

Dixie sreat body Everything about her looked alive and vibrant I could feelher She dragged out her approach to the oven and then bent over to open the door, giving ood view

“Careful, it’s hot,” I said

She looked back and s for a pair of potholders to pick up the pie

“Second drawer from the end,” I said “The potholders are in there”

Dixie moved over to the drawer, found the potholders, and slipped theiving , trying to contain herself, clearly enjoying our little game Then, she purposely left the drawer open

“Dixie,” I said

She stopped in her tracks

“Please, shut the drawer”

“Yes, sir”