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Hannah's feet--shearling boots--poked into view I glanced at Nate He'dus with open curiosity

Hannah touched my arm I met her eyes quickly Dark, liquid, full of concern

"Thanks," I said, lifting the ht of the world

"Do you like it?"

Hannah cupped her hands aroundthe gun

"Yeah, it's soft"

We stood like that for a while,my hands and wrists A familiar electricity passed between us Skin to skin

Nate, probably having established that I was a few sandwiches short of a picnic, ushered us outside Cold air swirled around ful October on the east coast so alive I wished for a clear head, but no such luck--our first stop was the pharmacy

We picked uplot He bought a Sprite fro machine, popped it open, and placed the correct pill in le ," I hissed

"Take it"

I sed the pill and shoved the soda back at Nate

"Youeye contact with her," he said

"I a"

I climbed into the back of Nate's car and Hannah smiled at e on the front passenger seat He shuffled uncertainly as the car o back to the cabin He and Hannah had packed everything and cleaned the place

I thought of Wendy and the farm animals

"What's the etables In the fridge"

"We had to throw soripped ether I held lared out theHannah held hway I listed against the door Hannah pulled my head onto her lap and I curled up across the bench

"We are we going?" I said quietly

"To your brother's house"

"Then where are we going?"

"Where do you want to go?" She ran her fingers through "

"Then you'll come back to Denver with me I'll take care of you, Matt"

I fell asleep to the feel of Hannah's fingertips on my face

I woke to the sound of my nephew's shrill voice

"Uncle Matt Uncle Matt Uncle Matt!"

My nephew is an unholy terror I sat up in tihed and cliht-year-old Oas how Nate learned to deal without the , up the sloping laard er--and jealousy

First they were cooking together, now she was ad Hannah liked? I followed her gaze to the house, a two-story brick-front beast that sold new to Nate for a cool million

"We could--" I rubbed hts What was I trying to say? We could get a place like this? Oh, please

Nate opened my door and Owen launched hi down the driveway toMadison by the hand

My niece is a quiet, bookish girl, thank god

I carried Owen out of the car Everyone was staring at me Everyone Nate, Valerie, my niece and nephew, Hannah I wanted to ed Hannah, then atorily We shared a look that said: I knew the feeling

"Hey Val," I mumbled "Hey Maddie" I set doen and he latched ontohio of o of Hannah's hand

It was three in the afternoon Valerie ry," I mumbled I felt like death The potpourri odor and purple scheme of Nate's house turned my stomach

Hannah and Madison were deep in conversation about the Inheritance Cycle I shook off Oho proceeded to tear through the house screa

Nate moved ahead of me with the suitcases

"I'll put you tn here," he said, heading to the basement "That okay?"

"M to meet him"

"Sure," I said Better Madison than Owen

The basement was fully finished with its own bedroom, kitchenette, full bath, and TV area Like I cared about any of that All I wanted was to be with Hannah

Nate rubbed lances

"I'll tell Hannah where you are," he said, and I nodded I knew, as I had known for years, that I had the best older brother in the world

CHAPTER 28