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"Your daughter has a farandmother, then?"

The boys were the very joy of her life "I have twin grandsons, Eric and Kurt They’re in their first year of college"

"No" Hector wore an astounded expression "It isn’t possible you have grandchildren of that age"

"Both h she wasn’t in the habit of divulging her age, she felt she could with Hector "I’ain his eyes widened "I would have said you were closer to your ht have expected such flattery But Hector hat David would’ve called a straight shooter He didn’t give compliments for any reason other than that he meant them

"I’ in a fewhave you been with the dealership?"

"Thirty-four years"

"With the same dealership?" That was practically unheard of these days

"I started as a ht school to becoer at the time offered me a job I worked hard and within ten years I was the chief er?"

Hector didn’t need to think about the answer "Alo I would have retired sooner, only the expenses of college es"

"All of your children were in college at the same time?"

"Yes Thankfully, each one received financial assistance through scholarships and grants But I have to tell you the costs were staggering"

Lillie knew that from what Barbie had told her about Eric and Kurt’s tuition costs and the other expenses associated with getting them started in school Even now, Lillie could hardly believe it She was ih school on what he earned as a service ood e?" he asked

Lillie shook her head "Barbie , just as I did Both David and I were disappointed but ultie She knew her own mind, and I will say she and Gary were very happy"

"That’s how it is with love so in her direction "Sometimes the heart really does knohat’s best"

Her own heart was speaking loud and clear at that very one for more than an hour, and it was tirew quiet Minutes earlier, their conversation had been animated; now, reality set in and there didn’t see else to say

When Lillie pulled into the dealership’s parking lot, she experienced a pang of regret This was it; the ride--and her relationship with Hector--was over There was no further reason to see hih they’d ever encounter each other in the normal course of their lives

He told her where to park, pointing at an e you’ve done," she said, forcing a smile

"My pleasure"