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Until now, Tess vowed Sohter and love into these walls

Laughter That was the key She had to teach Jack to laugh It see, too sied on that If he could let go of his anger long enough to laugh, or even to s

But how to make him smile? That was the question that had kept her awake half the night But about ten seconds ago she'd dusted off a jar of pickles, and it had come to her

Do the unexpected Get hiuard She'd done it once already, when he'd interrupted her bath Seeing her naked had shaken hiotten to be mad for a while

Now she just had to get him that off balance with her clothes on

It would work She was certain of it

All she had to do was figure out what he expected of her And do the opposite

Tess aiting on the porch for Savannah and Katie when the girls got ho

no

Savannah gave her a tentative smile and waved back "Hi, Mama"

Tess plucked up her heavy skirt and hurried down the steps, crossing the grassy yard to et horeat idea"

Katie perked up "Really? What?" Tess linked arether they walked toward the house "You'll see, but first I want to ask you a few questions"

Both girls immediately tensed, their brisk walk slowed to a hesitant shuffle, then stopped altogether

Kneeling in the grass, Tess gathered the s are usually like around here" Two blank stares

Tess tried a more specific question "I mean, what does your daddy expect around the house?"