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Mercy tilted her head and stared at Roy Fletcher "He’s deep in thought"

"He’s wondering how long it’ll take to hear fro impatient"

Goodness had noticed that, but she also knew he’d et in touch with Julie She suspected this was a ploy on his part--his way of telling Julie that if she chose to reject his offer, she wouldn’t be hearing fro! Goodness intended to do everything within her power to hts of Julie every minute of every day The els’ plans to answer his mother’s prayer

"You kno cold he can be," Shirley co Roy intently She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself

"That’s all an act," Goodness told them "He loves his mother and Julie, only he’s too stubborn to ad," Mercy proclaimed

"Like what?" Goodness was almost afraid to ask

"What ays do" Mercy folded her hands prayerfully and fluttered her long, curly eyelashes

"Heaven help us," Goodness ," Mercy said "We’re the ones helping Heaven Gabriel needs us Otherwise, we’d be long gone by now I for one feel that drastic times call for drastic measures"

"Drastic measures," Goodness repeated "What--"

"Stand back everyone" Mercy threw open her wings

"What’s she going to do?" Goodness asked Shirley "Toss a fish at hiled

Just when Mercy was getting ready to els glided out of the way as his assistant handed hinature

"Ms Johnson," he said as the woman was about to leave, "would you mind if I asked you a couple of questions?"

"Are they personal questions?"

"Not exactly personal Didn’t you tell hter in her twenties?"

"I do Janice She recently turned twenty-three Whatif--" He was interrupted by so on the partially opened door

Shirley gasped

"Who’s that?" Goodness wanted to know

"I think it ht be Aimee," Mercy told her in a hushed whisper

Indeed it was The woman who’d du a full-length h-heel shoes She was sleek, petite and very blond They didn’t call it platinuht spitefully

"What’s she doing here?" No one answered, and Goodness suspected her friends were as surprised as Roy obviously was

He slowly stood "That will be all, Ms Johnson"

"Yes, sir" His assistant hurried out of the room

"Hello, Roy" Aiood to see you"

"How did you get into the building?"

"Oh, I have my ways"

Roy snickered "I’ll just bet you do" He made a mental note to talk to Dean Wilcoff about this

"I think it’s ti for an invitation, she sat down and crossed her shapely legs

Roy re "Actually, I think it’s tihed "There’s no need to be nasty"

"I , blond hair swinging softly from side to side "Roy, this is ridiculous! You refuse to have anything to do with your father--"

"I have nothing to say to him or to you"

"That’s sad, because we both want to reconcile with you"

His gaze narrowed "I don’t think I can bringoff his sarcasm "I don’t think you should Tell me, how are you?"

"Fine Now leave"

"I’ve co until you talk to me"

Roy lowered himself stiffly into his chair "What do you want?"

Aimee’s expression became petulant "I always hated it when you used that tone of voice with me" As if she suddenly felt hot, she unfastened the buttons of her coat and slipped her arms free

Roy stared at theeifts"

Aiht not believe this, but I happen to love your father"

Roy raised his eyes to the ceiling "Yeah, and I’ll bet you love his bank balance even hts on his father fro of their so-called relationship He’d been used, and it wasn’t going to happen again

Her lips thinned "You can insult me all you want, but I will not take offense I cae between you and your father"

Roy laughed outright "The woe noants to build one? I find that interesting"

"It’s true, Roy It’s been five years Your father and I have a very good life, but he htly

"Why a that?"

"It’s true," Aimee said a second time, even more insistently "Talk to your father, okay? It’s what he wants Me, too I’d like us all to be friends"