"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.

everyone was tossed about,

forcing the

to the seatback in front of her, not

kept rocking, and more than once she found herself leaning helplessly toward him. This time, though, she was

her hair, carrying a faint scent, brushed past his nose and slipped inside his

heartbeat, but Cedric couldn't ignore the wild thumping in his

have seen the famously composed Dr. Clarke, cheeks flushed for

plane landed in Silveridge

was dry and pleasant,

the terminal, she spotted Carney and Gwendolyn White waiting in

"Professor, Mrs. Winslow!"

and Gwendolyn

Gwendolyn said, taking Briony's

warmly, accepting the

Briony replied with a smile, then asked, "You've

coming to pick you up," Gwendolyn said cheerfully. "But I had the housekeeper make some chicken broth for you. Come on, let's head

smiled, linking her arm through Gwendolyn's as they

James had called a few days ago, saying

reason? Stewart was dragging his feet, refusing to

and prepare for the

Northborough, Stewart's influence was formidable-Briony would have a tough time fighting back

enough sway to make Stewart budge, but as Briony's mentor, he had to

approached when he

"Professor Winslow."

"Mr. Wentworth."

They shook hands.

glanced at Briony up ahead before turning back to Carney, lips curving into a faint, unreadable smile. "If

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