"Emma!"
Stella let out a startled cry. Even though she was wearing her seatbelt, the sudden swerve of the bus sent her tumbling right into Cedric Clarke's side-
Cedric's reflexes kicked in, and his hand shot out to steady Stella. In that instant, he felt something soft brush against his cheek.
Stella had accidentally kissed Cedric on the face...
"Sorry!"
She jerked back immediately, about to stammer out an explanation when the bus lurched again.
Thrown backward by the motion, Stella's eyes widened in alarm!
"Watch out!"
Cedric reached for her just in time, but the bus swayed again—
Stella landed right back in Cedric's arms!
And then, before either of them could react, their lips met-firmly, unmistakably.
Their eyes locked, both of them staring in disbelief, each more stunned than the other.
Stella: "..."
Cedric: ""
Honk, honk-
The bus's horn echoed through the winding mountain roads.
about, struggling
twisted and turned, forcing the
seatback in front of her, not daring to glance at
than once she found herself leaning helplessly toward him. This time, though, she was smarter-she turned her head to the
up very close to Cedric. Strands of her hair, carrying a faint
lasted only a heartbeat, but Cedric couldn't ignore the wild thumping
just then, she would have seen the famously composed Dr. Clarke,
in Silveridge at eight that
and pleasant, the
terminal, she spotted Carney and Gwendolyn White waiting
"Professor, Mrs. Winslow!"

and Gwendolyn hurried
must be starving," Gwendolyn said, taking Briony's suitcase and
the
with a smile, then asked, "You've
Gwendolyn said cheerfully. "But I had the housekeeper make some chicken broth for you. Come on, let's head
arm through Gwendolyn's
caught by Stewart standing nearby. James had called a few days ago,
dragging his
Silveridge and prepare for the baby in peace. But if Stewart kept stalling, it would only make things
would have a tough time fighting back on her
Stewart budge, but as Briony's mentor, he had to at
approached when he saw Carney lingering
"Professor Winslow."
"Mr. Wentworth."
They shook hands.
back to Carney, lips curving into a faint, unreadable smile. "If you have something to say, Professor, please don't hold
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