Maddock leaped out of the car and hit the ground at a near run, stopping only to pay their admission fee before hurrying up the hill toward the main building. Mount Vernon stood atop a long, gently sloping hill. The sun gleamed on its white boards, red roof, and high cupola. Outbuildings, their walls and roofs matching in color, flanked a drive that ended in a roundabout in front of the main door. Melissa waited outside the door. She embraced him and buried her head in his shoulder. He could feel the muscles in her shoulders and upper back move as she breathed deeply. He just held on. The moment passed quickly as she pulled away and looked him in the eyes. He could stare at that delicate face and green eyes forever, and he never could resist the urge to run his fingers through her fine brown hair. Sometimes he wondered… “Did you hear what I said?” He realized Melissa had been speaking and he snapped himself back into focus.
