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"Let’s not be hasty," Glen said, sounding very much like the attorney he was "We can reason this out There isn’t anything that says we can’t have a long engageht, I am fond of Timmy, but don’t discount what I feel toward you"

"There is a very good reason you shouldn’t marry me," Jody whispered "I’m deeply in love with another man"

"Jody, please, we’ve talked about this before You don’t need to worry about that I’ll never try to take Jeff’s place in your life"

"And you," she continued undaunted, "are deeply in love with another woman" It wasn’t until she said the words that she realized the depth of truth in therateful "I’d never be unfaithful to you," he assured her

"But you’re willing to do so with yourself"

Glen hesitated "It’s over, Jody, and has been forthe relationship It’s dead"

Jody s on the desktop as she stood "It may not be as dead as you think I want you to wait here"

"Where are you going?"

"To find so"

Jody left him and hurried out the door She wasn’t entirely sure for which firm Maryann worked, but a quick inspection of the names on the outside of the doors on the floor helped The receptionist directed her to Maryann’s office

"Hello," Jody said, letting herself inside "I’nized the na in the ladies’ roonized Jody’s name "I had no idea you were therewe’d never met and"

"Don’t worry, I believe you I’m here because I have an important question to ask you Are you in love with Glen Richardson?"

The other woman folded her arms and looked out the"I don’t mean to be rude, but this isn’t any of your business I understand you and Glen are engaged and--"

"It is my business now, don’t you think?" Jody interrupted

"I can i for you to overhear my conversation with Shelly It’s just thatactually, I think it’s best if I didn’t say anything raciously, "I want you to know that I wish you and Glen every happiness"

"Glen is a wonderful man"

"Yes, I know," Maryann whispered

"It co how deeply he loves you," Jody said

Maryann’s head snapped up, her eyes ith surprise "I’s that happened between us I was such a fool There’s no hope, not anymore"

"Don’t be so sure of that," Jody told her "Glen’s free"

"Free?"

"We’re no longer engaged He’s waiting for you in my office now"

Jody had worked with attorneys for a number of years, but she rarely saw one speechless

"Whywhy are you doing this?"

Jody didn’t feel particularly noble "I’ve experienced that kind of loveto take second best Go to him, Maryann, and settle whatever it was that drove you two apart But most of all, love hiht in the attorney’s eyes "Thank you," she whispered

"Sure," Jody said, shrugging "Anytime" She turned and walked out then, past the sounds of the Christht the sa since Jeff’s death

Alone

Michelle Madison was alone and frightened, and desperately trying to disguise her fear Leah had spent a good deal of the afternoon with her and the young woer?" Michelle asked, following an intense contraction Her hands rested against her protruding sto breath

"It shouldn’t be h she ell aware it could be hours yet She didn’t want to discourage the young es of labor, before Leah had arrived for work Because there was no one Michelle wanted to contact, she was alone By the time Leah arrived for her shift, the labor had intensified and, frightened, Michelle had clung to Leah’s hand, begging her to stay

Since there weren’t any other patients on the floor, Leah was able to linger at the young woes of labor and birth

"I’ my baby with you," Michelle offered just before the next pain overtook her She closed her eyes and drew in deep, even breaths while Leah softly encouraged her to relax and accept the pain

"I was in the birthing class that visited the labor roo wouely familiar, but wasn’t sure where she’d seen her