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1ba57db
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He found his scrappy older brother all soft around the edges, doting on his beautiful, sexy young wife, ever at her hand. If he saw her wrestling a full laundry basket into the bedroom, he took it from her. If she had the step stool pulled over to the cupboards to reach into the highest one for a platter, he lifted her down and got it for her. Aiden was anxious to have dinner with them to see if Luke cut Shelby's meat. Aiden
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Robyn Carr |
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b6c89bf
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What went on while you two were out of earshot?" he asked Ellie. "Oh, Your Righteousness, you probably don't want to know. What if it makes you an accessory to the crime or something?" He sighed heavily. Impatiently. "Just lay it on me, Ellie." "You sure?" "I'm sure. Come on. You smiled the whole time." "Yeah, that part wasn't so easy. I wanted to smack him just from the look in his eye. I said, I know about you, so don't try anything. My b..
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Robyn Carr |
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47e13ec
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We can continue this conversation later." "I don't think so," she said. "You boys gossip worse than a bunch of old women and I think it's high time you mind your own bloody business." He leaned toward her and kissed her cheek. "Yeah, good luck with that."
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Robyn Carr |
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e3b33fd
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You don't have to do that, Rev. Really." "I know I don't have to, but it seems only fair. I could either raise your pay to eight twenty-five an hour or offer you lunch. I went with the lunch idea." "You're actually a very nice guy, aren't you?" "Ellie, I'm a man of God. Don't you expect nice?" Then he grinned. "Does God know you're throwing his name around to impress people?"
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Robyn Carr |
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4b75a6c
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I'm going to be scared to death all day." "Do I have to stay here with you, so you won't be scared?" he asked her. "Or can you believe in me one more time?" She bit her lip, but nodded. He slipped an arm around her waist and lifted her up to his mouth, kissing her deeply. "You taste so good in the morning," he said, smiling down at her. "Is that normal?" he teased. "You'd better be careful," she said. "Remember that I love you." "I don't ne..
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Robyn Carr |
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320817f
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My husband has a great lasagna and garlic bread, but also some broiled, stuffed sturgeon fresh off the river and steamed vegetables, if you're interested." "Husband?" one of them chortled. "Damn, my hunting sucks no matter where I go." She instinctively retreated a step and the man reached for her hand, pulling her back. "You can get rid of the husband, can't you, sweetheart?" His buddies laughed at his brazenness and Mike thought, shit. Th..
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Robyn Carr |
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f350bc7
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He was sure right about Marcie, though. She was a little pistol. A beautiful little pistol who brought sunlight and laughter with her everywhere she went. One determined little girl. She didn't quit early; she'd have made a good marine. Bobby was lucky he found her in the ninth grade. It wasn't easy to find a woman that strong, that powerful, that sure of herself and what she wanted. After all she'd been through, after everything they'd sha..
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Robyn Carr |
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c4b10ec
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They had their Christmas-gift exchange right before he left town, and when she opened her gift and saw the boots, she wept. No one had ever given her a gift like that in her life and he enjoyed success when she kissed all over him. He took her into his arms, laughing sentimentally. "I've never seen you cry," he said, holding her close, rocking her back and forth gently. "Oh, you'd have seen way too much of that a year ago...." "But these ar..
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Robyn Carr |
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8112dcb
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We've been sitting on a little news. We're having a baby." "Well, damn!" Paul said. He looked at Preacher and grinned. "You finally came through on ovulation day, huh, buddy?" He puffed up a little. "I did at that," he said, throwing his chest out. "And John promises that in the future when we have personal business, like we're going to have sex all day and I'm going to stand on my head between rounds, he's not going to tell the town. Or th..
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Robyn Carr |
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4e8056f
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I must have nodded off. How was Christmas for Paige and Preacher?" "Good," Paul said. "They have some big news. Paige is expecting." "Ah, he did it," the general said with a chuckle. "He showed up for ovulation day." Paul laughed. "He's in a lot of hot water for telling too many people about that." "Yeah, I suppose. But it's so like him, don't you think? He's so damn transparent."
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Robyn Carr |
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2a754c3
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Well, I never did know quite where I was going. But there was this light... And I followed... I told you, I love you. Ian, I love you so much. I'll start there and take everything else as it comes." "And I didn't tell you," Ian said. "I didn't want to mess you up, let you down. But I can't remember ever feeling this way before. I love you, Marcie. I'll try anything." "Okay, then. Why don't we just start with faith and we'll go from there?" ..
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Robyn Carr |
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de9df30
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I'm hoping for a girl," he said. "Are you?" "I have an idea you might cut me off at two." "I'm not wild about throwing up or waddling, but I sure love carrying around a little piece of you. You're right--you make excellent babies." "We all have our special talents," he said. *"
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Robyn Carr |
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905a6cc
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Wouldn't a guy feel funny about his girl getting raped? Like maybe not wanting to... You know... Seems like a guy wouldn't want to touch her after that." "Like she was dirty? Come on," he said, laughing. "Don't think like that. When something bad happens to the girl you love, you just love her that much harder." "Really?" "Of course, really." "She"
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Robyn Carr |
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1af6689
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Ever since that happened, I feel like trash. When you first started talking to me in school? When I told you I'd been sick? I hadn't been sick. I'd been knocked up while I was passed out." "You are not trash," he whispered softly, not trusting his voice. "You're an angel. Pure as gold. You didn't do anything wrong." "That's not how it feels. Tommy," she said miserably, "I dated before and I wouldn't give it up--I was saving it for someone r..
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Robyn Carr |
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b65762c
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Mike?" Sam asked. "I didn't expect to see you." "I decided not to call ahead, sir," he said. "I thought--" Brie appeared from around the corner, standing behind her dad. "Mike?" she asked in equal surprise. He smiled. "You look good," he said, relieved. "Great. You look great. I was saying I didn't call ahead because I thought if I just came here, maybe I could lure you out of the house for a while. If I'd called, you'd think of a million e..
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Robyn Carr |
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c2e7555
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Paul, the baby is coming very soon." He smiled. "That's getting real obvious." "You're my very best friend, Paul." "Thanks, Vanni," he said, but he furrowed his eyebrows. Suspicious. "I want you to be with me during the delivery." "With you how?" he asked. "I want you to be the one to encourage me, coach me, coax me. Hold my hand. Support me." "Um... Isn't that Mel's job?" "Mel is going to be very much a coach, but she's also going to be th..
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Robyn Carr |
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1a195ca
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I think you should go take a shower. Clean up. I've been in labor all day, but the contractions are getting serious now and I'm going to call Mel to touch base." "Are you fucking kidding me?" "We're gonna do it, Paul. I know you won't let me down." "I bet I will," he said. "If I manage to stay upright through something like that, it'll be a miracle. I'm talking miracle!" "I need you," she said. "If Matt can't be here with me, I need you to ..
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Robyn Carr |
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dfd1dcc
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He didn't even have the door closed behind him when he heard a wild shriek and Marcie leaped at him, her arms around his neck and her legs wrapped around him. "Hey," he laughed, holding her clear of the floor. "Hey. You're on me like a tick." She leaned away from his face. "Are you all right?" "I'm freezing and hungry. Were you scared?" She shook her head stubbornly. "Did you find the boy?" "He was found," Ian said. "Hurt and cold, but he's..
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Robyn Carr |
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29ef8d0
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He'd held Brie's hand for a long time that day, and she hadn't pulled it away. It was the first time he'd realized he was taken with her. A crush. At thirty-seven, he felt it was an old man's crush, but damned if it didn't feel awfully like a sixteen-year-old's. When
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Robyn Carr |
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fe7229f
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Hey, there," Jack said. "How you doing?" Paul got right up close to Jack. "Listen, Jack, you have no idea what she wants me to do," he said under his breath. "Yeah, I do. She told everyone. Mel will be right out to get you as soon as Vanni's settled." "You'd be better at this than me," he said. "Yeah, I probably would." Jack grinned. "But I wasn't asked." "I can't do this," he whispered. Jack clamped a hand on his back. "Sure you can. You'l..
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Robyn Carr |
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8ade7a4
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He found her in the bathroom, wearing one of his huge T-shirts, and he caught her softly crying. It had been a very long time since he'd seen her tears, and it knocked the wind out of him. He couldn't bear it. "Here, here," he said, pulling her into his strong embrace. "You're crying." She wiped the tears off her cheeks and looked up at him. "It's nothing," she said. "I got my period again. I didn't want it to come. I wanted to be pregnant...
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Robyn Carr |
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0e8f3b7
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Paul kissed her forehead. "You're amazing, Vanessa." "You, too," she whispered, and closed her eyes. He stayed on his knees beside her bed while Mel took the baby, and for the entire time she washed him, Paul watched Vanni's face as she slowly drifted into exhausted sleep. He gently kissed the tears from her cheeks. A few minutes later Mel touched his shoulder. She was holding a bundled baby and said, "Here you go. Take him to his grandfath..
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Robyn Carr |
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bfa2a17
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I'm going to do that, you know. I'm going to be with Paige when the baby comes. I'm dying to do that." "Well, I hope you're more prepared than I was. It really took me by surprise." "But you don't regret it, do you?" "Nah. It was awesome," he said. "That's"
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Robyn Carr |
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ac5ada5
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So--you made it." "Jack, you are my hero. It was such a challenge to just be there, I don't know how you delivered David. Honest to God, I don't." "I had directions," he said, lifting his glass. "I'm not doing it again, however. I'm going to keep a really close eye on her next time. I want to watch, that's all." It"
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Robyn Carr |
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264f4c3
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He'd be glad you were there, standing in for him." "I was just telling him about it and I thought, shit, I don't even know how much of him is in there." "None," Jack said. "He's moved on." Paul hit his chest with a fist. "I still have him here." "Of course. Everyone who loved him has him there. I think that's the point." "I shouldn't have been the one tonight. It should've been him. She misses him so much." "Look, we all have different path..
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Robyn Carr |
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326bc42
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I'm remembering how it was when I first got here--there was a bird's nest in the oven." She looked up at him. "You rebuilt this whole cabin for me--trying to get me to stay." "The second I saw you, I was doomed. I don't know what would have become of me if you hadn't stayed." "You'd"
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Robyn Carr |
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735e959
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Every time his eyes even fell on her, he felt himself swell with pride that she would choose him. It
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Robyn Carr |
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a92fa61
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My mind hasn't felt this peaceful and calm in years. We'll make the most of the time you're here." He gave her lips a little kiss. "I was so angry when I first faced you. I'm not angry anymore. You made things good for me." "An awful lot more passed between us than I ever imagined," she said. "But I'm glad." "Then let's fold our jeans and head back to town. I think we can get a toddy with Jack and Preacher before they close. Then we'll go h..
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Robyn Carr |
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a36548f
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And can you tell me--do you feel anything for me?" He put his big hand against her wild curls. "I feel everything for you. But that won't change the facts. We're strangers from two separate worlds that won't easily merge, and I'm still a guy with what you call issues--piles of them. Not really ready to make any rapid-fire changes, though I think I made some small ones in spite of myself. I have a lot less hair, for one thing." "You've come ..
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Robyn Carr |
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2dfd1d8
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Thank you, for matching me for stubborn." "I'm not all together about this," she said. "This is really hard." "When you get closer to home, you'll start to feel good about being with all of them. They were always there for you," he reminded her. "Good--" He put a finger over her lips. "Shhh. Don't say it. Drive carefully." "If I write to you, will you answer?" "Absolutely," he promised. "Well, that's progress," she said weakly. "I... Ah... ..
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Robyn Carr |
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efa2ece
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He grabbed her, laughing, into his arms and whirled her around with abandon, and whenever the tempo allowed, pressed his cheek close against hers, whispering in conspiratorial amusement, "Your brother is frowning at us." "I wonder why that is." She laughed. "I don't think he wants you near a man so like himself," Mike speculated. That seemed to amuse her a great deal. She tipped her head back and laughed a little wildly. "Don't flatter your..
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Robyn Carr |
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7196119
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Brie was close to her entire family, but it was Jack with whom she had the deepest bond. Jack was torn to pieces as he looked down on his little sister. Her face was horrific; the bruising and swelling was terrible. It looked much worse than it was, the doctor promised. There was no permanent damage; she would regain her former beauty. Every few minutes Jack would reach over, gently smooth back her light brown hair, touch her hand. She wres..
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Robyn Carr |
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5dbdeb8
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Thinking of her violation filled him with a kind of rage that had never been visited on him before. Although she was a beautiful woman and strong, his vision kept mixing her up with the vulnerable woman he'd taken on a picnic a couple of months ago. A pretty, young woman who'd just been left by her husband, and was crushed by the betrayal. And what fool would give her up? he thought. It was beyond him. The
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Robyn Carr |
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232598b
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In the early hours of the morning she turned her swollen face toward Mike and opened her eyes--or tried to. One was partially shut because of the swelling. He scooted closer. "Brie," he whispered. "It's me, Brie. I'm here." She put her hands over her face and cried out. "No! No!" He took gentle hold of her wrists. "Brie! It's me. It's Mike. It's okay." But he couldn't pull her hands away from her face. "Please," she whimpered pitifully. "I ..
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Robyn Carr |
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99d88d5
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Oh, boy, Mike thought. It was going to happen between these two any second, right in the hospital hallway. Mike was a good six feet and pretty strong, but Brad and Jack were both taller, broader, angrier and not a shoulder injury between them. Mike was going to get hammered when they lost it and started pummeling each other. "Yeah,"
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Robyn Carr |
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0e769fc
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What the hell are you doing here?" Brad glared meanly. "Nice to see you, too, Jack," he said. "You don't belong here," Jack said too loudly. "You left her. You're done with her." "Hey," he said, bristling. "I never stopped caring about Brie. Never will. I'm going to see her." "I don't think so," Jack said. "She's in no shape to have to deal with you right now." "You're not in charge of the guest list, Jack. That's up to Brie." "Come on," Mi..
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Robyn Carr |
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ce54c99
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You should probably go now." He lifted his head and saw Brie standing in the open patio doors, wearing the same clothes she had worn home from the hospital. "Brie," he said, rising. "I've talked to the detectives several times. Jerome Powell, the rapist, was tracked as far as New Mexico, then the trail was lost," she said, very businesslike. "I can tell you from experience, the odds are at least ninety-five percent he's gone--pulled a terri..
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Robyn Carr |
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7a67866
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Mike never left her side. When she couldn't keep food down, his arms were around her as she lost it in the bathroom. At night he held her protectively, securely, gently. When a fright woke her with a gasp or near scream, he was right there to softly bring her back to reality in the safety of his arms. If he felt her shiver in a cold night sweat, he tenderly woke her and talked to her until she felt all right again. In just a few days Brie g..
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Robyn Carr |
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6e288dd
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Did your mother tell the authorities?" she asked. "No." He laughed again. "She told my brothers. She said, 'If he comes home with one bruise, I will beat you and then your father will beat you.'" "Well, that's pretty horrible," Brie said. "Old World. Tradition." He grinned. "Don't worry, Brie. There were a lot more threats than there were beatings. I don't remember beatings. My father whipped us across the bottom with his belt, but never in..
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Robyn Carr |
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e2665fd
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Paul got down on one knee at the side of the bed and held her hand, looking into her eyes. "You doing okay?" he asked softly. "I'm working very hard," she said, breathless. "I know. God, Vanni--I wish there was more I could do." "You're doing so much, Paul. Oh! Here we go! Ughhhh." "Good girl," Mel said. "Very good. Very good." One gloved hand rested on her belly, the other disappeared again between her legs. "Pant," Mel said. Vanni panted,..
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Robyn Carr |
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693fcef
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Paul did his job--brow mopping, hand-holding, encouraging, supporting. It went on for almost an hour and he watched as Vanni got more and more tired and Mel stayed busy getting ready to catch that baby. While Paul supported Vanni he heard Mel say, "Hold it a little longer...right where you feel the pressure.... Okay, take a breath and push again.... Way to go!" Mel spread out the baby towel on the bed, brought her clamps, suction, scissors ..
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Robyn Carr |
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a8dd57b
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I wish he could see his son." Paul brushed at the tears on her cheeks. "He sees him, baby. He's got the best seat in the house." "Yeah," she said, the tears flowing. "Yeah, I guess." Paul slipped his arm under her shoulders and held her to him while she softly cried, and he unconsciously dropped his own tears onto her hair. "Let's"
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Robyn Carr |
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1446bfc
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I didn't offer so that you'd feel obligated to me in any way. I mean, who knows? Jack Whatshisname might turn out to be just what you've always dreamt of." "You jealous of him already?" she asked. "You're goddamn right," he said, leaning back in his chair, drawing those fierce eyebrows together. "He's going to spend the next six months with you and I'm not." "Well, he doesn't stand a chance," she said softly. He thought, this must be how Pe..
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Robyn Carr |
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c628688
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If there's a break in the filming, I'll be up for a visit. And I'll call you when I get there." "Muriel, stop being reluctant and sad. You want this and I want it for you. You're good, that's why you're getting this chance. Knock 'em dead. And if Jack Whatshisname makes a play for you, tell him to fuck off. You have a boyfriend already." She laughed. "I'll be sure to tell him." "And I'm a good shot." "Yeah,"
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Robyn Carr |