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and strawberry jam to make two sandwiches. After cutting them in half diagonally, she put Mark's on the bright yellow saucer and hers on a paper napkin. She sat down with a bottle of tea to eat her sandwich.
    "So how was your day?" Mark asked.
    She swallowed a bite of her sandwich. "Successful."  She told him about all they had accomplished.
     He sat looking at her with a half grin on his face.
    "Did I grow a second head or something?" she queried.
    "Do you know how sexy you look?"
    "That knock on your noggin has affected your brain. It's time to go wake up your Dad. Go lock the front door while I put my shoes on."
    She was seated on her mattress tying her shoes when he came back. He reached down his hands to give her an assist to her feet, pulling her up and right into his arms to kiss her. As his kiss deepened, his tongue probed her mouth. She bit him gently and pulled away.
    "The next time I'll bite hard enough to draw blood." When he didn't release her, she reminded him how close he was standing. "What would happen if I brought my knee up quickly?"
    He let her go and stepped back. "You wouldn't."
    "I would." She delved into her pile of belongings and came up with a denim jacket. "I don't intend to become your next conquest. I don't have time for romance. The last thing I need is a man hanging around."
    "Don't you like men?"
    "Do you mean, am I a lesbian? No. I just have enough problems. I find you handsome, charming and I like you. Don't spoil it by trying to get me into bed." She shrugged into the jacket. "Love is not in my current plans. I'm going to college first."
    He grinned broadly. "That's a challenge I can't pass up."
    She glared at him. "Is that's how you view love? Some kind of game? It's no wonder Elena dumped you." She motioned with her hand. "Out. I have to lock the door behind me."
    She locked up and ran through the pouring rain for the passenger side of his truck. She yanked open the door, stepped up on the running board and propelled herself inside.
    Mark already had the engine running. "That isn't why Elena dumped me. With her image is everything.  I wouldn't play her game after she told me that the reason she chose me was because we look so good together. I wouldn't pretend anymore. She didn't want me. She wanted the image we projected. The only person Elena loves is herself. She isn't heartbroken. She already had another man in her bed this morning when I stopped to find out if she was responsible for the break-in at your place, but Chad tells me he's looking in a different direction."
    "What direction?"
    "He didn't say. It's an open investigation and he won't talk about it. Especially since he isn't sure."
     

Chapter 4
     
    As Sherry drove to work, her spirits were buoyed by the thought that things were coming together for her. She'd been called to work just one day after putting her application in at the dollar store. Turning right to go to the store, she noticed a wicker table sitting along the curb by a garbage can. She stopped, opened the end gate of her station wagon, lifted in the table, which was wet from the rain, and went on her way. The table was damaged but she was sure she could repair it and she needed furniture.
    When she entered the store she went directly to the checkout clerk. "I'm Sherry Winnette. I'm supposed to start work here today."
    The girl smiled. "Go to the back of the store to where the restrooms are. There is a door marked 'Employees Only.' The manager and assistant manager are there waiting for you."
    A woman with red hair and a face full of freckles opened the door. "I'm Amanda Sykes, the manager. This is Judy Beyers, the assistant manager." She motioned toward a woman seated at the far end of the table. "She will train you."
    Judy had long brown hair and bangs cut straight across her forehead. "You'll learn to stock shelves today," she said with a smile.
    "Sit down so we can get this paperwork out of the way. This is our busiest time of the day from three o'clock till