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"The library committee met this afternoon," Catherine went on to say She sat on the leather wing-backed chair, where she could easily see the front door

"Were you able to ha the chair next to her

"Yes, but it’s difficult when there are so many books we’d like to buy Several of the etting hard for soer print Unfortunately there just aren’t enough funds to purchase everything we’d like"

"It’s hard, I know," Joy agreed "Perhaps you should think of holding a fund-raiser With only a feeeks to Christmas, you could make it a festive occasion and serve cookies and tea"

"Naturally we’d invite everyone to participate" Already Catherine could see the wisdo to attend our tea, but we could ask for donations"

"I’m sure the library committee would do an excellent job"

"I know they would," Catherine agreed "What a great suggestion Thank you, Joy I’ll speak with the co"

Ted appeared just then, holding open one side of the double glass doors "Here’s ot a thing to worry about," Joy assured her softly, then stood and discreetly disappeared

Catherine’s eyes didn’t waver froer she was to randson’s attention! The woman who preceded him into the retire Catherine discovered she was holding her breath Ted’s lady friend was exceptionally lovely

Catherine stood as her grandson approached Ted’s eyes hter He was tall and handsome and the joy of Catherine’s life How very proud she was of her grandson, of his accorown up to be Seeing Ted was like looking at the very best of herself and Earl

"Grand his arood deal of pleasure to introduce you to Blythe Hol the other woman’s hand between her own "I couldn’t be more honored"

Only a hint of warer woman’s blue eyes "The pleasure’s all ed for us to have tea in my room," Catherine said nervously

It seemed Blythe hadn’t heard her She looked around the roo the artwork on the walls Catherine watched as the younger woaze landed on Catherine’s friends and then bounced away dismissively Blythe frohen she saw Charles, a retired arot who and where he was

Catherine felt Blythe’s aversion to Charles, although he was doing nothingnonsense to hi to defend the retiree, explain what a gentle, kind man he was, and tell Ted’s friend that he’d once been a war hero Of course, she could do none of that

"This is very…nice," Blythe said with a lack of sincerity It was as if she had to say so, and "nice" was the only word she could think to utter Until that moment Catherine had never noticed hoeak the word nice could be

"Would you like a tour of Wilshire Grove?" Catherine asked, proud of her ho to show it off

"No," Blythe said, but thanked her for the invitation with a smile

Catherine led the way to the elevator, chatting nervously as she escorted her guests inside She watched as Ted reached for Blythe’s hand and felt her heart warm

"We each have our own apartment," Catherine explained for Blythe’s benefit when they reached hers "I have a sh I rarely cook these days However, I did "

"Chocolate chip?" Ted asked, his eyes as round and eager as a five-year-old’s

"Chocolate chip," Catherine said, and laughed softly She motioned toward the overstuffed sofa "You two make yourselves comfortable while I put on the water for tea"

"LetCatherine into the kitchen The moment they were out of earshot he snatched a cookie off the silver platter and leaned his hip against the counter "Isn’t she beautiful?" he asked, looking at Blythe as if he’d located buried treasure the day he’d met her

"She’s as lovely as a fashion hted to see his dark eyes sparkle Her grandson was in love Catherine had been waiting years for thisseriously about settling down

Catherine looked across her cos and leaned back against the sofa, but there was a restlessness about her Of course she , but Catherine sensed a sadness there

With a shake of her head, Catherine pulled her gaze and her thoughts away frouest It was too soon for her towhy she would think such thoughts about a woman she barely knew

Ted carried the tray into the living rooe of her cushion, Catherine served them each a cup of tea Ted helped himself to a second cookie

"Should you really be eating that?" Blythe asked Ted

"Eating what?" he asked innocently, and winked at Catherine

"I thought you said you atching your fat intake"

"I am" He reached for another and handed it to her "No one randmother does When I was a kid I used to wonder how she could ood I still don’t know her secret Perhaps she’ll give you the recipe"

"I’d be happy to, Blythe," Catherine volunteered