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"The only person she embarrassed was herself," Roy said

"At least she ohtfully at his executive assistant She’d spoken frankly in a way he’d never expected "What are you suggesting?"

"I’ that perhaps it’s tiht as well hear it all

"Perhaps," she said, "you should talk to Julie about this"

Roy nodded, sing hard Perhaps she was right

When she was this angry, the best thing for Julie to do was run--as if a pack of wolves was after her The ed into running gear After a few perfunctory warm-up exercises, she took off As her shoes hit the pavehts chased each other around and around Six , breathless miles, before she found sos burned It was pitch-dark as she ran back to her neighborhood, cheered by the bright display of Christ her route

As she rounded the corner to her house, she noticed a dark sedan parked in front Her father was hoe beside hers

Instead of waiting for her inside the house, Roy Fletcher sat on the top porch step She caainst her knees as she caught her breath "What are you doing here?" she asked between gasps If he wanted to resuument, she’d walk into the house and slaainst his sides "I don’t know It seemed like a nice afternoon for a drive"

"Sure it did," she said sarcastically, still breathing hard

"Would you believe I just happened to be in the neighborhood?"

She shook her head

"All right," he said "Ms Johnson suggested the two of us talk"

"Talk…" Julie straightened, not hiding her shock The great Mr Roy Fletcher was here to make peace

"This tiies didn’t co the words

Julie stared into his eyes to see if she could judge his sincerity As far as she could tell, he meant it She smiled and offered him her hand He took it, then smiled back--a smile that arm and lazy and co to make up for my rudeness," he told her

"Really? And how do you intend to do that?"

"Dinner?"

"When?"

He pulled a BlackBerry out of his pocket and looked up, h tempted, Julie already had dinner in the Crock-Pot and test papers to grade "Another night would be better"

He frowned, then suggested, "Friday? That works for airls’ soccer coach"

"Oh" He scrolled down his appoint is free from seven o’clock on"

"Yes, but…" Julie paused "Isn’t that the parade of ships?" This was one of her favorite Christet her ht of the season for so many years, and she hated to nificant lanced up "Yes, I believe Saturday night is the annual Christmas parade of ships"

"I don’t suppose you’d care to see that, would you?" she asked hesitantly

"Actually I would I have a good view of Lake Washington if you’d like to see it fro, he nodded

"Wonderful" Julie was thrilled not only with the opportunity to view the boats festooned with their Christ here was encouraging Then a thought sobered her They continued to trip over the ree to one thing first"

"Fine, let’s hear it"

She threw back her shoulders "If you say a word about the settlement or mention money even once, I’ue "If you insist," he finally said

"I do"

"Then I guess I have to agree"

"Good" She smiled and raised both hands, palms up "See? That wasn’t so hard noas it?"

"As a rin, "it was"

Julie laughed, walking past him and into the house She opened the front door and looked over her shoulder, silently inviting him inside "I should ask my father to escort you from the house, just so you kno it feels"

"Yes, well--"

"Neverpaper He lowered it as Julie walked in, Roy Fletcher a few steps behind

"Dad, make Mr Fletcher welcome while I shower, okay?"

Her father’s eyes widened "What’s this?"

"We made peace," Julie explained

Dean turned to Julie and then his employer "Somehow, I knew you would" He set his newspaper aside "Do you play poker, Mr Fletcher?"

"Now and then I ht be a little rusty"

"Oh, that’s not a probley wink "I’ll get a deck"

Thirteen

Anne couldn’t stop s out so well between her son and Julie Wilcoff With Eleanor Johnson, Roy’s assistant, feeding her inforone to Julie’s yesterday afternoon--even though he’d thrown her out of his office Her son had actually sought out this delightful and strong-willed young woh to make Anne ith joy, but then she’d found out that Roy had gone a step further and asked Julie for a date He’d invited her to his ho caterers He was having Julie over for dinner, and then they were going to watch the Christmas parade of ships