“I hate rain.”

“You love rain!” He winced when she pinned him with a fiery glare. Perhaps now wasn’t the time to remind her of her love for all things spring.

“I hate rain almost as much as I hate showers.”

“But you love showers…”

Eyes narrowed, lips pinched, the look matched the blue tinge to her skin. “And how would you know?”

“You’re…uh…dripping…” He had the audacity to point at growing pool puddling at her feet…and onto his new carpet.

“Using those keen observation skills again, are you? Amazing how you’ve managed to hold onto all that Quantico training.”

Yep she was steamed…or soaked to the skin…either way, it didn’t bode well for him. He was the one who had fixed her car…and the hot water tap in her bathroom but he hadn’t ordered the weather though it looked like she was going to pin that on him too. He was working his way into an indignant defense when she sneezed…and followed it up with a violent shiver.

“You’re cold.” If looks could kill he’d be six feet under.

“That’s likely due to the cold shower I was forced to take this morning, followed by the walk in the cold rain since my car broke down half way here and you wouldn’t answer your phone and now that I am here our plans are ruined anyway because I can’t go out like….achoo….this.”

“Ah…you don’t look so bad…I heard the wet look was coming back in.” That, evidently wasn’t the right thing to say either.

“C-c-c-can y-y-y-ou just drive me h-h-h-ome, P-p-p-please?”

“What and ruin the leather interior of my car?” He ducked even though a violent shudder took the impact out of her halfhearted jab. “I’ve got just the thing to improve your outlook,” he hastened to assure her.

“What?” She asked in grumpy disbelief.

“A shower…lots of steam…endless hot water…” and endless possibilities…now where had that thought come from?

He smiled at the memory, knowing exactly where that thought had come from, and relishing the fact that he could act on it now as well.

He watched his girls play in the rain, enjoying the day outside even if it wasn’t under the best of conditions. The winter had seemed interminably long, not lots of snow, just cold, windy, miserable days; too cold and windy for many excursions outside. Bethany had been sick more than once, but so had every child he knew quite frankly. Natalie had held her own for the most part though. He watched as she toddled around the yard, trying to keep up with her big sister. She was the first to see him and when she did she squealed then held out her arms, opening and closing her hands “Da” she squealed. He smiled as Tara looked up, surprised to see him then laughed as Bethany lost her balance trying to jump over a puddle, knocking all three of them over into the wet grass. Still chuckling he trotted down the steps of the deck to pick them all up. Once they were all set to rights again, he kissed his wife, kissed his eldest daughter then picked up Natalie who kissed him and patted his cheek with one very damp and muddy hand. “Da” she said again.

The picture his family made in his mind only made the conversation he needed to have more daunting.

“Are you ready to go inside?” he asked Natalie. She nodded yes so off they went for some dry clothes and to start dinner, leaving Tara and Bethany to discover more worms.

Myles looked forward to this part of the day. Tonight he cooked the chicken that Tara had thawed while Natalie jabbered away at him. She was sitting in her high chair, chattering, oblivious to the fact that he had no idea what she was saying. At one point he told her “You remind me of a squirrel I once knew.” She smiled then and chattered more, suddenly saying “Cracker,” clearly.

“Would you like a cracker?” he asked. She nodded then clapped as he pulled the box from the pantry. He started to hand her one then narrowing his eyes said “Say ‘Cracker, please Daddy’.”

“Da,” she said holding out her little hand and adding a line of gibberish then ending again plainly with “cracker”. He handed her the cracker then watched as she signed “Thank you”.

“Been spending time with the Hudsons again, I see,” he noted. She smiled sweetly as he returned to cooking and she told him about her day or at least he assumed that was what she was telling him.

As they were eating dinner, Tara looked at the floor sighed and said “I hate rain.”

“You love rain. You told me a month ago how happy you would be for spring and rain,” Myles reminded her.

“I forgot that April showers bring muddy floors,” she sighed again.

“I’ll mop after I read to the girls. You should go soak in the tub,” he told her.

“I should soak in the tub. I have mud in my toes,” Bethany told them.

“Weren’t you wearing your boots?” Myles asked her.

“Yes but some of the puddles were kind of deep,” she explained to him very seriously.

“I see, maybe you should shower instead,” Myles said, “Otherwise it will be a mud bath.”

Bethany frowned, seeming to weigh the merits of a mud bath versus a shower.

After the girls had been bathed, read to and put to bed, Myles found Tara, soaking in the garden-style tub in the master bathroom.

“I would’ve mopped the floor,” he said, sitting on the ledge as he reached for a washcloth.

“I know, I was just on a roll,” she yawned. He soaked the cloth in the hot water then laid it over the back of her neck.

“I think I love this tub more than any shower,” she said.

“Really?” he questioned.

“It can be lonely though,” she smiled.

Much better idea than the conversation I had planned, he thought.

Hmmm, very good start. But I'm worried about what type of 'conversation' Myles needs to have with Tara...doesn't sound good.

More soon please...

- RSL

Oh sweet! A M/T story!!
I really like that!! and really sound promising...nice to see that side of Myles...

Looking forward for more!
Josy

Their two little girls are just priceless

Yea Duckfan! A new story!

Kim

I am thrilled to see this here, Pam! I love, love, love Myles and Tara together - and he just melts my heart when he's interacting with his girls!

More please?

I was so excited when I saw you'd started a story, and you definitely didn't disapoint me. I love the start with the flashback and what the rainy day led to.

Welcome to the challange! I'm excited to read a Myles/Tara story too. Loved Myles with his girls, but especially Natalie. That was such a sweet picture, him preparing dinner with Natalie in the high chair, jabbering away. It brought tears of joy to my eyes and contentment to my heart, reminding me of my daughter at that age who was also a jabberer.

Now, I must say, I'm intrigued about this conversation Myles needs to have with Tara. What could that be about? It sounds ominious.

Lynn

This is wonderful. A new story from duckfan. I am excited to see where this one leads.

Hi there! WOW! A M/T story I think the little girls are cute!!! but this conversation is making me thinking, and I don't like it

Can't wait for more!

Tere

I'll admit, I saw that you posted a new story last night, but I wasn't able to read or comment beause sadly work was calling.

A M/T story! There definately aren't enough of them! And you're painting a wonderful picture as well. They seem to have the perfect family, and yet I can't help but wonder what Myles has to talk to Tara about.

Yahoooo -- I love it. The picture of domestic bliss -- Myles mopping a floor -- Nathalie old enough to be babbling...and a romantic interlude about to happen...The only thing I don't love is what Myles hasn't quite got around to saying yet. Oh -- and I loved the baby signing thank you and his assumption that they'd been around the Hudsons.

kav

fantastic loved myles with his baby girl but loved that he knew they were spending time at the hudsons loved it more soon please
Lin

When Myles entered the bullpen the next morning he wondered once again when it had all changed and why it all seemed the same. Riley was already working at his computer, no doubt tracking down some piece of information from some on-going investigation that they had scoffed at earlier but would find ever so helpful at a later point. Jack was staring at the coffee pot; ever since Sue had quit to stay home with the kids, Jack had to find other things to stare at.

“I’ve heard you had powerful eyes Jack but I think the coffee pot is immune,” Myles told him.

“What?” Jack asked, startled out of his daydream.

“You have to flip the switch if you want the coffee to appear, staring at it won’t work,” Myles said as he reached over to turn the coffee pot on.

“Might want to make sure he put water in it,” Riley added.

“What?” Jack asked again.

“Did you put water in the coffee pot?” Myles said.

“Yes,” Jack answered, “and coffee too.”

“Good,” Myles replied, walking over to his desk.

“I was wondering,” Jack began, as Bobby entered the bullpen, “why did you have coffee with Jenna yesterday?”

“I didn’t,” Bobby answered, tossing his jacket on his chair. The wet jacket splattered both his and Myles’ desk. At Myles’ sigh, Bobby said “You like rain.”

“No, my wife likes rain,” Myles told him, wiping down the papers. Riley watched the scene unfold, grinning.

“I didn’t mean you – I meant Myles,” Jack said.

“What?” both Myles and Bobby answered.

“I wanted to know why Myles had coffee with Jenna yesterday,” Jack said.

Myles shrugged and went to pour himself some coffee. “You had coffee with Jenna?” Lucy asked.

“Why?” Michele chimed in.

“She had something to talk to me about. I know things have been slow but I really don’t need to be tailed or interrogated,” Myles assured them. This made everyone go to work, although Myles doubted it would last long. He would share but not until he had talked to Tara and while the plan had been to do that last night, somehow the occasion had not arose.

Besides, Myles still hadn't really decided what Jenna had wanted. As much as she drove Jack crazy, Jenna had helped them on a few different cases, indirectly of course. When it came to adopting Natalie, she had been invaluable. Working with the teenage mom who had decided to give up her baby as well as just providing support for him and Tara during the process. Jenna and her family had become valued friends but that didn’t lessen his trepidation. Jenna had called him yesterday to ask if he could meet for coffee. That was the first red flag since she was hardly the type to meet some man other than her husband for anything. Riley had known both of them most of his life and Myles didn’t think he had ever met Jenna for coffee. When she told him that she had spoken to Melissa’s dad because Melissa was having some trouble that raised another red flag for him. He was trying not to over-react but he had worried that somehow the adoption would come back to haunt them. When Jenna had told him that Melissa was going to come visit her grandmother and wanted to see Natalie his first instinct had been to say “No, absolutely not” and be done with the situation without ever consulting Tara. Fortunately, he had learned a few things during married life and the one lesson that stuck out was not to make decisions of that importance without his wife’s guidance.

“Why do you think she wants to see Natalie?” Myles asked Jenna.

“I don’t know. Something has happened. We talked about all of this before Natalie was born,” Jenna reminded him.

“Yes but we have also sent cards and pictures so she knows she is doing well,” Myles countered.

“I don’t think you have a need to be worried,” Jenna assured him.

“That’s easy for you to say,” Myles retorted.

“You’re right, it is easy for me to say but I think the fact that it was Melissa’s dad that called me and not Melissa is a good sign,” Jenna explained.

“How so?” Myles asked.

“I would venture to guess that people who want to take you to court over a matter that has been settled legally don’t give you a courtesy warning,” Jenna shrugged.

“Well that is probably true,” Myles concluded.

He hadn’t counted on Jack’s questioning though. He wondered if Jack had mentioned it to Sue who would then most likely ask Tara. Tara would worry then wonder why he hadn’t told her immediately. It wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have in front of Bethany and, well, last night by the time the girls went to bed there were other things to occupy their time. He smiled at that memory.

“What’s so funny?” Bobby grumbled.

“My wife,” Myles answered, still grinning.

Bobby mumbled something to which Myles responded “You should get a wife, Bobby then you would have something to smile about.” Bobby just shot him a dirty look as Riley laughed out loud.

“Your wife funny too?” Bobby asked.

“Maybe,” was the only response Riley gave before he turned back to his computer still grinning. He and Tess had been married the summer before so he was used to the “newlywed” hassle the bullpen dumped on him.

I love those "new" bullpen people.

Natalie? She's their littlest girl, right? Tell me the birth mother didn't change her mind... please!!!!!

Oh Boy! Myles you have to talk to Tara! This bullpen new people are funny!

Tere

I love this new bullpen's environnement!!

Now, I am worry about Natalie...Myles, you have to have this conversation with Tara...and the sooner , the better!
Josy

Oh I hope she hasn't changed her mind.

Kim

I soooo adore you dry sense of humour! Jack staring at the coffee pot since Sue has quit to stay home with the kids. I hope Bobby listens to the guy's counsel...it's about time he got married...isn't it, Huh? It was all together a pleasant read, except for the way you got my stomach twisted in knots at the end...keep Nathalie where she is, please or I'll be at you.

kav

I really hope the babys mum hasnt changed her mind as it will really upset tara big time cant wait to find out more
Lin

I'm so excited to read a challenge story from you!!! This is going to be a heartwrenching yet heartwarming ride, I can tell. I can't wait!!!

Paula

Loved it, Pam, I'm just curious about how things are going to evolve. Loved the banter between the guys, you make it sound very right. (Oh, and the bit about Bobby getting a wife...I'm still holding onto that thought )

I don't think I could have said it any better. I just hope that nothing arises so that Natalie doesn't get taken away from them... and I hope Myles tells Tara soon or he'll be sleeping on the couch for a good while.

This whole conversation had me laughing so hard. I might just cancel my doctor apt. since laughter is the best medicine.

I really hope Natalie doesn't have to leave the family she knows to be her's now.

Looking forward to more!

Later that night, after the girls were in bed, Myles told Tara about the conversation with Jenna. Tara had a few questions that he couldn’t answer so she called Jenna. Once Tara had spoken to her she seemed a little calmer. She was, of course, still worried some but the fact that it had been Melissa’s dad who called left her feeling reassured. Myles was still uneasy but when he tried to bring up various scenarios of what could happen Tara shut him down.

“We aren’t going to play this game, Myles,” she told him firmly.

“I’m just trying to be prepared,” he had defended himself.

“Well let’s wait and at least see what we need to be prepared for,” Tara said. He had stopped then, or stopped talking about the scenarios out loud. They still occupied his thoughts enough that his co-workers knew something was going on.



“I know you had coffee with Myles the other day,” Jack said to Jenna when she stopped by the bullpen later in the week.

“I think you’ve taken this secret agent role a little too far,” Jenna told him.

Jack crossed his arms and leaned against his desk. “Are you really going to let this happen?” Jack asked.

“Let what happen?” Jenna repeated.

“That girl wants to visit Natalie,” Jack said.

“If you are referring to who I think you are, her name is Melissa,” Jenna answered.

“I thought you were all about protecting children,” Jack said.

“What would you classify Melissa as if not a child?” came the response.

“But you can’t possibly think…” Jack’s voiced trailed off as Jenna interrupted him.

“You have no idea what I think and you don’t even know the whole story. You are fishing for information and while it might work with other people it isn’t going to work with me. You should make sure you know the whole story before passing judgment,” Jenna said.

“I’m afraid that if I wait around for someone to tell me, it will be too late,” Jack shot back.

“There isn’t anything to tell at this point,” Jenna retorted.

“You never think there is anything to tell,” Jack pointed out.

“Ahh, fireworks in the bullpen,” Bobby remarked as he came in with Myles on his heels.

“This is for you,” Jenna said thrusting a large envelope into Myles’ hands then turning to leave.

“Care to explain?” Myles looked at Jack. Jack just shrugged, still leaning against his desk.

“I’d like to hear it as well Jack,” D. said as he entered the bullpen.

“I just want to know what the big secret is. I’m guessing it is something about Natalie’s adoption. That is the only reason Jenna would come all the way down here for coffee with Myles. This was our investigation and I have no intention of anything going wrong with any part of it, including Natalie’s adoption,” Jack explained.

D. looked at Myles and waited.

“I have no intention of that happening either but this doesn’t include you at this point,” Myles told him.

Jack started to protest only to see D. shake his head and warn him off.

I really hope all going to be alright and jack is angry over it but with his backing for myles Im sure all will turn out ok cant wait to find out
Lin

Jack, Jack, Jack . . . . Turn off the overprotective mode and let Myles take care of his own family . . . When Myles needs you, you'll be the first to know . . .

See, even in a Myles/Tara story, I can't help but love Jack, even when he's being frustrating . . .

Pam, I'm always in Heaven when you write about your wonderful characters!! Love that Natalie is now "talking" and Myles' interaction with both of his daughters is a sight to behold!!!

I had to laugh at Jack and his obvious dissatisfaction of not having Sue in the bullpen anymore!! I like that he has latched on to the coffee pot to stare at!! That's better than staring into space and possibly having some poor unsuspecting girl fall prey to his eyes (even though he would be looking THROUGH the girl and not AT her)!!!

Now, I'm a little apprehensive about Melissa wanting to see Natalie!! I hope it's just a simple visitation!!!

I love the interaction between Jack and Jenna!! They both can get the other one riled up, can't they???

Joy

I have to agree.

I can't wait to learn what is really going on with Melissa, but somehow, I don't think she wants her daughter back.

I agree with Marlene, something is weird here, hope Melissa is OK, and the thing that Melissa's father is asking for the girl, let me thinking....

Looking forward for the next,

Tere

I am with Regina....Jack, breathe deeply and let Myles take care of his family!
Josy

Later that night when Sue asked why he was in such a horrible mood, Jack related the activities of the day.

“Tara mentioned that Melissa and her dad had been in contact with Jenna,” Sue said.

“Well Tara isn’t going to let her see Natalie is she?” Jack asked.

“I don’t think that bothers Tara really. I think she would like to know what Melissa wants but it sounds like Melissa doesn’t know that either. I don’t think that she wants Natalie though. Tara said she trusted Jenna to let her know what is going on. The adoption is finalized and it would take something huge to reverse it. You were all so careful during that investigation Jack and somehow I don’t think that is what Melissa wants anyway,” Sue mused.

Jack frowned knowing there was no use in arguing the point with Sue. She would just point out that nobody knew anything. Surprisingly enough he was finding it hard to be the voice of reason in this situation. He couldn’t imagine how he would feel if it was one of his children.

So they waited, rather Myles waited and Tara and the girls went on about the daily ness of life. Myles knew Tara worried but he knew that Sue had faith and remained a constant support and while Jenna could drive Jack crazy, she definitely had their best interests at heart as well. Jack on the other hand, not only worried but made everyone else crazy by researching any possible legal loophole and making Riley go back over the arrest information from that night when it all began.

“Maybe we should talk with people from the party and see if we can get a more complete list?” he mentioned to Riley one day.

“I think we’re talking about a party more than two years where a teenage girl got pregnant then the police broke it up and made some small arrests. Pretty sure that scenario is played out at least nightly in the DC area so maybe we should let it go for now,” Riley told him.

“We should be prepared,” Jack insisted.

“Great, I’ll be prepared tomorrow as it is past time to go home and I need to make my wife dinner,” Riley told him as he cleared his desk and secured his computer for the night.

“You know this isn’t a reflection on you,” Bobby noted, leaning back in his chair.

“I know,” Jack tried to shrug it off.

“We did that investigation and ensuing arrest more by the book than anything else we have ever done. I doubt anyone could find anything wrong with it,” Bobby said.

“There was that one incident with the social worker. She made some fairly pointed threats,” Jack reminded him.

“I don’t put much stock in that,” Bobby said.

“I’m worried since she had such high level connections. Plus she doesn’t like Jenna and maybe this is personal now,” Jack said.

Bobby shook his head, “Nah, I don’t buy that either. You’re taking it personally because you hate to see anything fail, let alone fail and your friends get hurt. I think that's why you argue with Jenna so much – she doesn’t like to see things fail and she certainly doesn’t want to see anyone get hurt either. You're both trying to achieve the same goal, you just have different ways of getting there. Let it go for now. If we need to jump on it quickly we can but you’ll burn everyone out if you keep pushing for nothing.”

“Fair enough, not easy enough but fair enough,” Jack agreed.

“Shouldn’t you be going home to cook dinner for your wife?” Bobby teased.

“I think Sue is thankful I don’t cook more often,” Jack laughed.

“Are you making dinner or am…” Michele’s voice trailed off as she came into the bullpen, “Hi Jack, I –um- didn’t know you were still here.” She frowned slightly then tried to smile.

“I didn’t know you were still here either, who’s making dinner?” Jack said, watching her squirm. Michele had done a shadowing assignment with them a few years ago, spending most of her time with Bobby. When she had joined the team permanently almost two years ago she still spent most of her work time with Bobby and lately it seemed some additional time as well.

“I’m just going home alone, although I might go to Tess and Riley’s tonight but probably just home. Alone. By myself to cook for just me,” Michele floundered.

Jack grabbed his coat “Have good time with that.” Then shooting Bobby a knowing grin, he left.

Uh-huh. Jack is about as convinced that Michele's going home alone as Bobby and the rest of the team were about him not feeling anything more than friendship towards Sue.

Kim

Oh-HO! Something's afoot with Bobby in the romance department, I surmise! Way to keep it on the down-low, Michelle . . . !

I think Michelle was talking to the pigeon sitting on the window ledge


Duckfan... Should I point out we still don't know what is going on with Melissa???? And you left it there!!!!

I think jack knows your plans michelle but Jack is concerned for myles and tara and the baby please duckfan tell us whats going on with melissa please pretty please and soon cant wait to find out
Lin

Well, she could have very well just blown it there. Jack's probably going to have to keep a closer eye on Michele and Bobby.

I love watching Bobby talk Jack down from one of his "projects"!! He can be irritating when he gets started!! And, I have to agree, they really don't have enough to go on yet to start in any direction!! Go home to Sue and the kids, Jack!!!

That was so cute with Michelle, Pam!! We have been wishing that Bobby would finally find someone and I have always thought Michelle would be a good match!! Poor Michelle - she didn't do a very good job covering it up, did she???

Joy

Busted!!
Josy

Myles caught Michele in the corner deli one day during lunch. She was sitting by herself, daydreaming. He sat down across from her and startled her back to reality.

“Some pretty hard thinking you were doing?” He noted. She nodded and seemed to look past him.

“Are you waiting for someone because I don’t want to interrupt?” he asked.

“No, it's fine, you're fine. I’m just having lunch,” she said.

“Where’s your food?” he asked.

“I still have to order,” Michele noted. Myles stood, and then looking at her, waited.

She said “Right, I should probably order now.” Myles smiled as she walked past him. He enjoyed Michele’s company more than he would ever let on to anyone. Her parents had very similar child rearing styles as his yet he did have to admit that throwing your child out when she became pregnant at 16 did probably win them the worst parenting award. Myles found Michele to be honest, smart and he always felt he could count on her to speak her mind. She didn’t hide anything about her teenage pregnancy and the path she took to become part of the FBI.

“Did you ever want to see your baby again after you gave him up?” Myles asked after they were seated with their food.

“No,” Michele hesitated before answering, “I mean, they still send me pictures and letters but I haven’t had the desire to meet him.”

“Have you always felt that way?” Myles asked.

Michele chewed thoughtfully for a little bit then said “I guess so. I mean I think there was a part of me at one point that really wanted to see him in person when he was still small enough to not need an explanation but I didn’t ever do it. I felt that I would be intruding and now that he is older I think it would be really confusing. He has a really good idea of who he is and a really good family and I wouldn’t want to jeopardize that. Someday if he wants to meet me and ask questions about why then I will certainly do that but it has to come from him.”

“I wish Melissa felt the same way,” Myles answered.

“You don’t think she does?” Michele was curious.

“I did but the last couple of weeks have changed that thought,” Myles said, “Why do you?”

“I think she does,” Michele answered cautiously, “I’ve heard from her recently and while something is going on beyond the normal teenage thing, I don’t think she’ll do anything drastic.”

“You’ve talked to her?” Myles was surprised.

“After Natalie was born I just felt like maybe she needed someone to talk to who could at least relate to the adoption part of her experience. I told her to call, write, email, whatever whenever she wanted. I heard a lot from her at first then it tapered off but it has picked up again. I don’t know why,” Michele told him.

“If you find out will you let me know?” Myles asked.

“You’re on the top of my list,” Michele promised as Riley joined them. He laughed when he said hello and Michele didn’t respond, just craned her neck to see past him.

Interesting peek inside Michele's life. So something is going on with Melissa... she's not pregnant again, is she?

I hope Michele is right.

Kim

I'm hoping that she just needs someone to talk to.

I just love the way you write dialogue. I feel like I'm sitting right there with them. I flows so naturally.

wonder why melissa wants to see natalie after lall this time
or is it because her dad wants to this is a mystery and A big one but its hurting
myles so im looking forward to finding out more
Lin

Was Michelle looking for Bobby maybe?? I hope the little talk she and Myles had will calm Myles' fears a little, but it's hard!!!

Joy

“I hate rain,” Tara sighed at breakfast one Saturday morning.

“I love rain,” Jenna replied rather dreamily.

“Since when do you hate rain Tara?” Lucy asked.

“Since it brings muddy floors and extra laundry,” Tara explained, watching the rain drops streak down the outside of the restaurant window.

“I love rain,” Jenna said again “especially at the beach house.”

“Shouldn’t you hate rain – doesn’t it wreak havoc with a baseball schedule?” Michele wanted to know.

Jenna smiled “Hmm...Rain delays.”

“Care to elaborate,” Michele prodded.

Jenna shook herself from her daydream “No. But rain at the beach house is always nice. Build a fire, relax, listen to the rain and the waves.”

“Let’s go then. I could use a vacation,” Lucy said. Sue nodded her agreement.

“I keep telling you that you can go anytime just let me know and I will give you the key,” Jenna reminded them.

Tara frowned then said “Have you heard from Melissa?”

“No, I would’ve told you,” Jenna reassured her.

“Maybe she changed her mind,” Tess said.

“I still need closure,” Tara admitted.

“I have to go out of town to a conference next week but I'll call her dad when I get back,” Jenna promised.

Tara sighed frustrated. “It will be alright Tara. God has a plan for this and His timing is always perfect,” Sue reassured her.

So very true, and yet so easy to forget.

I'd love a rainy day at a beach house.