The two of them started up the stairs. Halfway

up, the younger man glanced down at her and smiled. "You're not coming?"

Jenny shook her head and stayed by the front door.

"Oh, right, youVe expecting company." He smiled again, as if he were on to her lie, and followed his father up the stairs.

Jenny waited, wishing somebody vxmld come. A friendly face would be very welcome right about now.

The McPhersons were back in a couple of minutes. The elder gave her the price and Jenny nodded. *That sounds fine," she said, even though it seemed outrageously high. "I'll tell my parents and let you know tomorrow."

"Don't wait too long," the younger man told her, letting his eyes drift over her bathrobe again. *We can slot you in in ten days, but after that, who knows?"

"Ill just have to take my chances," Jenny said. She pulled the door open wide and stepped back to let them through. "Thanks for coming."

"Oh, it was our pleasure," he said.

Jenny shut the door behind them and leaned j^ainst it for a second. Then she raced upstairs and into the shower. It felt so good to finally be taking one that she didn't even think about the snake until she was blowing her hair dry. She shuddered, but her stomach stayed steady.

Back downstairs and dressed at last, Jenny took Peaches outside, then brought her in and gave her

some unbuttered popcorn as a peace offering for yelling at her. She deserved it. After all, she'd heard something and kept watch almost the entire night.

*Wait till Dad hears about it, Peach," Jenny said, patting her as she wolfed down the popcorn. "He won't be making any more cracks about what a fat, lazy good-for-nothing you are. And if he does, we'll just remind him of The Night You Smelled the Snake."

Jenny's stomach churned again, but not from the memory of her surprise package. While she filled the dog dish with kibble, she thought about what she'd eaten in the last sixteen hours: no dinner to speak of and no breakfast at all. It was past noon now, so no wonder her stomach was acting up. She was famished.

Well, there was plenty of soup and canned vegetables, she thought wryly. Also a couple of frozen pizzas, guaranteed to taste like oregano-sprinkled cardboard. And there was peanut butter. She didn't want any of it, so she decided to go into town and buy something she did want.

It felt good to be out of the house and driving. She turned up the radio and cranked down the window, enjoying the feel of the wind in her hair. There was never any traf&c on this road, and her mind drifted. She refused to think about the snake, or Brad, or anything unpleasant. Instead, she thought about what kind of food she'd buy and whether she should get her hair cut chin-length. And she thought about her secret admirer. She was halfway into