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"It looks like you’ve created this intimate little scene before," he commented as she stirred the pasta

"With the hours I work?" While she was on patrol duty, she’d rotated between swing shift and graveyard Her nights and days were often reversed Chad knew that

Her answer seemed to please him When the timer went off, he took the kettle from the stove and emptied the pasta into the strainer Then he transferred the hot noodles to a ceramic dish she’d set on the counter She poured the seafood sauce in its olive oil and fresh herb base over top

Chad carried the serving bowl to the table "This smells fabulous"

"It’s a fao and everyone raved about it"

Chad pulled out her chair "You know, that’s the first time I’ve heard you refer to Corrie and Roy as faht of thenant While Gloria hadn’t been happy when she learned that her father had told Chad about the baby, in retrospect she was glad of it

Chad took the chair across from her "You seehtfully

Gloria wrapped the noodles around her fork, savoring the scent of basil and oregano "Yes, I suppose I am"

"Any particular reason?"

She didn’t need to think about her answer "The baby Roy and Corrie have been wonderful and Mack, too" Then, feeling uilty, she added, "That was him on the phone earlier"

"Your brother?"

She took her first taste of the pasta and nodded

Chad tried it, too "Hey, this is good"

"Don’t act so surprised I can cook"

"Clearly" He beamed her another of his irresistible smiles

Gloria needed every ounce of self-control she possessed to pull her gaze away frolass

"No, thanks I’"

They finished their dinner and carried their plates to the sink

"Thank you," Chad said as he set down his plate "That was great"

"Well, you’ve heard the old saying," she joked "The way to a h his sto it to his lips "You already know the way to my heart, Gloria You always have"

She could hardly breathe as his eyes held hers Gloria felt as if her legs were about to collapse She swayed toward hi her into his eical Exquisite Powerful

When the baby kicked, Gloria broke off the kiss and hid her face in his shoulder "Did you feel that?"

"I did" He sounded aether"

"I know I like it" Chad’s ar up, she did her utmost to send him off with a smile "That’s okay" She dropped her ar"

He pressed his hand against her face "I’ll be back to finish the crib next week"

"Sure, anytiht?"

"That’s perfect I’ll cook, okay?" He backed away a couple of steps, then rushed forward and kissed her again By the ti

And happier than she’d been in ht

"Oh, this is so h Olivia’s It was a rainy Saturday afternoon and they were visiting local craft fairs

Olivia carefully set her pace to h School "Don’t you just admire how clever people are?" Charlotte asked