‘He needs to know now. The details can come when they do. However, I do think you should cancel the trip and return home at once. Gretchen will need...someone to care for her as she recovers, and you simply are not in condition to do so.’ That got my back up. ‘I can so, and if I need help I have Ted and Lisa and some other friends, right here. We’re not running away. You got that, Lurch? Get me the big cheese and go do whatever butlers do. Butle something.’ ‘Ah,’ he said with satisfaction, ‘there. With everyone eating, well, almost everyone, and in between bites, I explained the situation to the guys.“Gentlemen, let’s get something straight right now. You are guests in my house. As such, I will do everything in my power to make your stay comfortable. I won’t say easy. I will expect a certain amount of assistance in running this household and homestead. Your being here has, in effect, quadrupled Suzy’s and my workload. As well as the stress it has put on our supplies.”I didn’t mention it,. ‘That’s the best you can do?’ His mouth dried up but he moved into the circle of her arms and pressed his lips against hers. Those coral lips parted and he tilted his head, letting his tongue softly sweep against hers. The tremor he felt in her vibrated through him and he sighed, pulling back and smiling into her eyes. ‘Good?’ ‘Very good.’ She smiled, leaning in for another. Douglas’ head swam with the touch of her body against his and he kissed her like the man he wanted to be: her beau. ‘Even. I assumed it must be a bedroom door that opened, and I was thinking ‘who would be in bed at 3 or 4 in the afternoon?’ Maybe She was really tired for some reason, or felt ill – I hadn’t really seen Her at the party so She couldn’t be drunk surely? Then She emerged in what looked like a very short dress, low-cut too. I was thinking ‘maybe some of the girls were trying clothes on or something’ but whatever, my heart was racing and I was feeling very heated up as I saw Her. She approached the top.