“I’m going to let boys do that,” Max stated. “I belong in the kitchen.”“My kitchen,” I declared; she blushed. I saw Sam slump; I leaned ...ver Alex and squeezed Sam’s fingers.“Don’t worry about me,” she said. “I can handle myself.”“But you don’t always have to.” I leaned forward, intent on giving her a little kiss. Her frown dissuaded me and I squeezed her shoulders as I straightened to my full height. I rubbed Alex’s hair as I stepped by her. Max was sitting on the arm of my chair.“The cushion’s. And the school would probably phone my parents. I did not want them knowing I had 2 hours of detention.I opened the door and the teacher was sitting behind the desk marking some papers. 'Your late' I’m told 'that's another half hour.''But Mr.?' 'I'm not interested. Sit' he pointed to a chair at a single table directly in front of the desk without looking up. As I sat he continued marking the papers in front of him. It felt like a long time passed, but in reality it was probably 5 minutes or so.. Her mind wouldn't rest easy this night she sighed and put the book to one side to sit pondering her situation in front of the fire. That anticipation was most assuredly the work of the devil for her imagination was tormenting her as to the kind of physical ravishment's she was to experience on the 'morrow. Her face flushed as she relived the moment she had released Mr Chamber's most outrageous member to her shocked gaze. The man was hung beyond measure and no wonder his wife walked about town. We will have a long day tomorrow.’ We drove a long way on steep, winding country roads, steadily climbing into the Great Smoky Mountains. When we skirted Gatlinburg and crossed the North Carolina border, Vholes said, ‘Almost there, children. Can you feel it? Exciting, isn’t it.’ In fact my heart was pounding with anticipation as we wound ever higher into the mountains toward a place I did not recognize, but instinctively felt that I had been before. Jennifer was flushed and sweat beaded on her.