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"Daue We both know all the reasons We’ve been through all this I’et involved in another debate with you One of us has got to keep his head on straight Do you think I’ this?"

"No"

"Accept it, then It’s over before either of us has ret"

So this hat it felt like to die, Monica h her heart, then slowly nodded

"Michael’s a good man"

"I don’t love Michael," she said evenly "I love you"

He ignored her "I ran a background check on him for you and he’s squeaky clean You couldn’t ask for better husband material"

"Don’t, please," she whispered fervently She knehat he was doing, but it wasn’t helping

"If you’re not attracted to Michael, fine He’s not the only fish in the sea For that ain Within a couple of weeks, h was filled with more tears than amusement "Oh, Chet, don’t you know me at all? Do you honestly believe I’m the kind of woman to walk from one relationship to another? Do you really think I’d ever marry a man I don’t love?"

His lack of response was answer enough "Just don’t do anything stupid," he warned

"Like what?"

"Hell, I don’t know, join a convent or so"

"That’s for Catholics"

"I realize that, but knowing you, you’d convert just to spite me There’s too much passion in you for that, understand? You’ve kept it buried for too da as it is You’ll do fine," he said starkly, turned, and started to walk away

"Chet"

He stopped, and his back and his shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t turn around

"Would you hold me, please One last time"

It looked as if he intended to keep on walking He took one step, and then another Monica bit down so hard on her lip to keep fro for him that she tasted blood Whatever it was that caused hie his mind, she would never know

Before another moment passed she was in his ar to hi so hard, she doubted he could understand her

"I’ve always been one Why change now?"

"Because I love you"

"Yeah, well, that and two bits will buy you a cup of coffee" He broke away fro her hands with his, he raised her fingers to his mouth "Dear God, I can’t believe"

"What can’t you believe?"

"Nothing" He closed his eyes and folded his fingers over hers "There’s so much I owe you"

"But, Chet," she pleaded, "don’t you understand? I’ift to you"

"What?" she sobbed, "breaking o before I screw up your life as much as I have my own" He dropped her hands, and without another word, turned and walked away

It was highly unconment, and Goodness was convinced she was about to be pulled off the case She had her argu lance She intended to explain everything, if only he’d give her the opportunity

At last Goodness had so positive to report Monica had co with this hue froress With soed the phone call froh she was disappointed that Monica had chosen to impress Chet instead of Michael with her new outfit

"Goodness" Gabriel greeted her upon her arrival He was pacing, his ress report on Monica Fischer’s prayer request"

"I was hoping you’d ask," Goodness said, eager to tell her side of the strange happenings "There’s a fine young man in her church by the name of Michael Simpson--"

Gabriel cut her off with a look "I understand she’s currently involved with Chet Costello And fro"

"Was involved," Goodness said quickly, steering the archangel away fro into Chet’s arms "That’s all behind her now"

"You’re sure about this?"

"You needn’t worry about Monica and that shoddy detective any longer," Goodness concluded, folding her hands and proudly flaunting her wings "Michael Si for him He’s talented and dedicated I’m sure that within a matter of days, Monica will--"

"Days?" Gabriel repeated

"Perhaps it will take a week, but I’m confident Monica will come to her senses soon"

Gabriel continued his pacing "From what I can see of matters, Monica Fischer is deeply in love, and it isn’t with Michael Simpson"

"I’ fancy"

"You think so, do you?" Gabriel asked calmly "Look at this and then tell me what you think" With a wave of his arm, the walls of heaven slowly parted, followed by a rush of war trouble locating Monica through the thick fog

Soon the vista cleared It took her a nize the stark interior of the old church It was the very sanctuary where Goodness had met her friends--where Reverend Fischer tended his flock of faithful believers