CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY – ANOTHER PARTY TO BOOT

"Richard?" she prompted softly when she'd recovered her voice. "What do you think?" He shook his head, a wondering smile playing about his lips. "I think... I think you're the most remarkable woman I've ever met, Charlotte Emerson." A blush crept up her neck at the rawness of his declaration. Part of her—the cynical, battle-scarred part—wanted to deflect, to make a self-deprecating joke. But a larger part, the part that had begun to heal in the warmth of this makeshift family, simply allowed the compliment to wash over her. "Thank you," she whispered. Then, clearing her throat, "But that's not actually a plan, you know." Richard chuckled. "Fair enough. In that case, I think I might have an idea or two of my own to contribute. If you're amenable, of course." "Always," Charlotte replied without hesitation. And she meant it. Whatever lay ahead—whatever hurdles still loomed on her horizon—she knew now that she wouldn't be facing them alone. As the first pale streaks of dawn began to