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"You’re the righther father into the conversation "Oh, Ian, I miss you so much"

"I’ll be home soon"

Not before the baby was born, but Cecilia couldn’t think about that This time she wasn’t alone Cathy Lackey would be with her and had proned up for classes and they’d be starting soon Cathy would go with her

When Cecilia delivered Allison she’d been alone, not knowing a soul other than her father The baby had arrived several weeks early Her mother had intended to fly out, but couldn’t reach her in tione to the hospital on her own

"We need boy na off those painfulat the estions Okay?"

"Okay But I think our son should have his daddy’s na," Ian said "Maybe for his middle name"

"That sounds fine"

"Listen, sweetheart, I have to go, but before I do I need to ask a favor for a friend of irl for hiast and she works at a beauty place in Cedar Cove called Get Nailed"

"I know it Alets their nails done there"

"Nate went out with Rachel a couple of times and seems pretty interested in her, but she doesn’t have a computer Apparently she writes hi able to communicate on-line"

"Couldn’t she use the computer at the library?" Cecilia asked That was the one Cecilia had used when she and Ian were separated and she needed to keep in touch with hi Allison and the attorney’s fees for their failed divorce, she’d had noextra

"Apparently Rachel’s never been on-line and isn’t sure hoorks This is all new to her"

"I’ll get her started," Cecilia promised

"Thanks, sweetheart"

"You’re welco has it been since I told you I love you?"

Cecilia sled with sheer happiness

"A son," Ian whispered "A son"

Eleven

This wasday Linnette’s brother had been a real help He’d arrived at her Seattle apart with Lucky, his Australian Shepherd, and a couple of his friends ere volunteer firefighters with Mack The only stuff left to move was her furniture and a few of the heavier boxes Linnette had already taken over what she could, a little at a tier itein to tell you how much I appreciate this," Linnette told her brother after he and his friends had loaded up the truck Bryan and Dreere carrying down the dining room chairs Her roommate had left a month earlier, and the place was now completely empty

"No problem," Mack said He’d stayed behind Noiped the sweat fro the two of us will have a chance to talk later"

Before Linnette could reply, Bryan stepped back into the roooing Drew followed hi, "Hey, hey, hey We’re on our way"

"I’ll be down in a minute," Mack told them

"We’ll find a chance to talk," Linnette pro stuff, we can chat and then I’ll drive the truck back to the rental place" It cost less to rent the vehicle if it was returned to the original location Mack had graciously agreed to deliver it to Seattle for his sister

Just as efficiently as he and his friends had loaded the U-Haul, they unpacked it, carted everything up the one flight of outdoor stairs and set her sofa, chair, la roohtstand went into the larger of the two bedrooms Her desk, chair and computer, which she’d carefully boxed, were in the second room Eventually Linnette planned to add a sleeper-sofa and ain, which was so she hadn’t had ti room table was a Salvation Army find, but it was pretty battered and Linnette hoped to replace it soon With a regular income she’d have a few more options

When Mack and his friends were finished, Linnette treated theers, fries and cold drinks As soon as they’d wolfed those down, Drew and Bryan were on their way back to Seattle, with Linnette’s fervent thanks ringing in their ears

Mack sat on her sofa, leaned forward and set his wadded burger wrapper on her coffee table Lucky, well-behaved dog that she was, had stayed obediently out of everyone’s way and now rested at his side As if gathering his thoughts, her brother waited aon with Moive hi on?" She was interested in how he’d picked up on this so quickly As far as Linnette knew, he wasn’t in regular co otten to be like clockwork She hadn’t said anything outright, but just recently, I’d say in the last couple of weeks, she’s made some remarks that don’t add up"