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To Christie’s horror, tears rained down her cheeks Then, all at once, the luain And speak again

"I don’t love you" She pronounced each syllable emphatically

"Liar"

She was eh her facade "I admit I did love you at one time, but not anymore," she said

"I don’t believe that"

"Believe what you want" Unwilling to becoe, she slipped inside her car and slaine and backed up without looking behind her If Jaet out of her way, then it was his own fault if she ran over hiot ho She paced and chewed her fingernails, a habit she detested Then she turned on the television and sat down to watch for about thirty seconds before she was on her feet again

Sleep was i the early shift so she could attend her afternoon business class The sky was dark when she walked out to the apart Her breath made small clouds in the chilly air, and she rubbed her bare hands together to chase away the cold

She opened the car door--and when the interior light flashed on she saw another beautiful, long-stemmed red rose

Christie closed her eyes in frustration Then she grabbed the flower, threw it on the ground and sto this surprise for Olivia for aly Beldon, Peggy had called Corrie McAfee Soon Faith was part of the scheme, too Within a few days Charlotte had spread the word to a number of Olivia’s friends, and Grace had more volunteers than she could use Olivia was loved by everyone who knew her

All they needed was a day without drizzle In the Pacific Northwest the , however, Grace woke to clear skies and sunshine After weeks of continual e

The television weatherman predicted sunshine for the rest of the day, with cloudy skies and rain to follow overnight Grace figured a few hours of sunshine was enough to acco for the kitchen phone, she was about to punch in Peggy’s number when Cliff wandered into the kitchen and poured hi of coffee He’d already been in the barn to feed his horses He never slept past seven; his horses’ schedule didn’t perulp of coffee, then set hisdown and slipped up behind her to nuzzle her neck

"Cliff," she chastised, laughing "I have to call Peggy" She breathed in deeply He smelled of fresh hay and leather, and the combination struck her as immensely virile These were the scents she associated with her husband

"You weren’t coht," he reminded her as she made her call

He had a point "But I wasn’t on the phone then"

"Good y said with her usual friendliness She had a gift forpeople feel appreciated, even over the phone

"Meet nore her husband’s roa," Peggy told her "I’ll meet you at Ace Hardware in an hour"

"Great" That was all Grace could hed with relief as she hung up the phone, then twisted around in her husband’s e"

"Uh-huh" He kissed her soundly on the lips

Grace loved his playfulness and responded in full measure

After a few minutes, Cliff released her but his eyes were still closed "You lad I’et home later this afternoon"

"Will do"

Grace opened the refrigerator and took out a sether with coffee, would constitute her breakfast

"What’s up with you and Peggy?" he asked He got the peanut-butter jar and dropped two slices of whole-wheat bread into the toaster

"It’s for Olivia, remember?"

When he seeether and planting flowers in Olivia’s yard It’s sort of a get-well-soon bouquet on a larger scale"

"Yeah, I re flowers?" he asked

"Some varieties do well in this weather, and when April comes they’ll be in full bloom"

His toast popped up and Cliff set both pieces on the counter, slathering the of peanut butter

Grace opened the cupboard and pointedly handed hirin "If you insist"

"I do"

Leaning against the counter, Cliff took a bite of his breakfast while Grace retrieved a spoon froo, she’d read a diet book that said never to eat standing up She’d followed that advice ever since

"Back to Olivia," Cliff continued "She’s getting through this cancer ordeal, isn’t she?"

"I think so, but it’s really too soon to tell I thought this would lift her spirits She’s gone through a rough patch, and I figured she could use a bit of cheering up" According to Jack, the second and third sessions of chey and Corrie wanted to help," Grace went on, "and then Faith joined in Charlotte’s going to bring us all lunch"

Cliff pulled out a chair and sat down across froood friend, Grace"

Grace dismissed his praise with a shake of her head "Olivia’s my best friend This is the very least I can do for her"

"I’d be happy to help, too," Cliff offered

She sness to pitch in "Thanks, honey, but I think we have it covered"

"Okay, but letyou need"