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Part One

One

Amy closed her suitcase and looked around the bedroo was neatly in place, just the way she liked it Stephen teased her that she’d fall down dead if the clock showed eight AM and she didn’t have all the beds made But he didn’t fool her; he liked the house to be clean and neat as much as she did

She sat down on the buttoned bench at the foot of the bed and sighed I can’t do this, she thought for the thousandth ti ood in social situations where she had toto the sa about their sa with that? If it made her feel safe, so what?

Just because Stephen and his father knew soet away for a while didn’t ht to tell other people what they should do with their lives?

“You have on your sulky face again,” Stephen said from the doorway

It flashed through her mind that this was her last chance to show her husband howsent away, so she tried to keep her look of anguish But it didn’t work He was leaning against the doorearing dark gray trousers and a crisp white shirt Sunlight was co the light hit his dark blond hair in a way that made a halo around his head When he sht She could feel her body growing limp

“Don’t giveinto their Froot Loops and we don’t have tirin and nodded toward the bed

It took Aave thear!” She was running toward hiht her about the waist

“That got you out of your stupor,” he said, pulling her to hi i

llegal” He nuzzled his face in her neck “They’re having one of those sawdust cereals you buy for them”

She pushed away and glared at him “But I bet that thethey want”

“Why not?” Stephen said, suy and you’ll be the dictator”

She twisted out of his grip “That’s not funny”

He dropped his hands to his sides and his face became serious “A to leave you here alone”

“Then stay with o with me”