She opened it and then rested with her shoulder against the frame of the door and waited there for her dad to emerge from his room.Sandra didn't need ...o wait long for it, and she noticed that he was wearing a T-shirt, his running shorts and sneakers. When he turned around, he looked a little surprised when he saw her standing there."What are you doing up so early?" he asked her whispering.Sandra didn't answer, but just asked instead, "Can I join you this morning?" For a run?" Charles asked even. 'Such wanton elegance, ' he mused. 'Delicate shoulders carved from the purest alabaster... white breasts firm enough to mimic stone, yet soft enough to allow cherry-red nipples to quiver with each breath... the flat belly, showing a hint of muscle beneath it, as though carved by a master sculptor to compliment the sleek lines of her long waist... legs, white as glistening ivory, chiseled and slim, a thin layer of satin drawn tightly over stone cut and polished by hands of passion and grace.'He. She attended church every Sunday to be an example to her subjects. She enjoyed the hymns and the lecture from Father Jude. She was always escorted by one of her generals or by Thomas. A place was given to her so she could see both the minister and the congregation. She had gowns that showed her royalty but no expensive jewelry. She had a smaller crown made that was on her head, gold but not jeweled. Being a widow, she always wore darker colors to show others that she too had suffered loss as. .. “No talking on the phone while I am driving, please?”“I was just looking something up online, I am sorry.”“Thank you, Michael. Did you take my picture with the dress on?”Damn it!“No, I was so overwhelmed with how it looked on you I almost forgot to breath.”“I love you, Mr. Thomas.”“I love you Miss Guthrie. Gosh, can you believe it? We are engaged to be married! Man, life moves fast, doesn’t it?”“Michael, why don’t we invite Peter, Isabel and Joanie over, if they are in town, and ask them.