Authors: Diana Palmer
Sari sighed and rested her face on her palms, propped on her elbows. “That would be a fine thing,” she mused. “He's never even touched me except to help me out of a car,” she added on a wistful sigh.
“If he ever did touch you, your father would be sure to hear about it. And I don't like to think of the consequences. He's a violent man, Sari,” she added gently.
“I know that.” Her face showed her misery. She was too innocent to hide her responses.
“So, don't tempt fate,” Mandy said softly. She hugged the younger woman tight. “I know how you feel about him. But if you start something, he'll be out on his ear. And what your father would do to you...” She drew back with a grimace. “I love Mr. Paul,” she added. “He's the kindest man I know. You don't want to get him fired.”
“Of course I don't,” Sari replied. “I promise I'll behave.”
“You always have,” Mandy said with a tender smile. “It all ends, you know,” she said suddenly.
“Ends?”
“Misery. Unrequited love. Even life. It all ends. We live in pieces of emotion. Pieces of life. It doesn't all get put together until we're old and ready for the long sleep.”
“Okay, when you get philosophical, I know it's past my bedtime,” Sari teased.
Mandy hugged her one last time. “You're a sweet child. Go to bed. Sleep well.”
“You, too.” She went to the doorway and paused. She turned. “Thanks.”
“What for?”
“Caring about me and Merrie,” Sari said gently. “Nobody else has, since Mama died.”
“It's because I care that I sometimes say things you don't want to hear, my darling.”
Sari smiled. “I know.” She turned and left the room.
* * *
Mandy, older and wiser, saw what Sari and Paul really felt for each other, and she worried at the possible consequences if that tsunami of emotion ever turned loose in them.
She went back to her chores, closing the kitchen up for the night.
Copyright © 2016 by Diana Palmer
ISBN-13: 9781460396773
Fire Brand
Copyright © 1989 by Diana Palmer
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