Somehow she managed to escape his grip as she scurried out of the chair. Laughing, she ran down the deck. Brian in hot pursuit. When she'd gone as fas as possible, she turned, the wood railing pressing against her back. Anna stretched out a hand. "Brian." She couldn't keep the laughter out of her voice.

"Yes, my trapped little rat?"

"Would it do any good if I apologized?"

"Not when I've got you where I want you." Brian moved closer to her, one inch at a time.

"Brian," she pleaded a second time. Frantically she looked around for an escape.

"Mr. Littrell where are you?" Charity's voice could be heard coming down the hall. There was a slight hesitation as the woman stepped onto the verandah. "Oh, Mr. Littrell, I was hoping I'd find you here."

"Yes, Charity, what is it?" Brian's voice was thick with impatience.

"If you'll excuse me," Anna sauntered out of her corner and wickedly fluttered her long lashes. "It seems to have gotten a bit chilly out here all of a sudden. I think I'll take a drive into town."

"Are you going to meet Ray again tonight?" Brian taunted.

"Not tonight," she said with an exaggerated sigh. "But I think I'll give Alex a call."

His eyes narrowed for an instant before a smile broke out across his powerful face. For now she could escape, his eyes were telling her, but the time was fast approaching when he would extract his due.

"Are you ready?" Anna's voice was soft with encouragement.

Brian shook his head. Anna didn't know how he could be so calm. Her stomach felt like it had twisted to double knots. Even her mouth felt dry, her throat scratchy.

The parallel bars loomed before him. Brian positioned the wheelchair so that he could reach up and pull himself upright.

Anna watched him with a ballooning sense of pride. Once he was upright, he beamed her an off-center smile.

"Well?" He probbed. "How am I doing?"

Anna shook her head, because she was afraid the lump that formed in her throat would make her words sound irregular and he would know how happy this new triumph made her. This was only the beginning.

"I don't think I realized how tall you are," she said at last.

Brian continued to work his way across the bar, each movement cautious and measured. His face was fixed with intense concentration.

"And I don't think I've ever realized what an elf you are."

"I am not," she denied boldly.

His laugh was rich and deep. He stopped when he came to the end of the long bars and awkwardly turned around.

Anna watched him with her heart in her throat. She need not have worried; he was doing wonderfully well.

"Anna," he cried to her, and she was immediately at his side.

"Yes?"

"Stand here." Brian indicated a place beside the bars. When she did as she asked, he manipulated himself around so that they stood facing one another. She came to just an inch or two under him. "An elf," he affirmed, "but a perfect one. Look how well we fit together." A hand grazed her cheek and cupped her neck. "I've been waiting weeks to kiss you like this. Don't deny me now."

Anna could refuse him nothing. Had he asked for any part of her she would have given it to him gladly with all the love pent up inside.

When his lips touched hers, she released a small, weak cry of happiness. The kiss was sweet and gentle and left her craving for more.

Somehow Brian managed to keep his balance as he cradled her head against his chest and pressed his face into her hair.

"Thank you, Anna," he murmured, and again she was reminded that his emotions were confused, interwoven with a deep sense of gratitude.

"Has something happened to Brian?" Jackie Littrell rushed into the living room. Her face was pale and light. Harold followed close on his wife's heels.

"Not at all." Anna hurried to assure them. This whole production was Brian's idea, and she was reluctantly playing her role. "Please sit down."

Harold eyed his wife and shrugged his shoulders. "You say Brian's fine?"

"Yes." For a moment she was sure her smile gave her away. "Perhaps you'd like some coffee while you're waiting?"

"Please," Harold answered for them both, and stopped to run a hand across his forehead.

Anna excused herself and rounded the corner, pretending she was going into the kitchen.

"You should be shot for this," she told Brian in a heated whisper. "They're both worried sick."

He was standing. The U-shaped walker accepted his weight as his hands gripped the metal bar. Anna continued to marvel at how tall he was. Tall and vital. But even the wheelchair had been unable to diminish the aura of powerful virility that was so much a part of him.

A happy smile skittered across his face.

"What's so funny?" She demanded.

"You. I still can't believe I let such a pip-squeak boss me around. I must have been weak in the head."

"Not weak," she countered brightly, "but exceptionally smart."

He bent his head down and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Don't tell me to break a leg."

She smiled, one that came deep from within her heart. "All right, I won't."

With a slow start, every step deliberate and practiced, Brian moved out of his hiding position in the hall. Anna stayed where she was, the sound of his steps, the drag of the walker against the floor, magnified in the enclosed area. She didn't need to be told the cries from Brian's parents were ones of surprise and happiness. In her own way, she was exceptionally happy. Yet the time was fast approaching when she must leave. Brian wouldn't need her anymore.

"Charity, Charity." Harold's voice beamed through the house.

Anna stepped aside as Charity rushed out of the kitchen.

"Bring out my best bottle of champagne. There's cause to celebrate again."

"Anna," Brian called to her.

Purposely she stayed out of view. This was a time for family; she didn't want to intrude.

"Anna," he repeated, and she stepped around the entrance to the hallway and into the living room.

"Where did you go?" He questioned, his eyes watching her. "I thought you were behind me."

Jackie was dabbing the corner of her eye with a scented handkerchief, and when she saw Anna she hurried across the room and hugged her tightly. "My dear, Miss Watson, Harold and I owe you so much."

"Dad's bringing out the family's best." Brian's eyes were bright with excitement.

"Do stay, dear," Jackie insisted. "After all, it's you we all must thank."

"Nonsense." She replied, a little embarrassed.

Brian wrapped an arm around Anna's thin shoulders. "Mother, we owe this little pint-sized woman more than words can express."

A look of undisguised concern flickered over Jackie's eyes. Anna saw it but was certain Brian was unaware of his mother's look.

Harold had returned with the champagne and several glasses. A great production was made out of opening the bottle. Laughter filled the room as the bubbling brew foamed onto the rug.

Anna accepted the glass and stood stiffly apart from the cozy family scene by the fireplace hearth. Her smile was strained, but when Brian's father offered a toast her response was genuine. She smiled warmly at Brian, afraid her heart was in her eyes. Then purposefully she looked down into the sparkling liquid before taking a sip.

"This is fantastic," Brian said, and reached for the half-empty bottle.

"California, of course," Harold bragged. "Some of the world's finest is grown there."

"Honestly, dear, you sound like an advertisement."

Watching the small family interact naturally with one another produced an ache Anna knew she would endure for years hereafter. She would never fit into this family, with their wealth and position. It wasn't difficult to tell Brian's parents were concerned with their son's obvious attraction to her. And with good cause, Anna acknowledged.

"We must have a party." Jackie's words broke into Anna's troubled musings. "Invite all your old friends."

Anna could already visualize the wheels turning in his mother's head.

"Here, of course," she continued. "It'll be easier for you that way. We'll invite the Doroughs and the McLeans, and the Carters, and the Richardsons."

"Mother." Brian's sharp tone caused Jackie to pause.

"Yes, dear?"

"There will be no party."

"Of course there will. You've been out of circulation. People are beginning to ask questions."

"Let them. There will be no party," he repeated forcefully.

"But, Brian." His mother's eyes were soft and pleading. Anna didn't know how anyone could refuse her and sincerely doubted that it happened often.

"I'm tired, Anna," he called for her, and held out his arm. "Help me back to my room."

Anna set her nearly full wineglass down on an end table and strode across the suddenly silent area.

"Don't say it," Brian murmured as they reached his room and he lowered his weight in the wheelchair.

"Say what?" Anna asked, pretending not to know.

"For most of my life, I've fallen into Mother's schemes but not anymore. I have nothing in common with the Richardsons, or any of those people."

Anna straightened, standing in the doorway, one hand braced against the wooden frame. "Don't look at me. That's your decision."

"Then why do I feel so damn guilty?" He slammed his fist against the rubber wheel.

"Parents do have the knack of doing that to us sometimes."

Brian whipped a hand across his face. "I mean what I say, and Mother knows that. It'll be interesting to see what lengths she'll be willing to go to get her own way. I love my mother, but I'm not a fool."

It didn't take even twenty-four hours for Anna to learn exactly what Jackie had in mind. Mid-morning, Charity handed Anna a phone message that asked her to meet Jackie in the best restaurant in town for lunch. Anna dreaded the confrontation.

"You look nice," Brian commented as she brought his lunch tray. "Where are you headed?"

"I have an appointment in town?"

"Oh?" He arched one brow curiously. When Anna didn't elaborate, he continued. "Anyone I know?"

"Honestly, who said I was meeting anyone? It could be with the dentist." Over the years Anna had gained a certain amount of poise. She didn't want to mislead Brian; nor did she wish to cause ill will between mother and son.

"What time will you be back?" He questioned further.

"You're beginning to sound like my guardian," she accused teasingly with an underlying tone of seriousness.

Brian reached out and took her heand, squeezing it lovingly. Even his lightest touch was enough to cause chaos with her emotions.

A tingling awareness spread up her arm. "That's the last way I want you to think of me." He smiled at her, his voice deep and calm while his eyes shone into hers.

Anna nodded and backed away. The need to escape was growing to the point of desperation. If she couldn't disguise her feelings him, then everything would be lost and she would have to leave.