"I must have passed out cold," I said. "It's quite a strain to be at the receiving end of a lynching bee. And what I saw afterwards wasn't exactly pleasant."
"Darling," she whispered, "don't move, don't say a word. You're going to be all right."
"You bet I am!" I said. "Right now I feel great."
My arm went around her shoulder, and I drew her head down until her breath was warm on my face. I kissed her hair and lips and eyes for a full minute in utter recklessness.
When I released her her eyes were shining, and she was laughing a little and crying too. "You've changed your mind," she said. "You believe me now, don't you?"
"Don't talk," I said. "Don't say another word. I just want to look at you."
"It was you right from the start," she said. "Not Ned—or anyone else."
"I was a blind fool," I said.
"You never gave me a second glance."
"One glance was enough," I whispered. "But when I saw how it seemed to be between you and Ned—"