Like Father, Like Son

By Shirley Scott

Kitty loves Rand, although aware shes his social inferior. She feels his many moods prove that fact, despite his amorous attentions. A smart gal would run rather than risk her heart, but mystery abounds in her employers family and shes more than curious. Why do Rand and his Aunt treat Paul like a leper, while Rands grandmother appears to adore Paul? And, If Rand is reputedly Pauls clone, why such venom for his father? Is it worth risking her heart by staying in her job long enough simply to solve the mystery?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 30, 2006
• ISBN: 9781462822324

Shirley Scott

Shirley lives in Walla Walla, Wa where she does clairvoyant readings from her home in person, on the phone or by email. She has been doing readings for both animals and people for over 11 years and is always studying and learning more about how energy works in our body, mind and in the physical world we live in. She lives with her 3 dogs and 6 cats and volunteers at the Washington State Penitentiary to train the inmates to train dogs. Part of her Spiritual work it to help dogs who are at the humane society get trained and then adopted into forever homes. She also has her own 501c3 rescue for animals. She is currently looking for 10 acres to build a rescue ranch for animals and to make a space to rehabilitate animals as well as giving workshops on animal welfare, safety, training, communication and other issues.

Book preview

Chapter One

Dark clouds scattered unevenly across the moon, leaving broken shards of light to shimmer on the water below. The air had cooled considerably after an unseasonably warm June day in the city. Now the park was silent and shadowed by the rapidly descending night. A lone female figure strolled to the edge of the river and stood, head bowed, watching the water as it rippled by. After a moment, she straightened, turned to glance about as if making sure she was alone, then, with the only sounds those of the water as it slapped at its banks, she bent, placed her purse on the ground and slowly eased one foot after the other from her shoes.

She’d only just placed her feet on the bank when a sharp cry, piercing the quiet, startled her. Before she could react, something smashed into her, carrying her to the chilly waters below. For a split second, surprise and cold numbed her, but in moments the instinct for survival roused her and she fought vigorously against whatever threatened her very existence. Bobbing to the surface, spitting and sputtering, and gasping for air, she struggled to break free of the vice-like hold on her waist. Her strength was no match for her attacker. Hampered by the long strands of hair that plastered her face, she made useless attempts to focus on her assailant while continuing to struggle to break free. She scratched, kicked, and even tried biting, all to no avail.

Are you crazy? Why are you doing this? Let me go!

But his grip remained strong while his other hand streaked out to slap away her hands as, with nails unsheathed, she scratched and clawed at him.

You little fool, you’re no match for me so give it up, before we both drown.

The deep voice grunted his warning as he actually seemed to be fighting to keep them from drifting away from land. Keep fighting me and you’ll get us carried away by the current. The words came in breathless, broken gasps and it seemed to her he was beginning to tire, so she tried harder, her long legs knifing through the water to kick at him.

"I said let go! Who are you, anyway? Why are you doing this? You don’t even know me!" Panic elevated the pitch of her voice.

"And I said, stop struggling and I will. Her perpetrator made demands too. Cut it out, damn it! I’m trying to get us up on the bank, then everything will be okay." With surprise she realized he was actually easing them toward the embankment.

No funny stuff now, just relax and take it easy, okay?

Okay? Okay? Is he nuts? First he tries to drown me and then he tells me everything will be okay! What a creep! She gave him another mighty shove, sending him thrashing in an attempt to stay upright and in control, but before she could regain her own balance, to take advantage of his resulting plight, he had grabbed her again. And with powerful strokes, he moved them once again to the river’s edge and began lifting and shoving her up against the bank. Before long she found herself half sprawled on the shore. She was scrambling to extract the rest of her from the river when again he attempted to give her a boost and she scraped her knee. In pain, she moaned and slid back into the water, once more trying her best to kick him away.

Don’t touch me again, do you hear? I swear I’ll scream the city down if you try to touch me again!

Ignoring her protest, with a final grunt, he shoved her up and all the way on to shore, then stoutly pushed himself up beside her, coughing and spewing water while pushing his hair off his face and out of his eyes.

She was shivering with cold and shaking with anger. One minute swiping at long strands of hair pasted to her face, and the next, mopping the water from her eyes, fully aware she was too weak and tired to make a break for it, however much she wanted to.

He was doing a bit of shivering and swiping of his own as he grumbled in a hoarse voice that she tried to ignore. I’m sorry if you had other plans, lady, but nobody’s pulling the plug on my watch. His voice was grounded in disgust, but it was the words that caught her immediate attention. She’d been raising herself to her feet in a belated attempt to escape when his words registered in her frightened, confused brain. The tone, that indefinable… something, stayed her. Foolishly, she hesitated, frozen in mid-stride. Damning her innate curiosity, she swung on him.

Pulling the plug? What’s that supposed… ? What are you talking about? Was she crazy? Hanging around, with her attacker just a hands span away? She should be racing for the nearest point of human activity; screaming her lungs out; the heels of her flight flinging water in his damnable face! Yet here she stood, with the backbone of a jelly fish, asking dumb questions. Like she cared, for Pete’s sake!

Like you don’t know? Taking a dive… Ending it all, he tossed out a hand, whatever. I’m no hero, for damn sure, but I won’t stand around to watch, or look the other way, when someone tries something as thoughtless as suicide. Life may not be a bed-of-roses but there’s always a chance things will change. Did you even, for just one, lousy moment, stop to consider the feelings of the people who love you?

His words, so shocking, the pain in his voice was lost. She stood motionless, hands twisted in her matted mane, her eyes wide as she stared into the dark, and in the next moment she was whirling on him.

"Suicide? Did I hear you right? You did say suicide, didn’t you?" Her long wet hair spattered water across his glowering face as she swung about in angry surprise. He simply nodded and swiped it away.

"That was the plan, wasn’t it?" He ground out the words in disgust and faced her with narrowed, accusing eyes.

Kitty stared at him, fists doubled. "You… jerk! You mean you actually thought you were saving me? She was incredulous. You ruined my only decent suit, caused me to tear my stockings, to say nothing of the bruises I’m sure to have, because you thought I wanted to kill myself?" Her voice had climbed to a level just shy of a shout in her nearly hysterical condition. Had she been able to see him clearly, in the dark, she’d have been pleased to see his expression of disgust, turn slowly to doubt, followed shortly by embarrassment, as, one by one, they chased each other across his face.

So… you… ? His head wagged slowly. "You’re saying you weren’t planning to jump? Hey, come on… I saw you, remember? I saw you take off your shoes and…"

And… what? She cut him off. "For your information, I’ve been pounding the hot pavement all day. Three days, to be exact, and my feet are killing me. When I missed my bus I figured maybe I’d try walking a ways, maybe find another bus stop, but I played out, and then I saw the water, and, it just looked so inviting I walked out here. I hadn’t planned anything! But then I figured I’d cool my aching feet." Shaking visibly, she hugged herself against the cold damp that chilled her through her wet clothes right into her very bones, the air having lost most of it’s warmth with sundown. She shivered until her teeth chattered.

Embarrassed, and not quite sure what to say in the circumstances, he turned defensive, his apology having an edge to it as he gestured broadly.

Well, if that’s the truth, I guess I owe you an apology. So, he hunched a shoulder, I’m sorry! Then in a half angry, half concerned manner, he grumbled. But what the devil are you thinking, to even come into this park, all alone, at night, in the first place? Don’t you realize it could be dangerous? He’d long ago learned attack sometimes made the best defense.

"Well, duh! Tell me about it! She shuddered again as she bit out the words. So maybe I wasn’t thinking. I was really tired, and my feet hurt so bad. I only thought to soak them awhile since I had time to kill. She grimaced. Time, mind you, not me!. She cast about for her shoes and bag. Anyway, if it’s so darn dangerous, what are you doing here?" The question revived some of her earlier fear, and she wondered again why she was sitting around shivering instead of getting as far away from him as she could. She reached for her purse and shoes, escape, once again, uppermost in her mind.

I run here sometimes, but even I don’t come out here alone. I always have my… A frown creased his forehead as he jerked around in belated concern. Champ? What the… Where… ? Muttering an obscene word, and looking about, he shouted again, Champ!

Champ? You uh… some kind of trainer or something? Recent experience reminded her he was physically fit for the job.

But without answering, he stood, reaching a hand toward her elbow, which she dodged as she backed a couple more feet from him.

He shrugged, Champ’s my dog. Sometimes we run together after work.

And he’s your protection in this dark, dangerous place? She scoffed. So, where is this stalwart protector of yours?

I guess he took off when we took the dive. He’s not very fond of water.

She couldn’t contain the giggle that rose from her throat, and in spite of himself, he couldn’t help laughing with her. It struck him then that the entire episode was a comedy of errors, and her laughter somehow lightened his pent up emotions, even as it sent a pleasant ripple over his skin.

Which was ridiculous. After all, she was the reason he was soaked to the skin, and his dog was gone! Her laughter had simply broken the tension, that’s all. Just a stranger with a sexy voice. Even so, he continued to stare at her, trying to see her features.

Well, he’s probably back at the car. Come on, I’ll give you a lift. I seriously doubt you’d want to ride the bus looking like that, if, indeed, they’d even let you. He laughed again thinking she was sure one hell of a bedraggled sight.

Kitty stood her ground, contemplating her reply. Surprisingly, she appreciated his laugh. Her masher, no less! What was he saying… ?

 . . . besides, you’ll freeze to death before the bus comes. C’mon.

She stood motionless, recalling every terrifying warning her family had issued concerning the big city. She should run, not walk, to the nearest exit, and yet, somehow, the words just popped out of their own volition. To Queens?

He sighed, uttered a soft expletive, scowled, and capitulated. To Queens.

Still she hesitated. Dare she trust him? He hadn’t actually tried to hurt her, had he? Unless, of course, one counted almost drowning, which he really hadn’t intended, and she was about to freeze. What to do? Her parents wouldn’t like it. She sighed. Still, she might just as well accept, since she had no idea when a bus would be along, and her feet were still no better for the soaking.

He gestured toward the street and waited for her to accompany him, but she chose to shuffle well behind, until he stopped, close to a sleek, black convertible, that decorated the curb. Behind the wheel sat an over-sized canine, who, as soon as he spotted them, leaped to the back seat, whining and wagging his long bushy tail. This, she surmised, was Champ. Nervously, she kept one eye on the animal, who waited impatiently while his owner unlocked the trunk, rummaged in a large duffel bag, pulled out a towel, some sweats and a windbreaker, and turned. He tossed her the sweats and pointed.

Go behind the trees over there and change into those before you catch your death. She seemed to hesitate, hanging back in the shadows, and he groaned with tired frustration. Look, I’m not going to watch. Even if I wanted to, it’s too dark to see anything.

In the dimness of the street light she tried to make out his features while a slew of questions rushed to mind; Could she really trust him to keep his distance? Would he wait ‘til she disappeared behind the trees and take off? Would she be better off waiting for a bus, and praying she didn’t take pneumonia in the meantime? But he really didn’t appear threatening, and from what she could see beneath that smear of wet hair, he looked harmless enough. In fact he looked… sorta’ terrific, plastered hair and all. And that body… wow! Was it any wonder she couldn’t break free?

Well, you gonna’ change, or what? His voice was edged with impatience. He began wrapping the towel around his hips, distracting her attention. Her gaze swept him from muscular thighs, to shapely calves, to slender ankles. It would seem his runs paid off. While she watched, he crossed muscular arms and, grasping opposite ends of the shirt, pulled it over his head, revealing strong shoulders and bulging biceps. Surprising herself, she sucked in a breath. He was certainly a choice specimen of the male persuasion, that much was evident. He squeezed the water from his shirt, balled it up and tossed it in the trunk, then slid into the windbreaker. At last he turned around to face her, zipping the jacket over a washboard stomach, and an impatient growl called her out of her stupor.

Well? Look, Lady, I don’t have all night!

Sorry. You ah… you wouldn’t wait ‘til I’m out of sight and then follow me, would you? Or uh… just drive off and leave me here? She was obviously anxious, and very nervous. No doubt due to the warnings he, himself, had recently put in her mind.

He placed a hand to his heart. "You have my solemn word that I’ll wait right here. But would you please hurry? I have… make that had, plans for tonight."

She nodded and turned in the direction of the trees he’d indicated. He watched the clinging skirt undulate on slender hips above long shapely legs and his subconscious brought a tightening to his nether regions.

Damn, he muttered softly, and bent to undo his dripping laces. He removed his soggy shoes and socks, and wiggled his clammy toes, trying to revive the circulation. He squeezed the moisture from his socks, dumped the water from his shoes, placed the water-logged footwear into the trunk, and slammed the lid closed.

From the trees came a cry. Wait! Oh, please wait! I’m coming. The pleading cry rode the night, evoking a fresh stab of guilt, as from the shadows he watched her emerge, holding up the too large sweat pants in one hand while clutching her shoes in the other. Her purse dangled by a strap from one wrist, and the bundle of wet clothes was clamped under her arm. Tripping gingerly over the prickly ground on bare feet, she presented a rather comical sight, but as she drew near, her anxious expression, coupled with the all too baggy clothing, made her a truly pitiful figure. His heart went out to her. Not for the first time, he wondered what she’d look like under different circumstances. Not too bad, would be his guess. Sympathy mingled with guilt as he reached to take the bundle from under her arm. He slid a hand to her elbow and escorted her to the passenger side of the car, where Champ poked his huge head toward her. She drew back instinctively, trying to see the beast around her mop of wet hair, but the tall man beside her simply held her in place as he reassured her.

Don’t worry, he’s just an oversized pup, really. Back, Champ! I promise he won’t hurt you. Get in. With more than a bit of apprehension, she did, and he closed her door, rounded the car and set about raising the top. Seeing his master occupied, the big dog risked nosing her again; sniffing noisily as she trembled under his inspection. When he licked her ear, which tickled, she couldn’t help giggling nervously. Then she spoke to him and gingerly reached out to stroke his furry head. Champ leaned into her touch, squirming into position until she hit upon his favorite spot, just behind his ear.

See, I told you he wouldn’t hurt you. When you tire of scratching him just tell him to cool it.

When the car lurched from the curb the air in her wet hair sent a chill through her. She closed the window, and found she was vastly grateful for his offer of a ride. And even more for the dry clothes. Hunkering low in the seat, she proceeded to tell him so.

His voice reached her from beyond the dog’s huge head. That’s okay. I guess it’s the least I can do, under the circumstances. He drove in silence while his mind wrestled with the reasons for his actions as he attempted to soften his guilt. Deep inside he still felt the tremors of fear that gripped him at mere sight of her standing at river’s edge; the almost incapacitating terror when she began removing her shoes. Feeling himself begin to tremble all over again, he knew positively that he’d best close his mind to such images, so he turned to his unlikely passenger for distraction.

Leaning around Champ’s large head, and speaking loudly, so she could hear him, he spoke thoughtfully.

I think, after all we’ve been through together tonight, we should at least introduce ourselves, don’t you? I’m Rand Cameron, and I’m sorry that I scared you so badly, Miss… ?

Ryan. Kitty Ryan. In a small voice, with just a hint of humor, she added, "Although, considering how we met, I’m not certain whether or not I should be glad to meet you."

He threw back his head and laughed, a deep chuckle rising from his depths. "I can’t say I blame you. All I can say is, it threw me; seeing you there; all alone; staring at the water, and… well, I’m just so sorry I mistook your intentions, Kitty. But look, maybe you’d better tell me where to go now."

She explained, apologetically, that she was new to the city and really had no idea. Said she’d simply depended on the buses to get her about. Surprisingly he seemed to take it in stride, and as he drove around the streets, with her searching for familiar buildings or street signs, she explained about hunting for a job and hoping to be temporary at her present address, in any case. Then she asked, and he told her, he was an attorney, working for a large firm. But, all in all, the conversation was limited and somewhat stilted, partly due to speaking around the animal, who was demanding her attention, and partly because no matter how he tried, the scene at the river wouldn’t go away. She seemed to concentrate on apologizing for the distance he had to drive, and the time it took, let alone the gas. When he glanced at the clock on the dash, and remembered the date he’d never make in time, he smothered another groan. Well, at least a large bouquet of roses should clear the air in that regard.

After a number of false impressions, Kitty, at last, spotted a distinctive building she was fairly sure she recognized from her bus route, and in almost no time they found her street, and finally her apartment building. A gentleman, he insisted on seeing her all the way to her door and waited until she had it unlocked, and open. Then he handed her the still dripping bundle that consisted of her ruined clothing. Looking somewhat sheepish, he apologized again for his mistaken assessment of the situation and stated that he would make restitution for the damages. He took note of her address and her apartment number, and had her repeat her name for accuracy.

For just a fraction of a second she was tempted to refuse compensation. After all, his intentions were good, if misguided. And he did bring her home safe and sound. But, at the same time, she had so much expense ahead of her, with no job in sight, and her best interview suit was ruined! At least temporarily. So, in the end, she simply nodded, thanked him for the ride, and closed the door. Two steps inside her small flat and she suddenly remembered. She yanked the door open again and peered down the stairwell.

Hey, she shouted, what about your clothes? She ran a hand the length of her exterior as a reminder. He simply raised an arm to wave it off, and continued taking the stairs two at a time. She watched him out of sight, shook her head, stepped inside and closed the door.

Kitty stood motionless, momentarily staring at her rumpled and still dripping suit and thought forlornly of the pennies she had pinched to buy it. It was the best she owned, and she had taken great care to save it for interviews only. Tomorrow she’d take it to the cleaners, but meanwhile, there’d be no job hunting until it was back in good repair. It was disheartening to say the least, but she had to admit it would have been more-so if he weren’t such a hunk. And so apologetic! What a way to meet a guy like that! She’d be lucky to run into another specimen of his ilk in a hundred years.

With a sigh, she unwound her bundle of dripping clothing. She washed her blouse and undies in the tiny sink, squeezed the water out, rolled them carefully in towels, to absorb the excess water, then hung them over the bed rail and the back of a chair to dry. She filled the tub with very hot water and descended gratefully into its depths. At the sudden heat, her chilled body convulsed before absorbing the welcomed warmth. She bent over to wash her hair first, then, after scrubbing her tired body, she slid deep into the water to soak the chill from her bones. Relaxing in the deep, old-fashioned, claw foot tub, she closed her eyes and let her mind run to recent events.

* * *

The Greyhound Bus had been only half full, for which she’d been thankful since she was able to find a seat all to herself where she could discreetly dab at the tears welling in her eyes after finding herself emotionally unable to take a last look at the family she adored. Her very first opportunity to travel, and how had she reacted? She had behaved like a blubbery, frightened child! Where had her blustery bravado gone? Perhaps if she’d ever been away from family and home for more than an overnight at a friends house she wouldn’t have been so emotional, although somehow she doubted it.

Her family was her life. She’d drawn strength and satisfaction from simply being a part of it; part of that noisy, happy, cramped little household. Now she was alone, and already so lonely; with her entire life about to change. Kitty viewed the prospect with mixed emotions. In her head she knew she should be thrilled and excited at the prospect of new experiences, but in her heart of hearts she hated that she had to leave her family behind in order to accomplish what she knew she couldn’t accomplish back home. No matter her own happiness, she was driven by a sense of duty to do her part to insure her brother’s dream of becoming a doctor. Little else could have prodded her to leave everyone she loved behind in hopes of finding a fatter paycheck in the big city.

Why, just the thought of New York City filled her with awe. She’d been determined to avoid all preconceived ideas of that intimidating, mixed pot of nationalities and varying fortunes, planning instead to take each day as it came. She remembered facing her mother’s warnings with a display of courage she didn’t quite feel. Warnings, frightening enough to thwart a less determined soul. But Kitty called forth all her Irish stubbornness and held fast to her decision. And now, here she was, shortly after having met with just such a terrifying experience, calmly soaking in her bath!

Her eyes flew open and she checked her surroundings. Then the face of her would-be savior popped to mind and she very nearly laughed out loud. Had he actually believed she was planning suicide? She couldn’t even imagine it! But in spite of everything, he was pretty much her Knight in shining armor. She smiled and re-closed her eyes, relishing the memory, ridiculous as that seemed under the circumstances. Somewhere she’d read that humor was chaos remembered in tranquility, well it certainly seemed true in this case.

However, she needed to concentrate on her future, which didn’t look very bright. How many blocks had she walked these past three days? Enough to have accomplished The Boston Marathon, if at a snails pace. She indulged in a sigh of exhaustion. At this moment nothing could make her happier than to be home, and in her own bedroom. So what if she had to share it with her two younger sisters. Oh, how she missed her noisy, loving family!

She’d pounded the city streets leaving her resume at each stop, so far in vain, and her feet were killing her. She’d been far more than just a little depressed before missing her bus, which she missed simply by being at the wrong place, and now this. A filthy suit, torn stockings… bruises… What lousy luck! She released another deep sigh and told herself it might have been worse. She might have been accosted by a real nut, instead of the kindly, Good Samaritan her attacker had turned out to be. She suddenly wished she could see him again, if only for a chance to show herself in a better light. Yeah, fat chance of that! Then she brightened. It could happen! If he really meant to reimburse her. Ha! She should have got his name and address, just in case.

* * *

Caitlin Mary Ryan was pushing twenty-two years of age and stood just a fraction under five feet six, a willowy redhead, with pale, almost translucent skin and laughing emerald eyes. Nick-named Kitty, and eldest of four, she was from a small neighborhood on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, where her father, Gerald, served on the police force. Her mother, Mary, did baby sitting part-time, since her own brood was all grown, giving her a small income that she tucked away with an eye to her children’s education. Sean’s in particular. Sean had only a year left of high school and a fervent desire to attend medical school. But meeting the cost wouldn’t be easy.

Kitty had grown up with a huge sense of responsibility, having had to help with the care of her younger siblings, and she’d acquired an overwhelming love of children, inherited no doubt from her mother, a still handsome woman, who had captured the heart of a young Gerald Ryan some twenty plus years earlier. Their love was the mainstay of the Ryan family. Even now, these many years since, the sparkle in Mary’s eyes took life at sight of her tall, now somewhat stocky husband. For his part, Jerry frequently swatted her rump before turning her into his arms to kiss away the blustery words that rose to her lips on such occasions. Together, Kitty, Maureen, Sharon and Sean would giggle with amused embarrassment at these amorous displays, yet all felt vastly secure in the deep love shared by their parents. If they hadn’t much in monetary means, the Ryan family was wealthy in love, the one thing that really mattered.

Kitty had only to picture her mother primping before the small mirror every evening, just moments before her father was due home for dinner, or recall the breathless smile she gave him when he stepped through the door, to know that nothing she could imagine could make her own life any happier than to find the same kind of love for herself. It was the stuff of her dreams; not fortune, nor possessions, just a true and abiding love.

Her only concern for the future was who would be the man to make those dreams come to life. Until recently she’d thought she’d found him. It had pretty much seemed that Joe Delaney was that man. A good looking auto mechanic, just a couple of years her senior, he was always a gentleman when she warded off his amorous advances, even if he did sometimes inform her she was the only holdout in town over the age of seventeen. Following such a remark, she would simply shrug her shoulders, lift her chin, and tell him if that was what mattered most to him, he’d better look elsewhere, because only one man would have his way with her and she’d be wearing his name when he did. Then, such a response would bring about a proposal, but for some reason, she’d always danced around it, and in the end, manage to change the subject. There were even times when she wondered about her reaction, trying to understand her reserve. After all, she couldn’t think of any other young man whom she admired more, or anyone who’d be a better choice, and Joe was Irish to boot! Why, then, had she kept putting him off? And when she examined her feelings concerning those times when he made untoward moves on her, it always seemed the temptation to submit had never been sufficient to outweigh her feelings of total embarrassment, let alone her sense of morality. And she well remembered the heartache caused when her friend got herself in trouble her junior year, or the devastation it caused the girls entire family. She simply couldn’t understand why anyone would take such a risk, especially since the images she conjured, concerning the act itself, were embarrassing enough to make her blush. The secret stirrings she’d encountered thus far didn’t nearly compensate for the embarrassment she was certain would follow, so she’d chosen to wait for marriage, hoping the blessings of her vows would bring much greater rewards than any feelings of passion she’d experienced thus far.

The fact that she hadn’t been totally devastated to leave Joe behind in order to hunt for a job in the city, brought its own share of doubt as to what she truly felt for him. Perhaps it wasn’t real love after all. Or at least, not the kind her folks shared. The kind she hoped to find for herself someday. Why, she’d experienced only the slightest stab of jealousy after announcing her decision to look for work in the big city, and he’d replied that he couldn’t promise to wait forever! She remembered her unemotional response.

You know I have to do this, Joe. Sean has his heart set on Medical School and Dad’s coughing gets worse every day. God forbid, but they could retire him at any moment. I’ve simply got to find a better job so I can help out.

Working as a receptionist to a local law firm where her conservative salary hardly compensated for the annoying flirting of the junior partner hadn’t seemed that important until her father’s cough threatened his job. Suddenly she was aware of a need to protect her brother’s college fund. Aside from enlisting her sister’s aid, she realized she had to find a better job herself. With this in mind, she’d packed her few belongings, hugged her family good-bye, and taken a bus