Free White Chocolate Moments by Lori Wick Page A

to watch until the beat picked up again and Arcineh made the transition so smoothly that Sam slowly shook
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    his head. Not until the fastest song ended did Arcineh seem to need a break, and that's when she spotted them.
    "Hi," she said as she came out to greet her grandfather, her face
    moist. "You're back:' she said, kissing his cheek and smiling. "And you were dancing," Sam said in quiet amazement. "Yeah:' Arcineh shrugged a little. "I was in the mood:' "Did your hip hurt?" Violet asked.
    "No:' Arcineh looked surprised. "In fact I was wondering if Geneva would let me come back:'
    "Yes:' Sam's voice was definite.
    "How do you know?"
    "She came to see me:'
    Arcineh's mouth opened a little.
    "When was this?"
    "Last year. I forgot to tell you. She wanted me to order you back but understood why I couldn't do that. She did make it very clear to me that you could come back anytime you :wanted."
    Arcineh looked as pleased as she felt and even went back to the family room to dance a little more.
    The next day was Sunday, and Geneva's studio was not open. However, the moment school ended on Monday, Sam was there. He'd left the office early to pick up Arcineh. He drove her to the studio and learned that Geneva was good on her word: The dance instructor welcomed Arcineh back with open arms.
    The first weekend in March brought a surprise visit from the Rowan family. They arrived late on Friday night, just as Sam and Arcineh were talking about going to bed.
    "Quinn has one performance after another coming up, and we thought we'd better come while we can: Tiffany explained, clearly pleased with herself. Arcineh was not thrilled. She and Quinn had
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    not enjoyed the visit at Christmas, but there was more to it than that. Arcineh waited only ten minutes before catching her grandfather's ear to remind him.
    "I have a special practice at Geneva's tomorrow:'
    "Do you have to go?" Sam made the mistake of asking. Arcineh's look was telling. "She gave me a lead part:' she said, her voice tight with irritation. "I can't miss this:'
    Sam wanted to argue but remembered that his daughter hadn't warned them they were coming and that Arcineh could hardly be blamed. However, Quinn did not take it that way. She sulked through Saturday because Arcineh was gone for hours, and wouldn't talk to her when she got home that evening or on Sunday at all. Arcineh ended up just as angry, coming from her bedroom to see them off only because her grandfather ordered her to do so. The house was very quiet after their car drove away, right up to the moment Sam tried to fix things.
    "You don't understand:' Sam began without warning. "Quinn is sensitive'
    "What has she got to be sensitive about?" Arcineh argued.
    Not expecting her angry tone with him, Sam stared at her in some surprise, but Arcineh was not done.
    "Both her parents are alive!"
    Sam's look became patient before he said, "She's just like her mother in that regard. Tiff is sensitive too:'
    "And why should she be?" Arcineh spat, feeling rage now. "Aunt Tiffany has a husband and two children and lives like a queen. You call it sensitive--I call it ungrateful!"
    Sam did not know what to say. In truth Arcineh had an excellent point, but he felt dreadfully disloyal to Quinn and Tiffany by agreeing with her. As it was, Arcineh didn't give him a chance. She turned and walked toward her room, saying she wanted to be left alone.
    Sam covered his own hurt with anger and took her at her word, not even allowing Violet to call her for supper. She would have gone
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    without if she'd not made an appearance before the meal ended. By then, both Sam and Arcineh had calmed down. They talked about various things, but the subject of the family did not come up. It wouldn't have done any good. It was not a topic they would agree upon.
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    Chapter Six
    "Hey," Landon spoke as he sat down next to Arcineh in the library. "What are you working on?"
    "Not much:' Arcineh said, not happy to see him for the first time. She didn't want