["\\\"This\ttool\tis\tvery\tprimitive.\tAre\tyou\tsure\tthere's\tno\teasier\tway?\\\" \\\"Not\tin\tthis\tcentury,\tHornblower.\\\"\tShe\tpointed\tdown.\t\\\"Dig.\\\" \\\"You\tcan\thave\tthe\tfirst\tturn.\\\" \\\"That's\tall\tright.\\\"\tShe\tsat\ton\tthe\tground\tand\ttucked\tup\ther\tlegs.\t\\\"I wouldn't\twant\tto\tdeprive\tyou.\\\" She\twatched\thim\tput\this\tback\tinto\tit.\tWhat\twould\the\tuse,\tshe\twondered, to\tdig\tit\tup\tagain?\tHow\twould\the\tfeel\twhen\the\topened\tit?\tHe\twould\tbe thinking\tof\ther,\tshe\tknew\tthat.\tAnd\the\twould\tmiss\ther.\tShe\thoped\the would\tsit\tin\tthis\tsame\tspot\tand\tread\tthe\tletter\tshe\thad\ttucked\tinto\tthe box.\tShe'd\tmade\tcertain\the\thadn't\tseen\ther\tput\tit\tin. It\twas\tonly\ta\tpage,\tbut\tshe'd\tput\ther\theart\ton\tit. She\tcupped\ther\tchin\tin\ther\thand,\tlistened\tto\tthe\twater's\tmusic\tand remembered\tevery\tword. Cal.\tWhen\tyou\tread\tthis,\tyou'll\tbe\thome.\tI\twant\tyou\tto\tknow\thow\thappy\tI am\tfor\tyou.\tI\tcan't\tclaim\tto\tunderstand\twhat\tit\twas\tlike\tfor\tyou\tto\tfind yourself\there,\taway\tfrom\teverything\tfamiliar,\tseparated\tfrom\tyour\tfamily and\tfriends.\tBut\tI\twanted\tyou\tto\tknow\tthat\tin\tmy\theart\tI\twanted\tyou\tto\tbe where\tyou\tbelonged. I\tdon't\tknow\tif\tI\tcan\tmake\tyou\tunderstand\twhat\tthe\ttime\tI've\thad\twith\tyou has\tmeant\tto\tme.\tI\tlove\tyou\tso\tmuch,\tCaleb.\tIt\toverwhelms\tme.\tThere won't\tbe\ta\tday\tthat\tgoes\tby\tthat\tI\twon't\tthink\tof\tyou.\tBut\tI\twon't\tbe unhappy.\tPlease\tdon't\tthink\tof\tme,\tor\tremember\tme\tthat\tway.\tWhat\tyou gave\tto\tme\tin\tthese\tfew\tdays\tis\tmore\tthan\tI\tever\timagined,\tall\tI\tever needed.\tWhenever\tI\tlook\tat\tthe\tsky,\tI'll\tpicture\tyou. I'll\tstill\tstudy\tthe\tpast\tto\ttry\tto\tunderstand\twhy\tman\tis\twhat\the\tis.\tNow, having\tknown\tyou,\tI'll\talways\thave\thope\tfor\twhat\the\tcan\tbecome. Be\thappy.\tI\twant\tto\tknow\tyou\tare.\tDon't\tforget\tme.\tI\twanted\tto\tput\ta sprig\tof\trosemary\tin\tthe\tcapsule,\tbut\tI\twas\tafraid\tit\twould\tonly\tturn\tto dust.\tFind\tsome,\tand\tthink\tof\tme.\t\\\"Pray,\tlove,\tremember.\\\"","Libby. \\\"Libby?\\\"\tCal\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\tshovel,\twatching\ther. \\\"Yes?\\\" \\\"Where\twere\tyou?\\\" \\\"Oh,\tnot\tvery\tfar\taway.\\\"\tGlancing\tdown,\tshe\tlifted\ta\tbrow.\t\\\"Well,\tI\tknew\ta big\tstrong\tman\tlike\tyou\tcould\tdig\ta\thole.\\\" \\\"I\tthink\tI\thave\ta\tblister.\\\" \\\"Aw.\\\"\tShe\trose\tto\tkiss\tthe\ttender\tskin\tbetween\this\tthumb\tand\tforefinger. \\\"Let's\tput\tit\tin.\tThen\tyou\tcan\twatch\twhile\tI\tcover\tit\tup.\\\" \\\"Good\tidea.\\\"\tThe\tmoment\tthe\tbox\twas\tin,\the\thanded\ther\tthe\tshovel. Libby\teyed\tit,\tthen\tthe\tpile\tof\tdirt\tthat\thad\tto\tbe\treplaced. \\\"Four\twomen\tpresidents?\\\" He\tstretched\this\ttired\tback.\t\\\"Might\thave\tbeen\tfive.\\\" With\ta\tnod,\tLibby\tbegan\tto\tshovel.\t\\\"Cal?\\\" \\\"Hmm?\\\"\tHe\twas\tgiving\tserious\tconsideration\tto\ta\tnice,\tlazy\tnap. \\\"The\tquestions\tI\tasked\tbefore,\tthose\twere\tthe\tbig\tones,\tthe\tsweeping ones.\tI\twondered\tif\tI\tcould\task\tyou\tsomething\tmore\tpersonal.\\\" \\\"Probably.\\\" \\\"Would\tyou\ttell\tme\tabout\tyour\tfamily?\\\" \\\"What\twould\tyou\tlike\tto\tknow?\\\" \\\"Who\tthey\tare,\twhat\tthey're\tlike.\\\"\tShe\ttossed\tdirt\tinto\tthe\thole\tin\ta\tsteady rhythm\tthat\tCal\tenjoyed.\t\\\"I'd\tlike\tto\timagine\tI\tknew\tthem\ta\tlittle.\\\" \\\"My\tfather's\ta\tresearch\tand\tdevelopment\ttechnician.\tLab\twork,\tall indoors\tand\tconfining.\tHe's\tvery\tdedicated,\tdependable.\tAt\thome\the","indoors\tand\tconfining.\tHe's\tvery\tdedicated,\tdependable.\tAt\thome\the likes\tto\tgarden,\tplants\tflowers\tfrom\tseed\tand\tworks\tthem\tall\tby\thand.\\\" As\the\tdrew\tin\tthe\tscent\tof\tthe\tfreshly\tturned\tearth\tthat\tLibby\tworked,\tCal could\talmost\tsee\this\tfather\tcultivating\this\tgarden. \\\"Sometimes\the\tpaints.\tReally,\treally\tbad\tlandscapes\tand\tstill\tlifes.\tHe even\tknows\tthey're\tbad,\tbut\the\tclaims\tart\tdoesn't\thave\tto\tbe\tgood\tto\tbe art.\tHe's\talways\tthreatening\tto\thang\tone\tof\tthem\tin\tthe\thouse.\tHe's-I don't\tknow,\tsteady.\tI\tdoubt\tI've\theard\thim\traise\this\tvoice\tmore\tthan\ta dozen\ttimes\tin\tmy\tlife.\tBut\tyou\tlisten\tto\thim.\tHe's\tlike\tthe\tadhesive\tthat kept\tthe\tfamily\tcentered.\\\" He\tstretched\tout\ton\tthe\tgrass\tto\twatch\tthe\tsky\tas\the\tcontinued.\t\\\"My mother\tis-what\twas\tthat\tterm\tyou\tused\tonce?\tWired?\tShe's\tpacked\twith energy\tand\ta\tblazing\tintellect\tthat's\talmost\tscary.\tShe\tintimidates\ta\tlot\tof people.\tShe's\talways\tamused\tby\tthat.\tI\tguess\tbecause\tinside\tshe's\tsoft as\tbutter.\tShe\traised\ther\tvoice\tplenty,\tbut\tshe\talways\tfelt\tguilty\tabout\tit. Jacob\tand\tI\tgave\ther\ta\thell\tof\ta\ttime. \\\"In\ther\tfree\ttime\tshe\tlikes\tto\tread-flashy\tnovels\tor\timpossibly\ttechnical books.\tShe's\tchief\tcounsel\tfor\tthe\tUnited\tMinistry\tof\tNations,\tso\tshe's always\tporing\tover\tsome\tsix-inch\tpile\tof\tlegal\tdocuments.\\\" \\\"The\tUnited\tMinistry\tof\tNations?\\\" \\\"I\tguess\tyou'd\tcall\tit\tan\textension\tof\tthe\tUN.\tIt\thad\tto\tbe\texpanded\tin- hell,\tI\tdon't\tknow\twhen.\tI\tthink\tit\twas\texpanded\tbecause\tof\tthe\tcolonies and\tsettlements.\\\" \\\"It\tsounds\tlike\ta\tvery\tprestigious\tposition.\\\"\tLibby\tdiscovered\tshe\twas already\tintimidated. \\\"Yes.\tShe\tthrives\ton\tit.\tOn\tthe\twork\tand\tthe\tworry.\tShe's\tgot\ta\tgreat laugh-one\tof\tthose\tbig\tfill-the-room\tkind\tof\tlaughs.\tThey\tmet\tin\tDublin. She\twas\tpracticing\tlaw\tthere,\tand\tmy\tfather\twent\tover\tfor\ta\tvacation. They\tmatched\tand\tended\tup\tin\tPhiladelphia.\\\" Libby\ttamped\tdown\tthe\tdirt.\tIt\thad\tbeen\timpossible\tnot\tto\thear\tthe affection\tin\this\tvoice,\timpossible\tnot\tto\tunderstand\tit.\t\\\"What\tabout\tyour","affection\tin\this\tvoice,\timpossible\tnot\tto\tunderstand\tit.\t\\\"What\tabout\tyour brother?\\\" \\\"Jacob.\tHe's-intense\tis\ta\tgood\tword.\tHe\tgets\this\tbrain\tfrom\tmy\tmother, and\this\ttemperament,\tshe\tclaims,\tfrom\ther\tgrandfather.\tYou're\tnever quite\tsure\twith\tJ.T.\twhether\the's\tgoing\tto\tgrin\tat\tyou\tor\tthrow\ta\tpunch. He\tstudied\tlaw\tand\tthen,\twhen\the'd\thad\this\tfill\tof\tit,\tdived\tinto astrophysics.\tHe\tcollects\tproblems\tso\tthat\the\tcan\tpick\tthem\tapart.\tHe's\ta sonofabitch.\\\" Cal\tsaid\taffectionately,\t\\\"but\the\thas\tmy\tfather's\tunswerving, immeasurable\tsense\tof\tloyalty.\\\" \\\"Do\tyou\tlike\tthem?\\\"\tWhen\tCal\tlooked\tup,\tshe\telaborated.\t\\\"What\tI\tmean is,\tmost\tpeople\tlove\ttheir\tfamily,\tbut\tthey\taren't\tnecessarily\tfriends\twith them.\tI\twondered\tif\tyou\tliked\tthem.\\\" \\\"Yes,\tI\tdo.\\\"\tHe\twatched\tas\tshe\tstrapped\tthe\tshovel\tback\ton\tthe\tcycle. \\\"They'd\tlike\tyou.\\\" \\\"I\tcould\tmeet\tthem\tif\tyou\ttook\tme\twith\tyou.\\\"\tShe\tbit\ther\tlip\tthe\tmoment the\twords\twere\tout.\tShe\tcouldn't\tturn\taround\tto\tlook\tat\thim.\tShe\tcouldn't have\tsaid\tjust\twhen\tthe\tthought\thad\thatched\tin\ther\tmind. \\\"Libby-\\\"\tHe\twas\tup\tand\tstanding\tbehind\ther,\this\thands\thovering\tover\ther shoulders. \\\"I've\tstudied\tthe\tpast,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tquickly,\tturning\tand\tgripping\this forearms.\t\\\"If\tyou\tlet\tme\tcome\twith\tyou,\tit\twould\tgive\tme\tthe\tchance\tto study\tthe\tfuture.\\\" He\tframed\ther\tface\twith\this\thands.\tThere\twas\ta\tglint\tof\ttears\tin\ther\teyes. \\\"And\tyour\tfamily?\\\" \\\"They'd\tunderstand.\tI'd\tleave\tthem\ta\tletter,\ttry\tto\texplain.\\\" \\\"They'd\tnever\tbelieve\tyou,\\\"\the\tsaid\tquietly.\t\\\"They'd\tspend\tyears\tlooking for\tyou,\twondering\tif\tyou\twere\tstill\talive.\tLibby,\tcan't\tyou\tsee\tthat's\twhat's tearing\tme\tapart\tabout\tmy\town?\tThey\tdon't\tknow\twhere\tI\tam\tor\twhat's happened\tto\tme.\tI\tknow\tby\tnow\tthey're\twaiting\tto\thear\tif\tI'm\tdead\tor","happened\tto\tme.\tI\tknow\tby\tnow\tthey're\twaiting\tto\thear\tif\tI'm\tdead\tor alive.\\\" \\\"I'll\tmake\tthem\tunderstand.\\\"\tShe\theard\tthe\tdesperation\tin\ther\town\tvoice and\tfought\tto\tsteady\tit.\t\\\"If\tthey\tknow\tI'm\thappy,\tthat\tI'm\tdoing\twhat\tI\twant to\tdo,\tthey'll\tbe\tsatisfied\twith\tthat.\\\" \\\"Maybe.\tYes,\tif\tthey\twere\tsure.\tBut\tI\tcan't\ttake\tyou,\tLibby.\\\" She\tmade\ther\thands\tdrop\taway\tand\tstepped\tback.\t\\\"No,\tof\tcourse\tnot.\tI don't\tknow\twhat\tI\twas\tthinking\tof.\tI\tgot\tcaught\tup-\\\" \\\"Damn\tit,\tdon't.\\\"\tGrabbing\ther\tarms,\the\thauled\ther\tagainst\thim.\t\\\"Don't think\tI\tdon't\twant\tyou,\tbecause\tI\tdo.\tIt's\tnot\ta\tchoice\tof\tright\tor\twrong, Libby.\tIf\tI\tcould\tbe\tsure,\tif\tthere\twere\tno\trisks\tinvolved,\tI\tmight\ttoss\tyou on\tthe\tdamn\tship\twhether\tyou\twanted\tto\tgo\twith\tme\tor\tnot.\\\" \\\"Risks?\\\"\tShe'd\tstiffened\tat\tthe\tword,\tand\tnow\tshe\tdrew\tback.\t\\\"What risks?\\\" \\\"Nothing's\tfoolproof.\\\" \\\"Don't\ttreat\tme\tlike\ta\tfool.\tWhat\trisks?\\\" He\tlet\tout\ta\tlong\tbreath.\tThere\twas\ta\tcalculation\the\thadn't\tgiven\ther\tthe night\tbefore.\t\\\"The\tprobability\tfactor\tfor\ta\tsuccessful\ttime\twarp\tis\t76.4.\\\" \\\"76.4,\\\"\tshe\trepeated.\t\\\"It\tdoesn't\ttake\ta\tgenius\tto\tfigure\tout\tthat\tleaves 23.6\tas\tthe\tfactor\tfor\tfailure.\tWhat\thappens\tif\tyou\tfail?\\\" \\\"I\tdon't\tknow.\\\"\tBut\the\tcould\tmake\ta\tgood\tguess.\tFrying\tin\tthe\tsun's gravitational\tpull\twas\tone\tof\tthe\tless\tpainful\tpossibilities.\t\\\"And\tI\twon't take\tchances\twith\tyou,\tno\tmatter\thow\tmuch\tI\twant\tyou\twith\tme.\\\" She\twasn't\tgoing\tto\tpanic,\tbecause\tpanic\twouldn't\thelp.\tTaking\tthree deep\tbreaths,\tshe\tfelt\tsome\tbalance\treturn.\t\\\"Caleb,\tif\tyou\tgave\tyourself a\tlittle\tmore\ttime,\tdo\tyou\tthink\tyou\tcould\tnarrow\tthe\todds?\\\" \\\"Maybe.\tProbably,\\\"\the\tconceded.\t\\\"Libby,\tI'm\trunning\tout\tof\ttime.\tThe ship's\talready\tbeen\tin\tthe\topen\tfor\ttwo\tweeks.\tIt\twas\tblind\tluck\tthat\twe headed\toff\tthe\tRankins\tyesterday.\tWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink\twould\thappen\tto","headed\toff\tthe\tRankins\tyesterday.\tWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink\twould\thappen\tto me,\tto\tus,\tif\tit\twere\tfound?\tIf\tI\twere\tfound?\\\" \\\"The\treal\tseason\tdoesn't\tstart\tfor\tweeks.\tWe\thardly\tget\tmore\tthan\ta dozen\thikers\tin\ta\tyear.\\\" \\\"It\tonly\ttakes\tone.\\\" He\twas\tright,\tand\tshe\tknew\tit.\tThey'd\tbeen\tliving\ton\tborrowed\ttime\tright from\tthe\tstart.\t\\\"I'll\tnever\tknow,\twill\tI?\\\"\tShe\ttraced\ta\tfinger\tunder\tthe fading\twound\ton\this\tbrow.\t\\\"Whether\tyou\tmade\tit.\\\" \\\"I'm\ta\tgood\tpilot.\tTrust\tme.\\\"\tHe\tkissed\ther\tfingers.\t\\\"And\tit'll\tbe\teasier\tfor me\tto\tconcentrate\tif\tI'm\tnot\tworried\tabout\tyou.\\\" \\\"It's\thard\tto\targue\twith\tcommon\tsense.\\\"\tShe\tworked\tup\ta\tsmile.\t\\\"I\tknow you\tsaid\tyou\thad\ta\tfew\tlast\tdetails\tto\tsee\tto\tat\tthe\tship.\tI'm\tjust\tgoing\tto walk\tback\tto\tthe\tcabin.\\\" \\\"I\twon't\tbe\tlong.\\\" \\\"Take\tyour\ttime.\\\"\tShe\tneeded\tsome\tof\ther\town.\t\\\"I'll\tfix\ta\tbon\tvoyage supper.\\\"\tShe\tstarted\toff\tat\tan\teasy\tgait,\tthen\tcalled\tover\ther\tshoulder, \\\"Oh,\tHornblower,\tpick\tme\tsome\tflowers.\\\" He\tpicked\tan\tarmful.\tIt\twasn't\teasy\tbalancing\tthem\tas\the\tflew\tthe\tcycle. The\tpath\tbeneath\thim\twas\tstrewn\twith\twhite\tand\tpink\tand\tpale\tblue blossoms.\tHe\tthought\tthey\tsmelled\tlike\ther-fresh,\tearthy,\texotic. In\tthe\thours\the'd\tworked\taboard\tship\tone\tthought\thad\trun\tcontinually through\this\tmind.\tShe'd\tbeen\twilling\tto\tgo\twith\thim.\tTo\tleave\ther\thome. Not\tjust\ther\thome,\the\tcorrected.\tHer\tlife. Perhaps\tit\thad\tbeen\timpulse,\tsomething\tthat\thad\tbeen\tborn\tof\tthe moment. Reasons\tdidn't\tmatter.\tHe\tneeded\tto\thold\ton\tto\tthat\tone\tsweet\tthought. She'd\tbeen\twilling\tto\tgo\twith\thim. He\tsaw\tonly\tthe\tfaintest\tlight\tthrough\tthe\tkitchen\twindow.\tThat\thad\thim","He\tsaw\tonly\tthe\tfaintest\tlight\tthrough\tthe\tkitchen\twindow.\tThat\thad\thim frowning\tas\the\tstored\this\tbike\tand\tretrieved\ta\tfew\tof\tthe\tfallen\tflowers. Perhaps\tshe'd\tdecided\tto\ttake\ta\tnap\tor\twas\twaiting\tfor\thim\tin\tthe\tfront\tof the\tcabin\tby\tthe\tfire. He\tliked\tthe\tidea\tof\tseeing\ther\tthere,\tcurled\tup\ton\tthe\tcouch\tunder\tone of\ther\tmother's\texquisite\tthrows.\tShe'd\tbe\treading,\ther\teyes\ta\tlittle sleepy\tbehind\ther\tglasses. Pleased\twith\tthe\timage,\the\topened\tthe\tdoor\tand\tfound\ta\tcompletely different,\tand\teven\tmore\talluring,\tone. She\twas\twaiting\tfor\thim.\tBut\tit\twas\tcandlelight.\tShe\twas\tstill\tlighting them,\tdozens\tof\tthem,\tall\tpure\twhite.\tThe\ttable\twas\tset\tfor\ttwo,\tand\ta bottle\tof\tchampagne\tsat\tnestled\tin\ta\tclear\tbucket.\tThe\troom\tsmelled\tof candles,\tof\tthe\tspices\tshe'd\tused\tfor\tcooking,\tand\tof\ther. She\tturned\tto\tsmile\tat\thim,\tand\the\tfelt\tthe\tbreath\tquite\tsimply\tleave\this body. Her\thair\twas\tswept\tup\toff\ther\tneck\tso\tthat\the\tcould\tsee\tthe\tlong,\tdelicate curve.\tShe\twore\ta\tdress\tthe\tcolor\tof\tmoonlight\tthat\tglittered\tat\tthe\tbodice as\tshe\tmoved.\tIt\tleft\ther\tshoulders\tbare,\tthen\tslipped\tlike\ta\tlover\tdown her\thips\tand\tthighs. \\\"You\tremembered.\\\"\tShe\tcrossed\tto\thim,\tholding\tout\ther\tarms\tfor\tthe flowers.\tHe\tdidn't\tmove\ta\tmuscle.\t\\\"Are\tthey\tfor\tme?\\\" \\\"What?\tYes.\\\"\tLike\ta\tman\tin\ta\ttrance,\the\toffered\tthem\tto\ther.\t\\\"There\twere more\twhen\tI\tstarted\tout.\\\" \\\"This\tis\tmore\tthan\tenough.\\\"\tShe\thad\ta\tvase\twaiting,\tand\tshe\tfilled\tit. \\\"Dinner's\talmost\tready.\tI\thope\tyou\tlike\tit.\\\" \\\"You\tdazzle\tme,\tLiberty.\\\" She\tturned\tback,\telectrified\tby\twhat\tshe\tsaw\tin\this\teyes.\t\\\"I\twanted\tto, just\tonce.\\\"\tWhen\the\tjust\tcontinued\tto\tstare,\ther\tshyness\trose\tup\tand\thad her\ttwisting\ther\tfingers.\t\\\"I\tbought\tthe\tchampagne\tand\tthe\tdress\twhile\tI was\tin\ttown\tyesterday.\tI\tthought\tit\twould\tbe\tnice\tto\tdo\tsomething\ta\tlittle","was\tin\ttown\tyesterday.\tI\tthought\tit\twould\tbe\tnice\tto\tdo\tsomething\ta\tlittle special\ttonight.\\\" \\\"I'm\tafraid\tif\tI\tmove\tyou'll\tvanish.\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tShe\toffered\ther\thand\tand\tgripped\thard\twhen\the\ttook\tit.\t\\\"I'll\tstay right\there.\tWhy\tdon't\tyou\topen\tthe\tbottle?\\\" \\\"I\twant\tto\tkiss\tyou\tfirst.\\\" Her\theart\twent\tinto\ther\tsmile\tas\tshe\twound\ther\tarms\taround\this\tneck. \\\"AH\tright.\tJust\tonce.\\\" They\tate.\tBut\tthe\ttrouble\tshe\thad\tgone\tto\tover\tthe\tmeal\twas\twasted. They\tdidn't\tknow\twhat\tthey\twere\ttasting.\tChampagne\twas\tsuperfluous. They\twere\talready\tdrunk\ton\teach\tother.\tThe\tcandles\tburned\tdown\tlow while\tthey\tlingered. They\tcarried\tsome\tup\tto\tthe\tbedroom,\tfilling\tthe\troom\twith\tthe\tsoft, flickering\tlight\tso\tthat\tthey\tcould\twatch\teach\tother\tas\tthey\tloved. There\twas\tsweetness,\tslow,\tsavoring\tsweetness.\tThere\twas\turgency, fevered,\tracing\turgency.\tThere\twas\tpower\tand\ttenderness,\tdemand\tand generosity. Hour\tmelted\tinto\thour,\tbut\tthey\tnever\tdrew\tapart.\tEach\ttremble,\teach sigh,\teach\theartbeat\twould\tbe\tremembered.\tThe\tcandles\tguttered\tout, but\tthey\twere\tstill\twrapped\ttogether. Then,\tthough\tthe\twords\twere\tnever\tspoken,\tthey\tknew\tit\twas\tthe\tlast time.\tHis\thands\tseemed\tthat\tmuch\tmore\tgentle,\ther\tlips\tthat\tmuch\tsofter. When\tit\twas\tover,\tthe\tbeauty\tleft\ther\tweak\tand\tweepy.\tIn\tdefense,\tshe curled\tagainst\thim\tand\tprayed\tfor\tsleep.\tShe\tcouldn't\tbear\tto\twatch\thim go. He\tlay\tstill,\twakeful\tuntil\tthe\tfirst\tfaint\thints\tof\tlight\tcrept\tinto\tthe\troom.\tHe was\tgrateful\tshe\tslept;\the\twould\tnever\thave\tbeen\table\tto\tsay\tgoodbye. When\the\trose\tit\thurt,\ta\tsharp,\tsweet\tache\tthat\trocked\thim.\tMoving quickly,\tstruggling\tto\tkeep\this\tmind\tblank,\the\tpulled\ton\tthe\tjumpsuit\tshe'd set\tout\tfor\thim.","set\tout\tfor\thim. Afraid\tof\twaking\ther,\the\ttouched\tonly\ther\thair,\tthen\tmoved\tquietly\tout\tof the\troom.\tLibby\topened\ther\teyes\tonly\twhen\tshe\theard\tthe\tsoft\tclick\tof the\tcabin\tdoor.\tTurning\ther\tface\tinto\tthe\tpillow,\tshe\tlet\tthe\ttears\tcome. The\tship\twas\tsecured,\tand\tthe\tcalculations\twere\tplotted.\tCal\tsat\ton\tthe bridge\tand\twatched\tnight\tfade.\tIt\twas\timportant\tthat\the\ttake\toff\tbefore sunrise.\tHe\thad\tthe\ttiming\tdown\tto\ta\tmillisecond.\tThere\twas\tlittle\troom for\terror.\tHis\tlife\tdepended\ton\tit. But\this\tthoughts\tkept\tdrifting\tback\tto\tLibby.\tWhy\thadn't\the\tknown\tit would\thurt\tthis\tbadly\tto\tleave?\tYet\the\thad\tto\tleave.\tHis\tlife,\this\ttime, weren't\there\twith\thers.\tThere\twas\tno\tuse\tgoing\tover\tagain\twhat\the\thad already\tagonized\tover\ta\tdozen\ttimes. Still,\the\tsat\twhile\tprecious\tmoments\tclicked\taway. Prepare\tfor\tstandard\torbital\tflight. \\\"Yes,\\\"\the\ttold\tthe\tcomputer\tabsently.\tInstruments\tbegan\tto\thum.\tIn\ta way\tthat\twas\tsecond\tnature\tto\thim,\tCal\tprepared\tfor\ttake\toff.\tHe\tpaused again,\tstaring\tat\tthe\tviewscreen. All\tsystems\tready.\tIgnition\tat\tyour\tdiscretion. \\\"Right.\tCommence\tcountdown.\\\" Commencing.\tTen,\tnine,\teight,\tseven\u2014 From\tthe\tkitchen\tdoorway,\tLibby\theard\tthe\trumble.\tImpatient,\tshe\trubbed tears\tfrom\ther\teyes\tand\tstrained\tto\tsee.\tThere\twas\ta\tflash.\tShe\tthought she\tcaught\ta\tquick\tglint\tof\tmetal\tstreaking\tacross\tthe\tlightening\tsky. Then\tit\twas\tgone.\tThe\twoods\twere\tquiet\tagain. She\tshivered.\tShe\twished\tshe\tcould\tconvince\therself\tit\twas\tbecause\tthe air\twas\tchill\tand\tshe\twas\twearing\tonly\ther\tshort\tblue\trobe. \\\"Be\tsafe,\\\"\tshe\tmurmured.\tThen\tgave\tin\tand\tallowed\therself\tthe\tluxury\tof a\tfew\tmore\ttears.","a\tfew\tmore\ttears. Life\twent\ton,\tshe\tlectured\therself.\tThe\tbirds\twere\tbeginning\tto\tsing.\tThe sun\twas\tnearly\tup. She\twanted\tto\tdie. That\twas\tnonsense.\tShaking\therself,\tshe\tset\tthe\tkettle\ton\tto\tboil.\tShe was\tgoing\tto\thave\ta\tcup\tof\ttea,\twash\tthe\tdishes\tthey'd\tbeen\ttoo\tcareless to\tnotice\tthe\tnight\tbefore.\tThen\tshe\twas\tgoing\tback\tto\twork. She\twould\twork\tuntil\tshe\tcouldn't\tkeep\ther\teyes\topen,\tand\tthen\tshe would\tsleep.\tShe\twould\tget\tup\tagain\tand\twork\tagain\tuntil\ther dissertation\twas\tcomplete.\tIt\twould\tbe\tthe\tbest\tdamn\tpaper\ther colleagues\thad\tever\tread.\tAnd\tthen\tshe'd\ttravel. And\tshe\twould\tmiss\thim\tuntil\tthe\tday\tshe\tdied. When\tthe\tkettle\tboiled,\tshe\tpoured\ther\ttea,\tthen\tsat\twith\tit\tat\tthe\tkitchen table.\tAfter\ta\tmoment,\tshe\tshoved\tit\taside,\tlaid\ther\thead\ton\ther\tfolded hands\tand\twept\tagain. \\\"Libby.\\\" She\tknocked\tthe\tchair\tover\tas\tshe\trose.\tHe\twas\tthere,\tstanding\tin\tthe doorway,\tfatigue\tall\tover\this\tface\tand\tsomething,\tsomething\tmuch\tmore powerful,\tin\this\teyes.\tShe\trubbed\thers.\tHe\tcouldn't\tbe\tthere. \\\"Caleb?\\\" \\\"Why\tare\tyou\tcrying?\\\" She\theard\thim.\tDazed,\tshe\tpressed\ta\thand\tagainst\ther\tear.\t\\\"Caleb.\\\"\tShe repeated.\t\\\"But\thow-I\theard,\tI\tsaw-You're\tgone.\\\" \\\"Have\tyou\tbeen\tcrying\tsince\tI\tleft?\\\"\tHe\tstepped\ttoward\ther\tbut\tonly touched\ta\tfingertip\tto\ther\tdamp\tcheek. His\ttouch\twas\treal.\tIf\tshe\twas\tmad,\tshe\taccepted\tit.\t\\\"I\tdon't\tunderstand. How\tcan\tyou\tbe\there?\\\"","\\\"I\thave\ta\tquestion\tto\task\tyou\tfirst.\\\"\tHe\tdropped\this\thands\tto\this\tsides. \\\"Just\tone\tquestion.\tAre\tyou\tin\tlove\twith\tme?\\\" \\\"I-I\tneed\tto\tsit\tdown.\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tHe\tcaught\ther\tarm\tand\theld\ther\tstill.\t\\\"I\twant\tan\tanswer.\tAre\tyou\tin love\twith\tme?\\\" \\\"Yes.\tOnly\tan\tidiot\twould\thave\tto\task.\\\" He\tsmiled,\tbut\this\tgrip\theld\tfirm.\t\\\"Why\tdidn't\tyou\tever\ttell\tme?\\\" \\\"Because\tI\tdidn't\twant-I\tknew\tyou\thad\tto\tgo.\\\"\tDizzy,\tshe\tput\ta\thand\tto her\thead.\t\\\"Let\tme\tsit.\\\" He\treleased\ther,\tthen\twatched\ther\tsink\tunsteadily\tinto\ta\tchair. \\\"I\thaven't\tslept,\\\"\tshe\tmurmured,\tas\tif\tto\therself.\t\\\"I\tsuppose\tI\tcould\tbe hallucinating.\\\" He\ttilted\ther\thead\tback,\tthen\tplanted\ta\thard,\tbruising\tkiss\ton\ther\tmouth. Before\the\tcould\tstop\thimself,\the\tdragged\ther\thalfway\tout\tof\tthe\tchair.\t\\\"Is that\treal\tenough\tfor\tyou?\\\" \\\"Yes,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tweakly.\t\\\"Yes.\tBut\tI\tdon't\tunderstand.\tHow\tcan\tyou\tbe here?\\\" He\tlet\ther\tgo\tagain.\t\\\"I\trode\tthe\tcycle.\\\" \\\"No,\tI\tmean-\\\"\tWhat\tdid\tshe\tmean?\t\\\"I\twas\tstanding\tat\tthe\tdoor.\tI\theard you\ttake\toff.\tI\teven\tsaw,\tjust\ta\tglimpse,\tbut\tI\tsaw\tthe\tship\tin\tthe\tsky.\\\" \\\"I\tsent\tit\tback.\tThe\tcomputer's\tat\tthe\thelm.\\\" \\\"You\tsent\tit\tback,\\\"\tshe\trepeated\tslowly.\t\\\"Oh,\tmy\tGod,\tCaleb,\twhy?\\\" \\\"Only\tan\tidiot\twould\thave\tto\task.\\\" Her\teyes\tfilled\tand\tspilled\tover.\t\\\"No,\tnot\tfor\tme.\tI\tcan't\tbear\tit.\tYour family-\\\"","\\\"I\tleft\ta\tdisk\tfor\tthem.\tI\ttold\tthem\teverything,\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tmore\tthan what's\tin\tthe\treport\tI\tleft\ton\tboard.\tWhere\tI\twas,\twhy\tI\thad\tto\tstay.\tIf\tthe ship\tmakes\tit\tback,\tand\tit\thas\tas\tgood\ta\tchance\twithout\tme\tas\tit\tdid\twith me,\tthey'll\tunderstand.\\\" \\\"I\tcan't\task\tyou\tto\tdo\tthis.\\\" \\\"You\tdidn't.\\\"\tHe\ttook\ther\thand\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tturn\taway\tagain.\t\\\"You would\thave\tgone\twith\tme,\twouldn't\tyou,\tLibby?\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\" \\\"I\tmight\thave\ttaken\tyou\tup\ton\tthat\tif\tI'd\tbeen\tsure\twe\twould\thave\tlived through\tit.\tListen\tto\tme.\\\"\tHe\tdrew\ther\tto\ther\tfeet.\t\\\"I'd\tstarted\tcountdown. I'd\tconvinced\tmyself\tthat\tmy\tlife\twas\tback\tthere\twhere\tI'd\tleft\tit.\tThere were\ta\tdozen\tlogical\treasons\twhy\tI\thad\tto\tgo.\tAnd\tthere\twas\tone,\tonly one,\treason\tI\thad\tto\tstay.\tI\tlove\tyou.\tMy\tlife\tis\there.\\\"\tHe\ttightened\this grip,\tbrought\ther\tclose.\t\\\"I\tcame\tthrough\ttime\tfor\tyou,\tLibby.\tDon't\tever, ever\tthink\tI\tmade\ta\tmistake.\\\" She\tshook\ther\thead.\t\\\"I'm\tafraid\tyou'll\tthink\tso.\\\" \\\"'Time\tis-Time\twas-Time\tis\tpast',\\\"\the\tmurmured.\t\\\"My\ttime\tis\tin\tthe\tpast, Libby.\tWith\tyou.\\\" Her\teyes\tfilmed\tover\tagain.\t\\\"I\tlove\tyou\tso\tmuch,\tCaleb.\tI'll\tmake\tyou happy.\\\" \\\"I'm\tcounting\ton\tit.\\\"\tHe\tpicked\ther\tup,\tpausing\tto\tcapture\ther\tmouth\tin\ta long,\tlong\tkiss.\t\\\"You\tneed\tsleep,\\\"\the\ttold\ther.\t\\\"Real\tsleep.\\\" \\\"No,\tI\tdon't.\\\" He\tlaughed,\tand\tthe\tlast\tvestige\tof\ttension\tfled.\tHe\twas\texactly\twhere\the belonged.\t\\\"We'll\tsee.\tLater\twe'll\ttalk\tabout\thow\twe're\tgoing\tto\thandle\tthe rest\tof\tthis.\\\" \\\"Rest?\\\"","\\\"The\tmarriage-and-family\tpart\tI\tcan\thandle.\\\" \\\"You\thaven't\tasked\tme\tyet.\\\" \\\"I'll\tget\taround\tto\tit.\tAnyway,\tI'm\tgoing\tto\tneed\tnew\tID.\tThen\tI've\tgot\tto get\ta\tjob.\tSomething\twith\ta-an\tannual\tsalary,\tright?\\\" \\\"Something\tyou\tenjoy,\\\"\tshe\tcorrected.\t\\\"That's\tmore\timportant\tthan\tsalary and\tgroup\thospitalization.\\\" \\\"Group\twhat?\\\" \\\"Don't\tworry\tabout\tit.\\\"\tShe\tnuzzled\tinto\this\tneck.\t\\\"I\tsuppose\tDad\tcould give\tyou\tsome\tkind\tof\tposition\tuntil\tyou\tfigure\tit\tall\tout.\\\" \\\"I\tdon't\tthink\tI\twant\tto\tmake\ttea.\\\"\tSuddenly\tinspired,\the\tstopped\tby\tthe side\tof\tthe\tbed.\t\\\"Tell\tme,\thow\tdo\tyou\tgo\tabout\tgetting\ta\tpilot's\tlicense around\there?\\\" Times\tChange","CHAPTER\t1 He\tknew\tthe\trisks.\tHe\twas\ta\tman\twho\twas\twilling\tto\ttake\tthem.\tOne misstep,\tone\tbad\tcall,\tand\tit\twould\tall\tbe\tover,\tessentially\tbefore\tit\thad begun.\tBut\the\thad\talways\tconsidered\tlife\ta\tgamble.\tOften-perhaps\ttoo often-he\thad\tallowed\this\timpulses\tto\trule\tand\tplunged\trecklessly\tinto potentially\tdangerous\tsituations.\tIn\tthis\tcase,\the\thad\tfigured\tthe\todds painstakingly. Two\tyears\tof\this\tlife\thad\tbeen\tspent\tcalculating,\tsimulating,\tconstructing. The\tmost\tminute\tdetails\thad\tbeen\tconsidered,\tcomputed\tand\tanalyzed. He\twas\ta\tvery\tpatient\tman-when\tit\tcame\tto\this\twork.\tHe\tknew\twhat could\thappen.\tNow\tit\twas\ttime\tto\tdiscover\twhat\twould. More\tthan\ta\tfew\tof\this\tassociates\tbelieved\the\thad\tcrossed\tthe\tline between\tgenius\tand\tmadness.\tEven\tthose\twho\twere\tenthusiastic\tabout his\ttheories\tworried\tthat\the'd\tgone\ttoo\tfar.\tPopular\topinion\tdidn't\tconcern him.\tResults\tdid.\tAnd\tresults\tof\tthis,\tthe\tgreatest\texperience\tof\this\tlife, would\tbe\tpersonal.\tVery\tpersonal. Seated\tbehind\tthe\twide\tcurve\tof\tthe\tcontrol\tpanel,\the\tlooked\tmore\tlike\ta buccaneer\tat\tthe\thelm\tof\ta\tship\tthan\ta\tscientist\ton\tthe\tverge\tof discovery.\tBut\tscience\twas\this\tlife,\tand\tthat\tmade\thim\tas\ttrue\tan explorer\tas\tthe\tancient\tColumbus\tand\tMagellan. He\tbelieved\tin\tchance,\tin\tthe\tpurest\tsense\tof\tthe\tword-the\tunpredictable possibility\tof\texistence. He\twas\there\tnow\tto\tprove\tit.\tIn\taddition\tto\this\tcalculations,\tthe technology\tat\this\tcommand,\this\tknowledge\tand\this\tcomputations,\the needed\tone\telement\tthat\tany\texplorer\trequired\tfor\tsuccess. Luck. He\twas\talone\tnow\tin\tthe\tvast,\tsilent\tsea\tof\tspace,\tbeyond\tthe\ttraffic patterns,\tbeyond\tthe\tlast\tcharted\tquadrant.\tThere\twas\tan\tintimacy\there between\tman\tand\this\tdreams\tthat\tcould\tnever\tbe\tachieved\tin\ta laboratory.\tFor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tsince\this\tvoyage\thad\tbegun,\the\tsmiled.\tHe","laboratory.\tFor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tsince\this\tvoyage\thad\tbegun,\the\tsmiled.\tHe had\tbeen\tin\this\tlaboratory\ttoo\tlong. The\tsolitude\twas\tsoothing,\teven\ttempting.\tHe'd\talmost\tforgotten\twhat\tit was\tlike\tto\tbe\ttruly\talone,\twith\tonly\this\town\tthoughts\tfor\tcompany.\tIf\the'd chosen,\the\tcould\thave\tcruised\talong,\teasing\tback\ton\tthe\tthrottle\tand taking\tthe\taloneness\tto\theart\tfor\tas\tlong\tas\tit\tsuited\thim. Up\there,\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tman's\tdomain,\twith\this\town\tplanet\ta\tbright\tball shrinking\tin\tthe\tdistance,\the\thad\ttime.\tAnd\ttime\twas\tthe\tkey. Resisting\ttemptation,\the\tlogged\this\tcoordinates-speed,\ttrajectory, distance-all\tmeticulously\tcalculated.\tHis\tlong,\tagile\tfingers\tmoved\tover dials\tand\tswitches.\tThe\tcontrol\tpanel\tglowed\tgreen,\tcasting\ta\tmystic aura\tover\this\tsharp-featured\tface. It\twas\tconcentration\trather\tthan\tfear\tthat\tnarrowed\this\teyes\tand\tfirmed his\tlips\tas\the\thurtled\ttoward\tthe\tsun.\tHe\tknew\texactly\twhat\tthe\tresults would\tbe\tif\this\tcalculations\twere\toff\tby\teven\tthe\tslightest\tmargin.\tThe bright\tstar's\tgravity\twould\tsuck\thim\tin.\tIt\twould\ttake\tonly\ta\theartbeat\tfor his\tship\tand\tits\toccupant\tto\tbe\tvaporized. The\tultimate\tfailure,\the\tthought\tas\the\tstared\tat\tthe\tluminous\tstar\tthat filled\this\tviewing\tscreen.\tOr\tthe\tultimate\tachievement.\tIt\twas\ta\tgorgeous sight,\tthis\tglowing,\tswirling\tlight\tthat\tfilled\tthe\tcabin\tand\tdazzled\this\teyes. Even\tat\tthis\tdistance,\tthe\tsun\theld\tthe\tpower\tof\tlife\tand\tdeath.\tLike\ta\thot, hungry\twoman,\tit\tbewitched. Deliberately\the\tlowered\tthe\tshield\ton\tthe\tviewing\tscreen.\tHe\tpushed\tfor more\tspeed,\twatching\tthe\tdials\tas\the\tneared\tthe\tmaximum\tthe\tship could\thandle.\tA\tcheck\tof\tgauges\tshowed\thim\tthat\tthe\toutside temperature\twas\trising\tdramatically.\tHe\twaited,\tknowing\tthat\tbeyond\tthe protective\tscreen\tthe\tintensity\tof\tlight\twould\thave\tseared\this\tcorneas.\tA man\tshooting\ttoward\tthe\tsun\trisked\tblindness\tand\tdestruction-risked never\tachieving\this\tdestiny. He\twaited\twhile\tthe\tfirst\twarning\tbell\tsounded,\twaited\tas\tthe\tship\tbucked and\tdanced\tunder\tthe\tdemands\tof\tvelocity\tand\tgravity.\tThe\tcalm\tvoice\tof the\tcomputer\tdroned\ton,\tgiving\thim\tspeed,\tposition\tand,\tmost\timportant,","the\tcomputer\tdroned\ton,\tgiving\thim\tspeed,\tposition\tand,\tmost\timportant, time. Though\the\tcould\thear\this\town\tblood\tpounding\tin\this\tears,\this\thand\twas steady\tas\tit\turged\tmore\tspeed\tfrom\tthe\tlaboring\tengines. He\tstreaked\ttoward\tthe\tsun,\tfaster\tthan\tany\tman\thad\tever\tbeen\tknown to\tfly.\tJaw\tclenched,\the\tshoved\ta\tlever\thome.\tHis\tship\tshuddered, rocked,\tthen\ttilted.\tEnd\tover\tend\tit\ttumbled-once,\ttwice,\ta\tthird\ttime- before\the\tcould\tright\tit.\tHis\tfingers\tgripped\tthe\tcontrols\tas\tthe\tforce slapped\thim\tback\tin\tthe\tchair.\tThe\tcabin\texploded\twith\tsound\tand\tlight as\the\tfought\tto\thold\this\tcourse. For\tan\tinstant\this\tvision\tgrayed\tand\the\tthought\tfatalistically\tthat\tinstead of\tbeing\tburned\tup\tin\tthe\tsun's\theat\the\twould\tsimply\tbe\tcrushed\tby\ther gravity.\tThen\this\tship\tsprang\tfree,\tlike\tan\tarrow\tfrom\ta\tbow.\tFighting\tfor breath,\the\tadjusted\tthe\tcontrols\tand\thurtled\ttoward\this\tfate. What\timpressed\tJacob\tmost\tabout\tthe\tNorthwest\twas\tthe\tspace.\tAs\tfar as\the\tcould\tsee\tin\tany\tdirection,\tthere\twas\trock\tand\twood\tand\tsky.\tIt was\tquiet,\tnot\tsilent\tbut\tquiet,\twith\tsmall\tanimals\trustling\tin\tthe underbrush\tand\tbirds\tcalling\tas\tthey\twheeled\toverhead.\tTracks\tdimpling the\tblanket\tof\tsnow\taround\this\tship\ttold\thim\tthat\tlarger\tanimals\troamed here.\tMore\timportantly,\tthe\tsnow\titself\ttold\thim\tthat\this\tcalculations\twere off\tby\tat\tleast\ta\tmatter\tof\tmonths. For\tthe\tmoment,\the\thad\tto\tbe\tsatisfied\twith\tbeing\tapproximately\twhere he\twanted\tto\tbe.\tAnd\twith\tbeing\talive. Always\tmeticulous,\the\treturned\tto\this\tship\tto\trecord\tthe\tfacts\tand\this impressions.\tHe\thad\tseen\tpictures\tand\tvideos\tof\tthis\tplace\tand\ttime.\tFor the\tpast\tyear\the\thad\tstudied\tevery\tscrap\tof\tinformation\the\tcould\tfind\ton the\tlate\ttwentieth\tcentury.\tClothes,\tlanguage,\tsociopolitical\tatmosphere. As\ta\tscientist\the'd\tbeen\tfascinated.\tAs\ta\tman\the'd\tbeen\tappalled\tand amused\tby\tturns.\tAnd\tbaffled\twhen\the'd\tremembered\tthat\this\tbrother had\tchosen\tto\tlive\there,\tin\tthis\tprimitive\ttime\tand\tplace.\tBecause\tof\ta woman. Jacob\topened\ta\tcompartment\tand\ttook\tout\ta\tpicture.\tAn\texample\tof twentieth-century\ttechnology,\the\tmused,\tas\the\tturned\tthe\tPolaroid","twentieth-century\ttechnology,\the\tmused,\tas\the\tturned\tthe\tPolaroid snapshot\tover\tin\this\thand.\tHe\tstudied\this\tbrother\tfirst.\tCaleb's\teasy\tgrin was\tin\tplace.\tAnd\the\tlooked\tcomfortable\tsitting\ton\tthe\tsteps\tof\ta\tsmall wooden\tstructure,\tdressed\tin\tbaggy\tjeans\tand\ta\tsweater.\tHe\thad\this\tarm around\ta\twoman.\tThe\twoman\tcalled\tLibby,\tJacob\tthought\tnow.\tShe\twas unquestionably\tattractive,\tas\tfemales\twent.\tNot\tas\tflashy\tas\tCal's\tusual type,\tbut\tcertainly\tinoffensive. Just\twhat\twas\tthere\tabout\ther\tthat\thad\tmade\tCal\tgive\tup\this\thome,\this family\tand\this\tfreedom? Because\the\twas\tprepared\tto\tdislike\ther,\tJacob\ttossed\tthe\tpicture\tback\tin its\tcompartment.\tHe\twould\tsee\tthis\tLibby\tfor\thimself.\tJudge\tfor\thimself. Then\the\twould\tgive\tCal\ta\tswift\tkick\tand\ttake\thim\thome. First\tthere\twere\tsome\tprecautions\tto\ttake. Moving\tfrom\tthe\tflight\tdeck\tto\this\tpersonal\tquarters,\tJacob\tstripped\toff his\tflight\tsuit.\tThe\tdenim\tjeans\tand\tcotton\tsweater\tthat\thad\tcost\thim more\tthan\the\tcared\tto\tremember\twere\tstill\tin\ttheir\tplastic\tholder. Excellent\treproductions,\the\tthought\tas\the\ttugged\tthe\tjeans\tover\this\tlong legs.\tAnd,\tto\tgive\tthe\tdevil\this\tdue,\textremely\tcomfortable. When\the\twas\tdressed,\the\tstudied\thimself\tin\tthe\tmirror.\tIf\the\tran\tinto\tany inhabitants\tduring\this\tstay-a\tbrief\tone,\the\thoped-he\twanted\tto\tblend\tin. He\thad\tneither\tthe\ttime\tnor\tthe\tinclination\tto\tattempt\tto\texplain\thimself\tto a\tpeople\twho\twere\tmost\tassuredly\tslow-witted.\tNor\tdid\the\twant\tany\tof the\tmedia\tcoverage\tthat\twas\tso\tpopular\tin\tthis\ttime. Though\the\thated\tto\tadmit\tit,\tthe\tgray\tsweater\tand\tthe\tblue\tjeans\tsuited him.\tThe\tfit\twas\texcellent,\tand\tthe\tmaterial\twas\tsmooth\tagainst\this\tskin. Most\timportantly,\tin\tthem\the\tlooked\tlike\ta\ttwentieth\tcentury\tman. His\tdark\thair\tnearly\tskimmed\this\tshoulders.\tIt\twas\tthick,\tand\tit\twas always\tdisheveled,\tas\the\tpaid\tmore\tattention\tto\this\twork\tthan\tto hairstyles.\tStill,\tit\twas\tan\texcellent\tframe\tfor\this\tangular\tface.\tHis\tbrows were\toften\tdrawn\ttogether\tover\tdark\tgreen\teyes,\tand\this\tmouth,\tusually grim\twhen\the\twas\tporing\tover\tcalculations,\thad\tan\tunexpected\tand powerful\tcharm\twhen\the\trelaxed\tenough\tto\tsmile.","He\twasn't\tsmiling\tnow.\tHe\tslung\this\tbag\tover\this\tshoulder\tand\tleft\tthe ship. Depending\ton\tthe\tslant\tof\tthe\tsun\trather\tthan\ton\this\twatch,\tJacob decided\tit\twas\tjust\tpast\tnoon.\tThe\tsky\twas\tmiraculously\tempty.\tIt\twas incredible\tto\tstand\tunder\tthe\thard\tblue\tcup\tand\tsee\tonly\tthe\tfaint\twhite trail\tof\twhat\the\tassumed\twas\tthe\tvapor\ttrail\tfrom\tan\told\tcontinental transport.\tThey\tcalled\tthem\tplanes,\the\tremembered,\twatching\tthe\tstream lengthen. How\tpatient\tthey\tmust\tbe,\the\tmused,\tto\tsit\tcheerfully,\tshoulder\tto shoulder\twith\thundreds\tof\tother\tpeople,\thanging\tin\tthe\tsky\tfor\thours\tjust to\tget\tfrom\tone\tcoast\tto\tanother\tor\tfrom\tNew\tYork\tto\tParis. Then\tagain,\tthey\tdidn't\tknow\tany\tbetter. Switching\this\tgaze\tfrom\tsky\tto\tearth,\the\tbegan\tto\twalk. It\twas\tfortunate\tthat\tthe\tsun\twas\tbright.\tHis\tpreparations\thadn't\tincluded a\tcoat\tor\tany\theavy\touterwear.\tThe\tsnow\tbeneath\this\tboots\twas\tsoft,\tbut there\twas\tjust\tenough\tof\ta\twind\tto\tmake\tthe\tair\tuncomfortable\tuntil\tthe hike\twarmed\this\tmuscles. He\twas\ta\tscientist\tby\tvocation,\tand\the\tcould\tlose\thimself\tfor\thours,\teven days,\tin\tequations\tand\texperiments.\tBut\tit\twouldn't\thave\toccurred\tto\thim to\tneglect\this\tbody,\teither-it\twas\tas\twell\ttoned\tand\tas\tdisciplined\tas\this mind. He\tused\this\twrist\tunit\tto\tgive\thim\tthe\tbearings.\tAt\tleast\tCal's\treport\thad been\tfairly\tspecific\tas\tto\twhere\this\tship\thad\tgone\tdown\tand\twhere\tthe cabin\the\thad\tstayed\tin\twhen\the\thad\tmet\tthis\tLibby\twas\tsituated. Nearly\tthree\thundred\tyears\tin\tthe\tfuture,\tJacob\thad\tvisited\tthe\tspot\tand had\texcavated\tthe\ttime\tcapsule\tthat\this\tbrother\tand\tthe\twoman\thad buried. Jacob\thad\tleft\thome\tin\tthe\tyear\t2255.\tHe\thad\ttraveled\tthrough\ttime\tand through\tspace\tto\tfind\this\tbrother.\tAnd\tto\ttake\thim\thome. As\the\twalked\the\tsaw\tno\tsigns\tof\tman,\tor\tof\tthe\tposh\tresorts\tthat\twould","As\the\twalked\the\tsaw\tno\tsigns\tof\tman,\tor\tof\tthe\tposh\tresorts\tthat\twould populate\tthis\tarea\tin\tanother\tcentury\tor\ttwo.\tThere\twas\tsimply\tspace, acres\tof\tit,\tuntrampled\tand\tuntouched.\tThe\tsun\tcast\tblue\tshadows\ton\tthe snow,\tand\tthe\ttrees\ttowered,\tsilent\tgiants\toverhead. Despite\tthe\tlogic\tof\twhat\the\thad\tdone,\tthe\tmonths\tof\tprecise calculations,\tthe\tcareful\tworking\tof\ttheory\tinto\tfact,\the\tfound\thimself chilled.\tThe\tenormity\tof\twhat\the\thad\tachieved,\twhere\the\thad\tgone, struck\thim.\tHe\twas\tstanding\ton\tthe\tground,\tbeneath\tthe\tsky,\tof\ta\tplanet that\twas\tmore\tforeign\tto\thim\tthan\tthe\tmoon.\tHe\twas\tfilling\this\tlungs\twith air.\tHe\tcould\twatch\tit\texpel\tin\twhite\tstreams.\tHe\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tcold\ton his\tface\tand\this\tungloved\thands.\tHe\tcould\tsmell\tthe\tpine\tand\ttaste\tthe crisp,\tclear\tair\tas\tit\tblew\taround\thim. And\the\thad\tyet\tto\tbe\tborn. Had\tit\tbeen\tthe\tsame\tfor\this\tbrother?\tNo,\tJacob\tthought,\tthere\twould have\tbeen\tno\telation,\tnot\tat\tfirst. Cal\thad\tbeen\tlost,\tinjured,\tconfused.\tHe\thadn't\tset\tout\tto\tcome\there,\tbut had\tbeen\ta\tvictim\tof\tfate\tand\tcircumstance.\tThen,\tvulnerable\tand\talone, he\thad\tbeen\tbewitched\tby\ta\twoman.\tExpression\tgrim,\tJacob\tcontinued to\thike. Pausing\tat\tthe\tstream,\the\tremembered.\tA\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ttwo\tyears\tago- and\tcenturies\tin\tthe\tfuture-he\thad\tstood\there.\tIt\thad\tbeen\thigh\tsummer, and\tthough\tthe\tstream\thad\tchanged\tits\tcourse\tover\ttime\tthis\tspot\thad been\tvery\tmuch\tthe\tsame. There\thad\tbeen\tgrass\trather\tthan\tsnow\tunder\this\tfeet.\tBut\tthe\tgrass would\tgrow\tagain,\tyear\tafter\tyear,\tsummer\tafter\tsummer.\tHe\thad\tproof of\tthat.\tHe\twas\tproof\tof\tthat.\tThe\tstream\twould\trun\tfast,\twhere\tnow\tit forced\tits\tway\tover\trock\tand\tthick\tislands\tof\tice. A\tlittle\tdazed,\the\tcrouched\tdown\tand\ttook\ta\thandful\tof\tsnow\tin\this ungloved\thand. He\thad\tbeen\talone\tthen,\ttoo,\tthough\tthere\thad\tbeen\tthe\tsteady\tdrone\tof air\ttraffic\toverhead\tand\ta\thuddle\tof\tmountain\thotels\tonly\ta\tfew\tkilometers to\tthe\teast.\tWhen\the\thad\tuncovered\tthe\tbox\this\tbrother\thad\tburied\the","to\tthe\teast.\tWhen\the\thad\tuncovered\tthe\tbox\this\tbrother\thad\tburied\the had\tsat\ton\tthe\tgrass\tand\twondered. And\tnow\the\tstood\tand\twondered.\tIf\the\tdug\tfor\tit,\the\twould\tcome\tupon the\tsame\tbox.\tThe\tbox\tthat\the\thad\tleft\twith\this\tparents\tonly\tdays\tbefore. The\tbox\twould\texist\there,\tbeneath\this\tfeet,\tjust\tas\tit\texisted\tin\this\town time.\tAs\the\texisted. If\the\tdug\tit\tup\tnow\tand\tcarried\tit\tback\tto\this\tship,\tit\twould\tnot\tbe\tthere\tfor him\tto\tfind\ton\tthat\thigh\tsummer\tday\tin\tthe\ttwenty-third\tcentury.\tAnd\tif that\twas\ttrue,\thow\tcould\the\tbe\there,\tin\tthis\ttime,\tto\tdig\tit\tup\tat\tall? An\tinteresting\tpuzzle,\tJacob\tmused.\tHe\tleft\tit\tto\tstew\tin\this\tbrain\tas\the walked. He\tsaw\tthe\tcabin\tand\twas\tfascinated.\tNo\tmatter\thow\tmany\tpictures,\thow many\tfilms\tor\tsimulations\the\thad\tseen,\tthis\twas\treal.\tThere\twere\tpatches of\tsnow\tmelting\tslowly\ton\tthe\troof.\tThe\twood\twas\tstill\tdark,\taged\tby mere\tdecades.\tOn\tthe\tglass\tof\tthe\twindows,\tsunlight\tsparkled\tas\tit streamed\tthrough\tthe\thigh\ttrees.\tSmoke-he\tcould\tsee\tit,\tas\twell\tas\tsmell it-puffed\tfrom\tthe\tstone\tchimney\tand\tinto\tthe\thard\tblue\tsky. Amazing,\the\tthought,\tand\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\tmany\thours\this\tlips\tcurved. He\tfelt\tlike\ta\tchild\twho\thad\tdiscovered\ta\tunique\tand\twonderful\tpresent under\tthe\tChristmas\ttree.\tIt\twas\this,\tfor\tthe\tmoment,\tto\texplore,\tto analyze,\tto\tpiece\ttogether\tand\ttake\tapart\tuntil\the\tunderstood\tit. Shifting\this\tbag,\the\twalked\tup\tthe\tsnow-covered\tpath\tto\tthe\tsteps.\tThey creaked\tunder\this\tweight\tand\tturned\this\tsmile\tinto\ta\tgrin. He\tdidn't\tbother\tto\tknock.\tManners\twere\teasily\tlost\tin\tthe\thaze\tof discovery.\tPushing\tthe\tdoor\topen,\the\tstepped\tinto\tthe\tcabin. \\\"Incredible.\tAbsolutely\tincredible.\\\"\tHis\tquiet\tvoice\thung\tin\tthe\tair. Wood,\tgenuine\tand\trich,\tgleamed\taround\thim.\tStone,\tthe\tkind\tthat\twas chipped\tand\tdug\tout\tof\tthe\tearth,\tmerged\twith\tthe\twood\tin\tthe\tform\tof\ta huge\tfireplace.\tThere\twas\ta\tfire\tburning\tin\tit,\tcrackling\tand\thissing behind\ta\tmesh\tscreen.\tThe\tscent\twas\twonderful.\tIt\twas\ta\tsmall,\tcramped room,\tjammed\twith\tfurniture,\tyet\tit\twas\tappealing\tin\tits\tcheeriness\tand\tits","room,\tjammed\twith\tfurniture,\tyet\tit\twas\tappealing\tin\tits\tcheeriness\tand\tits oddities. Jacob\tcould\thave\tspent\thours\tin\tthat\troom\talone,\texamining\tevery\tinch of\tit.\tBut\the\twanted\tto\tsee\tthe\trest.\tMuttering\tinto\this\tminirecorder,\the started\tup\tthe\tstairs. Sunny\tyanked\tthe\twheel\tof\tthe\tLand\tRover\tand\tswore.\tHow\tcould\tshe actually\thave\tbelieved\tshe\twanted\tto\tspend\ta\tcouple\tof\tmonths\tin\tthe cabin?\tPeace\tand\tquiet!\tWho\tneeded\tit?\tShe\tground\tthe\tgears\tas\tthe Land\tRover\tchugged\tup\tthe\thill.\tThe\tidea\tthat\ta\tfew\tsolitary\tweeks\twould give\ther\tthe\topportunity\tto\tsort\tout\ther\tlife\tand\tfinally\tdecide\twhat\tshe wanted\tto\tdo\twith\tit\twas\tridiculous. She\tknew\twhat\tshe\twanted\tto\tdo\twith\tit.\tSomething\tbig,\tsomething spectacular.\tDisgusted,\tshe\tblew\tout\ta\tlong\tbreath\tthat\tsent\ther\tblond bangs\tdancing.\tJust\tbecause\tshe\thadn't\tdecided\texactly\twhat\tthat something\twas\tdidn't\tmatter.\tShe'd\tknow\tit\twhen\tshe\tsaw\tit. Just\tas\tshe\talways\tknew\twhat\tit\twasn't\twhen\tshe\tsaw\tit. It\twasn't\tflying\tcargo\tplanes-or\tjumping\tout\tof\tthem.\tIt\twasn't\tballet,\tand\tit wasn't\ttouring\twith\ta\trock\tband.\tIt\twasn't\tdriving\ta\ttruck,\tand\tit\twasn't writing\thaiku. Not\teveryone,\tat\ttwenty-three,\tcould\tbe\tso\tspecific\tabout\twhere\this ambitions\tdidn't\tlie,\tSunny\treminded\therself\tas\tshe\tspun\tthe\tLand\tRover to\ta\thalt\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tcabin.\tUsing\tthe\tprocess\tof\telimination,\tshe\tshould be\twell\ton\ther\tway\tto\tfame\tand\tsuccess\tin\tanother\tten\tor\ttwenty\tyears. Fingers\tdrumming\tagainst\tthe\tsteering\twheel,\tshe\tstudied\tthe\tcabin.\tIt was\tsquat,\tand\tjust\thomely\tenough\tnot\tto\tbe\tugly.\tAn\told\trocker\tstood\ton the\tporch\tthat\tskirted\tthe\tfront.\tIt\thad\tsat\tthere\tyear\tafter\tyear,\tsummer and\twinter,\tfor\tas\tlong\tas\tshe\tcould\tremember.\tThere\twas,\tshe discovered,\tsomething\tcomforting\tin\tcontinuity. And\tyet\twith\tthe\tcomfort\tcame\ta\trestlessness\tfor\tthe\tnew,\tfor\tthe untouched\tand\tthe\tunseen.","With\ta\tsigh,\tshe\tsat\tback,\tignoring\tthe\tcold.\tWhat\twas\tit\tthat\tshe\twanted that\twasn't\there,\tin\tthis\tplace?\tOr\tin\tany\tplace\tshe'd\tbeen?\tStill,\twhen\tit had\tcome\ttime\tto\tquestion,\twhen\tit\thad\tcome\ttime\tto\tthink,\tshe\thad come\tback\there,\tto\tthe\tcabin. She\thad\tbeen\tborn\tin\tit,\thad\tspent\tthe\tfirst\tfew\tyears\tof\ther\tlife\tinside\tit and\trunning\tthrough\tthe\tsurrounding\tforest.\tPerhaps\tthat\twas\twhy\tshe had\tcome\tback\twhen\ther\tlife\thad\tseemed\tso\tpointless.\tJust\tto\trecapture some\tof\tthat\tsimplicity. She\tloved\tit,\treally.\tOh,\tnot\twith\tthe\tpassion\ther\tsister,\tLibby,\tdid.\tNot with\tthe\tdeep-rooted\tsentiment\tof\ttheir\tparents.\tBut\tfondly,\tthe\tway children\toften\tfeel\tabout\tan\told,\teccentric\taunt. Sunny\tcouldn't\timagine\tliving\tthere\tagain,\tthe\tway\tLibby\tand\ther\tnew husband\twere.\tDay\tafter\tday,\tnight\tafter\tnight,\twithout\tseeing\tanother soul.\tPerhaps\tSunny's\troots\twere\tin\tthe\tforest,\tbut\ther\theart\tbelonged\tto the\tcity,\twith\tits\tbright\tlights\tand\tits\tpossibilities. Just\ta\tvacation,\tshe\ttold\therself,\tpulling\toff\ther\twoolen\that\tand\trunning impatient\tfingers\tthrough\ther\tshort\thair.\tShe\twas\tentitled\tto\tone.\tAfter\tall, she'd\tentered\tcollege\tat\tthe\ttender\tage\tof\tsixteen.\tToo\tbright\tfor\ther\town good,\ther\tfather\thad\tsaid\tmore\tthan\tonce.\tAfter\tgraduating\tjust\tbefore her\ttwentieth\tbirthday,\tshe\thad\tplunged\tinto\tendeavor\tafter\tendeavor, never\tfinding\tsatisfaction. She\ttended\tto\tbe\tgood\tat\twhatever\tshe\tdid.\tPerhaps\tthat\twas\twhy\tshe'd taken\tlessons\tin\teverything\tfrom\ttap\tdancing\tto\ttole\tpainting.\tBut\tbeing good\tat\tsomething\tdidn't\tmake\tit\tthe\tright\tsomething.\tSo\tshe\tmoved\ton, perennially\trestless,\tfeeling\tperennially\tguilty\tfor\tleaving\tthings\thalf-done. Now\tit\twas\ttime\tto\tsettle\tdown.\tSo\tshe\thad\tcome\there,\tto\tthink,\tto decide,\tto\tconsider.\tThat\twas\tall.\tIt\twasn't\tas\tif\tshe\twere\thiding-just because\tshe'd\tlost\ther\tlast\tjob.\tNo,\ther\tlast\ttwo\tjobs,\tshe\ttold\therself viciously. In\tany\tcase,\tshe\thad\tenough\tmoney\tto\thold\ther\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\twinter- particularly\tsince\tthere\twas\tno\tplace\tto\tspend\tany\taround\there.\tIf\tshe went\twith\ther\tinstincts\tand\tcaught\tthe\tnext\tplane\tto\tPortland\tor\tSeattle-or","went\twith\ther\tinstincts\tand\tcaught\tthe\tnext\tplane\tto\tPortland\tor\tSeattle-or anywhere\tsomething\twas\thappening-she'd\tbe\tflat\tbroke\tin\ta\tweek.\tAnd she'd\tbe\tdamned\tif\tshe'd\tgo\tcrawling\tback\tto\ther\tindulgent\tand exasperated\tparents. \\\"You\tsaid\tyou\twere\tgoing\tto\tstay,\\\"\tshe\tmuttered\tas\tshe\tpushed\tthe\tdoor of\tthe\tcar\topen.\t\\\"And\tyou're\tgoing\tto\tstay\tuntil\tyou\tfigure\tout\twhere Sunny\tStone\tfits.\\\" Hauling\tout\tthe\ttwo\tbags\tof\tgroceries\tshe'd\tjust\tpurchased\tin\ttown,\tshe trudged\tthrough\tthe\tsnow.\tAt\tthe\tvery\tleast,\tshe\tthought,\ta\tcouple\tof months\tin\tthe\tcabin\twould\tprove\ther\tself-sufficiency.\tIf\tshe\tdidn't\tdie\tof boredom\tfirst. Inside,\tshe\tglanced\ttoward\tthe\tfire\tfirst,\tsatisfied\tthat\tit\twas\tstill\tburning well.\tThose\tfew\tyears\tin\tthe\tGirl\tScouts\thadn't\tbeen\twasted.\tShe dumped\tboth\tbags\ton\tthe\tkitchen\tcounter.\tShe\tknew\tLibby\twould\thave immediately\tset\tabout\tputting\teverything\tin\tits\tplace.\tSunny\tfigured\tit\twas a\twaste\tof\ttime\tto\tstore\tsomething\twhen\tyou\twere\tonly\tgoing\tto\thave\tto get\tit\tout\tagain\tsooner\tor\tlater. With\tthe\tsame\tdisregard,\tshe\ttossed\ther\tcoat\tover\tthe\tback\tof\ta\tchair, then\tkicked\ther\tboots\tinto\ta\tcorner.\tDigging\ta\tcandy\tbar\tout\tof\ta\tbag,\tshe unwrapped\tit\tand\twandered\tback\tinto\tthe\tliving\troom.\tWhat\tshe\tneeded was\ta\tlong\tafternoon\tof\tresearch.\tLately\tshe'd\tbeen\ttoying\twith\tthe\tidea of\tgoing\tback\tto\tschool\tand\ttrying\tfor\ta\tlaw\tdegree.\tThe\tidea\tof\targuing for\ta\tliving\thad\ta\tcertain\tappeal.\tAlong\twith\ther\tclothes,\ther\tcamera,\ther sketch\tpad,\ther\ttape\trecorder\tand\ther\tdance\tshoes\tshe\thad\tpacked\ttwo boxes\tof\tbooks\ton\tan\tassortment\tof\tprofessions. During\ther\tfirst\tweek\tin\tthe\tcabin\tshe\thad\tresearched\tand\tdiscarded screenwriting\tas\ttoo\tunstable,\tmedicine\tas\ttoo\tterrifying\tand\trunning\ta retro\tclothing\tstore\tas\ttoo\ttrendy. But\tlaw\thad\tpossibilities.\tShe\tcould\tsee\therself\tas\teither\tthe\tcold,\thard- edged\tD.A.\tor\tthe\tdedicated,\toverworked\tpublic\tdefender. It\twas\tworth\tlooking\tinto,\tshe\tdecided\tas\tshe\tmounted\tthe\tstairs.\tAnd\tthe sooner\tshe\thad\ther\tfocus\tthe\tsooner\tshe\tcould\tget\tback\tto\twhere\tthere was\tsomething\tmore\texciting\tto\tdo\tthan\twatch\tthe\tmelting\tsnow\trun\toff","was\tsomething\tmore\texciting\tto\tdo\tthan\twatch\tthe\tmelting\tsnow\trun\toff the\tgutters. The\tcandy\tbar\twas\thalfway\tto\ther\tmouth\twhen\tshe\tstepped\tinto\tthe doorway\tand\tsaw\thim.\tHe\twas\tstanding\tby\tthe\tbed-her\tbed-obviously engrossed\tin\tthe\tfashion\tmagazine\tshe'd\ttossed\ton\tthe\tfloor\tthe\tnight before.\tIt\twas\tin\this\thands\tnow,\tand\this\tfingers\tseemed\tto\tstroke\tthe glossy\tpaper\tas\tif\tit\twere\tsome\texotic\tfabric. Though\this\tback\twas\tto\ther,\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthat\the\twas\ttall.\tHe\thad\ttwo or\tthree\tinches\ton\ther\twillowy\tfive-ten.\tHis\tdark\thair\twas\tlong\tenough\tto fall\tover\tthe\tcollar\tof\tthe\tsweater\the\twore,\tand\tit\tlooked\tas\tif\the'd\tridden fast\tin\tan\topen\tcar.\tHardly\tdaring\tto\tbreathe,\tshe\ttook\this\tmeasure. If\the\twas\ta\twayward\thiker,\the\twas\tdressed\tneatly,\tand\tsparely.\tThe jeans\tshowed\tno\tsigns\tof\twear.\tThe\tboots\the\twore\twere\tunmarked, expensive\tand,\tunless\tshe\tmissed\ther\tguess,\tcustom-made.\tNo,\tshe didn't\tthink\the\twas\ta\thiker,\teven\ta\tfoolish\tone\twho\twould\tchallenge\tthe winter\tmountains. He\thad\ta\tlean\tbuild,\tthough\tshe\tcouldn't\tbe\tsure\twhat\tthe\tbaggy\tsweater hid\tin\tthe\tway\tof\tmuscle.\tIf\the\twas\ta\tthief,\the\twas\ta\tstupid\tone,\tpassing the\ttime\twith\ta\tmagazine\trather\tthan\tbundling\tup\twhat\tpassed\tfor valuables\tin\tthe\tcabin. Her\tgaze\tshot\tover\tto\tthe\tdresser\tand\ther\tjewelry\tcase.\tHer\tcollection wasn't\textensive,\tbut\teach\tpiece\thad\tbeen\tselected\twith\tcare\tand\ta disregard\tfor\texpense.\tAnd\tit\twas\thers,\tjust\tas\tthe\tcabin\twas\thers,\tjust as\tthe\troom\the'd\tinvaded\twas\thers. Furious,\tshe\tdropped\tthe\tcandy\tand\tsnatched\tup\tthe\tclosest\tweapon,\tan empty\tpop\tbottle\tand,\tbrandishing\tit,\tlunged\tforward. Jacob\theard\tthe\tmovement.\tOut\tof\tthe\tcorner\tof\this\teye\the\tcaught\ta\tred blur.\tInstinct\thad\thim\tturning,\tshifting,\tjust\tas\tthe\tbottle\twhizzed\tby\this head\tand\tsmashed\tagainst\tthe\tnightstand.\tGlass\texploded\twith\ta\tsound like\ta\tshot. \\\"What\tthe-\\\"","Before\the\tcould\tutter\tanother\tword,\this\tfoot\twas\tkicked\tout\tfrom\tunder him\tand\the\tfound\thimself\tflipped\tneatly\tand\tsprawled\ton\this\tback.\tHe stared\tup\tat\ta\ttall,\tslender\twoman\twith\ta\tshiny\tcrop\tof\tblond\thair\tand molten\tgray\teyes.\tShe\twas\tcrouched,\tarms\tbent,\thands\tflexed\tin\tan ancient\tfighting\tstance. \\\"Don't\teven\tthink\tabout\tit,\\\"\tshe\twarned,\tin\ta\tvoice\tas\tsmoky\tas\ther\teyes. \\\"I\tdon't\twant\tto\thave\tto\thurt\tyou,\tso\tget\tup\tslow.\tThen\tget\tyourself downstairs\tand\tout.\tYou've\tgot\tthirty\tseconds.\\\" Keeping\this\teyes\ton\thers,\the\tbraced\thimself\ton\tone\telbow.\tWhen dealing\twith\ta\tmember\tof\ta\tprimitive\tculture\tit\twas\twise\tto\tgo\tslowly. \\\"Excuse\tme?\\\" \\\"You\theard\tme,\tpal.\tI'm\ta\tfourth-degree\tblack\tbelt.\tMess\twith\tme\tand\tI'll crush\tyour\tskull\tlike\ta\twalnut.\\\" She\tsmiled\twhen\tshe\tsaid\tit.\tOtherwise\the\tmight\thave\toffered\ther excuses\tand\texplanations\tthen\tand\tthere.\tBut\tshe\tsmiled,\tand\ta challenge\twas\ta\tchallenge. Without\ta\tword,\the\tsprang\tup\tto\tland\tlightly\ton\tthe\tballs\tof\this\tfeet\tin\ta stance\tthat\tmirrored\thers.\tHe\tsaw\tsurprise\tin\ther\teyes-not\tpanic, surprise.\tHe\tblocked\ther\tfirst\tblow,\tbut\the\tstill\tfelt\tit\treverberate\tfrom\this forearm\tto\this\tshoulder.\tHe\tshifted\tenough\tto\tprevent\ta\twell-aimed\tkick from\tconnecting\twith\this\tchin. She\twas\tfast,\the\tnoted,\tfast\tand\tagile.\tHe\tparried\ther\toffensive\tmoves, staying\ton\tthe\tdefensive\tas\the\tjudged\ther.\tFearless,\the\tthought\twith\tpure admiration.\tA\twarrior\tin\ta\tworld\tthat\tstill\trequired\tthem.\tAnd\tif\tJacob\thad a\tweakness\the\twould\tadmit\tto,\tit\twas\tthe\tlove\tof\ta\tgood\tfight. He\tdidn't\ttoy\twith\ther.\tIf\the\tdid,\the\tknew,\the'd\tend\tup\ton\tthe\tfloor\twith\ther foot\ton\this\tthroat.\tThe\tkick\tthat\tshot\tpast\this\tguard\tand\tinto\this\trib\tcage was\tproof\tof\tthat.\tIt\twas\tan\teven\tmatch,\the\tdecided\tafter\tfive\tsweaty minutes,\texcept\tfor\tthe\tfact\tthat\the\thad\tthe\tadvantage\tin\treach\tand weight. Deciding\tto\tput\tboth\tto\tuse,\the\tfeinted,\tblocked,\tthen\tcaught\ther\tin\ta","Deciding\tto\tput\tboth\tto\tuse,\the\tfeinted,\tblocked,\tthen\tcaught\ther\tin\ta throw\tthat\tsent\ther\tflying\tonto\tthe\tbed.\tBefore\tshe\tcould\trecover,\the spread\thimself\tover\ther,\tcautiously\tgripping\ther\twrists\tover\ther\thead. She\twas\tout\tof\tbreath,\tbut\tshe\twasn't\tout\tof\tfuel.\tHer\teyes\tburning\tinto his,\tshe\tput\tall\ther\tstrength\tinto\tone\tlast\tmove.\tJust\tin\ttime,\the\tshifted\this weight\tand\tavoided\tthe\tknee\tto\tthe\tgroin. \\\"Some\tthings\tnever\tchange,\\\"\the\tmuttered,\tand\tstudied\ther\twhile\the waited\tfor\this\tlabored\tbreathing\tto\tslow. She\twas\tstunning-or\tperhaps\tit\twas\tthe\tfight\tthat\tmade\ther\tseem\tso.\tHer skin\twas\tflushed\tnow,\ta\trosy\tpink\tthat\tenhanced\tthe\tsunlight\tcolor\tof\ther hair.\tIts\tshort,\talmost\tsevere\tcut\tplayed\tup\tthe\telegance\tof\ther\tbone structure.\tShe\thad\tsharp\tcheekbones.\tWarrior-like,\the\tthought\tagain. Like\ta\tViking,\tor\ta\tCelt.\tLarge,\tlong-lidded\tgray\teyes\tsmoldered\tin frustration\tbut\tnot\tin\tdefeat.\tHer\tnose\twas\tsmall\tand\tsharp,\tand\ther mouth\twas\tfull,\twith\tthe\tlower\tlip\tslightly\tprominent\tin\ta\tpout.\tShe smelled\tlike\tthe\tforest-cool,\texotic\tand\tforeign. \\\"You're\tvery\tgood,\\\"\the\tsaid,\tand\tgave\thimself\ta\tmoment\tto\tenjoy\tthe\tway her\tbody\theld\tfirm\tand\tunyielding\tunder\this. \\\"Thanks.\\\"\tShe\tbit\tthe\tword\toff,\tbut\tshe\tdidn't\tstruggle.\tShe\tknew\twhen\tto fight\tand\twhen\tto\tplot.\tHe\toutweighed\ther\tand\the\thad\toutfought\ther,\tbut she\twasn't\tready\tto\tdiscuss\tterms\tof\tsurrender.\t\\\"I'd\tappreciate\tit\tif\tyou got\tthe\thell\toff\tme.\\\" \\\"In\ta\tminute.\tIs\tit\tyour\tcustom\tto\tgreet\tpeople\tby\ttossing\tthem\ton\tthe floor?\\\" She\tarched\tone\tpale\tbrow.\t\\\"Is\tit\tyours\tto\tbreak\tinto\tpeople's\thomes\tand poke\taround\tin\ttheir\tbedrooms?\\\" \\\"The\tdoor\twas\tunlocked,\\\"\the\tpointed\tout.\tThen\the\tfrowned.\tHe\twas certain\the\twas\tin\tthe\tright\tplace,\tbut\tthis\twas\tnot\tthe\twoman\tcalled Libby.\t\\\"This\tis\tyour\thome?\\\" \\\"That's\tright.\tIt's\tcalled\tprivate\tproperty.\\\"\tShe\tstruggled\tnot\tto\tfidget\twhile he\tstudied\ther\tas\tthough\tshe\twere\ta\tparticularly\tinteresting\tspecimen\tin","he\tstudied\ther\tas\tthough\tshe\twere\ta\tparticularly\tinteresting\tspecimen\tin a\tpetri\tdish.\t\\\"I've\talready\tcalled\tthe\tpolice,\\\"\tshe\ttold\thim,\tthough\tthe closest\ttelephone\twas\tten\tmiles\taway.\t\\\"If\tI\twere\tyou,\tI'd\tmake\ttracks.\\\" \\\"If\tI\twanted\tto\tavoid\tthe\tpolice,\tit\twould\tbe\tstupid\tto\tmake\ttracks.\\\"\tHe tilted\this\thead,\tconsidering.\t\\\"And\tyou\tdidn't\tcall\tthem.\\\" \\\"Maybe\tI\tdid\tand\tmaybe\tI\tdidn't.\\\"\tThe\tpout\tbecame\tmore\tpronounced. \\\"What\tdo\tyou\twant?\tThere's\tnothing\tworth\tstealing\tin\tthis\tplace.\\\" \\\"I\tdidn't\tcome\tto\tsteal.\\\" A\tquick\tpanic,\tpurely\tfeminine,\tfluttered\tjust\tbelow\ther\theart.\tFury banked\tit.\t\\\"I\twon't\tmake\tit\teasy\tfor\tyou.\\\" \\\"All\tright.\\\"\tHe\tdidn't\tbother\tto\task\ther\twhat\tshe\tmeant.\t\\\"Who\tare\tyou?\\\" \\\"I\tthink\tI'm\tentitled\tto\task\tyou\tthat\tquestion,\\\"\tshe\tcountered.\t\\\"And\tI'm\tnot really\tinterested.\\\"\tHer\theart\twas\tbeginning\tto\tthud\tthickly,\tand\tshe\thoped he\tcouldn't\tfeel\tit.\tThey\twere\tsprawled\tacross\tthe\tunmade\tbed,\tthigh\tto thigh,\tas\tintimately\tas\tlovers.\tHis\teyes,\tgreen\tand\tintense,\tstared\tinto hers\tuntil\tshe\twas\tbreathless\tall\tover\tagain. He\tsaw\tthe\tpanic\tnow,\tjust\ta\tflicker\tof\tit,\tand\teased\this\tgrip\ton\ther\twrists. Her\tpulse\twas\tbeating\trapidly\tthere,\tcausing\tan\tunexpected\treaction\tto race\tthrough\thim.\tHe\tcould\tfeel\tit\tsinging\tthrough\this\tblood\tas\the\tshifted his\tgaze\tto\ther\tmouth. What\twould\tit\tbe\tlike?\the\twondered.\tJust\ta\ttouch,\tan\texperiment.\tA mouth\tthat\tsoft,\tthat\tfull,\twas\tdesigned\tto\ttempt\ta\tman.\tWould\tshe\tfight, or\twould\tshe\tyield?\tEither\twould\tprove\trewarding.\tAnnoyed\tby\tthe distraction,\the\tlooked\tinto\ther\teyes\tagain.\tHe\thad\ta\tpurpose,\tone\the didn't\tintend\tto\tdetour\tfrom. \\\"I'm\tsorry\tif\tI\tstartled\tyou,\tor\tif\tI\tinterfered\twith\tyour\tprivacy.\tI\twas\tlooking for\tsomeone.\\\" \\\"There's\tno\tone\there\tbut-\\\"\tShe\tcaught\therself\tand\tswore\tunder\ther breath.\t\\\"Who?\tWho\tare\tyou\tlooking\tfor?\\\" It\twas\tbest\tto\tplay\tit\tsafe,\tJacob\tdecided.\tIf\the\thad\tsomehow","It\twas\tbest\tto\tplay\tit\tsafe,\tJacob\tdecided.\tIf\the\thad\tsomehow miscalculated\tthe\ttime,\tor\tif\tCal's\treport\thad\tbeen\tfaulty-as\tthey\thad sometimes\tbeen\tbefore-it\twouldn't\tbe\twise\tto\tbe\ttoo\tspecific.\t\\\"A\tman.\tI thought\the\tlived\there,\tbut\tperhaps\tmy\tinformation\tis\tincorrect.\\\" Sunny\tblew\ther\tbangs\tout\tof\ther\teyes.\t\\\"Who?\tWhat's\this\tname?\\\" \\\"Hornblower,\\\"\tJacob\tsaid,\tand\tused\this\tsmile\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime.\t\\\"His\tname is\tCaleb\tHornblower.\\\"\tThe\tsurprise\tin\tSunny's\teyes\twas\tall\the\tneeded. Instinctively\this\tfingers\ttightened\ton\ther\twrists.\t\\\"You\tknow\thim?\\\" Ideas\tabout\ther\tsister's\tsomewhat\tmysterious\thusband\tsprang\tinto\ther mind.\tHe\twas\ta\tspy,\ta\tfugitive,\tan\teccentric\tmillionaire\ton\tthe\trun.\tFamily loyalty\tran\tdeep,\tand\tshe\twould\trather\thave\thad\tbamboo\tslivers\tunder her\tfingernails\tthan\tbetray\ta\tloved\tone. \\\"Why\tshould\tI?\\\" \\\"You\tknow\thim,\\\"\tJacob\tinsisted.\tWhen\ther\tchin\tcame\tup,\the\tlet\tout\ta frustrated\tsigh.\t\\\"I've\tcome\ta\tlong\tway\tto\tsee\thim.\\\"\tHis\tlips\tcurved\tat\tthe understatement.\t\\\"A\tvery\tlong\tway.\tPlease,\tcan\tyou\ttell\tme\twhere\the\tis?\\\" When\tshe\tfelt\therself\tsoftening,\tshe\tjutted\ther\tchin\tout\tagain.\t\\\"Obviously he's\tnot\there.\\\" \\\"Is\the\tall\tright?\\\"\tJacob\treleased\ther\thands\tand\tgripped\ther\tshoulders. \\\"Has\tanything\thappened\tto\thim?\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tThe\tvery\treal\tconcern\tshe\theard\tin\this\tvoice\thad\ther\tputting\ta\thand over\this.\t\\\"No,\tof\tcourse\tnot.\tI\tdidn't\tmean\tto-\\\"\tShe\tcaught\therself\tagain.\tIf this\twas\ta\ttrap,\tshe\twas\tfalling\tneatly\tinto\tit.\t\\\"If\tyou\twant\tany\tinformation from\tme,\tyou'll\thave\tto\ttell\tme\twho\tyou\tare\tand\twhy\tyou\twant\tit.\\\" \\\"I'm\this\tbrother,\tJacob.\\\" Sunny's\teyes\twidened\tas\tshe\tlet\tout\ta\tlong\tbreath.\tCal's\tbrother?\tIt\twas possible,\tshe\tsupposed.\tThe\tcoloring\twas\tsimilar,\tand\tthe\tshape\tof\tthe face.\tThere\twas\tcertainly\tmore\tfamily\tresemblance\tbetween\tthis\tman and\ther\tbrother-in-law\tthan\tthere\twas\tbetween\therself\tand\tLibby.","\\\"Well,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tafter\ta\tbrief\tdebate\twith\therself,\t\\\"it\treally\tis\ta\tsmall\tworld, isn't\tit?\\\" \\\"Smaller\tthan\tyou\tcan\timagine.\tYou\tdo\tknow\tCal?\\\" \\\"Yes.\tSince\the\tmarried\tmy\tsister,\tthat\tmakes\tyou\tand\tme-I'm\tnot\texactly sure\twhat\tthat\tmakes\tus,\tbut\tI\tthink\twe'd\tbe\tbetter\toff\tdiscussing\tit vertically.\\\" He\tnodded,\tbut\the\tdidn't\tmove.\t\\\"Who\tare\tyou?\\\" \\\"Me?\\\"\tShe\toffered\thim\ta\tbig,\tbright\tsmile.\t\\\"Oh,\tI'm\tSunbeam.\\\"\tStill smiling,\tshe\twrapped\ther\tfingers\taround\this\tthumb.\t\\\"Now,\tif\tyou\tdon't want\tthis\tdislocated,\tyou'll\tget\tthe\thell\toff\tmy\tbed.\\\"","CHAPTER\t2 1\they\tmoved\tapart\twarily,\ttwo\tboxers\tretreating\tto\ttheir\tcorners\tat\tthe sound\tof\tthe\tbell.\tJacob\twasn't\tentirely\tsure\thow\tto\thandle\ther,\tmuch less\tthe\tbombshell\tshe\thad\tdropped.\tHis\tbrother\twas\tmarried. Once\tthey\twere\tstanding\ta\tcareful\tthree\tfeet\tapart,\the\tdipped\this\thands in\tthe\tpockets\tof\tthe\tcomfortable\tjeans.\tHe\tnoted\tthat,\tthough\ther\tstance was\teasy,\tshe\twas\tstill\tbraced,\tready\tto\tcounter\tany\tmove\the\tmight attempt.\tIt\twould\thave\tbeen\tinteresting\tto\tmake\tone,\tjust\tto\tsee\twhat\tshe would\tdo\tand\thow\tshe\twould\tdo\tit.\tBut\the\thad\tpriorities. \\\"Where's\tCal?\\\" \\\"Borneo.\tI\tthink\tit's\tBorneo.\tMight\tbe\tBora\tBora.\tLibby's\tresearching\ta paper.\\\"\tShe\thad\ttime\tto\tstudy\thim\tobjectively\tnow.\tYes,\tthere\twas\ta definite\tresemblance\tto\tCal,\tin\tthe\tway\the\tstood,\tin\tthe\trhythm\tof\this speech.\tBut,\teven\tthough\tshe\taccepted\tthat,\tshe\twasn't\tready\tto\ttrust him.\t\\\"Cal\tmust\thave\ttold\tyou\tshe's\ta\tcultural\tanthropologist.\\\" He\thesitated,\tthen\tbrought\tout\tthe\tsmile\tagain.\tHe\twasn't\tnearly\tas concerned\tnow\twith\twhat\tCal\thad\tor\thad\tnot\ttold\thim\tin\this\treport\tas\twith what\this\tbrother\thad\ttold\tthis\twoman\tnamed\tSunbeam.\tSunbeam,\the thought\tdistractedly.\tWas\tanyone\treally\tnamed\tSunbeam? \\\"Of\tcourse.\\\"\tHe\tlied\tsmoothly\tand\twithout\tcompunction.\t\\\"He\tdidn't mention\the'd\tbe\taway.\tHow\tlong?\\\" \\\"A\tfew\tmore\tweeks.\\\"\tShe\ttugged\tthe\tred\tsweater\tdown\tover\ther\thips. She\tcould\talready\tfeel\tbruises\tforming.\tIt\tdidn't\tannoy\ther.\tShe\thad\theld her\town-well,\talmost\theld\ther\town-against\thim.\tAnd\tshe\thoped\tshe'd\tget another\tshot.\t\\\"It's\tfunny\the\tnever\tsaid\tyou\twere\tcoming.\\\" \\\"He\tdidn't\tknow.\\\"\tFrustrated,\the\tlooked\tout\tthe\twindow\tat\tthe\tsnow\tand the\ttrees.\tHe'd\tcome\tso\tclose,\tso\tdamn\tclose,\tonly\tto\twait.\t\\\"I\twasn't\tsure I\tcould\tmake\tit.\\\" \\\"Yeah.\\\"\tWith\ta\tlazy\tshrug,\tshe\trocked\tback\ton\ther\theels.\t\\\"Like\tyou","\\\"Yeah.\\\"\tWith\ta\tlazy\tshrug,\tshe\trocked\tback\ton\ther\theels.\t\\\"Like\tyou couldn't\tmake\tit\tto\tthe\twedding.\tWe\tall\tthought\tit\twas\todd\tthat\tnone\tof Cal's\tfamily\tshowed\tup\tfor\tthe\tbig\tday.\\\" He\tturned\tback\tat\tthat.\tThere\twas\tdefinite\tcensoriousness\tin\ther\tvoice. He\tdidn't\tcare\tfor\tit-he\trarely\ttolerated\tit-but\tin\tthis\tcase\tit\twas\talmost amusing.\t\\\"Believe\tme,\tif\twe\tcould\thave\tbeen\there,\twe\twould\thave.\\\" \\\"Hmm.\tWell,\tsince\twe've\tfinished\twrestling,\twe\tmight\tas\twell\tgo\tdown and\thave\tsome\ttea.\\\"\tShe\tstarted\ttoward\tthe\tdoor,\tflicking\ta\tglance\tover him\tas\tshe\tpassed.\t\\\"What\tdegree\tblack\tbelt\tdo\tyou\thave?\\\" \\\"Seventh.\\\"\tHe\tcocked\tan\teyebrow.\t\\\"I\tdidn't\twant\tto\thurt\tyou.\\\" \\\"Right.\\\"\tMore\tthan\ta\tlittle\tmiffed,\tshe\tstarted\tdownstairs.\t\\\"I\tdidn't\tfigure people\tlike\tyou\twould\tgo\tin\tfor\tmartial\tarts.\\\" \\\"People\tlike\tme?\\\"\tHe\tspoke\tabsently\tas\the\tran\this\tpalm\tover\tthe\tsmooth wood\tof\tthe\trailing. \\\"You're\ta\tphysicist\tor\tsomething,\tright?\\\" \\\"Or\tsomething.\\\"\tHe\tspotted\ta\twoven\tthrow\tover\tthe\tback\tof\ta\tchair\tin striking\tcolors\tthat\tchallenged\trather\tthan\tblended.\tThough\tthe\tlook\tof\tit tugged\tat\this\tmemory,\the\tresisted\tthe\ttemptation\tto\tgo\tover\tfor\ta\tcloser examination.\t\\\"And\tyou?\tWhat\tare\tyou?\\\" \\\"Nothing.\tI'm\tworking\ton\tit.\\\" When\tSunny\tswung\tinto\tthe\tkitchen,\tshe\twent\tdirectly\tto\tthe\tstove.\tShe didn't\tnotice\tthe\tblank\tastonishment\ton\tJacob's\tface. Like\tsomething\tout\tof\tan\told\tvideo\tor\treference\tbook,\the\tthought\tas\the scanned\tthe\troom.\tOnly\tthis\twas\tmuch,\tmuch\tbetter\tthan\tany reproduction.\tDelightful,\the\tthought,\tastonishment\tturning\tto\tpleasure. Absolutely\tdelightful.\tHis\thands\titched\tto\ttry\tout\tevery\tdial\tand\tknob. \\\"Jacob?\\\" \\\"What?\\\"","\\\"What?\\\" With\ther\tbrows\tdrawn\ttogether,\tSunny\tstared\tat\thim.\tAn\toddball,\tshe decided.\tGorgeous,\tcertainly,\tbut\tan\toddball.\tAnd\tfor\tthe\ttime\tbeing\tshe was\tstuck\twith\thim.\t\\\"I\tsaid\twe're\tbig\ton\ttea\taround\there.\tDo\tyou\thave\ta preference?\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tHe\tcouldn't\tresist.\tHe\tsimply\tcouldn't.\tAs\tshe\tturned\tto\tput\tthe kettle\ton\tto\tboil,\the\twandered\tover\tto\tthe\twhite\tenameled\tsink\tand\tturned a\tclunky\tchrome\tdial.\thead,\tSunny\ttold\therself.\tFor\ta\tmoment\tin\tthe kitchen,\twith\thim\tlooking\tso\tintently\tinto\ther\teyes,\tshe'd\tfelt\tas\tthough- She\tdidn't\tknow\twhat\tshe'd\tfelt.\tShe\tdidn't\twant\tto. It\twas\tenough\tto\tbe\tfree\tto\twalk,\tthough\tthe\tsnow\twas\tup\tto\ther\tknees. Another\thour\tof\tconfinement\tand\tshe'd\thave\tgone\tmad.\tPerhaps\tthat was\twhat\thad\thappened\tto\ther\tin\tthere,\twith\thim.\tA\tmoment\tof\tmadness. \\\"It's\twild,\tisn't\tit?\\\" She\tstood\tin\twhat\thad\tbeen\tthe\tbackyard\tand\tlooked\tout\ton\tacres\tof solid\twhite.\tThe\tdying\twind\tmoaned\tthrough\tthe\ttrees\tand\tsent\tpowdery snow\tdrifting. \\\"I've\talways\tliked\tit\tbest\tin\tthe\twinter.\tBecause\tif\tyou're\tgoing\tto\tbe\talone you\tmight\tas\twell\tbe\tcompletely\talone.\tI\tforgot\tthe\tbird\tfood.\tHang\ton.\\\" She\tturned,\twading\tthrough\tthe\tsnow.\tHe\tthought\tshe\tmoved\tmore\tlike\ta dancer\tnow\tthan\tan\tathlete.\tGraceful\tdespite\tthe\tencumbrances.\tIt worried\thim\tto\trealize\tthat\the'd\tbeen\tcontent\tto\twatch\ther\tfor\thours.\tIn\ta moment\tshe\twas\ttrudging\tback,\tdragging\tan\tenormous\tburlap\tsack. \\\"What\tare\tyou\tdoing?\\\" \\\"Going\tto\tfeed\tthe\tbirds.\\\"\tShe\twas\tout\tof\tbreath\tbut\tstill\tmoving.\t\\\"This time\tof\tyear\tthey\tneed\tall\tthe\thelp\tthey\tcan\tget.\\\" He\tshook\this\thead.\t\\\"Let\tme\tdo\tit\\\" \\\"I'm\tvery\tstrong.\\\" \\\"Yes,\tI\tknow.\tLet\tme\tdo\tit\tanyway.\\\"","\\\"Yes,\tI\tknow.\tLet\tme\tdo\tit\tanyway.\\\" He\ttook\tthe\tsack,\tbraced,\tput\this\tback\tinto\tit\tand\tbegan\tto\thaul\tit\tacross the\tsnow.\tIt\tgathered\tsnow-and\tweight-with\tevery\tstep. \\\"I\tthought\tyou\tweren't\ta\tnature\tlover.\\\" \\\"That\tdoesn't\tmean\tI'd\tlet\tthem\tstarve.\\\"\tAnd\tshe'd\tpromised\tLibby. He\thauled\tthe\tbag\tanother\tfoot.\t\\\"Couldn't\tyou\tjust\tdump\tit\tout?\\\" \\\"If\ta\tthing's\tworth\tdoing-\\\" \\\"It's\tworth\tdoing\twell.\tYeah,\tI've\theard\tthat\tone.\\\" She\tstopped\tby\ta\ttree\tand,\tstanding\ton\ta\tstump,\tbegan\tto\tfill\ta\tbig\twood- and-glass\thouse\twith\tseed\tfrom\tthe\tsack.\t\\\"There\twe\tgo.\\\"\tShe\tbrushed seed\tfrom\ther\thands.\t\\\"Want\tme\tto\tcarry\tit\tback?\\\" \\\"I'll\tdo\tit.\tWhy\tany\tself-respecting\tbird\twould\twant\tto\thang\taround\there\tin the\tmiddle\tof\tnowhere\tI\tcan't\tunderstand.\\\" \\\"We're\there,\\\"\tshe\tcalled\tout\tas\the\thauled\tthe\tsack\tacross\tthe\tsnow. \\\"I\tcan't\tunderstand\tthat,\teither.\\\" She\tgrinned\tat\this\tback,\tand\tthen,\tnot\tbeing\tone\tto\twaste\tan\topportunity, she\tbegan\tto\tball\tsnow.\tShe\thad\ta\tgood-size\tpile\tof\tammunition\twhen\the came\tout\tagain,\tand\tshe\tsent\tthe\tfirst\tone\tsailing\tsmack\tinto\this forehead. \\\"Bull's-eye.\\\" He\twiped\tsnow\tout\tof\this\teyes.\t\\\"You've\talready\tlost\tat\tone\tgame.\\\" \\\"That\twas\tpoker.\\\"\tShe\tpicked\tup\tanother\tball,\tweighed\tit.\t\\\"This\tis\twar. And\twar\ttakes\tskill,\tnot\tluck.\\\" He\tdodged\tthe\tnext\tthrow,\tswearing\twhen\the\tnearly\toverbalanced,\tthen caught\tthe\tnext\tone\tin\tthe\tchest.\tDead\tcenter.","\\\"I\tshould\ttell\tyou\tI\twas\tthe\ttop\tpitcher\ton\tmy Softball\tteam\tin\tcollege.\tI\tstill\thold\tthe\trecord\tfor\tstrikeouts.\\\" The\tnext\tone\tsmacked\tinto\this\tshoulder,\tbut\the\twas\tprepared.\tIn\ta\tmove she\thad\tto\tadmire,\the\tcame\tup\twith\ta\tstinging\tfastball\tthat\tzoomed\tin right\ton\tthe\tletters.\tHe'd\tpitched\ta\tfew\thimself,\tbut\the\tdidn't\tthink\the would\tmention\tthat\the'd\tbeen\tcaptain\tof\tthe\tintergalactic\tsoftball\tteam three\tyears\trunning. \\\"Not\tbad,\tHornblower.\\\"\tShe\tsent\tout\ttwo,\tcatching\thim\twith\tthe\tsecond on\tthe\tdodge.\tShe\thad\ta\tmean\tcurve,\tand\tshe\twas\tpleased\tto\tnote\tthat she\thadn't\tlost\ther\ttouch.\tSnow\tsplattered\tall\tover\this\tcoat.\tOne particularly\twell-thrown\tball\tnearly\ttook\toff\this\that. Before\ther\tpile\tbegan\tto\tdwindle,\tshe\thad\thim\tat\teight\thits\tto\ttwo\tand was\tgetting\tcocky.\tIt\tdidn't\toccur\tto\ther\tthat\the\thad\tclosed\thalf\tthe distance\tbetween\tthem. When\the\ttook\tone\tfull\tin\tthe\tface,\tshe\tdoubled\tover\twith\tlaughter.\tThen she\tshrieked\twhen\the\tcaught\ther\tunder\tthe\tarms\tand\tlifted\ther\toff\ther feet. \\\"Good\taim,\tbad\tstrategy,\\\"\the\tcommented\tbefore\the\tdropped\ther\tface\tfirst in\tthe\tsnow. She\trolled\tover,\tspitting\tout\tsnow.\t\\\"I\tstill\twon.\\\" \\\"Not\tfrom\twhere\tI'm\tstanding.\\\" With\ta\tgood-natured\tshrug,\tshe\theld\tout\ta\thand.\tHe\thesitated.\tShe smiled.\tThe\tmoment\the\tclasped\ther\thand,\tshe\tthrew\ther\tweight\tback\tand had\thim\tflying\tinto\tthe\tdrift\tbeside\ther. \\\"What\tdoes\tit\tlook\tlike\tnow?\\\" \\\"Hand-to-hand.\\\" He\tgrasped\ther\tby\tthe\tshoulders.\tThey\tonly\tsank\tdeeper.\tSnow\tworked its\tway,\tcold\tand\twet,\tdown\tthe\tcollar\tof\this\tborrowed\tcoat\tHe\tfound\tit,","its\tway,\tcold\tand\twet,\tdown\tthe\tcollar\tof\this\tborrowed\tcoat\tHe\tfound\tit, and\tthe\tway\ther\tbody\ttwisted\tand\tturned\tagainst\this,\timpossibly stimulating.\tShe\twas\tlaughing,\tkicking\tup\tsnow\tas\tshe\ttried\tto\tpin\thim\ton the\ticy\tmat.\tBreathless,\tshe\tmanaged\ta\thalf\tnelson,\tand\tshe\tnearly\thad the\tcall\twhen\tshe\tfelt\therself\tflying\tover\this\tshoulder. She\tlanded\twith\ta\tthump,\thalf\tburied,\tand\tlay\tthere\tfor\ta\tsecond, dragging\tin\tair.\t\\\"Nice\tmove,\\\"\tshe\tpanted.\tThen\tshe\tdived\tat\thim\tagain. She\tscissored,\tdipped\tand\tmanaged\tto\tslither\tout\tof\this\thold.\tWorking fast,\tshe\ttwisted\tuntil\tshe\twas\thalf-sitting,\thalf-lying\ton\this\tback.\tUsing her\tweight,\tshe\tdunked\this\tface\tin\tthe\tsnow. \\\"Say\tuncle.\\\" He\tsaid\tsomething\ta\tgreat\tdeal\truder,\tand\tshe\tlaughed\tso\thard\tshe nearly\tlost\ther\tgrip. \\\"Come\ton,\tJ.T.,\ta\treal\tman\tadmits\tit\twhen\the's\tlicked.\\\" He\tcould\thave\tbeaten\ther,\the\tthought\tin\tdisgust\tas\this\tface\tnumbed.\tBut twice\twhen\the'd\ttried\tfor\ta\thold\this\thand\thad\tskimmed\tover\tparticularly interesting\tcurves.\tIt\thad\tbroken\this\tconcentration. \\\"Two\tout\tof\tthree,\\\"\the\tmumbled. \\\"If\twe\ttry\tfor\ttwo\tout\tof\tthree,\twe'll\tfreeze\tto\tdeath.\\\"\tTaking\this\tgrunt\tfor agreement,\tshe\thelped\thim\tturn\tover.\t\\\"Not\tbad\tfor\ta\tscientist.\\\" \\\"If\twe\ttook\tit\tindoors,\tyou\twouldn't\thave\ta\tchance.\\\"\tBut\the\twas\twinded. \\\"The\tpoint\tis,\tI\tcame\tout\ton\ttop.\\\" He\tlifted\ta\tbrow.\t\\\"In\ta\tmanner\tof\tspeaking.\\\" She\tonly\tgrinned.\t\\\"I\twish\tyou\tcould\tsee\tyour\tface.\tEven\tyour\teyelashes are\twhite.\\\" \\\"So\tare\tyours.\\\"\tHe\tlifted\ta\tgloved\thand\tthat\twas\talready\tcoated\twith snow\tand\trubbed\tit\ton\ther\tface. \\\"Cheat.\\\"","\\\"Cheat.\\\" \\\"Whatever\tworks.\\\"\tExhausted,\the\tlet\this\thand\tdrop\tagain.\tHe\tdidn't\tknow the\tlast\ttime\the'd\tbeen\ttaken-or\twhen\the'd\tenjoyed\tit\tso\tmuch. \\\"We'd\tbetter\tget\tsome\tmore\twood.\\\"\tShe\tbraced\ta\thand\tto\tget\tup,\tslipped and\tlanded\twith\ta\tthump\ton\this\tchest.\t\\\"Sorry.\\\" \\\"It's\tall\tright.\tI've\tgot\ta\tfew\tribs\tleft.\\\" His\tarms\thad\tcome\taround\ther.\tHis\tface\twas\tclose.\tIt\twas\ta\tmistake,\tshe knew,\tto\tstay\tthis\tway,\teven\tfor\ta\tmoment.\tBut\tshe\tdidn't\tmove.\tAnd\tthen she\tdidn't\tthink.\tIt\twas\tthe\tmost\tnatural\tthing\tin\tthe\tworld\tfor\ther\tto\tlower her\tlips\tto\this. They\twere\tcool,\tand\tfirm,\tand\teverything\tshe\twanted.\tKissing\thim\twas like\tdiving\theadfirst\tinto\ta\tcold\tmountain\tlake.\tThrilling,\texhilarating.\tAnd risky.\tShe\theard\ther\town\tsound\tof\tpleasure,\tquick\tand\tquiet,\tbefore\tshe threw\twhat\twas\tleft\tof\tcaution\tto\tthe\twinds\tand\tdeepened\tthe\tkiss. She\twinded\thim.\tWeakened\thim.\tLoss\tof\tcontrol\tmeant\tnothing.\tControl was\tmeant\tto\tbe\tgiven\tup\tin\tpassion.\tBut\tthis-this\twas\tdifferent.\tAs\ther lips\theated\this,\the\tfelt\tboth\twill\tand\tstrength\tdrain\taway.\tThere\twas\ta mist\tin\this\tbrain\tas\tthick\tand\tas\twhite\tas\tthe\tsnow\tthey\tlay\tin.\tAnd\the could\tthink\tof\tnothing\tand\tno\tone\tbut\ther. The\twomen\twho\thad\tcome\tbefore\ther\twere\tnothing.\tShadows. Phantoms.\tWhen\ther\tmouth\tslid\tagilely\tover\this\the\tunderstood\tthat\tthere would\tbe\tno\twomen\tafter\ther.\tShe\thad,\tin\tone\theady\tinstant,\ttaken\tover his\tlife.\tSurrounded\tit,\tinvaded\tit.\tConsumed\tit. Shaken,\the\tbrought\this\thands\tto\ther\tshoulders,\tprepared,\tdetermined,\tto hurl\ther\taside.\tBut\this\tfingers\tonly\ttightened,\tand\this\tneed\tonly\tgrew. It\twas\tlike\ta\trage\tin\thim.\tShe\tcould\tfeel\tit.\tIt\twas\tbuilding\tin\ther,\tas\twell. A\tfury.\tA\tdriving\thunger.\tAnd\this\tmouth,\this\tmouth\talone,\twas\tdragging her\tover\tthe\trocky\tborder\tbetween\theaven\tand\thell.\tSo\tclose,\tshe thought,\tthat\tshe\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tflames\tlicking\tat\ther\tskin,\ttempting\ther\tto tumble\trecklessly\tinto\tthe\tfire.\tFor\tit\twould\tbe\tall\tbrimstone\tand\theat\twith him.\tAnd\tshe\twas\tafraid,\tvery\tafraid,\tthat\tshe\twould\tnever\tbe\tsatisfied","him.\tAnd\tshe\twas\tafraid,\tvery\tafraid,\tthat\tshe\twould\tnever\tbe\tsatisfied with\tless. She\tlifted\ther\thead,\tan\tinch,\tthen\ttwo.\tShe\twas\tamazed\tto\tfind\ther\tmind spinning\tand\ther\tbreath\tuneven.\tIt\thad\tonly\tbeen\ta\tkiss,\tshe\treminded herself.\tA\tkiss,\thowever\tpassionate,\tdidn't\talter\tlives.\tStill,\tshe\twanted distance,\tand\tquickly,\tso\tthat\tshe\tcould\tconvince\therself\tshe\twas\tthe same\tperson\tshe\thad\tbeen\tbefore\tit. \\\"We\treally\thave\tto\tget\tthat\twood,\\\"\tshe\tmanaged.\tSuddenly\tshe\twas terrified\tthat\tshe\twouldn't\tbe\table\tto\tstand.\tIt\twouldn't\tdo\ther\tego\ta\tbit\tof good\tto\thave\tto\tcrawl\tback\tto\tthe\thouse.\tCautiously\tshe\trolled\taway\tfrom him.\tThen,\tusing\tevery\tounce\tof\twill\tshe\tpossessed,\tshe\tdragged\therself to\ther\tfeet.\tShe\tmade\ta\tproduction\tout\tof\tbrushing\tthe\tsnow\tfrom\ther coat\tand\twished\the\twould\tsay\tsomething.\tAnything. \\\"Look.\\\" Wary,\tshe\tturned.\tBut\the\twas\tonly\tpointing\tto\tthe\tfeeder,\twhere\ta\tfew hardy\tbirds\twere\tenjoying\tbreakfast.\tIt\thelped\ther\trelax\ta\tlittle.\t\\\"Well,\tI've done\tmy\tduty\tby\tthem.\\\"\tBecause\tshe\twas\tsuddenly\tand\tbrutally\taware\tof the\tcold,\tshe\tgave\therself\ta\tquick\tshake.\t\\\"I'm\tgoing\tin.\\\" She\twaded\tacross\tthe\tsnow.\tThey\tdidn't\tspeak\tagain\tas\tthey\tgathered wood,\tas\tthey\ttromped\tsnow\tfrom\ttheir\tboots\tor\tas\tthey\tcarried\tthe\tlogs to\tthe\twoodbox.\tSunny\tbanked\tdown\tan\turge\tfor\ta\tsteaming\tcup\tof\ttea. She\twanted\tto\tbe\talone.\tShe\twanted\tto\tthink. \\\"I'm\tgoing\tup\tfor\ta\tshower.\\\"\tFeeling\tmiserably\tawkward,\tshe\twatched him\ttoss\tlogs\ton\tthe\tfire. \\\"Fine.\\\" She\tmade\ta\tface\tat\this\tback.\t\\\"Fine.\\\" He\twaited\tuntil\the\theard\ther\tclimb\tthe\tstairs\tbefore\the\tstraightened.\tThe woman\twas\tscrambling\this\tbrain,\the\tdecided.\tIt\twas\thighly\tprobable\tthat he\twas\tstill\tdisoriented\tfrom\tthe\ttrip.\tThat\twas\twhy\tshe\twas\thaving\tsuch a\tprofound\teffect\ton\thim.\tAll\the\tneeded\twas\ta\tlittle\tmore\ttime\tto\tadjust. Data\tor\tno\tdata,\tit\twould\tbe\tbest\tif\the\ttook\tthat\ttime\taboard\tship.","Data\tor\tno\tdata,\tit\twould\tbe\tbest\tif\the\ttook\tthat\ttime\taboard\tship. He\ttook\ta\tlong,\tthoughtful\tlook\tat\tthe\tcabin.\tStill,\the'd\tpromised\tto\tdo\tthe dishes.\tIt\twould\tbe\tan\tinteresting\texperience\tto\ttry\this\thand\tat\tit. Upstairs,\tSunny\tstripped\toff\tlayers\tof\tclothes,\tletting\teach\titem\tfall carelessly\tto\tthe\tfloor.\tNaked,\tshe\tturned\tthe\tshower\ton,\tletting\tit\trun until\tthe\thot\twater\twas\tsteaming.\tShe\twinced\tas\tshe\tstepped\tunder\tit, then\tlet\tout\ta\tlong,\tlazy\tsigh. Better,\tshe\ttold\therself.\tIt\twas\tcertainly\ta\tbetter\tway\tof\tgetting\ther\tblood moving\tthan\tkissing\tJacob.\tNo,\tit\twasn't. She\tlaid\ther\tforehead\tagainst\tthe\twall\tof\tthe\tshower\tand\twith\ther\teyes closed\tlet\tthe\twater\train\tover\ther. Maybe\tshe'd\tbeen\ta\tlittle\tcrazy\twhen\tshe'd\tkissed\thim,\tbut\tshe'd\tnever felt\tmore\talive.\tShe\tcouldn't\tblame\thim,\tnot\tthis\ttime.\tShe\thad\tmade\tthe move.\tShe\thad\tlooked\tinto\this\teyes\tand\tknown\the\twas\tthe\tone. Yet\thow\tcould\the\tbe?\tShe\tbarely\tknew\thim,\twas\tfar\tfrom\tconvinced\tshe trusted\thim.\tHalf\tthe\ttime\tshe\twas\tsure\tshe\tdisliked\thim.\tBut-But,\tshe thought\tagain.\tThe\tother\thalf\tof\tthe\ttime\tshe\twas\tafraid\tshe\twas\tfalling\tin love\twith\thim. It\twas\tcompletely\tirrational,\tundeniably\tfoolish\tand\ttotally\tgenuine.\tAll she\thad\tto\tdo\twas\tfigure\tout\twhat\tto\tdo\tabout\tit. Pouring\tshampoo\tinto\ther\tpalm,\tshe\ttried\tto\tthink.\tShe\twas\ta\tpractical woman.\tAs\tfar\tback\tas\ther\tmemory\ttook\ther,\tshe\thad\tbeen\table\tto\ttake care\tof\therself.\tProblems,\teven\temotional\tones,\twere\tmeant\tto\tbe surmounted.\tIf\tshe\twas\tfalling\tin\tlove,\tshe\twould\tdeal\twith\tit.\tThe\ttrick was\tnot\tto\tdo\tanything\trash. Caution,\tcommon\tsense\tand\tcontrol,\tSunny\tdecided.\tShe\tlathered\ther skin\tlavishly.\tShe\twould\tkeep\ta\tpractical\tdistance\tfrom\tJacob\tuntil\tshe got\tto\tknow\thim\tbetter,\tuntil\tshe\twas\tmore\tcertain\tof\ther\tfeelings.\tIt\tmade perfect\tsense.\tMore\tconfident\tnow,\tshe\tturned\tunder\tthe\tspray\tand\tlet the\twater\tsluice\tthe\tsuds\tfrom\ther.","Once\tshe\thad\tdetermined\ther\town\tfeelings,\tshe\twould\twork\ton\this. There\twas\tno\tdenying\the\twas\ta\tstrange\tsort\tof\tman.\tInteresting, certainly,\tbut\tdifferent\tin\tways\tshe\thad\tyet\tto\tfully\tfigure\tout. She\tcould\thandle\thim.\tAfter\tturning\toff\tthe\twater,\tshe\tslicked\ta\thand down\ther\thair.\tShe\thad\talways\tbeen\table\tto\thandle\tmen\tvery satisfactorily.\tIn\tthis\tcase,\tshe\tjust\thad\tto\thandle\therself\tfirst. Satisfied,\tshe\tkicked\ther\tclothes\tout\tof\tthe\tway.\tDry,\tshe\twrapped\ta towel\taround\ther\tand\tstepped\tout\tinto\tthe\thall. He'd\tenjoyed\tdoing\tthe\tdishes.\tIt\twas\tjust\tthe\tsort\tof\tmindless\tchore\the'd needed\tto\trelax\this\tmind.\tAnd\this\tbody.\tThe\tplastic\tsqueeze\tbottle marked\tdishwashing\tliquid\tclaimed\tto\tcontain\treal\tlemon\tjuice. He\ttook\ta\tsniff\tof\this\thands\tand\tfound\tthe\tlingering\tscent\tpleasant.\tAs soon\tas\the\tgot\tback\tto\tthe\tship\the\twas\tgoing\tto\tmake\ta\treport\ton\tit. And\tthe\ttask\thad\tgiven\thim\ttime\tto\tput\this\treaction\tto\tSunny\tin perspective.\tBeing\tattracted\tto\ther\twas\tnatural,\teven\telemental.\tBut\the was\tintelligent\tenough\tto\tcontrol\tcertain\tprimal\turges.\tParticularly\twhen acting\ton\tthem\twould\tcause\tincredible\tcomplications. She\twas\tbeautiful,\tdesirable,\tbut\tshe\twas\talso\timpossible.\tThe\tidea\tof pursuit\thad\tbeen\ta\tbad\tone.\tHe\twas\twell\taware\tnow\tthat\ta\tphysical encounter\twith\ther\twould\tnot\tbe\tsimple.\tIt\tcould\tonly\tbe\tproblematic.\tHe would\tsolve\tthe\tproblem\tfor\tboth\tof\tthem\tby\tgathering\tup\this\tthings\tand spending\tthe\tbulk\tof\this\ttime\ton\this\tship.\tWhen\tCal\tcame\tback\the\twould convince\this\tbrother\tthat\the\thad\tmade\ta\tmistake.\tThen\tthey\twould\tgo home,\twhere\tthey\tbelonged.\tAnd\tthat\twould\tbe\tthe\tend\tof\tit. It\tshould\thave\tbeen.\tPerhaps\tit\twould\thave\tbeen.\tBut\the\tcame\tto\tthe\ttop of\tthe\tstairs\tjust\tas\tSunny\tstepped\tout\tof\tthe\tbath.\tShe\theld\ta\ttowel\tat her\tbreasts\twith\tboth\thands.\tHe\tgripped\tthe\trail\tso\thard\tthat\the wondered\tthe\twood\tdidn't\tcrumble\tunder\this\tfingers. Bad\ttiming.\tThe\tthought\twent\tthrough\tboth\tof\ttheir\theads.\tOr\tperhaps\tit was\tperfect\ttiming.","CHAPTER\t7 We\tcrossed\tto\ther\tslowly,\tsoundlessly.\tInevitably.\tIn\this\teyes\tshe\tsaw mirrored\ther\town\tneeds.\tA\treflection\tof\tdesires,\traw\tand\tready,\tthat\tshe had\trefused\tto\tacknowledge.\tEven\tnow,\tfaced\twith\tthem,\tshe\twanted\tto deny\tthat\tthey\texisted.\tNot\twith\tthis\tpower.\tNot\twith\tthis\tpotency. She\tcould\thave\theld\tup\ta\thand,\tsaid\tone\tsimple\tword.\tNo. Perhaps\tit\twould\thave\tstopped\thim.\tPerhaps\tnot.\tBut\ther\thands remained\tclutched\ton\tthe\ttowel.\tAnd\tshe\tsaid\tnothing.\tAt\tall. At\ther\tback\tshe\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tsteam\tfrom\tthe\tshower\tstill\trising.\tOr\twas\tit anticipation\tthat\theated\ther\tskin?\tHer\tfingers\twere\tballed\ttight,\tlodged\tin the\tsubtle\tvalley\tbetween\ther\tbreasts.\tHer\teyes\twere\tsteady\ton\this.\tBut her\tpulse\tscrambled\terratically,\tas\tif\tshe\thad\tjust\tcrossed\tthe\tfinish\tline of\ta\tlong,\tarduous\trace. He\tdidn't\ttouch\ther.\tNot\tat\tfirst.\tHe\talready\tknew\tthat\tonce\the\tdid,\tthe time\tto\tturn\tback\twould\tbe\tlost\tfor\tboth\tof\tthem.\tA\tpart\tof\thim\twished desperately\tthat\the\tcould\tsimply\twalk\tback,\tturn\taway\tand\tcontinue\ton the\troute\the\talready\thad\tmapped\tout.\tShe\twas\ta\tdetour,\ta\tdangerous combination\tof\tcurves\tthat\twould\tonly\tlead\thim\tastray. But,\tlooking\tat\ther,\this\teyes\tdark\tand\tintent\ton\ther\tface,\the\tknew\tthat\this bridges\twere\talready\tsmoking\tbehind\thim. He\ttouched\ther\tface-took\tit\tin\this\thands.\tCupped\tit,\tmolding\this\tfingers\tto the\tangles,\tas\tif\tto\tmold\tthe\tshape\tof\tit\tin\this\tmind.\tTo\tremember\ther, always,\tas\tshe\twas\tin\tthis\tone\tinstant,\tto\tremember\ther\tthrough\tall\tthe centuries\tthat\twould\tkeep\tthem\tapart. He\theard\ther\tbreath\tcatch,\tthen\trelease,\tfelt\tthe\tfaint,\talmost\tdelicate, tremblings\tof\tpassion\tstill\trestrained.\tAll\tthe\twhile\the\twatched\ther, measuring\tthat\tlook\tin\ther\teyes.\tPart\tpanic,\tpart\tchallenge.\tResisting\ther would\tbe\tas\timpossible\tas\tstopping\this\town\theartbeat\tat\twill. Slowly,\tdeliberately,\the\tspread\this\tfingers,\tskimming\tthem\tup\tso\tthat\this","Slowly,\tdeliberately,\the\tspread\this\tfingers,\tskimming\tthem\tup\tso\tthat\this palms\tslid\tover\ther\tjawline,\ther\tcheekbones,\ther\ttemples,\tuntil\this\thands were\tcaught\tin\ther\twet,\tsleek\thair.\tHe\ttook\tone\tfistful\tof\tit,\tthen\ttwo. Her\tgaze\tnever\tfaltered\tfrom\this.\tShe\twouldn't\tpermit\tit\tto.\tBut\tshe couldn't\tprevent\ta\tquick,\tsoft\tgasp\tas\the\tdrew\ther\thead\tback.\tHer\tlips parted,\tin\tboth\tinvitation\tand\tacceptance,\tas\the\tleaned\tcloser.\tOnly\tthe thinning\tmist\tfrom\tthe\tbath\twound\tbetween\tthem. With\this\tmouth\ta\tbreath\taway\tfrom\thers,\the\tstopped,\twaited.\tIt\thad nothing\tto\tdo\twith\thesitation.\tThere\twas\tas\tmuch\tchallenge\tin\this\teyes as\tin\thers. To\tmeet\tit,\tshe\tmoved\tforward,\tthe\tslight\tsway\tof\ther\tbody\tclosing\tthe narrow\tdistance\tbetween\tthem. \\\"Yes,\\\"\tshe\tsaid,\tand\tlifted\ther\tmouth\tto\this. No\tsingle\tword\tcould\thave\tlit\tthe\tfires\tso\tquickly.\tNo\tpracticed\tseduction could\thave\tbroken\tthe\tlast\tchains\ton\this\tcontrol.\tHis\tfingers\ttightened\tin her\thair,\tand\this\tmouth\tswooped\tdown\ton\thers. The\tglory\tof\tit.\tHe\tfelt\thunger\tanswer\thunger,\tdesperation\tply desperation.\tHer\tmouth\twas\tlike\tan\toasis,\toffering\tthe\tlast\tcool\tdrop\tof life\tto\ta\tdying\tman\twho\tknew\the\tmust\tstumble\tback\tinto\tthe\tsun.\tShe appeased\teven\tas\tshe\tincited,\tpromised\teven\tas\tshe\tdemanded.\tThere was\thoney\tfor\tthe\ttaking,\trich\tand\tthick,\tbut\talways\tat\tthe\trisk\tof\tbeing stung.\tThe\trisk\tmade\tthe\treward\tall\tthe\tsweeter. He\thad\tnever\tknown\ta\twoman\tcould\tmake\thim\tsuffer,\tand\tmake\thim relish\tthe\tpain,\tall\tfrom\ta\tmeeting\tof\tlips. Her\thands\twere\ttrapped\tbetween\ttheir\tbodies.\tThey\tflexed,\timpatient,\tnot for\trelease\tbut\tto\ttake\tas\the\twas\ttaking.\tShe\tspread\tthem\tflat\ton\this chest,\tfretting\tfor\tfreedom.\tBut\ther\tmurmur\tof\tprotest\twas\tlost\tin\this assault\ton\ther\tmouth\tbefore\tit\tmerged\twith\ta\tgroan\tof\tpleasure. His\tteeth\tnipped\tand\tnibbled,\tand\tthen\this\ttongue\tplunged\tdeep, greedily.\tDeaf\tand\tblind\tto\tall\telse,\tshe\tdived\tin,\tas\trecklessly\tas\the.","Her\thands\twere\tfree\tfor\tan\tinstant.\tBefore\tshe\tcould\tclutch\tat\thim,\ther world\tseemed\tto\ttilt,\tand\tshe\twas\tswept\tup\tin\this\tarms.\tSwept\toff\ther feet,\tshe\tthought\tgiddily.\tNo\tman\tbefore\thim\thad\tever\tdared\tto\tattempt\tit. No\tman\tbefore\thim\twould\thave\tsucceeded.\tWith\tmuscles\tlike\tiron,\the caught\ther\thard\tagainst\thim,\tclosing\tthe\tdistance\tto\tthe\tbedroom\tin\ta\tfew long-legged\tstrides.\tEven\tas\tshe\ttugged\tat\this\tsweater,\tthey\twere tumbling\tonto\tthe\tbed. With\tone\tfrantic\tstroke,\the\tripped\tthe\ttowel\tfrom\ther,\tthen\tgripped\ther seeking\thands\tin\this,\tfingers\tinterlacing,\tlocking,\tso\tthat\the\tcould\tlook\this fill.\tThe\tthin\twinter\tlight\tseeped\tthrough\tthe\twindow\tto\tlie\tloverlike\ton\ther skin. Her\tstruggle\tto\tfree\ther\thands\tstopped.\tFor\ta\tmoment,\tshe\tthought\ther breathing\thad,\tas\twell. He\tknew\this\thad.\tIt\twasn't\tair\tthat\trushed\tthrough\thim,\tbut\ta\tdesire\tso acute\tit\tleft\thim\treeling. She\twas\tpale\tas\tmoonlight,\tlong\tlimbed,\twith\tthe\tfine-toned\tmuscles\tof\ta dancer\tor\tan\tathlete.\tThe\tstrength\twas\tthere,\tand\tthe\tfemininity.\tAs\the looked,\tand\tlooked,\tand\tlooked,\tshe\tbegan\tto\ttremble. Her\thair\twas\tdark,\twet\tand\tslicked\tback\tfrom\ther\tface.\tNow,\tas\tthey\thad earlier\twith\tanger,\ther\teyes\thad\tdeepened\tto\tsmoke.\tAnd\tthey\twatched him. With\ther\thands\tstill\tcaught\tin\this,\the\tlowered\this\tmouth.\tShe\tarched,\tas greedy\tas\the\tfor\tthe\tcontact.\tEven\tas\tthe\tkiss\tpumped\tthrough\ther\tlike\ta drug,\tshe\ttried\tto\ttug\ther\thands\tfree.\tBut\the\twas\trelentless,\tas\tif\the\tknew that\tonce\the\treleased\ther\tthe\tpower\twould\tbe\ttaken\tfrom\thim.\tNot\tto dominate,\tbut\tonly\tto\tpleasure,\the\tkept\ther\tprisoner. She\tmoaned\tas\tthe\tsoft\tcotton\tof\this\tsweater\tbrushed\ther\tskin.\tShe wanted\this\tflesh\tagainst\thers.\tShe\twanted\ther\thands\ton\thim,\tand\this\ton her.\tBut\the\tused\this\tmouth,\tonly\this\tmouth,\tto\tdrive\ther\tto\tthe\tedge\tof reason. Rapidly,\talmost\tsavagely,\the\tmoved\this\tlips\tover\ther-her\tface,\ther\tneck,","Rapidly,\talmost\tsavagely,\the\tmoved\this\tlips\tover\ther-her\tface,\ther\tneck, her\tshoulders.\tShe\tspoke\this\tname,\twrithing\tfrantically\tbeneath\thim,\tbut he\tmoved\trestlessly\ton. With\topenmouthed\tkisses\the\tcircled\ther\tbreasts,\ttormenting\thimself\tas much\tas\ther.\tThen\the\tdrew\tthe\tpoint\tinto\this\tmouth\tto\tnip,\tto\tsuck,\tto stroke\twith\tthe\trough\tedge\tof\this\ttongue. He\thad\tknown\tthe\tflavor\tof\twomen,\tbut\thers\twas\tnew,\tso\texclusively hers\tmat\the\tknew\tthat\tif\the\tsupped\tof\tten\ttimes\tten\tthousand\tothers,\the would\tnever\tbe\tsatisfied.\tNever\thad\the\tknown\tso\tkeen\tor\tso\tperfect\ta match.\tThe\tache\tto\tclaim\tall\tof\ther\tsprinted\tinside\thim. \\\"Jacob.\\\"\tHis\tname\twas\tlike\ta\tprayer\tthat\twas\ttransformed\tinto\ta\tfrantic moan.\t\\\"Let\tme-\\\" But\tthe\twords\tended\ton\ta\tstunned,\tsuffocated\tcry\tas\the\tshot\ther\tover\ta towering,\tairless\tpeak.\tShe\tflew,\tthoughts\tand\tfeelings\ttangling\tand breaking\tapart.\tStill\this\thands\twere\tlocked\twith\thers.\tGasping,\tgiddy,\tshe closed\ther\teyes\tas\ther\ttensed\tmuscles\twent\tlax. If\tthis\twas\tpleasure,\tshe\thad\tnever\ttasted\tit\tbefore.\tIf\tthis\twas\tpassion, she\tunderstood\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\twhy\ta\twoman\twould\tdie\tfor\tit Dazed,\tshe\topened\ther\teyes.\tThe\tfierce\ttriumph\tin\this\thad\ther\theart pounding\tagainst\ther\tribs\tagain.\t\\\"I\tcan't-I\thaven't-\\\" \\\"You\tcan,\tand\tyou\twill.\tAgain.\\\"\tAnd\the\twatched,\travenous,\tas\the\tsent her\tsoaring. Shudders\tracked\ther.\tEach\tmovement\tof\ther\tbody\tbeneath\this\tpushed her\tcloser\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\treason.\tFreed,\ther\thands\tslid\tbonelessly\tto\tthe rumpled\tsheets.\tThere\twas\ta\tmist\tin\tfront\tof\ther\teyes.\tAs\this\thands joined\this\tmouth\tin\tplundering\ther,\tshe\twondered\tthat\tshe\tdidn't\tsimply float\tup\tand\taway\tinto\tit Touch\tme. She\twasn't\tcertain\tif\the\tspoke\tthe\twords\tor\tif\this\tneed\tmerely\techoed\tin her\thead.\tThrough\tlayers\tof\tdrugged\tpleasure\tshe\tlifted\ther\tarms, brought\thim\tclose.\tAnd\tfound\this\tmouth\twith\thers.","brought\thim\tclose.\tAnd\tfound\this\tmouth\twith\thers. Strength\traced\tback\tinto\ther,\tedgier,\tmore\tpotent,\tfrom\tthe\tweakness.\tA new\tlevel\tof\tdesperation\thad\ther\tdragging\this\tsweater\tover\this\thead. Twin\tgasps\tof\tpleasure\tspeared\tthe\tquiet\tas\ther\thands\tfound\thim. Warm,\tfirm.\tHers.\tShe\tstroked\tand\texplored\tas\tthoroughly,\tas mercilessly,\tas\the.\tCatapulted\tby\ta\thunger\tgrown\tinsatiable,\tshe\trolled with\thim\ton\tthe\tbed,\ther\tmouth\tfused\tto\this,\ttearing\tat\this\tjeans\twith frantic\tfingers\tuntil\theated\tflesh\tmet\theated\tflesh. He\thad\tthought\the\tknew\twhat\tdelights\ta\twoman\tcould\tbring\twhen\tshe touched\ta\tman.\tBut\tshe\thad\tnever\ttouched\thim\tbefore.\tAll\the\thad known,\tall\the\thad\texperienced\tbefore,\tpaled.\tAnd\tmeant\tnothing. He\twas\tfilled\twith\ther\tbody,\tmind\tand\tsoul.\tShe\twas\teverything\the'd dreamed\tof\twithout\tknowing\the\twas\tdreaming,\teverything\the'd\twished\tfor without\tknowing\the\twas\twishing.\tAs\ther\tlips\tran\tover\thim,\tsmall,\thungry sounds\trising\tin\ther\tthroat,\tdesire\tbuilt\tto\ta\trage. Over\tand\tover\tthey\trolled\ton\tthe\tbed,\tlegs\ttangling\tas\tthey\tpushed\teach other\tfrom\tbrink\tto\tbrink.\tThe\twar\tthey\tfought\twas\tpunctuated\tby\tsearing kisses,\tbruising\tstrokes.\tDriven\tbeyond\treason,\the\tgripped\ther\thips.\tBut she\twas\talready\trising\tto\tmeet\thim,\tto\ttake\thim\tin. Sheathed\tinside\ther,\the\tfelt\tthe\tfirst\tshudders,\thers,\this,\trip\tthrough them.\tHer\tlegs\tlocked\taround\thim.\tHis\tfingers\tdug\tinto\tthe\tsheets. Reason\tshattered.\tRhythms\tmatched. And\the\twas\trocketing\tthrough\tspace,\tthrough\ttime.\tAll\the\tknew\twas\tthat she\twas\twith\thim. She\tlay\tcrossways\ton\tthe\tbed,\tone\tarm\tflung\tout,\tthe\tother\thand\tstill clutched\tin\tJacob's\thair.\tHis\tbody\twas\tas\tlimp\tas\thers\tas\the\tsprawled over\ther,\this\thead\tresting\tbetween\ther\tbreasts.\tHis\tfirst\tthought\twas\tthat her\theart,\tthudding\tunder\this\tear,\tmatched\tthe\tpace\tof\this\town.\tBefore reason\tcould\tset\tin,\the\tslid\ta\thand\tover\tthe\twarm\ttangle\tof\tsheets\tand covered\thers.\tHe\tknew\the\twould\tnever\tbe\table\tto\tdescribe\tthe\tsensation mat\trippled\tthrough\thim\tas\ther\tfingers\tcurled\tagainst\this.","mat\trippled\tthrough\thim\tas\ther\tfingers\tcurled\tagainst\this. He\twas\theavy.\tShe\tdidn't\tcare.\tIt\tseemed\tperfectly\tfeasible\tthat\tshe could\tspend\tthe\trest\tof\ther\tlife\tlying\tjust\tso,\tlistening\tto\this\tbreathing\tand to\tthe\tquiet\tsound\tof\tsnow\tmelting\tfrom\tthe\teaves\tin\tthe\tsun. So\tthis\twas\twhat\tit\twas\tto\tlove,\tshe\tmused.\tShe\thadn't\tknown\tshe'd waited\tall\ther\tlife\tto\tfeel\tlike\tthis.\tIt\thad\talways\tseemed\tpossible\tto\ther\tto live\ther\tlife\talone,\tindependent,\tcontent\twith\tthe\tfreedom\tto\tdo\tas\tshe pleased\twhen\tshe\tpleased. The\tidea\tof\tsharing\ta\tbed\twith\ta\tman\tyou\tcared\tfor,\trespected, understood,\thad\tseemed\tpractical\tand\tcertainly\thuman\tenough.\tBut\tthe idea\tof\tsharing\ta\tlife-or\tneeding\tto\tshare\tit\tbecause\tyou\tcouldn't\timagine living\twithout\tone\tperson-had\talways\tstruck\ther\tas\tromantic\tnonsense. No\tmore. And\the\twas\tsuch\ta\tbeautiful\tman.\tStrong\tand\tsmart\tStubborn\tand opinionated.\tExactly,\tshe\trealized,\tthe\tkind\tof\tman\tshe\tneeded.\tWithout any\tone\tof\tthose\tqualities,\ther\tpersonality\twould\thave\tdriven\ther\tto\trun right\tover\thim,\tmaking\tboth\tof\tthem\tmiserable.\tBecause\the\thad\tthem, she\twould\trun\tinto\thim\toften,\tbruising\tthem\tboth.\tAnd\tshe'd\tbe\twildly happy. Smiling,\tshe\tcaught\therself\tstroking\this\thair.\tAfter\tletting\tout\ta\tcareful breath,\tshe\tmade\therself\tstop.\tWhat\tdid\ta\twoman\tlike\ther\tdo\twith\tthese tender\tfeelings?\tShe\tunderstood\tpassion.\tAt\tleast\tshe\tunderstood\tit\tnow. But\twhat\tabout\tthis\tsoft,\tyielding\tsensation,\tthis\tdependence,\tthis\tneed\tto nurture\tand\tcherish\tand\tsimply\tlove?\tHow\twould\ta\tman\tlike\tJacob Hornblower\treact\tto\tthis\tsudden\tgush\tof\temotion? He'd\tsneer\tat\ther.\tClosing\ther\teyes,\tshe\tadmitted\tthat\tshe\twould\thave sneered\therself\tonly\thours\tbefore. But\teverything\thad\tchanged.\tFor\ther,\tSunny\treminded\therself.\tIf\tshe\twas honest\tshe\twould\taccept\tthe\tfact\tthat\tshe'd\tstarted\tfalling\tthe\tmoment she'd\tfaced\thim,\tready\tto\tfight,\tin\tthis\tvery\tsame\troom. But\tJacob-She\therself\thad\tcalled\thim\ta\ttough\tnut.\tCracking\thim,","But\tJacob-She\therself\thad\tcalled\thim\ta\ttough\tnut.\tCracking\thim, discovering\twhether\tthere\twas\tindeed\ta\tsoft\tcenter\tcapable\tof\tgentler emotions,\twould\tbe\ta\tdifficult\ttask.\tIt\twould\ttake\teffort,\tshe\tthought.\tThat was\tno\tproblem.\tIt\twould\ttake\tpatience.\tThat\twas. Oblivious\tof\twhere\ther\tthoughts\twere\theaded,\the\tturned\this\thead enough\tto\tbrush\ta\tkiss\tto\tthe\tcurve\tof\ther\tbreast. \\\"Your\ttaste,\\\"\the\tmurmured. \\\"Hmm?\\\" \\\"It\tkeeps\tme\thungry.\\\"\tHe\tscraped\this\tteeth\talong\ther\tskin,\tthen\tsmiled when\the\tfelt\ther\theart\tskip\ta\tbeat.\t\\\"I\tlike\tyou\there\tbest.\\\"\tHe\tpropped himself\tup\tto\tstudy\ther\tface\tlazily.\t\\\"Naked\tand\tin\tbed.\\\" \\\"A\ttypical\tmale\tattitude.\\\"\tDeliberately\tshe\tdanced\ther\tfingers\tdown\this hip\tand\twatched\this\teyes\tdarken.\t\\\"But\tthen,\tI\tthink\tI\tprefer\tyou\tin\tthe same\tstate.\\\" \\\"It's\tconvenient\tthat\twe\tfinally\tagree\tabout\tsomething.\\\"\tHe\tshifted\tso\tthat he\tcould\ttrace\ther\tlips\twith\tthe\ttip\tof\this\ttongue.\t\\\"I\tlike\tyour\tmouth, Sunbeam.\tIt's\tstubborn\tand\tsexy.\\\" \\\"I\tcould\tsay\tthe\tsame\tabout\tyours.\\\" \\\"We\tagree\tagain.\\\" \\\"A\tnew\trecord.\\\"\tShe\tcaught\this\tlower\tlip\tbetween\ther\tteeth.\t\\\"We\tcould push\tour\tluck.\tWhat\telse\tdo\tyou\tlike?\\\" \\\"Your-\\\"\tHis\tsmile\tspread\tslowly,\t\\\"-energy.\\\" \\\"Another\twinner.\\\" With\ta\tlaugh,\the\tdeepened\tthe\tkiss.\tShe\twas\tjust\tas\tsweet,\tand\tjust\tas potent,\tas\tthe\tfirst\ttime.\t\\\"Your\tbody,\\\"\the\tdecided.\t\\\"I\tdefinitely\tlike\tyour body.\\\" She\tsighed\tinto\this\tmouth.\t\\\"We're\ton\ta\troll,\tJ.T.\tDon't\tstop\tnow.\\\"","He\tshifted\this\tattention\tto\ther\tearlobe.\t\\\"This\tis\ta\tnice\tspot,\\\"\the murmured,\tnuzzling\tuntil\tthey\twere\tboth\tdizzy.\t\\\"But\tI\tsuppose,\tunder\tthe circumstances,\tI\tcan\tconfess\tthat\tI\tfind\tyour\tmind-intriguing.\\\" \\\"Intriguing,\\\"\tshe\trepeated,\tas\tshudder\tafter\tdelicious\tshudder\tpassed through\ther.\t\\\"An\tinteresting\tchoice\tof\twords.\\\" \\\"It\tseemed\tmore\tapt\tthan\tinfuriating\tat\tthe\tmoment.\tAnd\tI-\\\"\tHis\twords trailed\toff\twhen\the\tspotted\ta\tline\tof\tfaint\tbruises\ton\ther\tshoulder.\tHe placed\tthe\ttips\tof\this\tfingers\ton\tthem\texperimentally.\t\\\"I've\tmarked\tyour skin,\\\"\the\tsaid,\tsurprised\tand\ta\tbit\tappalled.\tIf\the\thad\tbruised\ther\tduring\ta fight,\the\twouldn't\thave\tgiven\tit\ta\tsecond\tthought.\tBut\tin\tbed,\twhile\tloving- that\twas\ta\tdifferent\tmatter.\t\\\"I'm\tsorry.\\\" She\ttwisted\ther\thead\tto\tglance\tat\tthem.\tShe\tcertainly\thadn't\tfelt\tthem. \\\"Are\tyou?\\\"\tHe\tlooked\tback\tto\tsee\ther\tlips\tcurved\tin\twhat\the\tconsidered\ta typically\tfemale\tsmile.\t\\\"No,\tI\tsuppose\tI'm\tnot.\\\" \\\"Under\tthe\tcircumstances,\\\"\tshe\tsupplied. \\\"Right.\\\"\tHe\tstarted\tto\tspeak\tagain,\tto\tmake\tsome\tjoke,\tbut\tfound\thimself suddenly\tand\ttotally\tat\ta\tloss\tfor\twords.\tSomething\tin\ther\tsmile,\tin\ther half-hooded\teyes,\tin\tthe\ttilt\tof\tthat\tdamn-you\tchin,\tturned\this\tbrain\tto mush. Ridiculous,\the\ttold\thimself\tas\the\tcontinued\tto\tstare\tat\ther.\tAbsolutely\tand completely\tridiculous.\tWhatever\the\twas\tfeeling,\tit\tcouldn't\tbe\tlove-not\tthe kind\tof\tlove\tthat\tcaused\tmen\tto\tmake\tfoolish\tand\tlife-altering\tdecisions.\tIt was\taffection,\the\ttold\thimself.\tAttraction,\tdesire\tand\tpassion,\ttempered with\ta\tcertain\tamount\tof\tcaring,\tperhaps.\tBut\tlove.\tHe\thad\tno\troom\tfor\tit. And\tno\ttime. Time.\tReality\tstruck\thim\tlike\ta\tblow.\tTime\twas\tthe\tbiggest\tobstacle\tof\tall. He\tstarted\tto\tpush\thimself\taway,\tto\tput\tsome\tdistance\tbetween\tthem until\the\tcould\tthink\tclearly\tagain.\tStill\tsmiling,\tshe\twrapped\tarms\tand legs\taround\thim.\t\\\"Going\tsomewhere?\\\" \\\"I\tmust\tbe\theavy.\\\"","\\\"You\tare.\\\"\tShe\tcontinued\tto\tsmile,\tthen\ttraced\ther\tlips\twith\ther\ttongue. Her\thips\tmoved\tgently,\tsinuously,\tagainst\this.\tThrilled,\tshe\twatched\this eyes\tcloud\tas\the\tgrew\tinside\ther.\t\\\"I\twas\thoping\twe\tcould\tdo\ta\tlittle experiment.\\\" He\tshook\this\thead\tbut\tfailed\tto\tclear\tit.\t\\\"Experiment?\\\" \\\"Physics.\\\"\tShe\ttrailed\ta\tsingle\tfingertip\tdown\this\tback.\t\\\"You\tknow\tabout physics,\tdon't\tyou,\tJ.T.?\\\" He\tused\tto.\t\\\"That's\tDr.\tHornblower\tto\tyou,\\\"\the\tmuttered,\tand\tburied\this face\tin\ther\tthroat. \\\"Well,\tDoc-isn't\tthere\tthis\ttheory\tabout\tan\tobject\tin\tmotion\tremaining\tin motion?\\\" His\tbreath\twas\tragged\tin\ther\tear.\t\\\"Let\tme\tshow\tyou.\\\" She\tached\tall\tover.\tAnd\tshe'd\tnever\tfelt\tbetter\tin\ther\tlife.\tBleary\teyed, she\twinced\tat\tthe\tintruding\tsunlight.\tMorning.\tAgain,\tshe\trealized. She\twouldn't\thave\tbelieved\tit\twas\tpossible\tto\tspend\tthe\tbetter\tpart\tof\ta day\tand\tall\tof\ta\tnight\tin\tbed.\tWith\tonly\tsnatches\tof\tsleep.\tWith\ta grumbling\tsigh,\tshe\ttried\tto\troll\tover\tand\tmet\tthe\tsolid\twall\tof\tJacob's body. He'd\tbeen\tbusy\tsince\tdawn,\tshe\tmused.\tBusy\tworking\ther\tover\tto\tthe edge\tof\tthe\tbed.\tNow\the\ttook\tup\tninety\tpercent\tof\tthe\tmattress,\talong with\tall\tof\tthe\tsheets\tand\tblankets.\tThe\tonly\tthing\tsaving\ther\tfrom\tsliding onto\tthe\tfloor\twas\tthe\tweight\tof\tthe\tleg\the\thad\thooked\taround\ther\thips. And\tthe\tarm\tstretched\tcarelessly,\tand\tcertainly\tnot\tamorously,\tover\ther throat. She\tshifted\tagain,\tmet\tthe\tunmoving\tline\tof\tresistance\tand\tnarrowed\ther eyes.\t\\\"Okay,\tpal,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tunder\ther\tbreath,\t\\\"we're\tgoing\tto\tbegin\tas\tI mean\tto\tgo\ton,\tand\tI\tdon't\tmean\tto\troll\tonto\tthe\tfloor\tevery\tnight\tfor\tthe rest\tof\tmy\tlife.\\\" She\tgave\thim\tan\tunloverlike\tnudge\tin\tthe\tstomach\twith\ther\telbow.\tHe","She\tgave\thim\tan\tunloverlike\tnudge\tin\tthe\tstomach\twith\ther\telbow.\tHe swore\tand\tshoved\ther\tanother\tinch\ttoward\tthe\tedge. Tactics,\tSunny\tdecided.\tShe\tchanged\thers\tby\tsliding\ta\thand\tintimately over\this\thip\tand\tthigh.\t\\\"J.T.,\\\"\tshe\twhispered,\ttrailing\ta\tline\tof\tkisses\tdown his\tcheek.\t\\\"Honey.\\\" \\\"Hmm?\\\" She\tnibbled\tdelicately\tat\this\tear.\t\\\"Jacob?\tSweetheart?\\\" He\tmade\tanother\tvague\tsound\tand\tcupped\ther\tbreast.\tSunny's\tbrow lifted.\tHis\tmovement\thad\tcost\ther\tanother\tprecious\tfraction\tof\tan\tinch. \\\"Baby,\\\"\tshe\tadded,\tfiguring\tshe\twas\trunning\tout\tof\tendearments.\t\\\"Wake up,\tsugar.\tThere's\tsomething\tI\twant\tto\tdo.\\\"\tGently,\tseductively,\tshe brushed\ther\tlips\tdown\tto\this\tshoulder.\t\\\"Something\tI\treally\tneed.\\\" As\this\tlips\tcurved,\tshe\tbit\thim.\tHard. \\\"Ow.\\\"\tHis\teyes\tflew\topen,\ttemper\tand\tbafflement\twarring\tin\tthem.\t\\\"What the\thell\twas\tthat\tfor?\\\" \\\"So\tI\tcould\tget\tback\tmy\tshare\tof\tthe\tbed.\\\"\tSatisfied,\tshe\tsnuggled\tinto the\tpillow\the'd\tjust\tvacated.\tShe\topened\tone\teye\tand\twas\tgratified\tto see\tthat\the\twas\tscowling\tat\ther.\t\\\"Anyone\tever\ttell\tyou\tyou're\ta\tbed\thog? And\ta\tblanket\tthief.\\\"\tShe\tsnatched\tthe\tloose\tcover\tand\trolled\tinto\tit \\\"You're\tthe\tfirst\tone\tto\tcomplain.\\\" She\tonly\tsmiled.\tShe\twas\tcounting\ton\tbeing\tthe\tlast.\tFrowning,\the rubbed\tthe\twound\ton\this\tshoulder.\tThere\twere\tshadows\tunder\ther\teyes. They\tmade\ther\tlook\tvulnerable.\tThe\tfaint\tthrobbing\twhere\ther\tteeth\thad connected\treminded\thim\tthat\tshe\twas\tanything\tbut. Inside\tthat\tangular\tbody\twas\ta\twhirlwind\tof\tenergy.\tAll\twells\tof\tpassion that\the\twas\tsure-even\twith\tthe\tmarathon\tthey'd\tput\teach\tother\tthrough- had\tyet\tto\tbe\ttapped.\tShe'd\ttaken\tnun\tplaces\the\thadn't\tbelieved\texisted. Places\the\twas\talready\tyearning\tto\treturn\tto.\tIn\tthe\tdeepest\tpart\tof\tthe night\tshe\thad\tbeen\tinsatiable,\tand\timpossibly\tgenerous.\tHe'd\thad\tonly\tto","night\tshe\thad\tbeen\tinsatiable,\tand\timpossibly\tgenerous.\tHe'd\thad\tonly\tto touch\ther\tto\thave\ther\trespond.\tShe'd\thad\tonly\tto\ttouch\thim\tto\tcause\tthe need\tto\tchum. Now,\tin\tthe\tfull\tlight\tof\tmorning,\tshe\twas\twrapped\tin\tthe\tblankets,\twith only\ther\ttousled\tcap\tof\thair\tand\thalf\tof\ther\tface\tin\tview.\tAnd\the\twanted her. What\twas\the\tgoing\tto\tdo\tabout\ther?\tWith\ther?\tFor\ther?\tHe\thadn't\ta\tclue. He\twondered\thow\tshe\twould\treact\tif\the\ttold\ther\teverything.\tShe'd\tgo back\tto\tthinking\the\twas\tunbalanced.\tHe\tcould\tprove\tit\tto\ther.\tAnd\tonce he\thad\tthey\twould\tboth\thave\tto\tface\tthe\tfact\tthat\twhatever\thad happened\tbetween\tthem\tduring\tthe\tlast\tspin\tof\tthe\tearth\ton\tits\taxis\twas transient.\tHe\twasn't\tready\tfor\tthat. For\tonce\tin\this\tlife\the\twanted\tto\tdelude\thimself.\tTo\tpretend.\tThey\twould have\tonly\ta\tfew\tweeks\ttogether\tat\tbest.\tMore\tthan\tother\tmen,\the\thad firsthand\tknowledge\tof\thow\tfickle\ttime\tcould\tbe.\tSo\tnow\the\twould\tuse\tit, and\ttake\twhat\the\thad\twith\ther. But\thow\tcould\the?\tSitting\tup,\the\trubbed\this\thands\tover\this\tface.\tIt\twasn't fair\tto\ther.\tIt\twas\tgrossly\tunfair,\tparticularly\tif\this\tinstincts\twere\tcorrect and\ther\tfeelings\twere\tinvolved.\tNot\ttelling\ther\twould\thurt\ther\twhen\tit ended.\tTelling\ther\twould\thurt\ther\tbefore\tit\thad\treally\tbegun.\tAnd\tmaybe that\twas\tbest. \\\"Going\tsomewhere?\\\"\tshe\tasked\thim. He\twas\treminded\tof\twhen\tshe\thad\tused\tthe\tsame\tphrase\tbefore,\tand where\tit\thad\tended.\tNow\the\tthought\tof\thow\the\tcould\ttell\ther\tjust\thow\tfar away\the\twas\tgoing.\tShe\twas\tan\tintelligent\twoman.\tHe\thad\tonly\tto\tgive her\tthe\tfacts. \\\"Sunny.\\\" \\\"Yes?\\\"\tShe\tran\ta\thand\tup\this\tarm.\tThen,\tfeeling\trepentant,\tshe\trose\tlong enough\tto\tkiss\this\tshoulder\twhere\tshe\thad\tbitten\tit. \\\"Maybe\tthis\tshouldn't\thave\thappened.\\\"\tHe\tsaw\tby\tthe\tway\ther\tsmile"]
Search
Read the Text Version
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- 131
- 132
- 133
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- 138
- 139
- 140
- 141
- 142
- 143
- 144
- 145
- 146
- 147
- 148
- 149
- 150
- 151
- 152
- 153
- 154
- 155
- 156
- 157
- 158
- 159
- 160
- 161
- 162
- 163
- 164
- 165
- 166
- 167
- 168
- 169
- 170
- 171
- 172
- 173
- 174
- 175
- 176
- 177
- 178
- 179
- 180
- 181
- 182
- 183
- 184
- 185
- 186
- 187
- 188
- 189
- 190
- 191
- 192
- 193
- 194
- 195
- 196
- 197
- 198
- 199
- 200
- 201
- 202
- 203
- 204
- 205
- 206
- 207
- 208
- 209
- 210
- 211
- 212
- 213
- 214
- 215
- 216
- 217
- 218
- 219
- 220
- 221
- 222
- 223
- 224
- 225
- 226
- 227
- 228
- 229
- 230
- 231
- 232
- 233
- 234
- 235
- 236
- 237
- 238
- 239
- 240
- 241
- 242
- 243
- 244
- 245
- 246
- 247
- 248
- 249
- 250
- 251
- 252
- 253
- 254
- 255
- 256
- 257
- 258
- 259
- 260
- 261
- 262
- 263
- 264
- 265
- 266
- 267
- 268
- 269
- 270
- 271
- 272
- 273
- 274
- 275
- 276
- 277
- 278
- 279
- 280
- 281
- 282
- 283
- 284
- 285
- 286
- 287
- 288
- 289
- 290
- 291
- 292
- 293
- 294
- 295
- 296
- 297
- 298
- 299
- 300
- 301
- 302
- 303
- 304
- 305
- 306
- 307
- 308
- 309
- 310
- 311
- 312
- 313
- 314
- 315
- 316
- 317
- 318
- 319
- 320
- 321
- 322
- 323
- 324
- 325
- 326
- 327
- 328
- 329
- 330
- 331
- 332
- 333
- 334
- 335
- 336
- 337
- 338
- 339
- 340
- 341
- 342
- 343
- 344
- 345
- 346
- 347
- 348
- 349
- 350
- 351
- 352
- 353
- 354
- 355
