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“You’ve changed,” Rosemary whispered

“I know,” she answered, just as softly “And you can, too”

For the first ti in her sister’s eyes were real Those saoodbye on the dock Leaving Richmond and the life she’d always known had been what Millie had needed, and she prayed the same would be true for Rosemary

Later in the day, as Millie walked toward the front door, her heart did a little flip-flop, wishful thinking at who nantly after her trunk and traveling bag had been delivered fro her other items would be shipped from Fort Sill upon his arrival there

It wasn’t hi Nadine McPhalen on the stoop, Millie voiced the only thought that formed “Rosemary isn’t here”

“I know,” the woman said “I watched her board the steamer this afternoon I’ve come to talk to you, if I may”

“Of course, coht shawl, for the unseasonably warar else had Chasing aside the thought, she said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you at the dock today”

“I wasn’t there to be seen,” Nadine said “I was there to see with my own eyes that she left”

A chill rippled Millie’s skin Nadine and Roseh complete opposites, had been friends for years Cautious, because her willpower to let her sister’s ed, she waved a hand toward the parlor “Please,us some tea”

“Could I ask Lola to do so? I have another favor to ask of her”

Sing at the thickness in her throat, Millie nodded “All right, I’ll be in the parlor”

“Thank you”

Nadine returned within seconds Millie had just sat down on the white sofa, the one she and Lola had carried in frohtful place this afternoon The other woman didn’t sit, but paced back and forth, the skirts and slips of her yellow dress swishing loudly

“Goodness,” she finally said, stopping near the sofa “I don’t knohere to begin”

Millie drew in a fortifying breath “Well, Nadine, just say it There’s nothing worse than keeping it bottled up” She knew that so well So very well