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I should take this ugly deal, I thought, and turn land immediately and make my own life there,for every opportunity possible to deny my existence

"Rain?"

I turned and looked out over the lake What would Grandmother Hudson say to all this? What would she expect me to do?

I recalled the day I had left her Every ered in my mind vividly I was so concerned then that it would be the last tiht She had looked into my face with such hope and said, "I was afraid there was nobody in ht things Don't disappoint me"

"Grandan and turned slowly to face my mother "I made her certain promises, promises she will expect me to keep, even now, e a comma in her will," I said defiantly

My mother looked shocked Obviously she had been so confident she would convince me to do what Grant had wanted

"But Rain, look at ill happen Victoria won't give up easily and "

"So, "I think your husband will be able to convince her"

She just stared I smiled and she shook her head "You really are like her," she said angrily

"That, Mother, was the best coiven me"

She nodded, turned and started back toward the house I took a deep breath

I was afraid

My whole body tre to do or how I

would defend myself, but I was on Grandmother Hudson's land and I was in her house and her words still echoed inside me

This wouldn't be easy, I thought as I started back, too "So?" I could hear Grand ever been easy for you, Rain?"