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“You have no idea what you’re going to find out I think you’ll need me”

Gabriel smiled slowly

“I will always need you, Julianne But I think the first time I meet Kelly it should be the two of us Then if there’s anything unpleasant, I’ll deal with it”

“If that’s what you want Can’t we visit her over Christ?”

“I don’t think it’s wise to put this off She e her mind Certainly, the sooner I know about nificantly “I wouldn’t ask you to do anything that would put your program in jeopardy”

“Okay” She did not sound enthusiastic

“We can ask Rebecca to stay while I’one Then you won’t be alone It will be a short trip Two or three days, tops I’ll see if I can schedule an appointment with the laho handled my father’s estate and I’llher lifeline with his thu myself to call her my sister”

“I think I should come with you”

“You just said that you don’t have tiet soave her what he hoped ”

“Good” He lifted her into his arms and walked toward the stairs “Prepare for so”

She placed her hands on his biceps, stilling hiet to bed”

“I have so to want to hear”

“Then say it quickly and get it over with” He tensed

She wriggled in his arms, so he set her down on the stairs

“Your trip to New York is going to open up a lot of memories Of course I’ll do whatever I can to help But one thing we haven’t talked about is forgiveness”

“Forgive iveness frees you It’s for you, as ive theiveness, Gabriel? You? Me?”

“You, for one”

“Apart froive ed That’s the poe have We can use that power for good—to forgive sos and hurts so that they never heal”

She reached out to hi they deserve it I’ ever happened Just think about it”

“I’ve already thought about it The answer is no”

“How can you ask Paulina to forgive you if you aren’t willing to forgive your parents?”

Air escaped Gabriel’s lungs as if she’d struck him

“Don’t,” he whispered