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A s so on between those two Who would’ve believed it?"

"Oh, Grace, she’s just perfect for hiirl

"She doesn’t let hiht through him and calls his bluff I don’t think a wo his wife… In the beginning, I thought Will would lose it I’m pretty sure he fired her at least once, and I know for a fact that she walked out on him one day"

"That must really have set hi before Will realized what an asset she is, so he had to humble himself and ask her to return"

"Will? Humble? Those are tords that don’t mix"

"No, they don’t, which is why Mom and I think the world of Miranda"

Oh, Miranda was going to be so good for Will Because he was attractive and successful and sophisticated, Olivia’s brother took pride in getting woo seemed to need it She also wondered if he was one of those people who loved being in love, as addicted to the excitee She’d actually fallen for him herself after her first husband’s death Will had almost ruined her subsequent relationship with Cliff Fortunately, she’d broken off with Will, which he’dhe loved her In retrospect Grace saw that he hadn’t really loved her at all Yes, he was fond of her but what he really enjoyed was being in control

Miranda wouldn’t be so easily manipulated and that would frustrate Will no end But it was the best thing that could’ve happened to hied since he came back to Cedar Cove That’s been a surprise," Olivia said

"Oh?"

"You know better than anyone that my brother and I have had our differences over the years I disapproved of sos he’s done, but it’s his life" Olivia raised one shoulder in a shrug "I didn’t know if I could trust him after he moved back here"

Grace knew exactly what her friend et involved in the corateful I a Moreed "He’s been wonderful with your mother and Ben"

"I’ve colad"

Goldie returned to their table with a coffeepot in one hand and a pot of hot water in the other "You two ready for a refill?" she asked

Grace looked at her friend "None for me What about you?"

Olivia shook her head "I’ down at the half-consumed slice of pie, Goldie asked, "You want me to wrap that up for you?"

"No, thanks"

Goldie gave a disgusted snort "Okay, well, see you girls next week"

Next week Same time Same place Grace would meet with Olivia, who’d always been with her Who shared her burdens and doubled her joys Her friend for life

Thirty-One

Linc stepped into his office and smiled at the stack of work orders on his desk Sheriff Troy Davis had helped hi business his way The sheriff was active in a nuanizations, such as Rotary Club and Lions, where he’dthe word At first, business had trickled in slowly, but as the weeks progressed, the auto body shop drew more anda forty-hour week

The business wasn’t the only thing going well in Linc’s life He was delighted with the duplex and his growing friendship with Mack Most of all, he deeply loved Lori and looked forward to every e could be this satisfying, he would’ve tried it a lot sooner, he’d joked to Lori Laughing, she’d informed him that he never would’ve found anyone who suited hi about Lori, he felt a twinge of sadness as he thought about the situation with her family The conflict between him and his father-in-law remained unresolved The fact that Leonard and Kate had separated over Leonard’s reaction to their daughter’s e was an additional burden

Lori was in close contact with her h Kate put a good face on it, Linc could tell how hurt and disappointed she was that Leonard haddown at his desk, Linc reached for the telephone directory and flipped through the pages He quickly located the listing for Bellamy Enterprises in Bremerton

A woman answered in a crisp professional voice "How may I direct your call?"

"I’d like to speak to Leonard Bellamy’s assistant," he responded in the same businesslike tones

"One moment, please"

"This is Helen," another woman said an instant later

Linc drew in a breath "Helen, this is Lincoln Wyse" He paused, waiting for a reaction When none came, he continued "Would it be possible to schedule an appointment with Mr Bellamy?"

"Let me check his schedule"

Linc was put on hold for several minutes before the woman came back "Mr Bellamy said he’s available in half an hour"

"Mr Bellamy," Lincdirectly with her e at his watch, he asked, "Four?"

"Yes, four"