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Toht, then," he murmured, and with that, he went back in the exam room to wait for his release

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

PEOPLE HAD WARNED Tom that the weather in this area would be unpredictable, but this was bleeding ridiculous Four days ago, he’d gone for a run at the college, and it had been sixty-five degrees Buds on the trees, all that

Today, it was snowing And despite four years in this country, To in the snow He’d fishtailed on his way into the Village and nearly rear-ended Honor’s little Prius, which was parked on the street, rather than in the driveway, for soot out of the car and headed inside, a clot of snow falling down his collar as he opened the door "Get offattacked

"She’s not a rat," Honor said She was pouring herself a glass of wine, still in her incredibly uptight navy blue suit and ugly shoes Why on earth Honor Holland wasn’t slutting it up and showing off her wares was awith her "How’s your eye?"

"Fine" They hadn’t talked tooto each other repeatedly (and ineffectively, he thought), he for putting her in an uncounpoint Never told anyone Christ Every tiht of it, the red haze descended He wanted to kill the bloke who’d done it, picking a woman with a complete lack of street sers looked for Didn’t change the red, though And it didn’t make Tom any more able to say the words that were stuck in his chest Don’t ever get hurt again Don’t ever take chances Don’t get sick Don’t leave Don’t die

He sighed

"What do you feel like for dinner?" she asked

"I don’t care Want me to cook?"

"I don’t mind"

"Neither do I," he said "Go on, sit down, relax You look tense"

She bristled "I’’s head

"Good" Conversation was clearly not their strong suit

They were better at sex At least, so far as he could recall It had been a bloody long ti weeks

The doorbell rang, causing Ratty to burst into a flurry of brain-heet it," Honor said, taking the dog with her

To with Honor meant the larder was h he always tried to have so in food Chicken, beef, lettuce, tourt, huood wine, as well

"Tom? Um, Pooky?"

He turned at the wretched nickname Honor’s face was blotchy, and her eyes were a little too wide She stood in front of another woration Services"

Bloody hell

"Hallo there," To Bethany was soht black curls and severe glasses with rhinestoned corners "Tom Barlow, lovely to meet you"

"Hi," she said "This is an unscheduled visit courtesy of the US government Hope you don’t mind"

"Not at all," Toht sht be about to colanced at Honor, who looked like she was about to vomit "Fraud? How so?" he asked "Have a seat, Bethany, sorry Would you like a glass of wine or a cup of tea?"

"No, thank you," she said, giving hiht of it

"Please sit, at any rate Darling?" He held a chair for Honor, who hesitated, then sat stiffly

"Dr Barlow," Bethany said, "we’ve contacted the college where you work and discovered they have no plans to renew your green card"

"Right," To her lip Another second, and there’d be blood He took her hand under the table and gave it a warning squeeze Ratty snarled, earning a significant look froe license has been filed," she continued, "and a few days ago, someone called our office anonymously and said that you two barely know each other"

Noho in the bloody hell would do that? Honor’s father, perhaps? The , perhaps jealous that Honor hadn’t chosen hiood bloke

"Well, it was fast," To ?"

"We love each other," she parroted, her voice squeaking He squeezed her hand again, and she gave him a panicky look

"Glad to hear it," Bethany said briskly Again, her eyes scanned him up and down "Be that as it may, you’re aware that marital fraud constitutes a fine of up to a quarter million dollars and a ten-year jail sentence"

Honor sith a dry click, and her little dog whined, wagging her tail and scrabbling to get at Bethany So far, the only person Ratty seemed to hate was Tom

"Lots of times, the US citizen will do it to help out a friend," the wo promptly licked "Are you a sweet baby? You are? Are you? You’re so cute! Yes, you are! What’s your name? Huh? What’s your cute little name?"

"Spike," Honor breathed

"Oh, I love that Yes, I do! I love it! Anyway, Ms Holland, helping out a friend doesn’t al"

"This isn’t one of those situations," Honor said Her hand was clammy

"Great Then I’m sure you ton’t mind if I separate you and ask you some questions"

"Of course not," Tom said "Do we, Honor?"

"Nope," she squeaked

Bethany set started?"

"Not at all" To his hand to the wohtly