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Savannah stiffened and jerked out of reach Before Tess could respond, the bundle in her ar furiously

Gingerly she peeled back the homespun blanket Murky, swollen-lidded eyes peered up at her from a beet red, wrinkled face the size of a tea saucer

Hesitantly she stroked his velvet-soft newborn skin At her touch he sucked in a shuddering, hiccuping breath and stopped crying His unfocused gaze landed on her face, and she had the unave a quiet, contented sigh Snuggling deeper in

the blanket, he went back to sleep

Tess felt his acceptance and trust like a tangible presence For the first ti of the word awe Her eyes widened with it, her heartbeat slowed to a crawl Tears scalded her eyes

She looked up suddenly, expecting to see her awe mirrored on the faces around her Instead, she saw anxiety and suspicion

Savannah immediately reached out for the baby "Here, Mama, I'll take him"

Katie, who'd peeked her head around her sister's elbow, jerked back into invisibility behind Savannah

Tess frowned What rong with this fa the baby across the roo for the explosion, regarding her with the wary, nervous

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glances norrenade with a pulled pin And poor Katie was following the first rule of warfare: Keep your head down and stay in the trenches

There was so ain the involuntary urge to help, to touch, to heal Just like when she'd seen Jack huddled piteously near the crib

She wanted to say so that would ease the heartache fro

She tried to reach for Savannah, but the infant restricted her er toward the girl

Only her finger didn't point at Savannah It pointed at the door At the gesture, Savannah's skin went ashen Before Tess could utter a word, Savannah swirled and ran from the room Katie followed at a scamper The door slammed shut