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Her teeth sunk whitely into her lower lip "I can't, not tonight, Kurt," she murmured

"Why not?" He tipped his head to the side, trying to read the expression she veiled with her lashes

Alanna couldn't find the words to tell hi Rolf or the explanation such an announce" She seized on a half-truth since the only reason she wasRolt was because of his insinuations that he knew so about her parents "If I could, I'd break it, but—"

"That's okay," he interrupted "We'll celebrate toht"

"Yes," she agreed, relieved that he didn't press her for a more definite explanation

"I suppose I'd better get back to work before brother Rolt sends out a search party," Kurt sighed reluctantly

"He is back, then, from out of town," Alanna commented

"He got back just before noon, which is part of the reason for my late lunch break" He bent his head and kissed her "Till toht"

Alanna waved to him as he reversed his car out of the driveway Her interest in the garden had vanished, and her spirits were ridiculously low as she turned toward the house She blamed it on Rolt Just theher pleasure

As she entered the house, herup the stairs She paused "Was that Kurt I saw drive in?"

"Yes, it was" Alanna ran a nervous hand through her tawny hair

"Isn't he working today?" Elinore Powell asked curiously

"He was on his lunch break"

"Was it i the day," herher curiosity

Alanna walked toward the living room "He had an errand to run and stopped to say hello"