Lost & found by Jayne Ann Krentz Page A

frustrated sexual desire and clinical depression to a nineteen-year-old. He wasn't sure he understood the technical nuances involved himself.
    "I'm not depressed."
    "Are you sure?"
    "Positive."
    "Maybe you should talk to Dr. Jenny, Dad."
    The thought of talking to the grandmotherly therapist who had helped guide Gabriella and himself through the grieving process after Rachel's death and later gave him advice on parenting a sensitive teen was daunting. He could just picture himself trying to explain the differences between sexual frustration and clinical depression to the good doctor.
    "I'm fine, Gabriella." It was past time to change the subject. "The good news is that Dewey and Notch are in clover, thanks to Vandyke."
    That comment successfully sidetracked her. She brightened. "Did he give them a ton of money for that old helmet?"
    "He did, indeed. Vandyke is very casual about money. I think he's more interested in surfing ABC Amber Text Converter Trial vers ion, http://www.processtext.com/abctxt.html
    and collecting old armor than he is in good bargains. With what he gave them, Dewey and Notch can pay off the loan on their business and expand their exhibits. They're happy as clams."
    Gabriella smiled. "Hey, that's great. Bet Granddad was pleased when you told him that you had been able to help."
    "I gave him a call last night. He was glad to know that Notch and Dewey are now set, financially speaking." He moved on to the next exhibit, mentally bracing himself. "Since we're on the subject of finances, there's something I want to talk to you about."
    "Don't tell me you've changed your mind about getting me a car this year? I don't have to wait until I'm a sophomore?"
    "No, I haven't changed my mind about a car, honey. I'm going to sell the house."
    That stopped her cold, just as he had feared it would. She whirled away from the tapestry to gaze at him with a shocked expression.
    "Are you serious?" she demanded.
    "I'm still in the planning stages," he said gently, haven't listed it yet. But, yes, I'm serious."
    "Dad, you can't mean it." Her voice rose "You can't do it."
    "Gabriella, it's too big for me now that I'm mostly there on my own. I don't have time for such a large garden. You know that I'm doing more traveling these days. It would be convenient to live closer to a major airport. It's a long drive in to San Francisco from Sebastopol."
    "But what about when I come home at breaks and during summer vacation?"
    He smiled slightly. "Don't worry; I'll make sure the new place has a second bedroom."
    "That's not the point." Gabriella moved her hand in a troubled gesture. "You've got Mrs.
    Thompson coming in once a week to clean the house. If you need a gardener, you can hire one. I realize that it's a long trip to the San Francisco airport, but you can take a shuttle if you don't feel like driving, can't you?"
    He had known this would be difficult. "Honey, I realize that this is coming as a shock to you."
    "It's our house. We've always lived there."
    "You're an adult now. We both know that you won't ever be coming back there to live permanently."
    "Don't count on it." She made a face. "I hear that it's real common for unemployed offspring to return to the nest to take advantage of free room and board until they find a job."
    "No sweat. If you need to freeload for a while after college, we'll work something out. I'll have my lawyer draw up a contract for indentured servitude for you to sign. Nothing fancy.
    Shouldn't be any problem."
    Her mouth tightened. "This isn't a joke. I can't believe you'd actually sell our house."
    "Like I said, I haven't listed it yet."
    "But you're going to list it, aren't you?"
    He hesitated. "Yes."
    Her hand tightened around the strap of her purse. "This has something to do with what went wrong on the job you did for Dewey and Notch, doesn't it?"
    It was his turn to be stunned. "No, nothing at all. I've been thinking about this for some time now."
    "I don't believe it." She searched his face. "Dad,