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ry of ignorance. I already knew too much, and, like a ravenous glutton. I was eager to keep swallowing whatever new truth I could consume.

12

Linden

.

I had just started to rise when I heard a gentle

knock on my door.

"Yes?"

Thatcher poked in his head and smiled. He was

already dressed in a suit and tie and looked chipper and awake. "I'm sorry.," he said. "I would have breakfast with you. but I have to go to Miami today on business. I'll be gone most of the day, but if you're up to it, I'd like to take you to dinner."

"That sounds good to me," I said. He smiled, looked to his side, and then came into the room to kiss me.

"It's nice to have someone like you here to greet first thing in the morning," he said softly. "It sort of jumpstarts the day." He kissed me again. "Gotta go,," he said, and hurried to the door. -"Don't let my mother and any of her other friends drive you crazy. Go and do whatever you want, and don't let her talk you into anything," he warned. He waved and closed the door. It opened instantly, and he was there again. I'll have Jennings call you in a minute to see what you want for breakfast. I suggest you enjoy it on your balcony. Did you know Palm Beach has the best sunrise in America? Its rays are directly on the town: nature's spotlight."

"Oh. really?" I laughed. "You're still playing the role of president of the chamber of commerce."

"Some people here take that stuff about nature and energy very seriously. Willow. They believe in something called feng shui. Ever hear of it?"

I shook my head.

It's an ancient Chinese discipline bringing everyday life into harmony with nature, and that includes interior decorating, how you set up your furniture. Time, space, and action are designed to increase energy, harmony, healing, et cetera, et cetera," he said, waving his hand. "Don't get Bunny started on it. She has redesigned the living room ten times following one guru or another."

Harmony with nature. I thought. It sounded wonderful. Everyone was searching for some comfort, some sense of security, even the wealthiest among us. I guessed in the end, we were all afraid of being alone.

"Anyway," Thatcher said. "enjoy the morning, and pretend I'm with you," he ordered with a smile, and was gone again.

I felt as if my day had been jumpstarted, too. I guess it is possible to be swept off your feet. I thought, and dropped my head back to the pillow. What was happening? I didn't come here for this.

The intercom rang before I could get into an argument with myself again. It was Jennings asking what I wanted for breakfast. I ordered and then rose and went out onto the balcony. It was a glorious morning. I could understand why people might feel they were blessed living here. I gazed at the dock again and revived my memories from the night before. Perhaps today, I thought, perhaps today after I finally speak with my mother for a while,I'll understand what is happening to me.

I went in and took a quick shower. I was out and in my robe again before the maid brought up my breakfast. Maybe it was the sea air, or maybe it was burning up so much energy tossing and turning in my sleep. but I was ravenously hungry and ate nearly everything on the tray. Then I put on a pair of shorts and a halter top, slipped into my sandals, and headed downstairs to uphold my half of the bargain I had made with Linden.

He was there on the beach, already prepared for work. He glanced at me and looked away. "I didn't think you would show up," he said in that sullen tone.

"Why not? I said I would."

He looked at me again, this time with a somewhat infuriatingly sarcastic smile on his face. "People here promise to do lots of things they never intend to do.'

"I'm not from here. remember? Besides, we made a bargain. Does that mean you won't keep your half? You're from here.'

He stared at me a moment. I thought he was going to say something very nasty, but suddenly his face brightened, and he laughed. "Okay," he said. He nodded at a large paper bag, "The clothes are in there."

I gazed into the bag, then took it over the little hill to where the day before he had suggested I go to change. Everything fit as if it had always been mine. and I loved the lavender scent. When I returned, he looked at me with appreciation, maybe even more. His eyes moved over me, slowly taking in my face, my throat, my breasts and waist, and then up again slowly until he and I were standing there staring at each other. For a moment_. I wondered if he saw something of himself in me, enough to suggest who I might really be. Was that the reason for his close scrutiny?

His expression changed a little, the wall he kept between us crumbling enough for me to see another side of him, a softer side,

"You look just the way I expected you would." he finally said.

"And what was that. exactly?" I asked.

"Like someone fresh. innocent."