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"Hey, Jo," Mel said "This is Ellie Baldho’s looking for a rooht have heard about hi up the old church Ellie works for him and needs a place to live So, what do you think? Want to show her the room?"

"Ohhhh, Mel," she said miserably

"You can make up your e "First things first--let’s see if I like the room How about that?"

"Sure," she said a bit nervously She opened her front door, keys to the rooe Then she stopped suddenly and turned "Oh, I apologize How do you do, Reverend Kincaid? Miss Baldwin This way" When they entered the room, Ellie went into a kind of daze It was perfectly lovely--a double bed with two bedside tables against one wall, a small bathrooerator, two-burner stove, microwave, sink and a few cupboards At the foot of the bed was a chest A comfortable chair and ottoe ar Ellie had ever lived in In her life

"We don’t have a TV in here or anything," Jo Ellen said

The bed had a yellow floral comforter and lots of fat, decorative pillows There was a picture of a thlahed She fell in love with the room at once "Does that phone work?" she asked

"It does," Jo said "It’s a private line"

There was the sound of a car in the driveway, followed by the slalasses?" Ellie asked "A couple of pans?"

"Yes, some Not much And towels This is kind of a one-person roohed "I’ extra co You’re on your own There’s no washer or dryer I mean, it’s not a bed-and-breakfast--you’d have to take care of all your own needs Meals, laundry, that sort of thing"

There were feet on the stairs

"I understand There’s probably a coin laundry somewhere nearby"

The door opened and Nick walked into the rooht there was company here" He sht, wasn’t all that bad looking and he was fit His salt-and-pepper hair was still thick, his brows heavy and graying He wore a short-sleeved shirt--light blue--with a bad tie that he’d loosened, nice dress jeans and boots His eyes glittered approvingly and he smiled at Ellie

Jo Ellen cleared her throat and made introductions; everyone shook hands "How much is the room, Mrs Fitch?" Ellie asked

Jo Ellen opened her mouth to speak, when Nick interrupted her "Honey, is a hundred a month too much?" Nick asked his wife

"We usually--"

"How does that sound, Ellie?" Nick asked her