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Ty walked to the bed where the ever-thinner Ruth Haskell sat, propped up with a stack of soft pillows An old-fashioned quilted bedjacket trimmed with lace covered her bony shoulders

“Hello, Nanna Ruth” He used Cathleen’s pet name for her as he bent to kiss a withered cheek “How are you feeling?”

“I’ her co hands clutched at his while her teary eyes looked up at him “Jessy told me what a fine service it was So many people came I only wish” Her weak voice trailed off, then found a new subject “I feel so badly about Chase”

“I spoke to the hospital thishis oas actually the phrase that was used, but he chose to sound more optimistic with Ruth

“He is like a son toin fond reminiscence “Chase and my Buck Buck should be here He could always eous soue in loving affection, then sobered slowly and looked anxiously at Ty “He never meant to be bad”

“I know,” Ty said to assure her, but kept his own counsel on that subject

“I think you should take soested, “and see if you can’t get some rest”

“Maybe I should,” Ruth agreed hesitantly, showing uncertainty and a willingness to be told what to do

“Here” Jessy shook two pills from the prescription bottle and handed thelass of water from the pitcher on the bedstand After Ruth had taken her ed the pillows so she could lie down in comfort, then pulled theshade to darken the room

“I’ll coain,” Ty told the woman and moved quietly to the door Jessy followed hi now?” he asked in a low murmur

“No, I’ll stay until she sleeps Have you learned anything about the crash? Hohy it happened?”

“Nothing certain The initial reports froe indicate a broken oil line as the possible cause, but they’re still trying to determine if it had ruptured before or after the crash” And his father had been able to provide the authorities with only scant details “I have to leave” There was a reluctance in his tone “There’s company at the house, and I can’t let Tara entertain them on her own”

“Somehow, I don’t think she’d mind,” Jessy murmured cynically

A vague irritation rippled through hih to judge that”

“You’re still defending her,” she observed