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"I read about your father I’azebo, and looked out over the water The sky was an azure cloudless blue, and the as still

"Thank you" The foot ferry that traveled between Bremerton and Cedar Cove lumbered toward the pier Maryellen concentrated on that instead of Jon He didn’t leave and she wanted to be alone If she didn’t pick up the conversation, o away

"I’m sorry to talk to you about this now--"

"Then don’t," she pleaded

"You’ve taken that choice away froetic "If you’d told me about the baby we could’ve--"

"We could’ve what?" she shouted "Gotten rid of it?"

Her anger appeared to shock him He stiffened and then dashed up the aisle so that he stood directly in front of her "No, Maryellen, we could’ve talked this out like civilized hus Instead, you deceivedwas perfectly fine and it wasn’t"

She lowered her head and stared at her feet "You’re wrong Everything is fine I’ to haveThis isn’t your baby, it’s our baby"

"No" A chill ran down her spine, a niggling fear

"A father has rights, too"

Maryellen went cold inside "Howto cost me?"

"What?" He frowned, obviously confused

"How much money will it take for you to leave me and my--me and the baby alone?" she de, heart-stopping moment "You want to pay esting?"

She nodded

"No way!" He sounded angry and disgusted Then he co, "Who told you?"

"Told ainst him

"If you don’t know, then I’ll be damned before I hand you another weapon"