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           HowhediscoveredwheretheywereandhowhewangledsomeoftheinvitationsMeggiewastoonaivetoguess,butregularlyonaSaturdayhewouldaskBobforthekeystotheRolls,andtakehersomewherewithin150miles.

           Tonightitwascoldasshestoodbyafencelookingacrossamoonlesslandscape,andunderherfeetshecouldfeelthecrunchoffrost.Winterwascoming.Luke’sarmcamearoundheranddrewherintohisside.

           "You’recold,"hesaid."I’dbettergetyouhome."

           "No,it’sallrightnow,I’mgettingwarm,"sheansweredbreathlessly.

           Shefeltachangeinhim,achangeinthearmheldlooselyandimpersonallyacrossherback.Butitwasnicetoleanagainsthim,tofeelthewarmthradiatingfromhisbody,thedifferentconstructionofhisframe.Eventhroughhercardiganshewasconsciousofhishand,movingnowinsmall,caressingcircles,atentativeandquestioningmassage.Ifatthisstagesheannouncedshewascoldhewouldstop;ifshesaidnothing,hewouldtakeitastacitpermissiontoproceed.Shewasyoung,shewantedsobadlytosavorloveproperly.ThiswastheonlymanoutsideofRalphwhointerestedher,sowhynotseewhathiskisseswerelike?Onlyletthembedifferent!LetthemnotbelikeRalph’skisses!

           Takinghersilenceasacquiescence,Lukeputhisotherhandonhershoulder,turnedhertofacehim,andbenthishead.Wasthathowamouthreallyfelt?Why,itwasnomorethanasortofpressure!Whatwasshesupposedtodotoindicateliking?Shemovedherlipsunderhisandatoncewishedshehadnot.