No Strings Attached

Marian's laughter filled the room, the corners of her mouth reaching her ears. "Ah, you remembered how much I love a good drink. What a sweet girl. Pour one out for me, please."

Clara poured a generous glass for Marian and then proceeded to serve everyone at the table. When she got to lan, her mouth watered with envy. In a hushed tone, she asked, "Um, lan, can I have just a tiny sip?" Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Without missing a beat, lan firmly declined, "Sweetheart, pregnant ladies shouldn't be drinking. Have you forgotten? Do you want our baby to come out asking for a bottle of beer instead of milk?"

"But just a teeny taste won't hurt! Or I could just lick it. Bueberry wine isn't going to knock me out." As she spoke, Clara ran her tongue over her lips, clearly yearning for a taste.

lan chuckled and playfully pinched her nose. He brought the glass to her lips, teasing, "Just a lick. Any more, and you're getting a spank."

finding the aroma strangely familiar as if she'd had it before. Following her instincts, she let her tongue

slid down her throat, leaving a lingering, mellow aftertaste. It was the flavor she had cherished for years, the

with uncontainable excitement. "Dad,

his eyes widening in disbelief. "It's got the same taste, Clara. Could Brodie really be little Nine?" Putting together all the ways Brodie had looked after Clara,

tears. "Dad, I knew he and his mom weren't gone. They were too good... How

the recognition of Brodie as her childhood friend, and he felt a chill

her, "Granny's been slaving away in the kitchen to make this meal for you. She'd be heartbroken if you didn't eat. We can deal with everything else after dinner, okay?" Clara really wanted the truth, but one look

was distracted throughout. She couldn't stop thinking about how Brodie and his mother had survived all these years and why

in thought, lan's deep, husky voice brought her back to reality. "Clara, had enough to eat? If you're

nodded impatiently. "Yes, let's go