Excerpts, Serials, and Out-of-Print

Medb smiled in a knowing fashion. "You want me to pay for it."

"Well, yeah," Sunny said in a sheepish manner.

"Do you not have money of your own?"

"Not really. I mean, Eile has the money. She buys everything for me, and she's never denied me anything I wanted, but the bank accounts and credit cards are all in her name. I have my own personal card, but she gets the statements, so she knows everything I buy with it."

"That must make it hard to buy gifts for her."

"No kidding! I have to take cash advances to hide the purchases. When she sees those, she knows I'm getting her something, but at least she doesn't know what it is. This way, if you make the arrangements, she'll be completely surprised. Besides, the card only has a $2500 limit; that's nowhere near enough for what I want to do. And, here in the US, the parents of the bride usually pay for the wedding."

Medb gave her a lopsided grin. "And being your surrogate mother, I would pay no matter which of you plays the bride, is that it?"

Sunny blushed and giggled. "Sort of."

"But that is the wedding, not the proposal."

"But without a kick-ass proposal, there might not be a wedding!"

Medb scowled. "Eile may feel obligated to accept your unusual logic, but I do not."

But then she sighed. "Very well. I would be pleased and honored to make the arrangements for you —"

"YIPPEE!" Sunny shouted, clapping her hands and bouncing in her chair.

"However —" Sunny sobered when she realized Medb had turned serious. That made her nervous.

"I have to ask, are you sure you want to do this?"

"What do you mean?" Sunny asked, genuinely confused.

"This country at this time does not tolerate an openly gay marriage very well."

"You said it yourself, in the Dreamlands, we're not gay."

"Not by nature, no, but you two are engaged in a gay relationship. I understand it is because you have pair bonded, but virtually no one else will. All they will see are two lesbians trying to legitimize their lifestyle. Some will praise you, even lionize you for it, while most will condemn you as perverse, but no one will understand your reason, and even when you explain it to them, no one will accept it."

"My own parents got married."

"They had little choice. They wanted to give you a stable, loving childhood, but they did not want to be separated. I urged them to get married because I knew that soon a number of countries and states would begin protecting smae-sex unions and granting same-sex couples the same rights as in heterosexual marriage. They underwent a civil ceremony in Denmark in 1988, and later a formal religious ceremony in Massachusetts in 2004."

Stunned, Sunny blurted out, "I never knew any of that!"

"They did not want you know how difficult their lives were because of their decision. They faced a great deal of intolerance, even open hostility, despite the fact that they tried to live quiet, unobtrusive lives. That was so they could protect you from it as much as possible."

"I always wondered why they didn't go to PTA meetings or neighborhood parties, or to parent-teacher conferences or school functions or my plays and games together."

Medb nodded. "They wanted you to have a normal life, and they knew that your teachers and the other parents and children would accept you better if they were not around constantly reminding them whose child you were. You see, most of the hostility directed against them came from the fact that they would not explain about you, leading to speculation that you were adopted or artificially inseminated. No one could see a couple deeply devoted to one another who loved their daughter more than their own happiness, even those who supported their 'lifestyle'; all anyone could see was two women living together and having sex while raising a child. It caused them no end of trouble, and if it hadn't been for my intervention, there were any number of times you could have been taken away from them, 'for your own good'."

"Oh, dear!"

"Yes, well, that is all in the past now. Still, I wanted you to know what life could be like for you and Eile if you get married."

"We've never experienced any intolerance or hostility."

"That is because you are adorable young women who act more or less normally, your adventures notwithstanding. As such, most people can pretend you are simply roommates who have become infatuated and are experimenting with an alternative lifestyle, and that at some point you will break up and pursue more normal heterosexual relationships."

"Lesbian until graduation."

"Exactly. If you got married, that would prove them wrong, and no one likes to be proven wrong. On the other hand, since you do not display the expected butch attributes generally associated with lesbians, but maintain an entirely 'girly' persona, if you never broke up, you could be considered so-called lipstick lesbians, which are more often an object of fantasy rather than discrimination. However, by getting married you would be seen as flaunting your gayness, and it would prove you are butch after all, or at least one of you is. In some ways, things have improved for people like you and Eile, but in most they have remained the same or declined. For example, there are now more states that have banned same-sex marriage than have embraced it —"

Throughout Medb's speech, Sunny had realized she meant well and was saying things she thought was for their own good, but the longer she listened, the more a burning resentment grew inside her. It no longer seemed that the massive woman was simply trying to explain the facts of life, but was really trying to talk her out of her plan. She finally couldn't take any more, and interrupted Medb by standing bolt upright.

"I don't care what other people think of us," she declared in an angry tone, "or will think of our marriage! I love Eile and that's all that's important. We need each other; we're empty without each other; and our lives didn't really begin until we found each other. If no one else can understand that, that's their problem, not ours! And if you won't help me make my proposing the best experience of our lives, then you can go to hell! I'll find someone else."

She turned away, livid with anger, and was ready to stalk off, when Medb said, "Sunny, sit down."

She looked over her shoulder, and saw Medb had a displeased look on her face. "I said, sit down," she repeated in her commanding tone.

Sunny felt her anger replaced by trepidation. She knew how Medb could treat people who displeased her, and she didn't want to make her an enemy. She turned back towards the table and sat down.

"I already promised I would help," Medb said in a stern tone, "and I never go back on my word. You should know this by now. But I would be remiss in my duty as your mentor, mother, and friend if I did not point out the possible consequences of your decision."

Then she gave her a small smile. "Besides, I do not want to see your lunch go to waste."

Feeling better now that Medb had gotten her good humor back, she smiled in return.

"So, what did you have in mind?"

"Well, I thought we'd start off with an intimate dinner, at a restaurant with romantic atmosphere, candlelight, soft music, good food, fine wine, and lots of privacy."

"Did you have any place in mind?"

"No, as long as it matches my description."

"Then, as long as you do not mind a lack of choice about the menu, I believe I have just the place."

"What do you mean?"

"The meal will be prepared ahead of time. That way you can devote your entire time to each other and not waste any of it perusing a menu."

"I don't know . . ."

"I can clear the menu with you ahead of time."

"Alright."

"Which reminds, when did you want to do this?"

"Oh, as soon as possible!"

"So, what next after dinner?"

"Then we'd take a limo up to Blackhawk for some gambling. After that, we'd go to our room. We'd then return the next morning."

"Sounds nice. When did you plan to propose?"

"I don't know yet, I thought I'd just wing it."

"I don't suppose you have a ring."

"I have one all picked out, but . . ."

"You cannot pay for it."

"Not without Eile finding out, and a $2300 cash advance would be bigger than anything I've ever taken before. The bank is likely to call her for an amount that large. It will probably make her suspicious; she may even cancel the transaction."

"Say no more, I will handle it. Do you have a description of the ring —"

Sunny was way ahead of her. Before Medb could finish, she had opened her purse and pulled out an index card. "All the information is here: URL, description, price, etc. I have it held in your name."

Medb took the card, a bemused smile on her face. "Thank you, this will be very helpful." She then stuffed it inside her jacket. "Is that all?"

"Well, there is one more thing, but I'm not sure I should bring it up."

"Tell me."

"The one thing I would really like to have you probably can't get." She sighed, but she felt more wistful than sad.

"Sunny, what is it?"

"I'd like to get my parents' blessing."

"Ach, I see. You are right, that would be difficult —"

"I understand."

"— but not impossible. Let me see what I can do."

"Really?!"

"I cannot make any promises, but I will try."

"Thank you!"

"Think nothing of it. Now, was there anything else?"

"Yeah, that's all I had."

"Do you mind if I embellish your plan in certain details?"

"No, as long as you don't change the basic scenario."

"Dinner, gambling, an overnight stay."

"You got it!"

"Very well," Medb said as she picked up her fork. "It may take me a few days to do the necessary research, but I will let you know as soon as I am ready to set things up. In the meantime, I suggest you find an excuse to invite Eile on an overnight trip somewhere. That way the days will already be booked in your respective calendars. It will not do to whisk her away the day before an important design deadline."

"Yeah, good idea."

Medb nodded and started stabbing at her salad. Sunny could barely contain her excitement. She hoped Medb wouldn't take too long to get things going. She couldn't wait for this latest adventure to begin.

+ + + + +

A week later, Eile and Sunny were sunning themselves in the backyard behind Eile's house. It was enclosed by a redwood fence twelve feet high. Each of the half-foot-wide planks were placed so close together it was impossible to peak between them. That, and the fact that none of the neighboring houses were close enough for anyone to see into the yard from an upper window, afforded them all the privacy they desired. Which was a good thing, because they preferred to sunbathe wearing only a layer of suntan lotion and sunglasses. Though they were serious sun worshipers, there was an erotic element to their preference. They did not make love outside because they tended to be rather boisterous, but they loved rubbing each other down, which sometimes led to serious foreplay, often followed by a dash into the house before the ardor wore off. And while Eile had yet to put in a pool, any craving for water sports could be satisfied by the garden hose, or a couple of super-soakers and a few water-balloons.

As usually happened, however, once they had coated themselves with lotion, they just relaxed under the warmth of the Colorado sun, enjoying the peace and quiet. So when Sunny unexpectedly spoke up, it startled Eile out of a drowsy trance.

"I feel like celebrating."

Eile didn't have to ask her what she meant. Just that morning they had received a $5000 cheque by special delivery for payment of big design project. That was over and above a number of smaller fees that had been trickling in over the past few weeks. By themselves they would have kept the girls afloat through the summer, but the big payment, coming sooner than expected, meant they could sail through to autumn in style.

Still, Eile's natural frugalness made her hesitant. "We really should increase our savings, in case projects fall off."

"I wasn't thinking of anything grandiose. We could go up to Winter Park, see a concert, do some shopping, stay over night. I already checked with the Bear Paw Inn; they have a cancellation for this weekend, but we need to give them a reservation by two today."

That actually sounded pretty nice. It had been awhile since they had done anything like that, what with Team Girl! adventures and design deadlines, and Eile had been feeling kind of harried. Right now, they had about six days of free time before they had to start on the next project; why not take advantage of it?

"Not a bad idea," she replied. "What days do they have open?"

"Friday, Saturday, and Sunday."

"Go ahead and confirm for those days, but we have to be back on Monday morning; we have a design call then with our next client."

"I'll do it when we go in for lunch."

Eile smiled but said nothing as she let herself drift again.

"Meanwhile," Sunny continued, "I thought that Thursday night we could go out to eat. It would be my treat."

Eile grinned. "Your treat, huh?"

"Yeah. Mayv sent me some money from my parents. I've been saving it for a special occasion."

"Oh," Eile said, feeling bad. "I'm sorry."

Sunny giggled. "Don't be silly! I never told you about it. I wanted to keep it a surprise."

"Okay. By the way, how are your parents?"

"Mayv says they're doing fine. They're safe and happy, and they're glad we're doing so well."

"That's great. So, where are we going to eat?"

"Aintín Labhaoise."

Eile sat bolt upright. "Holy shit! It costs you a hundred bucks just to walk in and sniff! And how did you get reservations so fast?"

"Oh, I know someone who works there; a friend of my parents."

Eile looked over at Sunny and lowered her sunglasses. She was being awfully mysterious all of a sudden. It was actually quite a turn-on. Normally she was so predictable.

Eile swung her legs around and set her feet on the grass. She sat there on the edge of the chaise longue, staring at Sunny's glistening body, and she licked her lips. "Are you up to something?"

Sunny looked at her. "Who, me?"

Eile moved to sit on Sunny's longue. "Yeah, you. What's going on?"

"Can't I do something nice for my partner?"

Eile looked at her, smiling, and placed a hand on her thigh. "Okay, if you say so." She then began rubbing her hand along the inside of Sunny's leg. "Speaking of which, I feel like doing something nice for you."

Sunny leered. "Oh? And just what did you have in mind?" she asked in a coquettish manner.

Eile crawled onto the longue and laid herself on top of Sunny. She kissed her before answering. "What do you think?"

Sunny giggled. "I thought we didn't do that out here."

"I can't wait. Besides, there's a first time for everything."

+ + + + +

When Thursday came, the girls decided to pack before they went out. It was bound to be late before they got back, and they would be getting up early the next morning, which meant they wouldn't have any time otherwise. Besides, having it done would allow them to be unhurried in the morning.

Being the swankiest restaurant in Denver, Aintín Labhaoise demanded an elegant dress code. Fortunately, they still had the dresses they wore when they met with Maumee Oldebucks over the Book of Shadows Adventure some months ago. Eile wasn't happy with them. They were the cheapest they could find but were still almost too expensive for her to afford, and they were just barely elegant enough for the Labhaoise. Still, they were all they had.

Their reservations were for six, yet Sunny insisted they start getting ready at one. The reason became obvious when she suggested they shower together. That wasn't unusual; they often did, to save time, and because they enjoyed the intimacy. This time, however, Sunny seemed to be in an unusually amorous mood. They had barely wetted their bodies down when she performed oral sex on Eile. Nor was it her usual quickie. She spent a good long time at it, and left Eile almost too weak to stand. Then she did it again after they shampooed, and again after they conditioned, and still again after they washed the rest of their bodies. The shower lasted a good two hours at least, and the only reason why they finally stopped was that they ran out of hot water. Even then Sunny wasn't satisfied. After they toweled off and went into the bedroom, Sunny tackled her, threw her onto the bed, and started in on her one more time. This time, Eile was able to assert some control: she maneuvered them into a "69", and they finished off with a bout of scissoring.

Afterwards, Eile lay on her back, swimming in the warm afterglow of her orgasm. Sunny lay on her stomach at the foot of the bed, sighing with pleasure.

"What's gotten into you?" Eile asked in a languid tone, though in a congenial manner.

Giggling, Sunny rolled over and propped herself up on her elbows. "I guess I'm just a little excited."

"A little?! Damn, girl, if you were any more excited you would have killed me!" They both broke into a laugh.

Sunny crawled up the head of the bed to lay beside Eile. Supporting her head on one hand, she used the fingers of the other to trace out patterns on Eile's stomach. Eile smiled, closed her eyes, and made murmuring noises. "Eile," Sunny asked after a few minutes, "do you love me?"

Eile laughed, thinking it was a joke. Sunny slapped her on the stomach, not hard, but enough to catch her attention. She started and snapped her eyes open.

"I'm serious!"

"Jesus, Sunny, what's come over you?"

"Do you love me?" she persisted.

Perplexed, Eile said, "After what we just did, you need to ask that?"

"Eileee, stop avoiding the question."

Something strange is going on, Eile thought. Even for Sunny, this is damn weird. "Well, yeah, of course I love you."

"Do you love me more than anything?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess so."

"You guess so?"

"Well, I've never really thought about it. I just feel it."

"Do you love me more than life itself?"

Now thoroughly confused and consternated, Eile gave her a startled leer. "What's going on?"

"Why can't you answer the question? I would if you asked me."

"Oh, this is getting retarded!" Eile sat up, then sat on the edge of her side of the bed, turning her back on Sunny. "Look, I don't know what this is all about, but I don't appreciate being interrogated like this. You know how I feel about you, or you should. Now just let it go, okay?"

"Okay."

Sunny's voice sounded so meek and quiet that it surprised and bothered her. Turning to look at her, Eile saw she looked downcast, almost crushed.

She was about to ask what was wrong when the doorbell rang.

"You'd better get that," Sunny said, sound dejected.

Eile frowned and tried to ask why, but the doorbell rang again. "Aw, shit," she muttered as she stood up and threw on a robe.

It rang a third time as she hurried down the stairs. "I'm coming!" she yelled. She threw the door open in an angry fit.

"What the hell is it?!"

A delivery man stood in front of her, holding a large, rectangular, flat box. "I have a package for Eile Chica or Sonne Hiver."

Making an effort to suppress her anger, she replied, "I'm Eile."

He handed over the box with a smile, then tipped his hat when she took it and started to turn away.

"Wait! What is it?"

"A gift, Miss, from a friend."

"Don't I need to sign anything?"

"No, Miss," she said, then he tipped his hat again and headed down the walk back to his truck. Eile noted that it looked like a regular delivery van, but it had no logo or name or any other markings.

She closed the door and took the package back up to the bedroom. When she came in, Sunny was standing by the window, looking out. For a moment she thought she heard her sniffle, like she was crying, but when she turned around, she looked normal.

"What's that?" she asked.

Eile laid the box on the bed. "Someone sent us a gift." She lifted the top, and almost dropped it when she saw what was inside. Lying side by side were two of the most elegant black evening dresses she had ever seen. She looked at Sunny, wondering if she had bought them, but Sunny looked just as surprised as she was. If anything, she looked shocked.

"Oh, my word!"

Eile lifted one of them up; it looked like it had no back or straps. "I wonder who sent them?"

Sunny laughed, but it sounded nervous. "Ha-ha, I really fooled you, didn't I! I bought them, with part of the money my parents sent me."

Sunny never was a good liar, but she was even less convincing now. It was if she was trying to cover for something she hadn't planned or anticipated.

"How much did they send you?"

"Oh, I've been saving it up for some time now."

Okay, Eile thought, this just went from weird to bizarre. She's desperately trying to hide something, but what?

"Oh dear! Look at the time."

Eile looked out of reflex; it was twenty after four.

"We'd better get ready or we'll miss our reservations," Sunny added as she snatched the dress from Eile's hands.

"Uh-huh." Eile used the tone of voice that indicated she knew Sunny was trying to pull a fast one. Sunny's response was to give her the sad puppy dog look with the big soulful eyes. She always used that look when she wanted to beseech Eile to do something.

And it always worked. Eile grinned, shook her head, and said, "Then I guess we better get to it."

Reaching down, she picked up the second dress; this one had straps. "Looks like this one's mine."

+ + + + +

Eile stood by the front door and looked at her watch; it was five-thirty.

"Sunny! Hurry up, or we'll be late!"

"I'm coming!" she said as she galloped down the stairs like a drunken elephant.

"You know," Eile remarked, "I just thought of something: how are we going to get there?"

"I called a cab; it should be here any minute."

And as if to prove her right, the doorbell rang.

The girls exchanged puzzled looks. "Cabbies don't come to the door," Eile said. She opened it, and there stood a chauffeur in full regalia.

"Miss Eile? Miss Sunny?"

"Yeah?" Eile said.

He smiled and tipped his hat. "I am your driver for this evening; my name is Culann."

Eile looked past him and saw a black stretch limousine parked in the street. The thing was longer than her living room.

"Holy shit!" Things just went from bizarre to surreal.

Sunny looked past her. "EEEP!" she squealed.

Eile jerked her head around to look at Sunny. "Did you arrange this?"

For a moment, Sunny returned her a confused look. Then she grinned and giggled in a nervous manner. "Ha-ha-h, fooled you again!"

This time, Eile's frustration snapped her patience. "Oh, no, not this time! What's going on?"

Sunny tried to feign innocence, but her eyes betrayed her guilt. "What do you mean?"

"Can it, Sunny. You were just as surprised by the limo as I was. This whole thing is pretty odd. First the intense sex, then the third-degree, the dresses, and now this. Something's up, and I want to know what it is, now!"

"It is really very simple," came a familiar sing-song voice. The chauffeur stepped aside and saluted as Medb strolled up the walk. Eile stared at her. She wore a formal evening dress of an unusual design. From the waist up it mimicked a man's white tie suit, complete with black silk tailcoat, starched white shirt and collar, white waistcoat, and of course white bow tie, but from the waist down she wore a slitted black silk skirt and a pair of black knee-high boots with high heels. In addition to her headband and torc, she had an emerald-green carnation inserted into a buttonhole on the lapel of her coat.

Sweet Jesus, Eile thought, surreal just became insane.

When she reached the open door, Medb continued: "Sunny had more romantic plans for the weekend, but she wanted them to be a surprise, so she suggested a trip up to Winter Park."

"But she didn't know about these dresses, or the limo," Eile objected.

"She allowed me to embellish certain details, as long as I did not change the basic scenario."

"I suppose there's no money from her parents then. How much is all this going to cost me?"

Medb frowned, obviously displeased. "Not a single scepiol. I am paying for everything. And you might show a little appreciation for Sunny's efforts."

Eile felt chagrinned. Medb was right, Sunny was trying to do something nice for her, and she was acting like a bitch. She looked at Sunny. "Is this true?"

Sunny sighed and looked dejected again. "Yeah. Sorry for the deception, but like Mayv says, I wanted to surprise you with something special."

Eile's anger melted. She just couldn't stay mad at her, not after she went to all this trouble, frustrating as it was. "Well, it certainly is a surprise! Ah, cheer up, Sunny, it's okay. It's better this way anyways. Anticipation is much better than uncertainty. So, what's the scenario?"

Medb interrupted Sunny as she was about to speak. "Actually, anticipation mixed with mystery is better still. You will just have to wait; both of you. Now, I suggest we get going. We do not want to be late for your reservation."

"Are you coming with us?" Sunny asked. She sounded to Eile like she was almost worried, as if she didn't want Medb under foot.

"Have no fear, I will not interfere with your privacy. I just want to make sure everything goes smoothly. Culann, get their bags."

"Yes Ma'am. Excuse me, Ladies," he said as he went by them into the foyer.

"Why do we need those?" Eile asked.

The Medb and the girls moved out of the way as Culann walked out and took the bags to the limo. "I will not reveal your destination at this time, but you will be leaving for the next phase of your weekend right after dinner."

"What about Snowshoe Kitty?" Sunny whined. "We haven't set out extra food or water yet."

"Have no fear, I shall look after her. Now, we must leave." And she turned and headed back to the limo. Eile and Sunny followed as soon as they locked the front door.

Medb went around to the passenger side of the limo's front cab, while Culann opened the door to the rear for the girls. When they entered, Eile was amazed at the interior. On her right, filling the very back part of the rear cab, was a desk with a computer system. To her left, a single seat in the shape of a couch ran along the left side of the limo towards the front, then across the front to the right side. Behind it, a wall separated and isolated the front from the rear cab. Opposite the couch-seat, running along the right side, was a bar, with a built in television and entertainment system. Three long windows ran in a line above the bar and the seat on either side. The roof was sculpted, with a built-in mirror and lights.

Eile followed Sunny as she made her way up the cab to sit across from the bar. When Eile sat beside her, she noticed that in addition to the usual liquid contents, there was an open bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice, with two glasses set out.

"Help yourself to the champagne." Medb's voice came over an intercom and out of the speakers set around the cab. "If you need anything, the intercom is the top-most part of the entertainment system. We should be at Aintín Labhaoise in a half-hour." And with that the limo started up and pulled gently out into the street.

Once the motion stabilized, Eile reached over and poured the wine into the flûtes. As she settled back, she handed one to Sunny.

Sunny held up her glass and said, "Here's to us, partner."

Eile did the same. "To Team Girl!"

They clinked their flutes and took a sip. Eile was surprised to find that the champagne had a slightly sweet taste to it, taking the edge off the dryness.

Eile looked at Sunny as she took another sip. "I'm sorry I spoiled your surprise."

Sunny shot her a surprised look. "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm the one who messed up."

"Yeah, but Mayv was right, I was being real bitchy about the whole thing."

"You couldn't help it. When I came up with this idea, I imagined you would meekly go along with everything until I sprung my surprise. But that was just my self-absorbed wishful thinking. I forgot how suspicious you can get."

"I still could have been more appreciative. I'm really sorry."

"Aw, that's okay, partner, it's all straightened out now." Then she grinned. "Besides, the real surprise hasn't come yet, and you still don't know where we're going for the weekend." Then she grew pensive. "Of course, considering the changes Mayv's made already, even I don't know where we'll end up. This may be a surprise for both of us!"

"Then we'll face it together," Eile said, as she raised her glass again.

Sunny clinked her glass against Eile's. "Team Girl!, forever!" And they drained their flûtes.

+ + + + +

"I really don't like listening in on them like this," Culann said.

Medb turned down the volume on the intercom. "I only did so to make sure they had settled their argument. I do not want anything going wrong this weekend."

"You know, it was pretty hard seeing her like this."

"I know, but be patient; in twenty-four hours you will be able to spend as much time as you like with her."

"I spent my whole life learning patience, but where Sunny's concerned, it's hard to be objective. Are you certain she really loves this girl? And that she loves Sunny?"

"When you see them together, you will have no doubt yourself."

"I just don't want to see her hurt is all." He then paused. "Oge's going to be hard to convince."

"Your wife is supremely stubborn and single-minded."

"Don't I know it! It's just that, she's been hoping this is all just an infatuation brought on by how they met. She isn't too happy with this development. It wouldn't surprise me if she tried to break them up."

"I hope not. In any event, I cannot interfere; I must let events follow their own course. But I would be very upset if she succeeded."

"There's more to this than some faded words on a moldy, crumbling parchment."

Medb gave him an imperious look. "You have a gift for understatement. But whatever the outcome, I cannot force it or change it. All I can do is set the stage for it to unfold."

"God, I hate it when you're cryptic."

She favored him with a half-smile, half-smirk, but did not reply.

+ + + + +

To be continued