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A tiny sob escaped her This time there was no force on earth or within her soul that could have kept Savannah back With a hiccuping squeak, she snatched up her skirts and ran for hi so hard, she had to gasp for breath as he lifted her up

She didn't care a bit She drew in a shuddering, watery breath and buried her face against his shoulder He held her tightly against his chest, and this ti back the tears They burst from the so, surging through her dry soul in streaks of life-giving moisture

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Daddy smoothed the hair froainst her ive me?"

Savannah tilted her face to look up at hih his lashes and across his high, sharp cheekbones He gazed down at her through eyes that were overbright, as if he, too, were holding back tears

"Oh, Daddy" The words slipped out in a watery blur She wanted to say more, but her throat was thick with tears, so she simply nodded

He gave her a smile so war been cold and dark "I love you, Vannah"

Savannah's breath caught Happy tears rolled down her cheeks and plopped on his flannel shirt "II love you, too, Daddy"

After that, the night took on a ical quality Savannah kneas a ti tiently, he let her down

"Co his head toward the center of the barn "We've got dancing to do"

Savannah followed hith apart, staring at each other Neither seein Beside theold into the darkness and creating a ht Fro of hooves on hard-packed dirt The barn-smell of fresh hay, old wood, and dust filled the air

Daddy reached for her "Take ht, and took his hand His other hand moved to the curve of her back and drew her close In his arms, she felt small and warm and

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infinitely safe?it was a feeling she'd never had before, and it filled her with a giddy sense of happiness She grinned up at him

He s a quiet tune, he began toher clumsy, aard movements Her feet seerace-lessly in his arms