. The ring gleamed

choed. "A good

ing. A vast,

d up the ring. It wa

back on. She slippe

he bedroom, out of

' d meticulously planned,

d. A message fr

d the dinner was exquisite. They p

stomach

artment, but towards Pennsylvan

he street from the old farmhou

her heart aching for a comfort th

itchen window. Her father, Rob

Brenda was saying, her voice sharp.

iliar. "She needs to be smart. This deal with Ethan, for the new ha

ped. Her o

a business

arm hands, the smell of apples f

Robert doted on, ran past the window, laughi

car, the emptiness

rang. He

answ

u done? Ethan called.

was cold

You know how much this busine

rah said, her voice flat.

ous. He' s a man, Sarah. Men like Ethan... they have need

softened, a mani

I saw it. I knew he was the one for you. I helped arrange that 'chance' meeting, you know. For you

through Sarah. Her crush. He

me," she

u secure mine. Don' t let that farm, your mother' s

hun

e phone. Utterly a