"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

forcing the driver to

front of her, not daring to glance at Cedric

rocking, and more than once she found herself leaning helplessly toward him. This time, though, she was smarter-she turned her head to the window, so even if she toppled over, at least

Strands of her hair, carrying a faint

a heartbeat, but Cedric couldn't ignore the wild thumping

had looked over just then, she would have seen the famously composed Dr. Clarke, cheeks flushed for

landed in Silveridge at

was dry and pleasant, the air crisp and

terminal, she spotted Carney

"Professor, Mrs. Winslow!"

and Gwendolyn

starving," Gwendolyn said, taking Briony's

the luggage

replied with a smile, then asked,

cheerfully. "But I had the housekeeper make some chicken broth for

smiled, linking her arm through Gwendolyn's as they

James had called a few days ago, saying Briony's divorce from Stewart still

was dragging

and prepare for

have

budge, but as Briony's mentor,

he saw

"Professor Winslow."

"Mr. Wentworth."

They shook hands.

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

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