Chapter 24

"Hmm?" He blinked.

"A while ago, when I said I didn't know Herb, did you say you knew that?"

"Yes."

"When did you know?"

"Almost immediately."

She frowned, as she worked on that sentence. "I'll help with Mutt. The dogs accept cats fairly well, but a strange dog has to be introduced."

While they were doing that, Salty rang the bell for dinner and automatically Georgia showed Luke where to wash.

"Did you leave me because I didn't tell you about the Molly Q sinking? I was afraid, if you knew, you 'd leave me."

"No Because you asked me if Herb was good as you. You offended me. You made me sound like a bed-hopper. I told you I didn't know any Herb."

"I was sure you didn't and I only meant to tease, to make you say I was a good lover. I would never try to offend you."

She was silent.

Luke wanted to hold her. He wasn't sure she'd allow it. He asked, " How's your arm?"

" Just fine. You can hardly see the marks any more."

" Lete see." So when he had her arm in his hands, he couldn