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"I brought along so the worn book to Madge "It was Barbara’s, and she read it often I’d like you to have it, and pray you find the saly ran her gnarled hand over the top of the leather-bound book "Psalms and Proverbs"

"The words were a cohts she couldn’t sleep"

"What a beautiful thing, to bring us your own saintly wife’s book," Bernard said He reached inside his back pocket, brought out a wrinkled white handkerchief, and blew his large nose Paul thought that the older man’s eyes shone with unshed tears

"I’ll treasure this little book and be sure it’s returned to you when the ti to offer these godly people, but Barbara had reached out frorave and lent him a hand when he needed it

"Now tell us about Joe," Madge said after taking one s wobbled as if it were too heavy for her to lift Bernard gently removed it from her hand and set it aside

"I came to ask about you," Paul said, barely able to watch the tender way in which these two cared for each other

"Joe will be hoe soon noon’t he?"

"Soon" Paul was eager for his son’s arrival Joe’s hoht spot in Paul’s holiday The tould be together, and it would almost be as it had been in years past when Barbara was alive

His son was a subject he found easy to discuss He told the Bartellis about Joe’s classes As he finished speaking, he realized Madge had fallen asleep, and he dropped his voice

"Bless you, Reverend," Bernard said, his face revealing his gratitude "I swear this is the first tie’s slept in nearly two days"

"How are you holding up?" Paul asked the older aze skittered away from Paul, and he seemed unco"

"But inon you"

"I don’tcare of her," he said, and his voice was stiff with pride "I do a better job than those people in the hospital At least when I touch her, I do it with love To those doctors and nurses Madge is just another old woman To me she’s the woo"

"What about your children? Are they co back on the tray, being careful not tohis wife’s precious rest "No They’re spread out all over the country, and we don’t want the on the expense of a plane trip" He lowered his head and focused on his folded hands "The doctors told e would last Maybe six months more, but it could be over as soon as three The children ant to be here then"

"Of course" Paul glanced at his watch "Perhaps it would be best if I left now"

Bernard nodded "I can’t thank you enough for stopping by"

"I’ll coain," Paul promised "Possibly in a couple of days"

"We’d both appreciate that" Bernard stood slowly, see to have some trouble "We don’t mean to be a burden to you"

"You’re never that" Bernard and Madge had unselfishly volunteered their efforts over the years Noas Paul’s turn to return a siven hi to cook hi for dinner, he stopped off at a fast-food restaurant and ordered so quick, easy, and tasteless

When he arrived at the house, the first thing he noticed was that the kitchen lights were on Had be been careless and left the? He really did need to behirease-s up his sweater

"Dad?"

Paul’s heart raced with excitement "Joe? Is that you?

"Dad!" His son rushed into the kitchen and hugged him excitedly "Dad, there’s someone I want you towoman stood across the kitchen Joe crossed to her and placed his arm around her shoulders "Dad, I’d like you to htly at his father "I’ve asked her to be my wife"

It shouldn’t have surprised Joy Palmer that Ted Griffin was ro, and her heart raced like a stock car every time she laid eyes on him

She did admit to a certain curiosity about the type of woenerally did when he came around She watched and waited and made sure she had an unobstructed view of hiirlfriend was sophisticated and beautiful, Joy noted, but she didn’t study the woer corandson was a hunk It made sense that he’d date a woman who qualified as a beauty queen

Catherine had been so anxious about this ood ione well

Just before dinner, when Joy was preparing to leave for the day, she found Catherine sitting in the library An unopened book was balanced on her lap

"Well, Catherine," Joy said, standing in the doorway, "You’re certainly looking pensive"

"Joy" The older woht you’d left by now"

"I had a few odds and ends to clear up How’d the randson and his friend?"