Part 102 (2/2)

”Yes, I think you could.” She cupped his face in her hands. ”But I

wouldn't make you happy, not for long. You'd always know I loved him

first, and in a way I'll never love anyone else.”

Yes, he had known, he had known that and her answer before he had asked

the question. It would have helped if he could have hated her for it,

and hated Brian. But he loved. ”Why don't you go back to him, talk to

him?”

”Darren would be almost ten years old now. It's too far to go back,

P.M.”

EMMA HURRIED ACROSS the grounds. If she looked as though she had a

purpose, none of the sisters would stop and question her. She had an

excuse prepared-a botany report for a science project.

She only wanted to be alone. She was ready to scream and wall with the

need to be alone. She didn't even want Marianne's company. Emma was

sorry she'd had to lie to her closest friend, and would confess the sin

to Father Prelenski in the afternoon. But she needed an hour, an hour

alone, to think.

She cast one quick look over her shoulder, then skirted around a row of

hedges. Tucking the notebook she carried more securely under her arm,

she dove into a small grove of trees.

Since it was Sat.u.r.day, she was allowed her jeans and sneakers. It was

cool enough in the shade of the greening trees to make her glad she'd

worn the sweater. Once she was certain she was out of view from any of

the windows of the academy, she dropped to the ground. Inside

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