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Tess touched the girl's shoulder "You can laugh," she said softly

Katie looked up In the e in the small, pale oval of her face "Can I try it?" There was a quaver in her voice that tugged at Tess's heart

"Of course You go on down there, and I'll send one your way"

Katie hurried toward her sister and turned around, hands outstretched

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Tess lobbed a slow, easy one The biscuit rolled through the air and landed in Katie's tiny hands

"I got it, Savannah! I got it!"

Tess was so caught up in watching the girls, she didn't hear Jack co?"

She ju around, she found herself almost in his arms There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but the eaze narrowed, pinned her in place

"Answer me, damn it"

His nearness sent strange sensations tingling through her body Her throat felt thick and tight For a second, she couldn't breathe

Moonlight spilled through the branches and illuh to touch but careful not to

She tilted her face up and aze

He's afraid, she realized suddenly and without question Tess had learned long ago to trust her instincts about people She was rarely wrong For soer was just a cover, a way to keep his precious distance She'd bet her last dollar on it

"Jack" she whispered his name in quiet wonder