Facing me, she cuddled up close. I firmly, but gently, pulled her to my chest. She put her head on my shoulder and snuggled into my neck. Her left arm...was draped over my chest and her right arm folded between us.I placed my left arm under her head and neck and held her close. With my right hand, I caressed the back of her head."Thank you so much. I don't know what we would have done if you hadn't helped us out." She then kissed my neck.I softly kissed her forehead then whispered into her ear.. "But I will scream!"I looked at her. "Where is the girl who was so worried about her reputation?" She's married and very sensuously happy with her husband. I have a license to scream."We all laughed and moved to talking about ways and means rather than if or maybe. Finally, we agreed that we would simply make the announcement at supper that Irene and Marianne would join us. Our itinerary gave us some justification since it included state parks and other sightseeing places that all four of us. Every day she sat down and over-charged women to put acrylic nails on their hands, and all the while Ally sported her natural nails, well groomed but free from polish. Perfect without trying. And she had no idea. She and Nicki were perfect for each other. A package of truly lovely women, wandering about with shields of sarcasm and disinterest to hide insecurities that made absolutely no sense. He wondered absently how Nicki was doing, lately, with her quest to keep every man at bay by letting. “If my Mom starts to come on to you, I wouldn’t be surprised.”At least she chuckled at the last statement.“You need to keep your affiliation with me as quiet as possible,” he told her. “Things are going to get pretty ugly pretty soon. The week after Thanksgiving is when the news about the financial settlement is going to be announced. With what the county and city owe me, my attorney calculated a 12 percent property tax increase to cover the debt.”Mel let out a gasp.“Brock, the people down here.