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The woman rushed closer, and Denise recognized her face. |
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Lynn went to her husband and daughter. She wrapped her arms around both of them. |
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Tom put a hand on Denise's back. She leaned against him and sighed. |
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Then another woman came striding through the sprinklers. She wore a skirt and a dark blazer. The blazer was buttoned at her waist. She didn't seem to be wearing a thing underneath it. She suddenly smiled. 'Maureen? Is that you?' |
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Maureen trotted down the stairs. Moments later, those two were embracing. |
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'I guess they know each other,' Tom said. |
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'Everybody's hugging but us.' |
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'Looks that way.' Denise dropped her spear. She turned to Tom, slipped her arms around him, and squeezed him hard. |
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In spite of the sun's warmth, Maureen felt a chill spread over her skin when she saw a splintery gap in the front door of her house. |
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'I'll go in first,' said the CHP officer. One of a |
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