Part 321 (1/2)

looked, the way she smelled, the way she smiled at him. ”Come here.” He

held out his arms. When she was in them, he found he couldn't let go.

In the hours that had pa.s.sed, he'd thought he'd calmed himself But now,

holding her, it all crashed down on him.

He'd almost lost her.

She could feel his rage building, degree by degree. ”Don't,” she

murmured. ”It's over. It's really over this time.”

”Just shut up a minute.” He brought his mouth to hers, hard, as if to

convince himself she was whole, and safe, and his. ”If he had-”

”He didn't.” She lifted both hands to his face. ”You saved my life.”

”Yeah.” He backed away, digging his hands into his pockets. ”If you

have to be grateful, could you get it over with fast?”

She tilted her head. ”We haven't had much of a chance to talk.”

”I'm sorry I couldn't come back with you.”

”I understand. Maybe it worked out for the best, gave us both a chance

to settle.”

”I haven't been able to pull that off yet.” He could still see her,

teetering on the edge of the root Wanting to block the image, he turned

to pace the room. ”So, how was your day?”

She grinned. It was going to be all right. It was going to be just

fine. ”Dandy. Yours?”

He shrugged, kept moving, picking up little odds and ends and setting

them down again. ”Emma, I know you're probably tired.”

”No, I'm not.”

”And the timing sucks.”

”No.” She smiled again. ”It doesn't.”