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"I will," she prourt She deposited the container in the garbage and started to leave when Cliff stopped her

"I don’t suppose you let Jack in on this plan of yours?" he asked

"Oh" Actually, she hadn’t

He grinned "Go on I’ll take care of that for you"

"Thanks"

By nine-thirty, Grace and her accomplices y arrived in her pickup, with Corrie sitting in the front seat beside her Faith had co lot, along with Ben

When Grace parked next to her friend’s truck, Peggy clied her "Bob built four flower boxes for Olivia’s front porch"

"What a sweetheart," Grace said delightedly

"Roy wanted to contribute, too," Corrie said "So he painted theoing to be pleased"

"Wonderful!"

"Charlotte has so much food in the backseat, she could feed an entire navy fleet," Ben told her

"How can you say that, Ben Rhodes?" Charlotte h After all that physical labor, these girls are going to be hungry"

Walking into the store, they each grabbed a cart After they’d chosen their supplies and selected a variety of seedlings, they loaded everything into Peggy’s truck Then they set off en hthouse Road just before ten-thirty Jack met theot hold of you?" Grace asked, hurrying up the ay to meet him

"This is a terrific idea"

"Does Olivia know?"

"Not yet," Jack said "I thought I’d let you tell her"

Grace ran up the porch steps "How’s she doing today?"

Jack hesitated "She had a rough night"

Grace suspected Olivia had gone through a lot of those recently When they’d spoken on the phone yesterday, Olivia had sounded tired The last che I can do?" Grace asked

Jack’s gaze held hers "I think you’re already doing it"

Grace walked past Jack and into the house "Olivia," she called out, her voice echoing through the living room "Where are you?"

"Back here" She heard Olivia’s thin, weak voice from down the hallway

Grace found her in the back bedroo randdaughter; she’d been working on it for weeks, doing a little each day until she was too tired to continue The project had given her purpose and helped take herled to hide her reaction Olivia’s bald head glistened in the light and around her shoulders she wore a prayer shawl knit by one of the ladies fro by?" Olivia asked in puzzleotten "For heaven’s sake, why are you dressed like that?" She gestured at Grace’s torn jeans and faded Mariners sweatshirt

"Come outside and see for yourself"

"See what?"

"I’d rather show than tell," Grace persisted

Olivia got slowly to her feet, correcting her balance as she did, then trailed Grace into the front roo on out here?" Olivia asked

"Come and see" Grace ushered her out On the front lawn, pitchforks and shovels in hand, stood Peggy, Corrie and Faith They’d emptied the truck bed; boxes of annuals and perennials lay spread about the lawn

"What’s everyone doing with all those flowers?" Olivia asked

"You uess?"

Olivia looked at Grace for an explanation "No"

"We’re here to spruce up your yard and bring a bit of spring," Grace said

Olivia blinked rapidly, but couldn’t fend off the tears that filled her eyes

"Coe box from the trunk of Charlotte and Ben’s car, Ben on his heels with an equally large carton Both were packed with containers and covered bowls

"Your mother provided lunch"

Olivia seeoodness," she finally murmured "Whose idea was this?"

"Who do you think?" Jack said, joining them on the porch He slid one arm around Olivia’s thin shoulders and drew her close

"Grace Oh, Grace" Olivia reached for her hand and squeezed tightly