Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Herbert shot to his feet, gripping Sallie's arm tightly. His voice was sharp with anger. "What do you think you're doing?"

Jessica blinked water from her eyes, finally realizing that it was Sallie standing there.

Sallie winced-Herbert's grip was bruising her wrist.

She scowled, twisting and pulling, trying to wrench herself free. "You brute! You're hurting me. Do you even know who I am? Get your filthy hands off me!"

"I don't care who you are," Herbert snapped. "Apologize to her. Now!"

His temples pulsed with fury, and a pang of guilt gnawed at him. How had he let his guard down enough for someone to bully Little Mute-Jessica-right in front of him?

Jessica scrambled to her feet and hurriedly signed to Herbert, her hands moving fast. "Let her go. She's Timothy's sister."

Herbert's grip loosened just enough for Sallie to yank her arm free. She immediately raised a hand, winding up to slap him.

stepped in to

Sallie's slap landed squarely-on Jessica

by her anger, and bright red marks appeared instantly

own hand in a brief, panicked daze. She hadn't

snapped. Even behind glasses that lent him a bookish air, there was a roughness he couldn't hide. He hated the idea of ever raising a hand to a woman, but if anyone hurt Little Mute-not even Timothy's sister would get

ready to step forward. She quickly grabbed his arm, pleading with

to his cheek,

guilt and, seeing how close Jessica and Herbert seemed, any trace of remorse vanished. "Jessica, don't forget-you're Timothy's wife!

fists clenched at Sallie's venom. He turned to Jessica, voice low and steady. "Little

or let Herbert realize just how bad things were for her in the Lawson family. She'd brought this trouble on herself-she

sneered, shooting Jessica a

looked ready to

Please, just go. I'll make it up to you, I promise-let me