Daniel Atkinson looked at her, then at Gem Atkinson cradled in her arms, and asked, "Are you willing to marry me?"
Even though she clearly detected the mockery in his tone, and knew that if he married her it was only to legitimize Gem, a flicker of hope still passed through her heart as she said, "I am willing."
"You won't regret it?"
"I won't."
"If my woman isn't Jacqueline, then it could be anyone, any woman can be my woman. Even so, you won't regret it?"
"I won't, never!"
A harsh screech of brakes and the sound of drifting woke Eleanor Spencer Atkinson from her reverie. From the rearview mirror, she saw a sports car drive past and then stop behind her. The owner of the car got out and wildly gestured at her, but she did not intend to stop, so she ignored him.
The owner of the sports car cursed at her...
Eleanor Spencer Atkinson continued to ignore him, reclaiming her bewildered gaze only to focus on the rugged mountain road ahead, accelerating and driving onward.
Regret?
