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"Morethe issue until they learned Gloria’s intentions

Roy seehtly amused by Mack’s reaction "Don’t you think you should talk this over with Mary Jo first before you ree with me"

"It’s ato do Once she’s ain"

Both men nodded

"For now, all I ask," Chad said, "is for one of you or even Corrie to see that Gloria gets these books"

"Who should I say gave theed "Let her assume they came from you"

"You’re sure about this?" Mack asked

"Very sure I want--no, I need--Gloria to come to me She’s the one alked away Maybe it’s just , I don’t know, but I’d be more comfortable if shein the air for a er if that’s what you want However, for the sake of ood idea if I confessed sooner rather than later"

Chad understood "Okay Go ahead and tell Gloria" He didn’t like it but Roy had done him one favor already

"I’ll take the books to her," Mack volunteered "We’ve had a couple of good talks recently"

"Oh?" Roy raised his brows in question

Chad was curious, too, although it wasn’t his place to ask

"Gloria had to tell Sheriff Davis she’s pregnant, and as of next week she’s going on desk duty" Chad was relieved to hear it However, Mack looked away as he spoke, which led Chad to believe there was

"Any particular reason?"

"Well, it’s standard protocol for pregnant officers" Mack shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable with this turn in the conversation "But, okay, the fact is that Gloria’s in herextra cautious"

"Has she told her hed, and Chad guessed that Corrie hadn’t said anything to Roy because she was still upset with him

"The doctor’s scheduled an ultrasound"

"For when?" Chad did his best to hide his own anxiety He’d dealt with a lot of pregnancies and a lot of babies during his medical career--but none of those babies had been his And although he ell aware thatabout Gloria

"I can’t tell you that"

"Can’t because you don’t know? Or because she’d disapprove?" Chad asked sharply

"Can’t because I don’t know It’s nothing out of the ordinary," Mack said "At least as far as I’ve been given to understand It’s just that when it’s souess you worrysafely behind a desk fro Gloria, she’d hate desk duty She liked nothing better than being a beat cop, responding to calls and crises, interacting with the people of Cedar Cove Chad found it interesting that she’d gone into police work, following in the footsteps of the father she never knew

"Do you want me to call you if she mentions when the ultrasound is?"

Chad nodded

"Don’t worry, son," Roy said, his words and the sound of his voice lending Chad confidence "Everything ork out It did for Corrie and me, and I’m convinced it will for you and Gloria, too"

Chad relaxed in his chair He had to believe Roy was right and there was actually a chance for him and Gloria

Four

It’d been a week since Rachel had moved out of the house, and Bruce was stunned that she hadn’t returned He’d tried to be patient, giving her the space and time she claimed she needed But he wanted her back with hied The knot in his stomach hadn’t disappeared yet, and it wouldn’t, not until she caone He’d talked to her friends Even Teri see true Rachel’s best friend was clearly very concerned about her

"Dad, can you helpinto the kitchen, ain the backyard under a big striped u to do her homework

Bruce looked up froood at this" The real problem, however, was his short fuse He had li basic rams were a different matter Those he knew his way around; it was the theoretical stuff that stus had been a lot better when Rachel was there to step in