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Chris had just taken off his shirt. He paused in the act of unzipping his jeans and glanced at her. She continued to stare at the fire. "No, I didn't know." |
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"In the middle of a thunderstorm, just like this one. I was born. My mother died." |
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That explains her thunderstorm problem. Chris kept the thought to himself as she continued to speak. |
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"I never knew her, but I missed her. Gran did her best. Ed did his worst. I survived. But it would have been nice to have a mother." |
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"It is nice. Take my word for it." Chris positioned his wet clothes on the kitchen chairs as D.J. had done, then wrapped a blanket around his body and joined her on the couch. "Wasn't there anyone else in your life you looked up toa teacher, a coach, a Girl Scout leader? There must have been one woman somewhere in your life who mothered you." |
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She glanced at him. Her gaze focused on his bare chest, then slid away. "After Gran, no one. At least no one until" She stiffened and broke off. |
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"Until . . .?" Chris put his arm around D.J. and drew her against his side. She cuddled up to him, her head resting in the crook of his neck. He pushed away the thought of D.J., as naked beneath her blanket as he was beneath his. She wanted to talk nowand he would listen. |
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D.J. shook her head, the movement of her hair tickling his chin. "I don't want to talk about her right now. Maybe someday." |
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Chris liked the way she said "someday," as if |
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