"Thanks hon. G'night. Er, morning." Zee watched her strange houseguest vanish, then finished her cocoa, put the cups and the scrapbook away, and returned to her bedroom.

Crawling into bed, she was promptly engulfed in a warm, sleepy embrace. "Told you you'd like 'im," John murmured, yawning as he settled her snug against him.

"Mm-hmm. He's a doll," she said, smiling a little sadly to herself. This would be all too easy to get used to. And totally out of the question, long-term. Just as well the boys would be heading home, soon.

But she could enjoy it while it lasted, and breathe a little easier now that she no longer carried her secret alone.