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"Oh, Ian"

"Marry me because I am weak and selfish and unen-

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lightened," he said in a harsh whisper "Marry me because I need you so much"

She touched his cheek "You need me to be your

wife?" "Yes" "When?"

He grinned "How about next Tuesday?" She smiled back at him "Tuesday would be perfect Outside, the croild

Chapter Twenty-one

Ian felt like a damned fool

Standing on the porch, he stared out across the bright green lawn at the young girl crouched ae She was all alone, sitting with a rag doll clutched to her breast

What now, Selena? he thought What in the world was he supposed to do-just walk up to the kid and say Hi, Lara Selena wants me to play daddy for you?

He wished he'd never promised this Never even pretended to promise it

He glanced back at the closed door behind hio inside Selena would just be there, waiting for him, a disappointed look in her dark eyes

He took a tentative step forward The old wood creaked beneath his feet Crossing his ar, down the steps, across the crunching gravel, to the end of the lawn

There he paused again, just for a second, and forced his hands to his sides "Hello, Lara"