Part 132 (1/2)

snapped the last of her control. It would be so easy to lean on him, to

pour out her heart and be comforted. But that would just be running

again. ”I'm not really sure.”

She rose when Lou came in. Her smile was hesitant, vulnerable, and for

Michael, devastatingly appealing. ”Captain.”

”Emma.”Obviously pleased, he crossed to her to take both of her hands.

”All grown-up.”

She nearly broke down then, almost laid her head on his chest and

wept as she once had so long ago. Instead she gripped his hands

tightly, searching his face. ”You've hardly changed at all.”

”That's exactly the kind of flattery a man needs from a beautiful

woman.”

She smiled, easily this time. ”No, really. I'm studying to be a

photographer so I try to observe and remember faces. It's kind of you

to see me again.”

”Don't be silly. Sit, sit.” He spied the iced tea and chose a gla.s.s,

wanting to give her time to be comfortable. ”Is your father in town?”

”No.” She ran her fingers up and down her own gla.s.s, but didn't drink.

”He's in London-or on his way. I'm living in New York now, going to

college there.”

”I haven't been to New York for years.” He settled back in a striped

wing chair that suited him so perfectly Emma imagined he rarely sat

elsewhere in that room. ”Photography, you say. I remember, last time I

saw you, you had a camera.”

”I still have it. Dad often says he created a monster when he gave me

that Nikon.”