Page 45 (2/2)

He hated that it had co to be too aze and conceded "Andto ade had taken a toll on her, too As far as Harry was concerned, it was a giant leap forward

"We should ask the girls," she said tentatively

"Good idea" Their youngest daughter was co to spend Christmas with them, and Lorraine and fareed with Harry Like hie, even if they hadn’t quite grasped its urgency

Harry knew that if Rosalie discussed the situation with either Lorraine or Donna, their daughters would reassure her in ways he couldn’t He felt it was only awould fall into place…

"I don’t want to discuss it again until after Christh," Rosalie insisted "I won’t even talk aboutuntil the holidays are over"

"But, Rosalie, there’s only the one unit," he blurted out "Unless we give the adht take it"

"Then so be it," she said,the point that he’d talked to the ade

"Mrs Goldsmith told me there’s another party interested" A sense of dread almost overwhelo to some other couple

"Of course she told you that," Rosalie said with unshakable confidence "That’s what she’s supposed to say It’s a tactic, Harry You, of all people, should know the things people will say when they’re after a sale"

Frustration beat hard against his chest "But, Rosalie…"

"Harry, sweetheart, don’t be so concerned If we lose this unit, another will corove had said, Harry had no choice but to agree "Personally, I’d like this all settled before the holidays"

"Do you mind if ait?" Rosalie asked "It won’t make any difference, will it?"

"I suppose you’re right," he said reluctantly "It doesn’t really matter" Only it did, but Harry couldn’t find it in his heart to tell her why

Harry left the table and aswas a nuisance, but at this stage it was a necessary one

"The girls could help us estion as he settled back into his recliner

"Not over Christmas, Harry Please, sweetheart, I don’t want to ask that of theain Not tonight

"It doesn’t look good," Shirley had the audacity to say

"Rosalie wants to wait until after Christmas"

Mercy didn’t knohat to do "That won’t work"

"Why not?" Both her friends turned to face her

Mercy sighed, more burdened now than ever "Because Harry will be in Heaven by then"

Ten

Joyce Fischer had found a table at the ultra-busy Nordstroot to the store As soon as she appeared, her mother waved to catch her attention

Beth felt wonderful and couldn’t have disguised herher

"I took the liberty of ordering for you, dear I just got two of e usually order"

"That’s fine" Beth only had an hour for lunch and although she would’ve liked to try so new rather than her standard soup du jour and turkey sandwich, she didn’t object

Taking off her coat, Beth draped it over her chair

"You’re positively glowing What’s going on?" Her ether in glee "Is it that youngto ed Just as she was losing hope that they’d ever take a chance, Peter had stepped forward Without understanding why it had happened, she realized that a transfored on to play World of Warcraft last night and after a while had started exchangingspecial, just their nor admission

"He’s divorced," Beth informed her mother

"Well, dear, so are you"

"I know…That’s not the point Peter and I were talking"

"On the phone?"

"No, no, online That’s the only e’ve communicated so far"

Her mother frowned, then decided not to ue "Go on," she urged instead "I want to hear everything"

"Well," Beth said, eager now "He told et over the divorce, but he thinks he’s ready to move on"