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"Based on everything I’ve heard, I think you’re right"

Her expression softened "I’ree with me Linc’s adamant that David pay support I’ve told my brother that David has constant money proble to do that?"

"In other words, there’s no getting blood out of a turnip"

Mary Jo glanced down "I wouldn’t care if he had all the hter anywhere near hienerously set up a trust fund for Noelle, like he did for David’s other daughter He also offered to helphis son either couldn’t or wouldn’t"

"Yeah, I remember Are you sure you should turn him down?"

"Yes," Mary Jo was quick to tell hiood about it"

Mack understood--and shared--her point of view

"I really like this town," Mary Jo said next in a transparent effort to change the subject "From the moment I stepped off the ferry on Christed I suspect that when I asked to visit this afternoon, I was secretly hoping to find a way for Noelle and me to live here"

"I’d be happy if you did"

Their eyes held and Mack felt the tension building between theht have kissed her but he was afraid of frightening her off

Mack was a patient h He knehat he wanted, and every minute he spent with Mary Jo and Noelle made him more aware of what that was

Seventeen

Charlotte Rhodes worried about Ben as she poured his first coffee of the day while he retrieved thepaper fro from the cruise Even her special hohly unusual

When they’d come home from the Caribbean, she’d assumed his malady was physical In the weeks since, she’d realized that what ailed him was emotional Her husband was depressed

"The Seniors’ Potluck is this afternoon," she reminded him as she carried in his coffee Harry, her cat, had curled up on Ben’s lap and made himself comfortable Harry hadn’t initially accepted Ben, but once he had, the cat had become her husband’s constant companion

"Would you mind if I skipped it this time?" Ben mumbled from behind the paper

Charlotte started to protest, then stopped herself "Aren’t you feeling well?" she asked, sitting on the ottoazed up at hi so desperately to help

Ben lowered the paper and looked at her briefly, then stared into the distance "I’m fine," he said with a halfhearted smile "I’d just prefer to stay hoht, dear, if that’s what you want"

"I do" He reached out his hand to squeeze hers "Thanks for understanding"

After lingering for a moment, Charlotte returned to the bedrooot ready for her day She’d never, ever thought Ben would purposely avoid the Seniors’ Potluck It was the social highlight of their month, when they saw their dearest friends Half the s in toere in love with Ben, and Charlotte knehy He wasn’t only handsority He’d truly blessed her life

All their friends were bound to ask about him and she wasn’t sure what to say Well, she’d think of so Poor Ben She had to assume his depression ste behavior She wished she kne to help hi comfort and reassurance was all she could do

As soon as she’d finished dressing, Charlotte went back to the kitchen to prepare her contribution for that day’s potluck As in most family homes, the kitchen was the center of activity Not only did she do her cooking and baking there, but her best thinking took place while standing in front of the sink, washing dishes Most serious discussions with her children had taken place here, as well

What to bring to the potluck? Her broccoli lasagna had been a huge hit in January, and she’d received nuenerally turned into a recipe exchange Some of her favorite ones came from the potlucks, and from wakes, too The recipe for the best casserole she’d ever tasted had come from the wake for her husband Clyde’s dearest friend, Saht of hi out of the kitchen as she tied her apron around her waist "Should I bring the stuffed peppers or ht away, as if he was considering the decision "The potpie"

"Good I was leaning toward that myself"

He nodded

"I’ll make three, so there’ll be plenty for you, and I’ll take one over to Olivia and Jack this afternoon"

"Great idea" He set aside the paper to pet Harry, who slept contentedly in his lap