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That s the first you ve called me my sweet, Faith said as she
sat on the bench. Except when
That s enough. Sarah s cheeks colored and she swatted Faith s
thigh. That just shows how nervous I am, she admitted. She looked
to Lindsay and nodded. Go ahead. Send him in.
Remember, Sarah, he s nervous, too. I don t want to hear any
shouting match going on in here.
I can t promise that, but I ll try. Sarah rubbed the back of her
neck.
There won t be any shouting, Faith said. She and Lindsay
exchanged looks.
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NANN DUNNE
Thank you. I ll send him in. Lindsay disappeared through the
doorway, and a moment later, Scott entered.
Have a seat, Sarah offered.
If you don t mind, I d rather stand. I can think a little better on
my feet. Not a whole lot, but a little. His fingers twiddled with the
edge of his jacket pocket. I came to . . . to . . . He stopped and
cleared his throat.
Apologize? Sarah opened her mouth, but Faith squeezed her
hand.
Let him speak, Sarah.
Scott said, Thank you. I wanted to speak to you both, because
I m finally beginning to understand how wrong I ve been to meddle
in your lives. His glance met Sarah s and flicked away. Lindsay
tried to tell me I should accept your decisions. Even Phillip tried. A
grin quirked one side of Scott s lips. He s talking about opening a
carpentry business here, so I know your . . . situation . . . isn t
bothering him.
Leah might have influenced him a bit about coming here,
Faith interjected.
She has, Scott agreed, but he warned me about meddling in
your lives before he knew Leah very well. I didn t pay him any
attention then or later.
Scott nodded to Faith. It was Benjamin who opened my eyes.
He paced a few steps and turned back. You might find this hard to
understand, Sarah. I m not sure I understand it myself. But I feel
responsible for you. Lord knows you ve taken more care of me than I
ever have of you, but the fact remains. I feel responsible for you and
responsible for your happiness. I always have. He waved a hand.
Maybe it s because I m a man. When Sarah remained silent, Scott
cocked his head. You aren t going to help me with this, are you?
Yes, Sarah answered slowly, since you ask, I will. I feel
responsible for you, too. And it has nothing to do with being a man.
We re twins. We have a special connection. I ve felt it all my life, and
I know you have, too. That s why your disapproval has hurt me so
much. Sarah s voice rose. She felt Faith s fingers entwine with hers
and went on more calmly. I guess I expected you, of all people, to
accept me as I am. You know I ve never pretended to be like other
women.
I do know that. You ve always been honest and true to
yourself. I m the one who got on the wrong track, thinking I could tell
you how to live. Society doesn t understand or accept women who
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THE WAR BETWEEN THE HEARTS
love women and men who love men. Some call it an abomination,
and I couldn t imagine you wanting to cope with that.
It s not a case of wanting to cope with it. I don t like the
attitudes any more than you do. But I can t change my nature to
satisfy society. Sarah s grin was wry. I keep telling you, I am who I
am. I m in love with Faith, and we re going to make a life together.
That s just the way it is.
I know you don t need my blessing, Sarah, but you have it now.
I saw your face when Benjamin said, You make Mama happy.
Scott wiped at a tear trickling down his cheek. That really says it all.
I ve been worried about you finding happiness, and you found it
without me even in spite of me. He walked to his sister, placed a
hand on each side of her head, and kissed her cheek. You ve found it
with Faith, and I m happy for both of you.
He backed away as Sarah stood. She grabbed his shoulders,
pulled him into an embrace, and returned his kiss. You ve just given
me another measure of happiness.
They stood for a moment, hugging. Both fought to stop their
tears, but neither succeeded.
They released each other, and Scott turned to embrace Faith. He
whispered, Take good care of my sister, and kissed her cheek.
That s a solemn promise, Scott. You take good care of Jessica.
Scott s head flew up, and when he met Faith s knowing look, he
nodded.
That s a solemn promise, too, Faith.
Sarah, intent on wiping her tears on her sleeves, didn t hear the
exchange. She looked up as Scott stepped back, and a boyish smile
widened his cheeks. I better go show Lindsay I m still alive. He
pulled at his shirt to straighten it.
Sarah grabbed a handful of his shirt and yanked it awry again.
Don t let her think it was too easy, she said, her voice roughened by
her tears. She kissed Scott s cheek again and gave him a quick hug.
Thank you, brother.
Scott didn t even try to speak. He tightened his lips, nodded his
head several times, and left.
Are you all right? Faith moved to Sarah and embraced her.
I am now. They kissed. As they held each other, Sarah could
feel the tension draining from her. When she lifted her head, a smile
of wonderment crept slowly across her face. You and Benjamin are
291
NANN DUNNE
moving in, Scott s given us his blessing, and all my family is gathered
under one roof. This will be the best Christmas I ve ever had.
Me, too, Faith whispered as their lips met again.
THE END
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