page70 (2/2)

Her mind more than half made up, she climbed out of the tub She had a torapped around herself when the Colonel strolled in and bellowed as if the hounds of hell had been unleashed “Breakfast Right I’m on it”

The Colonel sat in the doorway, staring and continuing to meow

“I love you too, you dictatorial fur ball”

The cat stood, turned around, flicked her tail, then headed for the kitchen Hope followed Too bad she hadn’t thought to fill the food dish while she made coffee

After taking care of the cat, Hope poured herself another cup of coffee

A fewRafe? In expectation, her pulse slammed When Celeste’s na mix of relief and disappoint, e, Celeste”

“I’d ask how you are, but I’ polite”

Celeste’s disarrin

“How did Rafe’s o?” Celeste asked

“Should I drag this out a bit longer?”

“Good God, no Get to the point”

“He refused them all and proposed to me”

“Ah” Her hed, triumphant “As I suspected”

“What?” Hope put her cup down so she didn’t spill “What are you saying?”

“I knew you were the one for him That’s why I recommended you to Rebecca”

“You thought…”

“Rafe needs a woht and articulate—well, most of the time, anyway” Her voice was dry “Only you can ht for you But I can vouch for Rafe If he asked you to marry hi it through or believing you two could have a successful relationship”