Mary was almost bouncing in her seat as the car made a sharp turn off the highway. It's beautiful!, Isn't it?

　　James laughed. `All this excitement over a house?' He teased. His voice was indulgent and he didn't take his eyes off the road.

　　Safe Haven is not just any house, James. But Mary was too excited to be irritated at him. She leaned forward, propping her elbows on the instrumental panel of his car, to get a better view of the slate roof of Safe Haven. It was all she could see from this angle of the tall old house on the hilltop and it wasn't enough to satisfy her hunger for home. 'Please hurry!, James'

　　'If we get catch for speeding, you will explain to the officer.'

　　I haven't been home in six months. I'm looking forward to a whole summer at Safe Haven.

　　'A whole summer?` James looked at her quizzically. 'You haven't change your mind about the wedding, have you?`

　　The house disappeared, behind a block of tall buildings and Mary leaned back in her seat and turned to look at him. 'Of course not, but there's no need in renting an apartment for a few weeks when we'll be going back to school in the fall. I'm sure Mark will want us to stay here in Safe Haven after the wedding.'

　　James grunted. 'Well you may be certain, but I'm not. I can't see a guardian of yours being agreeable about anything, much less getting married right now. Besides I'm not the best catch in town.'

　　Mary laughed gaily. 'James, when it comes down to it, it's really not none of Mark's business. After all, I'm not a kid anymore.'

　　'But you are only twenty one.'

　　'For my next birthday in September, I will be officially responsible for myself,' Mary pointed out. He won't say no to me now. And if you want to talk about being a good catch-'

　　'I'm not looking forward to discussing it with Mark Williams, no. Attorenys scare me stiff.'

　　'Well, lots of people start off on the wrong side of the tracks. It dosen't mean they have to stay there.'

　　I don't think you will get him to agree to that, Mary.

　　She pulled one foot up under her on the upholstered seat. 'Oh, for God's sake, there is no caste system in William's Point.'

　　Just try telling that to Mark Williams. He thinks he still owns this town because his great grandparents build it.

　　'As long as you're speaking of the wrong side of the tracks, that man was the black sheep of the two families back East before he came to Lowa with the wagon trains.' Mary bit her lips and pleaded , 'Look James, Mark has been like an uncle to me since I was six. Please don't say such awful things about him.'

　　Mary, your so-called Uncle Mark is a cold hearted, supercilious, arrogrant snob.

　　'He's not! You don't even know him and of course you're scared to meet him. But you shouldn't feel inferior. You'll like him, very much.'

　　James didn't sound convinced. 'Tell me once more how you got mixed up with the Willams.'

　　`My father and Jack Williams

Mark's father

were childhood friends,' So my dad named Jack as my gurdian and when he died a few years later, Mark inherited me right along with Safe Haven and Jack's law Firm'. Mary forget about the entire subject as the car chugged noisily up the hill and she got her first look at Safe Haven.

　　The iron gate in the high brick wall stood open in welcome and the house seemed to smile at her from the hilltop where it reigned over the little city of William's Point, nestled into a river valley Mary took a deep breath of sheer happiness. The house was so big, warm and incredibly solid, a two storey mass of bricks, stones and timber that seemed to reach out giving her welcoming hugs.

　　She always felt safe about this house, since the day when her father had brought her here to visit the Williams sixteen years ago. Mary thought as long as she stayed at Safe Haven, nothing could ever hurt her.

　　The car was stopped beside the back door. Mary jumped out and stood on tiptoe to peek into the garage, but the spot was empty where Mark left his Mercedes. Mark would be home soon and there was plenty of time to talk about James and the wonderful love they had found the past few months. After all, Mark's Law Firm was the best and busiest in town and she could scarcely expect him to wait for her.

　　The housekeeper was at the door, Mary swept her into a warm bear hug. 'I'm home!' she carolled.

　　'I can see, ' the woman agreed but there was a gleam of joy in her eyes. And who is this?

　　'This is my friend, James Brown. James. this is Mrs Wang. She's the major- general who keeps us all in line around here.'

　　You're one of the Brown's kids from down the street, aren't you? Mrs Wang asked, 'That's right, ' James said. His jaw tightened at the tone of Mrs Wang's voice.

　　James is studying at the University, Mrs Wang, Mary added quickly. Since we were both coming back home, he offered me a ride.'

　　Well, bring in your luggages, Mary. I made your favourite sweet rolls, if you would like to ask your friend to stay.

　　I feel like five years old, James muttered as he tugged one of Mary's leather bags from the car.

　　Don't mind Mrs Wang, she thinks I'm still a baby. Since when am I only your friend, Mary? James grunted. Was I dreaming last week when you said you'd marry me?

　　Mary gave him a brillant smile. 'Oh sweetheart, I just thought it was only polite to tell Mark first.`

　　'Why don't you stop worrying about him and come in for one of Mrs Wang sweet rolls, They are absolutely tasty drip butter and nuts and cinnamon.' No, thanks Mary. I'll go back to the other side of the tracks where I belong. His voice held a tinge of bitterness.

　　James, really? Mary was exasperated. At least come for dinner tonight.

　　'Must I?

　　'You're going have to meet Mark sometime, it might as well be tonight.'

　　All right. You win.' Seven o' clock and wear a suit.

　　'James leaned over to kiss her but Mary dodged and said, not here. Too many people can see....'

　　Are you going to turn into a snob on me, Mary?' The question was sharp. 'Now that you're back home.'

　　No! But let's wait till we've told Mark, her voice trailed off unhappy.

　　'All right,' James said gloomily. See you at seven.

　　He drove off without looking back, and Mary stood on the step for several minutes, lost in thoughts.

　　It was only good manners to let Mark announce her engagement, and it would be good politics. Mark wouldn't like the idea of the neighbours knowing about Mary's boyfriend before he did and if anything would set his opposition into cement, it would be that.

　　Mark was a sweetheart but he was fiercely proud of the Williams heritage and for his ward to marry one of the Browns kids.

　　There has never been anything I couldn't talk Mark into if I tried hard enough. And I never wanted anything so badly as I want James. When Mark sees how much love I have for James, he can't say no.

　　And even if he gets stubborn and refuses his permission, she concluded.