Hidden Fires

,,BOOK ,,JACKET ,,9=M,N #a ,,HI45 ,,FIRES ,9 A ,TEXAS ( CATTLE & RAILROADS1 FAMILY DYNA/IES & AMBITI\S S*EM]S1 ,S&RA ,BR...

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NIY40 ,LAUR5'S HE>T 0 P.D+ S L\DLY T %E CD B>ELY HE> H] [N ^WS4 ,OLIVIA CAME ! CLOSE/ 6SMIL+ T ,LAUR5 _H "E SE54 ,C>SON ,WELLS R1*$ OV] & PATT$ H] H& Z HE SD QUIETLY1 8,MISS ,HOLBROOK1 ,B5 LIK$ TO SURPRISE FOLKS & JOKE ) !M4 ,OLIVIA IS AN A/UTE BUSI;SWOMAN & HAS A NUMB] ( CL]KS AT ! BANK AT H] 4POSAL4 ,B5 MAY H TOLD Y 8 WIFE NE$$ A SECRET>Y1 B HE _H AN ULT]IOR MOTIVE1 ,I ASSURE Y40 ,BANK8 ,%E DIDN'T "K ANY?+ AB A BANK4 ,%E 0 GRASP+ AT /RAWS & %E KNEW X1 B %E /AMM]$1 8,I ''' ,I PLAY ! PIANO Q WELL4 ,MAYBE HE ?"\ ,I CD GIVE SMALL 3C]TS = YR GUE/S OR "S?+40 ,OLIVIA LIFT$ A DERISIVE EYEBR[4 8,T WD 2 LOVELY1 ,I'M SURE1 B WE DON'T EV5 [N A PIANO40 ,LAUR5

0 /UNN$1 & _H NO?+ ELSE 6SAY4 ,%E #fe LOOK$ F/ AT "O & !N ! O!R4 ,HUMILIAT$ 2Y 5DUR.E1 %E B[$ H] H1D & />$ AT ! SO7Y1 TWI/$ H&K]*IEF CL5*$ 9 H] LAP 0:ITE1 TREMBL+ F+]S4 8,I'M SORRY4 ,I DIDN'T "K ANY ( ?4 ,Y M/ ?9K ''' ,I 0 S SURE ''' ,HE DIDN'T TELL ME '''0 ,! TE>S T _H BE5 CL\D+ H] VI.N F9,Y FLOOD$ H] EYES & SPILL$ ONTO H] *EEKS4 8,N[1 N[1 NO NE$ = T10 ,C>SON SD QKLY4 8,I'M AFRAID OLD ,B5 0 J PLAY+ "O ( 8 NOTORI\S TRICKS ON "S"O AT YR EXP5SE1 & DIDN'T LIVE 6SEE X "?4 ,Y C /AY =A :ILE4 ,OLIVIA & ,I W TRY TO MAKE ? AN 5JOYA# VISIT = Y4 ,-E N[1 /OP CRY+40 ,C>SON S.D$ G5U9ELY 4TRESS$ & 0 PATT+ H] H& S VIGOR\SLY T X /UNG4 8,W Y JO9 U 9 ! D9+ ROOM AT SEV5-?IRTY = D9N]1 ,MISS ,HOLBROOK80 ,OLIVIA S.D$ ANNOY$ AT ? 4PLAY ( EMO;N4 ,LAUR5 TOOK H] CUE ( 4MISSAL & /OOD Z %E SD1 8,YES1 ?ANK Y1 ,MRS4 ,LOCKETT40 ,%E SUMMON$ ALL ( H] POISE Z %E NO4$ 6!M 9 TURN & !N GLID$ 6! H1VY PANELS (! DOOR4 ,OLIVIA CALL$ H] "N %>PLY4 8,MISS ,HOLBROOK40 8,YES80 ,LAUR5 SD TREMUL\SLY Z %E TURN$ BACK 6FACE !M4

8,"!'S "S?+ ,I M/ "K40 8,OLIVIA1 #ff PL1SE--0 ,C>SON 9T]JECT$4 ,HE 0 IGNOR$4 8,W]E Y MY HUSB&'S MI/RESS80 ,MI/RESS6 ,! ^W SCR1M$ AT H]1 E*O+ 9 H] H1D & RICO*ET+ (F ! WALLS (! ROOM4 ,_H ,OLIVIA ?R[N /"OS AT H]1 ,LAUR5 CDN'T H FELT M ABUS$4 ,H] *EEKS FLAM$ ) COLOR1 B H] :OLE BODY _H TURN$ COLD4 8,NO60 %E GASP$4 8,:AT"E '''8 ,NO1 NO40 ,%E 0 TOO A/ONI%$ 0! "Q 6D5Y ! ALLEG,N M ELOQU5TLY4 8,I DIDN'T ?9K S10 0 ,OLIVIA'S ONLY REPLY4 8,WE'LL SEE Y AT D9N]40 ,RETRAC+ H] WAY 6H] ROOM1 ,LAUR5 B>ELY HELD ON 6A T5U\S ?R1D ( -POSURE4 ,:5 %E 0 9 H] ROOM1 %E COLLAPS$ ON ! B$ & CRI$4 ,%E FELT MORTIFIC,N = H] NAIVETE & ,OLIVIA'S SURMISE4 ,ALL TOO REC5TLY SIMIL> ^WS _H BE5 FLUNG AT H]1 & _H BE5 EQU,Y UNJU/4 ,:Y 0 %E SUSPECT8 ,%E GRIEV$ =A MAN :OM %E _H TRU/$ & :O _H DCVD H]4 ,TREPID,N = AN OM9\S FUTURE 3SUM$ H]4 ,TWO MON?S6 ,:AT _H ,B5 EXPECT$ 6HAPP5 9 T "T8 ,& AT ! 5D ( ^? SIXTY "DS1 :AT 0 %E 6D8 99 99 99 ,%E DRESS$ C>E;LLY = D9N]1 WE>+ "O (! TWO

NICE DRESSES 9 H] W>DROBE4 ,X 0 #fg MADE ( S(T LILAC VOILE4 ,SL5D] PL1TS & T9Y PE>L BUTTONS ADORN$ ! BODICE1 &A HI<1 LACE-L9$ COLL> R1*$ 6J "U H] JAW4 ,! SKIRT FELL 9 S(T FOLDS 6! 9/EP ( H] :ITE L1!R SLIPP]S4 ,EL5A ASSI/$ H] ) H] TOILETTE4 ,X SEEM$ ALM NATURAL N[ =! ,MEXICAN GIRL 6HELP H] BA! & DRESS4 ,LAUR5 _H ALW BE5 M OR LESS AL"O1 B ^! LA/ FEW "DS SEEM$ ! L"OLIE/ ( H] LIFE1 & %E 0 GRATE;L = H] NEW -PANION4 ,! D9+ ROOM 0 DECORAT$ )! SAME ELEGANT "U/AT$ TA/E EVID5T 9 ! RE/ (! H\SE4 ,IF EI ,C>SON OR ,OLIVIA NOTIC$ ,LAUR5'S R$D5$ EYES1 !Y DIDN'T M5;N !M Z !Y TOOK _! S1TS4 ,! M1L 0 S]V$ 0AN OBESE ,MEXICAN WOMAN :O ,LAUR5 SUPPOS$ 0 ,ROSA1 ,EL5A'S "M4 ,EA* "T %E C>RI$ 9 A PLATT] ( FOOD1 %E LOOK$ AT ,LAUR5 & SMIL$ ) OP5 FRLI;S4 ,LAUR5 SMIL$ BACK ?ANK;LLY4 ,! FOOD 0 SUMPTU\S & %E ATE "EY?+ EXCEPT ! B1NS & PICANTE SAUCE1 : SEEM$ 6BE A /APLE AT E M1L EXCEPT BR1KFA/4 ,! 3V]S,N 0 LIMIT$ 6TRIVIAL1 "EY"D TOPICS1 & S9CE ,LAUR5 _H SUP]VIS$ _M D9N]S SIMIL> 6? 9 ! ,PRA!RS'

P>SONAGE1 %E 0 AT EASE4 ,%E WOND]$ #fh AT ! ABS;E ( ,J>$ ,LOCKETT1 & />T$ VIOL5TLY ! F/ "T ,C>SON MADE REF];E 6HM4 ,8 N 2+ "! SEEM$ ( NO 3C]N 6!M4 ,OLIVIA M5;N$ 6,C>SON 9 PASS+ T ,J>$ WD 2 AT ,KEYPO9T = S"EAL "DS4 ,OLIVIA 0 RELIEV$ 6SEE T ,LAUR5 ,HOLBROOK EXHIBIT$ GD MANN]S AT L1/4 ,IF "S"O CAME 6CALL1 %E WDN'T H 6EXPLA9 A GAU*E1 /UPID /RUMPET1 : 0 H[ %E _H PICTUR$ ! GIRL :5 ,B5 _H F/ TOLD H] AB ,LAUR54 ,%E 0 OBVI\SLY WELL R1D1 & MA9TA9$ H] -POSURE ? AFN EV5 :5 %E RESORT$ 6T W1K1 FEM99E TRAIT ( CRY+4 ,H[ SWEET1 H[ CAPTIVAT+1 ?"\ ,OLIVIA S>CA/IC,Y4 ,C>SON _H NATUR,Y SU3UMB$ 6! TE>S1 Z ALL M5 DID4 ,!Y CDN'T RESI/ A VULN]A# WOMAN4 ,C>SON ,WELLS _H 9DE$ FELT -PAS.N = ,LAUR5'S PITI;L /ATE ? AFN4 ,%E WASN'T ! S*EM+1 DEVI\S WOMAN HE _H FE>$ %E WD BE4 ,HE _H EXPECT$ A FLOOZY :O WD DROP A BABY ON ! ,LOCKETTS' DOOR/EP1 DCLG ,B5'S PAT]N;Y & DEM&+ A SIZA# PURSE4 ,LAUR5 ,HOLBROOK 0 AN 9NOC5T1 A VICTIM ( CIRCUM/.ES4 ,OLIVIA CD H SP>$ ! GIRL ! "Q AB H] REL,N%IP TO

,B54 ,HE _HN'T WANT$ H] =A LOV]1 #fi ,C>SON 0 C]TA9 ( T4 ,B5 _H LIK$ !M LU/Y1 NAUT ) H] DELICATE B1UTY1 B %E WD N"E H /IRR$ ! LO9S ( ,B5 ,LOCKETT4 ,Z = ,C>SON1 "! 0 ONLY "O WOMAN = HM4 ,ALW _H BE54 ,B NO MAN 0 "E GO+ 6POSSESS H]4 ,NO MAN4 ,/1 ,C>SON LOV$ ,OLIVIA ,LOCKETT4 ,AF ALL ? "T1 AF ALL ! PA9 %E _H PUT HM "?1 AF HAV+ 6BE> ! GUILT ( 2TRAY+ 8 BE/ FR1 ,C>SON LOV$ H]4 ,! TALK TURN$ 6BUSI;S1 & ,LAUR5 LI/5$ 4TRACT$LY1 N RE,Y GRASP+ OR C>+ AB ! SUBJECT4 ,9/1D1 %E SPECULAT$ ON : *AIR ,J>$ SAT 9 :5 HE ATE 9 ? D9+ ROOM4 ,A FEW FACTS DID MANAGE 6>RE/ H] ATT5;N4 ,! ,LOCKETTS [N$ ! ,CORONADO ,BANK4 ,!Y 7 TRY+ 6GET A RAILROAD TRUNK 6,CORONADO1 ?\< "! 7 "S OB/ACLES 9VOLV$4 ,KEYPO9T 0 MANAG$ 0"S"O "ND ,M5DEZ1 ?\< ! ,LOCKETTS 7 APPRIS$ (! PR(ITS & LIABILITIES 6! P5NY4 ,C>SON 0 SP1K+ 9 AN EMPHATIC VOICE4 8,WE'VE GOT 6GET ,VANDIV] \ "H & W9E & D9E HM1 ,OLIVIA4 ,HE'S ! P[] 2H X4 ,)\T HM1 WE DON'T GET ! RAILROAD4 ,N[ T

,B5 ''' WELL1 N[ IS ! "T 6APPROA* #gj HM AG40 8,WE'LL H 6-E 6T]MS )! WAT] "RS1 Y "K10 ,OLIVIA SD COOLLY4 8,T'S "S?+ WE'LL FACE :5 ! "T -ES4 ,! IMPORTANT ?+ N[ IS = U 6LET !M "K WE'RE 9T]E/$4 ,:AT AB ,J>$1 ,OLIVIA8 ,D Y ?9K HE'LL OBJECT80 8,J>$ W D :AT"E WE TELL HM TO10 %E SNAPP$4 8,"! MAY 2 "S RESI/.E B HE KNEW T ,B5 WANT$ ! RAILROAD4 ,I ?9K T'S ! PO9T 6/RESS 6HM40 ,!Y 7 QUIET =A MO;T1 & ,LAUR5 LOOK$ TIMIDLY AT _! FACES4 ,BO? 7 WE>+ EXPRES.NS ( DEEP 3C5TR,N4 99 99 99 ,J>$ 0 TIR$1 DIRTY1 & 9 DIRE NE$ (A DR9K Z HE TRUDG$ UP ! /AIRS4 ,! RIDE F ! RAN* _H BE5 HOT EV5 ON ? E>LY-,OCTOB] "D4 ,! TRAILS 7 DU/Y1 *OK+ (F A MAN'S BR1?4 ,X _HN'T RA9$ S9CE ! "D (! FUN]AL4 ,HE /OPP$ ABRUPTLY 9 MID-/RIDE & =CIBLY ?RU/ T ?"\ F 8 M9D4 ,Z HE R1*$ ! TOP (! /AIRS1 HE NOTIC$ T ! DOOR AT ! 5D (! HALL 0 SLI4 ,= "S R1SON HE CDN'T "N1 HE /EPP$ LI
& PUT 8 H& ON ! DOORKNOB1 B AN #ga OV]:ELM+ CURIOS;Y -PELL$ HM 63T9UE D[N ! HALL UNTIL HE /OOD 9 FRONT (! DOOR 6! GUE/ B$ROOM4 ,:Y N OP5 X8 ,%E PROBABLY WASN'T 9 "!4 ,& IF %E W]E1 :AT ! HELL8 ,? 0 4HIS H\SE1 WASN'T X8 ,HE PU%$ OP5 ! DOOR4 ,?ANKS 6XS WELL-OIL$ H+ES1 X OP5$ SIL5TLY4 ,LAUR5 SAT AT A SMALL DESK4 ,%E 0 WRIT+ AC"KL$G;TS 6LRS ( 3DOL;E4 ,%E _H 9SI/$ ON A PROJECT1 & ,OLIVIA _H GRUDG+LY1 &)A SECRET RESPECT =! GIRL1 ASSIGN$ H] ? T$I\S JOB4 ,WELL1 WELL4 ,! OLD BOY _HN'T D"O S BADLY = HMF1 ,J>$ ?"\4 ,ALL HE CD SEE 0 H] BACK1 B ,LAUR5 TURN$ H] H1D SLIM AFN SUNLI$ HELD 8 BR1? LE/ HE 2 4COV]$1 B %E B5T OV] ! PAP] ONCE AG4 ,F 8 POSI;N AT ! DOOR1 ,J>$ _H ONLY A "PIAL VIEW ( H]

FACE--A SMOO? IVORY -PLEXION )A H9T #gb ( BLU% AT ! *EEKB"O1 &A PAIR ( SMALL EYEGLASSES P]*$ ON ! /RAIOON SKIRT CD H 2L;G$ 6A S*OOLM>M4 ,X 0 FET*+ ! WAY ! BUTTONS ON H] BL\SE FOLL[$ H] SP9E Z IF 9VIT+ A MAN 6TRACE 8 F+]S AL;G T GRACE;L BACK UP 6A SLIM COLUMN ( NECK ABV : 0 PIL$ A LUXURIANT MASS ( HAIR4 ,GOD1 :AT HAIR6 ,X 0 COAL-BLACK ) D>K BLUE HI$ WOND]$ :AT ^? CURLS WD FEEL L 2T 8 F+]S4 ,%E 0 SL5D]4 ,MAYBE TOO SL5D]4 ,SK9NY4 ,MOV+ SL[LY1 HOP+ N 6ATTRACT H] ATT5;N UNTIL J ! "R MO;T1 HE R1*$ 96HIS BR1/ POCKET & TOOK \ A *EROOT &A MAT*4 ,HE CLAMP$ ! *EROOT 2T 8 TEE? &1 PUTT+ ON ! FACE HE %[$ ! _W1 /RUCK ! MAT* AG/ ! DOORJAMB4 ,! S.D 0 L A CANNON %OT 9 ! SMALL1 QUIET ROOM1 & ,LAUR5 BOLT$ \ ( H] *AIR4 ,%E DREW H]F UP %>PLY AG/ ! DESK :5 %E SAW ,J>$1 & CLUT*$ A DA9TY1 TI
FI/ 6H] BR1/4 ,J>$'S EYES FLITT$ TO #gc H] *E/1 & HE AM5D$ 8 F/ SPECUL,N4 ,NO4 ,%E WASN'T SK9NY4 ,%E LOOK$ AT HM 9 T]ROR F OV] ! TOP ( H] SPECTACLES1 & ,J>$ 0 MO;T>ILY TAK5 ABACK 0HIS F/ FULL LOOK AT ,LAUR5'S FACE4 ,:AT 9 HELL COLOR EYES 7 ^?8 ,BLUE8 ,NO1 GRAY4 ,GO4AM4 ,HE _H 6H& X 6HIS OLD MAN4 ,%E WASN'T BAD AT ALL4 ,LAUR5 FELT L A CORN]$ ANIMAL Z %E L1N$ AG/ ! DESK = SUPPORT4 ,J>$ LIT ! CIG>1 8 EYES N"E L1V+ H]4 ,! SMOKE WR1!D 8 FACE Z HE LAZILY PU%$ ! FLAT-CR[N$ HAT BACK (F 8 H1D ) 8 ?UMB4 ,X CAU.D 8 NECK & HUNG AG/ 8 %\LD]S4 ,HE SQU9T$ AT H] "? N>R[$ EYES 9 AN 9SOL5T & LASCIVI\S FA%ION1 RAK+ H] BODY UP & D[N UNTIL H] *EEKS 7 ON FIRE ) EMB>RASS;T4 ,LAUR5 DID N MOVE OR SP1K Z %E RETURN$ ,J>$'S SCRUT9Y4 ,8 HAIR 0 BR[N1 ) SUN-BL1*$ /R&S GIV+ X ! GOLD5 HIK1 A -B9,N ( H]$;Y & L;G H\RS 9 ! SUN4 ,8 EYES1 ?\< BR[N1 7 LILY 9 8 PHYSIQUE1 B 8 FACE

%[$ N"O ( ,B5'S M]RI;T4 ,! /.E1 ! #gd FACE1 ! EXPRES.N -MUNICAT$ >ROG.E1 3CEIT1 & 3TEMPT4 ,HE L1N$ NEGLIG5TLY AG/ ! DOORFRAME1 ANKLES CROSS$1 DRESS$ 9 M* ! SAME MANN] Z ! F/ "T %E _H SE5 HM 9 ! BACK (! WAGON1 EXCEPT ? "T "! 0 A COLOR;L B&ANA >.D 8 ?ROAT4 ,! SILV] SPURS ON 8 BOOTS FASC9AT$ H]1 & %E />$ AT !M =A MO;T 2F H] EYES TRAVEL$ UP ! L;G BODY 6CAT* 8 AMB] EYES1 : 7 / FIX$ ON H] 9 AN UNSETTL+ APPRAISAL4 8,MISS ,HOLBROOK1 ,I CAME 6(F] MY HUM#/ APOLOGIES4 ,I "U/& T ON \R F/ MEET+1 ,I 0 "S:AT 9DISPOS$ & 2HAV$ ABOM9ABLY40 ,8 VOICE 0 ,B5'S4 ,X HELD ! SAME S(T TIMBRE & L[ PIT*1 B 0 FULL ( S>CASM4 ,LAUR5 WOND]$ :AT %E _H D"O 6E>N ? 4DA94 ,HE 0 ! "O :O DES]V$ RIDICULE4 8,:AT C ,I D TO REDEEM MYF80 8,Y MIT 0APOLOGIZ+ = 5T]+ MY ROOM )\T 9VIT,N10 %E -;T$4 ,HE 0 SURPRIS$ AT H] APLOMB & COCK$ A SKEPTICAL EYEBR[4 ,HE RECOV]$ QKLY1 H["E1 & SD 9 S(T1 3SPIRATORIAL T"OS1 8,WD Y 9VITE ME 96YR ROOM1 ,MISS ,HOLBROOK80 ,%E FLU%$ AT 8 EMPHASIS ON !

8MISS40 ,R1LIZ+ T %E / HELD H] FI/ #ge AG/ H] *E/1 %E L[]$ X QKLY1 T\*+ H] WAT* FLEET+LY4 ,AT ! SAME "T1 %E TOOK (F H] EYEGLASSES )! O!R H&4 ,SMIL+ WICK$LY AT H] 4COMFITURE1 ,J>$ WAT*$ H] H&S1 "PICUL>LY ! "O T FONDL$ ! WAT*4 8,X'S / "!10 HE SD QUIETLY4 8,I'M N A ?IEF40 ,%E 0 FURI\S AT HAV+ DRAWN ATT5;N 6H] BODY4 ,HE PU%$ HMF AWAY F ! DOORJAMB )A %OVE ( 8 %\LD] & CROSS$ ! ROOM )! SL[1 PR$ATORY GAIT (A /ALK+ CAT4 ,8 SPURS J+L$ ON ! H>DWOOD FLOOR4 ,LAUR5'S ?ROAT CLOS$ -PLETELY :5 HE /OOD ONLY 9*ES 9 FRONT ( H]4 ,HE T[]$ OV] H]1 & %E _H 6TILT H] H1D BACK 6LOOK 96HIS FACE4 ,X REQUIR$ A TREM5D\S AM.T ( C\RAGE 6D S1 B %E 9/9CTIVELY KNEW T X WD 2 6H] 4ADVANTAGE IF HE ?"\ %E 7 AFRAID ( HM4 ,H] FALSE BRAVADO EVAPORAT$ Z HE RAIS$ 8 H& & EXT5D$ X T[>D H]4 ,! L;G F+]S R1*$ \ &1 0AN ACT ( W1 %E DIDN'T RECOIL4 8,:AT IS ?1 ANYWAY80 HE ASK$ S(TLY4 ,8 F+]S CLOS$ >.D ! WAT* P9N$ 6H] %IRTWAI/4 ,8 BR1? /IRR$ ! F9E HAIRS T FRAM$ H] FACE1 & %E CAU
HELD ! WAT* 9 ! PALM ( 8 H& & />$ #gf AT X 9 A SIL5T P5SIVE;S T 3TRA/$ )! FI]CE EMO;NAL EXPLO.NS T ERUPT$ F DEEP )9 ,LAUR5'S BODY4 ,%E 0 ON FIRE4 ,E CELL BURN$ ) AN UN"ND -PUL.N 6MOVE EV5 CLOS] 6? MAN :O TOR;T$ H] ) 8 NE>;S4 ,! BROO* 0 LAID BACK 9 XS ORIG9AL POSI;N1 B N )\T ! FIRM PRESSURE ( ,J>$'S H& ON H] BR1/ 6ASSURE XS SECUR;Y4 ,= L;G MO;TS1 "T C1S$ 6EXI/4 ,AMB] EYES LOCK$ ) GRAY1 &! CYNICISM 9 ! AMB] "OS 0 REPLAC$ BY WOND];T4 ,J>$'S H1D DESC5D$ T[>D ,LAUR5'S ) IMP]CEPTI# MO;N4 ,= "O HE>TB1T1 %E ?"\ HE 0 AB 6KISS H]4 ,H] MOI/ LIPS "P$ ( _! [N VOLI;N4 ,%E DIDN'T "K T X 0 T 9VOLUNT>Y GE/URE ( WELCOME : J]K$ HM BACK 96! %ELL ( SCORN HE US$ = PROTEC;N4 ,MOCK]Y COOL$ ! EYES T _H BE5 CL\D$ ) W>M?1 & ,LAUR5 0 S5SITIVE 6! *ANGE4 ,! PRESSURE ON H] BR1/ 9CR1S$1 B )\T ! =M] T5D];S4 ,%E SWATT$ 8 H& 9 A LIDONIC ^WS & TRI$

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"M ) A3US,N1 AT ,C>SON ) 4GU/1 & #ajg !N ASSUM$ AN ATTITUDE ( -PLETE 9DI6];E4 ,HE %RU7$ 9SOL5TLY4 8,D :AT"E Y L4 ,I DON'T GIVE A DAMN4 ,! TWO ( Y W MAKE GRT "PN]S ) ,VANDIV]40 ,HE SET ! MUG ON ! TA# 9 FRONT ( HM & /OOD 6L1VE1 B ,OLIVIA *ECK$ HM4 8,J>$1 WAIT4 ,I'M AFRAID X'S N Z SIMPLE Z T4 ,SIT D[N40 ,IMPATI;E 0 WRITT5 ON 8 SURLY FACE1 B HE SLUMP$ 96! *AIR AG & RE/.SLY PROPP$ "O ANKLE ON ! O!R KNEE4 8,X SEEMS1 ,J>$1 T "S (! 9VE/ORS 9 ? RAILROAD ( \RS >E 3C]N$ AB YR ATTITUDE4 ,AF ^W ( YR 2HAVIOR LA/ NI.D1 ,I'M SURE X W 3FIRM _! L[ OP9ION ( Y4 ,Y M/ BE1 OR AT L1/ APPE> TO BE1 2H ? PROJECT "O HUNDR$ P]C5T4 ,! P[] PLANT1 Z WELL Z ! RAILROAD1 NE$S YR PUBLIC 5DORSE;T N[ T Y >E TAK+ OV] YR "F'S BUSI;SES40 8,TAK+ OV]8 ,T'S A LAU<10 HE MUTT]$ CAU/IC,Y4 ,OLIVIA IGNOR$ ! 9T]RUP;N4 8,( C\RSE1 ,C>SON & ,I W 2 RUNN+ ?+S = Y UNTIL Y FEEL R1DY 6ASSUME RESPONSIBIL;Y4 ,B 6! _W1 Y M/ PRES5T A CR$I# AIR ( AU?OR;Y & MATUR;Y40 ,%E LET ALL ( T S9K IN1 PAUS+ DRAMATIC,Y

2F %E SD1 8,T'S :Y WE FEEL Y %D #ajh M>RY Z SOON Z POSSI#4 ,M>RY ,MISS ,HOLBROOK40 ,! ^WS HUNG 9 ! AIR1 SUSP5D$ ON ! PALPA# CURR5TS ( DI6]+ EMO;NS EVOK$ 9 ^? :O _H HE>D !M4 ,RIV]S ( BLOOD RU%$ TO ,LAUR5'S H1D1 CAUS+ A GRT RO>+1 &A FIRE 3SUM$ H] EYES & E>S EV5 Z P]SPIR,N COV]$ H] BODY 9 A *ILL+ FILM4 ,OLIVIA REMA9$ UNP]TURB$4 ,%E SAT CALMLY & REG,Y1 WAIT+ = H] SUBJECTS 6D H] BI4+ S %E CD GET ON )! A6AIRS ( /ATE4 ,C>SON'S EYES D>T$ F ,LAUR5 6,J>$ 6,OLIVIA1 & !N BACK 6,LAUR54 ,HE _H NO IDEA :AT ! GIRL 0 ?9K+4 ,%E />$ 9 FRONT ( H] Z IF %E _H LO/ ALL H] S5SES4 ,J>$'S REAC;N SURPRIS$ !M ALL4 ,HE BUR/ \ LAU<+4 ,HE /OOD & /UM#D >.D ! ROOM HOLD+ 8 SIDES UNTIL1 -PLETELY SP5T1 HE COLLAPS$ AG/ ! W9D[SILL4 ,DRAW+ 9 S"EAL GULPS ( AIR1 HE SD ) TOTAL 9CR$UL;Y1 8,Y C'T 2 S]I\S6 ,M>RY ,MISS ,HOLBROOK6 ,T'S ! BE/ LAU< ,I'VE _H 9 WEEKS40 ,HE WIP$ TE>S ( MIR? F 8 EYES & ,LAUR5 0 POIGNANTLY REM9D$ ( ,B54 ,ONLY T MEMORY P5ETRAT$ H] %OCK$ BRA94 ,OLIVIA /AT$ QUIETLY1 8,I'M N

JOK+1 ,J>$4 ,I'M S]I\S1 & ,I ?9K #aji Y'LL SEE :Y IF Y LET ME EXPLA9 X 6Y40 8,I DON'T NE$ ANY EXPLAN,NS1 ,"M4 ,X'S ABSURD10 ,J>$ CRI$4 ,HE PO9T$ A F+] AT ,LAUR54 8,%E'S / WET 2H ! E>S40 8,MISS ,HOLBROOK IS TW5TY4 ,B5 TOLD ME40 8,I WASN'T REF]R+ 6H] AGE1 DAMMIT1 ,I 0 REF]--0 8,I "K :AT Y M1NT10 ,OLIVIA SD4 8,X'S A F> CRY F YR E>LI] OP9ION ( H]4 ,I REMEMB] YR A3US+ ,B5 ( BR++ 8 ,8S\!RN BELLE :ORE0' 96! H\SE :5 HE TOLD U AB H]40 ,LAUR5 SWELL$ ) ANG] AT ,J>$'S UNJU/ & UNW>RANT$ -;T4 ,HE _HN'T EV5 MET H]6 ,2F %E CD FILL H] 3/RICT$ LUNGS ) 5 AIR 6PROTE/1 ,OLIVIA 3T9U$1 8,WE MADE A PLAUSI# /ORY ( H] 2+ A CLASSMATE'S SI/]4 ,WE'LL EMBELLI% X & SAY T Y FELL 9 LOVE ON "O ( YR VISITS ) H] FAMILY4 ,YR "F SURPRIS$ Y 0BR++ H] "H1 & Y C'T BE> = H] 6G BACK4 ,Y'LL 2 M>RI$ "R AWAY40 ,%E HELD UP A PALM 6/AVE (F ! OBJEC;N %E SAW -+4 8,WE EXPECT Y 6BE M 4CREET 9 YR ''' O!R 9T]E/S1 ,J>$1 B Y NE$ N *ANGE YR LIFE/YLE4 ,LAUR5 IS $UCAT$ & REF9$ & W ADD A 3V9C+ T\* 6YR NEW1 RESPONSI#

IMAGE40 ,J>$ L1N$ AG/ ! WALL1 #aaj CROSS$ 8 ANKLES1 & FOLD$ 8 >MS ACR 8 *E/4 ,HE S.D$ AMUS$ :5 HE DRAWL$1 8,WE W]5'T EXACTLY A LOV+ C\PLE LA/ NICE80 8,WE'LL SAY ,LAUR5 ?"\ X IMPROP] 6M>RY S SOON AF ,B5'S D1? & T Y _H QU>REL$ AB X4 ,Y 7 HAV+ A LOV]'S SPAT40 ,!N1 4MISS+ ANY FUR!R >GU;TS1 %E SD1 8,Y W M>RY IMMLY4 ,H ,I MADE MYF CLE>80 ,J>$ LOOK$ AT 8 "M LEVELLY =A FEW MO;TS4 ,:5 HE SPOKE1 ALL TRACES ( HUMOR 7 G"O4 ,8 VOICE 0 L[ & M5AC+4 8,E GO4AM DECI.N 9 MY LIFE1 Y H MADE = ME4 ,I'LL G AL;G ) YR S*EME =! RAILROAD1 B "!'S NO WAY Y'LL SA4LE ME ) AN UNWANT$ WIFE4 ,NO WAY 9 HELL40 ,OLIVIA SMIL$ SMUGLY4 8,I ?9K "! IS1 ,J>$4 ,I HAPP5$ 6OV]HE> YR >GU;T ) ,B5 ! NIRANG$ = H] 6-E "H80 ,J>$'S FACE PAL$ AL>M+LY1 EV5 3SID]+ 8 HUNGOV] PALLOR4 ,8 EYES LOOK$ PA9$4 ,HE /OOD UP /RAI
TURN$ 6,LAUR54 8,WELL1 ,LAUR51 X #aaa SEEMS T ,B5 PICK$ Y \ = ,J>$4 ,HE 0 BR++ Y "H 9 ! HOPES T 2F HE DI$1 HE WD SEE 8 SON M>RI$ & SETTL$ D[N ) Y40 ,%E FAC$ H] SON AG4 8,X'S IRONIC T = ONCE MY OBJECTIVES >E ! SAME Z YR "F'S1 ISN'T X1 ,J>$8 ,& X 0 YR VEHE;T OBJEC;N 6HIS MAT*MAK+ & YR PROMISE 6MAKE ,LAUR5'S VISIT Z ABOM9A# Z POSSI# T CAUS$ YR "F'S HE>T ATTACK4 ,I ?9K Y [E HM 8 LA/ WI%1 DON'T Y80 ,%E L1N$ BACK 9 H] *AIR & SMIL$ DANG]\SLY4 8,YES1 ,I ?9K Y [E HM ?40 ,J>$'S JAW _H TURN$ 6IRON4 ,8 TEE? CL5*$ & UNCL5*$2 8 H&S "W$ AT 8 SIDES4 ,HE TURN$ & FAC$ ! W9D[1 LOOK+ \ ) EYES BL9D$ 0IMPOT5T RAGE4 ,_H ,LAUR5 N BE5 S /UNN$ 0! EV5TS (! PA/ FEW M9UTES1 %E WD H RES5T$ 2+ 4CUSS$ Z IF %E 7 D1F & MUTE1 AN OBJECT R ?AN A P]SON4 ,B5 _H 9VIT$ H] "H = T WA/REL 6M>RY6 ,H[ CD HE H BE5 S CALL\S8 ,& ,OLIVIA & ,J>$ _H "KN ALL AL;G1 PROBABLY ,C>SON _H1 TOO4 ,!Y _H 3SPIR$ 6DCV H]1 _H EV5 HUMILIAT$ H] ) SPURI\S D\BTS ( H] VIRTUE4 ,OLIVIA TURN$ A H>D1 GRE5 />E ON H] & SD1 8,LAUR51

WE'VE N HE>D YR OP9ION40 ,CLE>LY #aab H] /ATE;T 0 A M]E =MAL;Y4 ,OLIVIA WD BROOK NO OPPOSI;N4 ,AT ,LAUR5'S OBVI\S 9ABIL;Y 6SP1K1 ,C>SON HESITANTLY CAU;N$1 8,OLIVIA1 MAYBE WE'RE 2+ UNR1LI/IC4 ,LET'S GIVE !M "T--0 8,NO10 ,OLIVIA SD4 8,! SOON] ! BETT]1 ,C>SON4 ,I'M SURE :5 ,LAUR5 HE>S ! RE/ ( \R PROPOSAL1 %E'LL AGREE FA/ 5\<40 ,LAUR5 MET ,OLIVIA'S EYES AG & FELT A SPURT ( C\RAGE4 ,? WOMAN CD N"E =CE H] 96M>RIAGE4 ,N"E4 ,2F ,LAUR5 CD TELL ,B5'S WID[ EXACTLY :AT %E ?"\ (! 5TIRE FAMILY1 ,OLIVIA SD1 8,LAUR51 WE DON'T EXPECT Y 6D ? )\T -P5S,N4 ,WE'RE ONLY ASK+ T Y /AY M>RI$ UNTIL ! RAILROAD IS -PLETE & RUNN+ 6\R SATISFAC;N4 ,!N1 :5 ALL ! FIRE"WS >E OV]1 Y MAY G :]"E Y WI%4 ,= YR "T & TR\#1 WE'LL GIVE Y TW5TY ?\S& DOLL>S 9 CA% :5 Y L1VE40 8,I DON'T WANT ANY M"OY F Y1 ,OLIVIA60 ,LAUR5 DCLD4 ,%E WASN'T EV5 AW>E ( HAV+ US$ ,OLIVIA'S F/ "N4 ,? F9AL 9SULT 0 TOO HUMILIAT+4 ,OLIVIA _H ACTU,Y (F]$ H] M"OY 6M>RY ,J>$6 ,%E IGNOR$ ! DERISIVE SNORT T CAME F !

DIREC;N (! W9D[4 ,H] EYES 7 RIVET$ #aac ON ,OLIVIA Z %E :ISP]$ HO>SELY1 8,? IS IMPOSSI#4 ,SURELY Y >E JOK+80 ,OLIVIA ONLY />$ BACK AT H] /OIC,Y4 ,LAUR5 LOOK$ T[>D ,C>SON1 :O 0 WIP+ 8 MOI/ H&S ) 8 H&K]*IEF4 ,! MAN AT ! W9D[ REMA9$ MO;N.S1 BROOD+4 ,HE 0 L1V+ H] 6FIRY ANY"O4 ,I DON'T WANT 6M>RY ANY"O10 %E DCLD )A DEFIANT LIFT ( H] SMALL1 PO9T$ *94 ,OLIVIA LAU<$ 9DULG5TLY4 8,MY DE> ,LAUR51 ,I'M N SU7E/+ T Y M>RY 9 ! BIBLICAL S5SE (! ^W4 ,! M>RIAGE NE$ N"E 2 3SUMMAT$40 ,AG ,LAUR5 HE>D A SC(F+ S.D F NE> ! W9D[4 8,I WD ?9K \R (F] WD 2 ATTRACTIVE4 ,Y DON'T WANT 6RETURN 6T 4MAL P>SONAGE "R AWAY1 D Y8 ,:5 Y L1VE "H1 Y'LL 2 A WOMAN ( 9DEP5D5T M1NS40 8,I WD AL 2 A M>RI$ WOMAN10 ,LAUR5 PROTE/$4 ,)A H9T ( IMPATI;E 9 H] VOICE1 ,OLIVIA REPLI$1 8,AN UNCONSUMMAT$ M>RIAGE C 2 ANNULL$ EXP$ITI\SLY4 ,DON'T WORRY AB T N[4 ,Z ,J>$'S WIFE1 ?+S W 2 V PL1SANT = Y "H40 ,! GRE5 EYES N>R[$ ON ,LAUR5 &

,OLIVIA ASK$ PO9T$LY1 8,WAS "! #aad "S"O Y 7 9VOLV$ ) 9 ,NOR? ,C>OL9A8 ,P]H A =M] LOVE IS ! R1SON = YR RESI/.E40 8,NO10 ,LAUR5 RASP$4 ,%E %U4]$ :5 ,WILLIAM'S GLOAT+ FACE 9VAD$ H] ?"\S4 8,NO10 %E SD ) F9AL;Y4 ,FEEL+ BOLD] N[1 %E *ALL5G$1 8,IF Y'VE "KN ALL AL;G :Y ,B5 BR"\ ME "H1 :Y DIDN'T Y SAY S80 8,T'S A LESSON = Y 6LE>N1 ,LAUR54 ,GA!R :AT 9=M,N Y C1 & !N SAVE X UNTIL J ! "R MO;T4 ,_H ? O3A.N = U 6USE Y N >IS51 Y WD H BE5 S5T AWAY AF TWO MON?S N"O ! WIS]40 ,%E SMIL$ TI$ WD DEVELOP AN A6EC;N = EA* O!R DUR+ YR VISIT4 ,B5 0 ALW A FOOL AB S* ?+S40 ,LAUR5 0 %OCK$ 0! HATR$ 9 ,OLIVIA'S VOICE1 & CD ONLY />E AT ! WOMAN 9 LIEU (A RESPONSE4 ,OLIVIA /OOD UP & BRISKLY CROSS$ ! ROOM4 8,!N IF "! IS NO FUR!R 4CUS.N1 ,I NE$ 6/>T MAK+ PREP>,NS40 ,%E LOOK$ AT ,J>$1 !N AT ,LAUR54 ,:5 NO "O MADE AN OBJEC;N1 %E MO;N$ = ,C>SON 6FOLL[4 ,HE PATT$ ,LAUR5 QKLY ON ! %\LD] 2F HE LEFT ! ROOM 9 ! WAKE ( ,OLIVIA'S /IFF1 RU/L+ SKIRTS4

,LAUR5'S M9D 0 9 TURMOIL4 ,:Y 0 %E #aae / SITT+ "H8 ,%E %D 2 UP/AIRS FURI\SLY PACK+4 ,%E %D RUN AWAY F ? H\SE AT ONCE4 ,%E />$ VACANTLY Z H] ?"\S RAN RAMPANT4 ,:AT 7 H] OP;NS8 ,%E CDN'T G BACK 6,NOR? ,C>OL9A & FACE ,WILLIAM & H] =M] GU>DIANS4 ,%E _H CLOS$ T *APT] ( H] LIFE4 ,OR R1 X _H BE5 CLOS$ = H]4 ,%E WD LIVE )A LOVE.S M>RIAGE 6A /RANG]4 ,B N ="E4 ,%E WD H ! M1NS 6/>T OV] :5 %E LEFT ! ,LOCKETTS & %E WD "SH[ SURVIVE ! /IGMA ( DIVORCE4 ,MAYBE %E CD EV5 PASS H]F (F Z A WID[ IF %E MOV$ F> 5 AWAY F ,TEXAS4 ,9 ! M1N"T1 %E WD LIVE -=TABLY4 ,:AT ELSE CD %E D8 ,BRIEFLY %E ?"\ ( ,$ ,TRAV]S & 8 K9D (F] 6HELP H]4 ,MAYBE HE CD SECURE H] A POSI;N Z A ,H>VEY ,H\SE GIRL4 ,SWIFTLY ,LAUR5 REJECT$ ! IDEA4 ,H] EXP]I;E AT 5T]TA9+ P>LOR GUE/S WD N H PREP>$ H] =! D9+ ROOM (A RE/AURANT ": %E WD H 6S]VE FOOD F H1VILY LAD5 TRAYS4 ,& %E WD DESPISE LIV+ 9 A DORMITORY ": MO;TS ( PRIVACY 7 SC>CE1 IF !Y EXI/$ AT ALL4 ,! PROS & CONS P>AD$ BACK & =? 9 H] H1D1 B ! BASIS ( H] DECI.N 0 ! SAME "O T

,OLIVIA _H S CL"ELY US$ ON ,J>$4 #aaf ,B5 _H WANT$ X4 ,X ALW CAME BACK 6T4 ,B5 _H *OS5 H] = 8 SON4 ,:Y8 ,X 0 AN AGONIZ+ ?"\ T %E WD N"E "K 8 R1SONS4 ,LAUR5 _H BE5 S 5GROSS$ 9 H] [N MUS+S T %E DIDN'T REMEMB] UNTIL N[ T ,J>$ 0 / 9 ! ROOM4 ,HE /OOD RIGIDLY AT ! W9D[ 9 ! SAME POSI;N Z 2F1 ) 8 BACK 6H]4 ,:Y _HN'T HE SD ANY?+8 ,%E LOOK$ AT ! MAN & TRI$ TO ANALYZE :AT HE M/ 2 FEEL+4 ,WD M>RIAGE 6HM 2 S T]RI#8 ,OLIVIA MADE X CLE> T 8 BRIDE WD 2 ONLY A FIGUREH1D4 ,%E WD REMA9 A BRIDE1 & N"E 2COME A WIFE4 ,=! M>RIAGE 0 N 6BE 3SUMMAT$4 ,LAUR5'S HE>T SKIPP$ A B1T & FLUTT]$ 9 H] BR1/4 ,! ME*ANICS ( S* 9TIMACY / ELUD$ H]1 B %E KNEW T ! ^W IMPLI$ A PHYSICAL AV[AL (! M>RIAGE4 ,!Y M/ SP1K 6EA* O!R4 ,2F %E 3S5T$ 6? PREPO/]\S AC;N1 %E M/ "K 8 FEEL+S4 ,TIMOR\SLY %E VACAT$ H] *AIR & APPROA*$ HM4 ,%E CLE>$ H] ?ROAT4 8,MR4 ,LOCKETT80 ,AT ! S.D ( H] VOICE1 8 BODY T5S$ AUTOMATIC,Y4 ,:5 ! TREMOR PASS$1 HE /RAI
DIDN'T SAY ANY?+1 ONLY LOOK$ AT H] #aag ) AN ALO(1 COLD EXPRES.N 9 8 EYES4 ,! FULL1 S5SU\S LIPS 7 SET 9 A GRIM1 H>D L9E4 8,I ''' ,I WANT 6"K--0 %E /AMM]$ 2F HE 9T]RUPT$ H]4 8,Y TOOK _! BAIT1 HOOK1 L9E1 & S9K]1 DIDN'T Y8 ,Y CDN'T WAIT = ? *.E1 CD Y8 ,ALL T M"OY6 ,&A HUSB&6 ,MY1 MY1 ! OLD MAID PR1*]'S KID HAS -E A L;G WAY UP ! LA4] TD40 ,8 ^WS 7 CRUEL & VICI\S & DELIV]$ ) 9T5;N 6HURT4 ,IS T :AT HE ?"\ ( H]8 ,DID HE ?9K %E _H "KN AB ,B5'S PLANS = H]8 ,ANG] & %AME =C$ UNWANT$ TE>S 6GA!R 9 ! CORN]S ( H] EYES1 & %E LOOK$ AT HM IMPLOR+LY4 8,MR4 ,LOCKETT1 Y M/--0 ,HE LUNG$1 GRA2+ H] %\LD]S ) 8 /R;G H&S4 ,H] H1D SNAPP$ BACK PA9;LLY &! BUN AT H] NAPE 2GAN 6UNCOIL4 ,"? CL5*$ TEE?1 B )A VOICE OOZ+ FEIGN$ *>M1 HE GR[L$1 8,I ?9K T "U ! CIRCUM/.ES1 WE C 4P5SE )! ,MR4 & ,MISS4 ,MY "N IS ,J>$4 ,SAY X60 HE -M&$4 ,8 H&S 7 UNREL5T+LY TIMS1 & H] TEE? *ATT]$ 9 F"R1 B %E MANAG$ 6GASP1 8,J>$10 2F "O HUGE TE> ESCAP$ H] L[] LID & ROLL$ L A SP>KL+ GEM D[N H] *EEK4 ,T "O TE>

9FURIAT$ ,J>$ FUR!R & HE HISS$1 #aah 8,I DON'T "K H[ Y S -PLETELY HOODW9K$ & 2WIT*$ A MAN Z SM>T Z MY "F1 B DON'T ?9K Y C RESORT 6TE>S & VAPORS 6GET 6ME4 ,^? FA?OM.S GRAY EYES WON'T "W ON ME1 "U/&80 ,HE GAVE H] A LL %AKE4 8,WE'RE 9 ? TGR4 ,J /AY \ ( MY WAY1 & POSSIBLY WE'LL 2 A# 6/& X4 ,OLD ,B5 0 FAM\S = 8 CL"E TRICKS1 & HE SEEMS 6H PLAY$ 8 LA/ BIG JOKE ON ME4 ,HE SURE F.D A WILL+ "PN] 9 Y40 8,NO60 %E CRI$4 8,I DIDN'T "K :AT HE 9T5D$4 ,HE ONLY M5;N$ Y ONCE 9 PASS+4 ,I DIDN'T--0 8,!N Y'RE M (A FOOL ?AN ,I ?"\4 ,DID Y ?9K ,B5 WANT$ Y = HMF8 ,WELL1 !N1 ! JOKE'S ON Y1 TOO1 ISN'T X8 7 Y AF A NICE1 RI*1 ELD]LY HUSB& :O WD M ?AN LIKELY MAKE Y A RI* WID[ V SOON4 7 Y80 ,HE %\T$ ! LA/ TWO ^WS1 8 FACE 9*ES F H]S4 ,HE HELD H] TID;S1 W1K;S AG/ /R5G?1 FEM99;Y AG/

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3JUR$ UP ABHORR5T MEMORIES ( #bbd ,WILLIAM ,KELL]4 ,%E SQUEEZ$ H] EYES TI$ 0 AL>M$4 ,HE _H M1NT 6%AKE H] COOL RES]VE1 B H] REAC;N 0 F> /R;G] ?AN HE'D EXPECT$4 ,8 H& /ILL$1 ?\< HE DIDN'T )DRAW X4 ,%E -POS$ H]F SL[LY & F9,Y RAIS$ H] EYES TO MEET HIS4 8,NO10 %E :ISP]$1 8,I N"E _H ANY SWEETHE>TS40 ,( XS [N VOLI;N1 8 H& MOV$ UP S 8 F+]S CD SETTLE LI$ 6BE4 ,NO "O T NAIVE WD L1VE ! SECUR;Y (A P>SONAGE = AN ADV5TURE 9 ,TEXAS )A MAN1 A /RANG]1 Z VIRILE Z ,B5 ,LOCKETT4 ,:Y _H %E -E ) ,B58 ,HE 0 ON ! V]GE ( PUTT+ ! "Q 6H]1 B /OPP$ HMF4 ,MAYBE HE DIDN'T WANT 6"K ! ANSW]4 ,! R1LIZ,N T ! TRU? MIM+ & EMB>RASS+4 8,WE'D BETT] />T GA!R+ ^? DAMN PECANS10 HE SD T]SELY1 & /RODE T[>D ,*>G] 6GET ! GUNNYSACK HE _H BR"\ AL;G = T PURPOSE4 ,LAUR5 PUT _! EAT+ IMPLE;TS AWAY AF R9S+ !M 9 ! RIV]4 ,!N %E REPACK$ ! REMA9+ FOOD4 ,J>$ _H ! SACK HALF-FILL$ ) PECANS :5 %E B5T D[N 6HELP HM4 8,I C D X10 HE SD GRU6LY4 8,NO S5SE 9 YR GETT+ DIRTY40 ,%E LOOK$ UP ! L5G? ( 8 BODY & MET ! AMB] EYES GL>+ D[N AT H]4 ,:AT _H %E D"O 6MAKE HM ANGRY8 8,I WANT 6HELP10 %E SD SIMPLY4 8,SUIT YRF10 HE ANSW]$ 9DI6]5TLY & TURN$ AWAY1 LOOK+ = AN >EA T _HN'T BE5 H>VE/$4 ,0! "T HE CAME /AMP+ BACK 6H]1 ,LAUR5 _H GA!R$ A PILE (! NUTS4 ,HE HELD ! M\? (! SACK OP5 :ILE %E SCOOP$ H] HO>D 96X4 8,ALL D"O10 %E SD *E];LLY1 DU/+ (F H] H&S4 ,LICK+ H] LIPS QKLY1 %E ASK$1 8,D Y ?9K WE H 5 PECANS80 ,HE DIDN'T

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MO;T>ILY4 ,%OT UP PRETTY BAD4 ,:AT #dfh DID T M1N8 ,BLE$+4 ,OH1 ,GOD6 99 99 99 ,C>SON N"E C1S$ 6BE AMAZ$ AT ,OLIVIA'S -POSURE4 ,%E SAT ) H] EYES CLOS$1 H] H1D L1N+ AG/ ! HI< BACK (! L1!R *AIR 2H ! DESK4 ,X _H BE5 AN H\R S9CE ,KURT _H RI45 9 )! NEWS ( ,J>$'S 9JURY &! T]RI# TURN ( EV5TS 9 ,PUEBLO4 ,SOON AF T1 ,P>K] _H >RIV$ & /ORM$ 96! (FICE 9 A RAGE4 8,! :OLE GO4AM ?+ BLEW UP 9 \R FACES4 ,I TELL Y1 !Y 7 L ANIMALS HID+ 9 ! BUILD+S ": WE CDN'T EV5 SEE 6%OOT !M4 ,!Y PICK$ (F \R M5 "O 0"O4 ,!Y KNEW WE 7 -+4 ,!Y KNEW60 8,P>K]1 PL1SE CALM D[N4 ,"!'S NO?+ WE C D N[40 ,OLIVIA'S VOICE 0 4PAS.NATE4 8,IN A WAY1 WE C TURN X 6\R ADVANTAGE4 ,WE C SAY T ! DEG5]ATE CITIZ5S ( ,PUEBLO W5T ON A %OOT+ SPREE & %OT A FEW C[BOYS :O DRIFT$ 96T[N AF D>K4 ,WE'LL ?9K ( "S?+40 8,WELL1 X BETT] 2 DAMN$ GD4 ,I'M GETT+ TIR$ ( ALL ( ? MUCK40 ,! ,TEUTONIC F1TURES 7 3GE/$ & 3TORT$4 8,WE'LL "W X \1 ,P>K]10 ,C>SON SD ) M ASSUR.E ?AN HE FELT4 8,Y'D GO4AM BETT]4 ,I CD CALL (F ? :OLE ?+ J L T40

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ALL OV]40 ,OLIVIA _H FA/5$ H] EYES #dgj ON ,RUDY & H] FACE _H PAL$ SIGNIFICANTLY4 8,:AT IS HE DO+ 9 MY H\SE80 %E GASP$4 ,H] VOICE ROSE A NOTE OR TWO ON ! LA/ ^WS4 ,H] AGIT,N 0 APP>5T4 8,GET T BA/>D \ ( MY SI D]1 OP5+ H] M\? WIDE4 ,LAUR5 SCR1M$ AG & AG1 ?RA%+ H] >MS 9 AN EF=T 6ESCAPE ^? T R1*$ = H]4 ,%E TURN$ H] H1D WILDLY F SIDE 6SIDE1 TRY+ N 6LOOK AT ! B1/ T /OOD 2F H]4 ,!N1 AG1 BLACK OBLIVION4 99 99 99 ,! CLIMB UP 0 H>D1 B ONCE %E />T$1 %E CDN'T /OP4 ,"!1 ON ! O!R SIDE (! DOOR1 0 ! LIFE %E _H LEFT ON ! FLOOR (! CAVE4 ,%E REMEMB]$ X ALL N[4 ,%E _H ONLY 6OP5 ! DOOR1 & %E WD H 6FACE ALL T %E WI%$ 6=GET4 ,X WASN'T POSSI#4 ,%E WASN'T /R;G 5 YET4 ,B %E _H 6-E BACK "S"T4 ,N[4 ,%E OP5$ ! DOOR4 ,H] EYES TOOK 9 ! CEIL+ ( ,J>$'S ROOM AT ,KEYPO9T4 ,! FAMILI> W9D[ 0 "!1 B ! DRAPES 7 DRAWN AG/ B"R SUNLI.D ! $GES ( !M4 ,! L>GE W>DROBE /OOD AG/ ! OPPOSITE WALL4 ,SL[LY %E TURN$ H] H1D4 ,RECL9+ 9 ! *AIR AT H] B$SIDE 0 ,J>$4 ,HE WASN'T D1D6 ,HE 0 ALIVE4 ,%E

WANT$ 6%\T ) JOY4 ,%E FELT A #ejh MO;T>Y PANG ( GUILT AT H] HAPPI;S1 "K+ T ,RUDY M/ H BE5 ! "O %OT 9 ! CAVE4 ,GLORIA6 ,! *N6 ,B %E CDN'T HELP />+ 9 WOND] & LOVE AT ! MAN 6:OM %E 0 M>RI$4 ,HE 0 ASLEEP1 8 H&S DANGL+ (F ! >MS (! *AIR4 ,LAUR5 REMEMB]$ SEE+ "O ( ^? H&S HANG+ \TSIDE ! BU7Y T C>RI$ HM 6HIS "F'S FUN]AL4 ,X _H LOOK$ J L T1 CASUAL1 NEGLIG5T1 YET 2SP1K+ /R5G?4 ,T 0 S L;G AGO4 ,%E LOOK$ UP AT 8 FACE & 0 9/ANTLY AL>M$4 ,HE LOOK$ HA7>D & WORN4 ,8 *EEKS 7 SUNK54 ,DEEP L9ES FURR[$ ACR 8 =EH1D & D[N ! SIDES ( 8 S5SU\S M\?4 ,8 LA%ES RE/$ ON D>K %AD[S "U 8 EYES4 ,S"EAL "DS' GR[? ( BE>D /OOD \ F 8 *9 & 8 CLO!S 7 RUMPL$ & /A9$4 ,:AT _H HAPP5$ 6HM8 ,%E WANT$ 6SMOO? ! BLOND-/R1K$ CURLS AWAY F 8 BR[ ": !Y LAY LIMPLY4 ,! DOOR 6! B$ROOM OP5$ SL[LY1 & ,GLORIA CAME "? X C>RY+ A TRAY )A T1POT ON X4 ,%E CLOS$ ! DOOR 2H H] & /OPP$ )A SMALL CRY :5 %E SAW T ,LAUR5'S EYES 7 OP54 ,8,GRACIAS A ,DIOS6 ,LAUR51 Y >E AWAKE40' ,J>$ BOLT$ \ (! *AIR1 TRY+ 6ASSIMILATE 8 SURR.D+S

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! HURT S BLATANTLY APP>5T ON H] #eaa FACE1 HE _H A H>D "T KEEP+ TE>S \ ( 8 [N EYES4 ,HE CUPP$ H] FACE 2T 8 H&S & :ISP]$1 ,8,:Y1 9DE$80' ,HE WIP$ AWAY H] TE>S ) 8 ?UMBS & LOOK$ DEEPLY 96! GRAY POOLS S FULL ( 4ILLU.N;T4 ,8,C Y "E =GIVE ME =! HELL ,I'VE PUT Y "?8 ,C Y1 ,LAUR580' ,8 VOICE CRACK$ ) 4TRESS4 ,8 PLEA 0 DESP]ATE4 ,GLORIA DIDN'T WAIT TO HE> ANY M4 ,%E CREPT \ (! ROOM & %UT ! DOOR ON ! TWO :O _H S M* 64CUSS4 99 99 99 ,J>$ CAME \ (! ROOM AB AN H\R LAT]4 ,HE GL.ED OV] 8 %\LD] AT ! B$ "O M "T1 ASSUR+ HMF T ,LAUR5 0 / "! ?\< HE _H J LEFT H] SIDE4 ,%E 0 NO L;G] 9 DANG]1 B HE WASN'T TAK+ ANY *.ES4 ,HE F.D ,GLORIA 9 ! B$ROOM ) H] HUSB&1 TRY+ 6KEEP HM 9 B$ "O M "D4 ,RUDY'S %\LD] 0 SWA!D 9 B&AGES1 B X SEEM$ 6BE M5D+ PROP]LY4 ,!Y LOOK$ UP EXPECTANTLY :5 ,J>$ 5T]$4 ,8,%E'S SLEEP+ AG1 B P1CE;LLY10' HE ANSW]$ ! "Q HE R1D 9 _! EYES4 ,8,GOD1 B ,I'M TIR$40' ,HE COLLAPS$ 96! NE>E/ *AIR & BURI$ 8 FACE 9 8 H&S1 RU2+ 8 EYES )! HEELS ( 8 PALMS4 ,8,%E'S BE5 "? A LOT1

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