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“Oh,” she replied She hadn’t quite thought about appearances when they’d hopped in the truck “Uht in the storm earlier My clothes are in Tom’s dryer”

“And the leg?” Meggie’s gaze penetrated “Someone doesn’t react like that from a little scratch”

“The short version is that the barn at the top of Blackberry Hill is toast I didn’t quite make it out unscathed”

“What?” Meggie leaned forward “Are you saying that old monstrosity finally came down?”

“With me inside it, I’m afraid”

Meggie’s face paled “My God, girl, what are you doing here?”

Abby smiled, touched by the concern “It’s okay I was pretty lucky Toot chewed up a bit”

“Let’s see”

Abby felt ridiculous “I’m fine, really”

Meggie frowned, her face taking on that motherly “just do as I say” look Abby rolled up the cuff of Toauze over her knee

“You weren’t kidding” Meggie examined the wound

“There were a lot of splinters,” Abby explained “I’m afraid it’s quite tender”

“Of course it is” She sat up “Josh?”

“Meggie, please…”