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.""Me?" she asked in wonder."I'm a mere mortal, Luke.You were the one who always soared higher than everyone else.""I didn't soar.I climbed up the ladder, one foot after another, relentlessly on and on and on." He squeezed his eyes shut, feeling incredibly weary."I couldn't get off.I couldn't stop.Something was pushing me up that ladder, like a hamster that can't get off the damn wheel, even if it kills him.""What was driving you, Luke?""Fear." He opened his eyes and looked at her."I was terrified that if I stopped, I'd fall into oblivion where no one would care about me." He tried to laugh, because his words sounded dark, lonely, vulnerable.Jenny wasn't buying it."You can't be what you aren't, Luke.""I'm beginning to realize that."Luke pulled a stand of her hair away from her face.It was a tender, loving gesture.He wanted to have more moments like this, times when he could talk to her about anything and know she wouldn't judge him."Jenny?"She looked at him inquiringly."Luke?"He smiled."What about your dreams? I just realized I don't even know what you do for a living.""I'm a checkout cashier at McDougal's Market in Half Moon Bay.I've been there seven years now.Talk about a hamster on a wheel.But it pays most of my bills.I work some nights at the Acapulco Lounge serving cocktails, mostly to my brother," she said wryly, "and in my spare time, I make jewelry that I hope will one day make me a rich and famous artisan.Right now, it pretty much just pays for Little League."Luke looked at her for a long moment, incredibly touched by her matter-of-fact explanation of her life.She made it sound so much easier than he knew it had to be."You're something else," he murmured."Not really." Her face turned serious."Your parents were right, Luke.I didn't grow up to be anybody special.Not like you.""Thank God," he said fervently."And don't sell yourself short, Jenny.During the last two weeks, you've impressed the hell out of me.You have so much strength and courage.Where did it all come from?""Danny," she said simply."I had a child.I had to take care of him.And I didn't do it alone.Merrilee helped in the beginning, almost too much.And Matt gave me money.I tried not to depend on them, but sometimes I didn't have a choice." She took a deep breath."Anyway, the past is past, right? Want to see some of my jewelry?""I'd love to." Actually, he wanted to take her in his arms and promise that she would never have to struggle for anything again, that he would give her money and a house and a car and anything else she and Danny needed.But he didn't say a word, because he could see the pride in her eyes, and he didn't want her to think that she was anything but a success.Jenny pulled a necklace out from under her sweater."I made this piece just before Danny got hurt."Luke touched the coral-colored shell necklace with a reverent gesture."It's lovely.Different.""That's me, different." She shrugged her shoulders."My friend Pru thinks I should try to sell the jewelry a little more aggressively than at the local art fair.I've been considering it for a while." She shook her head."I used to think I had so much time to do what I wanted to do.Then this happened, and I realized everything could end in a second." She paused."Danny helps me collect the shells and rocks.We've been doing it together since he was old enough to walk.I'm not sure I can do it without him.I'm not sure I can fill the couple of orders that I have before Christmas.Oh God, Luke." Her face tightened with fear."Everything in my life revolves around Danny.How can I lose him?""You can't and you won't.Maybe I could help you."Fear was replaced by amazement."You, a business tycoon and successful doctor, want to help me look for seashells on the beach?""Why not?""Why?""Because you'd be there." Because I have a feeling I'd find more on the beach than just seashells.Like a reason for being.Like a love that I thought was gone forever."Luke, I can't -- ""Sh-sh.Don't say it.""I don't know what you want from me." Jenny looked at him searchingly.He wanted her love, her passion, everything she had to give, especially her trust.But what he didn't want to do was scare her.It was too soon, too fast, so he said nothing."Do you mind if we walk awhile?" Jenny didn't wait for an answer.They strolled in silence past the St
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