Page 33 (1/2)

Author: Robyn Carr

"I ht join you sometime But I have a confession to make I spend some time in front of Spencer’s TV becausewell, I have a boyfriend"

And Rawley showed her a wide expanse of dentures "Like no one knows? Chickadee, we all know you have a boyfriend He nice to you?"

"He’s wonderful to ht now"

She felt that Spencer was reediness, because it would feel so good to be able to go places with him other than just Thunder Point, but that was iation of Jacob’s Fellowship And to her embarrassment, she secretly wished they could become more official, like maybe a couple with soed that was probably not the best idea in the world They’d both just come out of difficult situations Patience was definitely required

But in addition to her sweet neighbor Mrs Bledsoe, her good friend Rawley, her wondrous lover, Spencer, Devon now had girlfriends She often went to the diner for an afternoon break because she would sometimes see Sarah and Gina, soether, shared secrets, told each other things they swore secrecy on and, her favorite, exchanged town gossip

Nohen people caoing?" When she went to the football games, as she made her way down the front of the bleachers to her spot with the McCains and the Coopers, people waved and sometimes yelled, "Hi, Devon, hi, Mercy!" If she crossed the street to the diner, it wasn’t unusual for a passing ive a smile and wave And when she ran down her street, down the hill to the marina and across the beach, almost everyone she passed raised a hand in hello And once she heard soirl"

She couldn’t re this happy, ever She had friends, family, love, work

And then she screwed it up

She was at Spencer’s--a pretty typical Saturday night They played Candy Land with the kids followed by a bowl of ice cream Then Mercy was tucked into Spencer’s bed while Austin headed for his room to watch a movie Spencer put on a movie for them Devon reclined on the couch and Spencer reclined on Devon They cuddled up for the movie After about an hour, Devon asked, "Spencer, do you think we’ll last?"

"I hope so," he said "Since I can’t even think about giving you up"

"Really?"

"Really," he said, kissing her neck and pulling her closer "I think we give it a little more time then maybe talk about the future? Hmm? If you feel the same way?"

"That would be like a drea else If you answer no, that’s completely acceptable"

"Shoot," he said

"Well, I have al I’ve ever wanted When The Fellowship is finally shut down and there’s no more possible problems from Jacob, it will be like I’ve been co happier and a lot of that is because of you I love you so much"

"Was there a question in there?" he asked

"Yes, there is If we’re still together and so should happen to me, will you take Mercy?"

"What could happen to you?" he asked

"Nothing will happen to h "But there’s no one Well, there’s Rawley, who I’m sure wouldn’t hesitate and Mercy loves him I love him But he’s a sixty-three-year-oldon a child full-tie And I don’t think that would be the best situation for Mercy, no matter how much we love him But you’re a wonderful parent"

He was silent and she waited The ar time before she said, "Uh-oh I crossed the line, didn’t I? I asked too ain "Of course not Of course I would do that"

"Listen, if you want me to back off this question untilwell, you know, until later When we’re more sure of each other"

"No," he said "I’m sure"