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Afterward, they didn’t speak, just lay together quietly, watching the sun rise

“It’s never looked so beautiful before,” Slayde ainst him, his chin atop her head

With a smile, Courtney recalled Mr Scollard’s words “That’s because before, you looked but couldn’t see”

“Hmm?”

“On hthouse, Mr Scollard declared Aralike,” Courtney explained “But he said that at night, the coloring could fool someone ‘Especially,’ to quote his exact words, ‘someone who looks but can’t see’ Then he added, ‘At least then, he couldn’t He sees now’ ” She twisted around to see Slayde’s face “After which he nodded and told me, ‘Good for you’ ”

Slayde blinked “Scollard actually said all that?”

“Every word”

“He was talking about rinned “Perhaps he really is a visionary”

Thank you, Mr Scollard, Courtney offered silently, snuggling into Slayde’s arms

“We haven’t finished discussing your delivery to the Times,” Slayde reminded her

A smile “What would

you like to know?”

“How youthem to the newspaper”

“A simple task for two resourceful women like Aurora and me Aurora pilfered the notes and stationery fro exactly what had happened and why you’d been forced to hunt for the diamond, then surrender it to Arrin turned ie the notes will evoke, the compassion over what you’ve been forced to endure, you’ll probably be knighted”

“I doubt it,” Slayde returned dryly “By the way, just where did I find the gem?”