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judge her, harass& Lori couldn t live like that.
88 Caitlyn Willows
 I m more concerned with reporters discovering how long the three of us have
been together. That night linked us, and that link has never been broken. Some
people could call into question not only the legalities of the investigation and
evidence, but the trial itself. One of my biggest fears has been that somehow
Webster would be put back on the streets to abuse another woman, rape another
girl, kill again. All I ve done since that night has been in preparation for that
possibility. Hide my daughter. Learn to empower myself. Protect my men from any
hint of misconduct. Maintain complete control.
Rob leaned forward.  If you don t mind me saying so, that s quite a burden
you ve placed on your shoulders.
His words, though given to help, put Lori on the defensive. She tamped down
her inner shrew and pulled her chin back down.  I never considered it a burden,
she softly replied.  For me, it was survival, protecting those I love the only way I
could. I ll admit I ve made many mistakes along the way. The foremost was shutting
myself off physically and emotionally from the loved ones I ve tried to protect.
 Have you been lonely? Becky asked, her voice so filled with compassion, it
cut Lori to the quick.
 No. She shook her head.  Never. Becky didn t need to know about the years
Lori had lived with her emotionally absent father and his wife. She d been nothing
more than a boarder to them, a burden they didn t want and weren t about to love.
Mac and Blake saved her sanity then as well, giving Lori the security she needed,
the strength and determination to carry on.
 What will you do if you have to resign from teaching? Gwen asked.  Maybe it
won t come to that. Maybe it will be all right.
She was so optimistic, Lori didn t have the heart to tell her she d already
decided to leave. The fact she d survived such horrible things brought more
attention than Lori could bear.
 Don t worry. I always have a backup plan. Except when Blake walked out
that door last night. God, Lori didn t want to think about it again, about how close
Soleil 89
she d come to losing them because of her own faults.  I ve made wise investments
over the years, and I ll do fine. I have many friends in many fields and am
accomplished in more than one area.
Becky mopped up the raspberry sauce with the last tidbit.  What areas?
 Martial arts, foreign languages, I m a nature geek, and I have excellent
organizational skills. Lori shrugged. Her spirits lifted with each opportunity she
considered.  I could also go back to school and get a psychology degree.
 And deal with other people s constant streams of problems and issues? Oliver
snorted.  You haven t even dealt with your own.
His words stung.  True enough. Too true.  It s hard to argue with Oliver s
keen insight. Yes, more sarcasm. Oliver deserved it this time.  But I ll find
something to do. Something that suits my needs and personality.
Lori swung her feet to the floor.  And now, I hate to be a drag, but we really
need to call it a night. Any more wine and I ll fall asleep in the middle of a sentence,
and Blake is so tired, he s pretty close to nodding off.
 I agree. Oliver stood before Lori could do so.  Last night was a long one for all
of us. He motioned to the Smiths.  I have rooms ready for you. Please let me show
you the way.
 We ll get our bags and be right back, Rob replied.
Oliver waited until the Smiths had cleared the room, then turned to Lori, Mac,
and Blake.  And I took the liberty of having all of your things brought to Lori s
suite. I hope tonight will be much better than last night. Are we all on the same
page now? Finally?
 Yes, they said together.
Oliver gave a nod and walked out.
 I get the impression Oliver was thinking his work here is done, Mac said.
 But ours isn t. Lori slipped from the sofa and sat on the edge of the coffee [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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