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Ryan had never faced a greater challenge Except for keeping Zoe happy He had no idea how he'd acco," he promised, not just for Sam's sake, but for his and Zoe's The key to any kind of future with this wo in him

She nodded "That's all I can ask for"

Her hand still lay on top of his, and as gestures went, he kneas a big one

They waited five o in after her?" he asked

"I guess I'd better" Zoe reached for her seat belt buckle when a piercing scream shattered the silence

Both Ryan and Zoe darted out of the car

He ran to the end of the s

"Corass on the boulevard

In that instant, Ryan so on and he sprinted past Sa Unfortunately Ima had other ideas and the little runt continued to bolt toward the grass The highway lay just beyond

He ave hi, but she was th away He stu hirab her leash just in ti in hand, to find Sahtened eyes

"Your stoay, I presurabbed her pet, first wrapping her hand around and around the leash so the ani roadkill," Sarateful he'd shown up when he had

Zoe cleared her throat loudly

"Thank you," Saaze and for a brief er and resentratitude and pleasure shone in her blue eyes and Ryan war other than her disgust

"What happened?" Zoe asked

Saed "It was so fast, I'm not sure I used the bathroo Somehow the leash slipped out of my hands and she bolted I was so scared when she started running for the highway" She shivered "I didn't want some car makin' bacon out of her"

Ryan shook his head and tried not to laugh at her description "You should have toldThen you wouldn't have had to sneak her out for walks behind my back"