Chapter 22

           LucyMancini,ayearafterSonny’sdeath,stillmissedhimterribly,grievedforhimmorefiercelythananyloverinanyromance.Andherdreamswerenottheinsipiddreamsofaschoolgirl,herlongingsnotthelongingsofadevotedwife.Shewasnotrendereddesolatebythelossofher"life’scompanion,"ormisshimbecauseofhisstalwartcharacter.Sheheldnofondremembrancesofsentimentalgifts,ofgirlishheroworship,hissmile,theamusedglintofhiseyeswhenshesaidsomethingendearingorwitty.

           No.Shemissedhimforthemoreimportantreasonthathehadbeentheonlymanintheworldwhocouldmakeherbodyachievetheactoflove.And,inheryouthandinnocence,shestillbelievedthathewastheonlymanwhocouldpossiblydoso.

           NowayearlatershesunnedherselfinthebalmyNevadaair.Atherfeettheslender,blondyoungmanwasplayingwithhertoes.TheywereatthesideofthehotelpoolfortheSundayafternoonanddespitethepeopleallaroundthemhishandwasslidingupherbarethigh.

           "Oh,Jules,stop,"Lucysaid."Ithoughtdoctorsatleastweren’tassillyasothermen."

           Julesgrinnedather."I’maLasVegasdoctor."Hetickledtheinsideofherthighandwasamazedhowjustalittlethinglikethatcouldexcitehersopowerfully.Itshowedonherfacethoughshetriedtohideit.Shewasreallyaveryprimitive,innocentgirl.Thenwhycouldn’themakehercomeacross?Hehadtofigurethatoneoutandnevermindthecrapaboutalostlovethatcouldneverbereplaced.