Fortunately she didn’t, also proving said “business contact” was nothing of the sort.That was what working for the Bitch was like.Then one day I... developed a pain in my tummy. I thought I was developing an ulcer or maybe cancer (do not attempt self-diagnosis from medical websites, people!), and when I couldn’t bear it any longer I decided to visit a gastroenterologist. I didn’t know any gastroenterologists, and in the end I just picked one online, because there was a photo of him on his website,. The sheriff's deputy read off his bit and the auction was on!The big stuff went first. I was right--no realistic bid was refused. The bank's representative looked like he was alternately ready to faint and about to blow a blood vessel, but the deputy didn't let him interfere with the sale.I bid one hundred dollars on a ninety-two foot two-masted schooner and won it. Positively amazing. Finally they got around to the 'smaller' vessels--under 70 feet long. I'd spotted three steel-hulled ships. She’d blossomed even more than he’d ever imagined was possible. Somehow the confrontation had made her more poised, mature and distant. And as a further turn of the knife, Lula now regarded Daniel’s presence with marked disinterest. For two straight days after their last confrontation, Lula had straightened up her act and taken on the responsibility of assisting the elder matriarchs of the Carven household. She’d gladly taken the responsibility of doing all of the ‘heavy lifting’— cleaning,. ‘I suppose it is a bit regal,’ Elaine thought back, ‘but you wanted to know…’‘She can read my mind!’ the blonde thought, getting excited. ‘She’s like Béla!’Delighted at hearing a familiar name, Elaine grinned and nodded at the blonde girl. ‘Yes! My sister! She’s the one who brought me here! This is part of her dream, you see. We were mind-linked. Only she went looking for someone.’ ‘You mean Béla was here? Then she shouldn’t be far away, asleep or not. These dream images kind of stick together.