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She gasped, instantly taken aback as Lydia entered

“What on earth are you doing here?” she asked the reverend’s wife

Wearing a contrite expression, Lydia said, “Jonathan and I are joining the others across the street I saw Ryan leave and you didn’t coht over the news and the et you”

More tears strea

er’s hot cheeks She swiped at theers, but they continued to flow “I don’t knohat to do I know you don’t abide or understand this, Lydia, but I love hi happened to him”

Surprisingly, the reverend’s rapped her arer and held her as she wept Lydia smoothed a hand down her hair and then patted her back softly, maternally She said, “This is difficult for all of us But Jonathan was right when he said it was Ryan’s choice We have to trust in the skills he’s learned and his natural instincts And, Ginger, he won’t be alone”

A new realization seemed to dawn on Ryan’s aunt, because Lydia pulled away, her hands clasping Ginger’s biceps “Is he armed?”

With a nod, Ginger said, “I’reed”

Relief washed over Lydia’s face “That’s a coet you some tissues”

She began to make her way to the cashier’s desk, but pulled up short and eyed a nightgown hanging on a rack Lifting the hanger froer, an incredulous look on her face “This is the saown I buy at a department store in Austin”

It was a sith one made of seafoa trim around the modest neckline

Ginger sniffled, then said, “I carry a variety of styles to appeal to a wide range of tastes The mayor’s wife likes that one too”

Perplexed, and obviously stunned, Lydia mumbled, “I didn’t realize Nor did I know it came in colors The store in Austin only carries white”

Getting her own tissues, since Lydia had abandoned that er dabbed at her eyes and cheeks “I also have it in baby blue, peach, mauve, lilac and daffodil”

Lydia seemed to process this for a moment as she took in the entire boutique, quite possibly with a new perspective Finally, her gaze landed on Ginger again and she said, “There are actually some very pretty items in here”