Brandon saw that something was wrong with her and supported her, adding a hint of tension in his voice that he hadn't noticed.

"Are you all right?

"My... My stomach hurts..." Ann bit her lip in a more reserved way. She didn't want to talk about her menstrual cramps in front of men.

Brandon looked at her for two seconds, then suddenly bent over her, scooped her up, and strode forward.

"I'll take you to the doctor's office."

Ann looked up and saw the sharp profile of his face. She pressed her cheek against his chest, breathing the faint smell of tobacco from him. For a moment his heart beat...