Thanks for reading and reviewing His Cimmerian View.  Don’t forget to go read the BPOV chapter posted under the title Enduring His Cimmerian View.  A lot of things have taken place over the past few chapters, and there is much more drama to come.  I know some of you are mad that we let Paul get away with her, but we were sure to not let him get too far.  And as for Sue, she sure is one sneaky problem, isn’t she?  Well we haven’t seen the end of her yet, and wait until the next chapter... insert evil laugh.  I will tell you this much there is lots of involvement from the fire department in the next chapter.  A lot of you want the kids names changed, it is like you can partially read our minds, you will be seeing a conversation about that in the next chapter.  Some are speculating about the Jess2002 induced surprise that is coming, but we have not hinted on it at all in either teaser, it will have to be a surprise.  Speaking of teasers, after Monday when Fictionators posts their teaser, I am guessing that the Facebook group will be on a posting frenzy, because well damn that Sue is making yet another appearance in that teaser, be sure to check it out.  There is so much going on in the story that even I am on the edge of my seat.  I loved reading the ideas people have posted for torturing Sue.  She is a piece of work, but writing her kind of crazy is seriously fun.  I want to say a special thanks to all of those posts we have been getting about hot and juicy the lemons are.  Nikky whole heartedly passes off the lemon writing to me... and I love writing them.   There will be a couple really great lemony scenes coming up yet in the book, I am currently writing a really great one for chapter 31.  Well not many questions for you all, so we will wrap this up.  See ya next week, Kasi (&Nikky)

Chapter 29 Teaser, subject to changes in full beta process...

Seth and Leah have just gone to sleep for the night.  I’m cleaning up the kitchen when Bella walks in.  “Hey, baby. I’m almost done.”

She gives me a little smile, but it’s strained. “I’m worried about Seth and Leah. They seemed quieter tonight than usual.”

I put down the dish towel and wrap my arms around her.  “We’ll be fine, baby. They’ll be fine.”  I hold her face and make her look me right in the eye.  “I will NEVER let her hurt any of you.  The three of you are my life now, and I love you all so much.” Bella nods her head and steps back, taking my hand in hers.  Her eyes travel down to my watch, and she trails her fingers across the band. 

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

She looks up at me and frowns.  “I was just thinking about my past.  There was this one time that I saw one of mo... her friends when I was at the park.”  Bella stops, and I know what’s coming, but I wait for her to say it.  “I had fallen down when a boy on his bike knocked into me.  Her friend... he gave me a muffin.”  Bella’s eyes meet mine, and I know what she’s trying to say, yet I give her the time I know she needs to gather her thoughts.  “I think that friend was you. I mean... was it you?” 

My hand moves to her face, and I caress her cheek as I nod my head.  “Yes, baby, it was me.  I am so sorry. I should’ve saved you that day.”

Bella shakes her head at me.  “I wanted you to save me. Even though I didn’t know you, I wanted to go home with you.  I wanted you to come back and take me with you.  At night, I used to dream about you, but I could never see your face – just the watch.  If you had saved me then though, Seth and Leah wouldn’t be here.  They are worth everything I went through and so much more.”

I pull her toward me, hugging her tightly.  “I still wish that I had saved you from her... from all of them.  I will not fail you or my children again.”