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Over the next few weeks, Elinor put most of her things in storage, and since Jake didn't seem to mind -- as if he had a say -- put the house up for rent. The clothes she needed now were packed and ready to ship, the ones she didn't were in storage. She had handed over the keys of the shop and left numbers to be reached at any time of day or night. Gloria Anderson would run the shop from this end until she made a final decision about it.

For all intents and purposes, she had tied up her loose ends and was free to go. The final hearing wouldn't be for a few more months, and nothing concerning the divorce was in dispute. She was free to go. Free.

The "Fasten Seatbelts" sign went on and the voice of the pilot announced that they would soon be landing. Home, Elinor thought to herself. I'm going home.

Elinor waited until most of the passengers had left the plane before she stood, not wanting to get caught in the crush despite her eagerness to see her brother. James had held to his word and not asked what was going on. Frankly, she wasn't sure she was quite ready to rehash the whole ugly business just yet and was grateful he wasn't one to press. There would be time enough to talk about everything once she was settled in.

Her face lit up when she saw him. James had lost some weight and there was a sadness in his eyes that seemed to fade when he grinned back and returned her wave. Screw propriety, Elinor thought as she ran the last few yards and fell into his arms. She hugged him tight -- the way Gram used to do -- and he complained the way they all did when she squeezed their stuffing out.

"Let a guy catch his breath, Rig" he gasped.

"Get over it, James. And get used to it. Now let's get my luggage and go home."

"Always the bossy one" he mumbled, but the crooked smile on his face told her that he didn't mind at all.