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“It’s nothing but the truth”

They looked at each other and s …”

“Oh Yes, yes, I was” She lifted her glass, took a long drink “Well, we had a difficult few years The children ca quickly Ruarch worked at whatever jobs he could while I did all those things wohed “They were hard years but good ones Do you knohat I mean?”

“I do, yes, though we never had as rough a time,” he said, a touch of surprise in his voice “A man doesn’t earn a fortune when he’s on the job—”

“On the job?”

“Cop talk for being a policeh to support Flo, irls and me”

Mary nodded

“We talked about Ruarch getting a real job He tried it, but he had an itchy foot so we drifted froa someday but the truth is, he never did He won at cards, at the track, at odd bets with strangers and with some people whose famous names would surprise you” She took the last bite of her cake, placed the fork across the plate and put it on the tray “And then we caht, he came home and told me he’d won us a hotel”

Dan blinked “He won the Desert Song?”

“No Oh, no” Mary laughed softly “He won a little place A motel, I suppose you’d call it today But he saw the possibilities in this town, and he had friends who agreed with his vision He worked hard—withand found ourselves the proud owners of a classy hotel and casino” She winked “That’s the story our publicity people gave out, anyway They thought it wouldn’t do if we talked about the years eated”

Dan nodded “Well, I’m impressed”

“So was my father He sent me a note—the first I’d had fro, that Ruarch was aof himself”

“And did that heal the rift between you?” He saw her face change and cursed himself for a fool “Duchess Mrs O’Connell I’ such a personal question”

“Don’t be silly And don’t call me that, either”

“Duchess? I apologize I think it, and it just tumbles out of my mouth”