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n't tolerate silence between them with this serenely beautiful view before theht that came to mind

"Soed "But after the noise of the plant, and the hustle, I like the peace and quiet here No neighbors to trouble you—huhbors that is Just the coyote and squirrel and the loon"

No neighbors, Alanna thought, none that she could run to, whatever the reason The thought chilled her She was all alone out here with Rolt She couldn't help wondering how long the sleeping giant of Mesabi would continue to sleep

"Alanna"

She jumped at the sound of her na to face him, but she saw the flick of his eyebrow that said he had seen

"There was so I wanted to ask you," Rolt said

"What's that?" She brushed a stray curl froht want to ask and co up blank

"Were you planning to cook tonight's dinner or shall I?" The iry The fact was her stomach felt suddenly very empty at the mention of dinner

"I will," she agreed, glad of so to do that would take her out of Rolt's company

Chapter Seven

THE SUN LINGERED with infuriating stubbornness before finally sinking behind the western horizon to end the long su darkness for a brief time, then fled after the sun

Its departure was Alanna's signal to exit With a pretense at casualness, she closed the unabsorbing ently on the seat cushion beside her The action attracted the blue of Rolt's gaze They had barely exchanged a word all evening

The threatened discussion of his objections to the sleeping arrangeuessed that he didn't intend the discussion to take place in the living roo frolance

"Goodnight, Rolt," she said in an offhand way, and walked toward the staircase in the hall

"Turning in so early?" His response was dry with mockery