“I don’t know anybody that rich,” I told her.

The smile moved again, off her lips, into her face. “It’s nothing special, Bobo. It’s just money.”

I did not speak and she again nuzzled her face against my chest. “He wouldn’t do this,” she said softly.

“Do what?”

“Hold me to keep me warm. He’d want to go to the car and turn on the heater. He’s not a warm person.”

“He’d miss a great view,” I mumbled.

I felt her mouth touch my shirt. “Of what?” she asked lightly.

“Well, a lot of things,” I replied. “The mountains.”

She raised her face and her hand moved from my waist to my neck and she pulled me gently to her and kissed me. I could feel the heat of her tongue tipping my lips and I turned my face away.

“Carter said I would have to kiss you first,” she whispered. “He said you would be afraid. Are you? Are you afraid, Bobo? Did I scare you?”

I shook my head.

“Maybe you’re not,” she said, “but I think I am. I think I scared me.”

“Don’t be,” I begged. “Please—”

She kissed me again, her tongue finding my mouth. Her body trembled. She pulled back and burrowed her face against me. I could feel her heart racing.

“Do you want to date me, Bobo?”

I nodded.

“It won’t be easy,” she said.

“I know,” I replied.

“There’ll be so many things against us.”

“What things?”

She did not answer. She stood close, holding me. Then she said, “I have something for you.”

“What?”

“It’s in the car, in my purse.”

“Your picture?”

She nodded. “I hope you like it.”

“Can I keep it?” I asked.

Her head moved against my shoulder.

“I mean, after you leave?”

Her head moved again.

Joel and Evelyn Lourie were sitting on the front porch of the Inn with Nora Dowling when we returned. I walked with Amy across the lawn to them.

“Well, here they are now,” Nora said in a relieved voice. “We were beginning to worry.”

“We got a Coke in Margaretville and then Carter had to drive a couple of the other kids to the Greenleaf,” Amy lied cheerfully.

“Did you have a good time?” her father asked.

“It was great,” Amy said. She turned to me. “Thanks for letting me tag along, Bobo.”

I was nervous and I knew it was obvious. I said, “Sure. Anytime.”

Joel Lourie reached for his wallet. “Well, let me pay for the tickets,” he said in a kind voice.

“No, sir,” I replied too quickly. “I couldn’t do that.”

“But I should,” he said.

“No, sir, I really couldn’t accept that.” I glanced at Amy. She was biting a giggle.