"Paul Preuss - Secret Passages" - читать интересную книгу автора (Preuss Paul)

up behind her Honda in the carport. She felt a sudden rush of relief, an urge to run
to him and hide in his arms.

Then she remembered the letter. She wished she hadnтАЩt left it out where he
would find it. Inevitably he would feel sorry for her, and his pity would drain what
strength remained to her, the strength of her anger. With each step from the beach
to the deck, she willed herself to erase all expression from her face.

Inside, past the Baldwin baby grand that took up half the living room, Peter
turned from the kitchen counter, where he was busy emptying ice trays into an ice
bucket that held a fat bottle of cham-pagne. тАЬGreat! I wonтАЩt have to start the
celebration without you.тАЭ

Anne-Marie stared in confusion. Had Peter seen the judg-ment? Did he think
it was good news? But it lay undisturbed on the dining table.

тАЬDa!тАЭ Jenny twisted toward him and flung her arms wide. тАЬDa!тАЭ

For a moment the dream flowed back, dissolving, but even in tatters
comforting her; she broke into a smile, her pale eyes shining. Peter dropped the ice
trays on the counter and crossed the living room in three long strides, flinging his
arms wide to surround them both.

Anne-Marie met him with a soft kiss. Meanwhile Jenny hooked her sharp nails
in his ear and tugged.

тАЬOww!тАЭ

тАЬWelcome home, Da,тАЭ Anne-Marie said as he freed himself from JennyтАЩs grip.
She set the baby girl on the floor. тАЬWhat are we celebrating?тАЭ

тАЬThe Greek islands, Ma, all expenses paidтАФkids too, if we want to bring
themтАФand all I have to do is give one short talk to a bunch of people IтАЩve been
dying to trap in one place.тАЭ
 тАЬFantastic. This just came out of the blue?тАЭ

тАЬI mentioned I was at a conference a few years ago, only time I was ever in
Greece? The sponsors are putting on Delos II, and they want us old-timers back.тАЭ

тАЬGood for them. When do we go?тАЭ

тАЬNot until spring. The time will fly.тАЭ

тАЬMm,тАЭ she murmured in agreement. тАЬTell you what, let me feed the cherub
while weтАЩre waiting for that bottle to get cold.тАЭ

тАЬFood fight!тАЭ he called gleefully. тАЬThis demands suitable accompaniment.тАЭ

He leaped to the piano, seated himself with a flourish, andтАФ while
Anne-Marie wrestled Jenny into a high chair and covered her with a bibтАФplunged