“When it comes down to it, even what we own we mostly owe to our parents.”“That’s true,” I said. “That’s why I’ve put the farm up as c...llateral. I’ll guarantee the loan.”“Excuse us,” Rose said. “We need a casa meeting. We’ll resume in a minute.” She grabbed Brian and all fifteen in the casa headed for the barn.Marilyn slipped up beside me and wrapped me in her arms. I leaned against her.“You all surprised me a little,” I said. “When did the funding come in?”“During dinner. Now that the kids are. ”“I know,” I said. “But honestly, if you think about it, I never dated her, we never hung out together unless Larry was there, and she showed no real interest until that day she showed up at my house and we made love. I saw her once after that, and then she went home. What could it have been other than a crush? Or a desire to get laid?”“Oh stop!” Kara said, exasperated. “Is this about Birgit or about Stephie? Do you regret letting her go?”“I can’t honestly answer that,” I said. “I keep thinking. It was also just a very pretty, very romantic song.Lev watched Arwen’s body language as Tiffany played the opening strains and the buskers joined in. Her shoulders tensed a little and she turned her head to listen while still looking at the damaged temple. It wasn’t until Tiffany started singing that she spun around to see and found herself staring straight into Lev’s chest. When she looked up at him, he smiled and held out his hands as he would at the beginning of a waltz. “Dance with. Going to the mall Matt hoped would give him some inspiration for hisrevenge. He needed something big to get back at those two and even thescore. Dropping a bucket of whipcream on his head as soon as he walked intothe room wasn't very creative, but it had been messy, so deserved somethingreally nasty back.Matt saw a new store named Spells R Us, and wondered if it had practicaljoke stuff. Magic stores usually did. Curious he walked in hoping to findsomething that could let him get back at Chris.