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I looked back and watched us move farther and farther from it until we made a turn and it disappeared altogether, just like so many precious moments in both our lives.

.

It was as if the winds of fury had gathered. We made it back to the dock in what seemed to me to be half the time it had taken to get to the bay. He tied up the boat and reached in to help me step out.

"Will you want me to pose for you again tomorrow?" I asked softly.

"No, that's fine." he said. "Don't waste any more time with me." His whole body was now heavy with self-pity. I wanted so much to put my hand on his shoulder to reassure him, to promise him again that soon, very soon, he would understand, but I didn't dare touch him. He kept his back to me, and his shoulders were hoisted like the shoulders of a hawk, protective, aggressive, ready to pounce on some prey.

As I started off the dock and toward the main house, I saw my mother staring at me from the loggia of the beach house. She and I gazed at each other for a long moment, and then she turned and went inside. I made up my mind I would see her before this day was over, and I would tell her who I was. Somehow. however. I had a deep feeling inside me that she knew. Was it possible for a mother to pick out her child from everyone else in the world, even though she had never set eves on her since her birth? Was there a magical connection that couldn't be broken or hidden?

I would soon find out, I thought, and that both excited and frightened me.

"Well. where were you?" I heard as I tucked up toward the rear loggia.

Bunny and Asher were sitting at a table having some breakfast.

"You didn't just come in from sailing with Linden, did you?" Bunny asked.

"As a matter of fact, yes. I did." I said "It was quite enjoyable. He's a good sailor."

They both looked a bit stunned and exchanged concerned glances.

"How can you get so chummy with Linden Montgomery, of all people?" Bunny practically demanded. Did she believe I was getting romantically involved with him, after she had laid a trap for Thatcher and me?

"He's really desperate for company." I explained. "I think his angry demeanor is all a facade. If people would simply be kind to him..,"

"How can anyone be kind to him? He won't respond to a simple hello or look at anyone who speaks to him. Believe me. I've had a number of my friends meet him down at the beach, and he growls at them. They all think he's absolutely mad, and when you put his artwork together with his behavior, you can come to no other conclusion. I hope you will listen to my advice and stop getting involved with him.

"Surely, lie cannot be of any value when it comes to your work," she concluded,

"On the contrary." I said. "He and his mother have been the most informative and valuable interviews I've had to date."

She practically gasped and then turned her head sharply to Asher, who smiled at me.

"I know what she's doing. Bunny. She's getting a variety of views and perspectives. It's very important to her project. I'm sure. A good interviewer has to win the trust of the person he or she is interviewing. right?"

"Exactly," I said.

That seemed to bring some relief to Bunny, who relaxed her shoulders and dropped her hand from the base of her throat.

"What about a cup of coffee or perhaps a mimosa?" Asher asked.

"Surely, the sea air has stirred your appetite a little," Bunny insisted.

"I would love a cup of coffee." I said, and sat at the table. The maid emerged from where she was standing just inside the French doors and poured me a cup.

"Everything we hoped for my party tomorrow night has come to pass." Bunny said. "I have well over a hundred confirmed guests and more calling in every hour. I have the orchestra I wanted, and when you see the menu, you will be as excited as I am. There are some surprises, too, some very important Palm Beach people and some singers and movie stars among the guests."

"Everyone loves a good party," Asher added. smiling.

"Don't you ever get tired of all this entertaining, attending events?" I asked.

"Why, of course not." Bunny said. "It's the season. Don't you know what that means? People from all over the world have come here to gather at these events, renew old acquaintances, share new discoveries. It's the most exciting time of the year for us. We would never think of missing anything, would we, Asher?"

"Gloria Van De Mere had herself brought in an ambulance to the fundraiser for battered women last week." he said by way of replying. "She had just come out of the hospital after a gall bladder operation. She went from the ambulance to a wheelchair to the ball, accompanied by her nurse."

"Gloria Van De Mere's father created the Chump Charlie Hot Dog chain." Bunny tacked on. "They are neck and neck with Holy Dog for the majority share of that fast food market"