"Dream on, honey. I like you crazy, too."
"But, honey, I—"
"You married this millionaire kid, and, bless your heart, he's going to make good by showing you the color of his coin!"
"Charley!"
She sprang back from the curve of his embrace, unshed tears immediately distilled.
"Why, honey—I didn't mean it that way! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. What I meant was—'sh-h-h-h, Loo—all I meant was, it's coming to you. Where'd the fun be if I couldn't make this town point up its ears at my girl? Nobody knows any better than your hubby what his Loo was cut out for. She was cut out for queening it, and I'm going to see that she gets what's her due. Wouldn't be surprised if the papers have us already. Let's see what we'll give them with their coffee this morning."
He unfolded his fresh sheet, shaking it open with one hand and still holding her in the cove of his arm.
"Guess we missed the first edition, but they'll get us sure."
She peered at the sheet over his shoulder, her cheek against his and still sobbing a bit in her throat. The jerking of her breath stopped then; in fact, it was as if both their breathing had let down with the oneness of a clock stopped.
It was she who moved first, falling back from him, her mouth dropping open slightly.