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"Thank you, pastor," she said, withdrawing herself "Beautiful ser thele Co herself

She went and waited by the truck, and while she was there, she watched Ian make his way to the pastor, shake his hand, speak to hiht--there are two of hiuy who’s made his way in the world just fine It’s just that his world is a different kind of world; it’s not that rushing, heavily populated world of demands and connections so many of us have His is mostly a quiet world and his relationships seemed to be the sa for him, she had asked probably a hundred people if they knew an Ian Buchanan and the answer had always been the sa a bell" Ian probably h, without anyone asking his naot to the truck and fired it up, she asked, "Did the pastor ask you your name?"

"No," he said "Why?"

So that was part of it That and the fact he didn’t look anything like the picture she’d been flashing around "No reason, just curious," she said

"I think we should have a nice, big breakfast Do you feel like eating before we hit the library?"

"Sure," she said quietly

"You all right, Marcie?"

She shrugged "I think I got a little senti cup of coffee should do the trick"

"Well, you’re in luck--I know just the place"

It was a truck stop, of course Ian was quite proud of the place There hteen-wheelers parked outside and when he walked in, a ed, heavyset, bleached-blond waitress said hello rather fa okay? Haven’t seen you in a while"

"Doing great, Patti," he answered She wore a big na so Marcie couldn’t assume they were friends But Ian had been seen around after all--in plenty of places Coincidentally, none of the places she’d been looking

Patti poured their coffee and said, "Need a ive the lady soone, Marcie said, "I guess youevery time?"

"Just about Yeah," he admitted

"Okay" She studied her menu "Whenever you’re ready, I’ll have a cheese oood," he said He lifted his hand to Patti

When she arrived he said, "A cheese os, side of bacon, side of sausage, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, wheat toast, orange juice and coffee till you float," she finished for him

He smiled at Patti and it was ht, I’d think he wanted to ask me out on a date But all Patti said was, "Gotcha, Bub"

By her first refill of coffee, Marcie started to get right with the world Nothing straightened her out like caffeine, she thought Hot coffee, not that stuff Ian left wars And this was good and strong She came around "So, are you and Patti friends?" she asked

"Patti’s my waitress about once every two ood job"

"Why didn’t you sing in church?" she asked boldly

He put down his cup "I didn’t want to"

"Why?"

"Look, don’t h school I was in our high school musical--we did Grease I have an okay voice I don’t want to join the choir"

"Who were you in Grease?"

"It’s not important"

"Who?"

His hand went over hiscloser

His eyes came up "Danny"

"You were the star! You were frickin’ John Travolta, except you sing better!"

His eyes shifted around nervously "You just got a little loud there"

"Sorry," she said "Sorry But really…Have you ever studied ht you knew that"

"Okay, sorry, brushing up against that forbidden territory But Jesus, you sing like a god! Wouldn’t that be soforto saveto pull me out of the hills and turn me in to a rock star"

She was speechless For a split second, that was exactly what she’d had in er at least "Well, it’s just a stupid crime that you don’t even have a radio," she said churlishly "No matter where you live, you should have hed

Their plates arrived, along with a check that Ian snapped up She just stared at his huge breakfast ide, startled eyes

"Nohat?" he asked

"Holy s lot and fire up the grill? That didn’t take five minutes!"

He curved his lips into a smile for her "I like that they’re efficient They work, they get the job done"