"You look fantastic!" I said, though I wasn't really sure Ibelieved it. He smiled sheepishly at me and embraced me firmly. I let outa gasp as I begged...him to ease up a bit. He laughed carelessly andreduced the pressure of his embrace. "Hey, Aunt Joan!" he called out obviously seeking approval from someonebesides myself. Mom came walking into the living room and her jawdropped. "Samantha, is that you?" she asked. This was not the response that Samwas seeking. Tears began forming in his eyes as. When Annie looked down at herself she realised just how bedraggled she looked. Her blouse was starting to dry, but it was almost grey with the damage it had sustained. Her black skirt was creased in every way and her shoes were obviously ruined. She took off her shoes first, then unbuttoned her blouse and took that off, then unzipped her skirt and next was her tights, that she could see had become laddered as well. Annie stood in this strangers farmhouse kitchen just in her soaking wet white. I don’t think the other women will get into a cat fight over you.”“Then I guess there’s no harm in going for a ride with Wheels, in her Mercedes Benz,” Ben conceded weakly.Betsy burst out laughing. She tried to control it, but the more she tried, the harder she laughed. She’d look over at him again, and laugh even harder. Tears were flowing from her eyes.“What’s so funny?” Ben asked.Betsy wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes, looked at him, and doubled over in laughter.Curious, Sam came. The cloth in her mouth tasted bitter, salty, but it also tasted like Eckert smelled. The realization brought her back from her dreams. She quit thrashing and relaxed in his arms. He pulled the rag out of her mouth. "You change your mind?" she asked. "I'm willing, but if you want to pin me down I don't mind."It was too dark to see his expression, but his voice was husky. "You were screaming." he shifted his weight and sat on the edge of the couch. "There was some shooting, a mile away at least,.