"I've told you that over and over.
I never ceased to care for you really.

You know I didn't." "Yes, I know," she replied, even as he gathered her close in his arms.
"I know how you care." But that did not prevent her from responding to him warmly, for back of all her fuming protest was heartache, the wish to have his love intact, to restore that pristine affection which she had once assumed would endure forever..