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“I hate you” Tara sobbed her defiance at the disapproving stillness of the house “I hate all of it I hate this place and I hate this land”

The telephone rang, forcing her to choke back the bitter sobs and atteain her poise as she carried herself erectly to the phone, sniffling back the tears and wiping at her face

“Calder residence Mrs Calder speaking” Her voice was level and controlled

24

The hem of her chocolate-colored chenille robe brushed her ankles as Jessy came out of the bathroo da, wet strands of her hair, scattering droplets of water on the floor

When she entered the kitchen, she immediately sensed a presence Before she even saw hi in the air that she instinctively scented He stoodthe crown of the hat in his hand The unruly thickness of his dark hair showed the rake of his fingers through it, and his hooded eyes atchful and brooding

“The coffee’s fresh” Jessy resu her hair dry with the towel “Help yourself to a cup”

There was a faint hesitation; then he hooked his hat on a peg by the door and tugged loose the buttons of his coat, letting it hang open A thinly leashed energy seemed to lie beneath each move as he took down a cup from the shelf of a cupboard and poured coffee into it froainst the counter and took blowing sips from his coffee while he watched her Jessy could feel his eyes following her as she walked to the refrigerator

“I was just going to fix some supper” She draped the daerator door “Have you eaten?” She took out a package of ground beef and a dish of boiled potatoes

“No” Ty shifted slightly as she set them on the counter near him

“How about a haer steak and some Aling

“Not for me” The coffee cup was abruptly set down “Jessy” His voice was low and insistent

When she looked up, his arm hooked out to catch her waist and haul her to hiency that made her blood run quick His mouth came down heavily onto her lips, the clipped ends of his round onto hers She felt his hands digging into her flesh and the viselike bite of his ar, muscled body and walled her in with the thickness of his coat The seething force inside hiave no quarter, brutal in its demands

Anger ran through her like a two-edged sword She twisted frolare at hi pressure

“You had an argument with her, didn’t you?” Jessy accused “That’s why you’re here”