Mark Carlson – tall, reserved, easy to look at, somewhat introverted, settled in his ways, who likes order and tranquility - in his middle thirties, a well-to-do Rep at a government patent office. After the death of his parents, the shelter and conformity of his colonial mansion is indispensable to him. When his best friend, Jacques, is killed in a house fire, Mark can do no less than to keep his promise and honor his friend's final request that he take on the responsibility of the orphaned daughter, Cybelle. Nine years later, a grown-up Cybelle, a feisty, petite, (sort of a combination Sandra Bullock/Molly Ringwald) popcorn character, declares her love. Mark is already aware of the attraction, and though he dares not admit it, even to himself, it is mutual, for Cybelle is everything buoyant Mark isn't and very dear to his heart. His character, one to be admired, is shown in his silent comments to his deceased friend. "Don't worry, Jacques, I won't take advantage of her vulnerability. She needs to be loved, and I'm the only one she can turn to thus far. But one day some other man, one younger and more eligible will recognize her worth and capture her heart. Then he'll be there for her. Until then, I'll guard her from herself – and from me." ....

This story appeared in my novel Roses in the Dark (ISBN1-933548-16-9) that comprised four interwoven love stories, written by the same author, Paula Freda.