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When she finished she reread the e-mail In it, she shared her concern for Kelly and Paul and their struggles to have a second child She wrote humorously about her trials with Sherlock, and how the kitten refused to be ignored, describing the inventive ways he pestered her until Grace lavished attention on hi Cliff she wouldn't go away, either Not this ti lunch, Grace walked down to the corner drugstore and purchased a handful of cards, some clever, a couple that had dramatic photos of horses, and a few root home froed on to the Internet, hoping for a response from Cliff Her heart fell when she found none

"Did you think this would be easy?" she said to Buttercup Sherlock scratched at her leg until Grace lifted him onto her lap She petted him with one hand and typed with the other while she considered the possibilities It could be that Cliff had deleted the e-nore it Or perhaps he hadn't checked his es lately

She e-Eventually she'd wear hi away She loved Cliff He was the best thing in her life and she refused to give hiy shouted from the foot of the stairs "Phone!"

Bob laid down the script of Chicago--he'd beenhis lines--and walked to the top of the stairs He'd been so intent on the scene, he hadn't even heard the phone ring

"Who is it?" he called

Wearing her "Kiss the Cook" apron, Peggy stood there looking up at hi under his breath, Bob hurried to the master bedroom and picked up the phone "Hello," he muttered impatiently

"Robert Beldon? This is Colonel Stewart Sah Bob like an electrical charge It was the voice of a ain The voice of the man who'd led him into battle A soldier who'd stood with hile Who'd saved his life and then, at the same moment, robbed hied to respond

"I' to be in the Seattle area in the next feeeks We need to talk"

It'd been more than thirty years since Bob had last spoken with his coo another thirty years and it would suit him just fine So far, the only person in contact with Samuels had been Troy Davis Bob would've preferred to keep it that way

The colonel continued, giving the details of his trip to the Pacific Northwest Bob stood rigid until the other man announced he intended to visit Cedar Cove

"Is that necessary?" Bob de hiht inti

"I believe it is There's a matter between us that requires resolution"

How formal he sounded So cold-blooded and hard

"Two of our comrades are dead, one a suicide and one ure this out, once and for all Agreed?"

"Yes, I--" Bob wasn't given a chance to finish his sentence

"Good I'll have ements"

Before Bob could co, his hand still on the receiver After a moment, he replaced the phone and slowly, almost as if he were in a trance, wanted down the stairs

Peggy was in the kitchen with Hannah preparing dinner When she saw hi the potatoes

"Who was that on the phone?" she asked, walking toward him

He stared at her, still numb inside "Colonel Sa closer to Peggy

Peggy glanced at Bob and then at Hannah "What did he want?"

"He's co to Cedar Cove"

Hannah let out a small cry of alar for, did he say?"

Peggy wrapped her ar woman's shoulders "Why are you so afraid?"

Bob wasn't sure if the question was directed at hiuest was the one who answered

"He's just so rateful to hi at Hannah

"I was I aotten the medical care he needed if it hadn't been for Colonel Sahtens me" She trembled as if a chill had overtaken her

"Bob?" His wife turned to hi on?"

"I don't know He said he had business in the area and felt we should talk He asked that I set up a y frowned "Does he think Dan Sherman's death and Hannah's father's are linked?"

"I don't know" But it was more than that Samuels had indicated that he had business with him, too Bob didn't want to see Stewart Samuels, didn't want to be re him, and had been every day since his return froht, unable to sleep, Bob lay in bed and stared at the ceiling The digital clock by the telephone told hiy slept peacefully beside hiuish