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"Owen thinks of hiton state and we don’t see them often, so the only men in his life are Rocco and his father My ex-husband tries, but he has trouble understanding the needs of a six-year-old It’s Rocco and Saht Owen how to ride a bike and throw a softball Sa with Rocco"

"Youwith the baby That’s the reason I wanted the two of you to meet Like I said earlier, Sam’s a bit of a character and he seeful relationships omen, but with a little patience I think he could be a real catch"

After all he’d done to help her, Beth found she illing to be open- she hadn’t been earlier "What’s his problem with relationships? Did he have a bad experience that left hiether the dinner I asked Rocco about that very thing He said as far as he knew Sam had only been involved in one serious relationship, and that was years ago I’ll see if Rocco will give me a few more details I know Sam’s not currently involved; if he is, he doesn’t talk about it and I’ve never"He told et, too But seeing how great he is with our family and how much the kids love him, I felt I had to try My romantic heart believes he would make a wonderful husband and father"

"I appreciate that you thought of rizzly bear of a s for me Well, other than pity"

A smile blossomed in Nichole "Au contraire I’ve never known Sale flower," Beth reminded her

"A rose," Nichole said, as if that was of ift shop They probably only have red roses"

"Still, Sauy to buy a woh"

Beth s how he quickly set it down on the table, as if holding it had burned his fingers He’d felt aith it At the tiesture

"Did Sa back?"

"No … but I assu transferred to the care facility sometime to her arently brushed Beth’s dark hair fro to understand what her friend was too kind to put into words "I look terrible, don’t I?"

Nichole smiled

"My hair is a mess I don’t have any makeup here" She was definitely at her all-tirateful for it was the fact that she hadn’t seen herself in a htened as she spoke Hurrying to her feet, she reached for her purse

"Where are you going?"

"I’ll be back"

Before Beth could say another word, Nichole left, a woman on a mission

Thirty minutes later she returned, her cheeks flushed with excitestore down on the foot of the bed As if unveiling a work of art, Nichole withdrew each ite one at a time "Dry shampoo" She placed that on the tray in front of Beth "A brush and co iron

"Nichole!" Beth couldn’t believe anyone would do this

"I’ started" Next ca trip had yielded everything Beth would need and ain