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"And you? You care for hi a baby!"

"Yeah, it sort of looks that way But I’irlfriend or a lover"

"This baby will be your priority"

"Wouldn’t little Mattie? Because, Vanni, if you make a baby, whether you meant to or not, you raise a child That’s how it is"

"This wo to marry her, Vanessa--that would be cruel She deserves a husband who loves her, not a htly Her mouth stood open He took a step toward her and she took a step back The fence of the corral ca?"

"Here I’ve been treating you with these kid gloves," he said "Afraid you couldn’t be approached because of your grief, afraid I’d spoiltoo fast And it turns out I wasn’t fast enough But, Vanni, everything I saw toldannoyed with Carol for her fix-up, crying at the grave…" He took another step toward her and she looked up, way up, into his war her chin in his thu her chin When he spoke, she could feel his breath "Vanessa, I’ve been in love with you forever"

"Hoas I supposed to know that?" she asked in a shocked whisper

"You weren’t supposed to know it" His other hand was on her waist, his lips close to hers "You were married to my best friend--you know I’d never hurt Matt like that Never It would have been a betrayal for you to even guess how I felt"

"But--"

"That first night, I pointed you out to Matt You were so beautiful, so full of life and energy, I couldn’t even get up the nerve to talk to you I’ve never really loved a woman before I haven’t since, and I tried I tried I wanted to be over you because I could never have you I should have told you how I felt before I left right after the baby was born But I was afraid you’d be…I don’t know Shocked Horrified That you would think the worst of ain I was afraid you’d hate eneral would shoot me"

A tear escaped and ran down her cheek "And now you’re going to be a father," she said in a breath

"Yeah, that see to be a father, I’ll be the best one I kno to be" He wiped the tear away "I’d love to be a father to Mattie, too You know I love hi bad to happen to Matt He was my brother"

"Paul, there’s a wo on you! She needs you!"

"Look, I don’t know if you can understand this, but it was only sex It wasn’t evenaway a little bit, hanging his head "I’ll do everything I can for her, but we’re not going to be a couple Send him away, Vanni Send the doctor away"

"What if I’ about," Paul said "I’ to bow out quietly I’ll do whatever I have to do I’ll fight for you"

"And if we made love all weekend? Me and Ca but that you have to know the truth I’m in love with you I’ve always been in love with you--and being in love with my best friend’s as torture"

"What if I asked you to walk away from that situation in Grants Pass if you want a chance withhis head "Vanessa, you know I can’t I’d never abandon a child like that If there’s a price to pay, I’ll pay it--but not an innocent child"

"This isn’t happening," she said, shaking her head

"Here’s what’s happening," Paul said "I love you I think you ry There’s at least one child between us, maybe two What we have to do is--"

"Vanni!"

They ju from the deck Just the tone of her father’s shout sent a chill up her spine She pushed Paul out of her way, thinking soht’ve happened to the baby She ran across the yard and up the small hill to the deck, Paul close on her heels But Walt stayed on the deck and if anything had been wrong with the baby, he’d have been inside When Vanessa got up to her father he said, "It’s Aunt Midge She passed We have to go You’ll have to pack up the baby again Toether then he can help you"

And with that, Walt turned and went back into the house

Vanni was frozen for a moment She shot a look at Paul and he reached for her hand