"Martha gaped for another moment, then she looked at me and said steadfastly, "We are *not* going to sing happy birthday!"I began, "Happy birthday to ...you, Happy birth--" No!" Martha said. "I hate that. It's so --" She smiled, and her eyes got red. She pleaded sweetly, "Steven, don't do it. Please. I get so embarrassed." She shot a glance at Ronnie. "So you were in on this all along. Serves you right."Ronnie touched Martha's shoulder. She said, "Martha, happy birthday." She kissed Martha on the. S.O.Story I) This tale follows the earliest adventure of Aaron Clarke. It begins withan escapade with an old friend that drastically changes his life. Aaron hadbeen in a failing marriage and stuck in a dead-end job with his overbearingfather-in-law. A chance meeting with a friend from his military days, SteveAustin, brought Aaron an offer he couldn't refuse. Steve needed help on a rushrevenge contract where a rich Philippine client wanted a nosy and libelousnewspaper reporter captured,. I don't want to hurt you or Da..." She stopped, bit her lip as she remembered that she could never again hurt her father."You are a very dear and thoughtful girl, Sally, but you won't hurt either of us. Of course you must give it to him. He will be so hurt if he thinks you haven't remembered."Sally feared that the stress and heartbreak of her father's illness had finally broken her mother's mind. Again she felt the flare of anger. Why wouldn't her mother accept that her father would never know. She let her eyes trail down Jack’s body, enjoying where the shoulder belt of her weapon harness pulled her shirt tight and emphasized the shape of her breasts. Bella’s eyes travel the curve of Jack’s body where she leaned against the wooden wall, her weight on one foot, throwing her hip into a pronounced curve.Jack caught Bella staring and raised an eyebrow. “Yes?” she asked.“Nothing,” Bella smiled. “Just getting ready.”Jack gave her a knowing look and walked away abruptly. Bella watched her.