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That thought stayed with her as she drove hos Anne Marie liked about Tinore social niceties and details Although Monte’s, the Italian restaurant he’d chosen, ithin walking distance, he insisted on picking her up, despite her offer to meet him there

When she opened the apartment door to let Tim in, Baxter yelped excitedly Tihtened, his eyes widened with appreciation

"You look…," he said

"Thank you" While Tiet her purse As she did, she noticed that her hand was treh she’d tried to minimize this dinner date with her friends, she felt nervous She could hardly remember the last time she’d been on an actual date Before she’d married Robert, so that was… She decided not to do the math

She’d dressed carefully in a white eyelet summer dress with a silky pink shawl and pink pumps

"Are you ready?" Ti room

She nodded Because she felt f lustered, she found herself chattering as they strolled to the restaurant The evening was perfect, still sunny, with a light breeze scenting the air

"I’ve been looking at houses," she said "Ellen doesn’t want to move, but the apartment’s too s houses in the sa that if Ellen had a friend close by, the move would be less traumatic

By the time they reached the restaurant, Anne Marie realized she hadn’t let Tim say a word This behavior was so uncharacteristic for her, she felt she should explain

"I generally don’t talk this uess I’rin "So a to say that Anne Marie was instantly at ease The hostess seated them at a nice table near theWhen the waiter came to take their drink order, Tim said he’d stick to water but told Anne Marie she should have a glass of wine She ordered the house red

"It doesn’t bother you if other people drink?" she asked, feeling aard

"Not in the least Other people can handle it I can’t"

Still, she felt guilty drinking in his presence "I don’twithout wine," she said

He held up his hand "Please don’t Sobriety is up to me and me alone"

His attitude impressed her, and she sipped her wine, almost able to enjoy it

When the waiter returned, they placed their dinner orders Tiiano and Anne Marie the clahetti The waiter left and Anne Marie s for Tim to speak So far, she’d do now that we’ve had a chance to get to know each other, you’ll be comfortable with me," he said

"I already feel that way" Anne Marie took a piece of bread and tore off a bite "I can hardly believe how much" She dipped the bread in the s at him as she spoke "You’ve convinced me that you won’t try to take Ellen away froether Dolores got that right She knew you’d love and care for Ellen better than Candy--or anyone else, for that e of joy The fact that he, of all people, had acknowledged this brought her not only gratitude but peace "Thank you," sheabout a wide range of subjects fro in between Over spuain "If it’s okay with you, Anne Marie, I’d like to tell my parents about Ellen"

It would be self ish to withhold a grandparent’s love froreed "That would be f ine"

His hand cradled the coffee cup, and he nodded soleranddaughter"

"She is, and er sister has two boys"

"She sounds just like my mother"

Ti to let Ellen spend time with me alone?"

Anne Marie hadn’t expected this subject to come up quite so soon, yet it was a reasonable request "Are you asking about visitation?" she asked

"Yes"

Still, she hesitated "How often were you thinking?"

He shrugged "I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give me I don’t mean to pressure you, Anne Marie If you’d rather wait, I understand"

"But you wanted to plant the thought init"

"You’re asking if you can tell Ellen that you’re her father"

This was the great unasked question, the one that underlay all the others

"I would like to do that Even before I got the test results I felt that Ellen was my child"

Noas Anne Marie’s turn to stare into her coffee Her ice cream had started to melt, and she pushed it aside Her f irst inclination, self ish though it lanced up and found hie of hope and expectancy

"I want to be with Ellen when you tell her"

"Of course"

"We’ll begin the visitations slowly And you can’t tell her until I feel she’s ready"

"Like I said, you’re the one setting the rules"

He was so agreeable, and that helped soothe her worries

"Would it be all right if I took her one night next week? My parents’ wedding anniversary is co party"

Before she could f ind an excuse to refuse him, Anne Marie nodded "But they can’t let her knoho they are What they are to her, I aze held hers "Thank you"

This request probably explained why he’d asked her to dinner on her ohich was ot that settled," she said briskly