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can put her on the loveseat and I’ll take the couch if you want to use my room tonight ,” he offered.
    “I don’t want to put you out…” s he said. “I don’t mind the couch.”
    “I don’t want you to put me out either… I’d rather you invite me to share.  I slept better last night than I have in a while.  I think sleep ing with you agrees with me too,” he said with a grin.  He was right… sleeping with him did agree with her.
    “That is not going to happen again… shouldn’t have happened last night either but I think the traveling just caught up to us ,” she replied.
    “Oh it’s going to happen again.  I’ll put a twenty on it.  Only next time we’ll be worn out from other activities besides driving,” he said with a smirk.
    She was unable to keep her mind from thinking about the very thing that he mentioned and again she found herself wondering what it would be like with him. 
    His easy going ways and incredible looks tempted her to allow him what he wanted.  If not for the hesitation she felt at becoming involved with another man she might have acted on the thought.
    When Gretchen emerged from the shower, Dickie combed her hair out and then they settled in on the couch with a brownie to watch a couple of cartoons.  Soon enough Gretchen was asleep and he situated her on the loveseat and she headed for his room and prayed for a good night’s sleep. 
    By 3AM she was stir crazy from being unable to sleep and yet trapped in his bedroom, afraid to emerge and wake both Gretchen and Dickie. 
    She tried working on some of her outstanding cases, answering emails and even reading , but nothing seemed to relax her enough to allow for restful sleep.
    Becca must have eventually dozed off as she awoke once again to the phone ringing and nearly answered the one next to his bed before remembering this was not her home.  Once her head cleared a bit it dawned on her that the phone ringing was her cell phone rather than the house phone.  Scrambling around, she found the phone and answered.
    “Ms. Waters?  This is Carmen James.  I was the case worker for Melody McMurray.  I’m not sure if you remember me or not but I was wondering if you still represent Thomas McMurray?”
    “Yes, I still represent Thomas McMurray,” she replied, forcing herself to fully wake up and focus.
    “Are you in New York still?” Carmen asked.
    “No.  Actually, I’m back down here for a while…” she replied.
    “Would it be possible to meet somewhere?  I have some information regarding Casey Lawrence that involves both Melody and Gretchen McMurray ,” Carmen said.
    “Sure… umm can you give me a couple of hours?” She asked.
    “I can do that,” Carmen replied.
    After getting an address for Carmen’s office she hung up and went in search of Dickie and Gretchen.  Entering the kitchen she found Dickie sitting at the kitchen table eating a cinnamon roll and drinking coffee with Gretchen. 
    Dickie was again reading the paper while Gretchen talked non-stop about her Daddy and ‘Mama Dana’ coming home in a few hours, how weird it was not to go to school on a Monday, and having to deal with the pesky boy when she did return to school the following day.
    “Richard, can I speak to you for a minute?” she asked.
    “You can do whatever you like to me ,” he replied with a grin.
    He followed her into the living room and she turned to face him . “I received a phone call this morning and I have a meeting in two hours.  So I will need to either borrow your vehicle or get a cab,” she said.
    “I can take you to your meeting ,” he said, glancing at her mouth.
    “This is regarding one of my cases which makes it confidential so you cannot go with me,” she said, attempting to rein in her frustration and her reaction to his nearness.
    “Fine, I will drop you off and wait outside ,” he replied.
    “Richard , I appreciate your diligence in this whole matter of my safety but I have to work and I cannot very