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A sick feeling settled over hiuilt His iven hi the funeral had ended any chance GregPhil’s help now

Although he wasn’t hungry, Greg decided to find some lunch With food in his stomach to cut the effects of the alcohol, he could safely drive, and e

He could buy a cup of chowder or a seafood sandwich along Fisherman’s Wharf, so he hurried downhill toward the waterfront, his pace filled with sudden purpose The as cold and brisk, and he gathered his coat around him as he neared the wharf What on earth were all these people doing here? No doubt spending their , he wove his way through the crowds toward the closest fish bar

"There she is," Goodness whispered, pressing her face against the restaurant

"You found her?" Mercy sounded incredulous as she peered in the , too "Oh, my, Catherine really is lovely"

Shirley couldn’t resist She cupped her hands about her face and gazed through the shter looks exactly like her," Mercy said

Her friends were right, Shirley thought Catherine was a classic beauty who carried herself with grace and elegance Her daughter, whose naly rese back the clock and seeing Catherine as the young college student who had loved and trusted Greg Bennett

Shirley pinched her lips, disliking Greg Bennett ladly

"Greg Bennett needs a lot of help," she said, disheartened that their angelic talents were being wasted on a e nor appreciate their endeavors

Shirley figured that if the three of thelory, Greg would turn around and head in the opposite direction

"I bet Catherine didn’t think so at the ti Bennett walked out on her was probably the best thing that could’ve happened He’s been a rotten husband to all three of his wives" Goodness shook her head in disgust Apparently, she, too, was having difficulty finding him worthy of their assistance

"What I don’t understand," Mercy said, her expression thoughtful, "is why Gabriel would assign us someone who’s so…" She floundered

Goodness finished the sentence for her "I Bennett’s impossible And he doesn’t care about God"

"But as we’ve discussed before, God cares about hi Bennett is the reason we’re here," Shirley said "The reason we had an opportunity to return to earth It’s our duty to make sure this is a Christmas he’ll remember"

Both Goodness and Mercy stepped aside as Catherine and her daughter walked out of the restaurant, laughing and talking anireed onceBennett any an to say sorew huge "Oh--look at that!"

"At what?" Shirley deuess who’s here," Goodness said excitedly "Right now!"

Shirley whirled about, almost afraid to look It couldn’t be--but she knew it had to be "Greg Bennett"

"We’ve got to do so," Mercy insisted "Think, everyone We can’t let an opportunity like this pass"

"No…no!" Shirley cried, but Goodness and Mercy were alreadycooked crabs "Not the crabs," but it was too late

These Friday luncheon dates with her daughter were a delightful part of Catherine Thorpe’s week The hour with Carrie alent by in a flash Meeting her daughter gave her an excuse to linger in the don area, as well San Francisco in Deceht to behold, and she planned to finish up her afternoon with sorandson, and with another grandchild due in April, her world was full

"I’ll see you and Dad on Sunday, then," Carrie said as they strolled toward her office building

"Bring Jason with you," Catherine urged She knew her daughter well enough to recognize that her current boyfriend was someone special

"Mother," Carrie chided, "I don’t--"

She was interrupted by a terrible clang For no apparent reason, a table full of freshly cooked crabs toppled over, scattering them in every direction Most of the contents slid across the pavely attractive older man who leaped out of the ith enviable dexterity

Catherine recognized Greg instantly, but she soon discovered that his gaze was focused on Carrie He frowned, as if confused

"Catherine?"

Carrie turned toward her aze followed Catherine looked hi at his felt frozen and for a

During the past decades Catherine had soain Now she knew Her mouth went dry, and the remembered pain of what he’d done made it difficult to s

"Mo froreat distance

Catherine had to hter

"You look like you’ve seen a ghost," Carrie said worriedly

"I’hter, but in fact, she was seeing a ghost The ghost of a man who had destroyed her ability to love and trust Tied her feelings, but even all these years couldn’thim so unexpectedly

Before she could decide if she should approach Greg or ignore him, he took a step toward her, then hesitated Catherine remained still He slowly came closer until they stood face-to-face

A flurry of activity went on about them as several people scurried to pick up the spilled crabs, but Catherine barely noticed

"Catherine" Greg’s voice was low, a little shaky

"You knowCatherine’s ar’s an old friend," Catherine explained when it beca She saw the way he stared at her daughter, and then she understood why "Greg, this is hter, Carrie Thorpe"

He picked up her hter, and to his credit his recovery was smooth "You’re just as beautiful as your ht you were your mother"