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As they flew through the darkness, Court caht she could see the fatigue on his face Wrapping an arainst him and closed his eyes “Can’t sleep without you intold her he’d gone to sleep She snuggled against him, took Neetie’s hand in hers, closed her eyes and found rest

Outside Boston, they boarded the helicopter that Court had arranged to have waiting Maggie was sure the Ar to do with the VIP treat to do with it as well In any other circu over the beautiful old city but found it another panoramic reminder of how different her and Court’s lives were

The e theie had been a part of alu Hospital but could do little h unco on the sidelines, she understood the necessity

The paperas processed and Neetie hisked off to ICU She and Court went up with Neetie They were needed to translate Maggie refused to leave his side until she was forced to by hospital rules She held Neetie’s hand and kept a constant dialogue going, as much for herself as for him The nurses were competent and compassionate as they settled Neetie His wary eyes focused on her regardless of ent on around him He was so tired when he tried to speak it was littleof his lips Given a sedative, the boy’s eyes were soon closing As he drifted off, she whispered, “I’ht here I love you”

Maggie wiped a tear from her cheek She’d been devastated when the doctor had told her she couldn’t have children, and if she lost Neetie…

Raja had been hurried off to soie never felt more out of place or out of control her life but she refused to fall apart Court’s put a hand on her waist and squeezed it encouragingly “He’ll be fine”

“He has to be I won’t let myself think differently”

“He’s in one of the best hospitals in the world Co in the ”

“I’ here,” she stated

“No, you’re not You’ll be no good to Neetie if you’re dead on your feet He’s in good hands Now is the time for you to take care of yourself”

Court had hoped he rong about Neetie’s condition but there was also a feeling of exhilaration that ith knowing he’d ued hian to disappear The heavy weight he’d been carrying had lightened,more like the doctor he’d once been

With Neetie in the hospital ICU and the TIPS procedure planned for the next , Court felt better about Neetie’s health than he had in days Neetie would have a slow recovery period because of , which was on his side

Court observed Maggie in the late-afternoon sun while she looked out theof the chauffeur-driven car on the way to his home

“It’s beautiful here I’ve never been to Boston”

He squeezed her hand “It is beautiful I love this place It has been my home all my life”

Maggie looked as hi the river toward the older area of the city Had so he’d said bothered her?

A few minutes later she said, “I don’t remember the name of this river”

“The Charles Duringhere”

“Really? We don’t doin northern Ghana” She continued to look out at the passing landscape

For hireen metropolis of Boston as she’d been in the drab brown of Africa She stood out, adding life and energy to every place she went The driver pulled the car to a stop in front of his brownstone

“We’re hoie in the statement

“This is where you live?” Surprise surrounded each of her words

“What did you expect? A big, shiny, glass-and-chroh-rise?”

“Well, yeah, I guess I did,” she said, cli up the rock steps

He’d told her in no uncertain ter at a hotel near the hospital when she’d argued about staying with hiency call number and if Neetie had any problems he would know first and so would she Her concern for Neetie was the only reason she’d agreed to the arrangeie had made one stipulation—they would not share a bed He wasn’t pleased with the condition, but he would honor it Despite his body’s craving for hers and that it ht mean days of frustration

He unlocked the door to his home, which was over a hundred years old, and pushed it open Maggie followed hi rooled into the corner and breathed deeply She seeht he declined to examine