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“I reckon it’s just as well,” he said “I never wanted you with Hank and Duke I guess you knew I’d studied on the issue a tiht of Hank and Duke as h actin’ that I didn’t mention it, and Lord knows if I’d called them my little boys, they would’ve probably beat the tarnation out of onna be how it’sup down the road That was always a concern”

“I know, Frank”

He took a deep breath, repositioned hiainst a couple of pillows, and continued, “I just want ya happy, kiddo”

“I know I’m happy”

“Not yet you aren’t, but you will be I’ve heard tale of a fast car I knohere we can find one for ya”

“I bet you do,” she said, snickering

“Julie, you know I’d never try to get you killed You know that in your heart, right?”

“Frank, of course You’ve been like a father to me” A beat later she added, “You are my father”

He looked at her a long while, and right when she thought she ht about that I could’ve searched this great big ole world over and never found a daughter that would’ve made me any prouder”

“Frank, you loved ht?”

“More than anything I sure did”

“Did she love you, too? I ht have at one time?”

“I like to think she sure did”

“I like to think so, too, Frank,” she said, kissing his cheek and heading for the door

“Little girl, chances in life only coiven a second chance You love them boys of mine l