Pearl in the Mist (Landry 2)

threatened to bring your parents to the house and get

you in trouble because you drove me to the

institution," I warned.

"I'll risk it," he said. "Why was she so angry

anyway?"

"Because I found out what she had done to my

uncle," I said. "That's the main reason."

"It's so unfair for you to suffer anything at this

time," he said, and our eyes locked for a moment. "I could leave you two alone for a while,"

Gisselle suggested when she saw the way we were

gazing at each other. "I'll even go to the top of the

stairway and be a love sentry."

I was about to protest, when Beau thanked her.

He closed the door softly and came to sit beside me on

the bed and put his arm around my shoulders. "My poor Ruby. You don't deserve this." He

kissed my cheek. Then he looked around my room

and smiled. "I remember being in here once before . .

when you tried some of Gisselle's pot, remember?" "Don't remind me," I said, smiling for the first

time in a long time. "Except I do remember you were

a gentleman and you did worry about me."

"I'll always worry about you," he said. He

kissed my neck and then the tip of my chin before

bringing his lips to mine.

"Oh Beau, don't. I feel so confused and troubled

right now. I want you to kiss me, to touch me, but I

keep thinking about why I am here, the tragedy that

has brought me back."

He nodded. "I understand. It's just that I can't

keep my lips off you when I'm this close," he said. "We'll be together again and soon. If you don't

get up to Greenwood during the next two weeks, I'll