“Whatever we have to do at home can wait ‘til tomorrow.”Loren parked in his driveway. He unlocked the front door. Abrielle opened the rear door ...nd helped her daughter from the car seat.“Maman, “ Nicole said.“Oui, ma cherie?“ Nicole whispered in her ear. “This is Loren’s house. You’ll have to ask him.”“Loren?”“What, Nicole?”“May I watch TV?”He glanced at Abrielle. “Is it okay?”“I let her ... so long as it’s not excessive.”“I don’t have cable,” he said. “I rarely watch anything but the news or. "What do you mean?" I mean, I'm sure the book is available in electronic form now. All you'd need to do is load the file and you'd have it."He set the book down on his chest and turned slightly to face her. "But that wouldn't be reading." But it's much more efficient."He reached out to gently stroke her cheek. "I ran into Arnie, today." Really?" Yeah, he said something about that he was going to get me for making his life hell. But, what can he do, right?" Yeah, right," she replied. She started. “Hold your fire,” the squad leader said, “don’t shoot anything until I give the order. I’m looking at you, Murray, finger off that trigger. One more misfire from you and you’re back on kitchen duty.”“Collective punishment’s against UN conventions, Pete,” another man added. “Murray makes soup about as well as he shoots.”There was a chorus of stifled laughter over the radio, and the squad leader waved for them to keep quiet.“Damn it, Harry. You’re supposed to use ranks when we’re on duty,. ‘I know. As corny as that was, I know it’s the truth. You make me feel safe.’ ‘That’s how you should feel.’ She took a step forward and put her hands on my face. ‘Good. ‘Cause I do. Maybe for the first time since coming here, I feel safe.’ And then she pulled my face down to hers. Where last night’s kiss had been a forest fire of passion, this was more the soothing warmth of a fireplace, a kiss that you never wanted to end. Mouths half opened, tongues caressing each other softly, almost.