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Meredith tapped her on the shoulder Nina ju, she clicked it off and turned “Way to scare the crap out ofto look like Edward Scissorhands ”

“Moht ”

“Oh Okay ”

Meredith couldn’t help s at that There, in a nutshell, was the difference between them Nina didn’t care what ti first, or that Mo

All Nina heard was a call to adventure, and she always answered that call

It was a trait Meredith was determined to cultivate

In less than tenup the sidewalk in the direction the innkeeper had shown theht; the sky was a deep plum color, with stars everywhere Froht breeze whispered through the evergreens, the only real noise out here besides their footsteps on the ce out

The houses on this street were old-fashioned-looking, with porches out front and peaked roofs The yards ell tended; the s of the nearby sea

“This is the house,” Meredith said She’d taken charge of the map

“The lights are on That’s cool,” Nina said

Mo at the neat white house Its porch railing was the same ornate fretwork as they had at ho the eaves The eave the place a fairy-tale appearance “It looks like randfather’s dacha,” Mom said “Very Russian, and yet American, too ”

Nina moved in close to Mom, took her arm “You sure you want to do this now?”

Mom’s ansas to move forward resolutely

At the door, Mohtened her shoulders, and knocked hard Twice

The door was opened by a short, heavyset ray mustache If he was surprised to find three unknoon “Hello there,” he said