pretty awful。〃
It was a minute before she said； 〃Not all。〃
〃You're white as a sheet。 Can I get you some water or something？〃
〃No。 I'm fine。〃 At his quirked brow she added； 〃Really；〃 before glancing
at the podium。 〃Is Huff almost done？〃
〃He'd better be。 I'm next。 Take notes for me； will you？ I have a
tendency to forget what I say from one minute to the next。〃
〃Baloney。〃
〃Hmmm； I could use some of that； too。 Supper was very early。 It's nearly
ten。〃
At least he'd had supper。 She hadn't eaten a thing。 〃How much longer do
you think this will last？〃 She still had to make the return trip to
Little pton that night。
Howard checked his watch。 〃I have no idea。 But I have to be out of here
by ten…thirty to make it to Manchester for the eleven o'clock news。
They're doing a live interview。 I hope good old Brad speeds it up。〃
He got his wish within minutes。 As Chloe sat back； the long…winded state
representative transferred the podium to 〃my illustrious colleague in
the New Hampshire state government；〃 and Howard took the reins。
Chloe did take notes。 It was the one way she could keep her thoughts in
the present and her eyes away from Ross。 Once upon a time； he had played
a cataclysmic role in her life。 So much had happened since that night。
When Howard finished delivering a poignant plea for the preservation of
the coast； the croen