Having returned to her chair, Maddie took a deep breath and picked up their file she had set on the floor. I need to pull myself together ASAP, she thought. This session will end up being a wash if I don't focus. Opening their file, she skimmed over her earlier notes, the before-Russia part-Annie and Josh-and struggled to put a timeline to all this.
Judging by everything Harm had told her, this put his emotional struggle with his MIA father about the time he was seeing Annie-give or take a few months. In all probability, the uncertainty about his father and his relationship with Annie and Josh happened about the same time, giving weight to her theory that Harm was trying to rewrite history with Josh. If she was correct, he went to Russia after he and Annie broke up. How very interesting, she thought, making note of it in the file.
"Why don't you continue, Harm," Maddie said with a calm and controlled voice, unlike her previous remarks.
He went on, "Eventually we met up with a woman in rural Russia who knew my father. Since she spoke only Russian, Mac translated for me. She told us the story of how he came to live with her and her brother. They never knew his name since he didn't speak the language and they didn't know English."
"Then how did she know he was your father?" Maddie queried.
"The resemblance-she realized that I must be his son because I looked like him. Through Mac's interpretation, I found out from her that Dad died saving her from Russian soldiers who had attacked her. Her brother buried the bodies so they wouldn't be found-somewhere deep in the forest. She didn't know where because her brother had died since then." Harm was able to relate this part of the story effortlessly, as if he were retelling a mythical epic he had read-except he had lived it.
"How did that make you feel?"
"I was devastated. All those years I knew he had to be alive-he was. But he died honorably-just as he lived. Two years later, I found out that I wasn't the only son he left behind. He had a relationship with a woman who had given him a son after his death-my brother, Sergei."
"Your father had a relationship with a Russian woman?" Maddie asked in disbelief.
"I guess he knew he would never come home. He had told my mother in a tape-one I hadn't listened to until before I went to Russia-for her to go on with her life if anything had happened to him. She did, and I guess he did too."
"How did you feel when you found out you had brother?"
"At the time, I was confused. Maybe a little hurt. But all my life my father was this . . . this hero to me. I guess it helped me to realize he was more human than I allowed him to be."
"How do you feel about him today?"
"He's my brother-I love him."
Mac had been watching Harm as he continued to tell Maddie about his dad and Sergei. She could tell by the wistful look on his face that he was probably coming to terms with all of this as he spoke to Maddie. Sergei was an important part of his life now-the one lasting connection to his father. It was almost as if his father was giving him something to cling onto from beyond the grave.
"How did your mother react to the existence of Sergei?"
"I didn't tell her right away-after I had found out. I might have never told her if circumstances didn't force me to do it. When I did, she took it quite well. What had upset her most was knowing my dad had missed out on much of my life. I think that hurt her more than anything."
Mac looked over at Harm; his voice was now sounding tired and, frankly, he looked rather exhausted-much like she had felt after her discussion about her father. This session had truly become an emotional ride from hell for all of them. For his sake, she had hoped that they would end this session soon. In her estimation, they were nearing the two hour mark with Maddie. Actually, an hour fifty-three to be exact. The bill for this session alone could buy Maddie several cases of those aspirin, she mused. Watching Maddie make notes in their file, Mac wondered what the next step was going to be today.
Maddie looked like she'd survived a tornado and felt like she'd ran a marathon-wearing combat boots. Her neatly coifed hair had become ragged from her bad habit of tucking the pencil behind her ear. She had repositioned it so many times, she was sure she'd get lead poisoning. Having finished writing the last of her observations, she checked her watch and decided that they all probably had had enough today-herself included.
Scanning her pages of notes briefly, she thought, this is true progress. Harm not only discussed his father and his obsession with finding him, but he also came to the realization that his relationship with Annie and Josh was born from this obsession with the loss of his father. But, more importantly, the interaction between Harm and Mac was paramount in this session-their emotional closeness was quite apparent. Actions speak louder than words, she thought, and I hope it's going off like gongs in their heads.
Maddie knew continuing the session was out of the question for many reasons, one of which was the emotional exhaustion she could see written all over Harm's face. Now the difficult decision of when to schedule them for their next session lay in front of her. She had planned a long weekend to spend time with her sister, but letting them go so long between appointments, especially when progress had been made, could prove to be detrimental to the entire therapeutic process. Mulling over her plans for tomorrow morning, she figured if she got up early, she could squeeze them in for an hour without disrupting the day.
Finally making her decision, she said, "We've made quite a bit of progress today. In light of all this, I'm suggesting we get together tomorrow morning."
The duo looked at one another; Mac shrugged her shoulders saying, "It's okay with me. Harm . . ."
"It's fine with me too," he said, nodding his head in agreement. Looking in Maddie's direction, he asked, "Any time in particular?"
"How's eight o'clock?"
Harm opened his mouth, ready to challenge the early morning time, when Mac spoke up.
"Suck it up, Sailor."
He chuckled, shook his head and said, "Fine by me."
"Great!" Maddie said. She didn't bother to write it down because there was no way in hell she was forgetting about this session. Setting down their file on the floor, she stood up, straightening her sweater and attempting to smooth out her hair.
Harm and Mac stood as well. She grabbed her purse, and they both slipped on their coats. Maddie was already at the door, opening it, when they had moved from behind the coffee table.
"Thanks Maddie," Harm said, extending his hand to her.
Maddie accepted his gesture, smiling, "You made a lot of progress today, Harm. Go home and get some rest, okay?"
Mac also grasped Maddie's hand, giving a genuine "Thank you." Maddie knew there was more than just gratitude in those two words. Considering Mac's little revelation earlier, she was sure she was grateful for the kept secret as well.
Once the two had moved into the outer office and then out the door into the hallway, Maddie retreated to her office. Kicking off her slippers, she laid down on the sofa with a thud and a sigh. She closed her eyes and then covered her face with her hands, grateful that her clients were finished for today. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy their witty repartee or their adventures-she found them to be quite entertaining-professionally speaking, that is. Their sessions were exhausting her-mentally and physically. But, at least they were going in the right direction. "Yeah," she said with a laugh, "right into a hotel room-a locked hotel room."
Seconds later, she heard the soft tinkling of a bell from a certain feline who had been in hiding most of their session. Just as swiftly as he came into the room, he had jumped up onto the sofa, beginning his trek up to Maddie's chest.
"Oh, Zolly," she groaned, "You're not as light as you used to be."
The furry creature laid out straight on her chest, nuzzling her hands covering her face. He chirped and meowed and head butted her until she gave in and petted him. Maddie rolled onto her side to move him onto the sofa next to her, rather than have 15 pounds of cat on top of her.
"So, Zoloft, you abandoned me today. I could have used some support in here. Obviously your nap comes first, huh?" she said, rubbing him behind the ears.
Checking her watch, she realized she still had a few appointments left in the day, with the next one due at any moment. Gently shooing Zoloft off the sofa, she sat up and decided a trip to the bathroom was a priority to tidy up her appearance.
"I wonder how many more grey hairs they gave me today," she said fingering the loose strands of hair as she walked into her private bathroom.
~~~~
Harm and Mac were more than ready to leave Maddie's office. Harm's lanky frame ached from having sat too long on a sofa clearly made for the female frame. And Mac-she felt like she was jet-lagged; the lack of a decent night's sleep was finally catching up with her. Walking out into the hallway, Harm held the door for her. She slung the strap from her purse over her left shoulder and stuffed her hands in her coat pockets. Together they began the trek down the hall to the stairwell. Neither had spoken to the other since their good-byes to Maddie in her office, both being absorbed in their thoughts to some degree.
As they walked, Mac watched Harm zip his jacket and reach into his pocket for his keys. The weary look on his face didn't nearly tell the emotions that held his thoughts captive now. He knew Maddie was just doing her job, delving into his past like that. Part of him was relieved he had talked about his father-discussing feelings he had never told anyone. Some of it actually felt good to get out into the open, yet he still couldn't help but feel angry. The discussion with Maddie was nagging at him. He thought he could keep what occurred in that room-in that room-but it wasn't going to happen. The last thing he wanted to do was bring it all home with him. But as his thoughts became more of a jumbled ball in his head, he knew there was no way around it.
"Harm?" Mac called his name but noticed he wasn't hearing her. He looked a million miles away, his eyes almost trance-like as he continued down the hall, reaching the stairwell ahead of her, and automatically opening the door for her.
"Harm . . ." Mac said again, a little more loudly, grabbing his arm as well.
Having been so preoccupied with his thoughts, Harm snapped his head around, jolted back to reality, "Huh? What?" he said sharply, not realizing the tone of his voice until the words were out of his mouth and he could hear them echoing off the white plaster walls.
"For a minute there I thought I lost you. What's wrong?" Mac asked, taking his outburst in stride. You're still in that session, aren't you, she thought, concerned.
He started to say 'nothing', but thought better of it. Mac had become quite adept at reading his diversionary tactics over the years. He knew there would be no getting past this one. Sighing, he leaned against the open door and distractedly ran his hand through his hair.
"It's been a helluva day, hasn't it," he said, not knowing where to start or what to say.
Mac rested her hand on his arm, "Yeah, it has . . . are you okay?" She searched his blue eyes, trying to read his emotions and put how he felt into perspective.
Harm snickered a little, "I feel like I punched out again."
He stood there, just looking at her-studying her face and her smile-wondering why she had stuck with him all this time. She seemed to understand him-and what searching for his father had meant to him. Retelling the story to Maddie made him realize how dangerous it was-not just for him-but for Mac, too. She had tried to reason with him and get him to understand how their lives were in jeopardy.
**You can quit. I can't. My father is out there somewhere and I'm going to find him.
Or die trying?
Or die trying. But you shouldn't. You've come with me farther than anyone I know. I'll never forget that Mac.**
Even though he needed her there with him, he still had tried to give her the out he thought she was looking for and she didn't take it. Looking back now, he knew that she had only their best interest at heart. I always think with my heart and my emotions, and she thinks with her head. I guess that's why we're so good together.
Reaching over to her, he traced a line along her jaw with his finger, then cupped her face with his hand, relishing the feel of her skin against his.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
With a smile, she replied, "You said that already."
"I don't say it enough," he said tenderly, his voice husky with emotion.
The deepness and inflection of his voice made Mac catch her breath. His touch had made her tingle and her heart race, yet she could feel the blush in her cheeks. For all his exasperating and belligerent traits that drove her crazy, he more than made up for it with his tenderness.
The sound of approaching feet on the stairs broke the moment the two had become lost in. Turning around, Harm was suddenly face to face with an elderly woman, carrying a small Yorkshire terrier on her arm. Both dog and owner wore matching accessories-the dog wearing a diamond studded collar that was a smaller replica of his owner's necklace.
"Excuse me, young man," she said with a thick Southern drawl, "I don't want to interrupt whatever you two are engaged in, but I'm late for my appointment."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Harm said, backing away to give the woman some room to walk through the doorway, holding the door for her as any gentleman would.
"What a cute dog," Mac said, reaching out to pet it, only to be met with a snarl and a high-pitched bark that was more like a yap. As quickly as she reached out, Mac snatched her hand back with surprise, hoping all her fingers were intact.
"He doesn't like cat people, do you precious," she cooed to the animal as she sauntered past a stunned Harm and Mac.
"I hope she isn't Maddie's next appointment," Mac said.
"Why?" asked Harm, not catching the connection she was implying.
"In a word-Zolly. He'd have that dog for lunch and floss his teeth with that diamond collar," she joked.
The couple lingered in the hallway and laughed at the scenario Mac had described. Then they both cringed, watching as the woman entered Maddie's office, dog in tow. Not wanting to be around when the fur started flying, they decided to leave-in a hurry.
~~~~
As they reached the lower level of the building, Harm checked his watch. It was now past one o'clock. The afternoon sun was finally winning the war with the earlier rain clouds, attempting to dry the streets in the still-damp autumn air.
Not having eaten since breakfast at the diner, he was about to suggest a late lunch when he saw Mac stifle a yawn. That nightmare deprived her of more sleep than she'd ever admit, he thought.
"Are you tired?" he asked, stating the obvious.
"That's an understatement," Mac replied with another yawn, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
"I was going to suggest lunch, but I think we're both exhausted," he said honestly, longing for the sofa and at least a two hour nap. He realized now exactly how Mac had felt yesterday after discussing her father, because today he felt it in every inch of his body.
"Maybe a rain check?" Mac asked as they crossed the street to his SUV.
"I think I can manage that," he said with a smile, holding the door open for her, and then shutting it gently once she was inside. He walked around to the other side and slid in the seat, placing his keys in the ignition. Glancing over at his passenger, her head tilted back against the seat with her eyes shut, he realized she had never looked more beautiful to him.
Judging by everything Harm had told her, this put his emotional struggle with his MIA father about the time he was seeing Annie-give or take a few months. In all probability, the uncertainty about his father and his relationship with Annie and Josh happened about the same time, giving weight to her theory that Harm was trying to rewrite history with Josh. If she was correct, he went to Russia after he and Annie broke up. How very interesting, she thought, making note of it in the file.
"Why don't you continue, Harm," Maddie said with a calm and controlled voice, unlike her previous remarks.
He went on, "Eventually we met up with a woman in rural Russia who knew my father. Since she spoke only Russian, Mac translated for me. She told us the story of how he came to live with her and her brother. They never knew his name since he didn't speak the language and they didn't know English."
"Then how did she know he was your father?" Maddie queried.
"The resemblance-she realized that I must be his son because I looked like him. Through Mac's interpretation, I found out from her that Dad died saving her from Russian soldiers who had attacked her. Her brother buried the bodies so they wouldn't be found-somewhere deep in the forest. She didn't know where because her brother had died since then." Harm was able to relate this part of the story effortlessly, as if he were retelling a mythical epic he had read-except he had lived it.
"How did that make you feel?"
"I was devastated. All those years I knew he had to be alive-he was. But he died honorably-just as he lived. Two years later, I found out that I wasn't the only son he left behind. He had a relationship with a woman who had given him a son after his death-my brother, Sergei."
"Your father had a relationship with a Russian woman?" Maddie asked in disbelief.
"I guess he knew he would never come home. He had told my mother in a tape-one I hadn't listened to until before I went to Russia-for her to go on with her life if anything had happened to him. She did, and I guess he did too."
"How did you feel when you found out you had brother?"
"At the time, I was confused. Maybe a little hurt. But all my life my father was this . . . this hero to me. I guess it helped me to realize he was more human than I allowed him to be."
"How do you feel about him today?"
"He's my brother-I love him."
Mac had been watching Harm as he continued to tell Maddie about his dad and Sergei. She could tell by the wistful look on his face that he was probably coming to terms with all of this as he spoke to Maddie. Sergei was an important part of his life now-the one lasting connection to his father. It was almost as if his father was giving him something to cling onto from beyond the grave.
"How did your mother react to the existence of Sergei?"
"I didn't tell her right away-after I had found out. I might have never told her if circumstances didn't force me to do it. When I did, she took it quite well. What had upset her most was knowing my dad had missed out on much of my life. I think that hurt her more than anything."
Mac looked over at Harm; his voice was now sounding tired and, frankly, he looked rather exhausted-much like she had felt after her discussion about her father. This session had truly become an emotional ride from hell for all of them. For his sake, she had hoped that they would end this session soon. In her estimation, they were nearing the two hour mark with Maddie. Actually, an hour fifty-three to be exact. The bill for this session alone could buy Maddie several cases of those aspirin, she mused. Watching Maddie make notes in their file, Mac wondered what the next step was going to be today.
Maddie looked like she'd survived a tornado and felt like she'd ran a marathon-wearing combat boots. Her neatly coifed hair had become ragged from her bad habit of tucking the pencil behind her ear. She had repositioned it so many times, she was sure she'd get lead poisoning. Having finished writing the last of her observations, she checked her watch and decided that they all probably had had enough today-herself included.
Scanning her pages of notes briefly, she thought, this is true progress. Harm not only discussed his father and his obsession with finding him, but he also came to the realization that his relationship with Annie and Josh was born from this obsession with the loss of his father. But, more importantly, the interaction between Harm and Mac was paramount in this session-their emotional closeness was quite apparent. Actions speak louder than words, she thought, and I hope it's going off like gongs in their heads.
Maddie knew continuing the session was out of the question for many reasons, one of which was the emotional exhaustion she could see written all over Harm's face. Now the difficult decision of when to schedule them for their next session lay in front of her. She had planned a long weekend to spend time with her sister, but letting them go so long between appointments, especially when progress had been made, could prove to be detrimental to the entire therapeutic process. Mulling over her plans for tomorrow morning, she figured if she got up early, she could squeeze them in for an hour without disrupting the day.
Finally making her decision, she said, "We've made quite a bit of progress today. In light of all this, I'm suggesting we get together tomorrow morning."
The duo looked at one another; Mac shrugged her shoulders saying, "It's okay with me. Harm . . ."
"It's fine with me too," he said, nodding his head in agreement. Looking in Maddie's direction, he asked, "Any time in particular?"
"How's eight o'clock?"
Harm opened his mouth, ready to challenge the early morning time, when Mac spoke up.
"Suck it up, Sailor."
He chuckled, shook his head and said, "Fine by me."
"Great!" Maddie said. She didn't bother to write it down because there was no way in hell she was forgetting about this session. Setting down their file on the floor, she stood up, straightening her sweater and attempting to smooth out her hair.
Harm and Mac stood as well. She grabbed her purse, and they both slipped on their coats. Maddie was already at the door, opening it, when they had moved from behind the coffee table.
"Thanks Maddie," Harm said, extending his hand to her.
Maddie accepted his gesture, smiling, "You made a lot of progress today, Harm. Go home and get some rest, okay?"
Mac also grasped Maddie's hand, giving a genuine "Thank you." Maddie knew there was more than just gratitude in those two words. Considering Mac's little revelation earlier, she was sure she was grateful for the kept secret as well.
Once the two had moved into the outer office and then out the door into the hallway, Maddie retreated to her office. Kicking off her slippers, she laid down on the sofa with a thud and a sigh. She closed her eyes and then covered her face with her hands, grateful that her clients were finished for today. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy their witty repartee or their adventures-she found them to be quite entertaining-professionally speaking, that is. Their sessions were exhausting her-mentally and physically. But, at least they were going in the right direction. "Yeah," she said with a laugh, "right into a hotel room-a locked hotel room."
Seconds later, she heard the soft tinkling of a bell from a certain feline who had been in hiding most of their session. Just as swiftly as he came into the room, he had jumped up onto the sofa, beginning his trek up to Maddie's chest.
"Oh, Zolly," she groaned, "You're not as light as you used to be."
The furry creature laid out straight on her chest, nuzzling her hands covering her face. He chirped and meowed and head butted her until she gave in and petted him. Maddie rolled onto her side to move him onto the sofa next to her, rather than have 15 pounds of cat on top of her.
"So, Zoloft, you abandoned me today. I could have used some support in here. Obviously your nap comes first, huh?" she said, rubbing him behind the ears.
Checking her watch, she realized she still had a few appointments left in the day, with the next one due at any moment. Gently shooing Zoloft off the sofa, she sat up and decided a trip to the bathroom was a priority to tidy up her appearance.
"I wonder how many more grey hairs they gave me today," she said fingering the loose strands of hair as she walked into her private bathroom.
~~~~
Harm and Mac were more than ready to leave Maddie's office. Harm's lanky frame ached from having sat too long on a sofa clearly made for the female frame. And Mac-she felt like she was jet-lagged; the lack of a decent night's sleep was finally catching up with her. Walking out into the hallway, Harm held the door for her. She slung the strap from her purse over her left shoulder and stuffed her hands in her coat pockets. Together they began the trek down the hall to the stairwell. Neither had spoken to the other since their good-byes to Maddie in her office, both being absorbed in their thoughts to some degree.
As they walked, Mac watched Harm zip his jacket and reach into his pocket for his keys. The weary look on his face didn't nearly tell the emotions that held his thoughts captive now. He knew Maddie was just doing her job, delving into his past like that. Part of him was relieved he had talked about his father-discussing feelings he had never told anyone. Some of it actually felt good to get out into the open, yet he still couldn't help but feel angry. The discussion with Maddie was nagging at him. He thought he could keep what occurred in that room-in that room-but it wasn't going to happen. The last thing he wanted to do was bring it all home with him. But as his thoughts became more of a jumbled ball in his head, he knew there was no way around it.
"Harm?" Mac called his name but noticed he wasn't hearing her. He looked a million miles away, his eyes almost trance-like as he continued down the hall, reaching the stairwell ahead of her, and automatically opening the door for her.
"Harm . . ." Mac said again, a little more loudly, grabbing his arm as well.
Having been so preoccupied with his thoughts, Harm snapped his head around, jolted back to reality, "Huh? What?" he said sharply, not realizing the tone of his voice until the words were out of his mouth and he could hear them echoing off the white plaster walls.
"For a minute there I thought I lost you. What's wrong?" Mac asked, taking his outburst in stride. You're still in that session, aren't you, she thought, concerned.
He started to say 'nothing', but thought better of it. Mac had become quite adept at reading his diversionary tactics over the years. He knew there would be no getting past this one. Sighing, he leaned against the open door and distractedly ran his hand through his hair.
"It's been a helluva day, hasn't it," he said, not knowing where to start or what to say.
Mac rested her hand on his arm, "Yeah, it has . . . are you okay?" She searched his blue eyes, trying to read his emotions and put how he felt into perspective.
Harm snickered a little, "I feel like I punched out again."
He stood there, just looking at her-studying her face and her smile-wondering why she had stuck with him all this time. She seemed to understand him-and what searching for his father had meant to him. Retelling the story to Maddie made him realize how dangerous it was-not just for him-but for Mac, too. She had tried to reason with him and get him to understand how their lives were in jeopardy.
**You can quit. I can't. My father is out there somewhere and I'm going to find him.
Or die trying?
Or die trying. But you shouldn't. You've come with me farther than anyone I know. I'll never forget that Mac.**
Even though he needed her there with him, he still had tried to give her the out he thought she was looking for and she didn't take it. Looking back now, he knew that she had only their best interest at heart. I always think with my heart and my emotions, and she thinks with her head. I guess that's why we're so good together.
Reaching over to her, he traced a line along her jaw with his finger, then cupped her face with his hand, relishing the feel of her skin against his.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
With a smile, she replied, "You said that already."
"I don't say it enough," he said tenderly, his voice husky with emotion.
The deepness and inflection of his voice made Mac catch her breath. His touch had made her tingle and her heart race, yet she could feel the blush in her cheeks. For all his exasperating and belligerent traits that drove her crazy, he more than made up for it with his tenderness.
The sound of approaching feet on the stairs broke the moment the two had become lost in. Turning around, Harm was suddenly face to face with an elderly woman, carrying a small Yorkshire terrier on her arm. Both dog and owner wore matching accessories-the dog wearing a diamond studded collar that was a smaller replica of his owner's necklace.
"Excuse me, young man," she said with a thick Southern drawl, "I don't want to interrupt whatever you two are engaged in, but I'm late for my appointment."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Harm said, backing away to give the woman some room to walk through the doorway, holding the door for her as any gentleman would.
"What a cute dog," Mac said, reaching out to pet it, only to be met with a snarl and a high-pitched bark that was more like a yap. As quickly as she reached out, Mac snatched her hand back with surprise, hoping all her fingers were intact.
"He doesn't like cat people, do you precious," she cooed to the animal as she sauntered past a stunned Harm and Mac.
"I hope she isn't Maddie's next appointment," Mac said.
"Why?" asked Harm, not catching the connection she was implying.
"In a word-Zolly. He'd have that dog for lunch and floss his teeth with that diamond collar," she joked.
The couple lingered in the hallway and laughed at the scenario Mac had described. Then they both cringed, watching as the woman entered Maddie's office, dog in tow. Not wanting to be around when the fur started flying, they decided to leave-in a hurry.
~~~~
As they reached the lower level of the building, Harm checked his watch. It was now past one o'clock. The afternoon sun was finally winning the war with the earlier rain clouds, attempting to dry the streets in the still-damp autumn air.
Not having eaten since breakfast at the diner, he was about to suggest a late lunch when he saw Mac stifle a yawn. That nightmare deprived her of more sleep than she'd ever admit, he thought.
"Are you tired?" he asked, stating the obvious.
"That's an understatement," Mac replied with another yawn, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
"I was going to suggest lunch, but I think we're both exhausted," he said honestly, longing for the sofa and at least a two hour nap. He realized now exactly how Mac had felt yesterday after discussing her father, because today he felt it in every inch of his body.
"Maybe a rain check?" Mac asked as they crossed the street to his SUV.
"I think I can manage that," he said with a smile, holding the door open for her, and then shutting it gently once she was inside. He walked around to the other side and slid in the seat, placing his keys in the ignition. Glancing over at his passenger, her head tilted back against the seat with her eyes shut, he realized she had never looked more beautiful to him.