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"You were perfect," Tully said

They stayed in the car for the entire ferry ride; not once did Marah stop talking to Tully

On the Seattle side, the car started up again and they were driven around the city as if they were tourists on vacation, then they pulled into a brightly lit porte cochere, where a hotel doorreet them He opened the door and bent down "And which of you lovely ladies is Marah Rose?"

Marah instantly raised her hand, giggling "I am "

He pulled a single pink rose from behind his back and handed it to her

Marah looked awestruck "Wow "

"Say thank you, Marah," Kate said more sharply than shed intended

Marah threw her an irritated look "Thank you "

Tully led theigantic suite where all kinds of kid-type play stations had been set up—bouncing rooirls from the recital were already there with their families In the center of the rooe tiered pink cake adorned with tiny frosted ballerinas

"Aunt Tully," Marah screa her "This is awesome I love you "

"I love you, too, princess Now go play with your friends "

Everyone stood there for aWillia her?"

"I wanted to get a pony, but I thought that would be over the top "

Moie, Johnny," he finally said "Lets check out the bar "

When Kate and Tully were alone, Kate said, "You sure kno toabout this for years "