TWENTY EIGHT

A small hum that sounded faintly among the gurgling sound of water distracted Lean from seeing the ins and outs of Avery's beach house. Behind the door that Lean thought was Avery's room came Avery's cheerful voice singing several verses of a romantic song she had memorized. Perhaps it was the silence in this house that made whatever sound Avery made louder. But Lean was happy when Avery was happy. He thinks the woman is happy with his invitation to go on a trip to Old Panama.

Lean's hand reached out to touch the closed knob in front of him. Seeing the knob he wondered whether Avery had locked it or not. Obviously it would have been reckless if Avery hadn't locked it because the woman was alone in her lovely beach house with him.