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Just looking at hio dry His naers tightened around the scratchy rope

"I " Heacross the wooden porch Then he stopped "I' to bed"

Takeheart "Why are you telling me?"

It took hi Ask me, Jack Just hold out your hand to me

"I wanted to say good night" 241

242

"Oh" Tess's hands unfurled, slid down the ropes, and landed in her lap "Good night"

He stood there for a while longer Tess felt his gaze on her and kneas trying to sue to stay Perhaps even to come closer

"Wellgood night" He turned and disappeared into the house The door creaked quietly shut behind him

Tess let out her breath in a disappointed sigh Standing, she hugged herself and walked idly around the tree Tiny pebbles clung to her bare feet as she wandered across the dirt road and headed into the grass Thin, swaying stalks

tickled her ankles

She stared at Haro Strait far below, its shier of blue-white ht Stars danced like fallen diaht sky

She knehat she wanted to do right now, but she was afraid The realization irritated the hell out of her Never in her life had she been a coward, and yet now, faced with the greatest opportunity of her life, she was skulking outside like a frightened kitten Waiting

It didn't reater and greater challenges When they told her a deaf girl couldn't be a doctor, she proved theet an education, but she'd never be able to find eain; and when they'd told her cancer didn't have a cure, she'd dedicated her life to changing

that