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Mercy frowned "It’s difficult to tell She enjoys her holadly relinquish it for the chance to be a mother While she ith her friend this afternoon, they talked quite a bit about Pam’s kids A spark shone from Leah as they discussed the children, especially her friend’s three-year-old I think she said his nahts deep and grave

"But that’s the crux of the problem, don’t you see," Mercy said, and the expression in her eyes changed, beco more intent "She doesn’t have a child so she holds fast to her disappoint her the true joy, and I doubt that anything else will"

Goodness had grown especially quiet "What if you brought a child into her life for a short tie that, couldn’t you?"

"I suppose" But Mercy didn’t sound overly enthusiastic

"If she had a taste of deep inner happiness, sheto release a portion of her pain," Goodness added "It see is that what Leah really needs isn’t an absence of sorrow, or a feeling of gladness Earthly joy wouldn’t accomplish your purpose Leah needs a connection with heaven"

"Yes," Shirley shouted with her excitement She couldn’t have said it better herself "That’s exactly what I htfully, "if Leah would be willing to take hold of ahigher level of joy, then sheto release her disappointments and frustrations"

"Exactly," Shirley said and Goodness echoed, "Exactly"

Shirley realized they made it sound simple, but she didn’t envy Mercy her task It was little wonder so many other prayer ambassadors had been defeated by Leah’s problee church organ, sending longing looks toward the antique instruestions how I’m supposed to accomplish this?"

Shirley was silent and so was Goodness

"Don’t worry, I’ll think of sohtly "I always do"

"Leton with Monica," Goodness said next, looping her legs over the ar her head back with a draainst her brow "She’s enthralled with thisthis private investigator The choir director ht as well not exist, and Michael’s perfect for her, just perfect"

"What about Chet?" Mercy asked "He ht not be as bad as you think"

"He’s not for Monica," Goodness said firument "I was able to check into his past and believe me, it isn’t a pretty picture He’s lied, he’s stolen and been in trouble with the law, although he once worked for the prospective husband for a hter"

"Oh, my," Mercy ers against the top of the railing, her thoughtsin several different directions at once

"Furtherotistical, chauvinistic, and he hasn’t darkened the door of a church in more than ten years The last time he prayed he was in his early teens"

"He doesn’t sound like the reed

Shirley hesitated, then decided she ht as well speak her mind "I don’t think we should be so hasty here Isn’t yourof others? Fro a list of rules and regulations"

"Yes, but any lessons I have to teach her don’t include Chet"

Shirley wasn’t convinced of that "Fro as black and white, with little roo to admit, "but don’t you see? The two are coet her feet wet, not throw her off the Freeest is that you be patient with Monica"

"One thing’s in ed "They aren’t likely toto worry about," Mercy said, slipping onto the bench in front of theher friend well enough to recognize thea challenge to ignore

"Don’t worry," Mercy reassured her, "I’ood"

Shirley wasn’t the least bit convinced, and she was right As she winged her way out of the church and back to her charge, a blast of organaloud, Shirley recognized the opening bars from Phantom of the Opera and knew exactly where they’d co out of the rich velvet booth in the luxurious don restaurant Glen had been a wonderful dinner coh Jody had been nervous when he’d come to pick her up at the house, he’d quickly put her at ease

"It’s still early," Glen was saying as he helped her with her full-length wool coat "I can take you back to the house, if you want, but I was hoping you’d consider taking a ferry ride with me"

It had been a year or ton State ferries After she’d received the word of Jeff’s death, she’d come down to the waterfront often She found a peace, a solace here that escaped her otherwise On more than one occasion she’d whiled away an hour orthe wind, letting it batter her She’d close her eyes and pretend Jeff ith her She’d breathe in the scent of sea and salt while the birds screeched overhead Each tio?" she asked, reluctant for reasons she didn’t care to explain The ferry ride had been her own private haven, and she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to share this

"Anywhere you like The Bainbridge run is a half hour each way We could get a caffé latte and look at the city lights The Breht," Jody surprised herself by saying It was easy to be with Glen He was friendly and unde, deciding even if there was to be a relationship Jody found the lack of pressure necessary and reassuring