’ Her normally resilient self-confidence and positive outlook started to fade. ‘My head knows that time and age should not make a difference but m... heart’s not so sure,’ Cathryn said, biting her lower lip. Barbara saw the faraway look in Cathryn’s eyes and knew she was remembering. For a moment Cathryn drifted back 18 years, to a time when she and Stephen had been so in love, their lives so entwined, that they thought and acted as one. The love they shared had been so alive, it was almost. Fortunately, we were able to find the tires that the ambushers had kept handy to put on our truck as soon as they had liberated it from us. When we finished changing the tires and were ready to leave, we debated returning to the gun dealer and settling with him. It was obvious to us that he had set up this ambush because there was no other way for the ambushers to know what size tires to have ready to fit our truck. We decided that we really needed more fighters and more trucks to do a proper. Sheloved placing her paws down on the not so firm ground. She ran and draggedme along yelping at the impending waves. I ran behind her as fast as Icould and felt the ocean's spray greet me with every step. We continued onlike that till I yanked her leash and begged for mercy. I wish I couldhave removed her chain but it was against the law and my parents informedme long ago that if there was a fine to pay, that I'd be the one payingit. I sat down on the sand and watched Shandy barking at the. "Everyone in the room was looking at me. "You are a bit of a bastard, Max. You not only played me, but you played all of your neighbors too. You had these parties harking back to 'Lord of the Manor, ' when in reality you were having them in so you could steal my wife." I know and I apologize for that. The thing is, I really enjoyed your company and miss having you around as a friend. I still don't regret having Mary for my wife though. I guess doing what I did to you has made me feel more.